Chapter 69: Beautiful Girl Celebrates Her Birthday with Friends

I’m currently at the large shopping mall “Mama Port.”

I’ve bought clothes here, swimsuits here—this place and I have a weird amount of history. My hometown, Mikawa City, is fairly big in both area and population, but when it comes to places where you can buy cute accessories, fashion items, or baby goods, “Mama Port” is the only realistic option.

Thanks to that, weekends are always packed with families and groups of students.

Even though today’s a weekday, it’s summer break, so the place is full of students.

And of course, the five of us are part of that crowd.

About thirty minutes ago, we met up at the station closest to Mama Port. The plan was to hop on the bus that leaves from the station and head straight there.

"Ayumi-chan, you’re cute today too—!"

Already waiting at the meeting spot, Moeka-chan waves energetically at me.

"Yeah. Thanks."

I wave back with a smile.

"Ooooh! Ayumi-chan looks weirdly calm today! Don’t tell me… you climbed the stairs to adulthood…?"

I’ve heard that phrase before—“climbing the stairs to adulthood”—but I still don’t really know what it’s supposed to refer to.

"Aaah, looks like I was wrong. Whew, I feel a little relieved now."

Seeing me tilt my head in confusion, Moeka-chan sighs in relief all on her own.

I don’t get it, but apparently she misunderstood something, and that misunderstanding has now cleared. Good, I guess.

"Geez, big sis is such an idiot. There’s no way Ayu-chan would do anything dirty like you’re imagining."

Aika-chan pops out from behind Moeka-chan.

Dirty things? What exactly did they think I did? Maybe she noticed my puzzled expression, because Moeka-chan immediately averts her gaze and does this exaggerated whistle~ gesture, even though she can’t actually whistle.

"So! So! How was your date the other day!?"

Aika-chan asks, practically vibrating with curiosity.

"It wasn’t a date! And it was a huge ordeal!"

Easy for her to talk like it was nothing!

Sure, everything ended safely, but I was nervous, and I made mistakes, and it was all so overwhelming.

"You were alone with a boy, right?"

"Well… yeah, but…"

Aika-chan’s follow-up jab makes me trail off.

"Then it was a date! Was it fun? Was it fun?"

"U-um… maybe it was a date? And… yeah, it was fun…"

My face heats up and I instinctively look down.

Please don’t make me remember it too much!

"Kyaaa! Big sis, big sis! Total success!"

Aika-chan practically tackles Moeka-chan in excitement.

I have no idea why she’s this thrilled when it’s not even about her, but she clearly finds this very entertaining.

"Aika, calm down! But judging from how you’re reacting… sounds like you really had a good time. Did you go anywhere besides the all-you-can-eat place?"

Moeka-chan looks mildly exasperated at her sister’s skyrocketing excitement, but she’s obviously curious too.

"Y-yeah. We watched a movie."

"Ooh! He’s putting in effort!"

Now Moeka-chan has joined Aika-chan in squealing. Please let this topic die already!

"Hey hey, Ayu-chan! Did you guys kiss yet?"

"W-we didn’t!!"

Not only is the topic refusing to end—it’s escalating!

I-I mean, kissing isn’t something friends just do! Me and Aoi-kun… no no no no no! Don’t imagine it! Kissing is impossible—still impossible!

My face feels like it’s on fire. Embarrassed, I quickly cover my face with both hands. Why is it so mortifying just to imagine it!?

"Aika! Don’t tease Ayumi-chan too much!"

Thanks to Moeka-chan stepping in, Aika-chan’s rampage finally stops.

That was close. Any more of that and I might’ve actually died of embarrassment. Then they’d write “Cause of Death: Embarrassment” on the certificate, and it would be shameful for generations!

"Good morning, Ayumi-chan, Moeka."

"Good morning, Ayumi-san, Moeka-san, and Aika-san."

While I’m talking with the sisters, someone calls out from behind us.

Sakurako-chan and her friend have arrived at the station too.

"So, Ayumi-chan—how was the date?"

The first thing out of her mouth. Sakurako-chan too!?

Even though Moeka-chan had stopped the topic, now it’s back again in full force.

In the end, the conversation continued all the way onto the bus and right up until we reached our destination.

I’m now inside a trendy Western-style buffet restaurant, placing some delicious-looking sausages onto my plate.

This place inside Mama Port has even been featured on TV a few times, and today is Ladies’ Day, meaning women get half off.

Moeka-chan suggested yesterday that we go eat something tasty, and this was the spot she picked. Since it’s Ladies’ Day, the restaurant is overflowing with women. The few men I see here and there are probably boyfriends. They’re sitting across from girls, chatting while they eat.

Wow… when it’s just one boy and one girl at a buffet, they totally look like a couple, huh… When I was eating with Aoi-kun, we probably looked like that too. Then again, almost everyone around us that day was an actual couple, so maybe nobody paid attention… Still, thinking about it now, I feel like I did something pretty bold.

