As for the opening toast, I had been told that a brief message would be perfectly fine. I settled on a safe, standard greeting: I thanked everyone for organizing this party on my behalf, mentioned that as the recipient of the surprise I wasn't privy to all the details, and expressed my hope that everyone would have a wonderful time. With that, we raised our glasses.
With the party officially underway, Shiro-san appeared before me to present the first gift.
"Kaito-san, happy birthday."
"Thank you very much. I'm still a bit overwhelmed because of how incredible everything has become, but I'm truly happy that you and the others put so much effort into preparing this for me, Shiro-san."
"I am glad to hear that. By the way, Kaito-san, what number am I?"
"Eh? Since you're starting us off, you are number one."
"I see. So I am the very first?"
"……That’s right."
She nodded, looking immensely satisfied. Shiro-san seemed to have a particular fixation on being the first for things like this; she was the same when she gave me the handmade accessories. She always appeared delighted whenever she secured the top spot in the order.
In that sense, having Shiro-san go first might have been the perfect choice. However, I couldn't help but wonder exactly what kind of present she was going to give me.
Last year, she had given me a game console that I still used to this day, so I didn't think I needed to worry about her giving me something bizarre. Still, since she was a being who could provide literally anything, the possibilities were impossible to predict.
"Well then, once again…… Kaito-san, happy birthday."
"Thank you."
"What I have prepared as a gift is this Tea Tree."
"……A Tea Tree? You don't mean a tea plant?"
"Correct. Black tea leaves grow directly from its branches. Furthermore, they are automatically dried upon being harvested, so you can brew your black tea immediately."
"I-I see……"
It was entirely outside the realm of common sense—a plant that shouldn't exist in nature…… but then again, if it was Shiro-san, she could make anything happen.
Still, a Tea Tree was a bit of a curveball. Then again, when I thought about it, Shiro-san drank black tea quite often, and the God Realm even had Glorious Tea, so the choice wasn't entirely surprising.
"Ever since Kaito-san started your own black tea brand, I have been working through trial and error with the intention of giving this to you one day. I sought advice from various people, and just recently, I even consulted Nebula—who produces the leaves for your brand—to get her opinion. Finally, I have completed something I am satisfied with."
She had consulted Nebula? I wondered when she had found the time…… and based on her phrasing, it sounded like she had received advice from more than just Nebula.
Kuro? Or perhaps Machina-san? Regardless, it made me happy to know that Shiro-san had put so much thought into creating this for me.
"Thank you very much. I’m already looking forward to trying it. Oh, that reminds me…… Shiro-san, if you’d like, would you join me for the very first cup?"
"That is a wonderful proposal. I shall look forward to it as well."
When I expressed my gratitude, Shiro-san gave a gentle smile. Since this was tea Shiro-san had painstakingly prepared, I had no doubt it would be delicious. I was genuinely excited to try it.
Also, was it my imagination……? No, it definitely wasn't. I could feel intense, burning gazes coming from Ein-san and Jutia-san. I’d have to make sure to share some with them eventually.
"……That’s an unexpectedly solid present. It’s something he can continue to enjoy, and since he has the tree itself, it will be easy for Kaito-san to share it with others. While its properties are a bit beyond common sense, it isn't so absurd that it would cause Kaito-san to worry or give him a stomach ache. It might just be the ideal gift."
"As expected of Shallow Vernal-sama, a magnificent present truly befitting the top spot. Now then, I wonder who’s up next?"
Since there were still many guests waiting, Shiro-san didn't linger and returned to her original spot. I reached out and spun the Garapon Lottery Machine once more.
"Eden (Machina is also judged as the same individual)"
The next person drawn was Eden-san…… or rather, Machina-san. Her face, which had been twitching with envy just moments ago, lit up with radiant joy.
"My chi-i-i-ild!? I knew it! There truly is a powerful bond between a mother and her beloved child!! Of course you were destined to draw me so early in the order!!"
While she was someone who gave me plenty of reason to be anxious about what kind of gift she might produce, she had been visibly frustrated after Shiro-san's earlier taunting. Given that, perhaps drawing her this early was a blessing in disguise.
Serious-senpai: "Well, here we have the problem child who tried to pull that 'I am the present' stunt last time."
???: "Well, we’ve placed her under strict observation this time. I and several others gave her a very firm warning beforehand, so I believe everything will be fine."