"Thank you."

I accepted the box that he was holding.

When I took the box from his hand, he finally looked up at me and ran off.

Sudou is really fast on his feet. But not as good as him.

No, stop. Why am I again comparing others with him?

Lately, I had had a habit of comparing everyone with him, no matter the situation.

He was someone from whom I wanted to be acknowledged. That was all there was to it. I wonder how many times have I already repeated that to myself.

Oh, this is getting worse.

I tried to stop thinking along that line and boarded the elevator.

Just as the door was about to close, someone inserted his shoes in between the doors and got in.

He was a classmate of mine, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. And he was the very person whom I was trying to get off my mind.

What the hell is up with this timing?!

I screamed internally.

There was an awkward silence between us.

I tried to speak a few times but chickened out every time I tried.

Normally, I would have no problem talking to him as usual. But I wonder why it was so difficult now.

Then, I suddenly remembered something and decided to use that to start the conversation.

"You have become quite popular, haven't you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

He replied in his usual taciturn tone, almost mechanical.

"Don't play dumb. You were carrying a bag full of chocolates yesterday."

I had seen him carrying a big plain bag while entering the dorms. And since yesterday was Valentine's day, it was all too easy to figure out what was inside.

"You were also one of the girls who gave me chocolate yesterday, you know?"

"So what, didn't I tell you that it was just an obligatory one?"

Yeah. It was only an obligatory one.

Rather than telling him, I felt as if I was trying to convince myself of that fact.

"So that means you gave that chocolate so that I would be obliged to give you something in return today, right?"

"Ouch!"

He let out a cry when I stooped on his foot.

"I never implied anything like that, did I?"

"No, not at all."

It was true that I didn't give him chocolate yesterday just because I wanted something in return for my birthday today. But it was also true that I actually wanted something from him. But there was no way I could say that.

All this time I had waited for him to give me something. But we were already approaching his floor. That means that I won't be getting any gifts from him.

But why did I expect something from him in the first place? There's seriously something wrong with me. I was getting worked up again.

Okay, calm down.

He did wish me in the morning so that's fine.

"Horikita."

Hee?!

I screamed internally again. 

That was a shock. Why did he have to call me just as I was about to calm down?

I composed myself and spoke to him.

"What's wrong?"

I think I managed to sound as usual. I hope I did so.

"Here."

Saying that he handed me a small box.

"I don't know much about gifts or the sorts but I hope you would like it. Happy birthday."

He then got off the elevator.

Dumbfounded, I watched the elevator door close slowly with his figure visible through the gap, still holding the gift he had given me.

As the door closed, I immediately opened up the box to check the content.

It was a white bangle with a silver touch to it and was beautiful.

I tried to slip my hands and wow it fits me perfectly.

I felt my heart beat faster.

I had never felt so happy before, from getting a gift on my birthday.

"Thank you, Ayanokoji-kun."

I am sure he wouldn't hear me, but I wanted to say it nonetheless.

It felt so good, wearing the gift I had received from him.

Note:

Happy birthday to Horikita Suzune!

Actually, I was feeling a bit under the weather today and I had to force myself to go to college. I was a bit tired and I had completely forgotten today was Suzune's birthday. (Horikita stans might be cursing me.) I remembered only when someone messaged me personally on my FB account to write a SS for her birthday! 

I am thankful to him/her @AnnPhan345. And also thank you @AudreyRC7 for posting that message on my feed informing me about her birthday!