It was the day before Azul and Tokaku's birthday, and the entire lounge in Octavinelle was decorated in a grand birthday theme. The menu was set, with an array of delicious party foods and two beautifully decorated birthday cakes. The birthday announcement had spread like wildfire throughout the other six dorms, with residents eagerly willing to join in and celebrate the grand event. Tomorrow was going to be a very special day for the two birthday stars.
The Octavinelle residents had worked tirelessly to decorate the lounge and prepare the delicious food and drinks. Once everything was set, they retired to their dorm rooms, exhausted but satisfied with their efforts. Azul, Jade, Floyd, and Tokaku decided to rest in the VIP room. As they leaned back on the sofas, they let out a sigh of relief and fatigue.
"Why are we feeling so worn out from preparing the lounge for Azul and Tokaku's birthday?" Floyd grumbled, as he lay on one of the sofas, making it his own.
"It's because Tokaku agreed to have this grand birthday ceremony for the two of us," Azul replied, as he too leaned back on the sofa.
"But why are we more exhausted than when we prepared for Floyd's and my birthday last year?" Jade asked, puzzled by their fatigue. Meanwhile, Tokaku was laying her head on Azul's lap, as he comforted her by caressing her hair with his white-gloved right hand.
"I think it's because of yesterday when we didn't get enough sleep because we were dealing with the ghost bride who invaded the whole campus," Tokaku explained. "The headmaster just threw his responsibility to us, and you three volunteered to propose the ghost bride. Unfortunately, you were all horribly slapped till your cheeks were red by her, so I had to turn myself into the wedding ruination mission to pull you all out of the ghost wedding. Thankfully, Ace convinced the ghost bride successfully, and she finally found her true love to marry with. At the end, when everything settled, it was already midnight, and we had to wake up early today because school still proceeds even after what occurred."
Upon listening to Tokaku recalling yesterday's events, Jade thanked her for coming to their rescue. Tokaku denied it, saying that if it wasn't for them leaving their work on her, she wouldn't have volunteered herself to the ghost wedding ruination mission. Hearing his girlfriend denying her merciful efforts, Azul and Floyd smiled knowingly. Then, Azul reminded Tokaku to wear her birthday interview outfit and behave appropriately during the interview.
The next day, the lounge was filled with guests and Octavinelle residents, all eager to join the birthday party of Azul and Tokaku. However, before they could enjoy the festivities, there was an early event - the birthday interview. Azul and Tokaku were at different places, with the two interviewers selected by lucky dice to easily interview the birthday people. In the other part of the Octavinelle lounge, Tokaku dressed in her birthday attire which consist of a black jacket with lavender sleeves, a lavender vast over a black shirt, a pair of black trousers, and a pair of black shoes. There was bow tie on her collared neck shirt. A few stickers of her club logo, her birthday date logo, and her name logo on her jacket made her attire look exciting.
Before she was at the lounge, she was in her dorm room an hour ago, adorning herself in her second birthday attire. She looked at the mirror on her makeup desk,tied her bow tie around her collar and adjusted it to look smart. Once she was done with her bow tie, suddenly, a knock on her door halted the azure-eyed girl from applying her moisturizer on her face. In response, she allowed the person at her door to enter, knowing it was Jade. The door opened and Jade entered his girlfriend's dorm room, approaching her from behind.
"How is my rabbit doing? Are you ready?" The merman asked, resting his hands on Tokaku's shoulders.
"Sort of ready," Tokaku replied but then, in her monotone voice, she complained something was missing with her appearance,to which Jade agreed with her remark. Pondering, he even questioned what could be add to complete his girlfriend's look. However, the azure-eyed female assassin swiftly had figured out what was missing with her appearance. Her hand extended, retrieving a wooden box from her shelf beside her makeup desk. Upon retrieving it, she opened the case and revealed her sparkling azure sea glass ear cuffs.
"Ah, these are what missing." Jade said.
"I took them off, afraid I'll lose these birthday gifts you gave me for my first birthday party. I thought the ghost bride might take these from me by force since they are the most beautiful accessory I ever have, " Tokaku said, taking her ear cuffs from the box and gazing them on her palm. She felt a deep love, reminiscing Jade gave her birthday present for her first birthday party and he placed a kiss on her forehead before leaving her room while bidding farewell. Jade attentively listened to his girlfriend, curving a warm smile on his fair face as he felt happy to be appreciated by his beloved girl. His hands that rested on her shoulders moved and reached out to Tokaku's ear cuffs. He asked the azure-eyed girl to let him clip them on her ear, to which she allowed. Jade then gently but carefully clipped the elaborated sea glass ear cuffs on Tokaku's soft ears, caressing them after they were clipped. Feeling his gloved-hands caressed both of her ears, in her monotone voice, she yelped in surprise.
