Chapter 194: Anniversary, Gift
Dazed, Eriri sat down in the chair and looked at Kaede sitting across from her, feeling utterly confused: "Kaede-kun, why did you book the whole place?"
Kaede looked at Eriri, his eyes crinkling in a smile: "Guess?"
"Ugh... If I could guess, why would I be asking you?"
Eriri looked at Kaede discontentedly and began racking her brains, trying to figure out what he was planning.
After calling the waiter and signaling that they could start serving the food, Kaede said: "Alright, stop worrying about it. We're already sitting down, so let's just enjoy dinner. The food here is quite good."
"But there's no need to book the entire place. That must cost a lot..."
Watching the waitress pour her drink, Eriri said, "Especially at a high-end restaurant like this. Wouldn't that money be better spent on games and figures?"
Hearing Eriri say that, Kaede couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry, our family definitely has money for games and figures."
"But it's still too expensive..." Eriri pouted, looking at Kaede-kun and saying, "Kaede-kun, just this once. Don't do this again."
"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. Just this once."
Kaede naturally agreed unconditionally for now, but when the time came to act, he would absolutely still do it.
He glanced at the waiter standing not far away, gave a signal, and soon a musician with a violin walked over and began to play a melodious tune.
Looking at the surprised Eriri, Kaede whispered, "The usual services are still available, of course. It's a candlelight dinner, after all."
Although she hadn't quite processed it yet, it was impossible for Eriri not to feel happy at this moment. After all, no girl dislikes a romantic atmosphere.
The dishes for dinner came out one by one, and just as Kaede had said, the food tasted excellent. Both Eriri and Kaede enjoyed their meal thoroughly.
She cut a piece of steak and put it in her mouth. After happily swallowing it, Eriri asked, "Kaede-kun, what exactly are you planning? Aren't you going to tell me yet?"
"Want to know?"
Eriri nodded repeatedly, "If you don't tell me, I'm starting to get a little worried."
Kaede put down his knife and fork, looked at Eriri and said, "Then take a guess. You have three chances."
"Still making me guess..."
Eriri continued eating in small bites, but her little brain was also working.
But as she thought, Eriri's face flushed, because she thought of something that would happen in a private setting without outsiders.
A marriage proposal, but it couldn't be that.
Under Kaede's gaze, Eriri shook her head repeatedly, saying somewhat awkwardly, "I... I can't think of anything..."
Kaede could tell that Eriri had definitely thought of something, but it was probably quite far from the correct answer.
"If you can't guess, then wait a little longer. There are still dishes to come."
"Oh~~"
Seeing Kaede being so mysterious, Eriri became even more puzzled.
"My birthday? No, that's not right. My birthday is in March, Kaede-kun, you know that. So what could it be..."
Before Eriri could think of her next guess, the next course of the set meal was served, mercilessly distracting her.
The dishes were served slowly, one by one. With delicious food in front of her, Eriri finally stopped overthinking. Anyway, he couldn't possibly sell her, so whatever.
About an hour later, dinner was mostly finished. While waiting for dessert, Kaede calculated that it was about time.
Looking at the content Eriri, who was swaying gently in her chair, Kaede asked, "Eriri, I want to ask you something."
"Hmm... huh?"
After eating her fill, Eriri, whose reactions were a bit slow, paused for a moment and then realized.
Is the main topic coming?
Then she heard Kaede ask, "Have you calculated how long it's been since we started dating?"
"How long?"
Eriri had never actually thought about it. She counted on her fingers, "We started dating at the end of May... three months, right?"
"Yes, but if you calculate precisely, today is exactly the 100th day."
"...Huh? 100 days?!!"
Eriri couldn't help but exclaim. She quickly pulled out her phone, opened the calendar, and carefully calculated.
"It really is 100 days, Kaede-kun... Hmm?"
Looking up at Kaede, Eriri saw him holding a slender box and handing it to her.
"This is..."
"A gift, a commemoration of our 100th day of dating. I personally chose it. Open it and see if you like it."
Eriri glanced at the gift, then at Kaede's smiling face. For some reason, she felt a lump in her throat.
After taking the gift, Eriri said softly, "I... I didn't even remember."
"It's okay. No one says you have to remember these things, right?" Kaede said with a smile, "I guess I'm just more idle, to remember these things."
Eriri shook her head, "I should have remembered, Kaede-kun. You even prepared a gift; I should have prepared one too."
"No need, oh." Kaede looked into Eriri's eyes and said softly, "To me, Eriri being by my side every day is the best gift. Alright, hurry and open the gift I chose for you."
Eriri sniffled, nodded, and then unwrapped the box.
Opening the box, a necklace lay inside, immediately captivating Eriri's eyes.
Seeing Eriri's expression, Kaede knew he had chosen the right gift. He then said, "At the time, I didn't know what to choose, so I asked Sayuri-auntie for advice. After looking around the store, I picked this star-patterned one. Do you like it?"
"Mm!"
Eriri nodded vigorously, her eyes welling up with tears.
Standing up and coming behind Eriri's seat, Kaede slowly picked up the necklace from the box and said, "Eriri, let me help you put it on."
"Mm-hmm!"
How could Eriri refuse? She gently swept aside her long hair from her neck, revealing her delicate nape.
Kaede held the necklace, embraced Eriri from behind, and put the necklace on her.
Just as he put it on and was about to return to his seat, Eriri suddenly reached out and grabbed Kaede's sleeve, looking at him and whispering, "Kaede-kun, thank you. I love you the most!"
Listening to Eriri's words, Kaede paused for a moment, then showed a satisfied smile.
To hear Eriri say that, all the things he had done were worth it.