It was almost evening when Gars and I finally dragged ourselves home, our bellies full and spirits lighter than air. We'd been hanging around the stalls all day, eating whatever tasty stuff we could get our hands on, just having fun.
Gars... he was like the big brother I never had. Always there, always making sure the day didn't end without at least a few good memories.
When we reached home, the Taskhand was unusually quiet.
Even though people usually accepted tasks till late evening, it didn't shut down until nightfall.
Slightly weird...
...nope. I caught onto it quick.
It was probably a surprise. They must've closed it early because of that.
I turned to Gars, smirking.
"Hey Gars, the surprise isn't really well done since I already know it. Let's just go through the front gate."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head like he got caught red-handed.
"Oh, you figured? Well, the first time Gramps did it with us, you were bawling that day."
"Hey, don't..." I clicked my tongue, my face heating up slightly. "That was because it had been a long time since someone properly celebrated it…"
"Yeah..." Gars said, voice softening.
After my sister... I hadn't told them Heide's birthdate.
The only reason I even knew it was because of the cake his sister got him the day I came into this world.
The front door creaked open as I stepped inside, Gars following close behind—
—and then, an explosion of sound.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDE!!"
I flinched instinctively, a full-on scream blowing out my ears.
There were way more people than I expected — not just the regulars from the Taskhand, but others too, people I hadn't seen in a while.
Jonah broke through the crowd, grinning ear to ear.
"Happy birthday, Heide! I told you, see you soon!" he said brightly.
"You did?" I blinked in confusion, only for Christa to whack him right on the head.
"You piece of shit! I told you not to tell him!" she shouted, swinging at him again.
"Wai—wait! He didn't get to know, did he?!" Jonah squeaked, trying to defend himself.
Chaos.
I couldn't help it — I smiled, soft and a little helpless.
I turned to everyone, raising my voice just a little.
"Thank you, everyone. This means a lot..."
Faces stared back at me, all warm, all familiar.
Friends. Family.
A part of me ached — missing Gramps, missing my sister even if she hadn't been my real one... but deep down, I knew she was in a better place now.
As the party began, the gifts started piling up.
Monday proudly placed a huge cake right in the center with Sinus.
Judging by the smell and the chaos in the kitchen earlier, Monday had probably been cooking since the morning.
He hugged me tightly.
"Happy birthday, Heide."
"Thanks, Monday." I smiled, feeling the warmth squeeze my chest.
The whole night felt like a blur of laughter and chaos.
I tried—God, I tried—to keep my cool, not to grin like an idiot.
But the smile broke through anyway, and no matter how much I wanted to seem chill, I couldn't stop myself.
I was too damn happy.
At one point, Gars came up to me and slipped something onto my hands — gloves.
"What's this?" I asked, flexing my fingers.
"Custom made by me, Sinus, and Wanora. Increases strength, grip, and sensitivity to surfaces. You can analyze properly with it now," he explained proudly.
I grabbed the ground without thinking — the strength, the sensation, it was real. It worked.
"Thanks," I said, turning to the three of them, grateful.
Shalap came up next, practically bouncing on her feet.
"Brother, I have no gift for you, but happy birthday again! I'll do you any favor as a gift!"
I chuckled and patted her head. "Okay."
I didn't blame her. Honestly, this was enough.
Monday chimed in from the side, wiping his hands on an apron.
"Well, my gift is the food."
He sounded like an exasperated mother, and I couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up.
The other gifts?
Clothes, pillows, random little knick-knacks.
Then—
"WHO GAVE ME TOYS?! THESE ARE FOR CHILDREN!!" I shouted, holding up a tiny action figure like it had personally offended me.
A ripple of laughter ran through the room, everyone cracking up.
The noise mellowed as people settled into eating again.
In a corner, I caught sight of Evena fidgeting awkwardly, a small package clutched in her hands.
Curious, I made my way to her.
"Hey, what are you doing? Come, let's eat," I said casually.
Before I could turn away, she grabbed my hand, her fingers trembling slightly.
"G-gift," she whispered, handing it to me.
Her eyes were locked on the box, practically begging me to open it.
I smiled, unable to say no.
Inside were clothes — simple, but it matched Evena's own recent attire, almost like a pair.
It was thoughtful, incredibly so.
"Thanks, Evena. This is great," I said, genuinely. "I was looking for a change... black shirt and pants along with a belt..." I looked at her, then grinned. "Wait a second, I'll change into this."
I left the party room quickly, changing into the new outfit.
When I came back, I was wearing the brown coat Gramps had given me and Evena's clothes underneath.
A perfect mix of old and new.
Evena smiled shyly.
"Looks... good," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I grinned wider and held out my hand.
"Let's go, shall we?"
She hesitated for a second, then placed her hand in mine.
I turned — and immediately felt the weight of everyone's stares.
Dozens of wide, nosy eyes boring into us.
"...Stop staring, GODDAMMIT!" I barked, feeling my face heat up again.
The room broke into laughter.
The noise picked up again, people chatting, eating, teasing.
The entire night was full of life, full of warmth.
A day just for me — for Heide — to enjoy, to finally breathe.
Tomorrow, the search for the missing nobles would begin.
The number of vanishing cases had hit a record 380.
The country would be flooded with messages and alarms.
But tonight—
—tonight, none of that mattered.