Chapter 40

I thought there was too much food on the table but they were gone in a flash. Currently, there’s a big cake on the table.

「oohhhh, isn’t this a march cake? Amazing, oniichan!」

Yuna’s eyes are shining as she stares at the cake. Wakamiya-san, who brought the cake, can only smile wryly. March seems to be the name of the cake store in front of the station that Wakamiya-san’s mother owns.

「Oniichan, give me the choco plate toppings!」

It’s my birthday but she still doesn’t know how to hold back.

「It’s not your birthday, you know. Okay, you can take it but let me taste it too.」

I put the choco plates on her plate and she started eating like a squirrel.

I said I wanted to taste it but she only gave me a shard. Maa, I didn’t specify so let’s not protest.

「I already thought about it the other day but, this is really good.」

「It’s full of fruits but the dough isn’t watery and it’s delicious.」

I was worried because Yuna took most of the choco plates and Mei cut the cake into large pieces so I thought there’s no way we would be able to eat them all but we did. I feel like I finally understood what Yuna has often said that eating sweets is different.

「It’s time for presents.」

「Seriously? You got some presents for me?」

I’ve already received money and I’ve never celebrated my birthday with my friends so I’m kind of happy with this new experience.

「 Here are some earphones from us.」

「You’ve been wearing your earphones for a while and you have been complaining about how cheap and how bad sounding they are so we got you some good ones.」

「Oh, thank you.」

When I took out the contents from the paper bag, I found that they were not the cheap ones I usually use but the ones that claimed to have good sound quality that I have been reluctant to buy. It made me happy.

「Souta, this is from me.」

I accepted the carefully wrapped present from Mei. The size of her gift was not that big and it would fit the pocket of my uniform.

「Can I open it?」

「Sure, go ahead.」

Then, I carefully peed off the gift wrap and opened the box. There was a good-looking, long wallet in the box.

I was a little surprised because my current wallet is too beat up and I was just thinking about replacing it. I looked at Yuna, thinking that it was her idea, but she shook her head.

「How is it? I’m kind of worried that you don’t like the design.」

「I was just thinking of buying a new wallet so I’m very thankful.」

「That’s great. Souta has always been using a tattered wallet so I thought I’d pick one out for you!」

「I see.」

Like always, the face of the guy behind Mei was annoying. Don’t look at me with that smug face of yours. I’m just getting a present.

「The last one is Yuna.」

「Oniichan, nothing from me.」

「Eh?」

「Nothing.」

Why? What do you mean nothing? I always give you something but you don’t have something for me? You’ve been gifting me a lot of things until last year. This is terrible. Perhaps she has reached her rebellious period. When I tried to protest with my eyes, she blatantly diverted her gaze.

「It’s getting late. Perhaps it is time to go home.」

Everyone looked at their watches in surprise. The hand of the clock had just passed number six. It’s almost time for dinner.

「We should get going.」

「Right.」

So, I went out of the door to see them off.

「See you later.」

「See you.」

Shinozaki and Wakamiya-san started walking towards the opposite side of the station. They plan to have dinner together afterward.

「Oniichan, oniichan, wait.」

What? What’s wrong? She told me to go to buy some ice cream from the convenience store in front of the station because she wanted to eat some.

Wasn’t it my birthday today? I put away that question behind and said “It can’t be helped.”. I think what she really wanted was for me to send Mei to the station. However, since she didn’t give me any money, it seems like she’s seriously asking for ice cream.

「Mei, wait. I’ll go to the station too.」

「Okay.」

I made Mei wait at the door and quickly transferred the contents of my ragged wallet into the wallet I had just received, grabbed my cell phone, and house keys.

「Let’s go.」

Mei and I walked along the road to the station. The heat was much better compared to daytime but that feeling made me think that summer had begun.

-0-

As we walked along the road to the station without talking, Mei opened her mouth.

「I need some of your time.」

I just replied “Okay” and followed her. We left the road towards the station and went through a residential area. We arrived at a rather big park. The sun was still up but there’s no children in sight.

「Souta, what do you think of me?」

She suddenly asked me that question in a park dyed with sunset.

This scene is similar to the scene I had seen on the rooftop three months ago but I managed to keep my composure and said “You’re a good girl”.

「I see.」

Mei said so. She seems to be holding back or something. She took a light deep breath and exhaled loudly and turned to me.

「Souta, I will absolutely change how you think of me this summer vacation so be prepared!」

***Insert cover image here***

「O-okay.」

The next moment, Mei is already running from this place at full speed.

Only then I understood the meaning behind her words and it left me stunned.