[It doesn't take much for Riddle to obtain Shu's undivided attention. Once Shu pulls his eyes away from the messy scene laid out in front of him, he's struck dumb by the adorable smile he finds on his friend's face. As always, Riddle looks best when he's enjoying himself to the fullest.]

You're quite right about that. Honestly, I don't understand the point of this peculiar tradition. Now that the cake has been blown to pieces, it's impossible to eat. A waste of culinary efforts.

[Though almost as soon as he finishes talking, a lot more food starts being carted over, which... okay. That's certainly enough to fill their stomachs, cake or no cake. He also can't deny the element of surprise and excitement provided by blowing up the cake. Still, wouldn't setting off some firecrackers have achieved the same effect with far less mess? If Shu had been in charge of planning this unbirthday party, this idea wouldn't have made it past the drawing board.

Oh well. What's done is done. Shu supposes there's nothing left to do but dig into the feast. And if anything else upsets him, it's good to know that he can register a complaint by thrice tugging on Riddle's sleeve and addressing him as—

... wait a second here.]

"My dear?"

[Shu echoes the words, as though trying them on for size... and promptly feels some heat creep into his cheeks.]

Isn't that strange? Such terms of endearment are usually reserved for loving couples. We're not betrothed.