・・・ lvii ・・・

The living room had been redecorated.

Now, balloons were on the wall and the floor.

Dozens of streamers lined the ceiling.

A large cloth was draped over the fireplace,
saying 'Happy 18th Ao!'

The table was laden with delicious-looking food.

In the center was a multi-layered chocolate cake.

Even the wall speakers were singing a birthday song.

But none of those were the ones that surprised Ao the most.

The first person that he noticed was Fujiwara Monica.

She was sitting on the couch, offering him a small smile.

When their eyes met, she nodded in acknowledgment.

Beside her, however, was Ao's father.

  ・・・ lvii ・・・

Ao blinked slowly.

This was the first time that he had been surprised like this.

For a few seconds, he couldn't believe what was happening.

Everyone he cared about was there.

Ame.

Leo.

His stepmother.

... Dad.

In that moment, all his uneasiness faded away.

There was only one person he knew who could have made this possible.

Ao turned to Ame.

Ame looked at him.

She smiled.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Blow the candles!"

  ・・・ lviii ・・・

He did.

When they were snuffed out,
Ame and Leo started singing the birthday song in English.

They clapped their hands, intentionally singing off-key.

They sounded clumsy and horrible and bad.

Unable to keep it in,
Ao laughed at them.

It was a good laugh.

One that wasn't forced or artificial.

Afterwards, Leo sliced the cake and handed them a plate each.

As he did, Ao glanced at the edge of his vision as he handed a plate to his father.

Ao expected Fujiwara Kyousuke to decline the food.

After all, his father was never the one to eat on any celebrations.

In fact, Ao had never even seen him eat a cupcake before.

However.

Surprisingly,
unexpectedly,
Fujiwara Kyousuke held out his hand and accepted the plate.

Ame was grinning.

Leo was smiling.

Ao felt something warm take root in his chest.

Ah...

This is...

In that instance, a selfish thought passed over his head.

Is this... happiness?

Ao thought too soon, however.

  ・・・ lix ・・・

Ring-ring-ring-ring.

The sound of a phone call suddenly echoed in the living room.

Everyone turned quiet as Ao's father answered it.

"Yes. This is Fujiwara. What is it?"

He spoke, his voice filled with authority.

"I see... Alright. I see. I'll check on it now."

He ended the call with a single press of the button.

Then, he made another.

"Hello. I need a car. Right now. We're heading back to the company. Inform my secretary, tell her I need to see the list from yesterday. Be here in less than five minutes."

Afterwards, he moved to stand up.

When he did, Ame stopped him.

"Dad... Where are you going?" she asked.

The room was suddenly so quiet.

In the background, the birthday song that played from the speakers seemed irrelevant.

Fujiwara Kyousuke answered her with two words.

"I'm leaving."

Ao froze.

He didn't look up to see his father's face.

Ame frowned.

"... Huh? But we haven't even given him any gifts yet. And our messages."

Ao's father shook his head.

"No, I have no time for that. I need to go back to the company now."

"But—"

"—Just continue without me."

  ・・・ lx ・・・

"That isn't—"

Without even waiting for Ame's reply,
Fujiwara Kyousuke had turned around and started walking towards the door.

Ame stood up quickly and followed after him.

She didn't even look back as she did.

Ao opened his mouth when he realized what she was trying to do,
wanting to say something to make her stop.

No. It's okay.

It's enough already.

Just let him leave.

But the words were stuck in his throat.

He didn't know what to do.

Ao looked at Leo for help.

His childhood friend looked unsettled.

However, he gave Ao an expression that seemed to say one word.

Go.

Ao decided to stand up.

He didn't even think of what to do or say to Ame. To his father.

It didn't matter.

Hesitantly, he also headed outside.

It was a mistake, however.

  ・・・ lxi ・・・

"Are you just leaving like this?"

Ao paused at the doorway, surprised.

Ame was a few steps in front of him.

She... almost sounded angry.

Ao's father shook his head.

"Yes. I can't stay any longer."

"Why? Because you're busy? Because of work? Can't you just postpose it until tomorrow?"

His father turned to her.

The car was already waiting for him outside the gates, door opened.

"Enough. You are being too childish. I agreed to this in the first place because of you. You know I don't care about these kinds of events. I am busy. This is important."

"You don't—" Ame stopped herself.

"Dad... Is your work... more important than your son's own birthday?" she asked. "Ao just turned eighteen. Can't you at least greet him?"

Ao's father paused before getting inside the car.

Then, he looked back to face her.

As he did, he noticed Ao standing there.

Immediately, his expression darkened.
Immediately, his tone changed to spite.

Fujiwara Kyousuke uttered a single sentence,
knowing full well that Ao could hear him.

"I don't have a son."