The birthday surprise underway (12)

"A-Yu, A-Piao, hurry up! We're about to take a group photo!"

Seeing Xiao Ling and the Rover strolling leisurely, Aemeath couldn't resist running over and pulling them both over.

Today is the last day of the school festival and sports meet. Xiao Ling, wearing her gold medal, met up with the Rover and chatted and laughed all the way to the meeting point that Aemeath had told them about.

"Partner, you're amazing! You actually beat the second-place finisher by a whole half lap!" Lupa laughed and patted Xiao Ling on the shoulder, the gold medal around her neck gleaming in the setting sun.

"You're much better than me, Sister Lupa. You managed to pull a full lap ahead of the second-place runner in that kind of weather," Xiao Ling praised. "I'm truly ashamed of myself."

"Alright, you two, stop with your mutual flattery," Roccia interjected. "Weren't you going to take pictures?"

Where is Yaya Ya?

"It's here~"

Dania and Sigrika came over hand in hand, with a gold medal hanging around the former's fair neck.

"Yaya! You can't do that again!" Sigrika pouted angrily. "I was terrified when you fell! Luckily, Senpai was there for you!"

Roccia face also showing displeasure, criticized Dania: "Didn't I tell you to prioritize your health, Dania? Aren't you even listening to the principal?"

"Of course not, I followed all of the principal's teachings," Dania said obediently. "It's just that I was so close to first place, and on a whim, I decided to give it my all."

"Then I hope you can have these spontaneous bursts of enthusiasm more often." Roccia acknowledged her efforts.

"Perhaps, but I won't do that again this year."

Looking back now, Dania realizes that taking things so seriously was a bit childish. She was just trying to prove herself, but she almost ruined her own happiness and made everyone worry about her.

But she has no regrets, because she truly won the competition, and the medal on her chest is the best badge of honor.

"Alright, you've won the gold medal, and you can jump around again, so let's not dwell on this." Xiao Ling smiled and brought the topic back on track. "Weren't we going to take pictures? Hurry up, I'll cook for you when we get back."

"Do you offer ordering service?" Dania asked with a smirk.

"I was just thinking of treating you all," Xiao Ling promised with a hearty laugh. "You can have whatever you want; we'll cook a big meal tonight to celebrate."

"Alright, alright~ We can talk about the big meal later!" Aemeath called out to everyone, "Now~ let's take a group photo!"

So everyone gathered around, chattering and adjusting their positions, but silently reached a tacit consensus.

"Why am I standing in the center?" Dania looked at Xiao Ling with some confusion, seeing herself surrounded by everyone.

"Because we like you," Aemeath was to her right, answered with a smile.

"Uh, let Ling stand in the center position, or you can do it too -- I can't stand there..."

"This center position is reserved for you today." Xiao Ling revealed an undeniable smile.

"Yes, this was something we all agreed on a long time ago!" Sigrika said to Dania with a bright smile.

"Your performance today certainly deserves the center position," Roccia nodded gently in approval.

"Alright, stop dawdling. I told you to stand in the center, so stand there." Iuno even pushed Dania further towards the center.

Dania couldn't refuse their hospitality, so she obediently sat with her friends in the middle, a gentle smile involuntarily appearing on her lips.

"I like everyone too." Her voice was so soft that only she could hear it.

"Girls, those with medals, hold them up; those without, give a thumbs-up! Get ready for photos!" Xiao Ling called out in a clear voice.

"Three, two, one!"

"Eggplant!"

"Phew~ I'm going to sleep."

After a hearty meal, Dania told everyone in the living room what she needed to say and then immediately ran upstairs to rest.

"Shouldn't you let her sit for a while before going to sleep?" Chun asked, looking at Dania who couldn't wait to go upstairs to sleep.

"She can sleep when she feels tired, and we can also take this opportunity to hold a small tactical meeting," Xiao Ling said, indicating that there was nothing to worry about.

Everyone immediately understood; the birthday party that Xiao Ling had previously set was to be held the weekend after the sports meet, which was tomorrow.

"I'll go check if Xiao Ya is asleep."

Aemeath got up from the sofa and tiptoed upstairs, her cat-like steps leading to Dania's room. The door was ajar and unlocked.

She peered through the crack in the door and saw Dania fast asleep in bed, still clutching the Winnie the Pooh Sigrika had given her. Her body was slightly curled up, and she hadn't taken off her socks or changed her clothes; she must have fallen asleep as soon as she got into bed.

She quietly closed the door and tiptoed downstairs, giving Xiao Ling an OK sign.

Xiao Ling nodded, then produced a pen and paper from who-knows-where and placed them on the coffee table.

"Alright, let's begin our pre-battle meeting for the grand birthday party operation."

"The party is scheduled for 7 p. m. tomorrow," Xiao Ling wrote down the official start time on a piece of paper. "And what we need to discuss now is the arrangements before that."

"First, we need to solve a problem: how to lure the star of this party— Dania —out of her house. Otherwise, we can't set up the party."

"We need to find a reasonable reason to get this girl to leave the house on her own, is that the right way to put it?" Chun speculated.

"That's true."

"Then I can go first!" Upon hearing this, Lupa took a pen and paper and wrote down the words "Go to the mountaintop to watch the sunrise."

"Shall we take Yaya to the mountaintop to watch the sunrise...? Hmm..." Xiao Ling pondered for a moment before saying, "As a backup plan."

"Then A- A-Piao and I will be in charge this morning." Aemeath took the paper and pen from Lupa and continued writing. "As for the arrangements... how about going to the arcade?"

"Okay," the Rover said, indicating he had no objection.

"I'll team up with Sigrika- senpai," Lynae followed closely behind. "As for the location, let's choose the beach..."

The group chattered quietly, occasionally punctuated by minor disagreements, but their goal was the same—to work together to prepare a birthday party for Dania.

After nearly an hour of discussion, the final plan was finalized, and the personnel arrangements are as follows:

The "Outdoor Team," consisting of Lynae, Sigrika, Aemeath, the Rover, and Lupa, is responsible for getting the protagonist Dania, out of her house, thus buying precious time for the party setup team.

The rest of the team, as the party setup group, had to complete the party setup within a short day. The time was tight, but there were enough people, so it wasn't a big problem.

"Then it's settled." Xiao Ling snapped her fingers. "Finally, don't forget our confidentiality agreement. Anyone who leaks this will be treated to cream tomorrow night."