The Hakuo Student Council entered the annex.
Despite it being a birthday party, everyone quickly noticed that the atmosphere in the annex was unusually quiet, as if not many guests had been invited.
"Miss Hinagiku."
Just as curiosity was spreading among the group, Maria appeared before them.
"Miss Maria."
It had been a while since Hinagiku Katsura had last seen Maria. She felt a wave of familiarity but was more focused on her curiosity at the mont.
"Miss Maria, weren't there supposed to be more people invited to today's birthday party?"
"Yes. This ti, Miss Sakuya, Miss Hayasaka, and Miss Sonoko only invited people close to them. This birthday party is ant to be a relatively private gathering."
"A private birthday party?"
At first, Hinagiku was confused. The scene in front of her felt a bit different from what she had expected.
"Indeed. Miss Kaguya and Miss Hayasaka don't have any friends at Shuchiin they felt the need to invite. As for Miss Sonoko and Miss Ran from Teitan High, they also have no one beyond each other to invite. Only Miss Sakuya and Miss Nagi invited friends from Hakuo."
Is their social circle really that limited? Hinagiku couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Looking around, she still felt like Nagi had a surprisingly large number of friends within Hakuo.
"This ti, since the birthday parties of three people were rged into one, rather than going for a large celebration, everyone felt it would be better to simply gather with close friends."
No wonder it felt so subdued. Hinagiku understood now. This party was indeed structured differently from previous ones—more intimate and subtle.
"Miss Maria, besides us, who else is attending this birthday party?"
Kasumi Aika was curious about the other guests. It was clear this party had Miss Sakuya's touch on it.
"In addition to you, there's Miss Isumi, Master Tachibana Wataru, and Miss Saki. Also, friends Nagi t at her new school—Miss Shinomiya Kaguya, Miss Hayasaka Ai, Miss Fujiwara Chika, Miss Suzuki Sonoko, Miss Ran Mouri, and Mr. Amamiya Ren."
The number wasn't large—only six new friends. Hinagiku quickly morized the nas Maria had listed.
"Miss Maria, is Nagi's sudden school transfer related to one of those people?"
Asakaze Risa suddenly threw out the question.
"Hmm. I'm afraid I can't answer that."
"So in other words, it is related, right?"
Risa narrowed her eyes slightly.
The others also showed expressions of realization.
They had always suspected there was a reason behind Nagi's sudden transfer. She was doing perfectly well at Hakuo, so what prompted the sudden change?
Clearly, there had to be a cause.
Did Nagi manage to convince her grandfather with that reason? Aika didn't believe her grandfather would allow Nagi to transfer that easily—unless Nagi had already lost her status as heir.
But based on what Aika knew, her grandfather had recently confird Nagi's position as the heir.
She had found that decision baffling at the ti. If he had already planned to make Nagi the heir, why did he allow her to face so many dangerous kidnapping attempts?
So perhaps he had been persuaded. And for the sake of Nagi's safety, he finally acknowledged her as the heir.
"Hmm... It must be because of a man!"
Yukiji suddenly spoke up. And with that one sentence, the room seed to collectively awaken.
Yes. Among the nas Maria listed earlier, aside from Tachibana Wataru, there was only one other male.
The one called Amamiya Ren.
Maria offered no comnt, simply leading the group toward the side hall where the birthday party was being held.
Since this was a private celebration, the main hall wasn't necessary.
Maria brought them into the side hall, where the invited mbers of the Hakuo Student Council were already present, and the scene was just unfolding.
"I'm telling you, Sakuya, how could you forget your own birthday?"
Sanzenin Nagi was scolding Aizawa Sakuya.
Forget your own birthday? Kasumi Aika paused in surprise. Now she understood why there had been no news of Miss Sakuya's birthday this year—because the girl herself had forgotten.
"Well, birthdays happen every year. Honestly, I'm a little tired of them. Sotis I just don't want to think about birthdays."
Aizawa Sakuya, dressed in a dark blue gown, shifted the conversation toward her general indifference to birthdays in an attempt to deflect attention from the fact that she had forgotten her own.
"You..."
"Alright, alright. Birthdays follow the sa script every year. All they do is remind I'm one year older."
Sakuya clearly didn't want to dwell on her forgetfulness. After shutting down Nagi's complaint, her eyes turned to Ren, who stood just behind Nagi.
"But birthday presents are non-negotiable."
She extended her hand toward Ren.
"Ren, where's my gift?"
Ren, being addressed, raised his hand and a gift box materialized in his palm.
"I did prepare a birthday gift, but I hope you won't expect too much from it."
"Sothing ordinary?"
Sakuya looked at Ren expectantly, but he shook his head lightly.
"I know Miss Aizawa isn't very interested in regular gifts. And since she's also the one among us who's not... gift-easy, I added a bit of extra effort within the bounds of normality."
"Oh!!!"
Hearing that it wasn't just an ordinary gift, Sakuya's eyes lit up instantly. Her gaze sparkled with anticipation.
"Can I open it now?"
"Of course. But if you want to test it, wait until you're ho and talk to first."
"Naturally."
Testing it at the party would be inappropriate.
Sakuya opened the box. Inside was a silver ladies' wristwatch. Judging by its design, it wasn't particularly expensive. But Sakuya seed very satisfied with the gift.
(To be continued.)
***
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