“Okay, everybody. The cake’s here!”
About an hour and a half into the party, just as the table had been cleared, Mikhail emerged from the kitchen carrying the cake, with Akemi leading him to the table. Incidentally, though Alisa still hadn’t returned to the table since the incident, Masachika—perhaps thanks to Maria’s help—had been chatting nonstop with Akemi and Mikhail, getting to know them well enough to exchange jokes.
“I thought you’d have to go to America—or at least a buffet—to see a cake like this!”
Therefore, Masachika didn’t even hesitate to comment on the massive square cake, which easily measured thirty centimeters on each side. The group in the tatami-style seating area even began to look at him with newfound respect.
I’m impressed, Kuze… You’re already friends with her dad…
Masachika’s incredible.
He can really get along with anybody, huh? It’s really impressive.
Each one of the guys couldn’t help but feel that way while watching Akemi cheerfully arranging the candles on the cake.
“It’s better to have leftover cake than not enough cake, after all.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Okay, we’re all set! Alya, come on over.”
Mikhail lit the sixteen candles, Maria turned off the lights, and Akemi got into position with her smartphone, leading everyone around the table, other than Alisa, to start clapping and singing.
“Happy Birthday to Alya! Happy Birthday to Alya! Happy Birthday to Alyaaa. ♪ Happy Birthday to Alya!”
As the song ended, cheers and applause filled the room, wrapping Alisa in the warmth of those who cared for her. She tried to blow out the candles, but the cake was so massive that it took two more tries to blow them all out. The applause only grew louder, and when the lights flickered back on, Masachika squinted against the sudden brightness—until his gaze fell upon Alisa’s tear-filled eyes, making his own widen with astonishment.
“Oh, my. Alya, are you okay?”
While dabbing at her eyes with a tissue that Akemi had quickly handed her, Alisa replied:
“I’m sorry…but having so many people wish me happy birthday like this…just makes me so happy…”
Alisa buried her face in her hands while Masachika’s chest tightened, memories of her tearful voice—which he’d overheard outside the classroom on field day—resurfacing in his mind.
Alya… I’m happy for you. I really am.
He truly felt that way from the depths of his heart. As Masachika watched her with gentle eyes, Akemi and Maria wrapped their arms around Alisa from both sides, comforting her. Though the guys couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward witnessing the heartfelt family moment…Chisaki, for some reason, decided to join in, too.
“Oh! Ayano, Sayaka, come on. The more the merrier,” Chisaki claimed, slipping her arms around both Maria and Alisa, while Ayano, after a moment’s hesitation, gently patted Alisa’s back. Not wanting to be left out, Sayaka and Nonoa stepped forward to join the huddle, too.
“Huh? Oh, uh… I guess we’re doing this,” Takeshi muttered, darting his gaze around, but the instant he took one step forward—
“No filthy guys allowed! Sit back down!!”
“Sorry!”
After a brief pause following Chisaki’s warning and Takeshi’s apology, the living room exploded with laughter. Even Alisa, who had been looking down, couldn’t help but smile, her eyes still a little red. As she lifted her face, Akemi and Maria leaned in from both sides, planting gentle kisses on her cheeks, making Alisa pout. Masachika watched the scene unfold with a warmth in his heart, but…