The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (薫る花は凛と咲く)

All right, let's think about the feelings conveyed in this expression.

CAKE

Let's turn to page 121...

What do you even give a girl...

for her birthday?

THE FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY

KAORUKO'S BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 22ND OF THIS MONTH.

Seriously?

Ms. Waguri's birthday?

I wonder what kind of present would make her happy.

I can't think of anything!

I haven't really celebrated many people's birthdays.

And the only thing I know Ms. Waguri likes is cake.

I guess I don't know her at all.

I've wanted to learn more about her,

but now that feeling's even stronger.

Tsumugi!

Are you listening, Tsumugi?

What? Yes! Sorry. What'd you ask?

You totally weren't listening!

I asked you to read from page 122, line 5.

And wake Usami up while you're at it.

Right, sorry.

Usami, wake up.

Seriously, what am I gonna do about her birthday present?

Hey, Mom.

Do you know any good, trendy cake shops around here?

Huh? What's this?

Getting tired of our cakes, are you?

No, that's not what I meant.

Ms. Waguri...

Since she's always buying our cakes,

I thought it'd be nice if she had one from somewhere else for her birthday.

You want to celebrate Ms. Waguri's birthday?

What's wrong with that?

Wanting to celebrate a friend's birthday is normal, right?

Wow, you of all people...

So anyway, do you know any good cake shops?

Seriously? Wait.

In that case, how about making her a cake?

- Who? - You, of course.

What? No way! Not happening!

I've never made a cake in my life!

But you help out in the kitchen sometimes, don't you?

Only with the simple stuff.

Then just have your father teach you.

I'm sure he'd be happy.

But he's busy, isn't he?

He's always shut away in the kitchen.

Yep, he's burned out again today.

I'd feel bad asking him for help.

He's always exhausted and running on no sleep.

What are you hesitating for?

He does this because he loves it, so it's fine.

He's a total cake nerd.

I mean, those cakes the other day...

He went all out making them

because he wanted to make you and your friends happy.

Besides, I couldn't have him meeting your friends for the first time

looking like this.

Morning.

Can you eat dinner?

Yeah.

My dad's a patissier.

I can't just ask him for something like this.

But...

- Hey. - Yeah?

Everyone loved the cakes today. They all said how good they were.

Thanks.

That's good.

Dad.

Yeah?

Could you teach me how to make a cake?

I want to celebrate a friend's birthday.

I know you're busy, but...

What sort of cake?

You mean what type?

No.

What do you want to convey?

What do you want them to feel when they eat it?

I... don't know.

You're making it for them, right?

It doesn't have to be exact. Just think about what's important to you.

I want to show her my gratitude.

She saw the real me,

and that saved me.

I just want her to enjoy the cake,

for it to make her smile.

Well said.

When's her birthday?

The 22nd.

Two weeks...

Good. We'll train hard until then.

If you're learning from me, it's gotta be as good as our shop's cakes.

I won't accept anything half-baked.

I know.

- All right, off to the kitchen then. - Right now?

Of course.

Hey, Rintaro, you okay?

Yikes, those eye bags!

We've got PE next. You sure you won't keel over midway?

No, I'll be fine.

You seem exhausted lately.

Did something happen?

I've been working on a cake.

A cake?

You're making a cake? Man, I wanna try it!

Sorry, not for a while.

Seriously?

You guys go on ahead. I'm gonna wash my face first.

Okay.

Got it.

I figured making a cake wasn't easy,

but is it really that exhausting?

No idea.

BAM

Hey, Kaoruko.

Your birthday's next week, right? I want to celebrate with you!

Me too!

Really? You do?

Of course.

You're always helping me study, so I want to thank you for that too.

Since it's the first day of summer break, we can celebrate all day!

- Yeah! - What should we do?

Actually, about that...

Would it be okay if we celebrated on the 23rd instead of the 22nd?

I hate to ask just for my own sake, but I already have plans on the 22nd.

We're fine with that, but what about you, Kaoruko?

I'm fine with that too.

I'm just happy you want to celebrate with me.

All right, the 23rd it is!

Yay!

Hey...

Thanks, everyone.

Kaoruko, you're so adorable!

You're just too cute, Kaoruko.

I'm beat.

ABOUT KAORUKO'S BIRTHDAY, SHE'S FREE ON THE 22ND.

Ms. Hoshina?

Right, I forgot!

I never asked Ms. Waguri about her plans that day!

SORRY FOR THE SUDDEN ASK. DO YOU HAVE ANY FREE TIME ON THE 22ND?

What?

IF NOT, WE CAN DO ANOTHER DAY. I'LL WORK AROUND YOUR SCHEDULE.

What? No, wait! Hold on!

KAORUKO WAGURI IT'S FIVE

IT'S FINE! I'M TREE

I'M FREE! I HAVE LOTS OF TIME!

Thank god. I can give it to her on the day.

No time to whine about being beat.

All right!

I just replied "Okay!" without thinking...

But what does he even mean?

He wants to give me something on my birthday.

No, I'm reading too much into it.

There's no way he even knows when my birthday is.

KAORUKO WAGURI INCOMING CALL

Hello?

Did Rintaro contact you?

Subaru!

Sorry for not telling you.

Jeez!

You really gave me a scare!

Are you mad?

I'm not mad. I'm just...

You sound happy, and that's what matters.

I am happy!