Episode 13

“What do you think will be a good gift for Veena, Ze?” Ayumi asked as she continued to look around the store in the shopping mall. She invited Ze, Angi, and Bleex to pick out presents for the upcoming birthday girls

“Just give her a map or compass for f*ck’s sake. A perfect fit for a Lost Girl.” Ayumi's sweat dropped at Ze's suggestion. He’s not entirely wrong. Veena’s trashy sense of direction is getting out of hand.

“Then what about Shion? What do you think a gift would be good for her?” Ayumi said as she spotted a good gift for Veena.

“Why are you asking me when Shion’s best friend, who knows Shion well, is beside you? I’ve been racking my head about Shion’s gift, just so you know.” Ze said as he ruffled his head in frustration

“For Shion, I think something that holds meaning would be fine. Then again, anything practical would suffice.” Angi said as she scanned a few clothes for her best friend’s and Veena’s birthday gift

“Just give them lucky underwear or something.” Bleex suggested as he picked out another sexy red lingerie and a white nightgown with laces

A vein almost popped out from Angi’s temple as she pulled out her phone from her bag and started dialing

“Hello? Is this 911? We have a pervert on a loos-“ Bleex interrupted Angi when he snatched her phone and said his apologies that he will not joke around.

“Anyways, on a serious note, let’s pick out the gifts. Ayumi must have found the perfect gift for the birthday girls since she’s now at the cashier, paying for it.” Angi said as she crossed her arms.

It took them half a day to pick out the perfect presents for the birthday girls. Now that the main agenda is over. The four of them are having their lunch at the food court in the mall.

“Thank you for the treat, Ayumi!” Angi said as she sat down and began eating what she ordered for lunch, which was a carbonara with garlic bread.

“You’re so damn lucky that Shin didn’t come today. That damned glutton will empty your wallet.” Ze stated, and he also began taking a bite of his burrito alongside the nachos

“Aside from the presents, we have a pressing matter at hand.” Bleex nonchalantly said as he also began eating his Pork Tonkatsu Ramen

“And what’s that?” Ayumi asked, arching an eyebrow, then took a bite of her lunch, which was pasta.

“After Shion’s birthday… It will be the preliminary exams.” Bleex said, then gave out a sigh, then the rest followed suit.
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On the eleventh day of May, a wonderful person was born. She’s the best friend of Ayumi Di Cadis and has a trashy sense of direction.

She’s an avid fan of the famous streamer, Papillon, and she recently became the vice president of a newly formed club named AWU Alliance.

Her name is Veena Bisha Mon.

And now that very day has come. Veena finally turned seventeen.

On this special day, the members of AWU Alliance gathered in their clubroom exactly on their lunch break. Ayumi even prepared a cake with Veena’s favorite flavor, chocolate cake.

“Will you please hurry up and blow out the candles? I’m hungry as hell, and I’m losing my mind just to get a slice of that cake.” Shin said as he wiped off his drool on his face.

“I’m about to, okay? Sheesh.” Veena retorted and then blew out the candles.

“Happy Birthday Veena! And Advance Happy Birthday Shion!” Their fellow members greeted them with delight.

On Ayumi’s instruction, each member must bring any kind of food for the celebration except for the birthday girls.

Ze brought gallons of ice cream. Eru brought cookies. Angi brought cupcakes. Bleex brought spaghetti. Lucas brought a whole roasted chicken with rice. Shin brought drinks such as soft drinks and juice.

They began having their lunch. It was a feast and a joyful celebration.

“As expected from a young master. I mean, bringing gallons of ice cream with a variety of flavors? That must be expensive, no doubt.” Veena said while scooping a bit of chocolate ice cream into her cup.

“Just so you know, I bought the icecream with my hard-earned money. Also, I can’t believe we’re now the same age. Damn, hell must have frozen over.” Ze shook his head sideways in disbelief.

Then, he noticed that Shion still hadn't picked out any food from her plate. So, Ze placed a drumstick of chicken on her plate then followed by some cookies and a cupcake.

“Why are you so lost in a daze? You’re also the star of this celebration. So, go on and eat a lot. It’s not every day a girl gets to be sixteen.” Ze stated, and his actions totally caught Shion off guard, and it did startle her.

‘Mad Satan is being nice? To me, of all people?’ Shion thought to herself

“Shin! Here are my special cookies as promised. It’s chocolate chip cookies! You’re favorite.”

Eru handed out a separate batch of cookies to Shin. When Shin received this, he started to get so red from blushing too much and only managed to hum in reply.

Veena noticed that Shin teared up a little bit from too much happiness.

‘Sheesh. I’m surrounded by couples.’ Veena thought as she rolled her eyes in annoyance, or maybe she felt a little lonely?

“H-happy Birthday a-again Veena.” Lucas greeted shyly. It took him a lot of courage for one simple greeting.

Veena smiled and ruffled Lucas’ hair and gave him a pat on his head.

“Thank you, Lucas and hey! You’re not as nervous as you were before. I’m proud of you.” When Veena said this, Lucas smiled and nodded in response.

On the other side of the clubroom, Angi made sure to ask Bleex about something.

“Hey, Bleex! You better not give the birthday girls something perverted, alright? Otherwise, I’ll dismember you.” Angi warned Bleex with a sweet smile.

“What kind of a person do you take me for? Beautiful girls deserve beautiful gifts.” Bleex said as he took a bite of his chicken.

As Ayumi hears this, she once again realizes that Bleex is indeed a crazy flirt.

It was an enjoyable celebration, and all members decided to have the gift opening on Shion’s birthday.

Lunch break is almost over. The members are done with their lunch and have already cleaned up the clubroom.

They went on their separate ways to their classroom. Instead of returning to their first-year classroom. Veena remembered that Sir Aaydan told her to visit the school infirmary.

So, Veena asked her classmates to accompany her to the school infirmary to avoid getting lost and wasting any more time.

-School Infirmary-

When the freshmen AWU Alliance members arrived at their destination. Veena told her classmates to wait by the door since she thought it would be a brief talk with the school nurse.

When Veena entered the room. The school nurse, Sir Aaydan, was busy attending to a student. It seems like the student badly sprained his ankle. Somehow, the face of the student is familiar to her.

Sir Aaydan noticed Veena’s presence, and the student also recognized her.

“Veena! Yo. ‘sup?” The student greeted her as he scratched his cheek. Then realization hit her. That voice, and that habit of scratching the cheek.

“Julius Litch?”

“I see that the birthday girl has already gotten over her bump on her head.” Sir Aaydan said with a chuckle, then proceeded to write an excuse slip for Julius to go home and rest.

“It’s your birthday?” Julius asked Veena, and Veena shyly nodded in response.

Sir Aaydan handed out the slip to Julius, but suddenly, the next thing Julius did just baffled Sir Aaydan.

Julius folded the slip and made an origami of a swan. He stood up and gave it to Veena. "Happy Birthday, Veena."

Before Julius exited the room, Sir Aaydan said:

“Oi! You need the excuse slip to go home; otherwise, your foot will swell. I’ll write another one for you.”

“No need, sir! Thank you.” Then off he goes.

“Silly love-sick boy.” Sir Aaydan blurted out as he scratched his head in frustration, then he looked at Veena. He noticed she just stood there like a stone-cold statue, making a weird expression.

‘aaand there’s also a silly love-sick girl. Oh, youth.” Sir Aaydan thought.