Track 1

…Hey.

Nayuki! Good morning to you. The fact that you came all the way here means the stars must be aligning wonderfully for this week——

Take this.

What is it? A box made of paulownia?

A local ramen gift set from mom. Today’s your birthday, isn’t it?

…That’s why—

Just for today only, I’ll let you take your limiter off.

Today’s Raito-san’s birthday! Let’s make this party a total banger!!!

It’s my first time cooking for a classmate’s birthday party. I’m a bit excited about it.

Yukikaze, if you need any help, feel free to tell me.

……

…I wonder if it’s okay to celebrate Raitin’s birthday.

(It should be a day worth celebrating. But to Raito-san, his birthday might be just another step closer towards the prophecy…)

Worrying about that man is a pointless act, nyuszi.

Well, I mean, didn’t we all agree to celebrate it in the “thank you for being born” and “you’ll definitely be safe (from the prophecy)” way, right?

Don’t worry, Chihiro. I am 100% sure your big love will touch Raito’s heart.

…Yeah, you’re so right! Of course everynyan’s gonna want to party, it’s his birthday!

Okie-dokie! Raitin’s B-DAY☆Special Celebration Committee, lezzgo prep—

Hey, welcome in! The Kitakata Ramen Pavilion is open for today only!

…………

WHAAAAT?!

See what I mean?

Every ingredient you see here is from my personal collection, so I’d like for all of you to try something you may come to love. There’s also local ramen that you cannot buy online.

Why not challenge yourself to eating as much as you can until the end of the day? Even eating twelve whole bowls is a-okay.

Haha… But Nayuki-san’ll get mad at you, won’t he?

He’s already given me the greenlight, so there is no need to worry. I’d just like for everyone to wholeheartedly enjoy the ramen I’m making.

It’s my birthday today. Everyone, won’t you listen to my selfish requests?

You betcha! I soooooo wanna try Raito-san’s secret special ramen recipes! Gotta catch em all, RAMEN SCORE ATTACK~~!!!

I’m in too. I’m interested in the kinds of ramen you’ve got in stock. Of course, if you need any help in the kitchen, just leave it all to me.

Thank you, that’s reassuring.

…Looks like it’ll be alrightsies.

Yup! Then, in three, two, one…!

Happy Birthday!!

Thanks. I’m fortunate to be able to face this day forward with everyone here.

Now then, please sit wherever you’d like. The noodles should finish boiling around now——

Wait, wait! Beforeeee that, we needa hand you our BDAY presents~!

Raito, I recommend that you focus on accepting the gifts prepared for you. I’ll keep an eye on the timer on your behalf.

Ah, got it. …Somehow, this feels a bit embarrassing.

Happy birthday, Raito. Here, this is a ramen bowl set similar to the one you use regularly, just in a different color——

A gyoza plate and a renge¹! The Three Sacred Treasures of Ramen²... You truly are a man of culture, Yukikaze.

As fellow alumni of Asu High, let us continue to deepen our friendship from here on out.

My turn! ‘Kay so, my gift for Raito-san is this Ramen shop employee T-shirt! Happy born day!

Is this really okay? This item is a collectible that can only be redeemed by gaining enough points, isn’t it?

That’s exaaaactly why, as my bruhmen-in-arms, ‘course I’m handing it to you! I want ya to have it, Raito-san!

Thanks, Akuta. I’ll be sure to wear it the next time I make the trip to this restaurant.

HBD, Raitin! Chii got you this xtra super duper cutesies Chupacabra plushie!♪

The legendary limited edition plush that sold out upon release?! The one whose production was directly supervised by “Muu☆tan”, the very same one…?! It’s impressive that you managed to obtain this item.

Ehehe~ I just borrowed the Chiitizens’ help, ‘s all!☆

Much thankies for always having our backs Raitin♪

And I, as well. I’ll keep striving to fulfill my duties as your leader so that I do not betray everyone’s expectations.

Raito, the noodles have finished cooking.

Thanks, Kinari. Alright everyone, how about a bowl? Here’s the menu…

Um… I’ll do the Yuzu Shio from Kochi Prefecture then.

For me… I’ll get the uh, hand-pulled wonton noods! My stomach’s giving me noods ‘n wonton cravings…

Chii’s getting the same! But in mini-size, pleaaaase!

Got it! Kuguri, what’s your— Oh, leaving so soon?

I’ve no intention to go along with your selfish whims. I’ll leave you to it, cica.

Ah, Kuguri-san…!

Don’t worry about it, Chief. At least he showed up, even for a little.

Back on topic, what would you have? There’re still plenty of flavors we haven’t tasted together just yet!

Then… I’ll have Niigata Prefecture’s ginger shoyu ramen!

Alright, here are your orders!

Thank you for the food!

It’s good…! Just what you’d expect from Raito-san’s collection. It’s the best I’ve ever had.

The noodles, soup, toppings, all get a high score in my books. Plus, it’s well-balanced, too.

(deep breaths) (slurp) (slurp) (sluuuuurp) Aw, maaaan, I seeeeeriously can’t stop my chopsticks from shoveling these noods into mah mouth!!!

The soy sauce’s aroma stimulates the appetite, and when combined with the noodles and the soup, it becomes a temptation like no other——

With everyone slurping their ramen, it’s as if their hearts are all agreeing that it’s “delicious”. This must be what world peace is like.

(That’s what Raito-san said but… He’s eating with so much energy too!!)

And as a palate cleanser, I requested Ushio to make us “Almost H2O! Super Refreshing☆Almond Tofu! (It goes down real easy!)”.

The Kitakata Ramen Pavilion’s got some crazy service…

Nayuki, there is no need to hide! Why won’t you sit down and eat with us?

Oh my my my? Nayuuki’s here?

…I wasn’t hiding. I was just monitoring your movements.

The responsibility of taking his limiter off falls on me, therefore——

Thank you for waiting, your pickled plum shio ramen is served.

Ugh…! You never change, at least listen to what other people are saying!

But this is what I decided to make for you, Nayuki. Won’t you at least take a bite? …Just for my birthday.

*sighs*

Thanks for the food.

……

Is it delicious?

……It’s not terrible.

I see. That’s the best praise I could hope to hear!