Chapter 95

Extra Case File 95 Happy Birthday

Mr. Ash,

“Birthdays, huh?”

Those who would ask such a question aren’t implying that Ash has become senile, forgetting what birthdays mean. Even though he had once lived in the depths of the mountains and experienced野外生存 with someone else, he hadn’t truly turned into a wild man.

Thinking about the festival arrangements mentioned by Akaba earlier, he fiddled with the Beast Electroid gun rotating in his hand, watching the gun’s designs spin and form patterns like a dinosaur roar. Ash couldn’t help but feel nostalgic and sigh.

“Having fun celebrating others’ birthdays… Like secretly replacing candles with fireworks, everyone thinking an enemy was attacking, diving under the table… Tsk tsk~”

“The time before last, I secretly replaced part of the cream with plastic foam… They were all laughing so loudly that it revealed my plan when they had foam all over their mouths. As a result, I was punished to clean toilets for them for a month.”

“A long time ago, setting off a cake led to everyone chasing me with a combined cannon… Ah, I can’t do anything like that at Hanano’s birthday now.”

Many times, whether as a friend, enemy, or both, he had snuck into many birthday parties to give them surprising gifts. This was also one of Ash’s little joys.

“People have asked me this question before.”

But back then, he had evaded the question. After all… he really did forget it.

Constant dimensional travels had made him forget many things that were commonplace for ordinary people, including the period of his own “birthday.”

“When was the last time I genuinely felt happy to celebrate my birthday…”

He couldn’t remember.

The only times he could recall were those when there was no one beside him to share that joy with. When someone was by his side, he found he had already forgotten.

“Hanano,”

Ash smiled, just saying her name brought him genuine happiness and satisfaction.

Even if it was a matter he considered insignificant to himself.

But seeing the joy on Hanano’s face while she talked about it…

He really was happy.

So this was how it felt to share moments with loved ones? Truly, as long as they stayed by his side, he’d be happy.

As long as they stayed in his sight…

“Clack.”

Due to a mistake in Ash’s finger-spinning gesture, the Beast Electroid gun fell to the ground with a distinct clack.

“Oh… What a disaster.”

Suddenly realizing and clutching his head, Ash’s face showed a moment of extreme pain and conflict.

“I’ve changed.”

He had never thought he would feel such emotions.

“I’ve changed, really not wanting to…”

“Not want to leave here, away from Hanano’s side anymore.”

He never imagined himself feeling such regret and reluctance.

“What should I do?”

No one could give him a standard answer.

“[I’m sorry.]”

Even “System,” which had been by his side since the beginning, could not provide an answer.

“Ash?”

Concerned by the sound, Akaba pushed the door open and looked at him worriedly.

“You’re not in a good mood now. Is it because I suggested celebrating our birthdays together? Or am I wrong after all…”

“No, how could it be?” A smile replaced the original expression on Ash’s face. “There’s nothing more delightful than celebrating with Hanano.”

“If you’re really happy,” Akaba pouted at Ash’s expression. “Then why do you look so awful smiling like that?”

“Maybe I’m too excited.”

Wildflower stood silently, staring at Ash’s exaggerated actions that clearly hid something from her, yet still refusing to tell her.

She was somewhat angry and worried, and…

a liar.”

———————

“HappyBirthdaytoYou~ Wish you a happy birthday~”

Not only the Wanohana family members, but Yu, Sayane, and others naturally came to celebrate together. Ex-world-class actress Sayane sang in a melodious voice reminiscent of theater, adding another sacred light to Akaba and Ash, the current leaders of the “Golden Crown.”

“Birth——day——!” The intense rock guitar broke this atmosphere, and the modified rock version of “Happy Birthday” electrified the scene with sounds plucked from Himizuki’s strings.

“Gao—Ho—Gao—Ho—” Even V-Rex, transformed into the size of a DX toy, was singing and dancing, adding a dinosaur-themed birthday song.

“Thank you everyone!”

Holding V-Rex and giving its nose a kiss, Akaba sat in front of a creamy cake lit with 23 candles. She happily embraced the fact that she had grown another year older.

“Really, Ash~” Feeling the awkward silence beside her, Akaba intentionally used a coquettish tone to nudge his shoulder with her elbow. “You’re a main character today too; how can you be unhappy?”

“Me?” Cross-armed and firmly planted on the ground rhythmically, Ash quickly explained, “I just prefer to show my happiness inwardly. That’s my introverted nature.”

“If so, why don’t you even blow out the candles?” Smiling, Akaba picked up the candle beside her. “How old are you, according to the number of candles?”

“Err… It’s hard to say. I’m not sure myself. Asking System feels too embarrassing.”

“Okay, then treat me as four years old.”

“Fine~” Akaba inserted five candles in front of Ash’s cake and lit them one by one. “So our little Ash is five years old now!”

“…”

Listening to the applause that followed everyone’s laughter, Ash felt an irrepressible smile appear as well.

Is this why humans celebrate their birthdays? If there is someone by your side… it is indeed fun.

“Quickly make a wish!”

“Pffft!”

The two clasped their hands in front of them, took a deep breath, closed their eyes, and made a wish in their hearts:

‘I hope we can continue to be happy together after overcoming difficulties.’

‘….I have nothing to wish for.’

Another voice emerged in Ash’s heart.

‘[You can make a wish for her.]’

‘Then I hope Hanano’s wish comes true.’

Opening their eyes, they blew out the fluttering flames on the candles together.