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Upon arriving in the SEKAI that night, Mafuyu was met with Niigo along with Miku, Len and the other Virtual Singers.
“Why did you want to meet an hour earlier?” She asked, although she was fairly certain she knew why. There was a table set up in between two of the metal spires, a timer placed on top among neatly set up napkins and bowls of various snacks, drinks and the like. A cake at the center of it all. Mizuki was leaning against the table, grinning and twirling a confetti popper in their hand, occasionally glancing at the timer, waiting for it to reach 12:00.
“You know why, Mafuyu.” Ena huffed, a confetti popper also in hand, arms crossed and a fond smile on her face. Mafuyu nodded, folding her arms in front of her and walking towards the table. Miku and Len both smiled at her as she came closer, both giving small waves. Mafuyu could make out MEIKO observing from afar, she had a slight smile on her face. Luka was leaning against one of the spires while Rin was eyeing the cake.
A soft ringing suddenly echoed through the SEKAI as the timer struck 12:00 A.M. A chorus of voices rang through the SEKAI.
“Happy birthday, Mafuyu!!” Everyone said at the same time, popping the confetti cans.
“I don’t see the point of having food here. It won’t taste like anything.”
“Jeez, you could at least try to be appreciative. After we went through all this trouble for you!” Ena exclaimed, sighing and pressing her hand to her forehead. “What will we ever do with you…” She muttered, though still smiling fondly.
“Happy birthday, Mafuyu,” Kanade says, walking up to her, “I’m glad we could spend another year together.” A subtle but not unnoticeable warmth spreads through Mafuyu’s chest as Kanade says that.
“Thank you, I’m glad too, I think…” Mafuyu says, the warmth in her chest growing just by a bit.
“Hah, really? That’s great!” Mizuki pours some soda into a cup, raising it into the air. “Here’s to another year together~!” They exclaim.
“Keep it down, Mizuki! We don’t need your voice echoing through the SEKAI, but yeah… Cheers to another year together.” Ena raises her own cup in the air.
“Mn, if it weren’t for you, Mafuyu, I wouldn’t be here.” Miku said, smiling.
“I can say the same thing for the rest of us,” Luka adds. “So, thank you and happy birthday~”
“Y-yeah, thank you, Mafuyu-chan.” Len says, fiddling with his hands, a smile on his face. Rin nods in agreement.
“You’re welcome. Thank you all for finding me that day.”
“You mean that?” Ena asks at the same time as Kanade says;
“I’m glad we did.” She smiles. The heat in Mafuyu’s chest only grows from there on out.
“Yes, same! Niigo wouldn’t be the same without you, Mafuyu!” Mizuki says, as they begin to cut pieces of the cake, handing one slice to everyone.
“I see.” Is all Mafuyu says, going to stand next to Kanade. There was an overwhelming warmth in her chest at this point, she didn’t understand why. This wasn’t the first time Niigo had held a party such as this one for her, so why…?
✸✸✸
That night, after Mafuyu logged off from the Nightcord meeting, she went and laid down on her bed, sighing a bit. That warmth in her chest still hadn’t gone away. She’d sleep on it, Mafuyu decided.
✸✸✸
“WONDERHOY, ASAHINA-SENPAI!!! Happy birthday!!!” Emu exclaimed as soon as she saw Mafuyu in the halls. She smiled.
“Ah, Otori-san! Thank you very much.” Emu looked a bit downcast, her smile flickering, looking slightly frightened.
“Wah-!! Uhm!! It’s no problem, Asahina-senpai!! Here, I got you a gift!” Emu handed Mafuyu a purple and white box decorated with flowers. “Well… I made it for you!!! It’s cupcakes!!” Sure enough, as Mafuyu opened the box, assorted cupcakes coloured different shades of blue and purple were inside.
“You didn’t have to, but thank you nonetheless! I can’t express my gratitude. I’ll cherish these” Mafuyu said, closing the box.
“GAH-!! Y-you will? Yeah, no problem! Ahaha… I have to head to class now! Have a super-duper wonderhoy birthday, Asahina-senpai!!” Emu dashes off, still looking a bit frightened but somewhat relieved. Mafuyu sighed, that warmth only growing. What was this feeling…? She wanted to know.
“Asahina-san!” A voice called from behind her, Mafuyu turned around, coming face to face with Shizuku. “Happy birthday! I made mochi for you.” Shizuku handed her a little tin box, wrapped neatly in a ribbon. “I hope you enjoy!”
“Thank you very much, Hinomori-san! I really appreciate this.”
“I’m glad you do! I look forward to spending another year with you.”
“I feel the same, I’m looking forward to it.” Mafuyu replied.The thing is… Mafuyu was actually looking forward to it. The heat in her chest only grew, even after Shizuku headed off to class. Mafuyu won’t eat the cupcakes or mochi, they’ll just taste bland, maybe she’ll give them to Ena or Mizuki.
“Asahina-senpai! Honami and I have something for you.” Another voice, Mafuyu turns around, it’s Ichika and Honami, walking towards her with a snow globe in hand.
“Happy birthday, Asahina-senpai,” Honami says, holding out the snow globe for Mafuyu to take. “You can thank Yoisaki-san for the help with this gift.”
“Eh? Kanade helped you pick this out?”
“Ah, not really…” Ichika starts saying, “She just told us you’d like this sort of thing.” ‘Kanade… thought I’d like this…?’ Mafuyu feels her cheeks heating up, her chest growing even more warm. “Thank you both… I like this, I think.”
“I’m glad!” Honami said, smiling at her.
“So am I, happy birthday, Asahina-senpai.” Ichika wished her, “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You too!” Mafuyu said. The bell rings and both Honami and Ichik wave goodbye, heading to their respective classes. Mafuyu just stood in place for a couple of seconds, the warmth not subsiding.
“Oh… I get it…” Mafuyu thinks aloud. “My chest is warm because… I like being celebrated… It feels nice, special.”