Chapter 181: Takuya’s Birthday Party

The weekend after my birthday, meaning early November, is the day of my birthday party.

Today’s a buffet-style party at a small hotel banquet hall, so we take taxis to the venue.

The taxis are, of course, so the adults can drink freely. Mom really gets my feelings.

There’s a dress code again, so everyone’s wearing beautiful outfits. All the colorful dresses together are stunning.

“Everyone looks gorgeous… thank you.”

“Ehehe ♡ ‘Thank you,’ huh? ♡ Nice words ♡”

“It’s like you’re dressing up for me.”

“True, we doll up to get your compliments, Takuya ♡”

“But you’re cool too, Onii-chan! ♡”

“Th-Thanks…”

Today, Onee-chan curled my hair again, giving me a mature vibe.

“Then, shall we head out? ♡”

““““Yes!””””

Once everyone’s ready, we pile into cars and head to a nearby hotel. It’s not far since we’re not going to an amusement park.

I wasn’t involved in choosing this hotel, so I have no idea what it’s like.

At the venue, we check in and enter a large room. The high ceiling and rows of seats feel like a wedding.

As everyone arrives, we take photos in order of arrival.

“Happy birthday, Takkun ♡”

“Thanks, Hina-no.”

I get birthday wishes from Hina-no and others who couldn’t greet me earlier due to different schools or workplaces.

“Oh, Grandma!”

“Taku-chan, happy birthday.”

“Thanks, Grandma.”

“You look healthy, that’s great.”

“I’m super healthy!”

I greet Grandma, whom I haven’t seen in a while, and take a photo with her. She’s dressed elegantly for the occasion.

“I’m so happy my grandson’s this lively.”

Like Mom, Grandma looks youthful, not at all her age. Honestly, everyone in this world does. I’d believe they’re elves.

Everyone greets Grandma, but she probably can’t remember them all, and they seem to understand that.

Once everyone’s here, the party begins with a buffet.

“Takuya ♡ meat, meat! ♡”

Arisa sits near me, setting down meat. More food than flirt, but cute.

“Thanks, Arisa. Your earrings are pretty.”

“Huh? ♡ Hehe ♡ …No big deal ♡”

Arisa’s ponytail shows off her ears, making the earrings pop. School rules don’t ban piercings, but she hasn’t gotten any.

“This gratin’s tasty too, Takuya.”

“Thanks, Nana. You’re cute.”

“Mufu ♡”

“Like Takuya, Nana’s all curly today ♡”

“Yup, we match.”

We sit and enjoy dishes like roast beef, gratin, salad, and soup.

“These xiaolongbao are delicious~ ♡”

“Hafu hafu ♡ mmm! ♡ Can a commoner like me have this? ♡ Ehehe ♡”

“How do they get this flavor…”

“Here’s the thing, Yuika-chan…”

Some eat normally, others analyze flavors, each enjoying the buffet. For food lovers, these dishes are research material.

Maybe I’ll take the maids on a gourmet restaurant training trip.

“Takuya-sama, I brought fruit.”

“Thanks, Miki-san. That dress suits you. Very adult.”

Miki-san’s chic black dress matches her dark hair perfectly.

“Th-Thank you ♡”

Miki-san brings oranges, pears, and kiwis, so I shift to dessert after meat.

There’s cake later, so I don’t overeat at the buffet. Gotta finish the cake.

Mikoto-san and Amane-san seem used to dresses, plating food elegantly.

“I-I can’t help but mind manners… ♡”

“Me too…”

“I don’t know manners…”

“No one critiques a man’s manners, Takuya-sama ♡ That’d be a major breach itself ♡”

“Got it… but I wanna learn, so teach me sometime…”

“Yes ♡ let’s dine at my place ♡”

“We’ll be waiting.”

“Yup.”

Wandering between seats, I get tons of birthday wishes and sip juice. Miki-san and the others are drinking, so I’m relieved?

“Takuya-kun ♡ happy birthday… ♡”

“Thanks, Honami-san. You look like a model.”

