Surprised!!

Two weeks slipped quietly by amid the rustle of turning pages and scratching pen tips. On Saturday morning, Shimiya Kuki appeared in an elegant gift shop on Shopping Street called Breeze Garden. The shop was tastefully furnished, with soft lighting and a faint fragrance of wood and paper in the air. Glass cabinets displayed all kinds of art, stationery, and delicate trinkets, from Handmade Ceramic Cups to a Vintage Music Box. The selection was dazzling. Shimiya's calm gaze swept over the rows of shelves. His fingertips occasionally brushed a Velvet Box or smooth wrapping paper before finally settling on something in a corner. He picked up an item and examined it closely for a moment, apparently deciding it was suitable, then headed for the register. After giving the clerk a few brief instructions, he watched as they deftly brought out elegant yet high-quality wrapping paper and ribbon, carefully wrapped the gift, and handed it to him. Carrying the neatly wrapped rectangular box—an unremarkable size, with no hint of what it contained—he left the cozy shop, returned to the Class B Dormitory, and carefully put it away in his room.

The next afternoon, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm patches across the dining table in the dormitory cafeteria. Shimiya Kuki and Ichinose Honami sat facing each other, enjoying a simple lunch. Ichinose took small bites of her salad, wearing her usual gentle smile, and occasionally glanced up at Shimiya, who ate quietly.

"Ichinose." Shimiya put down his chopsticks and asked in a calm voice, "Do you have any plans this afternoon?"

Ichinose put down her fork and tilted her head as she thought. A few strands of her smooth blonde hair slipped down beside her cheek. "Hmm... I haven't received any other invitations so far." Her tone was light. "It seems like a lot of our classmates are planning to stay in their dorms and study, making one last push before Final Exams. What's up, Kuki-kun? Do you need a hand with something?" Her bright blue eyes turned to him curiously.

"I wouldn't call it needing a hand." Shimiya's gaze rested on the plate in front of him, his tone flat and even. "I just think studying alone is less efficient. Since you happen to be free this afternoon, how about going to the library together? We could focus on reviewing the Final Exams topics."

"Huh?!" Ichinose's eyes widened in surprise. She leaned forward slightly, her face full of disbelief. "Kuki-kun... you're asking me to go to the library with you?" She even reached out without thinking, wearing a teasing smile as she pretended to feel his forehead. "You aren't coming down with a fever, are you? Did the sun rise in the west today?"

Shimiya leaned back slightly, avoiding her hand without a change in expression. He gave her a bland look. "It's simply a reasonable suggestion based on efficiency. Reviewing the material alone takes time and effort. Dividing the work between two people would be more efficient." His reasoning sounded utterly calm and practical.

Ichinose drew her hand back and couldn't help bursting into laughter, her eyes curving into crescents. "Honestly, Kuki-kun, your reasons are always so... you! But you make a good point! All right, then. Let's go once we've finished eating!" She picked up her fork again, moving with a little more spring in her step.

As soon as they entered the library, they were met with the tense atmosphere that always accompanied the approach of Final Exams. The space, usually a little empty, was now nearly full. The air was filled with the soft rustle of turning pages, the faint scratching of pen tips across paper, and hushed conversations. There were several times more people than usual.

Shimiya seemed to have anticipated this. He took out his device, tapped quickly at the screen, and sent a brief message. Without waiting for a reply, he switched to the library's booking page and checked something.

"I took this into account." He put his device away and spoke to Ichinose, who was looking around for an empty seat. "I booked a small Study Room yesterday." His tone was as calm as if he were stating a simple fact.

Ichinose gave him another helpless yet admiring smile that said, "I knew it." "Kuki-kun, you really are the epitome of planning ahead!"

The two of them entered the quiet, enclosed Study Room. Time flew by as they focused on their notes and discussed things in low voices. Ichinose highlighted the key topics in Japanese Language and some of the social sciences. Her notes were clear and detailed, and whenever she came across something that needed careful consideration, she quietly discussed it with Shimiya. Shimiya handled the difficult and important points in the other subjects. His thinking was exceptionally clear and logical, and he often pinpointed the core exam topics with a single, incisive observation. Before they knew it, the bright afternoon light outside had faded into deep dusk, and the lights inside the library seemed all the brighter.

