Now that I’d received Shiro-san’s gift, the only "dangerous" person left was Eden-san, and she was scheduled for the very end. Until then, I felt like I could finally relax a little.
In all honesty... I kept forgetting that the preparation time had only been a single day—or more accurately, about half a day. Despite that, everyone had managed to find such thoughtful gifts. I couldn't thank them enough.
Following Shiro-san, Chronoa-san presented me with a desk clock. Was it because she was the Goddess of Time? It had a sophisticated, mature design that I personally found quite appealing. I’d definitely put it to good use.
Illness-san took the stage after her. Come to think of it, hadn't it been right around the time I received my blessing that she’d officially become my personal attendant?
She gave me an elegant handkerchief embroidered with figures of Bell and Rin. To produce such intricate needlework in just half a day... I was once again reminded of how incredible she was.
Sieg-san was the next person I’d become acquainted with after her. To be precise, it was during that period that we’d first exchanged formal greetings.
"Kaito-san, happy birthday."
"Thank you so much!"
"It might sound strange, but being able to voice my congratulations like this feels wonderful. It makes having regained my voice feel truly worthwhile. Thank you for everything, as always. I wish you every blessing... please, stay healthy and true to yourself."
As she spoke, Sieg-san held out a white muffler that looked remarkably similar to the one she always wore. Since my wardrobe leaned heavily toward black, she had likely chosen the color to provide a bit of contrast. I was incredibly touched.
"Now then, Isis-san, you're up next. If you would, please."
"…Yes."
Next was Isis-san. I wondered what she’d prepared. Her wealth was on an entirely different scale; she was exactly the type who might produce something truly outrageous. However, compared to some of the others, she still felt grounded in common sense, so I wasn't too worried.
"…Kaito… happy… birthday."
"Thank you!"
"…This… is a gift… for Kaito."
"Is this… a flower crown?"
The gift she handed me was a crown woven from various colorful flowers.
"…I made it… just like Kaito taught me… I thought… about Kaito… the whole time."
I remembered making a white clover flower crown for her a while back. She’d asked me to show her how to do it, and we’d sat together and made them. That was only a few months ago, yet it felt strangely nostalgic. I suppose that just went to show how eventful my life had become since then.
"Thank you. I’ll cherish it."
"…Kaito… thank you… for being born… for meeting me… I love you… please… stay with me."
"I will. I feel the same way."
It was the same feeling I'd had with Sieg-san. I suppose this was what people meant when they called something "heartwarming." A gentle warmth seeped into the depths of my soul, making me realize just how lucky I was.
After Isis-san’s gift was finished, it was technically Alice's turn, but since she had shifted the order using her Moderator Privilege, Rei-san and Fia-san went ahead of her. They gave me a handmade elf amulet made from uniquely shaped leaves, a traditional craft of their race.
Anima followed them. Reflecting on it now, her intense personality had truly shocked me when we first met. Now, she was like family to me—an indispensable part of my life. She gave me a fountain pen with a clean, professional design. It was a fitting gift for someone who now managed all my correspondence, and it looked very practical.
Then came Lilliwood-san. Though she was a member of the Six Kings, she was a bastion of common sense, so I had no concerns. She presented me with a small wooden box; it was exquisite, with a beautiful wood grain. It was roughly the size of a pencil case, so I figured I could use it to store the paper knife from Lilia-san and the fountain pen from Anima.
After that, the gifts kept coming. Eta and Theta gave me shoes and gloves, while Sigma-san and Bacchus-san each presented me with what looked like dumbbells.
"Happy birthday. I feel as much joy as if it were my own celebration."
"T-Thank you… Pandora-san."
That’s right, next was Pandora-san, whom I’d met back when she was posing as the Fake Phantasm King. In a different way than Shiro-san, she was definitely one of the "dangerous" ones. I braced myself.
"…My apologies. I had little time, so I’m afraid I had to settle for a rather standard gift…"
"…Um, excuse me, what exactly is this?"
"Straw rope and candles. Since they are consumables, I assumed one could never have too many."
"…T-Thank you very much."
In my entire life, I had never once used those items at a rate that would qualify them as "consumables." And those large red candles... no matter how I looked at them, these were fetish gear.
She hadn’t changed a bit. Her dedication to her specific tastes was truly terrifying.
"By the way, I am available whenever you might feel the urge! I can even instruct you on how to tie the knots. Please, feel free to use this body for practice to your heart's content…"
"Pandora, house."
"…Shaltier-sama? A-Ah, of course. Forgive me. I shouldn't monopolize the time. We can discuss this later—"
"No, we don't need to discuss it later, or ever. Get back there and sit in the corner."
"S-So, you mean… neglect play?"
"It is not!"
Dear Mother, Father—Pandora-san was apparently operating at peak performance today. That look of pure ecstasy on her face was haunting. Alice—she’s your subordinate. Deal with her already!