The Case Of Takafumi Yokozawa Vol 3

Chapter 8

He’d been busy since morning today because it was finally the day of Hiyori’s birthday party. There were six guests scheduled to participate, so Yokozawa had to prepare enough food to feed seven in total; and while it hadn’t been easy to concoct a menu featuring food that was both easy on the tongue as well as on the eyes, after consulting the cookbook that Hatori had given him and discussing ideas with Hiyori, he’d finally managed to pull it off. He’d even cooked up a practice batch of the most difficult dishes the previous day and gotten passing marks.

“I bought the cake!” came Kirishima’s voice from the genkan as he arrived back home.

“Stow it on the top shelf in the refrigerator. I’ve left some space for it.”

Kirishima had been placed in charge of picking up the cake they’d reserved for Hiyori’s birthday—and with that done, he’d now be on hand helping wait on the guests once the birthday party started. It’d be a great chance for him to show off that characteristic charm of his.

“I also took the liberty of buying some flowers as well—won’t hurt to have a splash of color, now will it?”

“Well that’s surprisingly thoughtful of y—” Yokozawa started to return casually when his breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of Kirishima standing before him, a bouquet of so many roses in his grasp they looked like they were about to overflow his arms.

While such a bouquet might not have suited Yokozawa himself, they made one hell of a portrait with Kirishima. “Most of the buds were open already—so they cut me a deal on them. They smell great, don’t you think?”

“…Y—yeah, they do.” He quickly busied himself, frantic to ensure that Kirishima not notice his agitation as he stood there captivated, when Hiyori poked her head into the room, having finally finished changing clothes.

“Welcome back, Father! Woooow, what’s what all these flowers?!”

“They’re a present—for you.”

“Huh?? For me?? But—I already got a birthday present from you…?” The dress decked out in sailor colors that she was wearing right now had been Kirishima’s present to her; they’d gone out to buy it together just for the party today.

“Nah, you’re allowed as many presents as you want! They’re pretty, don’t you think? Here, go put them in a vase before everyone gets here. Oh, and set some over by your mama, too.”

“‘Kay! Thanks, Father!” Her cheeks flushed darkly at the happy surprise, and taking up the roses with a smile that nearly split her face, she darted off to the washroom where the vases were stored.

“I’m gonna go get changed too; I’m drenched in sweat, and it wasn’t even that much of a walk. May as well grab a shower while I’m at it.” With that, Kirishima headed off to his bedroom, fanning his chest.

“……”

Actually, Yokozawa had something he wanted to tell Kirishima today, and while it might have been best to leave it until after the party, he couldn’t keep calm with the decision to speak lodged firmly in his throat.

He chased after Kirishima, delivering a knock on the door, and when granted admission, he softly slipped into the room. Deeming it best for Hiyori not to overhear this conversation just yet, he made sure to shut the door behind himself.

“What’s up?” came Kirishima’s voice from the closet as he rifled through his wardrobe to find a new shirt, and after a moment’s hesitation, Yokozawa finally came to the point.

“I wanted…to discuss something with you.”

“Discuss something? Does it have to be right now?”