"Whew—finally done! (≧▽≦)" Ichinose closed her last Japanese Language textbook and let out a long breath, stretching her shoulders and arms, stiff from sitting for so long. Her face showed the satisfaction of finishing a difficult task, along with a trace of exhaustion.

Shimiya closed his notes and looked up at almost the same time.

"Before we knew it," he said in a low voice, looking at the darkness outside the window, "four months have already passed."

"Yeah." Ichinose looked out the window too, her voice tinged with emotion. "The first term is already over. For students at other schools, the long-awaited summer break must be just around the corner, right? But at our strictly managed Advanced Nurturing High School..." She turned back, her eyes shining with determination and reason. "The next two months may be the real test."

"Mm." Shimiya nodded lightly in agreement.

"But!" Ichinose's voice immediately brightened again, her smile beaming. "I believe in everyone in Class B. As long as we work together, we can overcome any challenge!"

Just then, the device Ichinose had placed on the table began to vibrate. Its screen lit up, displaying the name "Shiratori Chihiro."

"Hello? Shiratori-san? What's up?" Ichinose answered, her voice warm.

"Ichinose, Class President! Are you near the classroom right now?" Shiratori Chihiro's voice sounded slightly anxious over the phone. "I left a really important review textbook at my seat in the classroom! I just asked a few classmates, but they're all studying in their own dorms. So I wanted to ask if you were near the classroom right now."

"I'm at the library. I just finished studying with Kuki-kun, and we're about to leave." Ichinose replied at once, reassuring her. "Don't worry, it's on my way. I'll go get it for you now. Just wait for me in your dorm."

"Ah! That's great! Thank you so much, Class President! Sorry for the trouble!" Shiratori sounded noticeably relieved.

"No need to thank me. Don't worry!" Ichinose smiled as she ended the call, then turned to Shimiya. "Kuki-kun, thanks for all your hard work today! I need to stop by the classroom and get Shiratori-san's textbook. You can head back to the dorm and get some rest."

Shimiya had already gathered his things and stood up. "I don't have anything to do. I'll come with you."

"Really? Okay!" Ichinose didn't object, smiling easily. The two left the library side by side.

The hallway leading to the School Building was silent, and only their footsteps echoed through the empty space. Most of the classrooms were dark. Only the windows of the Class D classroom at the end of the hall still gave off a little light, standing out in the darkness. They walked straight to the equally dark doorway of the Class B classroom.

Ichinose unlocked the classroom door and pushed it open. "It's so dark," she said as she felt along the wall for the light switch.

Click!

The switch made a crisp sound, and bright lights instantly flooded the room, illuminating the entire classroom as if it were broad daylight!

"Surprise!!!"

"Happy birthday, Class President Ichinose!"

"Happy Birthday!"

Deafening cheers and birthday wishes swept over Ichinose Honami, who stood in the doorway, like a wave! Startled by the sudden noise and light, she stumbled backward, nearly bumping into Shimiya right behind her. The color drained from her face, leaving only pure shock and disbelief. Her beautiful blue eyes were wide, her mouth hung open, and she was utterly unable to react.

Under the lights, the classroom had been completely transformed! Colorful balloons clustered along the ceiling and window frames, and glittering streamers wound between the desks and chairs. Several desks had been pushed together and covered with a pristine white tablecloth, with all kinds of tempting food, drinks, and snacks spread across it. Most eye-catching of all was the huge three-tier birthday cake at the very center, decorated with exquisite piped frosting and fresh fruit!

"Happy birthday, Class President Ichinose!" Shiratori Chihiro stood at the front, her face alight with excitement and anticipation. "Everyone in our class put this surprise party together for you!"

"Happy birthday, Honami!" Hino Yuki came forward, her voice unusually gentle. "You're always looking after everyone else. Today, just relax and enjoy yourself!" She lightly patted Ichinose's shoulder as she stood there, still stunned.

"Everyone... everyone..." Ichinose finally found her voice. Her eyes reddened at once, and tears glistened in the light. Her gaze swept across every familiar smiling face in the classroom, and her voice caught in her throat. "You... you planned all this for my birthday? And kept it secret from me and Kuki-kun?" She turned instinctively toward Shimiya Kuki, who had remained calm beside her, suspicion filling her eyes. "Kuki-kun! Did you know about this all along?!"

