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To say that she wasn't a bit surprised would be a lie. Soyo wasn't big on celebrating her own birthday. In fact, most of her bandmates weren't. But a certain pink-haired guitarist would always make a fuss over it. And it didn't help that Anon could easily get Tomori to help her out, and pester Taki enough as well. Raana would go along easily once there were sweets involved.
Soyo still remembered how they tried to surprise her last year. It was so obvious how Anon and Tomori were fidgety the whole time. This year, however, they kept it simple. They just had Taki bring out the cake they prepared.
"Wait. Soyorin, blow out the candles first before we start eating," Anon said when Raana demanded the cake.
"Ha? Do we really need to do that?"
"Of course. It's your birthday after all."
"Should I take a video for you?" Taki teased, smirking at her.
She shot the drummer a glare. "Shut it." Soyo glanced down at the cake in Taki's hand. The candles on it had different pretty colors. "Well then," she said before finally blowing the light out.
They ate the cake together with the usual antics of their band members. Soyo quietly enjoyed this simple celebration. She wouldn't express the half of it, but she appreciated every bit. And maybe it was because of this that she grew a little hopeful. She saved a slice of cake for her mother, hoping to celebrate with her later as well.
"Is Soyo-mama gonna be home tonight?" Anon asked out of the blue.
They were already walking together, as usual, and were about to reach the train station where they would part ways. Anon initially talked about the pastry shop where they got her cake, then got off track and later became about the new cosmetic products Nyamuchi recommended in her vlog. Soyo thought they were long done talking about herself, or her birthday.
"Mother said she would try," she replied, checking her phone briefly for new messages. "Why do you ask?"
Anon eyed the paper bag in her hand, where she placed the cake. Her grey eyes softened before lifting her gaze to her face. "Nothing. I hope she likes the cake, too."
There it was—Anon's knowing attitude and her annoying smile. Soyo felt conflicted about how that smile could make her heart throb. It took her half a minute to avert her gaze.
"Mm," she hummed, holding the phone in her pocket. "She would be exhausted from work. I'm sure any sweet would taste good for her at that point."
"Eeh… Surely your mom would still know if the taste is exceptional. Soyorin got excellent taste buds after all."
Soyo looked at the pink-haired again, raising a brow. "Are you saying I got it from her?"
"Who else would it be? If not her?"
Anon sounded so sure in her statement despite barely knowing about her mother. And while Soyo didn't want to think otherwise, she found Anon's strange confidence so silly, so silly that she didn't even try to stop herself from giggling.
"You're really so carefree, Anon-chan," she said between her giggles.
"What's so funny?" The pink-haired pouted, puffing her cheeks. "I bet you she would love it. Call me later and tell me what she says after eating it!"
"Why do I have to? We don't need to bet on this."
"Even so! I would expect a call later. If you don't call, then I will." Anon grinned, turning towards her again. "Anyway, happy birthday again, Soyorin! Talk to you later~."
Anon had already run off before Soyo could retort.
"So selfish…" she muttered in defeat, but warmth spread inside her chest.
When she got home, Soyo attended to her chores. She cleaned, did some laundry, and cooked. She kept their dinner simple despite it being her birthday. Aside from not having enough ingredients to prepare anything special, Soyo also considered a healthy, easy-to-digest meal.
But as the hours passed, Soyo still didn't get an update from her mother. She had already finished her chores and taken a bath by then and decided to rest for a while.
Her day started filled with birthday greetings from her classmates. The afternoon was spent with her bandmates. This evening was a quiet contrast to them.
"This was just like any other day," Soyo told herself, lying on the sofa.
There was nothing new about her mother getting home late. It wouldn't even be a surprise if she couldn't come home for the night at all. Soyo was used to it. She knew it could be one of those days when her mother couldn't even message her due to back-to-back meetings.
She closed her eyes, tired of looking at the same ceiling. The penthouse her mother got for them was huge. Perhaps too much for the two of them, with how rarely her mother was ever home. Being far above the city, it was all too quiet, save for the sudden grumble of her stomach.
"Should I just eat ahead…"
Soyo felt silly for getting her hopes up. Her birthday was just like any other day. Her mother's work wouldn't allow any leeway just because of it.
Mother is working hard for both of us. I should understand.
She closed her fist as she covered her eyes with her arm.
That's right. I should understand. Because that's how a perfect daughter should be. I can't be anything else.
I already have everything I want. I shouldn't ask for more. And yet…
Her chest tightened, and the heaviness climbed up to her throat.
Even now, some part of her still wanted to wait by the door. But the very thought of wanting was something she didn't deserve.
Her body jolted at the sudden vibration that rang out on her chest. Soyo almost cursed under her breath for placing her phone on her chest. At that point, she didn't want to get her hopes up anymore.
