Nishikawa announced, "Now then, everything is ready."
Three varieties of large cakes were lined up on the table. Naturally, these were Sara-san’s birthday cakes.
I had originally intended to cover the costs myself, but Nishikawa-san had politely but firmly declined.
"I'll take care of the cakes on this end, so please use that money for Sara instead," she had told me. "She’ll be much happier that way."
I had taken her up on her kind offer, but I hadn't expected her to prepare three entire cakes.
Since the lights in the room were turned off, the only light came from the candles standing atop the strawberry cake. The flames flickered in the darkness, illuminating everyone’s faces and creating a truly ethereal atmosphere.
On Sara-san’s chest, the pendant caught the candlelight, sparkling brilliantly as if to assert its presence.
"Okay everyone, here we go," Natsumi called out. "One, two—"
Happy Birthday to You...
Back when we first met, I never would have imagined the day would come when I’d be singing this song for Sara-san. Even though we had both harbored loneliness for different reasons, we were now surrounded by wonderful friends, and we had become lovers. It was overwhelming; I was so moved I felt like I was going to cry.
Happy Birthday to You.
After confirming we had finished the song, Sara-san took a deep breath. In the glow of the candles, I saw something glinting in the corners of her eyes.
Fuuuu—
I held up my smartphone, trying to capture the sight of her blowing out the candles with that desperate, earnest expression, but the lighting made it difficult to focus. The image kept blurring, and I could only hope the recording would turn out well.
Sara-san successfully blew out the candles. Just as the room plunged into total darkness, the lights were switched on.
Pop!!
Pop-pop-pop-pop!!
In the split second since the lights had gone out, everyone had grabbed their party poppers, and they rang out the moment the room brightened again.
"Once more, with feeling—" Natsumi shouted.
"Happy Birthday!!"
Having safely navigated the most important ritual of the night, the party grew even more boisterous. Caught up in the atmosphere, everyone’s spirits were high. It was a relief to see them enjoying themselves so much.
"Hey, Takanashi-kun, over here, over here!" Natsumi-senpai called out.
"What is it?"
I looked at the table and realized they were getting ready to slice the birthday cake. For some reason, Sara-san was standing there holding the knife... or rather, she looked like she was being forced to wait.
"Come on," Natsumi urged. "Sara’s waiting, so cut the cake together with her!"
"Wow, are they really going to do it?" Todo asked, sounding impressed.
"This is so exciting!" Tachikawa added.
"Wait, what are we talking about?" I asked.
I stood beside Sara-san, feeling the weight of the female officers' expectant gazes. Sara-san, her face slightly flushed, stole a bashful glance at me.
Was I supposed to place my hand over Sara-san’s and grip the knife together?
"I thought it was a joke..." Hanako muttered. "Are you seriously going to do it?"
"Hey, it looks interesting," Yuji said. "Let’s keep a close eye on this."
"I’m recording this perfectly," Hayato chimed in.
Nishikawa looked exasperated. "Wh-Why do we have to be subjected to such a blatant display of affection just for cutting a birthday cake!"
"Because it’s fun!" Natsumi laughed.
The peanut gallery was getting so worked up that I felt like I was being left behind. Well, if it served as entertainment, I suppose I could go along with it.
"I am so sorry, Kazunari-san," Sara-san whispered, her expression suddenly clouding over. "I... I don't want to be a bother..."
I realized she must have sensed my hesitation. If I stopped now, I’d be embarrassing her in front of everyone. Besides, it wasn't as if I disliked the idea. If it would make her happy, I was more than willing.
"No, no," I said. "If it’s okay with you, Sara-san, let's try it. Everyone seems to be looking forward to it."
"Eh!? I-Is it truly alright?"
"O-Of course. I’m... well, I'm happy to do it too."
Sara-san turned bright red in an instant, and her reaction made me feel just as embarrassed. I had intended it as a bit of fun, but seeing her react so strongly made me acutely self-conscious.
Sara-san lifted her hand, holding the knife in a way that made it easy for me to reach. I gently layered my hand over hers.
The tension in the air was palpable. Everyone watched with bated breath—especially Todo-san and Tachikawa-san, who were whispering frantically to each other.
The knife moved toward the cake...
"N-No, I can't after all!" Sara-san suddenly cried out, stopping the knife.
Surprised, I instinctively let go of her hand.
"I-I am terribly sorry. As I thought, this is... um..."
Her face was still crimson, but I couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment at her clear refusal.
"I-I’m sorry," I apologized. "I got too carried away."
"Kazunari-san!? P-Please don't make that face! It isn't that I disliked the idea!"
I hadn't meant to let my feelings show, but Sara-san was so desperate to explain herself that someone needed to step in.
"Sorry, Sara," Natsumi said. "I egged you on a little too much."
"That's right," Nishikawa added. "This sort of thing should be done properly, at the appropriate... wait... Sara, you don't mean..."
Nishikawa-san seemed to realize something, her expression shifting to one of utter shock.
"Eri! Don't you dare say another word!" Sara-san shouted, her face still flaming.
"Wait... ah! No way, she's thinking that far ahead!?" Natsumi gasped.
"Kyahhhh!!" Todo and Tachikawa squealed in unison.
