he's got a wrapped gift that he's setting down somewhere she can find. it's definitely some kind of hair ornament. probably adorned with flowers and butterflies or something. he's not good at giving gifts himself but pretty trinket for his pretty lady. ( thinking about them recently, so have a little cute vibe from this depressed wet cat LMAO )
Kanae had noticed the small package long before she reached for it.
It sat carefully on the engawa outside her room, wrapped a little unevenly, as if the person who prepared it had spent more time making sure it stayed together than making it look pretty. The corners weren’t perfect, and the knot tied around it was slightly crooked — but somehow that alone told her exactly who had left it there.
A soft smile curved across her lips. “Oh my…” She lowered herself gracefully beside it, sleeves pooling around her hands as she gently picked it up. Her fingertips brushed over the wrapping with delicate care, almost as though she was afraid to damage something precious. The faintest laugh escaped her when she noticed how firmly the paper had been folded. “Tomioka-san really tried his best, didn’t he?”
Her violet eyes softened immediately after saying it, warmth blooming across her expression instead of amusement. There was something painfully earnest about gifts from someone like Giyuu. He wasn’t the type to speak openly, nor someone naturally skilled at affection, which only made gestures like this feel impossibly sincere.
Carefully undoing the ribbon, Kanae unfolded the wrapping and paused the moment she saw the ornament resting inside. A butterfly hairpiece. Tiny flowers decorated the edges, delicate petals curling around painted wings that shimmered faintly beneath the light. It was beautiful in a quiet way — elegant without trying too hard, gentle and thoughtful… much like the person who had chosen it. For a brief second, Kanae simply stared at it. Then her expression melted completely.
Her shoulders relaxed as she brought one hand to her lips, hiding the tender smile threatening to grow wider. There was a noticeable pink dusting her cheeks now, subtle but unmistakable. “He remembered…”
The realization settled warmly in her chest. He had noticed the kinds of things she liked. The flowers. The butterflies. The soft colors she lingered on whenever they passed market stalls together. Giyuu had paid attention all this time, even if he rarely said anything aloud. That thought alone made her heart ache fondly.
Turning the ornament carefully in her hands, Kanae glanced toward the garden path, almost expecting him to be lingering nearby despite his tendency to disappear after doing something thoughtful. She could practically imagine him leaving the gift there in complete silence before immediately retreating out of embarrassment.
The image made her giggle quietly. “You’re unfairly cute sometimes, Tomioka-san…” Her voice came out barely above a whisper. After another moment, Kanae rose to her feet and walked toward the polished reflection of the nearby window. With slow, delicate movements, she lifted part of her hair and slid the ornament carefully into place.
The butterflies rested perfectly against the side of her head. For a moment she simply looked at herself, fingertips lightly touching the accessory before her eyes softened all over again. Then, without hesitation, Kanae turned and began walking down the hall, already intending to find him. The moment she eventually spotted Giyuu, her smile brightened immediately — warm as spring sunlight. “Tomioka-san~”
Her voice carried gently through the quiet air as she approached him with her hands folded neatly behind her back. Tilting her head slightly, she allowed the ornament to catch the light intentionally this time, violet eyes sparkling with unmistakable affection “What a lovely surprise.”
She watched him carefully, noticing the way he’d probably avoid eye contact or stiffen awkwardly under the attention, and it only made her expression soften further. “I love it very much,” she said sincerely, lifting one hand to touch the butterfly piece in her hair. “You chose something so beautiful for me.”
Kanae stepped just a little closer then, close enough for her sleeves to brush lightly against his arm. “Thank you.” Her smile turned smaller after that — quieter, gentler, more intimate. “And… I think I’ll treasure it even more because it came from you.”
