"The photo looks weird… do I look fat?"
"It's just the filter and angle. You were too close to the camera."
"Your smile looks disgusting."
"..."
After the movie, the two spotted a photo booth on the first floor of the mall.
Kushida, intrigued, dragged him inside to take several sets of pictures.
"Oh no… this really feels like we're a couple."
The more she looked, the more Kushida felt that her and Kaoru's expressions were way too cheesy—exactly like those of a young couple in a movie.
Especially her—how could she be smiling so happily?
"If you don't like it, then don't smile. Now we both look like idiots."
Kaoru was speechless.
She was the one who insisted on this expression, and now she's complaining that it's too cringey.
"None of your business. This doesn't even match our relationship." Kushida declared righteously, "You should be more submissive—no, wait, today's my birthday, so I should be the assertive one. You should be more obedient."
Kaoru lightly swatted the girl's pert backside, reminding her that her birthday wasn't a free pass.
"Stingy. It's not like I'm asking for anything unreasonable."
Kushida muttered under her breath but didn't push further.
Instead, she carefully tucked away the photo booth pictures she had earlier called "disgusting."
"Give me one. Why are you taking all of them?"
Kaoru also wanted a keepsake.
Kushida's cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered, "No way. These are too embarrassing. Just thinking about you looking at them every day makes me cringe."
Kaoru stared at her silently until she relented, reluctantly handing over one photo.
"It's not that bad, is it?"
He examined the picture closely—it showed the two of them pressed close together, shoulders nearly touching, both smiling brightly.
Kushida didn't answer.
How could she admit that the way they were positioned made it look like they were about to kiss?
"Mm-hmm, I'm satisfied for today. Now I've done everything you did with Honami."
Stepping out of the photo booth, Kushida stretched, her ample chest bouncing slightly as a contented smile spread across her face.
"Let's go shopping."
Kaoru checked the time—the clothing stores probably weren't closed yet.
Kushida turned to him, blinking. "You're really going to buy me a gift, just like Honami said?"
"If I only think to buy you things on your birthday, then the so-called 'birthday gift' is just a self-serving souvenir for my own satisfaction," Kaoru replied. "I think it's necessary for me to learn your preferences—what you usually like to wear, what you use."
"Smooth talker."
Despite her words, Kushida's expression softened.
Being cared for, having someone genuinely consider her feelings—it was a completely new experience.
But since Kaoru had gone this far, she saw no reason to hold back. She promptly led him to a women's clothing store.
…
At the doorway of the apartment, Karuizawa stood with her arms crossed, her gaze lingering on the numerous shopping bags in Kaoru's hands.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"Eh? Kei, what are you doing here?"
Kushida was startled, but the moment the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself with a bright smile.
"Ah, sorry for monopolizing Master's time all day."
Karuizawa turned her head slightly away.
She was wearing an apron, her feet snug in white stockings, giving off the vibe of a domestic girlfriend.
"It's fine. It's your birthday, after all. Come in quickly—it's freezing outside."
With that, she turned and walked back into the living room.
Kushida leaned in close to Kaoru and whispered with certainty, "You'd better find some alone time with her soon. She's way too jealous."
And for good reason.
There had been no time during Christmas, none at the end of winter break, and even after returning to school, their schedules remained packed.
Soon, it would be Horikita Suzune's birthday.
Kaoru did the math—it seemed the only solution was to make time for Karuizawa sooner rather than later.
"Something smells amazing. Are you two cooking?"
By now, Kushida had already stepped into the living room, where she spotted Horikita Suzune in the kitchen.
Karuizawa, who had no culinary skills to speak of, could only assist as a helper.
"Mm, just wait a little longer. I originally expected you'd return around seven in the evening."
Horikita Suzune's voice was flat, devoid of any discernible joy or awkwardness.
"Ahaha, is that so?"
Kushida's smile seemed somewhat perfunctory.
To be honest, she hadn't expected Horikita Suzune to go this far, leaving her with mixed feelings.
As Kaoru set down his belongings, Kushida approached him with a grave expression, whispering in a hushed tone.
"Are you planning to throw a music party in your room under the guise of my birthday?"
With several people gathered like this, it clearly had the makings of a birthday party.
Kushida suspected Kaoru had ulterior motives—likely aiming to recreate their previous group escapade.
However, Kaoru responded with a karate chop to her head.
"If I were planning a music party, you'd be the first sacrifice."
Kushida's face flushed red with a mix of anger and impatience.
What kind of attitude was that? Was he throwing the party or not?
Had she known it would turn out like this, she should've bought a new box of supplies on the way back.
Wait, hold on—if there weren't any, wouldn't that mean...?
Kaoru delivered another karate chop, shattering her delusions.
"Stop blaming me for everything. You're the lewdest one here."
Kushida glared at him in dissatisfaction.
It wasn't like she was some pervert—she just enjoyed watching others fall into depravity alongside her.
Kaoru headed to the kitchen, but just as he was about to help, Karuizawa tugged at his sleeve and whispered.
"Honami went to prepare the birthday cake. She won't be back for a while."
"This birthday party seems to be making her restless."
Kaoru glanced at Kushida, who was fidgeting in the living room, stealing glances their way.
Perhaps due to Horikita's presence, she felt too awkward to approach.
"I heard Kikyo turned down an invitation from Wang and the others. If not for you, she'd probably be singing at a karaoke bar right now."
Karuizawa pondered for a moment. "Could it be that, with us here, she assumed tonight would be another one of your... sessions?"
"I should've brought her back later."
Kaoru reflected on his actions. Had he waited until Horikita and the others were fully prepared before returning with Kushida, the moment the door opened, they could've surprised her with birthday poppers.
"You should've just texted us in the first place. Now we're all stuck in this awkward situation—this is exactly your problem, Kaoru."
Karuizawa puffed out her cheeks. "If you were going shopping anyway, you might as well have taken your time and come back late."
Kaoru had no choice but to surrender. He really hadn't thought things through.
After scolding him for a while, Karuizawa suddenly asked, "Do you want to take a shower now?"
Kaoru was puzzled.
Wasn't it a bit early for that?
"Don't you need my help in the kitchen?"
"No. Go shower. Now."
"..."
Karuizawa shooed him out of the kitchen and huffily returned to her station.
Horikita, standing nearby, found this odd and asked, "Wouldn't it be faster to have him stay?"
Kaoru's cooking skills weren't bad either—Horikita had to admit the guy was competent.
"Can't you smell it?"
Karuizawa gritted her teeth. "Even though they were out on a date, they still had the nerve to...!"
During the training camp, and now today—Karuizawa was convinced Kushida was nothing but a sneaky cat, always ready to pounce on any opportunity to steal a bite.
Horikita was utterly lost.
Her mind hadn't been on Kaoru at all!
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