"I figured as much," Hanako said. "So that really was what you were thinking..."
The female officers seemed to have reached a consensus. I took it as a sign that she hadn't rejected me out of dislike, and decided to leave it at that.
"Hayato, do you get what's going on?" I asked.
"Well, sort of," Hayato replied. "I don't want to get scolded by Satsukawa-senpai, so I won't say it out loud, but let's just say she's saving it for the real thing."
"The real thing...? Yuji, any ideas?"
"No clue," Yuji admitted.
"Kazunari-san! I beg of you, please let this conversation end here!" Sara-san pleaded.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
It was rare to see Sara-san so desperate, so I figured she had a very specific reason. I shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that she was rejecting me. She clearly had a reason she couldn't compromise on.
"Alright, alright," Natsumi said, waving it off. "We'll stop poking at Sara's maidenly particularity. Let's eat cake! I've been dying to try these!"
"I was curious when I saw the box earlier," Todo said. "But is this cake really from..."
"I knew it!" Tachikawa shouted. "I've always wanted to try one, but I thought the price made it impossible for a normal person to ever eat it!!!"
Judging by their reactions, the cakes were from some incredibly famous bakery. I didn't know the details since I’d left it to Nishikawa-san, but considering her background, it made sense.
In the end, Sara-san sliced the cake herself (since she was the most capable with a knife), and everyone picked their favorites. The cakes were custom-made items in sizes I had never seen before; even after everyone took a slice, more than half remained. I worried we wouldn't be able to finish it all, though that would later prove to be a baseless concern.
"I can't wait anymore," Natsumi groaned. "Sara, hurry up and eat!"
"It's your birthday cake," Nishikawa noted. "No one else can start until you take the first bite."
"I'm sorry," Sara-san said. "Please wait just a moment."
While everyone waited for her to start, Sara-san picked up the plate with her own slice and walked over to sit beside me.
"Sara-san?" I asked.
Under the puzzled gazes of the entire room, Sara-san cut a bite-sized piece with her fork and gently held it out to me.
"S-Sara-san, shouldn't you be the one to eat first?"
"That's right, Sara," Natsumi added. "The cake is for your birthday..."
"That is exactly why," Sara-san replied. "Since it is my birthday cake, I want Kazunari-san to be the very first person to enjoy it. And after that, I will..."
I didn't quite have the words for it, but I understood that this was another of Sara-san's deeply held beliefs. In a way, I felt like I could relate. Because it was something precious to her, she wanted to share it with the person she valued most. Since she always puts me first, it only stood to reason that I would get the first bite.
"That maidenly brain is at it again..." Hanako muttered.
"I think it's wonderful," Todo sighed. "I understand exactly how Satsukawa-senpai feels."
"Me too!" Tachikawa agreed.
When I nodded, Sara-san gave a blissful smile and held the fork out again.
"Now, say 'ahhh.'"
I took the bite, chewed, and swallowed.
"Yeah, it's delicious," I said. "Happy birthday, once again."
Since it was Sara-san's turn next, I thought I'd return the gesture by letting her eat some of mine.
Just as I was about to cut a piece, Sara-san noticed something.
"Ah, Kazunari-san, some cake got on your mouth. I am sorry for being so clumsy."
Come to think of it, the fork had wobbled slightly when I took the bite. I must have gotten a bit of frosting on my lip.
"I'll take it off," Sara-san said softly. "Please don't move, okay?"
"Wait!?" Hanako shouted. "Nishikawa-san, stop her! It's a trap!"
Hanako-san’s sudden outburst didn't register in time. Moving with practiced grace, Sara-san leaned in close. She stood on her tiptoes, bringing her face right up to mine, and—
Mwah.
Right on my mouth—specifically, on the spot where the frosting had been—she kissed me.
The room fell into a silence so profound it felt as though the previous noise had never existed. In my field of vision, I saw red faces, fed-up faces, shocked faces, and blank stares.
She had wiped my mouth during meals plenty of times, but this was a brand-new approach. I was so stunned that I froze where I sat.
After lingering for a moment, Sara-san slowly pulled away.
"Hehe... now we’ve both eaten the same cake in turn, haven't we, Kazunari-san?"
"A-Ah, I see. I guess so?" I stammered.
I found myself nodding in agreement. Was this really okay? Well, seeing Sara-san looking so pleased with herself after her little prank, I figured that as long as she was happy, it was fine.
"She said it all sweet," Hanako said flatly, "but in the end, she just wanted an excuse to flirt."
"Oh, those were my true feelings, you know?" Sara-san countered.
"I'm sure they were... in that case, when it's my birthday—"
"Hanako-san," Sara-san interrupted, her tone suddenly chilling. "I will absolutely not allow that. Do you understand?"
"Guh... the wife's pressure is real..."
As I thought, there was a dynamic between Sara-san and Hanako-san that was a bit different from the others.
"I'm not jealous at all," Nishikawa-san muttered from the side. "Not even a little bit. Because someday, I too... someday..."
Beside the squealing Todo-san and the others, Nishikawa-san had begun mumbling to herself, once again appearing to be shrouded in a dark, ominous aura—though I hoped it was just my imagination.