Chapter 200: Danger, Principal, Danger
Although they had gone out today to choose a gift for Shirogane Miyuki, the two decided not to eat out but returned home to cook for themselves.
After dinner and a short rest, before they even started preparing for homework, Eriri's phone rang. It was a video call invitation from Shinomiya Kaguya.
"Ah, it's Kaguya-senpai."
Coincidentally, Kaede's phone also rang. It was a casual call from Shirogane Miyuki.
Kaede smiled and said, "It's probably about the birthday gift. Eriri, you stay here, and I'll go to my room to talk with the Senior."
Having said that, he took his phone and walked into the studio.
After answering the call, Kaede said, "Good evening, Senior."
"Good evening, Asakura. I hope I didn't interrupt anything?"
Sitting down in the computer chair, Kaede said, "No, I just finished eating. Is there something you needed, Senior?"
"What do you think? As soon as I got home tonight, Kei told me I had a package. I opened it and saw it was a birthday gift from you and Sawamura."
Holding the Kindle, Shirogane Miyuki said with a smile, "Thank you for the gift. I really like it."
"Hahaha, as long as you like it, Senior. We spent a long time choosing, and we thought this would be very useful for you, so we sent it."
"It truly is. I always have a habit of reading, and this can replace several books in my bag from now on."
Shirogane Miyuki genuinely hadn't expected Kaede and the others to send him a birthday gift. He was quite startled when he saw it, but mostly he was happy.
Especially since Kaede and the others gifted him an e-reader, which he had been eyeing for a long time. Shirogane Miyuki had planned to save up some spare cash and buy a used one, but instead, he received the latest model on his birthday.
After hearing Shirogane Miyuki's thanks, Kaede certainly wouldn't end the conversation there. Since the other party had called him, he asked directly, "Senior, do you mind if I gossip a little right now?"
"Go... gossip? Gossip about what?"
For some reason, Shirogane Miyuki felt a little nervous.
Kaede said with a smile, "Of course, it's your birthday today, Senior. Shinomiya-senpai celebrated it with you, right? What kind of birthday gift did you receive?"
"How did you know?!"
Shirogane Miyuki couldn't help but exclaim, drawing a glance from Shirogane Kei, who was doing her homework nearby.
Shinomiya Kaguya had indeed given him a separate birthday gift, and it was handmade. After arriving home earlier, he had even shown it off to his sister. How had this suddenly become common knowledge?
In response, Kaede smiled and said, "Because Shinomiya-senpai previously asked Eriri how to choose a birthday gift, that's how we found out. Otherwise, we wouldn't have known that your birthday was today, Senior."
"So that's what happened..."
Shirogane Miyuki nodded in realization. He had been wondering how Kaede knew about his birthday when he hadn't mentioned it; it turned out Shinomiya Kaguya had let it slip.
After thinking for a moment, Shirogane Miyuki said, "Yes, Shinomiya gave me a gifta folding fan she inscribed herselfand also a cake. However..."
Midway through his sentence, Shirogane Miyuki suddenly recalled the scene in the Student Council room earlier, feeling a shiver of dread.
"However? However, what?"
Kaede grew curious. He had only intended to tease him, but it seemed an unexpected turn of events had occurred.
After glancing at his sister, Shirogane Miyuki took his phone, walked out of his bedroom, and went into the bathroom before saying, "Asakura, after I tell you, please don't repeat it to anyone. Also, I need you to help me come up with an idea."
"Don't worry, Senior. Just tell me everything."
Kaede naturally wouldn't leak information carelessly, but if it concerned Shinomiya Kaguya, Eriri would probably find out anyway, so whether he told her or not didn't make much difference.
Then, Kaede listened to Shirogane Miyuki's account.
Originally, Shirogane Miyuki hadn't paid much attention to his birthday and was handling Student Council affairs as usual.
The timing was strange, too; only he and Shinomiya Kaguya were in the Student Council room, and Ishigami Yuu and Fujiwara Chika were nowhere to be found.
Kaede knew the answer to that: they had obviously been sent away by Shinomiya Kaguya.
In that environment, with only the two of them present, Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly produced a cake with a lit candle, placed it in front of Shirogane Miyuki, and even gave him a birthday gift, presenting it in that intimate atmosphere without anyone else around.
"In that atmosphere, coupled with Shinomiya's actions and expression, I couldn't hold back and was planning to confess.
Who would have thought that just as I opened my mouth, the Student Council phone rang, interrupting the moment."
"...The phone? Who called?"
"It was the principal," Shirogane Miyuki said with a strange expression.
"I don't know how the principal remembered my birthday, but he called to wish me a happy birthday.
Furthermore, to thank me for my hard work in the Student Council over the past year, he prepared a lot of shopping vouchers for me, which was a gift perfectly suited to my taste.
However... after the call ended, I noticed Shinomiya's mood was completely off."
Obviously.
If such a perfect atmosphere was ruined, it wouldn't be Shinomiya Kaguya if she didn't get angry.
But how did the principal know, and why did he call specifically?
Ishigami Yuu, who was playing a game at home, sneezed without warning.
Not dwelling on it, Kaede continued to ask, "Senior, did you try to confess afterward?"
"The mood was completely gone, how could I continue?" Shirogane Miyuki said miserably.
"Shinomiya also realized the atmosphere was ruined. After saying a few words to me, she left first.
It wasn't right for me to stay there alone, so I packed up and came home shortly after."
Poor Principal, poor Principal.
I hope news of Shuchiin replacing its principal doesn't surface in a couple of days.
Of course, Kaede knew that Shinomiya Kaguya wouldn't actually go that far, especially since the person had called because it was Shirogane Miyuki's birthday.
"So, Senior, what are you planning to do next? Shinomiya-senpai definitely noticed that you were trying to confess at the time."
Listening to Kaede's question, Shirogane Miyuki took a deep breath and said, "I plan to find a time to ask Shinomiya out, and then confess properly again!"
Tsk tsk, he's finally making some progress. He even knows how to ask a girl out on a date now.
"Alright, then good luck, Senior."
"Mhm, I will. Um... Asakura?" Suddenly, Shirogane Miyuki's voice sounded hesitant as he said, "Could I ask you for some advice on dating etiquette? I've never asked a girl out alone before."
"..."
Fine, he decided to be understanding and teach Shirogane Miyuki a few things.