Chapter 540 - Bear-san, Attends Birthday Party

Bear-san, Attends Birthday Party

=====

It’s Cereille’s birthday, and although it has been an ambiguous few days, I have decided to carry it out today.

I have revised the text to match the past text as well. (I apologize for any omissions.)

-k.u.manano

=====

I’ve finished listening to the synopsis of yesterday’s events.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.” (Yuna)

“Yuna, please wait.” (Cereille)

I was about to get up from my chair when Cereille stopped me.

“As a matter of fact, today I turned 16.” (Cereille)

“Really? Congratulations, Cereille!” (Yuna)

“Thank you very much. So, after all of what happened yesterday, we are having my birthday party today. I thought about canceling it, but my father told me that since it was originally planned, there was no need to cancel it……” (Cereille)

Cereille looked at her father.

“The cooks are also getting ready. And I think the servants will be worried if we cancel it. Besides, I don’t think the late Shulia would want us to cancel it.” (Count Fornitz)

“I’m sorry it became my birthday party, even though it’s supposed to be a thank you party for Yuna. Still, will you join us?” (Cereille)

Cereille looked at me with serious eyes.

Normally, I would refuse, but when I saw the seriousness in Cereille’s eyes, it became hard for me to decline.

“Who will be there?” (Yuna)

“It’s just us. In fact, I had already asked my father to have only family members at my 16th birthday party, just in case I wasn’t there on the day of the party. I might not be able to show up after all.” (Cereille)

Cereille said it with difficulty since her father was standing beside her.

I was prepared for that, after all.

“In fact, I told them to prepare food for both you and Noa as well.” (Cereille)

“I would like to ask you the same. Please join us.” (Count Fornitz)

Even Cereille’s father was asking me to join.

But I can’t just decide on my own.

“Can I discuss this with Noa?” (Yuna)

“Yes, of course. I don’t mind.” (Cereille)

Cereille and I went to the room where Noa was and explained about Cereille’s birthday party.

“Cereille-sama’s birthday party?” (Noa)

“Yes. You can join us if you like.” (Cereille)

“But I haven’t prepared any presents.” (Noa)

“I don’t need any of that. But I would be happy to hear the stories about Yuna.” (Cereille)

“If that’s the case, I’ll join you. If it’s Yuna-san’s story, then leave it to me.” (Noa)

“Fufu, I’m looking forward to it.” (Cereille)

“You two are kidding, right?” (Yuna)

They just smiled at my words.

It’s an invasion of privacy, so I would really like for you to stop.

But a present, huh? Speaking of birthdays, there’s that.

“Noa. I know a good gift. Would you like to bake a cake with me?” (Yuna)

“A cake?” (Noa)

“I think we can make it since we still have time.” (Yuna)

“Yuna-san, I think that’s an excellent idea.”

Noa agreed with my idea.

If it’s a cake, I have it in the bear box, but it’ll be more of a gift if we make it ourselves. Noa can prepare it as a present too. If I do that, they won’t have to talk about me, will they?

“And so, Cereille. Kitchen…” (Yuna)

I was going to borrow the kitchen, but I realized I can’t because the cook will be cooking for the birthday party. If we cook together, we will be in the way.

There’s no place to make a cake.

The last resort would be to put up a bear house in the yard. However, putting up the bear house might startle the servants and nearby residents. It might cause an unnecessary commotion.

“Kitchen?” (Cereille)

“I thought I’d make something good for Cereille. But I can’t borrow the kitchen because the cooks are busy, aren’t they?” (Yuna)

Cereille mulled at my words.

“There is a separate kitchen, so I think it should be fine there. But Yuna and Noa are our guests. So I can’t really ask you for something like that.” (Cereille)

“Cereille-sama. The cakes that Yuna-san makes are very delicious. I want you to eat them. We can’t prepare a gift, but we can at least make you something else. So would you let us do it?” (Noa)

Noa asked on my behalf.

