Slow Start ch124

p1
>Mmm mm
>Eiko...?

>Ah, were you still asleep?
>Nope. I had just woken up, so you're good.
>Morning, Eiko.

>Fufu
>Good mor-
>...

>...Happy birthday,
>Kamu.

>...Yep.

>>Kamuri wakes to a celebratory call from Eiko!

p2
>Late September

>Hey,
>Kamu.

>Yep.
>Starting today, I won't be able
>to hang out with you on weekends and days off.

>Yep.
>Understood.

>Hmm~~~
>I kinda want you to ask me why.
>You're such a pain, Eiko.

>...Well, y'see.

>Your birthday's coming next month, isn't it, Kamu?
>Yep. I'll be 16.

>I wanted to get an early start on making your present,
>but with the student council work on weekdays and the sports festival preparations, it might end up being late.
>Yep. October is busy.

>I thought about working hard on the weekends,
>but that still doesn't give me much time if I start now.
>...

p3
>That's why I'm going to dedicate the weekends to full-time production.
>>Full-time.
>Yep. Understood.

>...But...
>Hm?

>You shouldn't be saying this to the person in question.
>Ah, because it spoils the surprise?
>Yep.

>Well, y'see.

>In order to keep it a surprise, I would have to lie to you when I turn down your invitations to hang out on weekends.
>And that would only cause you to worry. It'd be like putting the cart before the horse.

>Nope.
>I'd figure it out, so there's no problem.
>You'd figure it out, huh~

>But I'm happy.
>Ehehe.

>...I'll just keep the present itself a surprise then.
>Yep. I'm looking forward to it.

p4
>Ehehe. Hug~
>Yep. Hug.

>...We've been hugging a lot lately.
>Yeah.
>I just wanted to check your size.

>Yep. I figured it out.
>Ah~
>You've figured it out~

>Late October

>Hrm.

>What should we get Kamu-chan for her birthday...?
>It is difficult...

>If we get her clothes or accessories, there's a chance it'll overlap with what Eiko-chan's getting her.
>We can't compete with Eiko-chan...

>Ah, how about some snacks?
>Hmm.

p5
>She'd definitely be happy with snacks, but they'll all be gone once she's eaten them...
>Hrmm
>We're getting less and less to work with.

>Ah!
>What is it, Hana-chan?

>Th-This!
>This could be good!
>?

>Is this... a crystal?
>Yeah!

>They say that placing it somewhere makes everything around it seem pretty!
>Ooh.

>They also say it increases your luck with money!
>Hahah

>And they say it even has the power to repel evil spirits!
>Eeh...?

>>If we have this, everything will go smoothly!!!
>We did it, Tama-chan!!!
>Hah Hah Hah
>Hana-chan! Come back!!

p6
>Hey~
>Mom~

>Is it alright if I leave the work room as is?
>Sure~
>I won't be using it for a while, so go ahead.
>Yay~ Thank you~

>Is this your present for Kamuri-chan?
>Uwah. It's so detailed.

>Working hard, I see.
>Amazing.
>Dehe~
>Ehehe~

>It was hard work, but when I thought about whether or not Kamu would like it,
>it became kinda fun.

>Fufu.

>I'm sure she'll love it.
>She'll love it.
>Definitely.
>Ehehe.
>You're spoiling me~

>And then, the day arrived.

p7
>Kamuri-chan.
>Happy birthday!!

>>NEW Student Council President
>>President Sengoku

p8
>Man~
>This is quite the turnout.
>It's like a festival.
>Yep.
>I'm truly grateful.

>Well then, this is from us!
>Happy birthday, Kamuri-chan!

>Ehehe
>Tama-chan and I bought one each.
>They're bookends~
>Cute. I'm happy.
>Thanks.

>Hrm.
>But they might be too heavy to take home with her.
>She's got all those other presents too.

>No worries. Dad's picking me up in his car today, so it's okay.
>Ooh, you came fully prepared, huh?

>Eiko told me it would be best to ask him to pick me up today.
>That's our Eiko-chan!
>Aha.
>Not a single oversight!

>Well then, I guess I'm up last?
>Erm.

>Kamu.
>Happy birthday.
>Wah!
>It's huge!!
>I can see why she needed someone to pick her up!!

p9
>This is a cardigan you can even wear at school.

>Uwah! The thread's so thin!
>It's like something from a shop...!

>And here's a knitted one piece dress for outings.
>Cute~!

>This one's for wearing at home.
>Loose and cute!
>Looks comfy!

>They're all so professionally made...
>Momochi has nothing more to say...
>>Reflecting Momochi face
>And there's so many too!
>Aha.

>I wanted to make up for all the times I couldn't celebrate
>between now and when I first met Kamu.
>I see.

p10
>...I'm so happy.

>Thanks,
>Eiko.
>...Same here.
>Thank you for being born,
>Kamu.

>>Reflecting HanaTama

>After school.

>Is your Dad's care here yet?
>Yep.
>He should be here soon.

>Eiko, do you wanna join the party at my house?
>There's gonna be an amazing cake.
>Nah~
>I pulled an all-nighter last night.
>I feel like I'll drift off any moment now...

>I'm just gonna go home and sleep for today.
>Rest well.
>Yep. Understood.

p11
>...Eiko.
>Hm?

>Between when we first met
>and right now, I've had four birthdays.
>Yeah.

>I got three presents from you today.
>Yeah.

>...Is there perhaps one more present?
>...

>Ahaha.
>You figured it out.
>Yep.
>I'm a great detective.

>Here.
>This is for
>the 16-year old Kamu.

p12
>Ehehe.
>Wanna open it?
>Yep.
>I'll open it.

>This is...
>Ehehe.
>I made it using my pinky size.

>Here.

>Fufu.
>A perfect fit.
>Thank goodness.

>...Hrm.

>You're so unfair, Eiko.
>Eh~?

>>Can anyone compete with Eiko, who can just hand over something like that so smoothly!?