Before they knew it, night had grown late.
Yi Chen checked the time.
It was 10:30 p.m.
Yi Chen said calmly,
"Ichinose, it's getting late. Should we call it a day?"
Yi Chen gently reminded her.
Though Ichinose still wasn't quite ready to leave, she knew they shouldn't stay out too late, so she obediently nodded.
"Mm, just a moment, Yi Chen."
"Today was so much fun, Yi Chen."
Ichinose said:
"Yi Chen, come with me somewhere."
Yi Chen nodded.
Then Ichinose led him to a dessert shop. There were three couples inside, along with several staff members.
As soon as they entered, the staff greeted them warmly.
Yi Chen simply thought that this was how shops in Japan treated their customers.
Ichinose found a seat in the corner, and the two of them sat down.
Yi Chen didn't think much of it. Whatever Ichinose wanted to do, he'd go along with it.
They casually ordered a few desserts and quietly waited for their food.
Suddenly, the lights in the shop went out.
But the shop was surprisingly quiet.
Yi Chen could no longer see.
But he stayed calm and didn't mind.
Maybe it was because he'd experienced something completely new today, or maybe—
Ichinose?
Just then, he heard the sound of a lighter.
The faint candlelight slowly illuminated Yi Chen's face.
Yi Chen calmly looked around.
"What's going on?"
He wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
He saw Ichinose holding an exquisite cake in both hands.
The candlelight shone on her smiling face, making her look especially gentle and sweet.
"Happy birthday, Yi Chen!"
Ichinose said softly, her eyes full of sincere well wishes.
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday! Wishing little Yi Chen a happy sixteenth birthday!"
"Yeah! Yeah~"
The staff's voices rang out one after another.
Yi Chen froze, staring at the scene before him in disbelief.
Then someone said,
"You've worked so hard this past year~"
For some reason, a warm tear rolled down from the corner of Yi Chen's eye.
Seeing him cry, Ichinose immediately asked anxiously,
"Yi Chen, what's wrong? Why are you crying on your birthday?"
The staff also stared at him, looking a little bewildered.
Yi Chen said nothing. Ichinose came over and leaned close to him, looking into his eyes.
She said gently:
"There, there. You still have me, Yi Chen."
"If there's anything you want to say, go ahead."
Yi Chen gave an awkward, rueful smile, his voice catching a little.
"I don't know either. Why?"
"The tears just came out of nowhere."
"Please, go on. This is a little embarrassing."
At his words, everyone's imaginations ran wild. The three couples in the shop also came over and quietly watched Yi Chen.
As Yi Chen looked at everyone gathered around him, a warm feeling welled up inside him for some reason.
Yi Chen said calmly:
"So it's my birthday today. I almost forgot."
"Hahaha, before this, my mom would just casually remind me when my birthday was, then send me some money."
"I've never celebrated my birthday before, so I'm really happy."
His words sent everyone's imaginations running wild again.
Some of the more imaginative people even started crying too.
Seeing this, Yi Chen quickly explained that he did have parents.
He'd simply never celebrated his birthday before, and he was happy about it.
"Maybe this is what they mean by tears of joy."
At his words, everyone returned to their cheerful mood.
Yi Chen smiled at Ichinose.
"Ichinose, thank you. I'd even forgotten it was my birthday."
"Hehe, I've been remembering it all along. Hurry and make a wish, Yi Chen."
Ichinose pushed the cake closer to Yi Chen, looking at him expectantly.
Everyone in the shop offered their well wishes too.
"Make a wish!"
"Happy birthday! Happy birthday!"
"Let's all sing 'Happy Birthday' together."
"Happy birthday to you~"
"Happy birthday to you!"
Yi Chen was very happy. He looked at the people around him.
He closed his eyes and silently made a wish.
After making his wish, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles together with Ichinose.
The shop staff all offered their congratulations as well.
They even gave him some lovely little gifts: an anime-themed bookmark and a small plush toy.
Yi Chen thanked them all.
Ichinose also gave him a box of presents.
Yi Chen accepted it and thanked her, then opened her gift right there.
"A box of candy? Paper cranes? Little stars? All kinds of handmade crafts."
Yi Chen was delighted. He took Ichinose's hand.
His cheeks flushed as he looked at her.
Ichinose blushed too as she gazed at Yi Chen.
Everyone in the shop started cheering them on.
"Kiss! Kiss!"
Yi Chen slowly leaned toward Ichinose.
And so, in front of everyone,
the two shared a passionate kiss.
Several shrill screams rang out in the shop.
Then everyone happily shared the cake.
Yi Chen and Ichinose thanked them all, their faces bright red.
Everyone enjoyed the cake, its sweet flavor spreading through their mouths.
Yi Chen was completely smitten.
Yi Chen looked at Ichinose, his gaze growing resolute.
Soon, the birthday celebration was coming to an end. Yi Chen started to get up, wanting to pay for the celebration.
Just then, the shop owner came over to him.
He said cheerfully:
"What's the matter, young man? Looking for the restroom? It's over this way."
As he spoke, the owner pointed toward the restroom.
Yi Chen smiled at him.
"No, I'm here to pay. I had a wonderful time today."
After speaking, Yi Chen bowed deeply to everyone, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
Staff member A:
"What a polite child. He's so considerate."
Staff member B:
"He's a good kid. No wonder he has such a wonderful girlfriend."
Yi Chen knew the staff hadn't arranged a birthday celebration for him for no reason. He looked at Ichinose.
His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Then one of the staff members began explaining of their own accord:
"Little Yi Chen, your girlfriend came by yesterday and told us about your birthday. She asked us to help arrange everything. Where can you find such a wonderful girl?"
"You have to treat your girlfriend well. Don't let her down."
Ichinose leaned against Yi Chen.
Yi Chen smiled at everyone.
Yi Chen said with a smile:
"Don't worry. I'll treat her well."
"Until the day I disappear."
"By the way, how much is it? I still need to pay, right?"
Just then, the owner waved his hand grandly and came over to Yi Chen, saying cheerfully:
"Young man, this one's on me. You've reminded me how moving young love can be."
"Back in my day..."
After Yi Chen and Ichinose sincerely thanked everyone in the shop, Yi Chen still scanned them 8,888 yen.
The two went outside to breathe in the fresh air.
It had been a wonderful night, and this birthday was etched deeply in Yi Chen's heart.
Yi Chen realized that the world really could be beautiful. Before, when he'd stayed cooped up at home, he'd never felt any of the world's kindness.
So everyone should try to get out more.
Yi Chen checked the time. It was almost 11:30, so he said to Ichinose:
"Ichinose, thank you so much for today."
Ichinose looked at Yi Chen obediently.
"It's only right, Yi Chen. I'm your girlfriend."
The two smiled at each other.
Though neither wanted to part just yet, they embraced.
Then they looked up at the night sky.
The two returned to the station and waited for their train.
Ichinose leaned against Yi Chen's shoulder and asked softly,
"Yi Chen, what did you wish for?"
Yi Chen looked at Ichinose tenderly and said softly,
"I just want things to stay simple and peaceful like this."
Ichinose smiled.
"That's such a casual wish."
The two arrived at Shinjuku Station and parted ways.
Before you continue