Chapter 22: Birthday

Friday.

That day, I left work without staying overtime. A moment later, Kana-chan came out of the company too.

"Senpai, let’s go home together."

"Yeah, let’s."

We decided to head home side by side. Then, Kana-chan wrapped her arm around mine.

"Hehe."

Her bashful smile was so adorable. And the soft, warm feeling pressing against my arm was absolutely wonderful.

"Kana-chan, you’re really cute."

"Not at all. Senpai’s the cute one."

…Yeah. I would’ve preferred cool, actually. Oh well.

"It’s cold, huh?"

"It’s already the end of November. Senpai, do you know what day it is today?"

"Of course."

My birthday. My twenty-sixth.

"Hehe. Happy birthday!"

As she said that, she squeezed my arm a little tighter.

"Thanks."

"Today, you don’t have to do anything. Just relax and feel like a queen, okay?"

Well, to be honest, ever since I started dating Kana-chan, I’ve barely done any housework at all.

Still, I figured it was fine—and enjoyed the feeling of Kana-chan’s chest against my arm as we headed home.

When we got back, she’d made dinner that was fancier than usual. We sat down to eat together.

"This is delicious. You’re good at cooking, Kana-chan."

"Thank you. But you cook too, don’t you, Senpai? You’ve got plenty of kitchen tools."

"I’ve lived alone for a long time. But I don’t make anything special—just throw things in a pan and stir-fry them."

You can toss almost anything into a frying pan, heat it up, and it’s fine. Change up the seasoning, and you can make it last a week.

"For living alone, that’s perfectly fine. I’m the same when I’m by myself."

"I appreciate you always cooking, but don’t push yourself, okay?"

She works too, so it must be tough. Plus, she does the dishes, cleaning, laundry… …Wait a sec. What am I doing?

"I’m not overdoing it. Besides, seeing you happy makes me happy too."

Yeah. If I ever get married, it’s gotta be this girl. She’s the angel God sent just for me.

…God, I sound gross.

"Thanks, Kana-chan. I love you."

"Hehe. Me too. By the way, you’re not completely full yet, are you, Senpai?"

Well, if I’m being honest, dinner was a bit smaller than usual.

"Is there something else?"

"Of course. I made a cake."

"Oh, you bought one?"

"Nope. I baked it myself."

Seriously?

"When did you even do that?"

"Last night, while you were sleeping so soundly. It’s a surprise!"

Come to think of it, she did keep pushing me to drink more last night… until I went to bed early.

"I kinda feel bad now…"

Especially since… on her birthday, I don’t think I could go that far.

"No, no. I just wanted to see your happy face."

Damn it. I’m actually tearing up.

If I had to choose between “breaking up with Kana-chan to become a man again” and “staying a woman but being with Kana-chan forever,” I’d pick Kana-chan. No contest.

"Kana-chan, let’s kiss."

"Later! Just wait a second, okay?"

Saying that, she stood up and headed to the kitchen. Then she came back holding a whole cake.

"Whoa…"

She’d said baking was her hobby, but she really made this? It looked straight out of a shop.

"I’ll put the candle in now."

She said that, placed a single candle in the center, and lit it with a lighter.

"Just one?"

I mean, twenty-six candles would be a bit much, but still.

"This one’s for today. Next year, there’ll be two."

"Yeah."

"The year after that, three."

"Uh-huh."

"And one day, the whole cake will be covered."

"Yeah. Let’s stay together forever."

"Am I gonna die tomorrow or something?"

"Yes! Now, come on—make a wish and blow it out!"

At her cue, I took a breath and blew, extinguishing the candle’s flame. Right after, Kana-chan clapped her hands together—pat, pat, pat.

Ah… crap. I’m seriously so happy I might actually die.

"You guys—don’t you have something to say when you see me like this?"

Sunday.

I looked at the three gathered around the family restaurant table and asked.

"Happy birthday."

"Happy birthday, nya."

"Congratulations."

The three of them each picked up a fry from the basket in the center and held it up to my mouth.

"Nom, nom… wait, that’s not what I meant. I don’t really need you guys to celebrate me."

"Well, Nyako didn’t plan to anyway, nya. We’re both girls."

Yeah, that’s the normal reaction.

"Right. Anyway, it’s on me today. Order whatever you want."

It’s a nice gesture, but since Shashou’s always the one footing the bill, it feels a bit awkward.
Not that I’m ungrateful—really, thank you as always.

"That scarf—where’d you get it?"

The serious gal, Chihirochi, nailed it immediately.

"Chihirochi’s got an eye for details, huh. Nice, right? It’s super warm. Somehow even warmer than a normal scarf."

Because it’s full of love, that’s why.

"I’m glad, nya. It really suits you, I think."

"White looks good on you, Eromi."

"Yeah, totally. Kana-san gave it to you?"

"Yep, she did. I’m officially a scarf character now. I’ll wear it even in summer."

So basically, an assassin or ninja character.

"That’s way too forced, nya. Also, you’re terrible at sticking with things, so you’d probably take it off the moment you get hot, nya."

"Ugh… can’t deny that…"

"See?"

Hey! I wasn’t being that serious, but still—hey!

"Anyway, I’m glad. I didn’t have a scarf before, so it’s perfect."

"I’m happy for you, nya. So, was it a hot night?"

"Of course. My sweet Kana-chan was back to her gentle self again."

"She’ll go full sadist again soon, nya."

Probably. I won’t even deny that.

"But yeah, I’m glad it’s something I can use even after turning back into a guy. If it ever disappeared, I’d probably cry."

It’s white, and it works no matter if I’m dressed as a man or a woman.

"Ah, that’s right," said Shashou, recalling something. "When you turned into a woman, your men’s clothes vanished. If it had been a women’s item, it might disappear when you turn back."

"Exactly. I figured she’d give me something for my birthday, but honestly, I was nervous deep down."

If it had been something like underwear or cosmetics, there was a chance it would vanish later.
No matter what it was, since it came from Kana-chan, I really didn’t want that to happen.

"Well, there’ll be another chance soon, nya."

I knew what Nyako meant.
I was born on November 22nd.
And at the end of the next month, the holy night of lovers awaited.

"Please, let it be something unisex!"

I clasped my hands together and prayed.

"Why not just tell her, nya?"

"On our first Christmas together? Sure, there are couples who do that, but Kana-chan’s the type who loves surprises. She even went out of her way to bake a cake in secret, remember?"

The food was delicious, and I was happy… but I’m scared of May, when Kana-chan’s birthday comes.

At this point, I feel like the only thing left to give her is a ring.

If I manage to turn back into a man, that is.

“Hmm, that’s… something I’ll pray for too, nya.”

Nyako pressed her hands together and began to pray.

“Two lolis praying, huh…”

“How wholesome.”

“Should we pray for her too?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

Shashou and Chihirochi also started praying.

As I watched them, I felt grateful for their warm friendship—though at the same time, I couldn’t help but notice that none of them were praying for me to ‘turn back into a man by Christmas.’