Nine lit candles glowed as three voices chimed in unison at the dining table.
“Happy birthday!”
“Huh, this…” Evin stared blankly, seemingly caught off guard, her mind swirling with questions but only managing to stammer, “W-Why…?”
“Little Tong told us,” Anrou said with a gentle smile.
“Don’t look at me. Ask Tongtong if you’ve got questions,” Yuyu waved off, dodging responsibility.
Don’t dump all the aggro on the main tank; I’m about to pull too much hate!
But honestly, I was the only one who could give a decent explanation.
Meeting Evin’s gaze, I sighed and pulled out the paper I’d picked up at the clothing store.
It was less a note and more an invoice.
“It’s from that shop assistant. A cake shop order, dated today, marked ‘birthday cake.’”
“But what if it was someone else’s birthday…?”
“Then it’s still a tasty cake, and it looks like I guessed right, didn’t I?” I shrugged, pinching her cheek. “So what’s with that look? Shouldn’t you be crying with gratitude?”
But meeting her eyes, now shimmering with unshed tears, her pale blue gaze like falling rain, I faltered.
“Hey, I was kidding! Don’t take it seriously!”
I waved my hands frantically.
But the next second, the petite figure dove into my arms, hugging me tightly.
“So happy, so happy, so happy… I love Anan the most…”
The strange sensation against my chest made my cheeks flush. I almost pushed her away, but seeing her joyful expression, I hesitated and let my hands drop.
“Hey, what about us?” Yuyu’s indignant voice cut in. “I searched forever to find a cake shop for these ingredients!”
“Thanks, Yuyu-jie and Anrou-jie~” Evin, snapping back to her usual self, flashed a sweet smile at them, though her hands didn’t loosen one bit.
“No need,” Anrou smiled warmly.
“Just a thanks for us? Talk about favoritism,” Yuyu grumbled.
“Because I love Anan the most~” Evin didn’t deny it, nuzzling closer to my chest. “She’s just so cute~”
“Wait, you—don’t go too far!”
To my surprise, it wasn’t Evin who interrupted but Yuyu, sounding oddly excited. “Well said! My Tongtong is that cute. Great taste!”
“Of course! Anan’s the cutest in my heart~”
“Not bad, Evin. Wanna join the Anan Cult as vice-leader?”
“I wanna be the leader!”
“No way, that’s me! Besides Tongtong herself, I know her best—habits, favorite foods, height, weight, everything!”
“Then… I know her bust size and favorite panty color. Wanna trade intel?”
This isn’t a spy exchange, and how do you know my bust size? I’m calling the cops!
Thankfully, Anrou, unable to listen anymore, lightly tapped Yuyu’s head in warning, looking exasperated. “Don’t say weird things in front of kids, Yuyu.”
Before Evin could snicker, I bopped her head too. “Don’t gloat. You’re just as bad.”
“I don’t know why you’re not celebrating with family, but let’s put that aside,” I said, ignoring the twin-tailed loli rubbing her sore head pitifully, and placed the cake in front of her. “It’s simple, not like the fancy parties you’ve probably had.”
“No way! This is the best birthday ever because Anan, Yuyu-jie, and Anrou-jie made it for me~” Evin shook her head, her tone unusually serious, her blue eyes sparkling beautifully.
Yuyu and Anrou chuckled softly.
My cheeks reddened. “Stop saying sappy stuff. Blow out the candles and make your wish.”
“Hehe,” Evin winked playfully, blowing out all the candles in one breath and closing her eyes.
It didn’t take long before she opened them again.
“Done?”
“Yup!”
“Then cut the cake,” I said, handing her the plastic knife Yuyu bought.
“Aren’t you curious what I wished for, Anan?”
“Not at all.”
Worrying about her wish was less pressing than whether she’d steal my blanket tonight. Wishes don’t come true anyway—might as well wish a meteor would flatten the school for something more fantastical.
But I didn’t expect her wish to be even more vicious.
“I wished for Anan’s summer homework to triple!”
I froze, then cursed. “Yours quadruples!”
“Hmph, reflect!”
“Super reflect!”
“Ugh, Anan, can’t you be more mature? Stop playing kid games,” Evin teased.
“…Who started it, idiot?!”
Anrou, amused, handed Evin a music box. “Evin, this is your birthday gift. Happy birthday.”
“Here’s mine,” Yuyu added, pulling out a pink plush bear. “I spent ages picking this at the toy store. Anrou’s gift was my pick too—my taste is just that good.”
“Then you’re paying for it,” Anrou teased with a laugh.
“Wait, Anrou-jie, I won’t survive the month like this…” Yuyu whined.
Evin’s sweet thanks eased Yuyu’s pain. “Wow, I’m so happy! Thanks, Yuyu-jie and Anrou-jie!”
But clearly, those gifts weren’t enough for her.
Feeling her expectant gaze, I rolled my eyes and grabbed a small, ornate box. “Here.”
“What’s inside~?” Evin eagerly took it, curious.
“My summer homework.”
Her face fell instantly.
But a moment’s thought would tell her the tiny box couldn’t hold a stack of teacher-assigned workbooks.
“So cute~”
Opening it, Evin was thrilled to find a delicate lace bracelet, slipping it onto her wrist without hesitation.
The sheer lace paired perfectly with her pale skin, looking light and refined.
Kids do love little trinkets like this. I’d picked it out from Yuyu’s photos, and my taste was clearly spot-on.
“Looks like our gifts got outshined,” Yuyu sighed.
“You picked yours,” Anrou reminded, smiling as she handed out cake slices under Yuyu’s dejected look. “Alright, Evin, Little Tong, time to eat.”
Evin, still admiring her bracelet, snapped back at the mention of cake, her eyes gleaming at the chocolate creation.
As I’d said, it wasn’t as fancy or pricey as her past birthday cakes, but it held the most weight in her heart.
It was special.
“How’s the taste of a cake you made yourself?” I asked, watching the blonde twin-tailed loli take a bite, my lips curving slightly.
Her happy, beaming face answered.
“Super yummy~”
…
“But Anan, you put too much sugar in the vanilla cream. It’s so sweet, I’ll get cavities!”
“That was you, idiot!”
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