Otonari No Tenshi - sama Ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen Ni Sareteita Ken
Chapter 11: The Gift for Tenshi

Amane looked at the piece of paper with many student names taped to the wall of the corridor, "Oh, that's why." and muttered.

The exam rankings have just been announced, and Amane comes to take a look, along with his classmates.

The result is he ranked 21st, not much different than usual, not too prominent, although arguably worthy. Amane did not feel anything different while writing, and seeing that his ranking was as expected, he felt a little relieved.

Of course, Mahiru remained ranked 1st in their generation.

She is really a smart girl, but Amane knows that she is trying hard too, and can only be amazed at how amazing Mahiru is.

He saw her studying after dinner.

Well, he had been clever from the start, but what lifted him to first position was relentless hard work.

"Shiina-san is still ranked 1 ..."

"Si Tenshi used her thoughts differently, as expected."

Amane heard such voices amidst the commotion, and curled his lips dejectedly.

"... What's up Amane? You don't look happy. Isn't your ranking good?"

Itsuki was also with Amane when he looked back at Itsuki and looked a little surprised.

Just to be known, the ratings announced only reached the top 50, so Itsuki where could possibly find his own name. He just stopped by to accompany Amane.

"Not really. It's good at 21."

"Ohh, it's better than last time."

"Well, still in my estimation."

"Well, smart people always say different things."

Itsuki inched back as he grinned away. "OK, okay." and Amane brushed it off, before looking at the rankings again.

He really tried hard, Amane thought.

Mahiru was unwilling to show anyone the effort she put in, and while others thought it was expected of her, it was the result of her efforts.

Although the people around him praised him for being amazing, they knew nothing about the hard work behind his success, and could not understand it.

That must have been very disturbing for Mahiru.

"... I'll make it up to you."

"Hm? Did you say anything?"

"Nothing, I'm going back to the classroom."

"okay."

...----------------...

"Huh, Amane-kun, what is this?"

Mahiru has changed clothes, gone to the supermarket to buy ingredients, and returned to her apartment. He intended to put the ingredients into the fridge, he then noticed this white box."

"Hmm? Ahh, it's cake."

There was a cake inside the white box, and Mahiru probably found out about it when she saw the shape, but she wanted to be sure. In addition, Chitose likes to upload photos of her favorite pastry shop on SNS, and that's where Amane buys them from.

"... You like cake?"

"Not really. That's for you."

"Why again?"

"You're ranked first in our generation, so it's a bit of a celebration. Congratulations on getting first place."

Mahiru blinked her eyes as soon as she heard that the cake was for her.

Maybe it was really unexpected for him.

"I-I was often the first. It's not something worth celebrating."

"But well, you've worked hard, so getting the occasional reward isn't too bad either. Don't you like strawberry cakes?"

"Eh? I-I can't say that I don't like it ..."

"Hm, that's good. We'll eat it after dinner."

Although he realizes that Mahiru is a little surprised, Amane cuts off the conversation.

Mahiru will feel troubled if Amane is too attentive to him, so he should be a little more careful.

For Amane, Mahiru is a person who devotes himself entirely to others, but very strictly to himself. He is the type who does not relax unless something dramatic happens.

He would lower his head and do what he had to do, working hard without rest as long as no one praised and spoiled him. Amane felt that he did not know what it was like to be a deer. Although they did not spend much time together, he somewhat understood Mahiru's personality, and hoped to reciprocate some of the efforts he had avoided all along.

Amane noticed that Mahiru was still struggling in the kitchen, made a wry smile, and sighed as he looked at her until she moved again.

After dinner, Amane saw her cutting the cake nervously, and burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing?"

"No, it's nothing."

"It doesn't feel like there's nothing."

"Don't worry about that."

Amane was only shocked to see Mahiru acting so tense, and that was all.

But if He laughs too much, He will ruin his mood, and his purpose to reward him will be futile, so Amane stops after a while.

Mahiru brought the coffee along with the cake, and placed it on the table, before sitting on the sofa.

All of these actions made her seem very unnatural, and Amane felt like laughing. However, the man himself was right next to him, and He managed to endure it.

