Masumi Usui/Hot Chocolate with Love

The Start of Our Matching Plans for the Future

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Sakuya	Ah, Masumi-kun. Perfect timing.
Masumi	…What?
Sakuya	I was wondering if you’ve chosen your present yet.
	I mean, that’s what Kazunari-san told us, right?
	He said, “for Christmas, let’s put presents for Director into our own advent calendar".
Masumi	There’s no way I'd forget the day to give her my present.
	Have you chosen yours?
Sakuya	Not yet, I’m still deciding.
	Mine is going to be opened the first day, so I’m really worried because of that…
Masumi	I wanted mine to be opened by her first.
	Sakuya, switch with me now.
Sakuya	Ehh!? B-but it’s already been decided…
	Ah, Masumi-kun’s the second day, right?
	Is your present prepared?
Masumi	I’m still thinking. Since it’s really important.
Sakuya	That’s true, the first gifts are crucial so we have to think hard, right?
Masumi	That’s not it.
Sakuya	Eh?
Masumi	It’s not because I’m the second day or anything.
	I just want to choose carefully since I’m giving her a present.
Sakuya	Ah, I see…
	That’s true, you want to make Director happy, right?
Masumi	I looked at the advent calendar Kazunari made, and with that compartment size, it looks like I can fit a ring inside.
Sakuya	A r-ring?
Masumi	With this timing, she might be happy getting a ring as a surprise. But—.
	If I’m finally giving her a ring, I think I'd like to meet with her and hand it over personally, since I want to see her surprised expression and reaction up close…
Sakuya	U… um, Masumi-kun.
	Maybe the ring can wait until next time…?
Masumi	Don’t tell me you’re thinking of giving her a ring too?
Sakuya	Ehh!? T-that’s not it!
	It’s just like Masumi-kun said, I think it’d be better to give something like that to the person directly…!
Masumi	…So it is, huh?
Sakuya	Y-yeah.
	I’m sure Director would also be happier that way, right?
Masumi	I understand… I’ll save the ring for next time.
Sakuya	Phew…
	I’ll put a little more thought into my present for Director too.
Masumi	I won’t forgive you if you give her something weird.
Sakuya	I-I understand!
	Let’s do our best to make Director happy together!
Itaru	Oh, there he is.
	Sakuya, I want you to pull this gacha for me—.
Sakuya	Ah, sure!
Masumi	I have to search for something she'll like, apart from a ring...

Izumi	(It’s got to be Masumi-kun today for the advent calendar, right? I wonder what’s put inside…)
	Ah, how cute! …I guess this is a coaster?
	(It’s a pretty surprising choice from Masumi-kun. It seems easy to use on a regular basis.)
	But I feel like I’ve seen that design somewhere before…
Masumi	Director, how’s the present?
Izumi	Ah, Masumi-kun!
	Thanks for the present.
	I’m happy since it’s really cute and I can use it easily every day.
Masumi	I see… Then I’m glad.
	You're really cute when you're happy too.
Izumi	But why did you choose this coaster?
	I was thinking I’ve seen this design somewhere before, but…
Masumi	…! Director, you remembered.
Izumi	Eh?
Masumi	It was during Christmas, the first year we met.
	That day I went shopping together with you.
	It has the same design as the matching mugs we bought that time.
Izumi	Ah… Those heart mugs!
	Oh right, that’s why it was familiar, huh?
CHOICE 1: I’m happy! [+] Izumi I don’t usually get the chance to receive coasters, so I’m happy! Masumi Did it become an unforgettable present for you? Izumi Of course! Masumi I’m glad… I’ll treasure it for a lifetime too. Izumi Eh?
CHOICE 2: It’s lovely that it has the same design as the mugs [+] Izumi I see, so there were also matching coasters for the mugs, huh? It’s a really lovely present. Thank you, Masumi-kun! Masumi Yeah. I found it when I was searching for your present, and I thought it had to be that.
	I want you to use this coaster together with your mug every day.
	Like this, the matching items I have with Director will increase more and more, and one day all of the things Director and I own… will be the same…
Izumi	Don’t tell me, Masumi-kun bought a coaster for himself too…?
Masumi	Of course. Here’s mine.
Izumi	(So my coaster is also a pair with Masumi-kun’s…!?)
Masumi	I’ve already thought of your present for next year.
	And the year after that, and the year after that too…
	Oh right, I also have to pick out the house the two of us will live in one day—.
Izumi	U-umm…
	(A-at this rate, I’ll be strung along by Masumi-kun’s usual pace…
	I have to come up with some other topic…)
	M-Masumi-kun!
Masumi	What is it? Oh, do you have some kind of hope about the house we’ll live in together?
	As expected, considering our future children, I think it’d be better if there was a school or park nearby.
Izumi	T-that’s not what I meant!
	Now that I’ve opened my present, I want to have some tea using these coasters, so how about we have some together?
Masumi	So you’re using it right away…
	There’s no way I’d refuse your invitation.
Izumi	I-I see.
Masumi	Teatime with matching mugs and coasters…
	It’s like a house date, so I’m so happy.
Izumi	(I think I somehow managed to change the topic…?)
	(But this is a present that Masumi-kun gave me with a lot of thought put into it. I'll use it with care.)

Anna