Happy Birthday

-beep. -beep. -beep.

"Ugh." Saturday morning.

I groggily sat up and shut off the alarm on my phone. Sliding out of my cozy sleeping bag, I made sure not to wake Sakura or Kaito, who were still peacefully dozing. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow on the campsite. Stretching my muscles to wake myself up, I noticed Ayumi sitting near the edge of the mountain, her gaze fixed on the breathtaking sunrise.

"Enjoying the sunrise?" I asked as I strolled towards her. Ayumi turned her head, slightly surprised by my company.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," I said with a small smile.

"It’s alright," she replied, her eyes returning to the sunlit spectacle. "I just thought that everyone would still be asleep right now."

"Mind if I join you?" I inquired, indicating the empty spot next to her. She shook her head, offering a welcoming nod. As I settled beside her, I gazed at the ever-changing canvas of colors in the sky, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on my face.

"Last night was fun, wasn’t it?" Ayumi said, breaking the peaceful silence. I couldn't help but smile at the memories.

"It sure was."

"W-what is life like for you?" Ayumi asked, turning her attention to me with genuine curiosity.

"What do you mean?" I replied, intrigued by her question.

"Do you enjoy life? Is it exciting for you?" She elaborated.

"Of course it is," I answered, contemplating her question. "Why would you ask a question like that?"

"Well, it’s just, don’t you get tired from taking care of your siblings?" Ayumi inquired, showing genuine concern. I leaned back on the ground, considering her words.

"I do get tired sometimes," I admitted.

"Have you ever thought of just being free for one day?" She continued. I nodded thoughtfully.

"Of course. It would be nice if I could just not have a single worry," I confessed, closing my eyes momentarily. "But the reason why I don’t need a day off is because seeing them enjoy their life makes me happy as well." I smiled, finding comfort in the thought. "I know even when I’m at work or at school, they’re taking care of each other. Knowing that they’re safe."

"Have you ever forgotten about your own life?" Ayumi asked in a hushed voice. I opened my eyes and met her gaze. 

"What do you mean?" I questioned, trying to grasp the depth of her inquiry. 

"Ah, uh, please don't feel forced to answer that... Sorry for my strange questions," she stood up, brushing off the dirt from her clothes. "Thanks for being here with me," she said, seemingly changing the topic.

"Anytime," I replied, a bit perplexed by the sudden shift in the conversation.

"I’m going to get some breakfast." Ayumi smiled, her eyes brightening with warmth. "See you later."

She started walking away, leaving me sitting on the ground, contemplating her cryptic words. What was that about?

--❦--

"The trip’s finally over," Yujiro sighed as we made our way to the train station. The serene beauty of the mountains still lingered in my mind.

"You look alright from going down the mountain," I remarked, noticing the hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

"Well, going downhill is faster and easier," he replied, trying to hide his fatigue with a faint smile. We entered the station just as the train pulled in, the rhythmic chugging echoing through the platform.

"So what are you going to do later, Haruki?" Aika asked, breaking the silence as I grabbed a ticket inside the train.

"Nothing much. Just need to grab some groceries as we head back," I replied, thinking about the errands that awaited me.

"Need us to take Sakura and Kaito home?" Yujiro offered, showing his usual consideration for others.

"If it’s not a problem, that would be great," I gratefully accepted the offer.

"Not a problem at all," Aika reassured, her kind smile putting me at ease. "There’s not much time left today to do much anyway," she added.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a sense of relief knowing they would take care of Sakura and Kaito's journey back. As the train pulled into the next stop, I started to exit.

"See ya soon!" Yujiro waved, his warm farewell lifting my spirits. I smiled and nodded, appreciating the friendship I had with my companions.

--❦--

By the time I exited the grocery store, the sun was already starting to set, casting a vibrant tapestry of colors across the sky. As I boarded the train, I looked at my phone. Five twenty-eight. I checked my schedule: Camping Trip, is over. Next, my birthday. My birthday? I tapped on the label, and the realization hit me like a sudden gust of wind.

Today is my 18th birthday.

I sighed and shook my head, trying to comprehend how I could forget such an important day. I sat on an empty seat and closed my eyes, the events of the day playing in my mind. I recalled Ayumi's thought-provoking words from the morning:

"Have you ever forgotten about your own life?" Her question lingered, finally understanding what she meant.

Exiting the train as it pulled into my stop, I took a seat on a bench at the station. I reached into my bag and pulled out an orange, deciding to snack on it to clear my thoughts.

"How should I celebrate?" I mumbled to myself, contemplating the options. "I guess I can just go to a restaurant with Sakura and Kaito. Buy a cake or something."

With a plan in mind, I started to walk home, eating the orange as I went.

"I’m home," I said as I opened the door, entering the surprisingly dark room. The lights were off, making me wonder if anyone was even home.

"Surprise!" Yujiro yelled, popping up right in front of me with a party blower in hand. Startled, I stumbled back a bit, and my eyes widened at the sight before me.

"What’s going on?" I asked, bewildered and intrigued. He blew into the party blower, the noise filling the room with excitement.

