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She didn't want much for her birthday.
All she cared about was being with the ones she cherished and loved the most.
The wine was nice, but not a necessity. Although teasing a certain god with partaking in said drinks always amused her.
Rika Furude just wanted a normal life and to be free. To live as her own self and also to fall in love properly as a normal girl should. At times she would disassociate and worry that she was still trapped within her own battle against fate. It was hard to escape such habits.
So when a hand grasped onto hers suddenly, her head snapped up to see a sly grin on the brunet's face before her.
She was still here. This was reality.
"Hey hey, you're spacing out again. Here, I'll guide you. It's not too far ahead now."
Rika was about to protest but the other would have none of that. She matched his footsteps and let herself be dragged through the woods. She was curious as to where he was taking her. He seemed to know the path well at this time of night.
Her thoughts led to the male next to her - Keiichi Maebara. The boy was one of her greatest hopes and aspirations. When she had needed it the most, he had helped her with his reliability and kindness. The fact that he had given her hope in her darkest times, made her even more happy to count on him. Despite his lack of delicacy at times, she really appreciated how he took her seriously when no one else could. Rika was tired of being looked down upon even if she was revered to as the reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama.
"Alright we're here!"
His cheerful voice roused her out of her thoughts. She looked around and noticed they were at the shrine. She was so distracted she didn't even realize it. Her scattered thoughts really threw her directional sense off. Though, being worried about her own reality really made her question her own sanity sometimes.
What did it mean to be safe and sound? To be free anyway?
"Should be any minute now."
The boy checked his watch and tapped his foot impatiently grumbling to himself.
"Man! They're late, I'm so going to give them a piece of my mind when they get here. Gyahaha~." He turns to her with another grin. "You're going to love this, I swear."
She was suspicious. Though, she knew she could trust him. She giggles awaiting to see what mysterious happenings he had in store for her. It was always interesting with him around.
Before she could open her mouth to respond, the evening sky illuminated with sparkles and light.
"Awww yeah! There we go!"
The loud booms and crackles surprised Rika. She wasn't expecting a grand spectacle before her. It wasn't unheard of to set off fireworks, but it still caught her off guard. The fact that she can still be surprised by such things made her realize that she was still human. Even with everything that had transpired, she was finally having a life she had been dreaming of.
"Rika-chan." Her eyes turned to him, his face warm as he scratched his head. "We worked really hard to get this approved. Not sure where the others are, but it was as much their idea as mine." The brunet chortled once more. "I hope, we've made your birthday special. I noticed you were looking glum lately. Lighten up!"
To think that he would be so perceptive, she tried hard to mask her discomfort.
"Rika-chan looks the best when she's happy. I hope we can make lots of memories. I'm still the new guy around here after all gyahaha."
He squeezed her hand to prove that point, he wanted to reassure her that he would be there if she needed him. Though the fact that he was holding her hand hit him and he immediately let go waving his hands around backing up making space. "Ah. Sorry about that! Didn't realize I was still holding your hand back there."
Rika chuckled and walked forward. "It's alright." She reached out and took his hand once more, she wanted to feel that this was real once more. "I don't mind. Thank you very much, Keiichi. Nipa~"
As long as they held hands like this, she knew this was no illusion. The warmth of his hand told her that he was very much real.
Curiosity filled her being.
To think she would feel safe and reassured just by holding a person's hand. She wondered what this feeling was.
No matter, she would just stand here with him watching the fireworks.
They would make grand memories indeed.