[ Otani Residences ]
Today was Eiko's birthday, celebrating a year since she was born.
Amano's family insisted that they should host the birthday celebration. The money that Amano sent them allowed them to look for more viable options until eventually they landed something stable. They wanted to repay their daughter's kindness as well as be able to spoil little Eiko for the whole day.
Mihara wanted to argue at first, but relented when she heard their reasons, as well as Ahito complaining that they wouldn't have enough room to celebrate properly. She vented her surface-level annoyance at Amano, who only laughed at her expense behind the camera.
Amano said that they should buy a bigger house than her parents' if she wanted to silence her brother's teasing. Mihara thought she was joking, but seeing the gears turn in her friend's face, she knew it would only be a matter of time, especially with their semimonthly pay of absurd amounts of dollars.
The celebration was going to be conducted in the backyard. The theme was an old cartoon that Eiko expressed she really liked, called Pokémon. Kamuki was responsible for all of the designs with the men in the family, and Mihara, with her quirk, did the heavy lifting. It looked more like a debut than a normal birthday party, and Eiko was all for the extravaganza.
Kamuki invited the nearby neighbors as well, with Mihara's consent. Everyone was already familiar with Mihara as well as Eiko whenever they would visit the neighborhood.
With the decorations going smoothly, it was only a matter of time before the party would start. Mihara and Kamuki were in Amano's childhood bedroom to prepare the birthday girl for her party. The celebration was going to start just as the sun was setting, so that the lighting system that Kamuki had painfully set up was going to be the center of attention outside of Eiko.
Eiko wore an adorable dark red dress, the sleeves stopped just before her elbow, but there were slits cut under her armpit for better mobility. The skirt was short, stopping just above her knees, and flared out like a tutu. Her hair was tied into a braided updo to keep it away from her face. And finally, she wore white sneakers. Mihara knew that Eiko would be all over the place to greet the guests and do whatever it was that she wanted, so she wanted Eiko to look pretty while being comfortable in what she was wearing.
By the time the sun was setting, she was already in place to begin her spectacle. Her mother and Kamuki had already joined the audience in the backyard, while she was left in the house with her escorts. Kaito, Amano's father, and Ahito looked at her with fondness, with Kaito looking close to tears as he looked down at the child.
Both men wore black suits with ties and dress shirts that matched Eiko's dress. Kaito wore his hair professionally, slicked back to showcase his square face that closely resembled Amano. While Ahito tied his hair into a low bun, some curly strands slipped loose. They looked like a perfect representation of the shield and the spear.
Ahito kneeled in front of her before he started stretching her cheeks with a teasing smile, prompting Eiko to giggle and complain. "Look at you all grown up!" He let go just as her face was getting red. "Don't forget about your Uncle Ahito, alright?"
"You're so dramatic, Uncle." Eiko rolled her eyes.
"Stand, Ahito. Your mother will have your neck if she sees that you're tracking dirt on your rental."
Ahito was quick to follow his father's advice and fixed himself to look more professional.
Eiko followed Kaito's gaze outside the glass sliding doors to find her grandma giving them the signal to start their entrance.
"Looks like we're starting." Ahito pointed out the obvious. He held his hand out for Eiko as he said, "Are you ready, kiddo?"
Eiko didn't reply verbally, but she held both of the men's hands as they opened the door for her and entered the backyard.
She felt everyone tear their eyes away from what they were doing to look at her. She walked along a red carpet under the grass. Once they reached the archway, the men let go and let her walk until she reached the little stage at the far end of the backyard.
As her gaze swept across the crowd, she sighed inwardly. This ceremony was incredibly fancy for someone celebrating being a year old.
She spotted her mother in the crowd and smiled. If this is what makes mom happy, then I would go with it.
The plan was to let Eiko be on the stage for a couple of professional photos. However, the photographer they hired paused when Eiko began speaking.
"My family worked hard to get everything together. They've been planning for this party for a long while, and the fruits of their labor are seen throughout every corner of today's events. My Aunt Amano, despite not being here because of her work overseas, contributed in moral and financial support to give me a party that I will remember. All this to say, thank you. To my guests. My family. My aunt. And especially, to my mother."
