Vol. 2 Chapter 107 – Adult Birthday (4)

When I checked the clock, it had become just the right time.

I stood up carefully so as not to disturb her while she was absorbed in the game and headed to the kitchen.

I closed the partition so she wouldn’t notice and put on my apron.

For this day, I had researched from every possible source to find out what Hikaru wanted most right now.

The result revealed that what Hikaru wanted most was ‘my home cooking.’

It was probably because I’d shown off my half-learned cooking skills at the beach last week.

However, I only had superficial techniques and knowledge—I had almost no experience creating dishes from scratch.

So I consulted with Ichiru-san after work, and she gladly cooperated, saying ‘if it’s for Hikaru-chan.’

Ichiru-san was usually gentle, but when it came to cooking, her instruction was truly demonic.

I was scolded over and over, rejected, and made to start again.

The results of that hellish training, which lasted several days, were now etched into my repertoire.

Knife, check! Cutting board, check! Pot, check! Everything else, check!

I displayed the recipe on my smartphone and took out the ingredients I’d prepared from the refrigerator.

First, Ichiru-san’s special beef stew…

Carrots, onions, mushrooms—I cut the ingredients into appropriate sizes.

Next, I cut the beef belly into slightly larger, satisfying pieces.

I lightly sprinkled salt and pepper, wrapped it in plastic wrap, and gently massaged it.

I spread cooking oil in the pot and heated it over medium heat, then added the meat when it warmed up.

Once it was lightly browned, I added the onions.

When everything became tender, I added cooking red wine, covered it with a drop lid, and simmered it down.

When it reduced to about half, I added Mizumoritei’s secret roux!!

I added water, Worcestershire sauce, and aromatic vegetables in succession and brought it to a boil.

Once it boiled, I reduced the heat, covered it, and let it simmer gently for about an hour.

During that time, I prepared other dishes too… Done!!

Hikaru’s birthday celebration beef stew was complete.

For the main course: beef stew with mushroom butter rice.

For the side dish: marinated salad with prosciutto and turnip.

I even tried making steamed scallops with sake.

“…Mm, delicious!” (Reiya)

I tasted it and confirmed there were no problems with how it turned out.

The quantity and quality would definitely be more than satisfying.

Looking at the clock, it was just the right time for dinner.

I took out my final weapon from the refrigerator and opened the partition.

Hikaru, who had been focused on the screen, looked over with a beat’s delay.

“Happy birthday, Hikaru.” (Reiya)

I cast my attack spell while holding the birthday cake I’d reserved for this day.

Now, what would the effect be…

As I watched Hikaru looking at me somewhat dazedly—

Plop…

A teardrop spilled from her large, round eyes.

What started as such a small drop that I thought I was seeing things gradually grew larger, and several more began to fall in succession.

“Eh!? Wh-what!? What’s wrong!? D-don’t tell me you don’t like strawberry cake!?” (Reiya)

I put the cake on the table and rushed to her side in a panic.

“N-no… that’s not it…” (Hikaru)

“Then why… oh, was I interrupting at a good part…?” (Reiya)

I tried to find some reason to comfort her, but new tears kept overflowing from her eyes.

Since this was the first time I’d seen her crying up close, I didn’t know what to do.

“That’s not it… that’s not it…” (Hikaru)

“Then why…?” (Reiya)

“I’m too happy…” (Hikaru)

She said that with a trembling voice.

“Last week at the beach was so much fun… and today I’m so happy again, when I thought about whether it’s okay to be this happy, tears just started coming out… sorry…” (Hikaru)

“No, I was just surprised because you suddenly started crying, there’s nothing to apologize for… actually, if Hikaru is that happy, then I’m happy too…” (Reiya)

I gently embraced her shoulders and let out a sigh of relief.

I was worried when she suddenly started crying, but if that was the reason, it was fine.

“Yeah, me too… I might be the happiest person in the world right now…” (Hikaru)

“No, I think that’s wrong.” (Reiya)

“Why?” (Hikaru)

“Because I’m number one.” (Reiya)

“What’s that~… it’s my birthday, so can’t you let me be number one?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru giggled while wiping her tears at my words.

“I wonder about that. This is something I really don’t want to give up.” (Reiya)

“Eh~… then I’ll be the happiest person in the universe.” (Hikaru)

“Then I’ll be the happiest person in human history.” (Reiya)

As we gazed at each other up close saying such things—

“Mm~… Reiya-kun, I love you… every single day, I keep falling more and more in love with you…” (Hikaru)

As expected, that kind of atmosphere began to develop.

