Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 197: The Party Begins.

The Party Begins.

Well then… the final event of today is about to begin at last.

Right after getting off the train, I had called Yuuji and Hayato, letting it ring just once before cutting the call. That was the signal for them to start preparing to welcome us, so they should be waiting, ready and in position by now.

All that remained was for Sara-san to open the front door and enter the room first… that was the plan. Everything had gone according to schedule so far, without any issues. If I had to mention a concern, it was that Sara-san was in a far more affectionate mood than I had anticipated, and she seemed fully intent on spending the rest of the evening snuggled up together at home. Honestly, it made me a little nervous… though of course, I was happy too.

“…We’re home… our date is over now…”

Sara-san murmured that with a lonely tone, clinging tightly to my right arm the entire way and still refusing to let go. Perhaps in her mind, letting go of my arm would mark the official end of our date.

We could go on many more dates in the future, but maybe her sadness stemmed from the fact that I hadn’t properly taken her out like this before.

“Sara-san, where shall we go next time?”

“Eh…?”

“Don’t look so surprised. It’s true that today’s birthday date is ending, but I want to keep taking you out on dates, you know?”

“…Ah.”

At my words, Sara-san’s expression brightened into a smile again. It seemed she realised there were still so many fun times waiting for us ahead. Thinking that made me reflect – perhaps she felt lonely because I hadn’t made time for dates like this until now.

“I chose where we went today, but next time, would you like to decide? I don’t mind if it’s somewhere a bit far.”

“Thank you so much! Then next time, I’ll choose…”

“Yeah. I’ll work hard at my part-time job again so I can treat you.”

“There’s no need for that. I’ve been saving on living expenses, so I can cover your part too. Besides, the reserve funds your mother gave us are still untouched. You really don’t need to overwork yourself with part-time jobs.”

Reserve funds… I can’t believe my mother prepared something like that. She must really like Sara-san.

“Please… don’t ever work part-time jobs in secret again, okay? Next time, I absolutely won’t forgive you.”

“Y-Yes.”

Sara-san’s radiant smile carried an undeniable pressure that left me with no choice but to nod obediently. It would be hard to plan any future surprises now, but so be it… next time, I’ll just work openly to earn money for dates and gifts.

“My funds are enough to cover you, so I’ll just—”

“Sara-san, that’s something I can never allow. Please don’t say another word about it.”

It was a small thing, but still – my pride wouldn’t let me accept her money. If it came to that, I’d rather keep working part-time forever than burden her like that.

“…Yes. I will obey, as you say, Kazunari-san.”

I had spoken a little firmly, and worried she might be hurt, but instead, Sara-san blushed deeply and bowed her head. I didn’t think I’d said anything strange, but…

“Hehe… I’ve been scolded by you, Kazunari-san.”

I hadn’t meant to scold her at all, but for some reason, she looked so happy about it.

Bzzz… Bzzz…

…Actually, my phone had been vibrating non-stop for a while now. I was pretty sure they were angry calls telling me to hurry up and come home. Everyone must know we were standing right outside the house.

“S-Sara-san… it’s about time…”

Glancing at the entrance, I felt a powerful aura radiating from behind the door, as if to say “Enough already!” With some regret, I decided it was time to move things along and urged Sara-san towards the plan.

“Yes, let’s go in.”

She took out the keys from her bag and unlocked the front door.

…I was getting nervous.

Click…

Beyond the door was my familiar dark room, completely devoid of any human presence. Knowing everyone was holding their breath, hidden inside, I couldn’t help but feel a laugh bubbling up within me.

Sara-san stepped in first. Whenever we returned together, she always entered first to welcome me home. It had become an unspoken rule that I would follow after a brief pause.

As I stepped inside, there she was, waiting for me with her gentle smile.

“Welcome home, Kazunari-san!”

Click.

The door shut behind me. That was the signal for the surprise party to begin.

POP!!!

POP POP POP POP POP!!!

“Kyaa!!”

The thunderous noise of party poppers erupted like a fanfare behind her. Startled by the sudden explosions, Sara-san let out a scream and clung tightly to me.

“Sara!!!”

Happy birthday~~~~~!!!!!

Led by Natsumi-senpai’s voice, everyone cheered in unison. At that moment, the lights switched on, revealing all our friends and the handmade decorations scattered around the room. Their vivid colours clearly showed how hard everyone had worked to prepare this.

Sara-san looked utterly stunned, her eyes wide open and blinking rapidly as she struggled to process what was happening.

“Eh… eh… eh…?”

Still clinging to me, she turned her head towards everyone, but her voice wouldn’t come out. Wanting to help her calm down, I gently stroked her head and spoke.

“Everyone worked hard to prepare this birthday party for you.”

“It was Takanashi-kun’s idea though!”

“No, it was Toudou-san who suggested it…”

“But it was Takanashi-kun who organised everything!”

I wanted to tell her this party was everyone’s effort, but the two of them kept insisting it was all me, and everyone else nodded in agreement. Hearing that, Sara-san slowly turned to look at me.

“…Is that true?”

“U-Uh… well… sort of…”

“Kazunari-san…”

Her moist eyes and tender, emotional expression struck me so powerfully I could barely hold back the rush of feelings. Today, Sara-san felt different from usual, and it kept throwing me off balance.

“…Sara, we worked hard too, you know…”

Perhaps unable to stay quiet any longer, Nishikawa-san joined the conversation. Sara-san turned to her, then to each of the others, meeting their eyes one by one before giving a deep, heartfelt bow.