Years of leading her Kingdom, it felt appropriate to say something when the crowd's attention was on her. However, the surprised look on her family's face did make the whole ordeal feel embarrassing. Especially when her grandma started squealing halfway and recording what she was doing.
It was an unusual sight for a one-year-old to be giving speeches. However, Eiko's words pierced the part of the adults that gushed at children for achieving great things at their age. Applause and coos rang in the crowd, diminishing the serious tone of her speech.
The photographer finally got to do his job. He took solo pictures of Eiko on stage before her family joined in, and eventually the guests.
After the pictures were taken, Kamuki finally brought out the food. Everyone was allowed to eat however many they wanted; she wanted tonight to be a proper celebration.
Before Eiko could get caught up in the chaos of the party, she heard a familiar voice greet her.
"Happy birthday, Ei!"
Her hopes died down a bit when she saw that her aunt Amano was still stuck inside a computer screen, but she smiled at her nonetheless and approached. "Auntie! Did you see my speech?"
"You were adorable up there. I watched the whole thing!"
Eiko's cheeks tinged with red. "I was?"
Amano laughed. "Why are you suddenly clamming up? You were so confident just now!"
"Amano, don't tease Eiko on her birthday," Mihara said from behind. She was the one holding the laptop up to make sure her friend had a great view of the venue and her daughter.
"I can't help it! It's been a while." Amano said, "Now! Put me down, let me see the two of you fully. I want my own picture. My phone is due for a new wallpaper."
Mihara rolled her eyes but did as she was told. She propped the laptop on a nearby table with a couple of books to catch her height. She fixed her jewelry and dress before turning around and picking Eiko off the ground.
She huffed, looking at her daughter accusingly. "You're growing far too fast for my taste, my dear."
Eiko looked at her with great offense, prompting both adults to laugh at her face.
Mihara, projecting her inner-Amano, started to litter Eiko's face with lipstick stains. She knew there would be trouble with Kamuki, but she would somehow deal with it. Her prize came in the form of Amano belly-laughing at the sight of them.
"Moom!" Eiko complained, indignated. She tried to wipe away some, but it only smudged the lipstick on her skin, prompting Amano to laugh even harder.
"Don't tease her, she said! Oh, this is precious!"
Mihara glared at her friend playfully, "Stop laughing, you oaf. Take the picture, your mother is going to steal Eiko soon to show around the guests."
"Alright, alright..." Amano said in between laughs, even as she took the picture, she was still chuckling. Eiko tried to pose for the camera, but her annoyance with both of her caretakers was reflected in the picture that Amano took.
"You guys are the worst..." She mumbled with her arms crossed.
This prompted Mihara to completely cover her face with lipstick.
"M-mom! Stop! Stop it!" Her suffering complaints died down when she fully listened to her aunt's laughter. By the end of Mihara's kiss attack, she was giggling on her own.
"Oh my God!!!" Kamuki's voice shrieked as she took in the scene in front of her. She glanced between her daughter and Mihara before she devolved into a puddle of laughter once she took in the state of Eiko's face.
"Grandma! It's not funny!"
Kamuki straightened up. She treated Eiko's words with a heavy nod as she heaved Eiko into her arms. "You're right. Grandma won't laugh anymore. Let's get you cleaned up before dinner." She turned to her daughter and Mihara. "You two enjoy the party."
Mihara waved politely before turning to her best friend. Her face cracked with a wide smile. "I think I'm in trouble later."
"With my mother? Are you kidding me? She would let you get away with murder and help you hide the body! She's more your mother than mine!"
"You exaggerate."
As the two devolved into a silly argument, Kamuki made sure to efficiently clean up Eiko. By the time they were done, the guests were huddled on the long table, talking amiably with one another.
Kamuki left Eiko in Kaito's care as she went around to greet the guests and talk about the food she had prepared.
Kaito softly petted her hair. "How's the party so far, little Ei?"
"I like that everyone's having fun." She eyed the curry from a few plates away. "I'm hungry now."
Kaito helped her fill her plate with food. Since he ate before the event, he made sure that he piled enough to fill Eiko's growing appetite.
