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Perhaps in her heart, this "unexpected" dinner was the best birthday gift.
"You can take even more initiative, no problem." Su Qing gave a vague answer, which made Mahiru's heart leap with anticipation.
The heart rate spiked dramatically in a brief moment.
But Mahiru quickly controlled her excitement and said with a serene smile, "Just knowing that you're home preparing dinner makes me look forward to it."
It's getting late, I have to go to my appointment.
Remember not to blow up the kitchen!
"Go on your way, be careful on the road, and on your way back too."
Before saying goodbye, Su Qing gently patted Mahiru's head, her touch more tender than ever before.
Like snowflakes frozen on a window frame, about to melt away.
……
Watching Mahiru walk away until her beautiful figure disappeared around a corner, Su Qing closed the door and suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
The next moment, he hurriedly went to the room and took out the decorative items he had prepared beforehand, such as balloons and an air pump.
He now has about two hours to prepare, which is barely enough.
Because she wanted to keep the surprise in mind, Su Qing couldn't prepare in advance and could only ask Yui to "lure" Mahiru out.
Sigh, having a girlfriend who's practically living with you is such a headache.
Su Qing couldn't help but think this to herself, but she couldn't suppress a smile.
About twenty minutes later, the phone received two messages almost simultaneously.
[Yui: Kiyoshi, I picked up Mahiru~ image.jpg]
[Mahiru: Kiyotomi, I've arrived safely, don't worry about me. Image.jpg]
However, Su Qing was busy making arrangements at the moment, so she did not reply immediately.
After he had finished most of his work, he finally had time to reply to everyone.
Then I started working on making dinner and the birthday cake.
Dinner was alright; for someone who can cook, the only trouble was choosing the ingredients. But the cake was a bit different.
Because he had no prior experience, Su Qing had to ask Yukino to teach him for several days in a row.
It's worth mentioning that Yui was also present during the guidance process.
The latter was able to offer some pointers at first, but after a few days he gradually lost his voice and eventually ended up having to start from scratch with Su Qing.
Fortunately, since it was only the two of them celebrating their birthdays, Su Qing chose the smaller size.
In addition, since the materials were prepared early this morning, there is enough time left.
……
At around four o'clock in the afternoon.
On the shopping street, Yui and Mahiru were walking and chatting as they came out of a dessert shop.
"You ate so little, so don't try to split the bill with me," Yui said.
They had just ordered a strawberry mini cake they hadn't tried before, but she ate most of it, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
"It's okay, I can't eat too much, otherwise I won't be able to eat dinner when I get back, so I should be thanking you for helping me solve the problem of waste."
Without hesitation, Mahiru replied, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Then...okay!"
Yui had a vague feeling that something was off. Why was she being thanked for splitting the bill?
But she didn't think about it carefully; her limited brain capacity was occupied with something else.
According to Xiaoqing's plan, Mahiru will be "released" home in about half an hour, at which point everything will be ready.
While shopping, the two women's good looks attracted the attention of many passersby.
Their appearances were stunning even in this bustling metropolis.
Even with only light makeup, it's clear that she's far superior to those whose faces look like they've been plastered with white paint.
So, naturally, soon "brave" men came to chat with him, mainly asking for his contact information or asking for afternoon tea.
Mahiru frowned slightly, about to refuse decisively, when Yui suddenly took a step forward and stood in front of her.
"I'm sorry, but she has a boyfriend. I advise you not to have any strange ideas!"
Yui's tone was cheerful and lively, but it subtly contained a threatening undertone.
If we don't do this, some shameless people might continue down this path.
She knew it was the other person's birthday today, and it would be terrible to let someone like that ruin her mood.
Xiaoqing wouldn't be happy if she knew...
Fortunately, the people who came to chat her up were all sensible, and when they heard what Yui said, they basically all laughed awkwardly and left.
However, some people were quick-witted and persisted, asking, "And you? You don't have a boyfriend either, do you?"
"Boyfriend?" Yui said, "I don't really have one..."
Upon hearing this, the man's face lit up with joy, and he felt an inexplicable sense of excitement that his efforts had not been in vain.
But this feeling didn't last even a second before Yui quickly added, "But I have someone I really like."
The passerby's expression froze for a moment, then he muttered something and left.
Although I didn't hear it clearly, I could still understand the general meaning:
If you like someone, then so be it. And you really like them?
