"Actually, today is my birthday," Miko said with a forlorn expression. "But my parents are away for work, so… this year, I guess I'll be spending it alone again."
"…"
Natsukawa fell silent.
If loneliness had a scale, celebrating your birthday alone might rank somewhere around a seven or eight. Sure, individual circumstances could adjust that score, but it was undeniably tough for those who still saw birthdays as special, celebratory occasions.
And judging by Miko's sudden melancholy, she definitely cared a lot about birthdays.
"Do you have any plans for today?" he asked, unsure how to comfort her. Maybe shifting the focus to something positive would help? Judging by her actions, she seemed down but not entirely defeated. There was still room to salvage the day.
"If you don't mind… maybe I could join you?"
He knew how it felt to face such solitude—he'd been through it himself. Having experienced the rain, he wanted to hold out an umbrella for someone else.
"Really? You'd do that?" Miko's eyes lit up, though a hint of worry lingered in her tone. "But Senpai, don't you have your own plans? Are you sure it's okay?"
Miko really was a considerate person. Even now, she was worried about inconveniencing him.
"Honestly, I don't have anything pressing. Spending some time with you won't be a problem," Natsukawa reassured her with a shake of his head. Of course, he couldn't exactly admit that his original plan was to go home and sleep until noon.
He'd make do—he wasn't a heavy sleeper anyway. A little extra effort and he'd have plenty of energy for the day.
"There are quite a few people around here," Natsukawa said, glancing at the bustling area. "How about we head over to that park? We can sit down and talk about what you originally planned to do."
Standing outside the shop for too long was inconsiderate, even if the shopkeeper didn't mind. Plus, given their height difference, they probably looked like an older brother about to abduct his little sister—not exactly an ideal image.
Miko had no objections. For her, simply having someone to keep her company was a blessing, a sign that someone cared.
With her agreement, Natsukawa led her to the small park he frequented—the very spot where he had once encountered the "angel" who became part of his life.
They sat on adjacent swings, and Natsukawa encouraged her gently. "You must've planned something for your birthday, right? I'd love to hear about it, if you don't mind."
He figured she might feel shy, so he framed it as his own interest to make her more comfortable.
"Well… actually…" Miko hesitated, clearly embarrassed, before revealing her plan.
"I was just going to wander around, try some food, and then go home. I haven't explored this area much, so I thought I'd check out some local snacks and desserts."
"I see…" Natsukawa nodded thoughtfully.
Classic foodie logic. Whether to celebrate or distract oneself, eating good food was a reliable choice. The only downside was the potential for weight gain.
"And after that? I mean, once you've had your fill, what's the next step? Maybe a movie or something?"
"Ah, no, not really. I just wanted to try some desserts," Miko replied with a shake of her head.
Natsukawa couldn't help but find her lifestyle a bit monotonous. "But you've still got the whole day ahead of you, right? Not just the afternoon and evening—even the morning might feel a bit long…"
"Huh? Not at all. I've spent whole days like this before, and the time just flies," Miko said matter-of-factly, tilting her head in mild confusion.
Natsukawa froze. "Wait… a whole day?"
"Yeah, a whole day. Sometimes it doesn't even feel like enough time—I can't visit all the places I want," Miko said with an earnest nod. For her, the only two ways to reward herself were spending a day snuggled up with her stuffed animals while listening to music or spending the day food-hunting. The latter, however, lacked the comfort of companionship, which made it slightly less appealing.
"…" Natsukawa gaped. "So… you spend the whole day eating?"
"Not exactly," Miko clarified. "I also spend time picking restaurants and reading menus. Sometimes, if the food isn't good, I get upset and lose my appetite a bit."
From her perspective, the goal was to eat delicious food. That's why she was so selective, though her sense of justice prevented her from outright wasting food, even if it wasn't tasty.
Natsukawa misunderstood her explanation, thinking she might be the type to order a little bit of everything just to try it. It sounded extravagant but reasonable for a birthday indulgence.
"I think I get the idea," he said, nodding. After a moment's thought, he added a suggestion.
"Eating alone can be nice—you get to choose whatever you like. But there are some activities that are more fun with two people. Since today's a special occasion, why not try something new?"
He didn't want to half-heartedly fulfill his promise to keep her company. Giving her a richer and more memorable birthday experience seemed like the least he could do.
"Things like watching a movie, visiting a museum, bowling, or going to an aquarium or zoo—those are way more enjoyable with someone else, don't you think? Of course, if you have your own ideas, that's great too. I'm fine with whatever you want to do."
After all, it was her birthday. Her preferences took priority.
Miko's eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded vigorously.
"Now that you mention it, there is something I've always wanted to try!"
"Oh? Let's hear it," Natsukawa said, intrigued by her enthusiasm.
"Senpai, let's go to an all-you-can-eat barbecue!"
"…"
For a moment, Natsukawa thought he'd misheard.