While I was receiving gifts during a break between live performances, it seemed the winner of the third round of the game tournaments had just been decided, and an exhibition match was set to take place.

The winner of the third round was Eul. She had already demonstrated impressive skill in the first round, despite it being her first time playing today, and it seemed she’d improved even further in the third round, overcoming other skilled participants and even the formidable Amel-san to claim victory.

[Ehehe, Kaito-sama! Looking forward to playing with you!]

[Unn, me too. But wow, Eul, you’re amazing. To win despite today being your first time playing, and with skillful players like Amel-san around, that’s incredible.]

[I practiced really hard because I wanted to play together with Kaito-sama!]

[I see. That makes me really happy…… but you know, you could’ve just told me, we can play together anytime. Isis-san is pretty good too, and I think it might be fun to play with her and the other members of the Death King camp next time.]

[That sounds super fun! I’d love to try it!]

Eul, who was happily wagging her tail as she spoke, looked absolutely adorable, and just watching her made me feel at ease. If I brought a console over to Isis-san’s castle, we could play together there. Everyone there tends to be pretty easygoing, so I feel like it could end up being a really fun time.

Since this birthday party gave most people some game experience, it might be a good idea going forward to play games not just with Eul or Isis-san, but with others too. It’s a fun option to have.

The stat adjustment set by Canalis-san was three times the normal level, so while not quite on par with Kuro, she was still a formidable opponent.

In fact, it was a back-and-forth battle with both sides evenly matched, but in the end, Eul landed her special move cleanly and I lost. Still, it was just an exhibition match where the result didn’t really matter, and Eul looked happy just getting the chance to play together with me.

“That was a great match. Now, while I have everyone’s attention, I’d like to take a moment of your time.”

“Unn? Is this the third performance or something?”

“No, not an entertainment event this time, I just wanted to briefly explain and introduce the party favors. You see, we’ve prepared souvenirs for everyone who participated in Kaito-san’s birthday party today, which you’ll receive as you leave. Let me give a quick preview of what’s inside.”

……So there are party favors huh. Well, I guess that makes sense for a party of this scale…… but who arranged all this?

“First up, from our very own World Creator, God of Creation Shallow Vernal-sama———- we have a bottle per person of that unbelievably delicious wine <K> that was also handed out at Kaito-san’s housewarming celebration.”

“As expected of Shallow Vernal-sama. People who didn’t attend the last party must be curious about it, and even those who did probably found it too precious to open yet, so I’m sure this will be a big hit.”

The first gift is apparently a wine made by Shiro-san…… Ah, that one. I got to try it myself once, it’s that silver-colored wine that looks like mercury, but it tastes unbelievably good. I’ve even heard that among some wine enthusiasts, it’s rumored to be a legendary wine, so I imagine a lot of people will be thrilled to receive it.

“Next up is a gift from the Underworld King, Kuromueina-san…… from Kuro-san, we’ve got a set of three flavors of instant baby castella.”

“Ah, yeah, I heard those are insanely popular and basically impossible to get.”

“Yes. Kuro-san’s trading company has released up to the third edition of their instant series, but every one of them has been so popular that they’re out of stock everywhere. This time is among the latest series, a baby castella version that comes with three flavors.”

It’s such a Kuro-like gift, but in truth, the instant series is wildly popular, constantly selling out. I’ve seen it featured in magazines a bunch of times, and I’m sure plenty of people haven’t even had the chance to try it.

And while it’s true this one’s hard to find, it’s still a product intended for the general public. Compared to an ultra-premium wine, this might feel like a more approachable kind of gift for people who’d be intimidated by something that fancy.

“Following that, the three nations of the Human Realm have collaborated to prepare a commemorative coin. It’s a gold coin with Kaito-san’s necklace depicted on the reverse, and it can actually be used as real currency.”

“Oh yeah, I think that’s a cultural thing in the Human Realm, right? Like, commemorative coins are made for every Hero Festival?”

“Yes, that’s right. They’re relatively easy to produce, so you often see commemorative coins with the festival number stamped on them. They also make them for significant milestones, like a 50-year anniversary of a nation’s founding, so there are quite a few out there. Most of them are copper coins though……”

A commemorative coin!? T- That’s insane. Why is a commemorative coin being made just for my birthday!? It’s terrifying, honestly, it makes my stomach hurt and I wish they’d go easy on me…… Still, I guess I should be thankful that the design doesn’t feature my face or name or anything. With just the necklace on it, the average person might just think it’s commemorating some magic tool or a gemstone. So the embarrassment is somewhat reduced…… No, on second thought, isn’t this still pretty embarrassing!?

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai (asleep) : [……It’s not just me…… Somehow…… Kaito’s…… taking damage to his stomach too……]