The Aoyama residence was elegant without being overwhelming—exactly what you'd expect from Riko's home. A manicured garden. A tasteful entrance. The kind of place that whispered "refined" without shouting "wealthy."
Kaito arrived first, because of course he did. Precise. On time. Gift in hand.
Riko's mother answered the door, her smile warm and curious. "You must be Sato-kun. Riko has mentioned you. Please, come in."
He nodded politely and stepped inside.
Hikari arrived next, hoodie firmly in place, gift clutched in her hands. She gave Riko's mother a small nod—the equivalent of a five-minute conversation for her—and shuffled inside.
Yuki was last. Naturally.
She burst through the door like a small hurricane. "RIKO-CHAN! I'M HERE! THE PARTY CAN START NOW!"
And then she froze.
Because standing in the living room, grinning like the mischievous gremlin she was, stood Mei.
Their eyes met.
Yuki's brain processed. Mei's brain processed. The room held its breath.
"Oh no," Yuki whispered.
"Oh yes," Mei replied.
"Mei-chan!" Yuki's voice was strangled. "You're... here! In this house! Existing!"
"And you're an idiot," Mei said flatly. "A total, complete, absolute idiot."
Kaito's hand moved to his face. Not quite covering his mouth, but close.
Hikari's eyes widened slightly—the equivalent of a gasp for her.
Riko looked between them, confusion clear on her face. "Wait. You two know each other?"
Yuki opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Nothing came out.
Mei crossed her arms, enjoying every second. "Well? Explain yourself, Nakamura Yuki. Tell my sister how we know each other."
Riko's eyes narrowed. "Mei. What is she talking about?"
The interrogation had begun.
Yuki cracked first. "OKAY FINE! We met at the mall! Shopping for your gift! She helped us! She's very bossy and knows everything about you and it was actually really helpful but also terrifying!"
Mei nodded approvingly. "Acceptable confession."
Riko turned to Hikari. "You knew?"
Hikari shrugged. "She found us. We didn't plan it."
Riko turned to Kaito. "And you?"
Kaito met her gaze. "It was strategically advantageous."
Riko stared at him. Then at Yuki. Then at Mei. Then back at Yuki.
"You went gift shopping with my little sister. Behind my back. And didn't tell me."
Yuki winced. "In my defense... it was really fun?"
Riko's expression remained unreadable for a long, terrible moment.
Then her lips twitched.
Then she laughed.
Not her polished, social laugh. A real one. Bright and unexpected.
"You're all impossible," she said, shaking her head. "Absolutely impossible."
Mei beamed. "That's love, sis."
"It is NOT—" Riko started, but her parents appeared, saving her from further embarrassment.
"Welcome, everyone!" Her father's voice was warm. "We're so glad you could come. Riko has told us so much about you."
"Exaggerated," Riko muttered.
"All good things," her mother added smoothly. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. We'll bring out the cake shortly."
---
The living room was cozy despite its elegance. Cushions were arranged. Conversations flowed—stilted at first, then easier. Yuki recovered quickly, launching into exaggerated stories about their mall trip that made Mei double over laughing. Hikari contributed occasional deadpan comments that caught everyone off guard. Kaito sat quietly, observing, but his presence was warmer than usual.
Then the cake arrived.
A beautiful creation—white frosting, fresh strawberries, a single candle flickering at its center.
Riko's mother carried it in, singing softly. Everyone joined. Even Kaito, though his version of singing was more like quiet chanting.
"Make a wish!" Yuki urged.
Riko looked at the candle. At the faces around her—real faces, real friends, real warmth.
She closed her eyes.
I wish...
She didn't finish the thought. Some wishes were too precious to speak aloud.
She blew out the candle.
Everyone cheered. Hikari, unexpectedly, had her phone out—camera ready.
"Smile," she said flatly.
Riko blinked. "What?"
"Smile. For photo."
Riko stared at her. Hikari stared back. The standoff lasted exactly three seconds before Riko laughed and posed.
Hikari snapped several photos—Riko with cake, Riko with Yuki making bunny ears behind her head, Riko with Mei mid-argument, Riko glancing at Kaito when she thought no one was watching.
Hikari saw that one. She said nothing. But she saved it.
---
The cake was eaten. The laughter continued. And finally, the moment arrived.
Riko's mother brought out the small pile of gifts, placing them before her daughter. "These are from your friends, dear."
Riko looked at the packages—wrapped with varying degrees of skill (Yuki's was slightly lopsided, Hikari's was simple but neat, Kaito's was museum-quality).
"You didn't have to," she said softly. "Really. Your presence is enough."
"Open them!" Yuki bounced. "Open them open them open them!"
Riko smiled and reached for the first gift—from Yuki.
Inside, nestled in tissue paper, were three matching keychains. Delicate. Cute. One with a tiny fox, one with a cat, one with a bear.
"For us," Yuki explained. "Matching! So we always remember we're friends!"
Riko's eyes softened. "Yuki..."
Next, from Hikari.
She opened the box carefully, revealing a small stuffed cat. Soft. Round. Huggable. Its little face was adorably clueless.
Hikari looked away. "It's stupid. You don't have to—"
"It's perfect." Riko's voice was quiet. "Thank you."
Finally, from Kaito.
The wrapping was flawless. She almost didn't want to ruin it. But curiosity won.
Inside was a full set of stationery—but not the formal, elegant kind she expected. This was cute. Pens with tiny animal heads. Sticky notes shaped like stars and clouds. Notebooks with hidden kawaii covers beneath plain jackets.
Riko stared.
Kaito watched. "Mei provided... guidance."
She looked at each gift again. The keychains. The stuffed cat. The adorable stationery.
Not formal. Not practical. Not what she expected at all.
Exactly what she wanted.
A smile spread across her face—uncontrolled, genuine, radiant. The kind of smile that reached her eyes and warmed the entire room.
"Thank you," she whispered. "All of you. This is... this is the best birthday I've ever had."
Yuki tackled her in a hug. Hikari patted her shoulder awkwardly. Kaito nodded—small, but sincere.
Mei watched from the corner, grinning. Her sister had friends. Real ones.
The unseen birthday was perfect.
(End of Chapter 66)