Mahiru looked at Amane anxiously.

"Nn, congratulations."

"... Thank you very much. But ..."

"Thank you. You've worked hard."

"Come, at the meal. Sometimes you have to relax."

I bought it for you anyway, Amane said. Mahiru looked a little uneasy as she nodded her head, picking up the fork and plate with the cake.

"I'm really grateful."

"Please eat."

Amane waved his hand, and Mahiru took a fork, carefully cut the bite-size cake, and brought it to her mouth.

Girls usually have a picky impression with the cake, but it should be fine since it's from the shop Chitose frequents.

The proof, once Mahiru ate it, her eyes widened slightly, and her mouth relaxed slightly.

He barely showed any change in his expression, but recently, he had started to show a similar amount of emotions.

Mahiru slowly ate the cake, showing a gentle expression, and this one eating scene became a kind of painting.

"... ? What's?"

"No, it's nothing."

Mahiru noticed Amane's gaze, and tilted her head in confusion.

His expression was softer than usual, and Amane, who had been staring at him, looked away.

Instead, it was Mahiru who was staring at Amane. He then suddenly recalled something, then he scooped up the cake again, and stretched it out toward Amane.

Ahhm, so she ended up trying to feed Amane.

"Eh, n-no, I don't really want to eat it."

"You don't want to?"

"... No, well, that's .. Because you gave it to me, I'll take it."

Amane never imagined this scene to be possible, so clearly, he seemed timid, unintentionally approving.

They were already at such an age, and of a different gender. Moreover, it was from the beautiful girl who fed him, so in a sense, it was, He may be considered lucky ~ but Amane is not at the point where he can throw his embarrassment and be instantly happy.

"After all, it's something you bought, Amane-kun. You have the right to eat it."

And Mahiru, who suggested this, never realized when she brought the cake to Amane's mouth with her usual look.

Usually, people will have a certain shadow of what it means to feed the opposite sex, but Mahiru's expression only seems confused.

It was bad for Amane to reject his good intentions, so he made up his mind and ate it.

What was scattered within his mouth was an unbelievable sweet taste.

"... It's so sweet."

"It's cake anyway."

Not just the cake, but Mahiru didn't seem to notice it.

Amane ate a little, and felt very sweet. His mental state might greatly affect him.

"... You don't feel anything."

He experienced all the sweetness, shame, and joy in his heart, but Mahiru herself seemed fine.

Amane thought it was very annoying, "Let me borrow it." so He took the fork from Mahiru's hand, making the same gesture to her as He extended the cake to Tenshi's mouth.

With this happening to her, how could Amane not repay her.

"Mrs."

"... Erm."

"Eat."

Mahiru seemed more agitated than before, as her tone was somewhat stiff.

But since he had done the same to Amane, it seemed like he had no intention of resisting, and like a bird being fed, he ate it obediently.

Mogu, mogu, he started chewing.

Amane looked at her and saw Mahiru's expression change slightly.

At first, he still looked puzzled, but with each bite, his face became slightly flushed.

And when he swallowed the cake, his embarrassment was obvious.

Her smooth face was white like milk, red like an apple. His eyes were somewhat moist, perhaps out of embarrassment when they looked teary.

"So what do you think?"

"It tastes good ..."

"No. I asked how you feel about being fed?"

Amane asked, knowing that he could imagine what he was feeling. Mahiru lowered her eyes, her body trembling slightly.

"... You could say I feel so ashamed."

"It's obvious, isn't it? You'll cause a misunderstanding if you do this to someone else. Do it between girls if you need to."

Now, you understand how I feel, Amane said as he looked to the side, "Yes." but Mahiru replied in a fading voice.

He probably did it because he treated Amane as a safe person.

His subconscious actions made Amane really worried, but it wasn't a bad feeling, so there was nothing to blame him for.

But the sweetness was still left in his mouth.

(I'll be in trouble too if he's too careless.)

Amane is happy to be trusted by Mahiru, but his careless actions without realizing it are truly astounding.

That is what Amane concluded when he looked towards the shrinking Mahiru, sighing softly.