Ichijou Residence – Afternoon
The midday snow was falling heavier than in the morning, covering the streets with a thick white layer. The Kirisaki family's black car drove slowly through the busy roads until it finally stopped in front of the Ichijou residence. Chitoge stepped out, her body wrapped in a thick coat, both hands tightly holding a small neatly wrapped box with a dark blue ribbon. Behind her, Claude followed, his steps calm but his gaze as sharp as ever.
The Ichijou household felt more lively today. The faint sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard from inside, mixed with the lingering aroma of warm dishes from the shared breakfast. Chitoge took a deep breath, for some reason her heart was beating faster than usual.
The door was opened by Ryunosuke, who looked slightly surprised at who his guest was. He gave a short bow and then invited them in.
Inside, Raku was sitting in the living room, surrounded by several family members and guards still busy cleaning up the remains of the birthday cake. On the table lay gift boxes already opened, containing simple things like a scarf, a notebook, and even a pen. Raku smiled faintly when he saw Chitoge walk in, though his eyes still carried the confusion of his amnesia.
Chitoge walked slowly, approaching with her head slightly bowed in awkwardness. She placed the small box in front of Raku.
"I know you lost your memory… but today is your birthday, right? So… this is for you."
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet. Claude simply stood with his arms crossed, watching silently. Ryunosuke looked curious, while Issei, sitting in the corner of the room, just raised his eyebrows with a faint smile.
Raku stared at the box for a long time, as if in disbelief. His hand slowly reached out, carefully untying the blue ribbon. When the lid opened, the light of a smartphone screen still wrapped in clear plastic reflected in his eyes. For a moment he froze, his lips parting slightly.
Tears fell down his cheeks.
Chitoge was shocked, her eyes widening. She panicked and spoke in a hurried but soft voice.
"I-is the gift bad? If you don't like it, I can replace it…"
Raku quickly shook his head, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand.
"No. Not bad at all. Thank you… thank you for giving me this gift. I… I got information from the doctor that a smartphone can search things on the internet. It can read, listen to music, see the world… I never thought I'd receive something as special as this."
He smiled sincerely, though his eyes were still wet. That smile was simple, pure, and completely different from the talkative personality Raku had before he lost his memory.
Chitoge's heart throbbed strangely, almost painfully. Seeing him cry not out of sadness, but from happiness, made her chest tighten. She clenched her hands tightly, trying to suppress something she couldn't explain.
"Idiot…" she whispered almost inaudibly, her face turning red.
Claude, standing behind, just stared with an unreadable expression. In his heart, he wondered—the Bocchan he used to know was always restless and loud, but now… so calm, pure, and full of gratitude.
Chitoge lowered her head slightly, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks.
'Maybe… Raku now, even with amnesia… isn't bad.'
Raku's smile widened, his eyes sparkling even as they were still wet. He hugged the smartphone box tightly, as if the small item was the most precious treasure he had ever received.
In that warm room, for the first time since his amnesia, Raku felt he wasn't alone.
Ichijou Residence – Afternoon Towards Evening
The gift box had been completely opened. The new smartphone now lay on the table, shiny and unfamiliar to Raku, who looked at it with pure curiosity. His fingers brushed it lightly, as if afraid the object would break with just a touch.
Chitoge, who had been watching his innocent expression all along, let out a quiet sigh. She pulled a chair beside him and sat down, her body leaning slightly forward.
"Idiot… you don't even know how to turn it on, do you?" her voice sounded soft, gentler than usual.
Raku turned with an honest gaze.
"Yeah… is this the button?"
Chitoge took the smartphone from his hand, pressing the small button on the side. The screen lit up, white and blue light filling their view. She then placed it back into Raku's palm.
"This is the power button. If you press it long, the smartphone will turn on or off. If only once, the screen locks or unlocks. Got it?"
Raku stared at the screen with amazement, then carefully pressed it. The screen flickered and displayed the main page. He smiled, as if he had just discovered a small miracle.
"So beautiful… it's like another world inside this small box."
Chitoge froze for a moment, then turned her face away to hide her reddening cheeks. She pointed at the screen.
"Those are called icons. If you tap them, you can open applications. Look, this is a browser, to search for things on the internet. You can type any word, and the answer will appear here."
Raku followed her instructions, slowly typing with both hands. Letters appeared on the screen, though several typos made Chitoge hold back her laughter.
"Take it slow, don't rush. Use your thumbs, it's easier."
After a few tries, he finally managed to type a simple word: Snow. The screen displayed white pictures, mountain views, and beautiful ice crystals.
"This… is amazing," he whispered, eyes sparkling. "I can see another world with just this. Chitoge… thank you."
Chitoge bit her lip briefly, her heart trembling at that innocent expression.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't want my fake boyfriend to look dumb in front of others. That's all."
But her voice shook more than it sounded harsh.
Raku turned, then suddenly reached out and gently patted her head, just like the night before.
"I'm still grateful. You taught me… and gave me something precious. I won't forget it."
Thump.
Chitoge immediately lowered her head, her face burning red to her ears.
"I-idiot… who even said you can't forget?!"
Claude, standing in the corner, just let out a long sigh, adjusting his glasses. In his heart he muttered,
'For some reason, seeing Bocchan this calm… feels more dangerous than when he was loud.'
In that warm room, time passed slowly. Raku patiently tried to understand each function of the smartphone, while Chitoge, though trying to maintain her cold demeanor, secretly felt comfortable by his side.
For a moment, the snowy world outside felt far away.
The clock's hands pointed to four. The evening sunlight pierced through the window, reflecting warm light into the room. Raku still sat in his chair, staring at the smartphone screen with curiosity. Occasionally, he turned toward Chitoge, as if to confirm whether he was doing it right.
"Here, if you want to send a message, use this app. Just type, then press send. Easy, right?" Chitoge explained, folding her arms across her chest.
Raku nodded slowly, typing something with trembling fingers. The text that appeared made Chitoge lower her head to read.
Thank you, Chitoge.
Her heart trembled instantly. She quickly turned her face away, suppressing the sudden warmth spreading across her face.
"T-that's all you wrote? So simple, idiot."
Raku smiled sincerely, placing the smartphone on his lap.
"Yes… but that's what I wanted to say. If I could write again, I'd want to write it many times."
Chitoge froze, her eyes widening, before hurriedly standing up from her chair.
"Idiot! Don't say weird things like that! I… I'm going home now!"
Claude, who had been watching all along, just let out a quiet sigh and then stood as well.
"Ojou-sama, we should go home. It's already late afternoon."
Chitoge grabbed her coat, but before truly stepping out, she turned once more. Raku was still sitting on the chair, looking at her with a calm smile, a smile completely different from the restless and panicked one before. A smile that was pure, gentle, yet somehow deeper.
"Be careful on your way, Chitoge." Those simple words made her footsteps halt for a moment.
"…Yeah. You too… don't forget your medicine." Her voice sounded soft, almost like a murmur, before she finally walked out completely.
The door closed slowly. The sound of Claude and Chitoge's footsteps faded in the corridor.
Raku looked at the smartphone in his hands, then at the still lit screen. He typed once more, this time without speaking, just for himself.
I want to remember everything… including you.
The evening light slowly dimmed, leaving the room in a calm atmosphere.