"Welcome, Haruka."
"Thanks for having me!"
And so, the day of Haruka’s birthday finally arrived.
As the evening began and the setting sun had almost completely vanished, the star of the show, Haruka, arrived at my house.
I spoke the welcoming words I’d grown accustomed to, but as I looked at her standing there with a smile, I tilted my head in confusion. She had a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder.
"That’s a lot of luggage. Want me to take it?"
"Thanks. It’s actually pretty heavy."
"Whoa... you weren't kidding. Mind if I ask what’s in here?"
"Hmm... I’ll tell you all about it later, so don't worry! For now, it’s a secret♪"
I was surprised by the heavy weight of the bag when I took it from her, but she deflected my question with a playful wink. She was adorable.
Well, if she was going to tell me later, there was no need to pry.
Haruka neatly lined up her shoes and changed into slippers. Then, as if catching a scent, her face suddenly lit up.
"Sniff, sniff... that smells amazing!"
"I just finished. I’m pretty confident in this one."
Haruka’s expression brightened at the savory aroma wafting through the house.
As part of her birthday celebration, I had proposed cooking her a meal using the recipes she had taught me.
"I’m so excited! The smell alone is making me hungry."
"It’s already getting late, after all. I’m starving too, so let’s head to the living room."
"Yeah. ...But before that, let me get a little Fuel Recharge?"
"Fuel...? Whoa."
As I tilted my head at the mysterious phrase, Haruka gave me a mischievous smile and lunged forward to hug me.
Though taken aback by her suddenness, I managed to keep my balance and catch her. I was glad I hadn't been slacking on my workouts.
"Mmm~~... It’s been so long since I was in your arms, Tatsumi-kun...♪ I’m going to nuzzle you, too♪"
"That tickles... and what do you mean 'so long'? You were clinging to me the whole time you were here the day before yesterday."
"But we didn't see each other at all yesterday! I haven't been able to hug you for twenty-four hours, so I’m running on empty. I really need this!"
"...I suppose you're right."
I found myself agreeing as Haruka spoke passionately while rubbing her cheek against my chest.
Hanging out and making noise with just my male friends had been fun—it felt like the very essence of high school youth.
But on the other hand, I couldn't deny that I’d felt lonely without her touch all day.
I had been absorbed in a long phone call with her late into the night to distract myself, but if anything, that had only made me crave her warmth even more.
As I gently stroked my girlfriend’s flaxen hair and immersed myself in a strange sense of peace—
"Tatsumi-kun... mnh."
With a small sigh, she pursed her lips, which were lightly coated in gloss.
After a moment of hesitation, I closed my eyes and gently pressed my lips against hers.
It was her birthday, after all. A little indulgence like this was nothing.
Besides, she wasn't the only one starved for contact.
"...Phew, hah."
I managed to shake off the euphoria that made my head tingle, softly pulling away to open my eyes.
Up close, Haruka’s face wore an expression of pure bliss.
The hands she had wrapped around my back tightened, and the distance between our faces returned to zero.
"...One more time?"
"...Just one more. Otherwise, the food will get cold."
"Mnh... ♡"
In the end, we did it about three times.
I was very satisfied.
§
"Wow, it looks delicious...!"
Having finally regained our self-control, we made it to the dining room.
Haruka, who had looked pouting when I finally ended our kissing session, let out a joyful cheer when she saw the food on the table.
To celebrate her birthday, I had prepared a Hamburg Steak Set: Hamburg Steak with Demi-glace Sauce, rice, and Consomme Soup. It was a dish she had taught me, and one I had practiced on my own.
I followed her recipe to the letter, adding no unnecessary flourishes and tasting it repeatedly.
Unless my palate had gone completely numb, the result should be excellent.
"The cake is in the fridge, so we’ll have it after dinner, okay? They're just small cupcakes, though."
"Yeah, thank you!"
After a quick confirmation, it was finally time to eat.
Haruka left her bag on the sofa, washed her hands, and we sat down across from each other.
In front of the steaming food, we pressed our hands together.
"Itadakimasu!"
"Itadakimasu. ...Go ahead, please dig in."
After the greeting, Haruka eagerly reached for the Hamburg Steak with her chopsticks while I watched her with bated breath.
She fluidly cut a bite-sized piece and lifted it toward her mouth... but then, she held up her palm to block my line of sight.
"Tatsumi-kun. I don't think it's very polite to stare so intently at a girl while she's eating."
"Ah, sorry... I’m just really anxious to see what you think."
"Didn't you say you tasted it already?"
"I did, but I won't know if it actually suits your taste until you try it."
"You worry too much... nom."
With a wry smile at my intense gaze, Haruka popped the piece of steak into her mouth, keeping her hand over her lips as she chewed.
Suddenly, her expression lit up. After a few seconds, her hand shifted from her mouth to a thumbs-up.
"Gulp... It’s amazing! The meat is so juicy but the texture is smooth, and the Demi-glace Sauce has the perfect blend of sweetness and savoriness... No complaints! A full hundred points!"
"I see... I’m glad."
Hearing such unreserved praise, the tension in my shoulders finally vanished.
Having spent a month together, I knew when she was being sincere.
While watching Haruka dive into her second bite with an innocent smile, I began my own meal. ...Yeah, it was good.
I never thought the day would come when I’d actually be decent at cooking.
Between the recipes she taught me for my own cooking, the bento she made for me, and the meals she prepared on our days off, my diet was incomparably healthier than it used to be.
"I really owe everything to you, Haruka..."
"What’s with that all of a sudden?"
"I just realized my lifestyle has been completely painted in your colors before I even noticed."
As I murmured thoughtfully while sipping the Consomme Soup, Haruka’s mouth curled into a smug grin.