"That tickles! "
"Tickles, you say?" Jade repeated her words, raising an eyebrow and grinning teasingly, revealing his sharp teeth.
With that teasing smug of her boyfriend reflected on her mirror, Tokaku immediately figured out his next move. "Jade, please. Don't do this. I have a birthday interview in 30 minutes, " She pleaded with him.
Jade chuckled as a response, clarifying his next move about to be commence. " Just think of this as to relief your anxiety. You'll be less nervous after this,"
As his words were evident for his next move, Tokaku quickly jumped from her seat, trying to run away but Jade had caught her hands. "Where are you going?" He asked with his sharp teeth bare out.
"Please, no more tickling!" she pleaded, laughing and shaking her head as she tried to free herself. But Jade was too strong, and soon he had her pinned to the bed, playfully tickling her belly. Tokaku giggled as Jade laughed in triumph. Eventually, she turned the tables and tickled him back, causing Jade to roll over in defeat. They both collapsed on the bed, catching their breath after the laughter. Tokaku sat beside him, chuckling at his defeat. "You were right, Jade. This was just what I needed to relieve my anxiety."
" It is, right? Not just you, but I also feel less anxious, " Jade said.
" What are you anxious about? " Tokaku smirked, giving mischievous one.
" I'm anxious about how wonderful you are in your birthday attire, " Jade answered, making Tokaku confused.
" What's about me in my birthday attire? " Tokaku asked, her curious piqued.
" You look pretty in them," Jade commented, causing Tokaku to scoff.
"Jade, I'm wearing a men attire. You supposed to tell me that I look manly in these," Tokaku corrected.
"Whether you wear men or women attire, you still are a hottie," Jade said in a perverting tone.
" You!" Tokaku pounced on him, launching her weak punches. Jade chuckled, thoroughly amused. Suddenly, he grabbed her arms and flipped her onto her back, deftly pinning her beneath him. Tokaku gasped at his boldness. She anticipated his kiss and quickly grabbed a pillow to shield her soft lips. Refusing to yield, Jade found another way to execute his plan. He slid his hand up her thigh, catching her off guard and prompting her to push the pillow aside and sit up, thwarting his sneaky advances. He flashed a teasing smile as he kissed her lips, leaving Tokaku momentarily defenseless against his consuming, yet sweet, embrace. Enjoying the sensation, she ultimately surrendered.
Jade's eyes, one a different color than the other, darkened as Tokaku let out a sweet moan when he pulled away. He suddenly remembered their plans for her birthday interview and reminded his girlfriend to tidy herself up. Tokaku gazed at the deeper hue of his unique eyes and fell silent for a moment before nodding in response. She rose from the bed as he did, going to the mirror to straighten her attire. Once she was ready, Tokaku turned to find Jade standing behind her. He gazed at her with affection, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. "You're all set now," he said with a smile. Meeting his eyes, Tokaku noticed the darkening of his heterochromia once again, surmising that he must be excited to give her the birthday gift he had planned for when they were finally alone after the party. She rested her hands on his chest, raising her head to look into her taller boyfriend's eyes. "I'll be waiting for the gift you have for me," she said, leaving Jade momentarily stunned before he smiled gently. "Then I'll be patient until then," he replied. As they were about to leave Tokaku's room, she hesitated and turned to face Jade before they opened the door. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him, causing the merman to be taken aback momentarily before giving in to the softness of his girlfriend's lips. When they broke apart, Tokaku thanked Jade for taking care of her from the beginning, to which Jade replied, "You're welcome."
Back to the present, Tokaku was waiting for her birthday interview at the place she was told to stay. After a while, the interviewer had arrived, who is Silver. Silver introduced himself as the chosen birthday interviewer by the lucky dice for Tokaku. The azure-eyed girl welcomed the sophomore, and then, the birthday interview began. Silver gave her a birthday present, which is a case of throwing knives.
