Episode 199: Sara’s Insistence

Nishikawa:「Now then, everything is ready.」

Three types of large cakes were lined up on the table. Of course, they were all birthday cakes for Sara-san.

I’d actually intended to cover the cost for these as well, but Nishikawa-san had politely turned me down.

Nishikawa:「We’ll provide the cakes, so please use that money for Sara instead. She’ll be much happier that way.」

That was what she said.

So, I took her up on her kindness, but I didn’t expect her to prepare three of them…

Since the lights in the room were turned off, the only light source was the candles flickering on the strawberry cake. Those dancing flames in the darkness and the faces of everyone illuminated by them created a truly mystical atmosphere.

And on Sara-san’s chest, the pendant caught the candlelight, sparkling as if to assert its presence.

Natsumi:「Alright everyone, here we go. One, two…」

Happy birthday to you…

I never imagined when we first met that the day would come where I’d sing this standard song for Sara-san. Even though we both carried our own different brands of loneliness, here we were, surrounded by wonderful friends, having become a couple… this is bad, I’m so moved I might cry…

Happy birthday to you…

After confirming we’d finished singing, Sara-san took a deep breath. In the corners of her eyes, I could see something shimmering in the candlelight.

Fuuuuuu

I was filming with my smartphone, trying to capture the sight of her desperately blowing out the candles. I don’t know if it was the lighting, but it kept getting blurry, so I could only pray that the footage turned out okay.

Sara-san successfully blew out all the candles. In the pitch black, someone flipped the light switch…

BANG!! Pa-pa-pa-pang!!

In the split second after the lights came on, the crackers everyone held rang out once more.

Natsumi:「Now, once again…」

Happy Birthday!!

Having safely reached the most important ritual that couldn’t be missed, the party grew even more lively.

Caught up in the atmosphere, everyone’s tension was high. It was great to see them enjoying themselves.

Natsumi:「Hey, Takanashi-kun, over here!」

Kazunari:「What is it?」

Called over by Natsumi-senpai, I looked at the table to see they were about to slice the birthday cake. For some reason, Sara-san was standing by with a knife… or rather, was she being made to wait?

Natsumi:「Look, Sara’s waiting, so help her cut the cake!」

Todo:「Wow, they’re actually going to do it!」

Tachikawa:「So exciting!!」

Kazunari:「Um, what are we talking about?」

While being exposed to the strangely excited gazes of the girls, I stood next to Sara-san. With her face slightly flushed, she watched me bashfully.

Am I supposed to grip the knife by placing my hand over hers?

Hanako:「I thought it was a joke… you’re actually going to do it?」

Yuji:「Well, it looks interesting, so let’s see it through.」

Hayato:「I’ll make sure to record this perfectly.」

Nishikawa:「Wh-why do we have to be forced to watch this just for a birthday cake being sliced!」

Natsumi:「Because it’s fun!」

The spectators were getting so hyped that I felt like I was being left behind.

Well, if it serves as entertainment, I guess that much is…

Sara:「My apologies, Kazunari-san. I… that is… am I being a nuisance?」

Sensing my hesitation, Sara-san’s expression suddenly clouded over.

This is bad. If I stop here, I’ll embarrass her. Besides, it’s not like I hate the idea; if it makes her happy, I’d actually prefer to do it.

Kazunari:「No, no. If it’s okay with you, Sara-san, let’s try it. Everyone seems to be expecting it.」

Sara:「Eh!? I-Is it truly alright?」

Kazunari:「O-Of course. I’m… well, I’m happy to do it.」

Sara-san’s face turned bright red instantly, and her reaction made me feel bashful too.

I’d intended for this to just be a little bit of fun because everyone was egging us on, but when she reacts that strongly, I can’t help but become conscious of it.

Sara-san lifted her hand holding the knife so it was easy for me to grab, so I gently placed my hand over hers.

What is this tension…

Everyone watched with bated breath. Todo-san and Tachikawa-san in particular were whispering something to each other.

And then the knife moved toward the cake…

Sara:「N-No, I can’t do it after all!」

Sara-san suddenly spoke up and stopped the knife.

Surprised, I reflexively let go of her hand…

Sara:「M-My apologies. As I thought, this is… well…」

Sara-san’s face remained bright red, but I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed by the clear rejection.

Kazunari:「S-Sorry, I got a bit carried away.」

Sara:「Kazunari-san!? Pl-Please don’t make a face like that! It isn’t that I disliked the idea!」

I didn’t think I’d let it show on my face that much, but seeing Sara-san so desperate, I needed to follow up with something…

Natsumi:「Sorry Sara, I guess I teased you a bit too much.」

Nishikawa:「She’s right. This kind of thing should be done properly at the right… wait… Sara, could it be you…」

Nishikawa-san seemed to realize something, and a look of shock crossed her face.

Sara:「Eri! Don’t say another word!!」

With her face still crimson, Sara-san shouted at Nishikawa-san.

Natsumi:「…Ah! No way, that far!?」

Todo & Tachikawa:「Kyaaaaaa!!」

Hanako:「I figured as much, but you really were thinking about that…」

It seemed the girls understood the situation. For now, should I just be satisfied knowing she didn’t turn me down because she hated it?