“I understand. Please feel free to use the separate kitchen. I’ll be looking forward to it.” (Cereille)

“Yes, leave it to us.” (Noa)

We quickly move into the kitchen. It’s small, but it’s a decent kitchen. It’s enough for baking a cake.

“Now then, let’s start making it.” (Yuna)

“Yes!” (Noa)

I took the utensils and ingredients out of the bear box and began to make a cake with Noa.

“We couldn’t make it together for Misa’s birthday party last time, but we can do it now.” (Yuna)

I didn’t invite Noa to join me in making Misa’s birthday cake, so she was puffing her cheeks out.

“You’re getting good at this, Noa.” (Yuna)

“Thank you. It makes me happy to hear you say that, Yuna-san. Actually, I’m helping out with the cooking sometimes.” (Noa)

“You’re a daughter of a n.o.ble, and you’re cooking?” (Yuna)

“Before I met you, Yuna-san, I hardly did anything at all. But when I saw you and Fina making them, I wanted to make them too. I enjoyed making bear bread with Fina.” (Noa)

If that bear bread made Noa’s cooking experience fun, I’m embarra.s.sed, but I’m still glad.

Noa’s hands were not skilled, but she followed my instructions and helped me make the sponge cake. All that remained was to spread the cream, top it with strawberries and other fruit, and finally write “Happy Birthday” to Cereille. Noa would be in charge of that.

“Am I allowed to write?” (Noa)

“Fina was the one who wrote on Misa’s birthday cake, too.” (Yuna)

“Then, I can’t lose to Fina.” (Noa)

I don’t know what the compet.i.tion was, but Noa was motivated, so she slowly and carefully wrote the strawberry cream letters.

“It’s done.” (Noa)

“Happy Birthday” was written by Noa. This completes the birthday cake.

“I’m sure this will make Cereille happy.” (Yuna)

“Yes!” (Noa)

We then go and tell Cereille that the cake is ready.

“Have you finished?” (Cereille)

“It’s done.” (Yuna)

“Deliciously done.” (Noa)

I told her that we would serve the cake at the end of the meal.

“Fufu, I understand. The fun part would be at the end. Well, then, we are ready for you too, so please come this way.” (Cereille)

What did she mean by ready?

Noa and I followed Cereille.

Then, as we followed Cereille, my body froze as soon as we entered the room.

“Since we’re here, I’ve prepared dresses for both of you.” (Cereille)

Several dresses were hanging on hangers in the room.

“Uwa~, it’s beautiful~” (Noa)

“I think the one I wore when I was a child will fit Noa. You can choose the one you like from here. Now, Yuna, please choose one from here.” (Cereille)

I knew I would be wearing it, too.

I have the dress Noa gave me in the bear box if it’s a dress.

I compare Cereille’s body shape with my own. I wonder how old she was when she wore that dress. Or was it a dress that she’s still wearing today?

It’s only for a short time, but I’m conflicted.

Should I take out the dress Noa gave me and wear it myself? Or should I carry the conversation towards not wearing the dress because it doesn’t suit me?

The latter would definitely not be possible. Noa and Cereille were wearing dresses.

So, the only answer would be…

“I have a dress that Noa gave me, so I’m fine.” (Yuna)

My face may have looked subtle when I answered that.

After much deliberation, I decided to wear the dress Noa had given me.

After all, if I borrowed Cereille’s dress, and there was a big gap in one part, I would wet the pillow with tears. Furthermore, if she said, “I’m sorry, I don’t think you’re that small,” or “You’re the same age as me, right?”, I may not be able to recover at all.

So I chose the dress given by Noa to avoid any fatal emotional damage.

“Yuna-san, you brought it with you?” (Noa)

“I just kept it in my item bag.” (Yuna)

Noa looked happy when I took out the dress from the bear box.

“Then let’s pick your dress too, Noa.” (Cereille)

“Yes.” (Noa)

Noa and Cereille began to choose a dress.