Eiko was in food heaven. Kamuki made sure that there were plenty of Eiko's favorite dishes. She was infinitely grateful for all of her loved ones' efforts to make tonight special for her. It felt different from the parties and celebrations that would be thrown in her honor from her past life. Despite the large crowd, it still felt personal. A life that she didn't think she would get to experience.
After she had had her fill of the food, Kamuki went to the stage and began the games for both children and adults. Eiko participated in some, but she was more comfortable cuddling with her grandpa than going out and sweating with the other kids.
Kamuki was an amazing game host. She kept the atmosphere up and provided a balanced comedy that both children and adults enjoyed.
The next segment was the gift giving, marking the end of the party. Families lined up to give Eiko their presents, each of them said their piece of congratulations, as well as a thank you for inviting them to the party. Eiko received each gift with a polite smile and a few kind words when needed.
By the time the last families exited the premises, the small technical team that Kamuki had hired started to clean up and pack their things away. Eiko was handed off to her mother so that Kaito could help with the process.
Mihara led Eiko to Amano's childhood room to change out of her attire and get ready for bed.
Mihara carefully brushed her daughter's hair. "Did you enjoy today's party?"
"Yeah! Thank you, Mom!"
"Anything for my little girl." She said as she kissed her cheek, this time there was no lipstick stain. "Are you ready to open your presents?"
In a louder voice, she exclaimed. "Yes!"
When they arrived at the living room, the backyard was back to its open space. The technical team was nowhere to be found. Everyone was gathered in the living room with a pile of presents.
The Otani family was huddled by the TV, talking amiably with Amano, who was still on the call, but now her face was displayed on the smart TV, asking about how life on I-island was treating her.
Eiko was a blur as she ran and jumped on her grandpa's back, catching them off guard. His musculature stopped Eiko dead in her tracks, and he used his huge arms to pull her onto his lap to sit comfortably on the floor.
"There's my little firecracker!" Amano said, her large face splitting into a wide, cheeky smile. "You're wearing the water dragon onesie I bought you~"
Eiko crossed her arms with a small pout. "Mom didn't bring any other clothes."
Mihara raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Seriously? As if you haven't been wearing everything that your aunt has been sending over."
"Mom! You promised not to tell her!"
Mihara chuckled, "Well, I'm not about to stand around while you pout at your aunt."
Kamuki cleared her throat and glanced at the little family with a knowing look, "You three can settle this in the future; we have all of these presents to open!"
Mihara was tasked with handing Eiko each present from the pile. Kamuki was there to take photos and videos of Eiko's reactions. Amano reacted along with Eiko. Kaito was a quiet chair. Ahito handled categorizing the opened gifts into boxes that Kamuki had prepared beforehand.
They watched in fascination at the efficient work that Eiko did on the gift wrappers. Despite her little fingers, she was able to open gifts without much difficulty.
Eiko often received gifts from her old life, but she never got to open them like this. Surrounded by her loved ones, she personally got to see what was inside the box and bags. It was a welcoming experience, elevating the whole scene.
The gifts ranged from trinkets to dresses to different toys. Every gift she cherished with a smile before handing them to her uncle Ahito.
Time trickled, and it wasn't long before it was time to open gifts from their little family.
Ahito brought her an expensive Rubik's Cube. With his new job, he was able to spoil his little niece with something that he knew she would enjoy. He hinted at the possibility that Eiko might be an international speed cuber someday.
Kamuki and Kaito gifted the mother and daughter each a bike. As soon as Eiko saw the gifts, she zoomed around the items to check them out. Mihara tried to reason with the parents. She felt too indebted to them already and didn't want to keep taking than what she was already given. It didn't last long. Amano managed to convince her somehow and saved Kamuki from a long speech about family.
Eiko was happy that she would get to ride a bike with her mother. Maybe even on her own if her mother would allow it.
***
a/n: I think I'll stop using AI to check for grammar and use grammarly instead. Let me know how this feels while reading it :D (grammarly said this chapter has an average clarity rating so i will work to improve that)
Apolegies for the lack of uploads, had a lot of tasks to do with uni. will try to upload every other day if my schedule could allow it