Chapter 112
Tsukiyo’s Birthday (7)
“U-uhh…”
“Ah, you’re awake.”
We were in the banquet room.
I was helping take care of Tsukiyo, who had collapsed, along with Urabara-san.
Seiya and Mizusato-san had borrowed the inn’s kitchen to prepare several dishes, while the rest of the group handled setting up the event and the banquet space.
I wanted to help too, but I had been told to stay by Tsukiyo’s side, so I stayed by the window in the banquet hall.
Tsukiyo sat up, holding her head a little.
“Tsukiyo, are you okay?”
“Thanks, Kinori. My head hurts a little, but I’m fine. More importantly, I had such an amazing dream. It’s the first time I remember one so clearly.”
“A dream?”
Tsukiyo spoke excitedly to Urabara-san, seemingly not noticing me standing behind her. Well, that’s fine.
“See, it was like… a handsome prince, just like Taiyo-san…”
Guh!
I almost let out a sound. The premise itself was absurd. A prince like me? What kind of setting is that?
Urabara-san kept glancing at me, clearly embarrassed. Tsukiyo shook her chestnut-colored hair back and forth, beaming with joy. I could almost imagine her expression from behind.
“He held me in his arms… and treated me so dearly. It was such a wonderful dream…”
“That probably wasn’t a dream…”
“Huh?”
“Think about where you actually collapsed, Tsukiyo. Who helped you.”
Tsukiyo froze. Then she began to tremble.
“I-I… I collapsed in the bathroom…? Taiyo-san was there with me at the time…”
Urabara-san pointed, and Tsukiyo turned around. She didn’t need to point—I had no idea how to react, and my face felt hot.
Her eyes spun in double circles, like when she had fainted in the bath, panic overtaking her.
“Eekkkkk! I-I was… wearing a towel, but… th-that!”
“I-it’s fine! I managed to help you while you still had the towel on!”
“B-but…! It’s… embarrassing!”
Tsukiyo covered her bright red face with her hands.
Urabara-san sighed at the scene.
“Then why weren’t you wearing a swimsuit? You brought one, didn’t you?”
“…It didn’t fit. The swimsuit didn’t fit! Ah! I-I haven’t gained weight!”
I wasn’t worried about that.
“It just didn’t cover my chest…”
“Huh!? It grew bigger again!? I haven’t grown since second year! What’s going on!?”
Please, talk about your body when I’m not here!
Urabara-san glared at Tsukiyo’s chest, clearly annoyed.
“I just thought since I took care of grooming and stuff, it should be okay.”
Yeah, sure it’s okay. How do you think you stimulated my… thoughts?
Maintaining that ‘curtain’ for that long was exhausting—I thought I might get sick.
I spoke to Tsukiyo.
“J-just… don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
“Okay…”
Oh no… I can’t even look at her face.
Once Tsukiyo had recovered, she quickly went to join the cooking team.
I helped with the banquet setup and transporting food… and before I knew it, it was already 7 p.m., the scheduled start time.
The inn had prepared dishes, alongside the food Mizusato-san and Tsukiyo made. Seiya’s dishes were probably something different.
The three of them returned, and the Kaminagi siblings came to sit on either side of me.
“Good work, Seiya, Tsukiyo.”
“Ah.”
“We just made it in time.”
The meal was a buffet-style standing dinner. I’d have to eat a lot.
Kudo-san took the role of MC, keeping the energy high.
Tsukiyo, the star of the day, was called to the front to say a few words.
I held the camera and moved closer. I’d been filming since the preparation started, and I’d keep taking photos.
“Thank you for this wonderful party for my birthday. Since this is also part of our winter trip, everyone, let’s eat a lot and have lots of fun!”
“Hehe, how cute. Now, everyone, let’s toast.”
“Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses. Naturally, there was no alcohol.
While talking with Seiya and Tsukiyo, I continued taking photos of everyone chatting.
Even though I had mostly been taking landscape photos, somehow the majority were now portraits—mostly of Tsukiyo.
I really liked capturing everyone smiling happily.
During the meal… the main event began: a small-scale live performance, practiced at a live house.
Hojo-san and Sera-san were on chorus. Hii-chan changed into her idol costume… and I…
“Kyaa! Taiyo-san, you’re amazing!”
Well, the only one excited was her.
I had borrowed the white tuxedo Seiya wore at the autumn sports festival. It was a bit large, but wearable.
I left the camera to Seiya… but he kept using burst mode, stop it already.
Today was Tsukiyo’s birthday party. We usually wouldn’t do something like this, but… I’d let myself show off a little!
◇◇◇
The small live ended, and Tsukiyo was presented with a large panda plush as a birthday gift from volunteers.
Ah, this was one of the popular ones. I think Tsukiyo had mentioned it before.
Next, a giant birthday cake was brought in on a cart.
Seiya added the finishing whipped cream to complete it.
So that’s why Seiya was in the cooking team—he was making this.
“Big brother, you made this?”
“Surprisingly fun. Being a patissier might even have a future.”
A handsome patissier—he might get popular. It’s exciting to see Seiya, who practices in the home economics club, show potential.
Tsukiyo, who loved sweets, had sparkling eyes.
Sixteen candles were set on the cake, lit, and the room was darkened.
Tsukiyo blew them out. Truly, an ideal birthday party. I snapped countless photos of the women eating cake.
By the way, the costume was too big, so she quickly changed back into a yukata.
Well… all events were over, and everyone started chatting.
I had taken enough photos, so it was about time to relax.
Now… whose group should I join? Even as friends, I hesitate to join an all-girls conversation.
Maybe I should go to Seiya’s group.
“Ah.”
I suddenly noticed the night sky outside the window was full of stars.
I definitely wanted to photograph that.
Alright, I’ll go outside.
“I’m going outside for a bit!”
“Okay!”
Someone answered, and I left the room, heading to the entrance.
“…Huh, Taiyo-san, did you drop something? Your cardholder…? …Ah!”