Shiratori Chihiro chimed in with a mischievous grin and a hint of pride. "Class President, I asked Shimiya-kun yesterday to make sure he found a way to 'keep you busy' this afternoon, so we'd have plenty of time to decorate! Shimiya-kun was our 'key inside man'!" She winked playfully at Shimiya.

"Okay, okay!" Shibata Sassa waved enthusiastically, her voice booming with a food lover's impatience. "You can get sentimental later! Let's eat already! I'm starving! The smell is killing me!"

"Idiot, don't ruin the mood!" Hino Yuki, standing beside her, raised a hand and gave her a not-too-hard Hand Chop. Shibata let out an exaggerated "ow," making everyone burst into laughter.

Looking at the lively, heartwarming, slightly chaotic scene and her classmates' sincere smiles, Ichinose finally couldn't hold back her tears. They rolled down her cheeks, but her face bloomed with an incredibly radiant, utterly blissful smile. She nodded hard, her voice thick with emotion but perfectly clear. "Mm! Thank you, everyone! Thank you... really... Then... let's eat!"

For the next two hours, the Class B classroom became a sea of joy. Everyone gathered around, sharing food, laughing and chatting, and teasing one another about recent happenings and embarrassing study moments. As expected, Shibata went on a "food raid," while Shiratori Chihiro and the other girls gathered around the cake, chattering about how to cut it. Kanzaki and a few of the boys chatted more calmly. Ichinose was undoubtedly the center of attention. The smile never left her face as she responded to everyone's birthday wishes and jokes, occasionally sneaking a wipe at the tears of gratitude in her eyes. Shimiya Kuki sat quietly in a corner with a drink in hand. He didn't say much, but his gaze remained fixed on the lively center of the room, and the corners of his mouth lifted in the faintest, almost imperceptible smile. The warm strains of "Birthday Song" began to play. In the flickering candlelight, Ichinose closed her eyes and made a wish, then puffed out her cheeks and blew out all the candles in one breath. The classroom erupted in applause and cheers once more.

The time they spent together always flew by. In the end, everyone pitched in to clean the classroom until it was spotless, as if the feast had been a dream.

The night breeze was gentle on the walk back to the dorms. Ichinose Honami and Shimiya Kuki walked side by side. She still seemed to be basking in the afterglow of her happiness, her steps so light she could almost skip. A completely unrestrained, deeply contented smile spread across her face.

"Today was... just soooooo, soooooo, soooooo happy! (ω)" She couldn't help cheering softly at the night sky, her voice brimming with pure joy. Her cheeks glowed with excitement beneath the streetlights.

When they reached the dormitory building and were about to part, Shimiya Kuki stopped.

"Wait here a moment," he said calmly, then turned and hurried toward his dorm.

Ichinose was puzzled, but obediently waited beneath the streetlight. Before long, Shimiya reappeared, carrying a long rectangular gift box over a meter in length, carefully wrapped in elegant paper.

He walked up to Ichinose and held out the box. It looked fairly bulky, but was very light to hold.

"This is your birthday present," he said. His voice stood out clearly in the quiet night. "Happy birthday. Good night."

Ichinose froze for a moment, then her face lit up with an even brighter, more delighted smile. She took the large gift box in both hands and held it close to her, as if it were a treasure. Emotion shone in her eyes. "Thank you, Kuki-kun! Thank you so much! Good night to you too!"

They wished each other good night at the dormitory entrance, then headed to their own rooms.

Back in her cozy single dorm room, Ichinose Honami eagerly opened the long gift box. When all the wrapping paper had come off, she found a long-bodied, beautifully crafted, adorable Pink Dolphin Plushie inside. Its fabric was soft and comfortable, its eyes gentle, and its slightly upturned mouth seemed to be smiling too.

"Ah..." Ichinose let out a small gasp of delight, her face instantly filled with warmth and affection. She immediately hugged the big dolphin plushie and buried her face in its soft body, nuzzling it. It was as if she could feel the quiet but thoughtful care of the person who had chosen it.

After washing up, she placed the Pink Dolphin Plushie by her pillow and gave it a gentle pat. Surrounded by happiness, her classmates' heartfelt wishes, and the warmth of this special gift, Ichinose Honami embraced the tenderness of the moment. With a sweet smile on her lips, she soon drifted into a peaceful and beautiful dream. Beside her pillow, the dolphin quietly watched over her dreams in the moonlight.