The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Sam's room. He stirred slightly, feeling the familiar weight of something cool against his chest. As his eyes slowly adjusted, he glanced down and saw the locket Mahiru had gifted him, resting gently over his heart.
His gaze then shifted to his wrist, where the bracelet from Promise Day snugly fit. A small smile tugged at his lips as he traced his fingers over it, recalling the warmth in Mahiru's eyes when she had tied it around his wrist.
It was strange—before Mahiru, he never cared much for things like gifts or romantic gestures. But now, each small token from her carried a warmth he never wanted to let go of.
His mind wandered to today's occasion—Teddy Day.
Sam sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. A teddy, huh? He knew Mahiru liked soft things—she always hugged that plushie he had won for her at the arcade. Would she like another one?
A sudden thought struck him, and he pulled out his phone, quickly searching for the nearest store that sold plushies. He wanted to find something special, not just any teddy. If he was going to give her one, it had to be something that would always remind her of him.
A determined smile formed on his lips as he grabbed his jacket.
"Alright, let's do this."
---
AttheGift Shop
Sam stood in front of a row of teddy bears, each one fluffier than the last.
There were small ones, big ones, ones with ribbons, some holding tiny hearts, and even some wearing little sweaters. He scratched the back of his head, feeling oddly nervous. Why is this so hard?
"Looking for a gift?" the store clerk asked, noticing his struggle.
Sam nodded. "Yeah, for someone special."
The clerk chuckled. "Girlfriend?"
His ears turned slightly red. "...Yeah."
"Well, then, you should pick one that reminds you of her."
Sam blinked. That was actually… helpful.
He glanced around again, this time with Mahiru in mind. Soft, warm, comforting… and then his eyes landed on the one.
A medium-sized, cream-colored teddy bear with a tiny blue ribbon around its neck.
Perfect.
Without hesitation, he picked it up and went to pay.
---
Evening – Meeting Mahiru
Mahiru stood by the riverside, the gentle breeze making her golden-brown hair sway. Sam had asked her to meet him here, though she wasn't sure why she felt so nervous.
She saw the bracelet around her wrist and smiled.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching.
She turned—and there he was.
Sam smiled at her, though there was a flicker of nervousness in his expression. He had one hand behind his back, clearly hiding something.
Mahiru tilted her head. "What are you hiding?"
He hesitated before slowly bringing his hand forward, revealing the teddy bear.
Mahiru's eyes widened.
"For you," he said, holding it out.
For a moment, she just stared at it, her heart skipping a beat. Then, gently, she took it from his hands, feeling the soft fur against her fingertips.
"It's so cute…" she whispered, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.
Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "I saw it and… it reminded me of you."
Mahiru's cheeks turned red. "Y-You think I look like a teddy bear?"
He chuckled. "Not exactly. But it's warm, soft, and makes people feel safe… just like you."
Mahiru clutched the bear close, her face completely flushed. "Idiot…"
But Sam could tell she was happy.
She looked up at him, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Sam… I'll treasure it."
Sam smiled, relieved. "I'm glad."
As they stood there, watching the sky darken into a blanket of stars, Mahiru suddenly spoke up.
"You know… I've always liked teddy bears, but…" She hugged the bear tighter. "I think this one might be my favorite."
Sam felt his heart skip a beat.
And for the rest of the evening, as they walked together, Mahiru never let go of the teddy bear—just like she never let go of the warmth Sam gave her.
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