落とし穴番外：霧の華が咲いた日 (Part2)
It is the Master’s command, and above all, it is a meal with my dear sisters, Aslin and the others. There is no reason to refuse.
"Understood. If it is an order, I have no choice. Let us head home together."
"Yup."
"We are going home."
And so, my plans for dining out were changed, and I returned home feeling the warmth of my sisters on both sides of me. However, an unexpected sight awaited me there.
It was...
"Is this... a cake?"
In the banquet hall, while still sandwiched between my sisters, I saw a large cake sitting prominently on display. If this were a dinner for the Master and his wives, a cake of this size should not be sitting out like this. Cake is strictly a dessert, something served after the meal, not something displayed from the very beginning.
As I tilted my head in confusion at this mysterious situation, the wives began to enter the banquet hall one after another.
"Oh, Kirika. You’re already back?"
"Yes, Seraria-sama. I had actually hoped to finish a bit more paperwork, but I was called by Aslin-aneesama and the others, so I came straight back."
"Aslin and the others are truly effective, aren't they? So, you can't refuse a request from the 'two of them,' can you?"
"No. Even at the cost of my own life, if it is something I can grant, I would do so. After all, they are my sisters."
There was not a shred of hesitation in my heart. They are my two most precious sisters. Well, lately, I have gained more sisters like Vilia-sama and Hiiro-sama, but my top priority remains Aslin-sama and Firia-sama. Aslin-aneesama, who gave me my name, and Firia-aneesama, who crafts all sorts of custom equipment for me—not just I, but every monster in Weed reveres them as absolute figures.
"You really have no doubts at all, do you?"
"Yes. I stake my life on it; there is no hesitation whatsoever. However, I do not quite understand this situation. Is today the birthday of one of the wives?"
"No, that's not it. Today is..."
Seraria-sama started to say something, but for some reason, she clamped her mouth shut. Then, a voice came from behind me.
"Today is your birthday, Kirika."
It was the voice of my Master. When I turned around, he was standing there holding a tray with what appeared to be freshly prepared dishes. However...
"My birthday? Right now? And besides, we monsters do not have birthdays, do we?"
If I had to choose one, I suppose the day I was summoned by the Master would be my birthday. But even then, there were not a few monsters summoned alongside me that day. Why, then, is this a birthday just for me?
"Well, that's true, but if we go by that logic..."
The Master gave a wry smile and looked down from my face.
"It's no good for Kirika-chan not to have a birthday."
"That’s right! We asked Brother for your birthday, thought about it a lot, and decided that today is Kirika-chan’s birthday! So today is a birthday party!"
How forceful. I feel a bit bad for the other monsters, especially Steve and his group. We are colleagues, after all, so being the only one to receive special treatment is...
As I was thinking this, Labyris-sama appeared from out of nowhere.
"Don't worry about it. It seems Steve and the others have each set their own birthdays and are having fun celebrating them. In fact, when they heard Kirika hadn't set a birthday, they were saying, 'That guy is such an idiot,' or something like that."
Good. Let us conclude that Steve and his group are treated roughly. I thought for a moment as a colleague that I should be a bit kinder to them, but there is no need to be considerate of a goblin who would so easily betray people.
"Thank you. I shall enjoy this to the fullest starting now."
"That's right. Enjoy yourself for now. And here, a birthday present."
"Eh? A present for me?"
I was stunned as I looked at the gift-wrapped bag the Master held out.
"What are you surprised about?"
"Oh, no. I had assumed the cake and this meal were the presents from you all. And above all, I never expected to receive something directly from the Master..."
"Ah, don't worry about that. And well, if everyone gave you one individually, it would be a lot in terms of volume, so this is a present from all of us together."
"I see. Thank you for your consideration. May I open it now?"
"Yeah. Everyone is looking forward to it."
"Yes. Then, excuse me..."
With a heart full of excitement and anticipation, I opened it to find a set of warm winter gear to help me survive the cold season. With this, my coordination for this winter is as good as decided. I will be able to spend the season with a warm heart as well.
"Thank you, everyone."
"Happy birthday, Kirika!"
...But, how should I express my age?