Chapter 53 : guys, today is my birthday.

“You’re a little disappointing, Lene.”

That was the first time I heard those words after revealing that today was my birthday.

…This is bad.

This is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad…!

Today is Bora’s birthday, and I’m one of the invited guests at her birthday party.

The main character today should be Bora.

But, I foolishly said it was my birthday too…!

What should I do?

Naturally, the atmosphere became awkward, and not only that, I’m sure I’ll be disliked from now on…

“If you had told me earlier, I could have prepared some food that you like, Lene.”

Definitely…

“…Huh?”

I was startled and looked up at Bora’s mother, who was cupping her cheek with her left hand, her lips slightly pouting, as if she was really disappointed.

“Today, I only prepared food that Bora likes. I’m sure you would’ve wanted some dishes you like if it were your birthday…”

“Ah, well… uh… o-oh, today is Bora-chan’s birthday, so… it’s only right to prepare the food that Bora-chan likes… since it’s her birthday party… Bora-chan should be the main character… otherwise, Bora-chan might feel disappointed…”

“Huh?”

My head was spinning, and I couldn’t speak properly.

How do I explain this?

One thing for sure is that I’m an insensitive fool who, despite not deserving to be celebrated, mentioned it was my birthday.

Though her mother said that, from Bora’s perspective, she must be angry…

“Our daughter… do you think Bora would feel disappointed if we had prepared food that Lene likes instead?”

“Huh? Why would I?”

Definitely…

“I’m actually super happy because Lene-sis and I have the same birthday!”

“Did you hear that?”

Bora’s mother continued, as if telling me not to worry.

“You don’t know how much Bora likes you.”

“Yeah! I’m going to marry Lene-sis later!”

“…As a parent, hearing such things makes me feel a bit complicated,” said Bora’s father, smiling kindly as if it was all fine.

“But… because of me, if I’m being a nuisance…”

“Hey, how could we say something like that? We’re always so thankful to Lene. Didn’t he just say that if there’s anything he can do, he’ll help? I feel the same way. Preparing a few extra dishes is nothing compared to what Lene usually does for us.”

What have I done to deserve such words? I’ve only been receiving help from Bora, her mother, and her father.

“We’re both working, so we were always worried about Bora being alone, but thanks to Lene, we’ve been able to relax so much. It may sound rude, but please keep playing with Bora in the future.”

“Huh? I’m the one who’s playing with Lene-Sis!”

“Daughter, at times like this, you should honestly say thank you.”

“…Always, thank you, Sis.”

“You don’t need to feel embarrassed. If you need anything, just ask without hesitation.”

Quietly, Bora took my right hand in hers.

The warmth of her hand was so comforting that I almost felt like I might cry.

“Thank you…”

“We’re the ones who should be thankful… Oh, and I should definitely say this, right?”

“Huh?”

“Happy birthday, Lene!”

“Happy birthday, Sis!”

【Lene Gallery m】
Title: Everyone, today is my birthday
Posted by: Lene◇1
(Cake photo.jpg)

Today, I was invited for the first time to the home of my younger sibling who lives upstairs, after having always been the one to go out and greet them.
It felt strange to be on the receiving end of a greeting.

Honestly, I wondered why they invited me, especially since they didn’t explain it at first, and I was overthinking it…

But it turns out today is my sibling’s birthday.

I was really surprised.

I never expected our birthdays would be on the same day.

So, I was shocked and said it, but honestly, at first, I thought it was a mistake.
Since they’re still young, they probably want to be the main character on their birthday…

From the parents’ perspective, it’s such a special day, and they’d want to focus entirely on their child…

What if I made things awkward by mentioning it? What if they felt bad? Those were the thoughts I had.

But everyone told me “happy birthday.”

I almost cried because of it, but I barely managed to hold it in.

This feels like the happiest birthday I’ve had in such a long time.

No, it feels like it’s the first time.

So, I wonder if I can also receive congratulations from you all.

Everyone, today is my birthday.

【Recommended: 121 / Not Recommended: 121】

: “Congratulations, Tenryan, haha”
Loo: “But, uh, is it really okay to ask for congratulations in a situation like this? Really???”

Lo: “Turn on the stream and ask for congratulations, haha…”

NoLeNenoLife: “I mean, I’m congratulating, but…”

└NoLeNenoLife♦: “What’s the difference between this and some malicious troll? Seriously, what’s the difference?”