Kazunari:「…Hayato, did you get that?」

Hayato:「Well, sort of. I won’t say it because I don’t want Satsukawa-senpai to get mad at me, but I guess she’s saving it for later?」

Kazunari:「Saving it…? Yuji, what about you?」

Yuji:「No idea.」

Sara:「Kazunari-san! I beg of you, please let this conversation end here!」

Kazunari:「Y-Yes!」

It’s rare to see Sara-san this desperate, so there must be a clear reason.

If I think about it, it was wrong of me to think she rejected me.

I’ll just accept that she has a reason she can’t compromise on.

Natsumi:「Alright, alright. We’ll stop poking at Sara’s maidenly obsessions and just eat the cake! I’ve been looking forward to this so much!」

Todo:「I was curious when I saw the box earlier, but is this cake by any chance…」

Tachikawa:「I knew it! I’ve always wanted to try it, but I thought it’d be impossible my whole life because of the price!!!」

Judging by the girls’ reactions, is it a cake from a famous shop?

I didn’t know the details since I left it to Nishikawa-san… then again, since it was Nishikawa-san, it makes sense.

In the end, Sara-san cut the cakes herself (since she’s the only one who can handle a knife properly), and everyone chose their favorite.

Maybe because they were custom-made, there were three types of cakes in sizes I’d never seen before. Even after everyone got a piece, more than half remained. I wondered if we could finish it all… (I’d find out later that this worry was unnecessary).

Natsumi:「Ah, I can’t wait anymore. Sara, hurry up and eat!」

Nishikawa:「It’s your birthday cake, so no one can eat until you do, right?」

Sara:「I’m sorry, please wait a moment.」

Everyone was waiting for Sara-san, but for some reason, she took the plate with her cake and came over to my side.

Kazunari:「Sara-san?」

While everyone, including me, wore puzzled expressions, Sara-san used her fork to cut a bite-sized piece of her cake and gently held it out to me.

Kazunari:「Sa-Sara-san, shouldn’t you be the first to eat?」

Natsumi:「That’s right Sara, this cake is for your birthday…」

Sara:「That is exactly why. Since it is my birthday cake, I want Kazunari-san to be the very first to taste it. And after that, I will…」

I didn’t quite understand, but I could tell this was one of Sara-san’s specific points of insistence. I can’t put it into words well, but I felt like I understood her feelings. Because it’s something important to her, she wants to share it with the person most important to her… something like that. Since Sara-san puts me first, it resulted in me being the one to go first.

Hanako:「That maiden brain as always…」

Todo:「Eh, I think it’s lovely. I understand how Satsukawa-senpai feels.」

Tachikawa:「Me too!」

When I nodded, she gave a happy smile and held the fork out again.

Sara:「Now, say aahn.」

Chomp… munch, munch… gulp.

Kazunari:「Yeah, it’s delicious. Once again, happy birthday.」

Since it was Sara-san’s turn next, I thought I’d return the favor and let her eat some of my cake… yeah, that sounds good.

Just as I was about to slice a piece, Sara-san noticed something.

Sara:「Ah, Kazunari-san. Some cake got on your mouth. I am sorry I didn’t do it well.」

Come to think of it, I felt the fork wobble a bit when it entered my mouth, and the cake might have brushed against me. That must be how it got there.

Sara:「I’ll take it off, so please don’t move, okay?」

Hanako:「Hah!? Nishikawa-san, stop Satsukawa-san! It’s a trap!」

Hanako-san suddenly shouted, but I didn’t have the luxury to worry about that.

Sara-san moved in close with a perfectly natural movement and leaned against me. Then, standing on her tiptoes, she brought her face close to mine and…

Chu…

She kissed my mouth… right on the spot where the cake likely was.

(Silence…)

My room fell as silent as if all the previous noise had been a lie. And in my line of sight were… red faces… fed-up faces… surprised faces… and was that a blank expression?

She’d wiped my mouth many times during meals before, but this was a brand-new pattern. I was so startled by the suddenness that I froze…

Sara-san stayed like that for a while, before slowly pulling her body away.

Sara:「Fufu… now, we have both eaten the same cake in order, haven’t we?」

Kazunari:「Ah, I-I see. I guess so?」

I ended up nodding in agreement… but is this okay?

Well, seeing Sara-san so playful as if her prank had succeeded, I guess if she’s happy, then it’s fine.

Hanako:「She says all these smooth things, but in the end, she just wanted to flirt.」

Sara:「Eh? Those were my true feelings, you know?」

Hanako:「I’m sure they were… but then, on my birthday…」

Sara:「Hanako-san, I absolutely will not allow that, okay?」

Hanako:「Guh… the pressure from the wife.」

As expected, I felt like I could see a relationship between Sara-san and Hanako-san that was slightly different from the other members.

Nishikawa:「………I’m not jealous at all. Yeah, not jealous in the least. Because someday, I too… someday… (mumble mumble)」

Next to Todo-san and the others who were squealing, Nishikawa-san was muttering to herself, appearing to be shrouded in something dark again. Or maybe it was just an optical illusion.