The hands touching my body started to gradually heat up.

On screen, Hikaru’s mech was being attacked by enemies, but she showed no sign of caring.

She’d completely switched into lovey-dovey mode.

At this rate, she’d kiss me within ten seconds, and we’d end up doing it dozens of times without any restraint.

Of course, I wanted to indulge in that sweet time together too, but—

“Th-the food will get cold if we don’t eat it…” (Reiya)

I endured it and pulled away Hikaru’s hands that were touching my body.

“Eh~… couldn’t we just reheat it?” (Hikaru)

“Well, you know… I want you to eat it at its most delicious…” (Reiya)

I turned my back on Hikaru, who looked a bit dissatisfied, and brought the food from the kitchen.

I thought her sulky mood might continue for a while, but that worry was unfounded.

“Wow~…!! It looks so delicious~!!” (Hikaru)

Seeing the dishes arranged on the table, Hikaru’s eyes sparkled like the sun.

“I hope it turned out tasty… this is my first time making this much…” (Reiya)

“It’s definitely delicious! I can tell just by looking! Eh~, which should I try first~…” (Hikaru)

“Oh, before you eat, let me light the candles on the cake…” (Reiya)

“Eh!? I can blow them out!?” (Hikaru)

“Of course, today you’re the star.” (Reiya)

I brought gas matches and lit each candle stuck in the cake.

One blue candle stood in the center, surrounded by seven red candles.

Eight candles total, representing her 17th birthday.

“Well then, once more… Happy birthday!!” (Reiya)

“Thank you~! I’m the happiest person in the world~!” (Hikaru)

As I set off the party popper, Hikaru blew on the candles with a “foo~.”

As expected of an athlete, she had amazing lung capacity and blew out all the flames in one breath.

“I’ll put the cake in the refrigerator for now, so go ahead and eat the food first.” (Reiya)

“Okay~! Which should I try first~… I’ll go with this beef stew! munch…! Mm~…!! So delicious~!!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru stuffed a large piece of meat along with the roux in her mouth and showed a blissful expression.

“Is it good?” (Reiya)

“Yeah! It’s delicious! The meat is super tender but hasn’t fallen apart, and the flavor has soaked in perfectly—it’s amazing!!” (Hikaru)

I could tell from that smile that she was giving me the highest praise without any flattery.

The big anxiety I’d had before she ate it transformed directly into happiness.

I never knew that having someone enjoy food I’d made for them could be such a joyful thing.

“The roux is also rich, and when you put it in your mouth, the mellow flavor… what did you put in this?” (Hikaru)

“Um, I added cooking red wine to eliminate the meat’s smell, and then butter and honey as secret ingredients for smoothness…” (Reiya)

“Heh~… honey… I’ll try adding that next time I make it myself!” (Hikaru)

While talking, she kept bringing spoonfuls of stew to her mouth without stopping.

“If it’s not enough, there’s plenty more for seconds.” (Reiya)

“Yeah! When it’s this delicious, I could eat it forever! But before seconds… what’s this other thing?” (Hikaru)

“Um… that’s steamed scallops with sake. I’m not sure if it goes with the stew, but Ichiru-san gave me some good scallops, so I prepared them with simple seasoning.” (Reiya)

“Heh~… scallops… then let me try one… munch! Yeah! This is delicious too!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru ate a large scallop in one bite and spoke while holding her cheek to keep it from falling.

Seeing that utterly happy face made me happy too.

“I’ll go clean up the kitchen a bit, so Hikaru, you go ahead and—” (Reiya)

I started to return to the kitchen with a heart that almost wanted to skip, but—

“No~… that can wait…” (Hikaru)

She grabbed the hem of my clothes from behind and stopped me.

“No, if I put it off, it’ll definitely become a pain and I’ll leave it until tomorrow, so I need to do it now…” (Reiya)

“Ish okay… I’ll help too…” (Hikaru)

She said that and pulled my clothes even harder.

Her speech seems strangely slurred… I thought, turning around—

“Come on~… let’s eat together…? I’ll feed you…” (Hikaru)

The girl holding out a spoon had cheeks dyed crimson, and her eyes were drooping drowsily.

She’s… drunk…!?