February 17.

Having somehow managed to fit both the overwhelming heat of the girls in class and the extremely heavy handmade chocolates from Aoi and Anju into my stomach, I lay on my bed and absentmindedly looked up at the calendar.

'...March 14, White Day, huh.'

Back in my past life as a corporate slave, it was a yearly event to rush out and buy return gifts worth double the obligatory chocolates I received, mainly high-end baked goods from department store basements.

And then, I suddenly realized a fundamental contradiction.

'Wait. In this world, the gender ratio is 1:15, right? Valentine’s is the day where women desperately appeal to men. Which means, right now, I’m a girl, so shouldn’t I have been on the giving side?'

Remembering how I confidently winked and collected chocolates like I was on the receiving side, just like in my past life, I covered my face alone in my room.

'...Man, habits from my past life are scary. I just can’t get used to this.'

That said, what’s done is done.

For White Day, I’d have to make full use of my past life know-how and prepare perfect return gifts for Aoi, Anju and the girls in class.

"Shizuku—? Dinner’s ready!"

Hearing my mom’s voice from downstairs, I switched gears and headed to the living room.

* * *

February 17. Today is my mom’s birthday.

In this world, most women who aren’t chosen by men live as single mothers.

My mom was no exception, raising me alone while working late every day.

"Mom, happy birthday. This is from me."

After finishing dinner—omelet rice—I smoothly handed her a small paper bag I had been hiding behind my back.

"Huh? Shizuku... is this a present?"

Opening the bag with wide eyes, she found a small tube inside.

It was a slightly expensive organic hand cream I bought by saving up my allowance.

I chose lavender for its relaxing scent.

"Your hands have been rough lately from housework, right? I use my hands for snowboard maintenance, so I get it. You should take care of your own hands sometimes too… Thanks for everything."

I said it naturally, in the same tone I used when giving small gifts to overworked junior coworkers in my past life.

"...Shizuku..."

My mom clasped the hand cream with both hands, her eyes slightly moist.

"...I’m really glad you weren’t born a boy. If you were, you’d probably be some legendary freeloader or con artist making women cry all over the country. Even as a girl, you’re already pushing it though."

"What’s that supposed to mean? Just be happy about it."

"I am. Thank you, Shizuku. I’ll treasure it."

Seeing her smile happily, I felt satisfied and gulped down my barley tea.

—At that moment, a cold sweat ran down my spine as I swallowed.

'...Wait. If today is Mom’s birthday... I don’t know when Aoi’s or Anju’s birthdays are!?'

Back in my salesman days, remembering a client’s birthday and sending a thoughtful message or gift on the day was ‘basic of the basics.’

And yet, I didn’t even know the birthdays of my closest childhood friend and the noble lady who practically lived at my house.

A fatal mistake for a top salesman.

'This is bad. I need to research this immediately!'

* * *

The next day, during lunch break in the classroom.

I casually walked up to Anju, who was reading at her desk.

"Hey, Anju."

"Yes! ...I mean, what is it, Nanase-san?"

The red-haired young lady straightened her posture and lifted her face from her book.

"Sorry for asking out of nowhere, but when’s your birthday again?"

"M-My birthday is October 20. You’re not plotting something, are you?"

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, she looked at me.

I naturally deployed my past life’s ‘killer line to make a client feel special.’

"Plotting sounds harsh. I just wanted to know. It’s the day someone special to me—Anju—was born into this world, right? I want to make sure I celebrate it properly."

I softened my gaze and smiled gently.

‘Someone special to me’ and ‘the day you were born.’

Far too cheesy—and destructive—for a seven-year-old girl.

The book slipped from Anju’s hands as her face flushed like it might explode.

"Autumn, huh. I’ll remember it. Look forward to it."

Leaving just that behind, I walked out of the classroom, leaving the frozen tsundere lady behind.

* * *

After school.

As usual, Aoi from another school was waiting near the gate ‘basically stalking me.’

"Welcome back, Shizuku-chan!"

"Yo, sorry to keep you waiting. Hey, Aoi, can I ask you something?"

Walking side by side, I naturally took her small hand and asked.

"When’s your birthday?"

"Mine? It’s July 7, Tanabata^[1]... but why all of a sudden?"

Tilting her head, the blonde angel looked at me curiously.

I stopped, crouched slightly and met her gaze.

"I just wanted to know. It’s the day someone special to me—Aoi—was born, right? I want to make sure I celebrate it properly."

"Ah..."

In an instant, her pale skin flushed bright red all the way to her ears.

"Tanabata, huh. It suits you. Like Orihime and Hikoboshi."

"O-Orihime and Hikoboshi...♡"

At my words, Aoi covered her face and rubbed against my arm.

Alright, research complete.

With July and October, there’s plenty of time to prepare.

...But I had no idea what kind of dangerous chemical reactions my words had triggered in their minds.

* * *

[Aoi’s Perspective]

That night.

In her room at the Hoshikawa house, Aoi circled ‘July 7’ on the calendar over and over again with a red marker.

The scratching sound echoed in the quiet room.

'Shizuku-chan will celebrate the day I was born... She said my existence in this world is special...'

Shizuku’s husky, gentle voice looped endlessly in her mind.

'...Tanabata is the day Orihime and Hikoboshi are united. Shizuku-chan said so too... which means that’s the day she’ll make me her true bride. Then my present should be myself, right?'

Aoi gently caressed the white bedsheet spread out on her bed.

'I need to buy a big red ribbon. I’ll wrap myself and let Shizuku-chan have all of me... hehe, wait for me, Shizuku-chan. I’ll give you everything...'

Even though July was still months away, the blonde angel’s eyes were already burning with a sweet, mad heat like a sacrificial bride on her wedding night.

* * *

[Anju’s Perspective]

Meanwhile, at the Hojo mansion.

At her antique desk, Anju was operating her smartphone with bloodshot eyes.

"...Hello, Sebastian? Yes, it’s me."

On the other end was the Hojo family’s capable butler.

"Clear all schedules for October 20 this year. Yes. And reserve the top floor of the best hotel in the city... preferably one with a honeymoon suite."

“...Young lady, with all due respect, you are still seven years old. What exactly do you plan to do with a suite room?”

"It doesn’t matter that I’m seven! That person—Nanase-san—said my birthday is ‘special’! This is practically a proposal and a declaration of a night alone together!"

Ignoring the stunned silence on the other end, Anju slammed her desk, face bright red.

"Listen carefully! Prepare a perfect night view and a flawless full-course meal so that that thief cat Aoi has no room to interfere! And scatter red rose petals on the bed! ...Now hurry!"

After slamming the phone down, Anju crouched on the spot.

"Hyaauu..."

'Get it together, Anju Hojo! There’s still time until October! I need to refine myself as a lady even more... and make Shizuku mine alone...'

It was still only February, and even White Day preparations weren’t finished yet.

And yet, the oblivious salesman’s ‘customer data collection’ had already pushed the heroines’ birthday celebrations into dangerously R-rated territory.

[1] Tanabata ‘Japanese star festival celebrating Orihime and Hikoboshi’