Tomorrow would be May 19th—an otherwise ordinary, unremarkable day.
But seven years ago, on this very day, Roselle's precious little angel, Bernadette, was born—making it a day of immense significance to him.
He looked at his daughter's eager little face and, though he fully understood what she was hinting at, he couldn't resist teasing her. Putting on a clueless expression, he said blankly, "Hmm? What day is it?"
"..."
The anticipation on Bernadette's face slowly faded. She bit her lip and turned her head away. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to ask, that's all."
Roselle reached out and ruffled her hair with a chuckle. "Whew, you scared me for a second there. I thought I'd forgotten your mother's birthday."
It's MY birthday!
Bernadette wanted to shout—but suddenly felt all her strength drain away. If she had to remind her own father for him to remember, then what was the point?
Daddy's a big dummy!
"Well then, I'm going to bed. Good night, Daddy."
Bernadette sulked, turning to leave. Roselle quickly grabbed her wrist and asked, "No goodnight kiss for Daddy?"
The little girl huffed and pulled away. "You haven't even washed your face or brushed your teeth! I'm not kissing you!"
He forgot my birthday—and he says he loves me every day? Liar! All lies! He just says that to fool little kids!
And now he still wants a kiss?
No way!
As Bernadette stomped off, her tiny feet pattering with irritation, Roselle scratched his head. Was pretending not to know about her birthday too much? Maybe he should—
No, no. Build up the tension, then surprise her!
Only that way would tomorrow's surprise be all the better!
With that thought, Roselle turned his focus to the pile of metal parts on his desk. Tonight, he was going to assemble the first camera in this world!
———
The night deepened.
Bernadette curled up under her blanket, staring at the wooden fairy-tale figurines her father had carved for her. Her eyes were wide, lips pursed, and the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.
And to think I've been missing him every day lately…pestering Mr. Sparrow to take me secretly to see him whenever I could…and I've been looking forward to tomorrow so much…
And now?
He didn't even remember my birthday!
Mama was right—men really are all pig trotters!
"Or maybe…"
She furrowed her brow. "Maybe Daddy's just too tired from his voyage. That's why he forgot? He looked tanner this time, and his eyes…they always seem a bit uneasy."
Bernadette was unusually sensitive to others' emotions. That was why, when she first met Mr. Sparrow, she'd trusted him almost immediately—she could feel his genuine kindness.
So she was certain: since Daddy returned, there was indeed unease in his heart. He hid it well, but she had caught it anyway.
But why was Daddy uneasy?
Did something happen on his voyage?
Should I…care for him more?
Should I stop being upset over just a birthday?
Should I…
Aaaahhh!
Bernadette, you dummy!
He forgot your birthday—why are you being so considerate!
Even if he's troubled, how are we supposed to know if he doesn't tell us?
Besides, he was the one who insisted on sailing off and wouldn't even take me along!
So it's Daddy's fault!
She puffed her cheeks again, muttering under her breath.
Just then, endless pale fog surged into her vision—followed by the familiar figure of Sparrow appearing within the gray mist. He smiled and said, "Bernie, it's already past midnight. Happy birthday."
"Ah! Mr. Sparrow! How did you know tomorrow—uh, today—is my birthday?"
Bernadette's face lit up with joy.
"Heh, silly girl. Didn't we just talk a few days ago about whether Roselle would make it back in time for your birthday?" Edward smiled and waved.
"Alright now, it's late. Time for bed."
"Wait, Mr. Sparrow!"
She hurriedly called out, lowering her head as her fingers twisted together nervously. "Can you…can you take me to the Fairy Tale again? I…I want to celebrate my birthday with everyone."
In the Sefirah Castle, Edward sat silently, watching Bernadette's hopeful expression.
He hesitated.
Taking her to celebrate aboard the Fairy Tale wasn't difficult at all…
But right now—he truly didn't have the heart for it.
"I've always been curious about something."
Amon suddenly spoke, his voice carrying that lazy, smug lilt he always had. "Why do ordinary people care so much about the date they were born? Why even treat it as some kind of festival worth celebrating?"
Edward turned his head to glance at him, tone flat and faintly mocking.
"Well, of course you wouldn't understand that kind of feeling—after all, you weren't born normally."
"Oh? And why's that?"
Amon tilted his head, the light glinting off his monocle. "I don't see how there's any difference."
"...You're the one asking for it, huh?"
Edward sneered. "Because—you don't have a mom."
Amon: "…"
It was true.
Amon had been "born" when the Ancient Sun God expelled part of His Beyonder characteristics. He had no mother.
He had never thought that was strange, nor ever felt the need for one.
But right now, after hearing Edward say it so bluntly—you don't have a mom—he suddenly, inexplicably felt…angry.
"Very good."
After a long pause, Amon chuckled, the corner of his mouth twisting up in amusement. "Seems you really have succeeded in injecting humanity into me. I'm almost looking forward to what I'll become next."
Ding.
Edward casually flicked a coin, catching it between his fingers as he activated [Madman to the Right] again.
"I'm looking forward to seeing that too, Amon."
With that, he vanished from the Sefirah Castle.
Amon sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Ah, that brat's getting more and more arrogant…does he really think he's got me figured out?"
He shook his head, monocle flashing faintly.
"What a troublesome child."
