Chapter Text
“Happy birthday, Yuu!” the chorus cheers. Yuu is seated at a wooden table, in front of a pink cake crowned with weeping candles. Across from them, two taller figures, their faces foggy from memory, hold their phones up to their eager smiles. The warm light of the room feels like a hug, holding the three of them together.
“Come on, Yuu,” a deep voice urges, “Make a wish!” What to wish for, they wonder. They close their eyes. Tight. With a forceful blow, the flames slither into thin wisps of smoke. One of the figures rises from the chair to give something to Yuu.
“Here, Yuu,” the feminine voice says, handing them a wrapped present, “Open it!”
Yuu tears away the green gift wrapping, revealing a magenta velvet-bound book. Yuu gasps, brushing their fingers across the cover.
“You really got it!” they exclaim, squeezing the figure tightly, “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“I’m sure it doesn’t compare to my gift,” the figure with a deeper voice replies. They approach Yuu with their hands behind their back with a wide smile. The figure hands Yuu a game cartridge case. The characters seem to be popping out of the case; with its vibrant colors splashed and splotched all over it.
“The sixth sequel? I thought those were hard to get!” Yuu exclaims.
“We’re so happy you enjoyed the presents!” they both exclaim, squeezing Yuu tightly. They’re completely immersed in the warm tingly feeling, yet they feel as light as a feather. Yuu sighs, all of the tension alleviating from their muscles. They gently close their eyes to relish for just one moment.
When they open them again, the two figures are nowhere to be found.