Part 1

(Man, I’m beat.)

(We were supposed to meet up and talk about courses next term, but it ended up just being a pretext for a date. Eh, I guess it’s whatever since I got a free meal out of it.)

—Mm, but still, maybe I should…

Ah, Renga, stop talking.

(Hm?)

O-Oh! Uh… W-Welcome home, Ten!

Welcome home. You’re back pretty early today.

…Eh, what’s up with you guys? Sharing gossip?

We were just talking about Shumai. Right, Renga?

Y-Yeah!

(That paper he’s hiding behind his back.... “Ten’s Birthday Party Timetable”......)

(Ah, I see, so that’s how it is. You’d already guessed I wouldn’t show up the day of, so you were aiming for an early surprise.)

(You even got the boss in on it. Motivated aren’t you, Renga-san? Mm~)

(......Guess I’ll run.)

……

(I can tell from his expression that he wants to make a run for it. I guess he realized what we were planning… Oh well, it is what it is.)

Hey, Ten.

Yeah?

Want to play a game of tag with me?

…Have you found him, Renga?

No, he’s not here. Where did Ten go…!?

Um, no luck over here either.

His room was, as expected, empty. I searched from the bathroom’s antechamber, to the back of the cleaning supplies closet, and even the gap between the refrigerator and the shelves, but—

There’s no hide nor hair of him. The man pulled a full ninja vanish!

What should we do? We can’t start the birthday party like this…!

Don’t worry, Chief. Ten hasn’t left HAMA House.

How can you be so sure?

Well…

Tag, huh?

Yes. Let’s make the time limit…from tomorrow at 10 a.m. to noon.

The boundary will be within HAMA House. If you aren’t caught by the end, you win. The prize is a bonus from my own pocket.

That’s pretty generous. But is there anything in it for you?

Of course. If you lose, you’ll have to attend the party that Renga and the others are preparing ♪

…Tag? What are you guys talking about?

Don’t worry about it. This is between me and the Boss.

So? Feel like taking me on?

…Okay. I don’t think I have a say in this anyway, and the bonus sounds pretty sweet.

Just in case, I asked Sakujiro to install sensors on the front door and windows. If Ten tries to go outside, they’ll make an obnoxiously loud noise.

So the fact that they haven’t gone off means—

Yes. Ten is still inside HAMA House.

He’s probably too embarrassed having everyone wish him happy birthday, so he’s hiding out somewhere.

I see. Even Ten has a cute side to him.

As if he’s that kind of man. He’s just making trouble.

Alright then everyone, let the search begin! Let’s drag the birthday boy out… or rather, let’s catch him and have a big celebration ♪

Yeah! / Yeah.

! There he is.

Ten! Waaait!

……

(Ah man... I was supposed to meet up with Murakumo-san before noon, but now—)

(A PeChat? Oh, it’s from Murakumo-san.)

tag

you were surprised right?

my bad

about our plans

its kinda early but do u think u can meet in 10 minutes?

of course

where should we meet?

if I remember right akuta and kiroku are out today so

how about your room?

got it

Sorry for the wait, Nanaki.

Ah… Thanks for coming, Murakumo-san.

So what’s up? You said you had something to give me.

The random present. I was picked for it this time… So I went with this.

Oh, a portable ashtray. Nice choice. Thanks, I’ll use it well.

Yes, feel free… That’s it from me, thank you.

Now, please run away before anyone else spots you. I’ll pretend I searched this room for you.

Oh my. You sure about that? Those are bold words.

…I know Nishizono-san and the others have been working hard prepping everything for today. I helped out too, after all.

But, you also have your own will, and I want to respect that…, so I don’t think it’s right to make you participate if you don’t want to.

……

Murakumo-san?

…I dunno. For some reason I don’t really feel like running away anymore.

Huuh?

Let’s give you the credit for catching me. As thanks for the ashtray. Don’t you wanna show off for the chief?

Huh, what!? What are you talking about!? I don’t need you to do that…!

Ahaha, slow down.

Ah, a-ahem! Anyway! I said this before, but I think everyone will be happy if you come.

Mm. Okay, let’s go then.