Cloudy birthday morning

Raiko woke up with a strange feeling: She did wake up on her own, peacefully. Outside of the room it was quiet, with only the chirping of the birds ensuring she hadn’t gone deaf. Something wasn’t right.

Hayato didn’t come to wake her up, why?

As she went outside, the sky didn’t look right either, it was full of dark clouds. They have been there for a week, but still no rain. They had to be waiting for the ceremony, she could feel it. That’s right, the ceremony!

Today was her big day, her birthday. After five long years, Raiko will finally become a purifier and protect her town from any apparition that showed up.

Even if she was feeling sleepy, she was disappointed at herself for forgetting something this important, but quickly forgot that and became really excited instead, it was today!

However, it was still too early for that, the longest day in five years was today, as the ceremony wouldn’t take place until night, and she had just woken up. She had no clue about what time it was, but it was probably still in the morning.

There were other priorities to deal with at the moment.

Such as having breakfast.

She headed to the kitchen to find it almost empty, even her uncle was not there, Hayato and Aoi were at school, Hanako was at work, and her mother probably was as well. The only one in there besides her was her father, who greeted her with a big smile.

“Good morning Raiko, happy birthday!”

“Morning, were you waiting for me?”

“Of course I am, my daughter is not making her own breakfast on her fifteenth birthday.”

“That’s very nice of you.” She said as she hugged him.

The man headed to the kitchen and began to do what he promised to do. He had a few slices of fresh bread already set aside for her, he also bought beef jerky, which he expected she would like. The most important thing was to boil three eggs, she had to be especially well fed today.

“By the way, your mother will come back early today.”

“Eh? Is it fine for her to just leave her work like that?”

After all, she was the only doctor in the village, anything from a headache to childbirth was her responsibility. The situation brought up memories of the many times the villagers came to their home in the middle of the night out of some emergency.

“It's okay, she said she doesn't have any important patients today anyway.” Her father said as he was brewing tea. “Speaking of which, don't you want to go to town for the day? We have to prepare for today's party.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I’m stuffed with food.” Raiko sat dramatically.

“I wouldn’t allow something like that, of course, just wait a bit.”

It was good to know she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait until the night. Her father was the most excited when she was chosen as a purifier, he even accompanied her for her training sessions when he was out of work. Watching her work hard on her physical training and on study for all these years, it was as important for him as it was for her.

Raiko began to think on the long days of training, no matter whether it was sunny, raining, or snowing, she worked hard to ensure her body could endure the danger of battling apparitions. Long study sessions bored her to death, but she still did everything she could to keep up with that as well. Today, all that effort will finally bear fruit.

The sound of a ceramic plate broke her focus, a particularly generous breakfast invaded her senses, inviting her to forget about the upcoming events just a bit. She sliced the eggs and put them into the bread as she always did, but the jerky and seasoning herbs turned her everyday breakfast into a divine blessing.

Her father watched her in silence, she deserved to enjoy her meal in peace. At least that’s what he thought, Raiko was not the kind that would be disturbed if someone talked to her while she was eating.

He was not sure if he had outdone himself this time or she was particularly hungry, but she devoured her food in silence as if she hadn’t eaten in a week. The instant she was done she drank her tea with the elegance of a hyena, put the cup down, and smiled radiantly.

“It was delicious, thank you.”

“I’m glad you liked it, it has to make up until your birthday party.”

“You're even more excited than I am.” Raiko giggled.

“It can be helped, having a daughter becoming a purifier is any father's dream, and you're the first of our town, too, I couldn't be any more proud.”

“Night can't arrive soon enough, I can't wait anymore!”

If anything, neither of them could wait for the night. However, preparations had to be done, and they had plans they had to stick to. Raiko’s father spoke in a calm manner.

“Even then.” Raiko's father picked up his daughter's dishes. “You should go, your mother said she wanted it to be a surprise, even if the entire village knows by now.”

“Fine, but I'm only doing this because you insisted on me, okay?”

“Have fun out there!”