Classroom of the Elite

Part 3

Today I was returning to my dorms directly after the classes ended.

Haruka had messaged my saying that we would meet in Akito's room instead of Pallet today. They had probably planned a birthday party for me or something. I was looking forward to it.

"Kiyotaka."

A small voice called out to me. But that voice wasn't of a female.

I turned around to see who it was.

Standing there with his both hands behind his back was Yousuke.

"What's wrong?"

I slowly approached him.

He looked a bit hesitant to speak.

I thought that it might be something related to today's events. After all, he almost was on the verge of being that same dejected Yousuke he had been during the expulsion exam. But to my shock that wasn't the case.

He slowly brought his hands that were behind in front of me and presented me with a small box.

I immediately understood what it was.

"Once again Happy Birthday to you, Kiyotaka."

"Thank you, Yousuke."

I gratefully accepted the gift from his hands.

But the question was why didn't he give it to me during class?

"Actually, it would have been better to give you in the class when I first met you in the morning, but it felt kind of embarrassing so that's why....hahaha......"

He scratched his cheeks with his finger and barked a laugh. He was still a bit embarrassed which I knew from his movements which were a bit stiff.

"Anyway, have a good day."

Saying that he went towards the elevator.

Shortly after I followed.

When I reached Akito's room it was already open.

I slowly opened the door. It was dark and almost as if there was no one inside. But I could hear the faint murmurs from inside.

"Happy Birthday, Kiyotaka."

Suddenly the light went on and the members of the Ayanokoji Group shouted in unison.

There was also a horizontal banner that read as "Happy birthday, Kiyopon" probably written by Haruka, in the far back of the living room. There was a table filled with tea, glasses filled with juice, delivered food, and some homemade food as well. That homemade food looked delicious. And standing around that table were Keisei, Akito, Haruka, and Airi with party crackers in their hands.

"You guys.........."

Didn't they went a bit too far? Did they have enough money to spend this much?

While I was thinking that, Haruka pulled me by the arms and led me inside.

"Happy birthday, Kiyotaka!"

Akito and Keisei said in unison.

"Happy birthday, Kiyotaka"

Airi said the same and Haruka followed suit.

I was made to sit in between Akito and Haruka.

"Now, let's get this party rolling!"

"Yeah!"

Haruka cried and the others cried in unison.

"Here, here, hold this, Kioyopon. You all as well."

Saying that Haruka gave me a glass of juice and the others did the same.

"On the occasion of our precious friend Kiyopon's birthday, Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

After that resounded the sound of glass clinking against each other and we all drank the juice.

"Airi-chan, go bring the cake."

Airi went inside the kitchen and brought a cake in her hand. She placed the two-pound cake on the table gracefully. It had a square shape and on the top was written my name in an artistic way. There were four cherries sitting at each of the four corners.

Airi handed me a knife and sat down.

"Let's cut the cake, Kiyopon."

Haruka urged me to start cutting the cake.

I held the knife in my hand, albeit hesitant. It was the first time I was doing something like this. I hadn't celebrated my birthday once in the White Room. No, the thought of celebrating it hadn't even crossed my mind.

But here I was, holding a knife in my hand about to cut the cake on my birthday, surrounded by people who were my friends.

It was more than what I could have asked for. After my three years here come to an end, will I able to find friends like them? Probably not. Will I feel lonely and sad when I have to say goodbye to friends like them?

"What's wrong?"

Since I was lost in my thoughts I hadn't started cutting the cake and Keisei asked me, worried.

"Ah, no..."

I then started to cut at a side of the cake and then they started clapping and wishing me all till I cut the cake.

I cut four pieces and gave them to four of them.

"Aye!"

"Huh?!"

I couldn't help but scream.

Airi smeared the cream from the cake on my face.

"Oh, I wanna do that too!"

Haruka without missing a beat did the same and Keisei and Akito did the same.

And soon after my face was all smeared in the cake.

Keisei immediately opened his phone and started clicking photos laughing all over the place.

I went and washed my face.

When I returned they had a completely self-moving mahjong-table.

"Hurry, hurry, Kiyotaka, we are starting a match."

Akito called me clearly fired up to play mahjong.

Although I haven't played much but I knew the basics so I won't have much trouble playing.

I sat down and started playing.

"No way!"

Haruka cried in disbelief.

Akito had managed to secure a clear win.

He was a league above all of us in this game.

He was watching Haruka wail with a smug face.

"Now, it's time for gifts!"

Keisei spoke and all of them brought boxes of different sizes one by one.

Not only have they managed this party but gift as well. Seriously, they didn't need to spend so much money.

"Thank you so much you all."

After I received gifts from all of them, I slightly bowed my head and offered my sincerest thanks.

"What the hell are you talking about man? We are friends so this much is fine, isn't it?"

Saying that Akito wrapped his arms around my neck and looked towards the other three.

I watched over them. All of them had a warm and friendly smile on their face.

I really was blessed to have such good friends.