Ladies’ Day really is amazing though. Why do women always get the cheaper price? Well, now that I’m a girl, I can’t complain—lucky for me.

After picking up everything that looked good, I return to the table.

We chat about recent TV shows and part-time jobs as we eat. While munching on a sausage, I even think, “Maybe I’m really becoming a proper girl now.”

"Alright, now that we’re all full, it’s time for an important announcement."

Moeka-chan suddenly speaks with a bright smile.

An important announcement? I wonder what it could be. I wait for her to continue.

Moeka-chan takes a slow, deep breath and speaks.

"Ayumi-chan, happy birthday!"

"““Happy birthday!””"

Following Moeka-chan, everyone joins in to wish me a happy birthday.

It’s a little embarrassing, but something warm wells up inside me—a deep, gentle kind of happiness.

"Thank you!"

I smile as I say it. I’ve never had anyone celebrate my birthday like this before, so I’m really, really happy.

Oh no, this is bad. I feel like I might cry. It’s just… really touching.

"Ayumi-chan, are you crying?"

Sakurako-chan asks with concern.

"Sorry, I’m just… really happy."

I barely manage to answer.

"Uwaaah! This is amazing! Ayumi-chan with teary eyes is insanely powerful!"

"Big sis! Can I have Ayu-chan? Can I take her home?"

"Good idea! Let’s take her home with us."

No no no, wait wait wait! Why does it sound like they’re planning a full-on kidnapping!? And treating me like some abandoned pet they found—please don’t!

"Hey, Moeka! You’re making Ayumi-chan uncomfortable."

For once, Sakurako-chan steps in to stop them.

"Ayumi-chan is coming to our house anyway!"

I take it back!

"I’m sorry, Ayumi-san. You’re just so cute, everyone gets carried away. More importantly…"

Yoshino-san hands me a small paper bag.

I take out what’s inside, and out comes a little stuffed bear.

Its round eyes are incredibly adorable.

"That’s a present from me and Sakurako. I hope you’ll like it."

"It’s really cute! Thank you so much!"

I hug the stuffed bear tightly.

It’s about twenty centimeters tall, with soft, fluffy fur that feels wonderfully smooth. Unlike the strange mystery prizes Ryoji brings back from the arcade, this one is genuinely and straightforwardly cute.

"Aaah! Sis stole the best moment!"

"That’s because you were saying weird things again."

Yoshino-san snaps at Sakurako-chan, who puffs out her cheeks in frustration. Yoshino-san is always so kind to me and Moeka-chan, but she’s surprisingly strict with her own family.

"Thank you too, Sakurako-chan."

I smile at the sulking Sakurako-chan.

Her expression brightens instantly.

"I’m glad you like it."

I wonder where I should display this little guy in my room. Maybe I should even give him a name. Since it’s a present my friends gave me, I’ll make sure to treasure him.

"Even though Sakurako-chan and Yoshino-san beat us to it, we’ve got something for you too!"

Moeka-chan hands me a paper bag as well.

Inside is a small case. I open it and…

"A necklace?"

"Yep! You never wear any accessories, Ayumi-chan, so I thought it might be nice."

Moeka-chan looks a little embarrassed.

"Ayu-chan… um… do you not like accessories?" Aika-chan asks with a slightly worried expression.

Accessories, huh. Now that I think about it, Yoshino-san wears earrings, and I’ve seen Sakurako-chan wear simple necklaces before too. Even though I’ve already become a girl, I never really thought about things like that. I wanted to wear cute clothes and look nice, but my mind never went that far.

The necklace they gave me has a thin silver chain that sparkles beautifully. At the end of the chain hangs a delicate teardrop charm.

"I’m really happy. Can I try it on?"

After Moeka-chan and Aika-chan nod, I put the necklace on.

"How does it look?"

I look toward them nervously.

"Hyaah… Ayu-chan, you look gorgeous!"

"I’m so glad we bought it! It looks amazing on you!"

Hearing them gush over it makes my face heat up. But… is it really okay for me to accept something this nice?

"Ah! Don’t worry about the price! Sakurako-chan and I agreed on the budget together, and we searched for something within it."

Moeka-chan hurriedly explains, noticing my worried expression.

So it costs about the same as the stuffed bear. They really spent time choosing something for me. Being able to spend my birthday with friends like this—and even getting presents—makes me realize how lucky I am to have them.

I absolutely have to return the favor when their birthdays come around.

"Thank you, everyone."

I give them my heartfelt thanks. Seeing how happy that makes them makes me even happier.

"So, make sure you wear that necklace on your next date, okay?"

Moeka-chan giggles mischievously. There it is again—that topic! But… I have to admit, the thought of wearing this and going somewhere is a little exciting.