"Hehe... did I finally capture your stomach?"
"You had it captured from the very first bento you ever made me."
And I had no intention of trying to escape.
When I shrugged and stated that firmly, Haruka nodded with a knowing smile, looking quite satisfied.
"I see, I see. Well, that’s another good piece of negotiation material."
"...? What do you mean by that?"
"It’s a secret for now~"
...There it was again.
Between that and the bag, it was clearly related to the mysterious birthday request she was holding over me. I wondered what on earth she was planning.
While I trusted her, I also had a sneaking suspicion she was about to do something completely unexpected.
That’s right, speaking of birthdays—
"Was it really okay to have dinner at my place? I thought for sure you’d spend the day here but go home at night to celebrate with Nobuyuki-san and the others."
"Mama and Papa celebrated with me at lunch, so it’s fine! Besides, they’re going on a four-day, three-night hot spring trip starting tonight. It’s almost their wedding anniversary."
They get along so well, don't they? As Haruka spoke in a carefree tone, I tried to agree... but my thoughts froze as a powerful sense of dread washed over me.
A hot spring trip for just the two of them because of their anniversary—I got that. But... why now? On their daughter's actual birthday?
And for four days? What was Haruka going to do during that time?
She was capable enough to survive four days alone, but I couldn't imagine those parents leaving their high school daughter home alone for that long.
When I tried to ask her about it—
"Hmm? Hehe."
She just brushed me off with a meaningful smile. It was a cheerful, playful look that screamed she was up to something.
Even when I tried rephrasing the question, I got nowhere. She clearly had a plan, which was a relief, but the mystery was making me uneasy.
What was this feeling? It felt like a scheme was unfolding around me without my knowledge—as if the walls were being systematically closed in while I wasn't looking.
While I felt an unprecedented sense of caution, dinner passed peacefully.
Eventually, we both finished eating. I brewed some tea we’d both taken a liking to, and once we’d settled in, it was finally time for the main event.
I brought out two cupcakes from the fridge and returned to the table with a lighter and candles shaped like the number "16."
"I figured your parents would get you a proper cake, so I thought we’d do cupcakes. I bought them from a shop Yui recommended, so make sure to tell her what you think later."
"Wow, they’re so cute! Thank you, Tatsumi-kun. I’ll make sure to thank Yui-chan, too."
Haruka’s face lit up as she peered at the small cakes.
They were palm-sized but beautifully decorated. Feeling a slight pang of guilt for ruining the art, I shifted the strawberry on top and stuck the candle in.
"Okay, I’m lighting it. ...What are you doing?"
"I’m filming you lighting my birthday cake. I just thought it was a sweet moment... Is that okay?"
"I mean, it’s fine, but..."
I wasn't sure what she found so special about it, but if it made her happy, I wasn't going to stop her.
I struggled slightly with the unfamiliar lighter but managed to get the candle going.
The small flame flickered in the draft from the air conditioner. I took a few photos, careful not to blow it out, and then turned off the lights.
I told her I was ready since she had her phone in video mode, but she just gave me an expectant look.
"Aren't you going to sing the Birthday Song?"
"...You want me to sing? Personally?"
"Yep!"
"...I can't promise it'll be any good."
"It’s the thought that counts! It would be lonely to just blow it out in silence, wouldn't it?"
She had a point.
...I was starting to regret letting her film this. I just hoped she wouldn't show anyone else.
"H-Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday, dear Haruka—"
"Hehe, you’re good, Tatsumi-kun♪ ...Poof."
The flickering flame vanished, and the room was plunged into darkness.
Behind the faint glow of the smartphone screen, I could see Haruka smiling with genuine happiness.
Seeing that smile, the words came out naturally.
"Happy birthday, Haruka. I’m really happy I got to spend this special day with you. I’m looking forward to being with you from now on, too."
"...Me too. I’m so glad I met you, Tatsumi-kun! Let’s make lots of happy memories next year, and the year after that, too!"
§
"So... isn't it about time you told me?"
After finishing my tea, I turned to Haruka on the sofa and spoke with a serious expression.
She had been leaning against my shoulder, looking perfectly content, but she blinked in surprise at my tone.
"Tell you...? Oh, you mean the birthday present?"
"Yeah. It’s getting late... I mean, is it okay for you to be lounging around? If Nobuyuki-san and the others are away, they won't be picking you up. If you don't leave soon, you’re going to miss the bus..."
In contrast to my growing panic, Haruka remained perfectly calm, hugging my arm to keep me from standing up.
"Now, now, calm down. Let’s just sit and talk, okay? This is actually related to my birthday request."
"...Fine."
Satisfied when I sat back, Haruka looked off into the distance, looking nostalgic.
"It’s been a month since we started dating. Since then, we’ve spent almost every day together... and more than half of that time has been spent alone in this house, hasn't it?"
"I guess so."
I nodded, a bit confused by the sudden trip down memory lane.
Ever since we’d officially started dating, we had taken advantage of our lack of club activities to walk home together every day. We had After-school Dates, and on other days, we just hung out at my place.
On holidays, she would come over before noon for "at-home dates." We’d cook together or I’d eat her food.
While we still made time for studying and our other friends and family, we were together so much it could practically be called "around the clock."
"We've spent a whole month like that... and now that I’m sixteen, I thought it might finally be time."
"Time for what...?"
...To be honest, I had a hunch.
The large duffel bag, the parents going on a trip and leaving their daughter behind, her mysterious attitude... it all pointed to one thing.
As I murmured my question, Haruka gave me a cute, mischievous look, her eyes narrowing with delight.
"For my birthday present, Tatsumi-kun... how would you feel about giving me Stayover Rights at my boyfriend's house?"