“Ehh! ♡ …Saying that in front of a pro is… embarrassing ♡”

“To me, you’re all gorgeous, cute brides…”

“You include me too… ♡”

“Aren’t you one of the early ones, Honami-san?”

“I-I guess…? ♡”

“Since middle school… right?”

“Ugh… ♡ Yes… ♡”

“Thanks, Honami-san.”

“Hahyu ♡ f-fai ♡”

“Hey~ ♡ Darling’s having fun ♡”

Laughing with Honami-san, Kirari-san approaches, glass in hand. Her dress is sexy and alluring.

“Your dress looks great too, Kirari-san…”

“Nishishi ♡ First time in a dress recently, but glad it works ♡ And you said ‘too’ ♡”

“Seeing everyone in dresses makes this party worth it.”

“Takuya-kun… ♡”

“Darling… ♡”

“Overheard that ♡ Takkun’s been thinking that, huh? ♡”

“Yes, Haruka-senpai, it suits you too.”

“Ufufu ♡ thanks ♡”

Haruka-senpai’s dress highlights her large chest, exuding mature allure.

After devouring the buffet, it’s cake time.

“Then, shall we eat cake? ♡”

Mom cues the staff, who wheel in a massive cake.

“W-Wow, it’s huge…”

For over 30 people, it’s gigantic, with “Congratulations” written in the center.

“Taku-chan ♡ I’ll take pics, so get close to the cake ♡”

“Yup.”

Satsuki-san snaps photos as usual, then the staff slices the cake.

“Takuya, this plate’s edible! ♡”

Crunch “It’s true… bitter chocolate.”

The “happy birthday” chocolate plate under the “Congratulations” text was removed to avoid breaking during cutting.

We eat cake, stuff ourselves with leftover buffet food, adults drink, kids toast with juice, all enjoying the party.

“Takuya-kun ♡ cheers ♡”

“Oh, Chiaki-senpai.”

“Nfufu ♡ The cultural festival’s soon, huh? ♡”

“Yup! But as student council, I don’t do anything, right?”

“Yup, the cultural festival… well, the sports festival was the exception, but guys like you usually don’t do much.”

“Right, it was just a name-only registration at first.”

Feels nostalgic being half-forced by Onee-chan.

“So, I’ll just enjoy it.”

“Yup! ♡ I’m looking forward to your butler café ♡”

“What’s your class doing, senpai?”

“We’re doing an animal café ♡ Animal cosplay ♡”

“Animals… nice. What’re you, senpai?”

“I’m a white tiger! ♡ I’ll eat you up! ♡ Roar~! ♡”

“I’d be okay getting eaten by you, senpai.”

“Geez ♡ saying cute stuff again ♡”

Felines are all cute, so I’m hyped.

“Chi-chan, Takkun, yo~ ♡”

While chatting with Chiaki-senpai, Seira-chan and the idol crew show up.

“Thanks, everyone, for taking time off for me.”

“Obviously! ♡”

““Yup, yup! ♡””

“Wow, monopolizing top idols like this…”

“Nfufu ♡ pretty great, right? ♡”

“You don’t deny your popularity, huh, Seira-chan…”

Hina-no teases, but Seira-chan unfazedly pours juice into my glass.

After the buffet, I get presents and open them on the spot.

They’re practical things like accessories and clothes, perfect for daily use.

“Everyone… thank you.”

““““Congrats~””””

“Taku-chan ♡ can you say something to everyone?”

“Um… When I lost my memories and thought I had to live alone… you all warmly embraced me, and I’m truly grateful… Thank you so much…”

Despite my clumsy speech, everyone gives warm applause.

“Then, let’s take group photos and head to the rooms ♡”

“““Yes!”””

It could’ve been a day trip, but we’re staying over to eat and drink to our hearts’ content.

“Then, for Takuya’s room… should we let him choose? ♡”

“U-Uh… I can’t choose…”

“Then, roulette time~! ♡”

Kaede runs the roulette to pick the three others for my room.

It’s Satsuki-san, Mikuni-san, and Akari-san.

“Then, to your rooms~ ♡”

Leaving the banquet hall, I link arms with Mikuni-san and head to our room. They booked a suite again, so I’m excited.