NOVEL NEXT Chapter 338: [Who Will Get the Engagement Ring?]
《《"Let’s dig in!"》》
The day after my language stream with Ilyena.
Angu Ogu and I sat together, putting our hands together.
A more luxurious meal than usual was spread on the table.
Yes, today was a special day…
《I never imagined I'd spend Thanksgiving with Iroha.》
《It's an event we don’t have in Japan, so it's my first time experiencing it. Mmm, delicious! Is this "stuffing"? I didn't know how to make it, so I just bought it.》
《Thanksgiving wouldn't start without it!》
It was a roast turkey stuffed with various ingredients.
I was recommended to eat it with cranberry sauce, which was quite something.We also had mashed potatoes with gravy.
The only problem was the sheer amount of food!
《It would be great if Mai or Ah-nee were here for this.》
《Ilyena too, right?… Hmph.》
《Huh? What's up, Angu Ogu? You seem upset.》
《It’s nothing. I’m not thinking about how you’re only talking about other girls when it’s just the two of us.》
《Oh, is that so? Alright, then.》
《Grrrr!》
《Wait, what? What's going on!?》
Angu Ogu, who was sitting next to me, suddenly headbutted my shoulder. She rubbed her face against me, almost like a pet marking its territory.
《I watched yesterday's stream archive. You seem to be getting quite close to Ilyena.》
《Ah, yeah. I guess so. Maybe.》
《…Are you planning to go out with her?》
《Ugh!? Cough, cough! Gulp, phew!?》
I almost choked at the unexpected question.
I hurriedly drank water and swallowed the food in my throat.
《Wow, that surprised me! Why are you asking that out of the blue!? Th-that doesn’t concern you, Angu Ogu!》
《Hmph!》
《A-Angu Ogu? Why are you hugging my neck all of a sudden… Ow, ow, ow!? You’re choking me!?》
《This is the punishment for being a womanizer. Squeeze~~~!》
《Gwaaah!?》
I tapped her arm to signal my surrender.
After a while, she seemed satisfied and let go.
Why am I going through this? I haven’t done anything wrong.
As I was thinking that, something came to mind.
《By the way, isn’t there something happening tomorrow too?》
《Huh? Oh, it’s so-called "Black Friday." The day after Thanksgiving, there’s a huge year-end sale… Every American goes shopping on that day.》
Apparently, it’s like a Christmas sale in Japan.
Unlike Thanksgiving, it’s not a holiday, but many people treat it like one.
As for why it’s called "Black," it’s because businesses go "in the black," or turn a profit.
Hmm, capitalism. But apparently, it used to have a worse meaning… Compared to that, this is way better.
《Actually, speaking of the year-end, there’s something I need to ask you, Angu Ogu.》
《Why so serious?》
《Do you already have plans for Christmas?》
《!?!?!? Iroha, what does that mean!?》
《Wait, don’t get the wrong idea! In America, Christmas is spent with family, right!? So I figured you’d go home to the White House at least for that day!》
《Whew, you scared me. But yeah, I guess I should head back for Christmas, or I’ll get in trouble too.》
《I thought so.》
《But, Christmas Eve is probably free.》
《…Really? I see.》
I took a deep breath. Sometimes, you need a running start to build up the courage to clear a hurdle. Then I made up my mind and asked her.
《Then, will you spend Christmas Eve with me?》
《!?!?!? That’s a misleading way to say it! I’m not falling for it a second time!》
《I have something important to tell you.》
I placed my hand on Angu Ogu's arm, which was wrapped around my neck, and said that.
My voice was probably trembling.
My face must have been bright red.
Luckily, she couldn’t see me from that angle.
《…Seriously?》
《I said it! I told you!》
《O-okay.》
At last, I had made up my mind.
I knew exactly what I had to do, and to whom I had to respond.
《…Seriously?》
Angu Ogu muttered to herself as she returned to her seat and resumed eating.
We both fell silent.
Occasionally, we would sneak glances at each other.
Her expression was a mix of nervousness, anticipation, and a bit of anxiety.
There was just over a month left until the end of the year.
And that meant the end of "this story" was also approaching.
***
The next day, Black Friday.
I was walking through the city alone. Well, not entirely alone, as I had bodyguards.
《Wow, look at all the people. Is everyone here for shopping?》
Well, I’m no different, so I can’t say much.
I had split up with Angu Ogu to buy something. That something was…
《You absolutely can't spill the beans to Angu Ogu or anyone else, okay?》
《I got it, I got it. I’m not that rude.》
《…I’m serious, okay?》
I warned the grinning Secret Service agent, then entered the store.
It was a jewelry shop. In other words…
A store that sold… rings.