Hiiro (54)
Birthday!"
I had completely forgotten. After deciding on Naruhito’s age, so many things had happened that his actual birthday hadn’t been set, and a lot of time had passed.
"Ah, um... birthday?"
"You said we’d have a dango party for my birthday."
One eye, half-open, sparkled with excitement. Well, considering we had no clue about when his actual birthday might be, it could be any day.
I sighed deeply and sat down, rushing to his side as he swayed from the excitement.
Calm down.
"That's right, we did say we'd pick a day for your birthday. Today could work."
I showed him the nearest calendar.
"If you have a favorite number, we can choose that day. We can always make dango again."
I lifted him onto my lap and patted his thin chest to help him settle down. He stared at the calendar curiously, as if it were something unfamiliar. After a moment, he pointed to the number 13.
Ah.
Of course.
That’s yet another sign of who you are.
"Alright. Your birthday will be March 13th. Still a bit of a ways off. But today’s dango, consider it a reward for working so hard."
"I... I...,"
"Yes?"
"I’m happy."
"Good."
Hirosue handed over a mixed juice with a gentle smile.
Naruhito hurriedly grabbed the straw and began drinking it.
Be careful not to drink too much, or there won't be room for the dango.
"Tasty."
His face lit up in a wide smile, and it seemed he had finally calmed down.
With a serious expression, he stared at the pile of dango on the table and gingerly picked up one.
"Can I eat it?"
"Of course. You can eat them all if you want.”
Hirosue said.
Naruhito put the dango in his mouth, but winced slightly as it seemed to hurt his injury. Still, he chewed diligently. Hirosue watched anxiously as Naruhito took his time. Finally, after a long while, he finished the first one.
"You did it."
"Looks like it'll take until sunset.”
Hirosue and I muttered, prompting Murakano to laugh softly.
"Hiiro, do you want one?"
"Sure."
I took one from the pile and swallowed it quickly. Since they were small and soft, it didn’t take long.
"Aren’t you going to eat any of these?"
Though Naruhito seemed interested in the different flavors in the small bowls, he wasn’t reaching for them. I wasn't much of a fan of sweets myself, but should I try one to encourage him?
"I’ll ask Rikimaru to join."
"Huh?"
My voice dropped lower without thinking.
"There’s a lot, so we should eat together."
He didn’t seem to remember yesterday’s incident with Rikimaru. With his innocent remark, I couldn’t help but wonder what to do.
"Why don’t we call everyone who’s free?"
Murakano suggested gently.
It seemed odd to call only Rikimaru, but I could agree to that compromise.
Reluctantly, I nodded. Hirosue and Murakano exchanged a glance, smiling at each other as they left to gather the others.
What do you think about this chapter?