Tsk... I guess being a "normie" is just ridiculous, waaaaah...
Only Mahiru noticed that the girl had a bright smile on her face when she said those words.
Like the sun just rising at six in the morning, bright yet gentle.
"Thank you."
After dealing with the people who tried to chat her up, Mahiru thanked Yui.
"Hey, you're welcome." Yui said shyly, patting the little bun on her head.
"I was the one who invited you out to play in the first place, and besides, Xiaoqing would definitely have done the same if she were here."
"Is it the Qing emperor?"
Mahiru lowered her head slightly, her tone thoughtful.
"When I go out with him, it seems like I've never encountered anything like this before."
"...That's true. After all, when the two of you stand together, people will naturally assume you're a couple!"
Yui quickly figured it out. After all, no matter how bizarre this world is, surely no one would openly steal someone's partner to their face?
Not to mention Su Qing's height of over 1.8 meters, which is quite intimidating on the island.
“That’s the reason…” Mahiru hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t continue.
In fact, once when she went out with Su Qing, she clearly saw a man staring at her with obviously malicious eyes.
She didn't want to pay attention to him and was about to leave with Su Qing when she noticed that the man's expression immediately turned extremely panicked.
It gives the feeling of encountering the thing that terrifies you most deep down.
Following the man's gaze, Mahiru's eyes finally landed on Su Qing.
Su Qing happened to look over, her eyes still as gentle as ever.
Mahiru had many questions, such as what the man had seen that made his expression so frightened and distorted.
But at that same moment, she also understood something even more profoundly:
It turns out that Su Qing had been protecting her in ways she was unaware of all along.
As for the exact method, it doesn't really matter, does it?
"Next, let's go..."
Mahiru's voice stopped abruptly, and a series of phone rings suddenly came from her pocket.
"Sorry, I need to take this call," Mahiru said.
"It's okay, answer it quickly, maybe it's Xiaoqing calling."
Yui waved her hand, indicating that the other person didn't need to worry about her.
The call lasted very briefly, and she didn't hear what Mahiru was saying, but she knew with absolute certainty that it wasn't Kiyoshi calling.
Because the moment she hung up the phone, Yui saw anger, dissatisfaction... and some other, more complex emotion that she couldn't understand on Mahiru's face for the first time.
"Um... what's wrong?" Yui asked with concern.
"It's nothing... I might have to break my promise."
I have very important things to do right now, I'm really sorry.
Mahiru's expression softened considerably. She tried her best to control the ripples in her heart and said to Yui with a guilty look on her face.
"Something important?"
Yui was startled, a vague sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.
"Then you go ahead and do your work, don't worry about me. It's about time for me to go home."
Oh right, isn't today your birthday?
This is my birthday present for you. I didn't know what to get you, but I hope you like it!
"Birthday...present?"
Mahiru stared blankly as Yui suddenly pulled a small gift box from her pocket, which probably contained lip gloss or lipstick.
How did Yui know it was her birthday today?
She suddenly realized what had happened today.
As my gaze slowly moved upward from the gift box, I happened to meet a pair of bright and clear eyes.
The girl's voice was clear and crisp, like the thin chocolate crust on a cake she had eaten not long ago.
Oh, I forgot to mention, happy birthday!
Mahiru felt a sudden, intense pang in her heart, and inexplicably felt like crying.
However, she quickly restrained herself, gently stroking the gift with her fingertips, and whispered, "Thank you, Yui."
Huh?
Why did you suddenly call my name?
Σ(⊙▽⊙"a
Forget it, forget it.
"Go quickly if you have something important to do!" Yui said again.
"Um... I'm really sorry, I'll ask you out again next time." Mahiru left with those words and took a taxi.
After waving goodbye to Mahiru, Yui stared thoughtfully at the exhaust fumes from the car.
Isn’t that weird?
Taxis on the island are incredibly expensive, let alone in Tokyo!
What kind of urgent matter would require the usually frugal Mahiru to take a taxi?
Ahhh, I wish Xiaoqing were here!
do not care!
Yui gritted her teeth, briefly lamented her meager allowance, and quickly hailed a taxi.
As soon as she got in the car, she said to the driver, "Brother, please hurry up and catch up with the car in front!"
The driver merely glanced ahead, his cloudy eyes devoid of any gossip, and simply uttered a single sentence.
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