Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

Mei nodded knowingly.

With a slight smile, Shihen's gaze fell upon the small hill that had come into view in the distance, and he pointed at it, saying, "We've arrived."

Mei glanced at the smiling boy beside her, but didn't ask anything. She simply followed him to the hill and sat down.

"This is considered a high point in St. Freya, and it's a great place to watch the sunset."

Shihen pointed to the clouds in the west, which had been dyed red, and explained with a smile.

From there, there are few obstructions to the west, and one can clearly see a blazing fireball slowly sinking into the sea.

And most importantly, the weather is nice today, with large clusters of clouds in the west.

"Yes, it is indeed very beautiful."

Mei glanced at the boy, watching the golden-red light color his face, and nodded, a bright smile appearing on her face.

As the former heiress of ME Corporation, she had seen many magnificent and extraordinary sights, and a sunset was just an ordinary one among them.

But more important than the beautiful scenery is the person who can share this moment with you.

As she thought about it, the girl took out her phone from her pocket, opened the camera, and sat closer to the boy, smiling as she said, "Come on, cheese..."

The boy turned his head to look, and the shutter sounded immediately, capturing two young faces flushed red by the twilight.

Chapter 176 The Not-So-Sweet Birthday Cake

When Hen and Mei returned to Himeko's dormitory after enjoying the sunset, it was already completely dark.

"..."

Looking at the dark detached villa amidst the bright lights around it, Mei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Ahem... It seems everyone is out."

Shihen forced an explanation.

"Yes, yes."

Mei nodded, her expression reluctant.

"Anyway, let's go inside first."

Shihen said, while taking out his key to open the door.

With a click, the door opened.

Mei glanced at the smiling boy beside her, pursed her lips, and consciously walked into the darkness.

Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, the light arrived first, followed by a white furry ball that suddenly jumped out.

"surprise!"

"Bokiana shouted with a laugh, and countless colorful fragments fell from the sky, landing on the girl with long, straight black hair as if a seven-colored snow had fallen."

Looking at the white fluffy ball with a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile in front of her, Mei couldn't help but smile back.

"Haha, I knew Mei wouldn't have expected this, right!?"

Kiana, clearly mistaking the girl's smile for an exaggeration, instantly became smug.

"Idiot Kiana, Mei must have found out a long time ago."

Bronya immediately saw through it.

This scenario might work against Kiana, but Mei... not everyone is as easily fooled as that white-haired idiot.

"Huh? Really?"

Kiana immediately deflated.

"But I'm still very happy~"

Mei's gaze swept over Himeko, Bronya, and the others in the hall, and a bright smile appeared on her face.

Even though she had anticipated what would happen tonight, when she actually saw it all, the girl still felt an overwhelming surge of happiness.

Shihen placed a paper crown on Mei's head and whispered, "Happy birthday, Mei."

Today, April 13th, is Mei's seventeenth birthday.

As the boy finished speaking, as if a signal had been activated, a mixed yet unified singing voice immediately rang out:

"Happy birthday to you……"

As the song played, the lights quietly went out, leaving only the candlelight on the three-tiered cake in the center of the hall.

As the candlelight flickered, Mei looked at the faces around her, bathed in the dim yellow light of the fire, and her eyes welled up with tears.

From the moment Shihen took her away in the afternoon, the entire birthday celebration seemed very ordinary.

Even Kiana's so-called surprise was crystal clear to Mei, as if it were laid bare in the sunlight.

Even though the process was ordinary and uneventful, the fact that everyone kept her birthday in mind was enough to make the girl extremely happy.

When her father died last year, Mei thought that her life from then on would be bleak and devoid of any color.

But now, the girl has come to deeply understand what joy is.

Even including Theresa and Himeko, the number of people celebrating her birthday this time was far less than any of her previous birthdays, and the three-tiered cake in front of her couldn't compare to the luxurious cake that Raiden Ryoma had specially ordered.

But after experiencing the Raiden Ryoma incident, Mei truly understood what was more precious.

