"Happy birthday, Shinobu."
Birthday?
Shinobu's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and only then did she slowly come to her senses.
So, it was already her birthday?
She had forgotten.
That such a day even existed.
Ever since her older sister died, Shinobu felt there was nothing to celebrate. Aoi had tried to organize a birthday party for her before, but she had refused. Unable to do anything else, Aoi would stubbornly cook red bean rice on that day.
Together with Kanao and the three little girls, they would secretly place their prepared gifts on her desk.
It was only then that she would vaguely think, she had lived another year.
And now, she heard Yoizumi's blessings in his voice.
He was happy for her birth.
"Am I the first to wish you a happy birthday?" Yoizumi asked softly.
His voice, mixed with the night wind, flowed into her ears.
Shinobu lowered her gaze, her beautiful wisteria eyes fixed on their clasped hands. She nodded slightly, her soft voice filled with surging affection.
"Yes, you are the first~"
Yoizumi smiled happily, like a child who had received a reward.
"That's great."
He extended his left hand, which he had kept behind his back, revealing an exquisite gift box before Shinobu's eyes.
Yoizumi solemnly presented his gift.
"Shinobu, a birthday gift."
Shinobu took Yoizumi's gift with both hands, her fingertips gliding over the gift box that was clearly meticulously cared for, and lowered her eyes.
She had received another gift from Yoizumi.
Even though he had already given her more than enough.
Shinobu's heart was filled with sweetness, as if all her fatigue had vanished at that moment.
"May I open it and see?"
"Of course," Yoizumi said noncommittally, gazing intently at Shinobu.
His sapphire eyes were filled with her, his lover whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
The longing of separation was so hard to bear. Now that he saw Shinobu again, Yoizumi couldn't bear to look away for even a moment.
Hmm... Shinobu was sleeping just now, and her hair was down. He might not be able to see her with her hair ornament on.
But it didn't matter. Just seeing Shinobu was enough joy for Yoizumi.
Untying the ribbon and lifting the lid, an exquisite peach wood hairpin came into Shinobu's view.
"I made this. Do you like it, Shinobu?"
"Mm... I like it..." How could Shinobu not like it? She picked up the peach wood hairpin; its smooth and delicate texture in her hand had none of the rough feel of wood. A small rose adorned its end.
Seeing Shinobu staring at the rose, Yoizumi spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"Sorry, this is already the most realistic one I've carved."
"It's very beautiful..." Gently caressing the wooden hairpin, Shinobu sighed softly.
Slowly raising her hand, she held the wooden hairpin before Yoizumi's eyes. Shinobu chuckled, her lips curving into a beautiful smile as she said in a pleasing voice,
"Yoizumi~ Help me put it on."
Yoizumi took it and stared at Shinobu's flowing hair.
"But Shinobu is currently..."
Shinobu turned her head, making space, her voice soft.
"Then Yoizumi, help me comb my hair."
"Okay..."
Clutching the wooden hairpin in his hand, Yoizumi followed Shinobu into the room.
Seated before the dressing table, Shinobu looked at herself in the mirror, her face filled with uncontrollable joy. How many times had she forced herself to smile in front of the mirror, trying to be exactly like her older sister?
But now, it seemed she didn't have to anymore.
Sister, would you like my smile now?
The cool touch of his fingers on her neck startled Shinobu back to reality. She looked at Yoizumi through the mirror. The person who used to clumsily comb her hair was now skilled.
After putting on the butterfly hair ornament, Yoizumi had done a very good job with tonight's hairstyle. Yoizumi lowered his head, carefully inserting the peach wood hairpin.
Shinobu tilted her head, and after seeing it clearly, let out a barely audible soft chuckle.
The butterfly had more wooden branches to perch on.
Mmm... it was just as he imagined Shinobu would look with it on...
Beautiful.
"Is there anything else you want to say, Yoizumi?" Shinobu turned around and looked up at Yoizumi.
Automatically kneeling on one knee, Yoizumi looked up, a rare hint of bashfulness in him.
?
Shinobu raised an eyebrow in confusion. She just wanted to hear Yoizumi praise her; why was he acting like this?
He raised his hand and gently held Shinobu's hand, enveloping it in his palm.
"Hoo..." Yoizumi exhaled, then gazed steadfastly at Shinobu and said,
"Shinobu, it's truly wonderful that you were born."
"It's truly wonderful that I fell in love with Shinobu."
"It's truly wonderful that Shinobu would like me like this."
Yoizumi spoke his feelings, word by word.
Eh...!
Why was he suddenly saying such embarrassing things?
Shinobu was caught off guard and felt dizzy from Yoizumi's few words. She shyly wanted to cover her face with her hands but realized both her hands were in Yoizumi's.
Yoizumi's gaze was fixed on her, and she had nowhere to hide.
Left with no choice, Shinobu turned her head slightly, the tips of her ears exposed to the air were so red they looked like they might bleed, and a blush spread across her fair face.
"What's wrong?" Yet, someone, oblivious, followed Shinobu's movement, leaning his head closer.
"You..." Turning her head to the other side, Shinobu warned him without much intimidation, "Don't... don't look at me! Close your eyes!"
"Ah... oh." Yoizumi obediently listened to Shinobu and closed his eyes.
"Let go," Shinobu said, wiggling her hands.
Releasing her hands, he placed both hands on his knees. Then Yoizumi felt Shinobu's hands on his face, and the wisteria scent unique to Shinobu filled his nostrils.
Shinobu applied a slight pressure with her hands, lifting Yoizumi's face. He acutely felt Shinobu's proximity, which blocked out the dim indoor light. Shinobu's hair brushed against his skin, leaving a ticklish sensation, followed by a light kiss on his cheek.
Along with the kiss, there was a soft murmur.
"Idiot..."
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