Record of a February 19th (2)

So what's going on here?

As you requested, I came to the D.U., no questions asked.

W-Well, Head Prefect...

We received a message from the Black Tortoise Promenade of Shanhaijing...

Shanhaijing? Black Tortoise Promenade?

Then... Is this an exchange between academies, Ako?

Foreign diplomacy is not something that falls under our purview as the Prefect Team.

W-W-Well, uh. Head Prefect! That's not exactly what I meant!

I...am...uh...per...sonally acquainted with someone from the Black Tortoise Promenade!

And they asked if we would like to hang out in the D.U. together!

You have...a friend...in the Black Tortoise Promenade?

...

I'm sorry, Ako. I've been pushing you too hard lately, haven't I?

Is that how desperate you were for a change of pace? You felt the need to lie about having a friend?

What is that supposed to mean?!

I get where she's coming from...

*sigh*

You two, quiet!

A-And, please believe me, Head Prefect...! Uh... That's, this is...

...

Anyway, this absolutely must remain a personal matter!

(MUST remain a personal matter...?)

Oh! You're finally here! Welcome, everyone!

Then..."It's been a while," right, Ako?

Y-Yes! Rumi! That's...right...?

...!

(She wasn't lying? Really? Ako has a friend from Shanhaijing?)

(Huh? But this collection of people... The president of the Black Tortoise Promenade, its manager, and the executive officer of Genryumon, Shanhaijing's student council...)

Hello, Ako. We've...heard a lot about you from the president.

Uh, um... Hello, Prefect Team of Gehenna... I mean, um, hello, you four ordinary people! I'm Konoe Mina. And this is...

Hm. Ryuuge Kisaki. That should be a sufficient title, seeing as this meeting is of a personal nature.

Before that... Please excuse me. I believe it'd be prudent to light this preemptively.

Huh? That's an interesting scent...

Yes. But it feels...relaxing...?

...

(It's her. That's Ryuuge Kisaki, student council president of Shanhaijing and leader of Genryumon! The Dark Monarch!)

Ako.

Y-Y-Y-Yes, Head Prefect?!

May I ask exactly what's going on here?

A-A-As I said, I'm here with my friend, Rumi...!

Now, now. Stop right there. Since we've all gathered, there's no reason for secrets anymore.

I'll go ahead and explain the situation now. Does that work for you, Kisaki?

Of course. I trust you, especially under these circumstances.

Anyway... I am pleased to meet you, Sorasaki Hina. Feel free to call me Kisaki.

O-Okay... You can...call me Hina as well.

...

So, that is the situation.

While delivery mistakes are a common occurrence, coincidence caused our paths to cross here.

And while Mina did her utmost, as did the Prefect Team, you were all victims of a trick of fate.

On that note, shall we celebrate our birthdays now? Here. I believe this cake is yours.

Fufu. It would appear this is a precious gift, carrying the deep appreciation your followers have for you.

I see... Thank you, everyone. And you too, Kisaki. Could we call this a cake exchange of sorts, then?

And this cake is for you. Everyone around you really put a lot of care into getting this for you.

Anyways, what a surprise that we share a birthday.

It does appear that way at first glance, but it's not quite so impossible in the grand scheme of things.

Surely we are not the only students in all of Kivotos who share the same day of birth.

That's...true. Especially considering the number of students here.

But this birthday in particular will be a special memory for me. Thank you, Ako. Iori. Chinatsu.

You're welcome. A-As long as I get to celebrate your birthday with you...

Um... It was like the plot of a movie, but I'm glad it concluded safely, and we got your cake to you, Madam!

Although I did most of the work in making that happen...

Now, now. Life is just like that sometimes.

Here, this is my special peach mochi. I made it with peach jam and pulp.

Thank you, everyone. Let's share this dessert after the cake.

If our stomachs can bear it all, that is.

I see no problem. They do say people have a separate stomach for eating desserts or cake.

Fufu. That's definitely true. My mistake. It is I who is unable to eat much.

Then, happy birthday, Head Prefect, Madam!

Happy birthday, Madam, Head Prefect.

Yes. It's nice to meet you, everyone from Shanhaijing.

This could mark the beginning of Shanhaijing and Gehenna's... My apologies. I misspoke.

But, even if we cannot consider it an exchange between schools, even just among those who gathered here today...

...I hope we may continue to broaden our horizons and expand our perspectives of this world we all inhabit.

I do have a question. Why...are we in a karaoke room? Paid for by us, at that.

Well, that's simple. The Black Tortoise Promenade generally enjoys the benefits of having healthy reserve funds...

And karaoke is a must on birthdays! Isn't that right?

Ah, that's right. I think I've heard that before.

I-Is that so?

Then who's going to start first? No volunteers? I'll go!

Then... I'll be next!

Hmmm! Poetry... A melody has come to my mind! I feel my excitement brewing!

Hey, what are you going to do about this mood?!

Well, um... Even if you try to tell me to do something...

H-Hinomiya Chinatsu, reporting! I will turn this mood around!

"Everyone, hello!"

S-Sensei...?!

Sensei...?!

"Happy birthday, Hina! Kisaki!"

H-Hmph! I absolutely did not want to invite Sensei here, but I thought it'd be prudent, just in case!

I was thinking of you! I didn't want you to feel left out! Be grateful, Sensei!

You're the one who called Sensei, Ako...?

Hm? You did so as well, Senior Administrator Ako? Because I also thought it would be nice if Sensei were to attend...

W-Well... So...!

...I see. Both of you invited Sensei separately.

My deepest gratitude. Mina, Ako. And you, Sensei, for making the long trek here.

Mm. Of course. Heh.

... Really, it's just for this one time.

"Then, let this adult take responsibility for bringing the mood down!"

"Let's enjoy Hina and Kisaki's party to the fullest!"

Huh? U-Um, Sensei really wasn't the one that killed the mood though...

Now, now. Let's just play along, Reijo.

...Understood.

"Hina, Kisaki, it's time for a trio song!"

Um, what...? But I don't really know any songs...?

I am the same...

Hm? Enjoying a party isn't about singing well? I simply need to have fun?

I believe I understand that. Providing laughter is the greatest gift of all.

Ah. Yes. I get it. Um...

"Now, time to LET LOOSE!!!"