Birthday recollections [Final Bonus]

As Madoka played with her new Christmas gift, a lock puzzle, memories of Yuni's 20th birthday back in 2024 came flooding back to her.

...

February 1st, 2024,

"I don't get it!" Madoka agonized as she stared at a small chest full of keys.

""The key to the lock is within the small chest, find the lock's key within the chest's shadow." is what the clue says," Serika grumbled.

"There's nothing in the shadow, and there are way too many keys, ahh! we'll never be able to try all of them in time!"

Yuni meanwhile continued to repead the riddle to herself. "In the chest's shadow, in other words the chest's double," she said as she opened the false bottom of the chest and discovered a silver key and a gold key alongside the next clue.

Before Yuni had a chance to read the clue, she heard Madoka shout,"Dekimashita!"

Yuni turned to look and noticed that the lock had been opened.

"Mado-chan, did you open that lock on your own?" Emeri glared.

"Uh... I got it first try," Madoka nervously stuttered.

"Impossible, the key is right here there's no way you could have opened that lock normally," Yuni glared.

"Busted," Serika glared.

"B- But it's how I escape," Madoka protested.

"Some of the fun of an escape room is figuring out the clues for ourselves. Then again, we've been through so much that I don't mind escaping as fast as possible," Yuni smiled.

"Heh, I mainly came to escape rooms to speedrun them anyway."

"Well, that's the Madoka we all know and love," Serika laughed.

"I guess I can forgive you. Now speedrun so we can get out of here and go eat something," Emeri smiled.

"I'm on it! Witness the great Escape Witch, Gindini-chan's brilliant escape!" Madoka smiled.

...

"Oi, why are you styling my hair in twintails!?" Serika growled as she sat on the bed. 

"Cause it's twintail day, Nee-san," Yuni smiled as the clock struck midnight.

"You look cute, Serika. Here, I'll do my hair and Mado-chan's too," Emeri smiled.

"Funny how you were born just a day before," Fubuki smiled.

"I was so glad to finally celebrate my birthday with you again. But I also enjoyed celebrating it with Nee-san, Madoka, and Emeri."

"And what about us?" Nika glared as she walked by with Kumi.

"You too."

"Well, hope you enjoyed your birthday. I'm gonna get some sleep."

"That escape room was really cool, though how'd you get out so fast?" Kumi asked.

"I had the escape Witch Madoka Gindini-chan on my side," Yuni smiled as she laid down on the bed next to a sleeping Madoka.

...

"Whatcha thinking of, Madoka?"  Yuni asked. 

"Ah, just your birthday a year ago," Madoka smiled back. 

"That reminds me of your birthday a year ago."

...

March 24th, 2024,

"It's my birthday!" Madoka exclaimed.

"Can't believe it's already been a year since your birthday in Venice," Serika nodded.

"I wonder what auntie's gonna do for you this year," Emeri pondered.

"I wonder if it will be something small-scale this time," Yuni pondered.

"No, auntie always goes big. Though she actually didn't cue me in on what she had planned, which does concern me a bit."

"Thank you all for waiting. Madoka, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Harumi smiled as she wheeled out a cake filled with crepes.

"YAY CREPES!" Madoka smiled as she dove into the cake.

"That's not all, you're booked to perform a magic show at the restaurant this evening."

"EVEN BETTER!"

"I hope she doesn't get kidnapped after it," Yuni nervously thought.

...

Madoka took a bow and headed over to her table. "Welp, I didn't get kidnapped," she grinned.

"I guess that dumb clown finally died. Speaking of which, you rarely get kidnapped if at all nowadays," Emeri noted.

"Yeah, I wonder why."

"Guess your infamy as the world's greatest Escape Witch has struck fear into the hearts of kidnappers," Yuni giggled.

"That sounds more like wishful thinking. I thought you were supposed to be a genius," Serika grumbled.

"Don't be so sour, Onee-san."

"I'm not. Welp, to our lovable Escape Witch, Madoka," Serika smiled as she raised a glass.

"And Crepe goddess!" Madoka chimed.

"To our Escape Witch and Crepe goddess, Madoka!" Everyone smiled.

...

Back in the present, Madoka began to gloat. "Ah, the cheers, thanks for reminding me." 

"When Ryokoma opens back up again tomorrow, we'll get you some good crepes," Yuni smiled. 

[End]