Multiverse: SSS-Rank Treasure Chest at the Beginning

Chapter 305 305: Miko's Surprise Birthday Party

Upon entering the shrine, Hana was immediately drawn to the omamori at the stalls. She picked up a charm embroidered with a cherry blossom pattern and excitedly waved at Tenya.

"Tenya-kun, look! This is so pretty, Miko will definitely like it."

Tenya walked over, took a look and said, "It's indeed good. Let's get this one."

Hana happily paid for it and carefully put the charm into her bag. Afterward, the two went to a nearby bookstore and found the supernatural novel Miko had always wanted to buy.

"Tenya-kun, look at this cover, it's so scary..."

Hana shrank her neck, hiding behind Tenya somewhat fearfully.

Tenya picked up the book and deliberately waved it in front of her. "What, are you scared to look?"

"N-no, I'm not."

Hana mustered her courage and snatched the book. "For Miko, I'm not afraid."

Tenya looked at her pretending to be calm and couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, then this book is entrusted to you."

Hana hugged the book tightly, as if doing so could dispel her fear.

When they walked out of the bookstore, it was already dark. Streetlights lit up one by one, adding a touch of warmth to the night street.

"Tenya-kun, where are we going next?" Hana asked.

"It's getting late, I'll walk you home." Tenya checked the time.

Hana hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "Um... Tenya-kun, would you like to come to my house for a bit? I can make you some tea, and we can discuss the party."

'This is what I've been waiting for.'

Tenya frowned, asking in a feigned hesitant manner, "Is it convenient for me to go to your house so late?"

"N-no problem." Hana quickly waved her hands.

"Mom and dad aren't home today, and... and we're just discussing things."

Tenya looked at her flustered explanation and couldn't help but want to tease her. "Oh? Just the two of us?"

Hana's face instantly turned red to her ears, and she stammered, "O-of course we're just discussing things. Tenya-kun, don't overthink it."

"Alright, then I'll impose." Tenya agreed with a smile.

...

Hana's home was a traditional Japanese estate, spacious and elegant.

She led Tenya into the living room and busily took out the tea set. "Tenya-kun, please wait a moment, I'll make the tea right away."

Tenya sat on the sofa and looked around. "Your house is quite nice."

"Hehe, it's alright."

Hana said while making tea, "Mom usually takes care of it, I just help out occasionally."

Soon, the aroma of tea filled the living room. Hana handed the teacup to Tenya, then sat opposite him and took out a small notebook from her bag.

"Tenya-kun, this is my party plan. Do you see anything that needs to be changed?"

Tenya took the notebook and looked through it carefully. It was densely filled with party procedures, invitation lists, and even menus and decoration plans, showing how much thought she had put into it.

"You've prepared very thoroughly."

Tenya nodded. "But how do you plan to trick Miko into coming?"

Hana smiled mysteriously and said, "I plan to have Tenya-kun do it. Just tell her you have something important to discuss with her and bring her to my house. When she arrives, everyone will surprise her."

"A honey trap? I'm best at this." Tenya nodded seriously.

"This statement... I can't refute it."

Hana stuck out her tongue, looking like she wanted to complain but didn't know how to start.

"Because it's a fact. You can never refute facts." Tenya said.

"Yes, yes. Tenya-kun is the most, most, most handsome." Hana waved her hand, indicating her agreement.

Then, she continued, "Then I'll handle the other things, you just need to bring Miko over."

The two discussed some more details, and time unknowingly passed until ten o'clock at night.

"It's late, I should go back." Tenya stood up.

Hana quickly stood up with him and said, "I'll see you to the door."

When they reached the entrance, Hana suddenly called out to him, "Tenya-kun!"

"What's wrong?" Tenya turned around.

Hana took a deep breath and bravely said, "Thank you so much today. I'm especially happy to prepare Miko's birthday with you."

Tenya smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "I'm happy too. Get some rest early, don't get too tired."

"Mm." Hana nodded vigorously, watching him leave until his figure disappeared into the night.

After closing the door, Hana leaned against it, her heart still racing abnormally.

She touched her flushed face and mumbled softly, "Really... what am I so nervous about..."

Tenya's lips curved into a smile, thinking that staying overnight could wait until everyone else was here.

A few days later, on Miko's birthday.

According to the plan, Tenya brought Miko to Hana's villa under the pretext of having something important to discuss.

Miko followed him into the garden with a puzzled expression and asked, "Tenya-kun, what exactly is it?"

The moment the carved iron gate of Hana's villa was pushed open, Miko suddenly stopped.

The courtyard was pitch black, with only the faint glow of ground lights along the stone path, flickering in the night breeze.

"Tenya-kun, are you sure it's here?"

Miko instinctively clutched Tenya's sleeve. As someone who could see spirits, she was always extra cautious in dark places.

Tenya didn't answer, but suddenly covered her eyes. His warm palm carried a faint citrus scent, and Miko felt herself being turned around.

"Three, two, one—"

As the countdown ended, the sound of party poppers suddenly erupted in the courtyard.

"Happy birthday, Miko!!!"

When his hand moved away, Miko was speechless, stunned by the sight before her.

The entire courtyard was like a fairy tale world, with hundreds of string lights wrapped around the cherry blossom trees, handmade paper lanterns swaying in the wind, and a giant "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" spelled out on the lawn with glow sticks.

Most surprisingly, Megumi, Rikka, Rukia, and her other friends were all wearing matching light pink kimonos, and even the usually cool Yukino was awkwardly wearing a bow hair tie.

"Th-this is...?" Miko's voice trembled slightly.

"Ta-da! Surprise party!"

Hana bounced out from the crowd. She had specially styled her orange long hair into a bun today, with Miko's favorite sunflower hair ornament tucked into it.

As she moved, her kimono sleeve slipped, revealing a charm on her wrist covered in cute talismans, the very one she had obtained together with Tenya that day.

Tenya, as if by magic, pulled out a crown headpiece from behind his back and placed it on Miko's head. "Tonight's princess, please accept the blessings of your subjects."

Saying this, he suddenly knelt on one knee and performed an exaggerated knight's bow. This action caused everyone to burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere immediately lightened.

"Tenya-kun..."

Miko's eyes were moist, her heart filled with emotion.

"Let's cut the cake first."

Hana impatiently pulled Miko towards the center of the courtyard. On the three-tiered cream cake, there were cute chocolate drawings of Miko exorcising ghosts, surrounded by blueberries and strawberries. The top layer had 17 candles, their flames flickering beautifully in the night breeze.

Miko noticed the crooked frosting on the side of the cake and suddenly realized something. "Did Hana make this herself?"

Hana scratched her face sheepishly and said, "Hehe, although the shape is a bit ugly, I guarantee the taste. Tenya-kun even said it was good after tasting it."

"I clearly said it was edible." Tenya debunked her from the side, and Hana stomped on his foot, pouting.