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Korekiyo checked their phone again. They weren’t normally the sort of person to be so glued to it, much preferring dusty old books or the open air of a historical site to things like social media, but on that day, they couldn’t help but wish a notification or two would come through. No matter how many times they checked, the results were the same: there were no unread messages and the date glowing up at them was July 31st.
It was their birthday. Another year of celebrating alone.
(Sister argued that they really shouldn’t be celebrating at all. After all, when was the last time they bothered doing anything for her birthday? It was incredibly selfish of them to drag her along on their celebrations against her will while offering nothing in return.)
They grit their teeth, laying their phone face down on the bathroom counter and grabbing an eyeliner instead. July 31st was just another day, to be gotten through like any other. If they couldn’t quite look at their own reflection as they did their makeup, well, there was no one to mock them for it except her.
After getting ready, their first destination of the day was their favorite neighborhood coffee shop. The moment they opened the door, the air conditioning hit them like a wave. Under their mask, Korekiyo’s face twisted into an expression of distaste, arms reflexively crossing as if to ward off the chill. It didn’t matter that they were dressed more warmly than most would deem wise for mid-summer. They just despised air conditioning.
Thankfully, there were only a few people ahead of them in line. Time passed quickly enough observing the other patrons (“Trying to count how many are repulsed by you?” Sister taunted from within their mind, dredging up memories of cloyingly sweet smiles). Once in possession of their matcha and a complimentary birthday pastry, they were free to step back out into the hot, muggy summer morning.
Even they had to admit that it might be a little warm to wander aimlessly around the city, so they found their steps leading them in the direction of the nearest museum, recalling a post they read about a new exhibit opening. No matter what else they had going on in their life, anthropology was a reliable source of comfort. Artifacts and all the rich cultural stories they carried were reminders of how beautiful the human world was, even in all its ugliness.
Korekiyo ducked into an alley to eat their pastry, taking small, careful bites to avoid smudging their lipstick. The dumpsters and cracked asphalt didn’t make for the most attractive breakfast spot, but it was preferable to being looked at out in the open and facing the punishment for it later. The pastry was delicate and flaky, with a tart cherry filling. They tried to savor it, knowing it would take the place of a birthday cake. Cultural tradition or not, getting a birthday cake for one person didn’t make much sense. Even as a child, they didn’t always get a birthday cake—Sister’s illness took up too much of their parents’ attention.
Sighing softly, they brushed the crumbs from their bandaged hands and tossed the paper bag in the trash along with their empty cup. From outside the alley, the wide front steps of the museum beckoned, promising sweet distraction.
As they expected, wandering around the museum at a leisurely pace was enough to kill a good few hours. They visited both new and familiar exhibits alike, paying special attention to those relevant to their preferred field of study. Anything related to human culture could be connected to anthropology, naturally, but Korekiyo delighted in all things spooky and macabre. The ways humans grappled with concepts like death, the afterlife, and spiritual beliefs were quite revealing.
Perhaps they once hoped that enough vigorous study would provide them with the right answers in their own life, but they’d long since discarded such notions. Nobody could tell anyone else how best to face the reality of death. It was a personal journey, one that could last a lifetime. Those sorts of thoughts always seemed to bring Sister to the forefront of their mind, even when they weren’t feeling any distress.
It was nearing lunchtime once they made their way out of the museum, mumbling an absentminded reply to the employee telling them to have a nice day. The heat was oppressive after so much time spent indoors, sunlight beating down on them relentlessly. That slight distraction was just enough to keep them from noticing the figure approaching them until it was too late.
“I thought I’d find you around here. A mage’s intuition is always right!” Himiko’s laidback drawl made Korekiyo flinch, coming from so close by. They stopped dead in their tracks, eyes focusing on the girl at their side. She grinned, smug, and linked her arm in theirs. “Happy birthday.”
“I...thank you, but...what are you doing tracking me down out of nowhere?” They didn’t bother trying to withdraw their arm, gradually relaxing into the contact. Among their old classmates, Himiko was the only one who ever succeeded in getting quite so familiar with them. That was due in large part to the fact that she was the only one who really tried, but that was beside the point. They were far too old to brood over high school cliques.
“Um, because it’s your birthday, obviously. We’re going to have fun. You weren’t seriously planning on spending the whole day alone, were you?”
“Is there something wrong with that? I’ve never done much of anything special for my birthday, even when I was young. It’s really not necessary for you to spend your time and effort on me.”