I bet it's finally Mom telling me she can't make it after—
Soyo knitted her eyebrows as soon as she saw the name on the screen. The phone was still buzzing with "Anon-chan" written and her pink lotus display picture.
Oh right. Anon-chan said she would call if I don't…
She tapped on the answer button reluctantly. Anon was only going to ask her about their bet. But there was nothing to say.
"Hello, Anon-chan?"
"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~"
The last thing she expected to hear was Anon's cheerful voice, singing softly to her.
"Anon-chan???"
"Haaaappy birthday, happy birthdaaaay~" Anon's voice swayed as if playing with gentleness.
"Happy birthday, dearest Soyorin~"
She couldn't even see it, and yet, Soyo could almost see Anon grinning from the other line.
"How was that, Soyorin? I knew you wouldn't want it in public. And we didn't get to sing to you last year. So I hoped at least to do so this time."
"Over the phone?"
Soyo was surprised at how her voice sounded like a half-laugh, even more so with how much her chest had lightened. She hadn't realized when she sat up and leaned against the backrest of the sofa.
"What? Didn't I sound good over the phone? Well, of course, I preferred to do it in person with everyone, or even just by myself."
"Mm… I'd say so-so. Your pronunciation is decent, I guess."
Something wet trickled down her cheek, but Soyo made no effort to wipe it away. In fact, she had just realized how wet her cheeks already were. But this one was strange. It tugged at the corners of her mouth and her heart.
"Was the bet just an excuse, Anon-chan?" Soyo asked, despite the slight tremble in her voice.
"W-Well," Anon stammered. "I waited for your call at least. But… A-Anyway! Have you eaten yet?"
A chuckle escaped her mouth. How convenient was this? Just earlier, Soyo was drowning in her thoughts. But now…
"Soyorin?"
This carefree voice of this strange pink-haired girl had somehow kept her afloat, and now… it felt as if the dark, cold ocean was now clear and warm.
"Not yet," she finally responded.
"O-Oh. Umm. Should I drop the call now? So you can eat in—"
"So, Anon-chan is gonna leave me too, after all?" she teased.
The second the words left her mouth, however, her face heated up. Soyo couldn't believe she actually said it. She didn't even understand why.
"Ha???" Anon exclaimed, voice strangely a pitch higher. "Wha? No. I…" she trailed off.
Soyo hummed in confusion.
"I don't want to leave you alone."
If she weren't already red from her own words earlier, Soyo, now, found it impossible to ignore how hot her face felt; she was sure a tomato couldn't compare to her.
She took a moment to compose herself and exhaled. "Then, stay on the line while I eat. You can do that, right?"
Can I really ask for this? A little doubt sprouted in her mind. And yet, Soyo found it easy to say to this girl, at least. Strange, yet freeing.
"Of course! If you don't mind! I have so many stories to tell you! Or maybe I can even play the guitar for you. Anything! It's your birthday after all!"
And they really went on like that. They turned on their camera once Soyo started eating. Anon did most of the talking while showing her some stuff in her room. She found it amusing how there wasn't even a trace of exhaustion in her face. The pink-haired surely had a lot of stored energy.
Soyo didn't know how much had already passed. They were still on a video call even after she was done eating. They both even get ready for bed while on the call.
By the time they both lay on the bed, Soyo was already fighting for her eyes to stay open.
"Good night, Soyorin. Sleep well," were Anon’s last words that barely registered on her mind.
When she woke up the next morning, her mother was lying beside her.
"Mom?"
"I'm sorry, Soyo. Mother broke her promise again."
Soyo took a moment to stare at her mother. The woman was still in her work clothes, dark circles under her eyes.
She came home.
At that moment, Soyo didn't know if it was the morning grogginess or just her finding herself as tired as her mother. Soyo leaned into her mother and wrapped her arms around her.
"Welcome home," she whispered, burying her face into the woman's shoulder.
Maybe, just a little bit… It was my birthday after all.
Her mother stroked her back, gently. "I'm home, Soyo. Belated happy birthday, my dear."
She only hummed in response, basking in her mother's warmth. They stayed like that for a while until Soyo had to start getting ready for school.
They made another promise to spend time together after school. And this time, her mother assured her that she got some time off.
"I'll pick you up later, okay?"
"Okay, Mom. Just rest up for now."
She was halfway out of the door when she remembered something. Soyo turned to face her mother one more time.
"Did you forget something, dear?"
"Ah, no. It's just, there's a slice of cake I saved for you in the fridge. Please tell me later what you think." Soyo smiled before waving at her mother. "See you later, Mom!"
And this time, Soyo allowed her to keep hoping.