Chapter 12 Baking a Birthday Cheesecake
Airi's POV
Time flew by, and before I knew it…a month had already passed.
"Good job today, everyone", I praised after we had finished another practice session.
"I have to say, we're sounding pretty good now", Ena stated.
"I'm impressed by how much progress we've managed to make", Ichika added.
"I know, right", Saki agreed happily.
"Anyway", Ena started as she picked up her schoolbag. "I need to get going or I'm going to be late for my classes. See you guys, tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Ena", I greeted.
"Bye bye, Ena-Senpai", Saki greeted.
"See you tomorrow at practice, Ena-Senpai", Ichika greeted.
Then, Ena left, and as soon as she did…Saki rushed up to me.
"Airi-Senpai, Ena-Senpai's birthday is coming up soon", she reminded me. "Can you help me figure out what I should get her?"
"What were you thinking about getting her, Airi-Senpai", Ichika asked.
"Well", I started. "Since Ena's favorite food is cheesecake, I was thinking about baking her one for her birthday. If you want Saki, you can help me with it."
"Really", Saki asked happily.
"Sure", I replied. "After all, more hands make light work."
"Can I help too, Airi-Senpai", Ichika asked. "Ena-Senpai is my bandmate, so I'd like to do something nice for her birthday."
"Sure Ichika", I said. "You can help too."
"Alright", Saki exclaimed excitedly. "Operation 'bake Ena-Senpai a cheesecake for her birthday' is a go!"
A Few Days Later
Ena's POV
"I'm here", I greeted as I entered the rehearsal studio.
"Hey Ena", Airi greeted. "Happy birthday."
"Happy birthday, Ena-Senpai", Ichika greeted.
"Happy birthday, Ena-Senpai", Saki greeted as she rushed up to me and grabbed onto my hands. "We have a surprise for you!"
"A surprise", I asked in confusion.
"Airi-Senpai, can you do the honors", Saki asked.
"Sure thing", Airi replied.
Then, she walked up to me…with a cake box in her hand.
"And…tada", Saki exclaimed as she made hand gestures towards the box.
Airi then opened the box, revealing a cheesecake inside.
"Wow", I said in awe. "That cheesecake looks so good!"
"And, it's homemade", Airi revealed.
"It is", I asked in shock.
"Yep", Saki replied proudly. "It was Airi-Senpai's idea, and we all got together to bake it!"
"Since you're our bandmate, Ena-Senpai, Saki and I wanted to do something nice for your birthday", Ichika added.
"You guys", I said. "Thank you so much!"
After saying this, I took the cake box from Airi.
"You know", I started. "This cheesecake is far too big for just me to eat. Why don't we all share it?"
"I was hoping you'd say that, Ena", Airi said. "Saki, if would you do the honors this time?"
"On it, Airi-Senpai", Saki replied enthusiastically, before running up to where she put her stuff.
"Ta da", she exclaimed, before pulling something up.
"Is that…a picnic basket", I asked in shock.
"That's right", Saki replied. "And It's got everything we need to throw you a birthday tea party!"
"A tea party", I asked. "Right here, in the rehearsal studio?"
"That would probably get us in trouble", Airi pointed out. "There's a park not far from here that we can go to eat."
"Great", I said. "Then let's go."
…
We had arrived at the park, and the sight we saw had us in awe.
"Wow", Saki said. "The cherry blossoms look so beautiful!"
"They do", I agreed. "It's always been one of my favorite things about being born this time of year."
"Alright then", Airi started. "Let's find a spot to set up!"
…
We were now sitting down on our picnic blanket and enjoying our cheesecake.
"How's the cheesecake, Ena", Airi asked.
"I hope it doesn't taste bad", Ichika added.
"Not at all", I reassured. "It tastes great!"
"Yay", Saki exclaimed happily. "We did it!"
Hearing this got a giggle out of me. Then, I put down my cheesecake before taking out my phone.
"Come on", I started. "Let's all take a commemorative birthday photo."
With that, I turned around as everyone gathered closer to me.
"Say…cheesecake!"
"Cheesecake!"
With this, I snapped the photo before taking a closer look at it, and smiling.
For the longest time, my only real friend was Airi. Now, I was in a band with two students from an all girls prep school. I would've never thought anything like that could happen, but…I'm happy it did.