Character Story 8: A Two-Person Birthday Party
Scene: A restaurant in Landsol.
Yuuki and Nozomi are having tea.
Nozomi
This place's cakes are famously good! When's ours going to get here?
A light shines.
Nozomi
W-What's with this light!? Eek!!
Scene: A dream. A cafe in Japan.
Nozomi
Ah, you came! You're right on time.
Nozomi
But I'm sorry. Could you wait just a little longer?
Nozomi
I'm still in the middle of a photo shoot. These are going to be published in next month's fashion magazines.
Nozomi
Don't look so surprised! You haven't forgotten that I'm an idol, have you?
Nozomi
Well, I do want you just to see me as a normal person, so honestly, it's okay if you forget...
Nozomi
But anyway! That's what's happening, so just wait a bit longer!
Photographer
Nozomi, these look good. Nice work.
Nozomi
Yes, thank you very much!
Nozomi
Sorry for making you wait! The photo shoot ran a little long...
Nozomi
Thanks for coming today. Even if we only have a little time, I've wanted to talk to you for a while. See, I've been so busy with work lately, we haven't been able to see each other at all, right?
Nozomi
I just happened to be doing this photo shoot at Camellia Hill, so I figured I'd call you to see if you'd come.
Nozomi
I was really happy when you walked in the door of the cafe! Thanks to you, I probably had a great smile for the last few photos!
Nozomi
Ah, this cake? We were using it for the shoot. They said that we can eat it now that the shoot's over.
Nozomi
Cake, cake! Ah, when you think of cake, you think of birthday cakes, right?
Nozomi
I don't mean anything deep by it, but... When's your birthday?
Yuuki
1. "It's not here yet."
2. "It's already passed."
Option 1.
Nozomi
Huh... Um, when exactly is it...? Ah, that day, huh... I already have a job set for that day.
Nozomi
That means I won't be able to celebrate your birthday...
Option 2.
Nozomi
Ah! Really? I should have asked you sooner...
Nozomi
I won't be able to wish you happy birthday now...
End of branches.
Nozomi
Okay! Then instead, I'll celebrate your birthday today!
Nozomi
We'll make this cake into a birthday cake, and eat it together.
Nozomi
Let me slice it right now... Wah! W-What should I do? The fruits and cream are all falling off!?
Nozomi
Ooh... It's hard to cut it prettily... It's going to get all sloppy now.
Nozomi
Eh!? W-What is it...? You're holding my hand all of a sudden...!?
Nozomi
You'll help me cut it? I see... Then, let's cut it together.
Nozomi
Wow, you're good! You made such a pretty cut. Yeah, it's perfect!
Nozomi
Then, happy birthday! Mmm...
Nozomi
Ha ha, what are you getting all embarrassed about? You're normally all cool and composed. Could it be that you're feeling something for me?
Nozomi
Ah, right, right. When you think of cakes, it's not just birthday cakes -- there are also wedding cakes.
Nozomi
A huge cake that two people cut together... I really want to do that someday.
Yuuki
1. "We were cutting this cake together just now."
Nozomi
Now that you say that... We really were...
Nozomi
... R-Really! Don't say such weird things!
Nozomi
We're still students... so... Things like marriage... It's still too early to talk about them!
End of dream.
Ames
All right, good work.
Ames
Man, I also want to eat cake with Nozomi.
Ames
Even if it wasn't on the actual day, having a famous person wishing you happy birthday like that is an amazing thing, don't you think?
Ames
You're a super lucky person, so make sure you savor it.
Ames
Make sure that you treasure the time that you spend with Nozomi more.
Ames
If you go on with your normal attitude, you might even use up the goodwill that she has towards you, understand? So be mindful.
Ames
Then, let's leave it at that. Bye-bye!
End of Ames conversation.
Nozomi
Ah... Huh? I fell asleep?
Nozomi
Was it because I was waiting for the cake to come? And that was why I dreamed that you and I were in a cafe...
Nozomi
Huh? And I was wishing you happy birthday? Why do you know that?
Nozomi
We had the same dream, huh... Just like before, right?
Waitress
Sorry for the wait. Here's your cake set.
Nozomi
Ah, this... This is just like the cake in the dream!
Nozomi
Y-Yeah... That's right. We cut the cake together...
Nozomi
H-Hey, don't bring that up again! It's embarrassing, so forget about it!!
The entire time that they were enjoying the cake, Nozomi's face was completely red.