"Can’t you tell?" Aika walked over, her radiant smile giving me a clue.

"We’re celebrating your birthday!" Yujiro shouted, his enthusiasm infectious as he blew again. 

"Happy birthday, Haruki!" Ayumi appeared from around the corner, and Sakura and Kaito joined the festivities. 

"Happy birthday!" They all chimed in, their faces beaming with joy.

I couldn't help but smile, feeling touched by their thoughtfulness. "Thanks, guys."

"Come on!" Yujiro said, tugging me out the door in a hurry.

"Wait, where are we going?" I asked, caught off guard but intrigued by their sudden plan. He grinned. "We’re going out to celebrate your birthday!"

Sakura and Kaito rushed outside, Aika and Ayumi following suit.

"Where?" I asked, trying to keep up with the excitement.

"Don’t ask questions, Haruki, let’s just go!" Yujiro replied, his enthusiasm infectious. I sighed but smiled, realizing that I was in for a memorable celebration.

"Takashi's Teppanyaki." I read as we entered the restaurant, a sense of anticipation building up inside me.

"A teppanyaki table for six, please," Yujiro requested from the cashier, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Choose anything you want, Haruki," Aika said, her warm voice filled with genuine kindness. As we settled into our seats, the inviting aroma of sizzling food filled the air.

"Yujiro and I will be paying," Aika said, showing their generosity, and I felt a surge of gratitude.

"Guys, you don’t have to. I should be the one who’ll be paying," I insisted, not wanting them to bear the expenses. Yujiro waved a dismissive hand.

"It’s your birthday. Let us take care of payment," he said, a glint of determination in his eyes. I sighed, appreciating their gesture. Ayumi's reassuring smile eased my mind, and I knew I was in good hands.

"I guess we should ‘present’ our presents right now, eh?" Yujiro said with a playful smirk at his pun. His light-hearted humor brought laughter to the table, and Aika couldn't help but tease him.

"It wasn’t that funny," she said, chuckling.

"You guys didn’t need to bring presents," I replied, feeling grateful for their mere presence.

"Nonsense!" Yujiro insisted, a wide grin spreading across his face. "What kind of a birthday would it be if you didn’t get gifts!"

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a small wrapped box, and handed it to me with a flourish.

"Open it!" he encouraged, his excitement infectious. I nodded and carefully started to unwrap the gift. Opening the box, I pulled out a medal. On it was inscribed "Umeji High’s Boxing Champ: Haruki."

"This is technically from our boxing club, but I was the one to suggest the medal," Yujiro explained with pride.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

"Put it on!" Yujiro insisted, and I gladly complied, wearing the medal with a sense of pride.

"I’ll be next then," Aika said, handing me a wrapped package. "I’m sure you’ll like it. I saw it during the fall carnival and thought it would fit you."

Her thoughtful words piqued my curiosity, and I carefully unwrapped the package. Revealed before me was a navy-colored jacket, elegantly designed.

"Wow," I held it up, examining the fine craftsmanship. 

"Nice, isn’t it?" Aika said with a warm smile. I nodded, running my fingers over the smooth fabric. "It looks just like the one my dad had," I whispered, a rush of nostalgia washing over me.

I put on the jacket, feeling the comforting embrace of memories. "It feels quite smooth," I said, expressing my admiration. "Thanks," I said sincerely, appreciating Aika's thoughtful gift.

"Here’s our present, Haruki!" Sakura handed me a huge stone sphere, her eyes shining with excitement. The stone was intricately adorned with constellation stars drawn all over it.

"Did you two draw these?" I asked, amazed by their creativity.

"Of course! This rock has most of the main constellations drawn on it," Kaito explained, his passion for stargazing evident.

"This is amazing! Thanks," I said, touched by the unique and heartfelt present.

"I guess mine’s the last," Ayumi said, holding a small golden keychain with a circle on the bottom. "You can open up that bottom part," she said, intriguing me with her mysterious gift.

I nodded and followed her instructions. As I clicked it open, a small picture unfolded before my eyes. It was a candid shot of all of us on the field at night, taken during our camping trip.

"When was this taken?" I asked, turning to Ayumi with a mix of surprise and appreciation. She shrugged modestly.

"I guess Izumi probably took pictures of everyone during the trip. I got the picture from him," she explained, revealing her resourcefulness. I smiled, realizing that Mr. Izumiya's talents extended beyond astronomy.

"Thank you," I said to Ayumi and to each of my friends, touched by their thoughtful gestures.

"Thanks, you guys," I said, looking at them with gratitude in my eyes. "Not just for this, but for everything."

"It’s our pleasure," Yujiro grinned, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "Let's enjoy the rest of today, eh?" He said as the chef walked over to our table, skillfully placing an array of delicious food on the grill.

I nodded, feeling grateful for the wonderful friends I had and the memories we were creating together. As Aika shared her tales from the Cooking Club and Yujiro sprinkled in his usual jokes, I couldn't help but immerse myself in the joyous ambiance of the moment. For the rest of the day, we talked, laughed, and cherished the camaraderie we shared, making my 18th birthday an unforgettable celebration.