———
After Bernadette asked Mr. Sparrow whether he could take her to the Fairy Tale, there was no reply.
The grayish-white mist in front of her faded away soon after.
She felt utterly disappointed.
Pouting, she lay down again and closed her eyes. "Maybe he didn't see my last message…Yeah, that's probably it. It's so late—Mr. Sparrow must've gone to sleep already."
"He's always saying that since he's cursed to stay in a child's body, he needs to go to bed early, wake up early, and drink lots of milk to grow tall. I can't disturb his sleep…"
"Maybe tomorrow—"
"What're you muttering to yourself about, little chatterbox?"
A familiar voice interrupted suddenly, right beside her ear.
Bernadette's eyes flew open. She bolted upright. "Mr. Sparrow, you're here!"
"Mhm."
Edward crossed his arms, squinting down at her. "Go on, finish what you were saying. I'd love to hear how much trash you were talking about me."
"I wasn't saying anything bad about you!" she said hurriedly, cheeks puffed up in denial. "Early to bed, early to rise, and drink milk to grow tall—that's your advice, isn't it?"
Her small fingers twisted the edge of her blanket. "So…you're here to take me to the Fairy Tale for my birthday, right?"
"Nope. I'm here to wake you up to go pee."
"Eh?"
"What 'eh'? Let's go."
He grabbed her wrist without another word, and the two vanished together—
—then, just like that first time he had taken her out to sea, they plummeted in freefall from the sky, landing with a thud upon the deck of the Fairy Tale.
"Waaah!!!"
She ran to the railing, wind blowing through her hair, and shouted at the vast blue ocean before her, "Ocean! I'm back again!!!"
Edward strolled up beside her and snapped his fingers lightly.
Instantly, the aura of the Sea God spread across the waters.
The sea around them began to churn and surge.
"What's happening?"
Bernadette jumped back a little, clutching Edward's sleeve tightly.
Boom!
The surface of the sea suddenly bulged up as a massive water bubble swelled—then burst as a giant fish leapt high into the air, arcing above the waves before crashing back down in a shower of sparkling spray.
Bernadette instinctively shut her eyes, covering her face with her hands.
After several seconds, when no water splashed on her, she cautiously peeked through her fingers—
—and saw a magnificent seven-colored rainbow stretching across the air.
"Wow! A rainbow!"
Her eyes widened as she stared at the dazzling arch formed amidst the falling droplets.
It felt so close, as if she could reach out and touch it.
But the sea's motion didn't stop there.
Schools of fish—big and small, bright and dark, of every possible hue—began leaping from the waves in coordinated bursts.
Grouped by species, by colour, by size, they formed patterns and lines, composing a breathtaking, ever-shifting mural over the ocean.
Bernadette's eyes sparkled as she tried to take in everything, overwhelmed by the kaleidoscopic wonder before her.
In just a few minutes, she saw more kinds of fish than she ever had in her entire life.
Then, suddenly—
The waves calmed, the last ripples fading away.
Just when she thought the "show" had ended, the sea below began to boil again. Countless bubbles rose to the surface—until, in an instant, tens of thousands of fish leapt into the air together.
They intertwined midair, gliding through the rainbow's glow to form a line of glittering Intis words:
"Happy Birthday, Bernadette."
At that moment, Edward took out Ravenclaw's Diadem, gently placed it on her head, and ruffled her hair with a soft smile.
"Bernie, happy birthday."
"!!!"
She stared up at him, speechless—only for the Fairy Tale's crew of fairy-tale figures to suddenly rush over, crowding around her.
Snow White picked her up in her arms, laughing brightly, "Happy 7th Birthday!"
Bernadette was tossed high into the air, and as she looked around midflight, she realized—
the ship was now festooned with balloons, ribbons, and banners.
The Fairy Tale had transformed into a massive floating cake, and at that moment, fireworks erupted around them in dazzling bursts of color.
One thought filled her heart:
Maybe…this is the most unforgettable birthday I'll ever have.
She was tossed upward again, cupping her hands around her mouth, shouting joyfully through the night, "Thank you, Mr. Sparrow!!!"
———
The next morning.
Edward yawned as he walked downstairs into the living room.
Dubois came up to him immediately.
"Good morning, boss. Didn't sleep well last night?"
"Not really."
Edward stretched lazily. "To be precise—I didn't sleep at all. What's up?"
Dubois nodded. "That Roselle fellow sent someone over first thing this morning. He says today's Bernadette's birthday, and he wants us to cooperate for a surprise."
"Uh?"
Edward blinked. "Another birthday?"
Oh—right. The one at midnight had just been his personal celebration for her.
And as a textbook "daughter-con," of course Roselle would have his own surprise prepared for his beloved girl.
"Alright, what do we need to do?"
"Well," Dubois said, thinking for a second, "he wants us to act like we don't know anything, and then suddenly appear to surprise her later…"
Edward facepalmed. "You could've led with that."
"Of course, he also said he'll explain the details when we all meet later."
"What, you mean he's calling a meeting for this?"
Dubois spread his hands helplessly.
"Seems like it. I'll admit, though—seeing that unreliable guy getting so excited just to surprise a little girl…it almost makes me want to find a woman and have a kid myself."
"..."
Edward frowned. "You want to find a woman just to have a kid? That's a dangerous mindset, I'm telling you. Idiot shrimp-head!"
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.