“I truly thank you all. Being celebrated like this by friends… it’s the first time in my life. I don’t even know what words to say. But…”

She smiled gently at everyone, and for a moment, it seemed everyone was frozen in awe of her expression.

“I am so happy. Thank you… all of you.”

“Alright, since Sara’s being so honest, let’s start the party!!”

“Yeahhhh!!”

With Natsumi-senpai’s call, everyone cheered and ushered Sara-san further into the room. Following her, I glanced around once more – paper stars, flowers, and handwritten messages hung everywhere. I wanted to make sure Sara-san got to read every one of them later.

“Alright, does everyone have their glasses? Before we toast, let’s hear a few words from today’s organiser, Takanashi-kun!”

…I wish they’d told me about this beforehand. I haven’t prepared anything at all.

It was an unreasonable request thrown at me by Natsumi-senpai, but ignoring it would only dampen the festive mood.

Right, I should just express my gratitude.

“Um… first of all, thank you, everyone, for everything until today. I think Sara-san’s surprise birthday was a great success. In particular, I want to thank Toudou-san and Hayato for supporting and covering for me during my part-time job, and Nishikawa-san for overseeing all the preparations for this party. Really, thank you. Because of all of you, I managed to pull off the date and the gifts properly. So from here on, let’s all celebrate Sara-san together! Once again, Sara-san, happy birthday!”

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

“Alright, if any brave souls want to hear about how today’s date went, ask him later. Now then – Sara, happy birthday. Cheers!!”

“Cheers!!!”

***

“So, how was today’s date?”

“Yeah, you even worked a part-time job for this. Did you manage to show her a bit of your manly side?”

The first to come over and tease me were Yuuji and Hayato.

I guess they’d been curious about it too, approaching me as soon as the party started.

“…What do you mean, ‘manly side’?”

“Well, you know… various things.”

“You put in so much effort – surely something happened today?”

“What are you guys doing, huddled together like that all of a sudden?!”

As the three of us talked, Natsumi-senpai suddenly cut in.

There wasn’t any alcohol at this party, but her energy felt like she was completely high on life… then again, maybe this was just her usual self.

“Come on, don’t just stand around with the guys. Takanashi-kun, you’re the boyfriend of today’s star, so go stand beside her! And you two, come with me.”

I had kept my distance since the girls were surrounding Sara-san, but apparently that wasn’t allowed.

Well, there was no reason to refuse. Led by Natsumi-senpai, I joined the group around Sara-san, and immediately, she clung tightly to my arm.

“But seriously… don’t you two ever get tired of being so clingy all the time? Even couples need a bit of space, you know… Takanashi-kun, it must be hard for you in… various ways.”

She emphasised “various” while giving me a look, as if to silently convey something. Was she hinting at… guy stuff?

“Eh… am I… am I being a bother to you, Kazunari-san?! Have I been inconveniencing you this whole time without realising it…? No…”

Thanks to Natsumi-senpai’s unnecessary comment, Sara-san now looked on the verge of tears, convinced she was troubling me. Seeing that expression broke my heart.

I quickly hugged her tightly. As she looked up at me, eyes filled with anxiety, I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, and I ended up holding her even closer.

Today, she was just too cute… I couldn’t help wanting to spoil her.

“There is absolutely no way I’d ever feel burdened by you, Sara-san. If you’re not by my side, I feel truly lonely… and sad.”

“…I’m so glad. If I couldn’t be close to you like this, I think I would cry from loneliness… because being by your side like this, it’s what makes me happiest… always, always… being close to the one I love so much…”

She was just too adorable. As I stroked her head, gazing into her eyes, my gaze naturally drifted to her lips. Today, we had our first kiss. The memory of that moment was still vivid in my mind, making my heart race all over again.

And it seemed Sara-san felt the same. Realising I was looking at her lips, her cheeks gradually turned bright red. Almost unconsciously, she closed her eyes slightly and tilted her face upwards…

“Wha!? H-Hey, wait you two!! What’s with this atmosphere?! It’s different from usual!!”

Natsumi-senpai’s panicked shout snapped us out of it, and I realised that everyone’s eyes were on us.

We had ended up in our own little world again…

“I-It surprised me… the mood between Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai was so intense… if Yuuzuki-senpai hadn’t stopped them, they might’ve just…”

“I-I was shocked too… but does this mean…?”

As Toudou-san and Hanako-san whispered to each other, Nishikawa-san, listening nearby, suddenly let out a gasp and her expression turned to one of utter shock.

“D-Don’t tell me… don’t tell me!? Have you two… taken another step… Sara!?”

“So that’s what this is! Finally… hey, hey, who initiated it?”

Sara-san didn’t answer Natsumi-senpai’s question, but instead, with her cheeks flushed bright red, she glanced at me for just a moment before quickly looking away, fidgeting shyly as she clung to my arm again… ugh, even that gesture was too cute…

“Eeeeeek!!! What was that super meaningful exchange just now?! Sara’s… Sara’s becoming an adult againnnnn!!!!”

“Calm down, Eririn!”

“Ahhh… ahhh… hearing stuff like this about my friends makes me so nervous~”

“As her older sister, this is… complicated…”

“Only high schoolers like Satsukawa-senpai can create such an atmosphere.”

“Looks like he really stepped up as a man today.”

“Seems that way. I mean, after all that effort, if nothing had happened, people would’ve called him pathetic…”

Our kiss had already been exposed, but honestly, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Ignoring Nishikawa-san’s shrieks, Sara-san continued to gaze at me lovingly, looking as happy as ever.