"Make a wish, Mei, you're the birthday girl tonight."

As the birthday song ended, Theresa smiled and said...

"That's right, I specially asked someone to make this, it would be a waste if it melted away."

Himeko added.

At St. Freya, every student receives a cake on their birthday.

But Mei was living in her own home, and she had eaten the food that Mei had cooked for her many times. How could Himeko possibly accept this generic version?

As an A-rank Valkyrie, although her economic strength is not comparable to that of a landowner like Theresa, she can still be considered a moderately wealthy woman.

Upon hearing this, Mei couldn't help but smile, then clasped her hands together in front of her chest and gently closed her eyes.

Three seconds later.

She opened her eyes, and a faint purple light flashed in her pupils. Mei exhaled a long breath, and the seventeen candles immediately went out one by one.

As a Valkyrie, she certainly has that much lung capacity.

After a brief period of darkness, the lights came back on.

"Mei, what did you wish for?"

Unable to resist speaking, Kiana's eyes gleamed with a cat-like curiosity.

"Idiot Kiana, you can't say your birthday wish out loud."

Bronya immediately retorted.

"Huh? But I was shouting it out loud before!"

The white fluffy ball blinked in confusion.

If you don't shout it out, won't the mysterious being that can grant your wishes not hear it?

"That's probably just a local custom," Shihen said with a smile, handing a knife to Mei. "It's time to cut the cake, Mei."

"Ah."

The girl smiled and nodded.

"Cake, delicious cake..."

Kiana's gaze followed Mei's hand as it slowly moved, and she instantly forgot about what had just happened.

Soon, with the first slice, Mei placed a piece of cake covered in cream and fruit in front of the boy: "Hen, this piece is yours."

"..."

Looking at the thick layer of cream on top and then at the girl's smiling face, Shihen hesitated for a few seconds before accepting it.

"Oh? I thought the first one would be mine~"

Himeko raised an eyebrow upon seeing this.

Shihen immediately demurred, "If it's Teacher Himeko—"

"Here you are, Himeko-sensei."

With lightning speed, Mei cut off the second slice and presented the cake to Himeko with a smile.

"I think this one is also very good."

Sensing the palpable killing intent in the air, Himeko accepted Mei's offer without hesitation.

She felt that if she chose the other piece, she would be met with a knife.

She just wants to be a spectator, not a spectator herself.

"..."

Silently putting the cake away, Shihen glanced at Himeko, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He doesn't want to eat something so creamy.

"Headmaster, this is yours."

"Kiana."

"Xie'er."

"Bronya."

The cake was divided into pieces, and the top layer was quickly emptied.

"Mmm...it's so delicious. Birthday cake is definitely the sweetest thing ever."

Kiana cut a large piece with her fork and put it in her mouth, a happy smile immediately spreading across her face.

"We should thank Professor Himeko for this."

Meiyi said with a smile.

"If Kiana passes your exam, I can give you an even bigger one for your birthday."

Looking at the white fluffy dumpling happily eating in front of her, Himeko let out a long sigh.

She'd been in St. Freya for almost three years, and she'd never seen anyone as incompetent as this white-haired idiot.

"Well……"

Kiana paused in her cake-eating motion, glancing around before quickly noticing the hesitant-looking boy.

Upon seeing the cake covered in thick cream in front of the boy, Kiana immediately understood.

"Hen, you still don't like sweets."

Hehe~ Let me help you.

With a smile, Kiana immediately slid her fork across the boy's plate and scraped off a layer of cream.

In an instant, Shihen's furrowed brows relaxed.

Meiyi: "..."

The cake suddenly didn't taste sweet anymore.

Chapter 177 The Thunder Queen's Attack

Carrying a pile of gift boxes, Mei glanced at the boy beside her and blushed slightly. She said, "Sorry, Hen, I should have known your taste sooner."

They had known each other for three months, and even lived in the same house for more than a month. If she had been more attentive, she should have known the boy's preferences.

"That's how people get to know each other little by little."