As they spoke, Korekiyo kept walking in the general direction of home, Himiko falling into step beside them without complaint. “Of course there’s something wrong with that. You didn’t even let anyone know when your birthday was until after we graduated from high school, and every year since then you’ve left town or done something else to hide from everyone. I know it’s not that you’re out partying with someone else, so what’s the problem? Are you against having fun?”
“It’s just not necessary,” they replied softly, heart clenching uncomfortably in their chest. “I’m used to the way things are. Even that can become a tradition of sorts, no?”
Himiko just sighed, tugging them a little closer to her side. “Fine, maybe it’s not necessary for you, but it is for me. My whole job is making people smile, so obviously that includes my friends. How can I work my magic if you don’t let me?”
“Well, if you put it like that… As a favor for an old friend, I guess I can let you impose on me for the day. What did you have in mind?”
As it turned out, what she had in mind was baking a cake. Any protests they could have made felt useless in the face of Himiko rummaging through their kitchen cupboards, pulling out flour and sugar. She started lining up ingredients on the counter, hardly batting an eye at the fact that Korekiyo was just standing there watching her. The dusty bottle of vanilla extract she grabbed next didn’t even look familiar.
“You even have strawberries,” she declared once she was elbow deep in the fridge. “I bet I could make a strawberry cake. It’d be really cute and pink. I’ve kinda been into baking these days. My students like it when I bring in treats.”
“Students?” they echoed. “Have you taken on some aspiring magicians?”
“Mm, a few. I’m trying it out. That’s not important though; today’s about you. So what do you say? Strawberry cake?”
“Alright.” Trying and failing to suppress a smile, they rolled up their sleeves and, after only a moment’s hesitation, unwound their bandages. They fetched a mixing bowl once they were done. “Only if I can help.”
“Fine. You’ve got a deal.” Himiko made no such effort to hide her own smile, nor did she take a second glance at their scarred arms. They stared down at the measuring cups a little longer than necessary, waiting for the swell of gratitude in their heart to die down.
It was remarkably easy to fall into conversation with her from there, preparing ingredients according to her directions. The moments of silence were comfortable too, acting as a reminder that she had never expected too much of them.
“I’m glad you decided to come find me,” they said in one such lull, looking down at the cake batter they were whisking. “I’m more than capable of being content with my own company, but… nobody’s done something like this for me before. Thank you.”
Out of the corner of their eye, they spotted the moment Himiko’s own whisk came to an abrupt halt, scraping the side of the bowl. They didn’t want to look at her face, wary of the pity that might lay there.
“Never?” she asked hesitantly, taking half a step closer. “Just hanging out with you and making a cake? I’m not doing anything that special.”
“Never. There’s no need to dwell on it, mind you. I simply wanted to express my appreciation as your friend.”
It took another moment, but Himiko took up her whisk again, getting back to mixing her half of the ingredients. Korekiyo themself had never faltered, naturally. They were good at multitasking, and it was a distraction from the roiling guilt and shame within them. Sister was whispering to them, making snide remarks about how if they really thought Himiko was a good friend, they ought to have done something about it.
“Well… don’t thank me too quickly,” Himiko said, punctuating it with a nervous chuckle. “There’s actually something I haven’t told you yet. Don’t get mad or anything, but… there’s kind of a party for you tonight. I helped plan it, and all our old classmates will be there. Everyone’s happy to get together again and celebrate your birthday, so please come.”
“Do I have a choice in the matter?” They weren’t being entirely serious, but they felt another little tendril of guilt unfurl when her face fell.
(“So careless, Korekiyo,” Sister chided. “All you ever do is hurt others. I’m the only one who understands you, you know.”)
“Of course you have a choice. We all want you to come, but if you really don’t want to, that’s your decision.”
As Himiko spoke, Korekiyo turned on the mixer, letting the mechanical whirring drown her out. Mixing cake batter only took so long though, and they were eventually faced with the need to shut off the mixer and reply.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I don’t want to,” they began slowly, watching her pour pale pink batter into the pan. “Rather that I doubt our former classmates want to. Although I enjoyed observing anyone, one wouldn’t describe me as involved in class activities. I believe everyone preferred it that way. Perhaps some of it can be attributed to my own insecurities… the nagging sense that I’m unable to be understood, and undeserving of it regardless. But I don’t think it would be inaccurate to describe me as, well, the class freak.” Though their voice remained steady throughout, they couldn’t say the same for their hands. Wracked with nervous tremors, they curled them into fists at their sides.
