Chapter 193: Booking the Venue, Candlelight Dinner
After working until five o'clock, the Art Club activities for the day ended. Kaede and Eriri said goodbye to the other three members of the Art Club and took a car back home.
"Kaede-kun, we have to change clothes?"
"That's right."
Putting down his school bag, Kaede smiled and said: "Eriri, you haven't been to this place before, and the environment is very nice. If we only wear our school uniforms, it would seem like a waste, and we definitely have enough time."
Hearing Kaede say this, Eriri became even more curious and happily went to her room to change clothes.
Kaede did not have the trouble of having to choose clothes like Eriri. He quickly picked out an outfit and changed into it, then went directly to the workspace and took out the necklace box from inside.
The box was small. If he was careful about putting it into his clothes pocket, he wouldn't have to worry about Eriri discovering it.
Once prepared, Kaede went to the living room to wait.
Fortunately, Eriri didn't take too long today. She quickly changed into an English-style dress and walked out.
"How do I look?"
Eriri walked up to Kaede and spun around once, saying with a smile: "It's a shame the weather hasn't cooled down yet, or else I have even more beautiful clothes!"
"This is already great. Let's go, let's head out."
Holding Eriri's hand, they left the apartment, hailed a taxi, and headed directly to their destination.
Sitting in the car, Eriri asked curiously: "Kaede-kun, what kind of restaurant is it? What kind of food do they serve?"
"It serves Western food, but it's definitely a place you haven't been to, Eriri. I found and reserved it a while ago," Kaede said with a smile. "Just look forward to it, Eriri."
"Western food, huh? Since Kaede-kun is being so secretive, it must be a really good restaurant!"
Eriri naturally trusted Kaede's taste and wasn't worried at all.
Just then, a message from Shinomiya Kaguya came through, diverting Eriri's attention and easing some of Kaede's pressure.
Leaning over to look, he saw that Shinomiya Kaguya truly treated Eriri as her strategist and was reporting the day's events to her.
"Oh? Is Shinomiya-senpai planning to try a multi-person video chat tonight? I wonder if something interesting will happen then."
Eriri nodded, smiling: "I think so too. But the most likely source of entertainment will probably be Senior Shirogane's side, right? When they video call, he might not be the only person participating; it's possible his sister or father might appear in the background!"
"If that really happens, it will be interesting."
Although it might be inappropriate to say so, Shirogane Miyuki usually maintains the posture of a model student. If his side at home were revealed and discovered by Shinomiya Kaguya, the aftermath would be amusing.
Both Shinomiya Kaguya and Shirogane Miyuki are awkward people. Kaede previously thought Shirogane Miyuki might have made some progress, but based on what he learned from Shinomiya Kaguya these past few days since school started, that guy is still the same, while Shinomiya Kaguya has decided to launch a real offensive.
"Senpai, fight for us guys..." Of course, Kaede just encouraged him internally, since he had bet that Shinomiya Kaguya would confess first, and this was for his own benefit.
Meanwhile, Eriri offered Shinomiya Kaguya some subsequent advice because Shinomiya Kaguya had just mentioned that the ninth of this month was Shirogane Miyuki's birthday, and she needed to prepare a gift.
Tapping on her phone, Eriri sent the message.
[Regarding the gift, it doesn't need to be too extravagant. Given your current relationship and considering Senior Shirogane's financial situation, it's best if it's something you prepare or make yourself, Senpai, and something the Senior can use daily.]
Shinomiya Kaguya quickly replied: [I understand. Preparing it myself is the best way to show my sincerity. I will think about it carefully! What about the cake? Should I prepare a cake? If so, I will immediately contact the Shinomiya Family chefs and have them prepare a luxurious multi-tiered grand cake!]
Shinomiya Kaguya clearly got carried away again.
"A multi-tiered grand cake..." Kaede saw this and said with a laugh, "Isn't that a wedding cake? Senpai really can't hide what she's thinking; she's already planning so far ahead."
"Girls always have those romantic fantasies!"
"Then do you have them too, Eriri?"
"Ugh... Don't drag me into this!" Eriri glared shyly at Kaede and continued replying to the message.
[A regular cake is fine, no need to be so exaggerated! The most important thing is the gift. Senpai, just spend these two days thinking carefully about how to give the gift!]
Shinomiya Kaguya now highly trusted Eriri's various suggestions. After seeing Eriri try so hard to stop her, Shinomiya Kaguya thought carefully. Once her intelligence returned, she realized how ridiculous her previous idea had been, so she called Hayasaka Ai and told the chefs to prepare a regular cake for Shirogane Miyuki's birthday.
Furthermore, she decided that for the birthday celebration, she only needed to celebrate with the President herself, choosing a time when the Student Council room was empty. Even if someone tried to come, she would create various accidents or incidents to turn the Student Council room into a world just for her and the President.
"Hmph, President, get ready to face my series of attacks starting tonight!"
Shinomiya Kaguya was determined to succeed this time.
[I understand. Thank you, Sawamura-san. I'll go prepare the President's gift right away!]
Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya's reply, Kaede laughed: "It looks like your role as the 'bad' strategist is quite effective. I feel like Shinomiya-senpai will graduate from needing your help soon."
"What 'bad' strategist? Can't you use a nicer title?"
Glaring at Kaede, Eriri said confidently: "I've played quite a few dating sims, after all. I know how the strong female characters in those games launch their attacks, so I just copy some tactics that the Senpai can use!"
"It really is from a game, huh..."
Kaede didn't play dating sims much, so he could only sigh at Eriri's boldness in thinking and speaking, and that Shinomiya Kaguya actually dared to use the advice.
However, if the target was Shirogane Miyuki, Shinomiya Kaguya being a little aggressive might actually work.
In love, one party always has to take the initiative before they start dating, otherwise, things will just drag on.
Soon, Kaede and Eriri's car arrived at their destination.
After getting out of the car, Kaede led Eriri to the front of a Western restaurant.
Looking at the Western restaurant, which clearly looked luxurious, Eriri said in surprise: "I didn't expect it to be a place like this. It's beyond my expectations."
"Let's go, let's head inside."
Upon entering the restaurant, a waiter was already waiting at the door and respectfully led Kaede and Eriri toward their seats.
After stepping inside, Eriri realized something was off: why were there no customers in the restaurant?
"Kaede-kun, this..."
Only then did Kaede reveal the mystery: "I booked the entire venue today. It's a candlelight dinner just for the two of us."