Chapter 227: The So-Called "Gift"

"Kaguya-sama... is this the cake you prepared for President Shirogane?"

"Yup~ It took me so much effort."

Looking at Shinomiya Kaguya, who practically radiated innocence from head to toe, and at the three-tier cake in front of her, Ai Hayasaka fell into deep thought.

When exactly did her young lady turn into such an airhead?

To celebrate someone's birthday, she actually had a wedding cake custom-made. What on earth was going through her head?

The more she looked at the three-tier cake, the more embarrassed she felt. Hayasaka decided to keep her mouth shut.

After all, if anything went wrong, it would just be her young lady embarrassing herself. It had nothing to do with her.

"Hayasaka, what kind of gift do boys usually like to receive on their birthdays?"

"A graphics card."

"Huh?"

"In my experience, boys all seem to like that," Hayasaka replied expressionlessly.

"...What is that?"

"Forget it. There's no point explaining it to someone who doesn't know the first thing about computers." Hayasaka sighed. "What's important is the thought behind it."

"You've never given a boy a birthday gift?"

"Of course not."

"Not even Rinji?"

"Not even him. Rinji's birthday is February 29th. That only comes once every four years in a leap year. This year isn't a leap year, and neither was four years ago."

"…That's really his birthday?"

"Yep," Hayasaka said. "February 29, 2032."

"You actually believe that? There's still over ten years until 2032. Are you saying he's from the future or something?"

"It's ridiculous, but I don't think Rinji has any reason to lie to me about that, so I just accepted it as truth."

"..."

Hayasaka thought Kaguya might not be right in the head. Kaguya also thought Hayasaka's brain might be broken.

"Since it's a rare occasion that the president has a birthday, I have to prepare a really special gift for him too."

Kaguya frowned, her expression unusually serious.

"Rinji also knows the president's birthday. If the gift I give is worse than his..."

"Kaguya-sama, why are you trying to compete with another guy... Is your jealousy really gender-blind?"

"The president is a frugal person. The gift can't be too expensive. It has to be thoughtful..."

Watching Kaguya spiral into overthinking, Hayasaka, her most trusted maid, felt it was her duty to offer a solution.

She pulled a silk ribbon from a drawer and handed it to Kaguya. Then she tore a sticky note from a pad, jotted down a few words, and passed it over.

"First, Kaguya-sama, wrap the ribbon around yourself."

"Oh."

Though she didn't understand Hayasaka's intention, Kaguya obediently followed instructions.

After tying the ribbon, Kaguya looked up at Hayasaka, who said, "Alright, now just read what's on the note."

"Okay. Let's see... 'The gift is me'...!!!??"

"Well? Isn't it a brilliant idea?"

"What part of that is brilliant!?"

Face flushed, Kaguya yanked the ribbon off herself.

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In a dimly lit room, the sound of keyboard tapping echoed.

Rinji and Ishigami were, as usual, gaming in Rinji's bedroom after school.

"Ishigami, have you ever celebrated a classmate's birthday?"

"Not once. Even if someone held a party, I was never invited."

"I see..."

"Why ask?"

"The president's birthday is coming up. I was wondering what kind of gift I should give." Rinji spoke while watching his game character. "Can't just give him something random, you know?"

Because Shirogane had previously asked him not to reveal his birthdate, Rinji didn't mention the specific date.

"You're both guys. Just think about what would make you happy if it were your birthday."

"A well-equipped mechanized infantry platoon."

"Be serious."

"A model kit, maybe... Should I give the president that?"

"But the president doesn't seem like a tokusatsu nerd. It'd be pointless. You need to cater to his interests," Ishigami said. "For example, I plan to get him a fountain pen. He always needs one for studying or signing student council and club documents."

"...That's true."

Rinji fell into thought.

A fountain pen was a great idea. Practical and fitting for a utilitarian like Shirogane.

But it was too late now—since Ishigami had already chosen that, Rinji had to avoid repeating it.

"Utilitarian... So it has to be something undeniably useful..."

After a pause, Rinji pulled out a black card from his wallet.

"Then I'll just give him this as the gift?"

"...Put that Centurion card away. There's no way the president would accept it."

"Yeah, I figured. Giving money directly makes it look like I couldn't be bothered to think of something thoughtful."

Seeing Rinji so torn up, Ishigami offered, "It doesn't have to be that complicated. You're great at cooking. Just make a delicious meal for the president on his birthday."

"I already cook at his place every week. That's nothing new."

After thinking for a moment, Rinji suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"Right! Since the president loves studying so much, why not give him a workbook?"

"That's a solid idea."

"Of course, he's probably gone through all the Japanese ones. So I'll find China's Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulations, translate it into Japanese, and give him that."

"...Setting aside whether the material is compatible, his birthday is the day after tomorrow. Do you really have time to translate all that?"

"Wait—how do you know when his birthday is?"

"September 9th. Of course I remember. He told us before," Ishigami said. "Even if he didn't want to talk about it now, I'd still remember. How else would I know when to buy a gift?"

"...True."

So after all that, Rinji still hadn't figured out what to get Shirogane.

"Since practicality is key, maybe I should just give him an office building—good for work, rentable, and profitable if property values rise."

"What kind of classmate gives a whole building as a gift?" Ishigami couldn't help but retort.

Rinji's thought process was just too out there.

"This is why it's best to ask someone your own age."

Rinji turned to look at Ishigami.

"Ishigami, if it were your birthday, how would you want me to celebrate?"

"Just wear a maid outfit and a wig, light some candles, and do nothing else."

"...I'm only not beating you up because you're my bro."