"Father... I mean, Lilia wanted to gift you these throwing knives so he asked me to do it since I am your interviewer and I don't have any idea what to give you for your birthday, " Silver explained, feeling embarrassed in his monotone voice.
Tokaku opened the case. Like Silver said, there were ten throwing knives inside, making Tokaku feel happy to receive them as a gift. Her lips curved into a small smile before she thanked Silver. After handing the gift, Silver began questioning Tokaku as her birthday interviewer. The first question was if she could pick a student from Night Raven College to be a sibling, who would she choose. She replied that she would choose Jack and Epel. When Silver asked why, the azure-eyed girl explained how much they have supported her through ups and downs, leading her to value them like family. Silver nodded in understanding, amazed by Tokaku's insights on her friends and proceeded to the next question: If she were to join another dorm, which dorm would she choose?
Tokaku answered, saying she would choose Pomefiore because she was accustomed to the frosty temperature of the dorm and the excelling of Pomefiore residents in Pharmacy and potion making paired well with her skills. With those two questions, the birthday interview ended. It was time for the lucky gift, which involved throwing a piece of cake at the birthday person. Silver asked Tokaku if she was ready, to which she answered that she was before the silver-haired Diasomnia sophomore threw the cake at her, hitting her hair and splattering cream on her forehead and cheek. Despite the mess, Tokaku just smiled, enjoying the rare moment of her birthday. Those who attended her birthday interview gave an applause, celebrating her birthday.
Jade was standing with Floyd beside him before approaching the girl with a napkin in his hand. He helped to wipe the cream on her azure hair, her forehead, and her cheek. Tokaku thanked him. The birthday celebration continued as guests kept coming from other dorms. Jack and Epel attended the birthday party, bringing presents for her. Jack handed her a succulent plant, suggesting that she keep it in her room since it rarely needs watering. Then, Epel's present, a Pharmacy book, containing various herbs and spices, was given. Tokaku thanked them for the presents. During her birthday party, she spent her special day with her two friends who were the best gifts she received. After the birthday ended, the guests left, the lounge was cleaned, and the decorations taken down. Once everything was settled, it was night, so everyone retired to their dorm rooms and rested. As was the custom, Jade assisted in carrying Tokaku's birthday gifts to her room. Once inside, they set the gifts down and rested on her bed, side by side, and let out an exhausted exhale.
"So, what is the gift you're going to give me?" Tokaku asked Jade, recalling what he had promised before her birthday interview.
"Oh!" Jade gasped. He retrieved a little box from his trousers pocket and handed it to her.
"What is this?" Tokaku asked.
"Open the box to see," Jade said.
Tokaku opened the box to find a silver ring inside. "A ring?"
"Yes. My gift for you is a ring, a proposal. Although we've been an official couple in marriage since I've mated you, we have to wait until we graduate to hold a wedding on land. I want this to show how much you are valued," Jade explained.
Listening to Jade, Tokaku gazed at the ring in the box. She retrieved the ring and put it on the fourth finger of her left hand. She then showed the ring on her finger to Jade. Jade smiled, expressing joy and gratitude.
When Jade mentioned gift, Tokaku corrected him. "That's not true," Jade was stunned by her answer.
"The perfect gift for me is you. You, Jack, and Epel. The three of you are the perfect gifts I've ever received. You three gave me love, happiness, and light which I never had before I came here, especially you, Jade. You're my favorite gift," she said.
Listening to her heartfelt words, Jade was moved. He then reached out to Tokaku and placed a kiss on her hand, indicating his deep affection towards her. This caused her to be bashful even for her mono expression. As he curved a happy smile, Tokaku kissed Jade, expressing her thanks to him, making the merman curious about what she would give him in return.
"What are these other thanks to me?" Jade asked.
"Another apart from the thanking kiss is you can do whatever you want to me, but just for tonight since tomorrow is Sunday," Tokaku replied.
"Whatever I want to do to you?" Jade raised an eyebrow. He went on top of her, his arms on the sides of her face, pinning her beneath him. Tokaku met his eyes, smiling. "Whatever you want to do to me," she clarified.
"If you say so, we'll be waking late tomorrow once I'm doing whatever I desire to you," Jade warned but the girl didn't mind because they were mated so this is like one of those husband and wife's nights. She let her hands wide open for Jade to slide his, and they intertwined their fingers. Tokaku's birthday had become the most special day for her because she got to appreciate her love to her friends and boyfriend.