The late afternoon sunlight spilled across the quiet Shibuya park, painting the winding paths and benches in soft gold.
Haru fidgeted with the straps of his running backpack, heart thumping, not from exercise this time, but from a far more intimidating challenge.
Inside the bag rested a small, neatly wrapped box. Plain paper, blue ribbon tied carefully around it. Simple, unassuming, but inside lay weeks of thought, careful planning, and something deeply personal.
"…Okay, calm down," Haru muttered to himself, tugging at the ribbon one last time. "It's just a gift. Totally normal. Totally… not terrifying."
PING
[System Notification: Bond-Building Activity Detected]
[Stress Level: Moderate]
[Recommendation: Emotional Safety Advised]
Haru groaned. "Of course the system has to make this more dramatic. It's not a dungeon raid.
it's… a socially acceptable human thing called giving a gift."
He took a deep breath. The past months in Shibuya flashed through his mind:
jogging every day, improving his stamina, gaining height and confidence, and forming genuine connections.
Chiyuri and Takumu had been constant presences, but Fuuko… Fuuko had become someone special. This gift wasn't just a system reward
it was his gift to her, in a small tangible form, handed to her with trust and care.
After securing the final knot on the ribbon one last time, Haru stood, sliding the box into his backpack.
"…There. Done. Now… deliver it without fainting, tripping, or saying something idiotic."
Haru jogged to the park. The steady rhythm of his improved legs, months of training, and system-guided stamina made 3 kilometers feel like a warm-up.
And yet, as he approached the bench, his chest thumped nervously.
Fuuko sat there, as always, notebook in hand. Sunlight caught her light-brown hair, and her warm blue eyes met his.
"Arita-kun," she greeted softly, smiling politely.
"Good afternoon, Kurasaki-san," Haru replied, adopting formal speech for the occasion. It felt fitting for a moment that held weight beyond the usual friendly banter.
She tilted her head. "…You sound serious today."
Haru fidgeted, adjusting the backpack strap. "I am. Very serious. Extremely serious. Dangerously serious." He cleared his throat. "…Actually, I'm super serious."
Fuuko blinked. "…Okay."
Haru carefully pulled the box out, extending it toward her with both hands.
"…I… I got something for you," he said, avoiding her gaze. "…But don't open it now. Take it home and… open it after I leave."
Fuuko's eyebrows lifted. "Don't open it now?"
Haru nodded vigorously, fidgeting. "Yes! Absolutely. Promise me. I want you to see it when I'm gone. Totally… serious."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "…Alright. I'll trust you, Arita-kun."
Relief washed over him, though his heart still raced. He had done it. She had accepted it.
Now he had to survive their walk without embarrassing himself further.
They walked slowly along the park path, sunlight fading into late afternoon warmth.
Haru's steps were confident, showing off the strength and stamina he had gained from months of training.
"…You know," he began cautiously, "…this might be the last time we walk together before I return to Suginami."
Fuuko's lips pressed together in a soft sigh. "…I understand."
Haru hesitated. "…After this, I'll be going back to school there. But that's not important right now. What matters is this moment, and… this gift."
Her eyes softened, and she smiled faintly. "…I'll take care of it, Arita-kun. I'll wait until you leave to open it."
Haru's chest warmed. "…Thanks, Kurasaki-san."
They walked in silence for a moment, letting the quiet of the park settle over them.
Each step carried the weight of months of growth, emotional connection, and unspoken feelings.
Finally, Haru forced a small smile. "…Anyway… remember. Don't open it. Promise?"
Fuuko nodded gently. "…I promise, Arita-kun."
Haru exhaled quietly, a mixture of relief and lingering nerves. "…Good. Thanks."
PING
[Bond Progress: +2]
[Emotional Connection Strengthened]
[User Stress Level: High / Nervous About Gift Reaction]
Haru muttered under his breath. "System, seriously? Can you not make this more stressful?"
PING
[Recommendation: Deep Breathing / Focus on Positive Outcome]
Haru groaned. "…Fine. Breathing. I can do this."
As they continued walking, Haru's thoughts drifted to everything he had experienced in Shibuya.
Months of running, learning self-discipline, growing taller and stronger, and forming bonds that didn't depend on system prompts or quests.
Chiyuri and Takumu had been constant companions, but Fuuko had become something unique, a calming presence.
"…You know," he began hesitantly, "…you were one of the first people I wanted to connect with here. You… made things easier. I didn't have to fight to be accepted. You just… accepted me."
Fuuko's lips curved into a faint smile. "…That's… very kind of you, Arita-kun."
Haru's chest warmed. "…Yeah. Well… you deserved to hear it."
They walked in silence, each step filled with unspoken emotions. The park felt quieter now, the city background fading into the soft hum of evening.
Haru slowed and faced her directly. "…Remember. Don't open it. I want you to see it after I leave, alright?"
Fuuko's gaze met his. "…I won't. I promise, Arata-kun."
He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "…Good. Thank you."
They lingered for a moment longer before parting ways. Fuuko stayed on the bench, holding the gift carefully in her hands. Haru jogged back home, backpack bouncing, heart thumping from nerves rather than exertion.
Running home, Haru thought about the gift, the months spent in Shibuya, and the bonds he had built. How would Fuuko react when she opened it alone? Would she like it? Would it make her happy? The uncertainty was both terrifying and thrilling.
"…I hope she likes it," he whispered to himself, focusing on his breathing and steady pace. His muscles carried him effortlessly through familiar streets, proof of all his hard work over the past months.
The system chimed softly:
PING
[Bond Status: High]
[Anticipation Detected: Level 3 / Emotional Impact Likely]
Haru groaned quietly. "…System, can you not make me overthink everything?"
PING
[Advice: Overthinking is unavoidable. Focus on running / emotional preparation]
Haru smiled faintly to himself. "…Fine. Running it is."
As the sun dipped behind the Shibuya skyline, Haru arrived home, breathing in the cool evening air. He thought about the gift waiting in Fuuko's hands, and how she would eventually discover what he had given her. He didn't know how she would react, but he trusted her and that was enough.
Haru set his backpack down and stretched, feeling the strength in his body, the confidence he had built, and the emotional growth of the past months.
He was no longer the timid boy who had arrived broken.
He was taller, stronger, and ready to face the next chapter of his life: returning to Suginami, reconnecting with old friends, and cherishing the bonds he had strengthened in Shibuya.
And back at her house, Fuuko held a small wrapped box, about to discover just how much someone cared for her.p