As God Pleases

(I need relief from that cramped miniature nest of a bed. Maybe I’ll sleep out here on occasion.)

Was… he there…?

Hm?

(I hear voices from the back terrace…

Cica? Also…. Nanaki and Yodaka. I would have joined in if it was a midnight tryst, but it doesn’t look like there’s anything interesting happening.)

The wine preparations are proceeding smoothly. I’ll have everything ready in time for Kuguri’s birthday.

That’s good news… I’m sure Kugu-nii will be happy.

(Ah… Come to think of it, it’s almost that time. It completely slipped my mind.)

So this secret meeting is a cute little scheme.

Even so…

The decorations, check! The cake and food, check! Kugurinu’s happy b’day prep is absolutely fantabulous! ☆

Yet today’s VIP is, like, AWOL or something! What’s the sitch!? I could cry!

On the contrary, it feels like we’re the ones about to be surprised.

Kuguri wasn’t in our dorm room or the balcony. How about you?

According to the biological scan, Kuguri is not within the vicinity of HAMA house.

Kugu-nii…

Why don’t we wait a bit longer? It’d be a problem if we left and missed each other.

That seems like a good plan. For the time being, I’ll prepare us some drinks.

What the hell does that guy think he’s doing?

Are you sure you want to stay here instead, Kuguri-san?

I heard from Yodaka-san. Wasn’t today your birthday party?

Apparently.

It’s too bad for cica and the others, but I’m not amused by the idea of being celebrated like a child.

Aha, I figured you’d say something like that.

Still though, doesn’t it feel like a waste? Yodaka-san curated a special collection of wine for you.

He even procured a rare bottle of Tokaj² wine…

I think it was called Szerelmi Álmok³ or something.

Hmm… They’re serious.

Right? Well, I was bored so it’s fine by me if you stick around here.

Ah, your glass is empty? What would you like next?

Let’s see…

It looks like Kuguri isn’t coming back. What should we do? Shall we split up and search for him?

That might be best.

If I knew it’d end up like this, I would have done whatever I could to trap him here yesterday. I had a great story about the Akashic records⁴ that even he might have been interested in…

Haah, how absurd. If you want to play childish games, do it on your own time.

Kugu-nii…!

Who knows. I just happened to find myself drinking here.

This is a good wine. A honeyed scent and a velvety texture that caresses the tongue.

O-ohhhh?

As can be expected of a Tokaj noble rot wine⁵. The pleasure of giving in to the temptation of sweet intoxication is irresistible… I could melt in ecstasy.

Buha!? You’re making it sound kind of… no, insanely adult and depraved……!

Hey jackass! Take a look around before you open your mouth!

Good grief. I only shared my impression of the wine.

Are you okies, A–ta? Here’s a tissue.

Haa… Haa… I would have instant KO’d if we didn’t have grape juice instead……

Well, it looks like we can start the party now.

Yes. Although we’re running later than the intended start time, Master, may we start the festivities?

Yes, yes. You have my thanks.

I’m glad you came back, Kuguri. Thanks to that, I can give you your gift. Here you are.

A classic hard bop⁶ record… This is the rare first edition. Isn’t it out of print? How did you manage to find it?

I heard that you wanted it so I pulled a few strings. That’s all.

Fufu, that’s all? Well, I’ll gladly accept.

My present for you is strength training equipment and protein powder that I have found to be effective.

Let’s continue to grow stronger together as members of the HAMA Tours Fitness Club.

I don’t recall forming such a strange club.

Well, I’ll accompany you when I feel like it.

Chii’s gift is a… Tada.~ Manicure and nail care kit~! There’s a whole rainbow of polish colors in there. ♪

From the basics~ to Chii’s personal favs~ and trending shades too, so you’ll definitely for sure find a Kugurinu match. ☆

Heh…… How perceptive of you, Nyuzi.

Ah, that’s right. Lány… My little lamb said she wanted to paint my nails so I’ll make use of this next time.

Kugu-nii. We cut the cake so please try a piece.

It’s called the “Remarkably Rummy Cheesecake ☆ A Forkful of Destruction.” Kurama-sama made it to pair well with the wine Yodaka-sama selected.

Apparently it has a strong alcohol content, so I haven’t been able to taste it, but I’m sure it’s delicious.

I’ll try it later.

At any rate, what a luxurious spread. There are accompaniments made with caviar all the way to Hungarian cuisine.

I’m astonished by how well everything has been tailored to my tastes. Are you planning to offer me up as a sacrifice?

P-please don’t say that out loud, Chief.

Is that so….? You’re a good child, Nanaki. Thank you.

I’m glad I was able to get to know your likes through the preparations. It would have been difficult without this opportunity.

Unfortunately, my proposal for ramen with a caviar topping was rejected because the noodles would get soggy…

It would ruin the alcohol too. Who would eat something so disgusting?

Hey, Domeki. Hurry up and take this.

Oh? I’m so blessed to receive a present from Ryui. What curious twist of fate is this?

Have you decided you want to get closer to me?

When hell freezes over, idiot. I’m just the random present assignee. I would have refused if I could.

Got it. So that’s why you’re here although your other half is absent.

Toi has work. Even without that, I don’t intend to let him in your sight.

A wine glass with a stained glass pattern… A lovely gift. This will pair well with fine wine.

Obviously. Toi’s taste is faultless.

Anyway, I heard from Natsume’s bartender that you were loitering around at Ten Nights’ Dreams until now.

Hell… So all of Toi’s effort almost went to dust.

I think you of all people can understand my desire to take a short detour… Am I right?

You seem quite uncomfortable to be standing in this happy flower field of unconditional blessings.

Haah? Spit out what you really mean.

Aren’t you a fellow revenant⁷?

Sometimes I just feel like savoring some time in the kind of drunken splendor I despise, but still find beautiful. You’d understand if you sampled it, too.

See… You’re wide open.

Shit…!?

How does the wine taste as it touches your lips? Phenomenally sweet… Phenomenally capable of twisting your reason into madness.

Damn it…

Ah, your face is already red as a tomato. How adorable.

Y-you bastard…! I’m going to kill you!

That’s the overwhelming spirit of a yakuza kingpin! Is this a scene of a Super Saiyan power explosion!?

Kuguri. Please don’t bully my boy too much. Come here, Ryui.

Drinking too much isn’t good. Here’s some water.

If I get drunk, you’ll take good care of me, right maci?

I-I will not. Alcohol is your own responsibility.

How disappointing.

Well, I guess I will if necessary.

Haha. I guess I’ll have to wait for my next chance to feel your hands on me.

……

(Darling words like “Happy birthday” faded away in meaning a long time ago.

The ringing bells of joyous blessings are too far to reach me. However…)

It might not be so bad to get inebriated and gaze upon all of your happy faces from time to time.

Happy Birthday! 
Let’s play a duet together again soon
by muscle buddy

Happy Birthday
Please don’t party too hard.

Congratulations on your birth
The pact is complete

HHBD!!
Let’s do nail art deco together ♪