Eternal Courage

Chapter 25: A Day to Remember

"alright, alright stop pushing"

Lexi continued pushing Saku along until they reached a classroom. Saku was quite puzzled "why are we here?"

"just go on inside already" Saku opened the door but found the room was dark "go on get in" Lexi more or less pushed Saku inside the dark room

"alright...what's with the dark room?" suddenly a light flashed on

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" was the sound that followed. Saku saw all of his friends and sisters all around the room. Banners trailed the wall and ceiling, all with happy birthday printed on them, and tables were set up piled with party food and drink.

Saku was left completely bewildered "What...the? What's all this?"

"Why...it's a birthday party...for you" said Sophie

"It is?" said Saku still bewildered

"of course it is" said Aries smiling "just think what the date is today" Saku began thinking and then came to the realisation

"I turn...sixteen today" said Saku "I can't believe I forgot"

"don't beat yourself up too much" said Lexi "we didn't know either"

"We thought we throw this for you Big Brother" said Mochi

"yeah to help encourage you for tomorrow" said Mia

"We thought we'd throw this as a thank you for your help" said Aureline blowing on a party pipe.

Saku was sort of frozen with shock before he softened and chuckled "Thanks...Thanks a lot"

 "like Aureline said..." Laura added as she walked over "we wanted to give you something special for helping all of us" Saku saw Laura was wearing a girl's uniform and revealed her rather endowed figure that was otherwise hidden under her once baggy clothes

"I see you're wearing the uniform" said Saku a little jokingly "and hid two...little things under your baggy clothes"

"I was naturally this size" Laura said folding her arms under her chest before smiling "but the clothes didn't do much for me. Anyway it's time for your birthday...to thank you for what you've done"

"And if it wasn't your birthday..." said Anastasia happily "it would've been a thank you party" Saku was filled with a deep sense of happiness, which seemed to overwhelm him

"This is...really...wonderful" said Saku rubbing his eyes before beaming "I can't believe you threw this for me" Anastasia then grabbed his hand

"Well stop gawking and come and join in" Anastasia pulled Saku towards the vast assortment of food. They were crisps, chocolate logs, pork pies, sandwiches and salad.

Suddenly the room was filled with conversations over everything and nothing. It was as if the worry of the upcoming fight had just evaporated into the air. The excitement of just being able to gossip seemed like a rare treat in the doom and gloom of constant danger. Everyone was tucking into the party which was spread out on the tables. Saku was talking to Mia "so are you prepared for your fight?" asked Mia

"As ready as I'll ever be I suppose. Although the supreme leader has been bugging me lately"

"Why is he bugging you?

"The way he spoke about equality sounded...almost noble. Like that's what he's truly doing"

"His words did have a strong sense of passion behind them"