"I still don't see how this has anything to do with electric sheep…"

Besides camping, there was no better pastime for Rin Shima than simply reading a book. Even during her solo trips across Yamanashi prefecture, she always made sure to bring something to read with her, whether a biography, a mystery novel, or a collection of haikus. It brought peace of mind to the blue-haired girl, whether on the road, at school, or at home.

Of course, this peacefulness didn't go totally uninterrupted once the Outdoors Activities Club came into the picture, and all the members who were part of it. After gaining more friends than she could've photomed even a year ago, her days became louder, busier, but also, more exciting. Even for the introvert, she couldn't deny she enjoyed the chaos every now and then.

A blue smartphone vibrated on the counter. Rin glanced at it for a second before blinking twice, setting her book aside, and seeing what is it her friends wanted to share with her now.

Ena: hey you're still in the library right (´ ᴗ`✿)

Rin: yeah, prob gonna head back home in a bit tho

Ena: ah i see ( ̄▽ ̄)

Rin: why

you need something?

Ena: me? no not really lol

btw a child cook is headed towards you

Rin: eh? ( ;¬_¬)

why so cryptic

Before she could see any response from her childhood friend, the sound of the library door slamming open startled the solo camper, nearly dropping her phone and holding back a yelp.

"Rin-channnn!"

Child cook? Ah, of course. Who else could it be but her?

"Ah, Nadeshiko…"

Rin could tell the pink-haired girl seemed excited about something. At least, more excited than she usually was around her.

"Ena-chan told me you'd be here. I'm so glad I found you before you left!"

"I see." Rin properly closed her book shut before giving the cheerful airhead her full attention. "So what's up?"

"Well… you know how last week was your birthday and I gifted you a new helmet for your moped?"

"Yes. You said you worked extra shifts at the restaurant to save up for it."

"Haha, yeah." Nadeshiko giggled in a way that couldn't prevent the solo camper from smiling. "The truth is though, there was something else I wanted to give alongside it but… it wasn't ready in time."

"Ready?" Rin whispered under her breath as she looked confused at her friend.

"But now, it finally is!"

Anticlimactically, Nadeshiko set her school bag on the floor before zipping it open, pulling out a blue box, and handing it to her friend.

"I hope you like it!"

Rin took the box, still processing what exactly was happening, before opening it. What she found inside was… unexpected to say the least.

"A… sweater?" The blue-haired girl held the teal yarn clothing, seeing what was… probably Mount Fuji?

"Yeah… It didn't really come out the way I wanted it to, but I worked very hard on it!"

"Wait, you made this?"

"I did! It was my first time doing any kind of knitting actually. I just wish I could've made it in time for your birthday…"

"Ah…" Rin stood up from her chair, looking at the sweater closer before chuckling. "I love it."

"Really?" Even that caught the genki girl off guard.

"Yeah. It kinda reminds me of you actually... It's bright, a little unruly…" Rin felt the material, before hugging the sweater against her chest. "And comforting... Not bad at all for your first time."

The solo camper walked around the counter, sweater still locked in her arms, before standing in front of her friend. "Thank you Nadeshiko."

The biggest smile made its way across the pink-haired girl, jubilated that, even though it was a week past its ideal completion date, all her hard work paid off in the end.

"I'm so happy you love it!" Nadeshiko used her entire body to bring Rin in for a hug. "I promise the next present will be even better!"

"The next present huh…" The blue-haired girl didn't even attempt to fight the hug, not when it was the child chef giving it. Instead, she simply embraced the warmth, both from her friend and the sweater, managing to squeeze an arm out to pat her friend's back in return.

"I'll be looking forward to it."