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The birthday Luther filled in when registering for his Pokédex wasn't actually his real birthday. But at the time, Luther was so dazed and caught up in the excitement of finally receiving his Pokédex that he didn't even notice the mistake. When Professor Rowan brought it up later, he could only laugh it off, saying he'd been too excited that day.
Since Luther didn't request a correction, Professor Rowan never took the initiative to change the information.
After reaching adulthood, Luther had stopped celebrating birthdays altogether. For one, there wasn't really anyone around to celebrate with him; for another, he was usually on the road.
At best, he might buy a small cake and eat it alone in his room. If he was feeling extra indulgent, he'd grab a bottle of milk to go with it, and that, in his mind, fulfilled the entire "birthday ritual."
To Luther, birthdays had never felt like anything particularly special. If anything, they were a reminder of just how alone he was.
As a kid, he had laughed at the episode of Mr. Bean where he gives himself a birthday gift. But as an adult, he realized... it was painfully accurate.
With all the time spent traveling, Luther had long since lost track of dates. If Mai hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have remembered it himself.
Mai leaned in, her eyes sparkling.
"How are you planning to spend your birthday?"
The question genuinely stumped Luther. 'How do you celebrate a birthday?'
'Since this was technically his first birthday in this new world… maybe he could splurge a little? Buy a bigger cake? Maybe even two bottles of yogurt?'
Mai stared at him, dumbfounded. She tilted her head and looked Luther up and down.
Luther suddenly felt ashamed at how small his expectations were. He had Mai with him now. One cake obviously wouldn't be enough anymore.
"Uh… two cakes? Four bottles of yogurt?" Mai put her hand to her forehead. "Shiran really went too far… Was that all he ever gave you for your birthdays? Just cake and yogurt?"
Luther's Pokémon all nodded in agreement.
Luther opened his mouth but hesitated, then could only nod along with them.
When it came to birthday parties, Luther's imagination came up short. He had never experienced one properly. Maybe he had as a kid, but those memories had gradually faded, leaving only vague recollections of celebrating alone.
"So… how did you celebrate your birthdays, Mai?"
Mai's birthday celebrations were a big affair. Relatives would all come over to visit on that day, bringing gifts. The house would even be decorated with Mai's favorite color, light blue, just for her.
Mai didn't care much for the gifts from her relatives. The ones she actually liked were the ones related to Pokémon care, books or supplies.
But what she loved most was what her Pokémon would prepare in advance each year: weird, quirky gifts… or little performances.
Aggron, for example, once dug up a huge boulder from who-knows-where, and then smashed it in front of Mai with a single punch as a show.
Luther couldn't help but imagine a street performer, but with Aggron's boulder being way tougher than anything they'd smash.
Pachirisu and Chinchou did a light show by using electricity to light up a bulb.
Luther was still trying to figure out how to politely critique that performance…
Dusknoir once went out and brought back the exact Gengar Mai had seen on TV and called "so cool" before her birthday.
So that's where that Gengar came from!
Eevee brought back all kinds of Berries.
That was a bit more normal, it had become a tradition ever since a sick Mai was once gifted a Lum Berry as a child. Natu pecked holes into horns that Corsola had shed, then assembled them into a strange and mysterious piece of art.
Now that's talent… She should evolve into Xatu and take it even further!
Mai spoke animatedly, her eyes shining with joy. Luther listened with rapt attention.
'So… birthdays can be like that, too?'
After a while, Mai suddenly realized something, and her voice gradually quieted. She fixed her gaze on Luther.
"Go on, I'm still waiting to hear what happened after you played rock-paper-scissors with Slowpoke."
Mai smiled.
"You're making it sound like I'm the one celebrating a birthday. Let's go back to you. Is there anything you want?"
Luther answered immediately: "Someone to celebrate my birthday with. And a group of Pokémon celebrating with me."
"That's it?" Mai looked surprised.
Luther scratched his head. "What else would I need?"
Mai glanced at the time. "In that case, let's stay up past midnight before going to bed."
"Is that really necessary?"
"If I wish you happy birthday at exactly midnight, you'll have what you wanted, won't you? Then tomorrow in Songxue City, we can buy your favorite food. I didn't prepare anything special this time, but next year, I'll be ready."
"Otherwise your birthday would feel too pitiful. A birthday is the anniversary of someone coming into this world, it shouldn't be treated so casually."
After hearing about how Mai's Pokémon celebrated her birthday, Kirlia thought hard, but couldn't come up with anything clever on short notice. So instead, she stood on tiptoes and reached out for a hug. Luther simply scooped her up, gave her a playful tease, then let her go.
Jumpluff was far less gentle. She leapt lightly and landed right on Luther's head, tossing a Berry down to him.
'Wait a second, that was his own stash of Lum Berries. She was giving his stuff back to him as a gift?'
Luther was just about to complain, when Jumpluff smacked him in the face with her cotton fluff.
"Wow, amazing gift!" He declared immediately.
'No complaints, Luther didn't want a second helping of fluff in his mouth.'
Marill pointed at the gemstone ring on Mai's hand, proudly implying that had been her doing.
"Got it, got it, that counts as your early birthday present for me. Very good, very thoughtful."
…Marill kept pointing?
Wait, now she was pointing at Mai?
What the heck are you trying to say?!
Luther grabbed Marill and gave her a light smack on the butt to send her away.
Chansey walked over holding her egg. Luther quickly stopped her hand.
"I appreciate it, really. But I'm already full. No need for a second dinner."
Espurr glanced around anxiously. She realized that all the ideas she'd come up with had already been used by the others.
Luther understood how Espurr felt and gently suggested:
"Why don't you lift your ears and let me take a photo?" Espurr froze for a moment, then understood.
She cautiously raised both ears, sensing the psychic energy flowing through them, trying her best to stay in control.
The moment her ears stood fully upright, Luther quickly focused and pressed the shutter. Once he confirmed the photo turned out well, he motioned for Espurr to come see.
The image of Espurr with her ears up looked absolutely adorable. Luther couldn't help but give her some more affectionate scritches.
Not wanting Chikorita to feel left out, Luther casually pulled her into his arms and gave her an exaggerated sniff.
"There, that counts as your gift."
Espurr and Chikorita, once placed back on the ground, were both still a bit dazed.
Luther and Mai sat by Courtney, slowly adding dry twigs to the fire. During this time, Eevee and the others did their best to offer their blessings, even if they didn't have actual presents to give.
The most surprising one turned out to be Slowpoke. This guy, who was usually only quick in battle or when looking at lewd pictures, suddenly burst into a sprint and slapped Luther a high-five with uncharacteristic agility.
…Which left Luther staring into space like a Slowpoke himself after the slap.
11:59:55 PM.
Mai silently counted down the final five seconds. The moment it hit midnight, she smiled and said:
"Happy birthday, Luther."
(End of Chapter)