Himiko, having put the cake in the oven, turned back to face them with an air of stubborn concern. “Kiyo… You’re not a freak. And everyone does want to be there. Do you really think they’d bother making the time to come if they didn’t?” It didn’t quite soothe them, and it must have been evident on their face, because she let out a soft sigh and continued. “If it would help, I’m not too out of practice to cast a spell on them, or on you.”
“I’m important enough to spend your magical energy on? That’s quite an honor.”
“So...?” She reached out and took one of their still-shaky hands, eyes wide and expectant. “What was it you said earlier? A favor for an old friend? If you have a bad time, then we don’t have to stay. I’ll make up an excuse for you and everything.”
“Okay. I’ll try.” They forced a smile, despite knowing she couldn’t see it. It was the thought that counted, right?
“And, y’know, us hanging out doesn’t have to be just for today. We can see each other more often, even if the others aren’t good about keeping in touch. You deserve to have friends, even if you think you don’t.”
The afternoon and early evening passed more quickly than Korekiyo would have liked. Himiko was pleasant enough company, but the looming inevitability of the party drove them to distraction, aided by Sister’s cutting words within the confines of their mind.
They could leave if it was unbearable, they reminded themself. They could always leave. That was the thought pushing them along when it was time to go, a lingering refrain all the way into the restaurant as Himiko guided them to the private party space in the back. The first thing their gaze landed on was a large banner on the wall with, “Happy birthday Korekiyo” printed on it. There were balloons on either side in their favorite shades of green and red, and each table appeared to have confetti scattered atop the tablecloth, along with some sort of festive centerpiece they couldn’t quite make out from the doorway. From a quick glance around, they counted fourteen people, not including them and Himiko. Everyone was there. It really was a party, no doubt about that.
“I really did a great job with the cake, didn’t I?” she said, her tone deliberately light. “Sorry I used all your strawberries for it though. I’ll buy you some more.”
“It’s fine,” they muttered, tension threatening to overtake their body as they fully processed the sight of so many familiar figures milling around. “The cake is delicious. I dare say I got quite a good deal. If anything, I should send you home with some as compensation. I hardly need a whole cake for myself.”
“Well, if you insist, I’ll take some when we get back.” She giggled, gently nudging them along. Across the room, Kokichi was dodging tables and other guests, laughing as he fled from Kaito, who was yelling at him about something related to a kazoo. “But you should probably greet your guests instead of standing in the corner with me, huh? Wouldn’t want anyone getting jealous.” Ah, Kaito caught up with his prey, they observed, one eye on the scuffle as they listened to Himiko. He had the other man by the collar, which Kokichi didn’t seem to mind one bit.
“As if anyone would—” They had no time to finish their sentence before Kaede bounded up to them enthusiastically, followed by Rantaro at a more sedate pace. Aside from the occasional photo they saw online, both had been almost entirely absent from their life since the end of high school.
“Happy birthday, Korekiyo!” Kaede exclaimed, beaming just as brightly as she would at anyone else present. “I spent loads of time with Himiko planning everything, so I hope you have a great time and everything’s to your liking.”
“Ever the responsible class president, I see,” they said dryly, feeling a certain sort of comfort at that. “Some things never change. Thank you, Akamatsu-san.”
“Akamatsu-san, really? All these years and you can’t call me Kaede?” She looked more amused than anything else, but Korekiyo braced for whatever scathing remark Sister would have in store.
“My apologies… Kaede.”
Rantaro chimed in then with his own birthday wishes, mentioning a few details from his recent travels that he thought they might take an interest in, and before they knew it, several minutes had passed. The punishment they were awaiting hadn’t come. Himiko was still at their side, keeping a watchful eye over the conversation. They knew that if they gave her the slightest signal, she’d shoo Kaede and Rantaro away to allow them some space, but they didn’t need her to.
“That sounds fascinating. I haven’t been doing as much travel myself as of late, but I’ve heard wonderful things about the area. Where did you stay?”
Around the room, they could see the others mingling, some casting occasional glances over at them as if searching for the right moment to come over and greet them themselves. A few of the girls were huddled around giggling as they organized the small gift table and started setting up party games for later. Shuichi wandered around with a camera, snapping the occasional candid shot. Himiko, who’d strayed momentarily, returned to their side to inquire about what they wanted to drink. The day that started out so empty was full of life.
For the first time since they woke up that morning, their mind was utterly silent.