`Ha~a’

I can only sigh.

Unlike the two n.o.bles, I’m not used to wearing dresses. I wanted to shout.

Noa then chose a bright blue colored dress and changed into it. Cereille changed into a dress with her, and I, reluctantly, changed into a dress as well. I feel even more uncomfortable than in my uniform.

After we change into our respective dresses, lastly, the maids did our hair.

“I always thought Yuna was pretty, but in a dress, she’s beautiful.” (Cereille)

“Yuna-san is both pretty and beautiful.” (Noa)

“Both of you are cute and beautiful.” (Yuna)

Noa is cuter, and Cereille is more beautiful. The object makes it clear. I look slightly downwards. I look at Cereille’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Yeah, I’m glad I didn’t borrow Cereille’s dress.

It’s making me sad, so let’s not compare them any further.

I find myself wishing it would end sooner rather than later, even though it hasn’t started yet.

“But I’m glad you wore the dress I gave you.” (Noa)

At least Noa seemed to be happy about it.

“Well then, let’s go. Father and Keith are waiting for us.” (Cereille)

When we got into the dining hall, I saw Keith with their father and a cheerful look on his face.

When I saw him in good health, I was glad I was able to successfully rescue him.

I think Keith was mesmerized by Noa.

Even at that age, he’s still a boy. So he can’t help but notice Noa. The dress enhances Noa’s cuteness.

Cereille’s father complimented us on our dresses then we sat down.

And shortly after, the household staff brought out the food.

They all look delicious.

After a brief word from Cereille, we began to eat the food. Then we talked about the school’s event. We talked about the individual compet.i.tion and then the final team compet.i.tion.

“Yuna was really strong. If it weren’t for Yuna, Euphalia would have won.” (Cereille)

“Sister, did you lose?” (Keith)

“Unfortunately, I lost. Yuna was very strong, stronger than me. Stronger than anyone else.” (Cereille)

“Then I’ll win for you.” (Keith)

“Yes, please.” (Cereille)

Something about winning against his sister, Cereille, Keith seemed to have made me his rival. Well, I don’t mind it, since I’ll never have a match with Keith.

“I will become a strong man who can protect my sister.” (Keith)

“Yeah. I don’t have to be strong anymore, so I’ll leave it to you, Keith. Be strong.” (Cereille)

“Sister, is something wrong?” (Keith)

He seemed to have sensed something in Cereille that was different from her usual mood.

“No, it’s nothing. But you can’t be just a strong man. It is also important to study hard and be considerate of others. That’s right. I would be happy if you could be like Yuna.” (Cereille)

Me?

I’m just fighting with my bear equipment, but it’s also causing me so much trouble.

“Cereille, you should stop following my example……” (Yuna)

I tried to rebuke it, but a voice next to me agreed.

“I think so too. Yuna-san is a strong, kind, and wonderful person.” (Noa)

“Noa. I’m not that good enough of a person to be praised.” (Yuna)

“That’s not the case, Yuna-san. You saved the children in the orphanage, saved my father, and saved Oneesama. Not only that. Yuna-san also…” (Noa)

“Okay, I get it, don’t say any more.” (Yuna)

I stopped Noa before she said anything further.

“I was just about to tell them about Yuna-san’s wonderfulness.” (Noa)

“No, you don’t have to.” (Yuna)

“Fufu, Noa, you really like Yuna, don’t you?” (Cereille)

“Yes, I like her very much.” (Noa)

“Noa, it’s embarra.s.sing, stop it.” (Yuna)

“Why is that?” (Noa)

Please, don’t look at me with such pure eyes.

=====

Author’s Note:

It’s been a while since she has worn a dress. In the books, it may be the first time in 10 volumes.

※ Thank you, as always, to everyone who has reported typos. I’m sorry I can’t reply to you, so I will just leave it here.

[Postscript, 4/1] I will be a little late because I have to work on the book for a while.