ᄋᄋ: “On your birthday, just turn on the stream and collect money, you idiot.”

Loo: “Really, what the heck is this?”

Krasia◇: “If this isn’t war, I don’t know what is.”

└Krasia◇: “I’m just going to participate in a fan meeting tomorrow, Tenryan.”

└Krasia◇: “Ah, happy birthday, haha.”

DaHwangLene: “I don’t know whether to congratulate or be mad, haha.”

WinterIsHere: “The gallery owner is awful, so it’s really tough…”

ᄋᄋ: “Wow, PandralChu.”

Dagurose◆: “Please, can’t you just turn on the stream and accept congratulations?”

YukineIsNoLongerHere: “Who are these people who say they’re streaming to make money but don’t even

turn on the stream?”

Iris: “I’ll come tomorrow, so can you just die once?”

ᄂIris: “This is my lifelong wish, I’m so mad right now I can’t even contain it.”

└Airus◆: “Happy birthday, Tenryan.”

This person is harmful: “Turn on the stream, really, if you don’t want to die.”

ᄋᄋ: “Stop using nonsense here, haha.”

TMTMT: “How can someone like this even be a man?”

I liked the drowsy, hazy feeling that came after waking up.

It feels like swimming between the boundary of dreams and reality.

The sensation of my body floating gently was enough to make me forget all the tiring things I had been through.

So even though I woke up, I lazily rolled around in bed.

“Lene! Get up quickly! What time do you think it is!”

Then came the familiar yell of the old pope.

It’s not like there have been many heretics around lately, so why is he telling me to get up so urgently?

I already finished my morning prayers lying down.

Various complaints bubbled up inside me, but I didn’t want to see the old pope throwing a tantrum in front of me.

So, I curled up and covered myself with the blanket.

After that, I could just peek my face out a little to let him know I was awake.

“I’m up…”

“…Go inside!”

“Yes….”

With my response, the wooden door slammed open, and the pope came in.

He looked at me and then pressed his right hand to my forehead.

“…Didn’t you say you were awake?”

“I-I’m up….”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know that by now. …You did your prayers, didn’t you?”

At his question, I quietly nodded.

Of course, I did them while lying in bed, but I wasn’t dumb enough to say that.

“…Sigh.”

For some reason, the pope let out a sigh.

That’s strange.

Normally, he would’ve left by now, but why hasn’t he gone out of the room yet?

“Lene.”

Then, for some reason, he stepped closer to me.
“Eek…?!”

I immediately pulled the blanket up to my head to block my view of everything.

What is this? What’s going on?

Did I do something wrong?

Did he find out I did my prayers while lying in bed?

But if the one receiving the prayer didn’t say anything, it should be fine, right?!

What if this is just an excuse to kick me out?

Should I offer up that guy as a sacrifice…?

“…No, I suppose I don’t have the right to say such things. I’ll let the other children know today. You should rest properly.”

“…Ugh.”

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the familiar ceiling.

It’s been a while since I dreamed of that world.

I wonder if the old pope is doing well.

He was the only one from that world who would talk to me.

Well, I can’t even imagine him being sick or anything like that.

…Anyway, thinking about the dream reminded me, what was the old pope trying to say?

There were times when he tried to say something to me and then stopped. Honestly, it was frustrating every time that happened.

There are two ways to make someone mad:

The first is by starting to say something and then stopping.

“Yawn….”

Thinking these useless things, I stretched and got out of bed.

Honestly, if I had my way, I would have liked to stay in bed for another 30 minutes, but seeing the clock pointing to 11, I had no choice but to give up.

If I wake up any later, I’ll really be a lost cause.

Someone as diligent and hardworking as me cannot afford to hear such things.

“Hmm….”

After a quick shower, I sit down at my computer, just like I always do.

…This is how terrifying habits can be.

I didn’t even plan to do anything in particular, but here I am, sitting at the computer as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Hmmm….”

Today, Bora is going on a family trip to celebrate her birthday, so I have some alone time to myself.

Bora’s mother suggested I join them, but I politely declined, of course.

It’s not a matter of tact—if I went, there’s a 100% chance I would die…

Anyway, I’ve got some long-awaited time to myself.

First, since I posted about my birthday on the Lemon Gallery yesterday, let me check the gallery…

Ding!

Just as I thought that, I heard the notification sound from MissCode.

The message was from… an illustrator whose ID I exchanged with just in case.

It was Teacher Tada Shumi.