“Thank you so much,” he says with watery eyes. “It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received.”
Instinctually, I reach for his cheek and wipe away a glistening pearl with my thumb. “You deserve everything and more.”
He leans into my touch and closes his eyes for a split second but it’s enough to tear my heart apart. I love this man more than anything in the world. This might be the only thing I’m certain of.
He giggles as his lashes flutter, blinking away unshed tears. “So that crash…what was it?”
“The plate fell but it didn’t break.” I laugh. “I can’t be breaking stuff all the time.”
He pulls me into a tight embrace, flooding me with love and warmth. Through his touch I am whole again. I let the waves break my bones and sink my heart as he rubs my back.
“You’re the best gift anyone could ever wish for.”
I gasp and bury my face in his shoulder. Never have I felt more loved and needed than whenever Aoi holds me against his heart.
“You’re gonna think I’m stupid,” he laughs. “But I completely forgot what today was.”
“You forgot your own birthday?!” I gawk at him in disbelief.
He nods sheepishly. “I was so busy with everything else that I just completely forgot. No wonder everyone was acting weird today.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Come on. My birthday isn’t more important than your departure. How could I possibly care about something as unnecessary as today when I have other fish to fry?”
“Still, you shouldn’t completely push aside your own achievements.”
“I turned twenty-six. That’s not an achievement.”
“You’re alive and well.Thatis one.”
“You know what? We should have dinner outside tonight,” he says. “You, me and Jason. I’ll celebrate with my friends another time.”
The mention of that blonde demon sets me on edge. I’d rather avoid seeing that rat if I can, but today’s Aoi’s special day, so whatever he wants he’ll get.
“Sounds perfect.”
***
Jason stands out in the 50’s themed diner Aoi chose to eat in. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit, and his hair is styled back as usual. He still looks like the devil in disguise but for some reason I’m the only one who can see through his good-guy act.
Aoi’s smiling brighter than ever.
“You had to choose a diner out of every restaurant in the city?” Jason complains.
Can’t he shut up for a second? No one cares about his snobbish taste. Diners are fun as hell.
Aoi lets a half chuckle escape. “I love the fifties’ aesthetic. Can’t help it.”
I hear a soft rustle of clothes under the table and Aoi’s cheeks flush slightly while Jason smirks smugly.
“Anyways. What do y’all want to order? My treat,” he says, clasping his hands.
Jason frowns. “Don’t be ridiculous, it’s your birthday. You’re not paying.”
“Then who is?” He raises a brow jokingly. “The kid?”
“Well, he needs to pull his weight, doesn’t he?”
