Episode 11 of *The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity* opens with Rintarou in a state of profound bewilderment, utterly at a loss over what gift to bestow upon Kaoruko for her birthday. This dilemma strikes a chord of self-awareness within him, leading him to the unsettling realization that his knowledge of her is rather superficial, limited to the fact that she harbors a deep affection for cakes. His preoccupation is so evident that he even incurs a reprimand in class for his conspicuous daydreaming.
Upon returning home, he seeks counsel from his mother regarding other renowned cake boutiques in town. However, she offers a more inspired suggestion. Rather than purchasing a cake from an unfamiliar bakery, she proposes that he embark on the journey of crafting one himself. Initially, Rintarou is skeptical, doubting his culinary prowess and feeling reluctant to impose on his father, who is perpetually weary.
As he voices his concerns, a commotion interrupts them, revealing his father, Keiichirou, sprawled on the staircase, utterly drained from the relentless demands of overwork. They assist him to the couch and proceed to have dinner. During this meal, his mother elucidates that Keiichirou's dedication stems from his genuine passion for his job. Hence, Rintarou shouldn't harbor any guilt about seeking his assistance. In fact, she reveals, it was Keiichirou who baked the cake that Rintarou and his friends had relished, finding immense joy in their delight.
Persuaded by this revelation, Rintarou decides to muster the courage and ask for his father's guidance. To his surprise, his father agrees without hesitation. Eager to understand the sentiment Rintarou wishes to imbue in the cake, he prompts his son to reflect. After a moment of contemplation, Rintarou finds the words that resonate with his true feelings: he desires to express his gratitude to Kaoruko and bring a smile to her face.
With this heartfelt intention, they embark on a special training regimen, aiming to have the cake ready by the 22nd. The endeavor proves to be far more exhausting than Rintarou anticipated, leaving him utterly spent by the time he has to return to school. Nevertheless, his friends are brimming with enthusiasm upon hearing about his newfound passion for cake-making.
Meanwhile, all the girls in Kaoruko's class are bustling around her, exclaiming with enthusiasm that they wish to celebrate her birthday together. Fortunately, Subaru comes to the rescue with a clever excuse, prompting them to reschedule their festivities. This way, Kaoruko finds herself with the 22nd free from any prior commitments.
Upon returning home, she is greeted by a message from Rintarou, asking to meet her on that very day. Puzzled, since she never expected him to know about her birthday, she finds herself at a loss for words when replying. Instantly, she dials Subaru's number, certain that her friend is the mastermind behind this surprise. And indeed, her intuition proves spot on.
Grateful for her friend's efforts, Kaoruko hugs her phone tightly after ending the call, her mind racing with thoughts about what outfit to wear on her special day.
When the day finally arrives, Rintarou is busy in the kitchen, meticulously baking a cake before he sets out to meet his friend. Once he's done, a wave of nervousness washes over him as his dad takes a taste. To his delight, his dad gives the cake his seal of approval. With a sense of relief, Rintarou carefully places the cake in a box and rushes to change into something presentable.
As he makes his way to the meeting spot, doubts start to creep into his mind, questioning whether this was indeed a good idea. But it's too late to backtrack now, so he forges ahead with his gift in hand.
Upon their meeting, Kaoruko's face lights up with joy upon learning that the gift is a cake, and she can't wait to see it. They head to the playground, a place filled with fond memories for Kaoruko from her times spent playing there with Subaru. She yearns to create another cherished memory with Rintarou.
Kaoruko opens the box and is immediately charmed by the cake's adorable appearance. Her surprise deepens when she discovers that Rintarou is the one who baked it. He tells her he wants to express his gratitude for everything she's done, and her happiness soars even higher. Afterward, they make their way back home, and Kaoruko mentions that she'll call him later that night to discuss the gift further.
Throughout the evening, Rintarou is a bundle of nerves, pacing anxiously until Kaoruko finally sends him a message. He retreats to his room and calls her. Kaoruko gushes about how delicious the cake was and how much she loved it, bringing a wave of relief that washes over Rintarou, causing him to collapse onto the floor in a heap. She also remarks that it's a gentle cake that warms the heart, exactly what he had hoped she would feel. As they converse, Kaoruko's smile never fades, radiating warmth and happiness.
After the phone call, he eagerly recounts to his father every word she spoke, a joyful revelation that sends waves of happiness rippling through the entire family. Then, with a hopeful glint in his eye, he puts forth another request. He expresses his desire to lend a hand at the shop during the upcoming summer break. However, his mother, ever the advocate of leisurely pursuits, gently suggests that he should seize the opportunity to savor his free time. Understanding her point, he compromises, agreeing to work at the shop whenever his schedule is clear of other plans. All of this is driven by Rintarou's unwavering ambition to craft an even more exquisite cake the next time around.
