Birthday…? I blinked at her— how did she know it was my birthday? I haven't told anyone around me…In fact, my birthday was not on that day.. Was it the original owner's?
"Happy birthday silly." Melinda's voice rang out behind me— I felt her chin rest on my shoulder as she wrapped her arms around my waist.
I was gone for an hour…? They had a cake on the table that had a couple layers. "H-How did you know it-"
"C'mon, even though we aren't your blood related parents, you think we wouldn't know?" Melinda responded in a doting voice. She let out a small chuckle before holding my stomach tighter. "Happy birthday, your dad and I hope you enjoy it."
"How did you know-?"
"Don't worry about your silly head, Yukina." James said as I felt a large hand on my head. He appeared in my vision, I could see something black in his hands. "Close your eyes, please, this is a gift from- Ow! Hey!"
"It isn't gift time, dad!"
"Yes- Hey! That's my foot!"
Allisa pushed as hard as she could against James. Obviously, his playful tone and reaction was to mess around. He stumbled forward before Allisa took his spot.
She had a bright smile before pulling me down this time.
"H-Hey-! Wh-"
Watch your hands- My ears felt a static shock go through them- what's-
"There! That's how you should look!"
What's- I subconsciously raised my hands to my head— there's a cone on it, as a slight string to hold it there wrapped around my head and chin. Are there party hats in this world?
"Do you not like it?" Allisa asked whilst tilting her head.
I feel so awkward… I tried to scratch my chin. Ow- ow I forgot about that.
"Look! We all do!" Sage popped right next to the dining table. They're still gone- Despite the bright sunny smile she had, I felt the guilt in my heart come back.
Her arm and hand were still missing. Her face had a deep bear claw mark… But why is she so happy-? How could-
"Big sister! You're so tall now!"
"Big sister Yukina!"
Her two children swarmed around my legs. They both had small party hats…
I wanted to say more, but I kept getting interrupted. James had removed his hand a short while ago, and Verd had replaced him. Paired with James warning me not to use my mouth much… I only stood there stupified.
Everyone really came… Even Shaun was here, he only stood in the corner far from others.
"Look! She's smiling! Yukina's smiling!"
Allisa's words caught me out of my stupor and I flicked my head towards her. For some reason my face felt hot when she said that.
After some time, the initial shock disappeared. Allisa grabbed my hand and dragged me towards where the kitchen was. Inside there were boxes… some small, some were large. They were all wrapped in a way.
Meanwhile Zephy, Steph and Verschud were cooking things— well mainly Zephy while Verschud and Steph were causing messes.
Eventually I was dragged outside where everyone was talking to each other. James had his arm wrapped around Verd's shoulder. A gigantic grin was plastered on his face— while Verd gave him a smile.
Shaun stayed in his corner, but gave me a soft wave.
Allisa pulled me towards the other girls.
"So, Yukina, you bought yourself new clothes?" Sage asked me as soon as we stopped walking. I gave her a nod. "They look perfect on you! If I didn't know you I would've thought you were some kind of noble. No wait, you technically are noble huh?"
I mean… Melinda and I locked eyes for a moment before I turned back to Sage. "T-Thanks…"
"Mhm!"
Before long, I felt myself mentally sound out the conversation. They turned to talking about how they were doing— specifically Sage and Melinda… I only caught snip bits… but it seemed Sage was doing good.
Verd was taking care of her daily needs. Such as changing her clothes, feeding her and bathing her. She explained all of these in a guilty manner, her head lowered with each thing.
It even got to the point he sacrificed his sleep just for her. Which… explained the small bags under his eyes.
I'm sure Verd doesn't mind it… I took a glance after she finished.
After I let my curiosity go, I took a spot next to Shen.
"Did you tell them my birthday?" I asked her that. This entire time she was distancing herself from everyone else.
"Yes. Normally birthdays mirror themselves from the one in your past life." Shen explained as her eyes stayed glued ahead. "Then again, I could also tell from your blood."
"... My blood?"
"I could tell when you were born… down to the last minute." Shen tapped her mouth, then continued. "There's a lot from blood I can tell you. Your strengths, weaknesses and if you're sick. That last one would make the blood taste awful, so it's more obvious than the rest."
"First of all… Ew?" I took a step away from her and turned towards everyone else. I physically felt vomit enter my throat whilst digesting that information. "Second, how old am I?"
"Fifteen years old today."
So… this was all planned? Did she plan it? In my heart I wouldn't be surprised… In fact it caused my heart to flutter and jump with the thought.
"Are you enjoying your birthday so far?" Shen leaned against the wall as she asked that.
"It feels different."
"Is that a yes or a no?"
I didn't answer her and leaned on the wall next to her. As I did, the doors to the kitchen flung in. Plate by plate those three brought in food.
There were multitudes of food… mainly different kinds of meats. Just by smell there was bear meat, deer… chicken. They were all cooked to perfection. I felt my mout-
"You're drooling Yukina." Shen seized my stupor. "It's not all for you."
I know… I know… I wiped my mouth. However I cursed internally. I can't eat it.
"Oh, Miss Shen, we brought this for you!" Steph exclaimed while holding a bloodied bowl. Inside were three cuts of various meats. "We heard you can't eat other foods other than raw meat."
Shen nodded before having them set her food on her own table.
Melinda walked towards all the dishes, her arms were wide and a huge smile went on her face. With a loud voice she yelled; "Go ahead and eat as much as you want, everyone!"
Soon, people started gathering their plates. Verschud brought out a variety of different bottles… and glasses of different sizes and shapes. Meanwhile for the kids, he explicitly set down bottles of juices.
I'm jealous… I sat down at a far edge of the dining table to avoid the delicious smells. I watched as everyone started laughing and eating their food.
As I focused on them, Shen waddled to the chair next to me. She held her own food before setting it down in front of her.
"You not eating?"
"Can't."
"Why's that?"
"My jaw, it's badly cracked from training. I can't get it fully healed. The instructor who did it wants me to let it heal by itself." I explained whilst shrugging. "Can't eat meats or anything that requires effort."
Shen stared at me blankly.
"That's dangerous, let me-"
"Can't, agreed already."
"... You need to eat something, you're already very skinny."
"I'm eating—" I felt my jaw pop and a loud crack resounded in my head. Ow-!
"... Come here." Shen pulled my arm so she's eye to eye with me. "Can I just numb the pain?"
"...Yes, please…"