Lilia-san was the fourth person chosen, and I wasn't the only one who looked at her with pity; I felt as though most of the guests were wearing similar expressions.
"To brilliantly hit the turn that everyone would want to avoid—right after three consecutive gods—that's Lilia-san for you," one of the observers remarked.
"Poor Riri-tan. Even during the preparation stage, Shallow Vernal-sama and the Earth God were hounding her for opinions. It was pretty disastrous," another added.
"She is highly regarded, though. Among humans, she's probably rated second only to Kaito-san in terms of global evaluation. It's an incredible achievement, but still... well, the timing is just unfortunate."
"Riri-tan is so pitiful..."
"If you feel that way, why don't you use your invincible Authority of Fate to help her?"
"No way. we're not in Trinia right now, so she's outside my jurisdiction. Besides, it wouldn't work on Shallow Vernal-sama or the Earth God anyway. And even if I could block them, I have a feeling Riri-tan would just attract some other trouble from a different world."
It was a universal consensus that Lilia-san always drew the short straw. Stepping onto the dais after Shiro-san, Machina-san, and a World Creator from another dimension, she looked as if the light had been drained from her eyes.
"Why... Why this order?" she muttered. "I know it's not like you did this on purpose, Kaito-san, but my stomach hurts... And hearing phrases I never wanted to know existed, like 'Otherworld Gods' Fan Club,' makes it hurt even more."
"I-I'm really sorry. For everything, as always."
I wasn't doing it intentionally, but I truly felt bad for her. I could easily picture a future where that fan club of otherworld gods eventually visited and insisted on greeting her... Lilia-san's stomach ache likely stemmed from that same premonition.
Once she reached me, she took a deep breath and forced a gentle expression onto her face.
"Well, there's no point in complaining at a celebration. Or rather, in this specific instance, I suppose you're suffering from a stomach ache just as much as I am, Kaito-san."
"I am. After the last party, I really regretted not preparing for the possibility that things would escalate even further this year."
"We certainly share a heavy burden... Anyway, let me say it again: Happy birthday, Kaito-san."
"Thank you very much."
Since we were both feeling the same social pressure, Lilia-san and I shared a wry, sympathetic smile. She offered me a beautifully wrapped package along with her blessing, and I accepted it.
"I struggled with what to choose, but I thought a practical item would be better than something needlessly expensive. I decided on a pen, modeled after one I personally find very comfortable to use. Since you still have many occasions for writing—diaries, letters, and the like—I hope it serves you well."
"Thank you, I'm genuinely happy. I don't write every single day like I used to, but I still keep a diary fairly often. I have plenty of use for a pen, so I'll treasure it."
Lilia-san's personal belongings were always incredibly tasteful. She didn't go for flashy luxury; she preferred items with smart, practical designs that were appropriate for the Head of a Ducal House. Having visited her office several times, I had noticed that everything on her desk was elegant, so I was truly pleased with the gift.
"As expected of Lilia-san," an observer noted. "It's a wonderful gift, chosen with the insight that it's something Kaito-san can appreciate without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated."
"Riri-tan somehow manages to pull through, even when she's caught in the crossfire. Though, that's exactly why her reputation keeps growing and she gets dragged into the next mess..."
"True. That aside, the other guests seem hesitant to start mingling while the gifts are being presented. Perhaps it's time for the entertainment. Kaito-san, please spin the Garapon at your convenience while the show is running. Ein-san will go fetch whoever is chosen next."
It was true that everyone was currently fixated on the stage. Even though they had been told they could converse freely, nobody wanted to miss the momentum of the gift-giving. Introducing a distraction was a good move; it would allow the guests to relax and enjoy the party atmosphere. But what exactly was the entertainment?
"Last year, we had a Karaoke Contest. This year, we're doing something a little different! Presenting: 'Let's Experience Otherworld Games! The Video Game Tournament!'"
Wait, what? That sounds amazing. In fact, I kind of want to join in myself...
Serious-senpai: "A game tournament... Ah, I see. Since they can apply handicaps to account for superhuman reaction speeds, it's actually a pretty fair way to compete..."