"So and so... this and that..." After a three-minute explanation, Izumi Chihiro finally clarified everything in detail.
"I see, so that's how it is, it's that girl..." Nishikino Maki subtly glanced to the side, then quickly retracted her gaze.
That incident back then had been quite a big deal, and her deskmate had also mentioned it to her, so she instantly understood him.
"So, as a friend, giving a birthday present is very normal, right? If Nishikino wants one, you can also tell me; I'll consider writing down your birthday."
To increase his persuasiveness, he added.
"Eh, what are you saying? Imi wakanai!" Nishikino Maki's pretty face flushed, and she took a small step back, adopting a defensive posture.
Giving me a gift, wouldn't that be asking me out?
If it's just the two of us, how is that any different from a date!
"Nishikino…what are you thinking?"
Izumi Chihiro's expression stiffened.
"Ahem, I have something to do, so I'll be going now, goodbye!"
Nishikino Maki realized she might have overthought things, and that he didn't mean it that way at all, so she fled in embarrassment.
Izumi Chihiro shook his head at this, then turned to leave, only to find Nayuta standing still, deep in thought.
"Nayuta?"
"Oh, Senpai, are you done talking with her?"
Kani Nayuta snapped back to reality.
"Yes, her name is Nishikino Maki, and she's my deskmate."
Seeing her inquiring gaze, Izumi Chihiro explained.
"Um, what about Sawamura? I heard that Sawamura helped me with my troubles, right? But I still don't know who exactly…"
Kani Nayuta's eyes flickered as she spoke.
Her primary target for gratitude was definitely Senpai, because only Senpai had truly helped her and given her hope; the fact that Sawamura could help was also due to Senpai's efforts.
She wanted to ask, not just to thank them in person, but also for another reason.
"You don't know Sawamura?"
Izumi Chihiro was a little surprised, but considering Nayuta's state at the time, it was normal for her not to know these things. So he replied, "The 'Sawamura' Nishikino mentioned refers to my childhood friend. When I helped you, I asked her mother…"
So that's it, a childhood friend!
Kani Nayuta unconsciously bit her lip.
Being able to easily solve such a school problem, Sawamura's influence was certainly not ordinary. Was the young lady of Sawamura a true lady? Could she compete with her given her status?
She couldn't feel any advantage she might have.
Especially in terms of emotional accumulation.
"Senpai, could you let me meet Sawamura? I'd like to thank her in person."
Kani Nayuta suddenly looked up and said.
Admitting defeat before even fighting was not her style; only by understanding her opponent first could she know her chances of winning.
"She probably won't care about this, after all, she wasn't directly involved. But I'll try to ask her."
Not understanding Nayuta's thoughts, Izumi Chihiro pondered for a moment before saying.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Senpai!"
Kani Nayuta lowered the hand that was clutching her clothing over her chest and smiled again.
Nishikino's unexpected interruption created a small interlude in today's birthday celebration, but it didn't hinder its orderly progress.
The two then went to a cake shop.
"This one, Senpai!"
Kani Nayuta pointed to a cake piled up like a small mountain.
"Uh, isn't that a bit too big? We won't be able to finish it."
Izumi Chihiro couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Money was a small matter; as a super high school level light novelist who now dominated half the market, he certainly wasn't short on cash.
"Is that so? Then… this one."
Lightly tapping her cherry lips with her finger, she then pointed to another small cake. Kani Nayuta's adorable actions and expression sparked many thoughts.
"This one."
Izumi Chihiro glanced at it and nodded.
Although it was only the size of a handbag, the price was equally high, but the quality also seemed much better.
"How much is it in total?"
He asked the shop assistant.
"Senpai, let me…"
Kani Nayuta interrupted.
"No, let me!"
His expression was firm.
After paying, he carried the birthday cake out of the shop.
"Hehe, I didn't expect Senpai to be so concerned about his image."
Kani Nayuta laughed cheerfully.
"I'm not concerned about my image."
He retorted.
"Yes, yes, Senpai just wants to take care of Nayuta~"
The girl ran ahead of him and turned around, walking backward with her hands behind her back, her smile still bright.
"Walking like that is dangerous. Be careful not to fall."
Izumi Chihiro warned.
"Senpai will watch the road for me, it's fine."
Kani Nayuta said carelessly.
The two walked and chatted, finally arriving at the apartment Kani Nayuta was currently living in.
It didn't look luxurious, but the decor was actually quite good, and all the appliances were complete.
"Nayuta, have you been living here ever since you moved out?"
Izumi Chihiro asked.
"Mm, I've gotten used to living here. If I can't be neighbors with Senpai, Nayuta doesn't plan on moving again... So Senpai, if you have time, you can always come find Nayuta."
The girl's words carried an implication.
Izumi Chihiro ignored her, placing the cake on the table.
If Nayuta really became his neighbor, he couldn't imagine what terrible things might happen.
"What a pity, only I am here to celebrate Nayuta's birthday."
He took out the lighter he bought, lit the candles on the birthday cake, and sighed.
"Having Senpai alone is enough."
Kani Nayuta had a faint smile on her lips.
She looked up, gazing at him.
"..."
Izumi Chihiro's gaze flickered away.
"Nayuta, blow out the candles!"
"Okay, Senpai..."
Kani Nayuta leaned forward slightly and blew out all the birthday candles.
"Happy birthday, Nayuta!"
He said from beside her.
"Senpai, I just made a birthday wish. Do you want to know what it was?"
Kani Nayuta's eyes were sparkling.
"Are you sure it's something you can say?"
He was a little worried.
What if some kind of plot twist appeared...
"Mm!"
The girl nodded gently.
"Then tell me."
Izumi Chihiro no longer hesitated.
"My birthday wish is..."
Kani Nayuta drew out her words, "I hope Senpai's works continue to sell well!"
"..."
He fell silent.
"Hmm? Senpai?"
Kani Nayuta was puzzled.
"Thank you, Nayuta."
Izumi Chihiro felt a little touched.
"Nayuta should be thanking Senpai... Without Senpai, there would be no Nayuta, Nayuta..."
Tears glistened in her eyes.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's cut the cake."
He changed the subject.
Kani Nayuta's expression froze for a moment, then she wiped the corners of her eyes.
"Mm."