The room glowed with the soft flicker of a single candle, its wax molded into the number "18," perched proudly atop a chocolate cake layered with creamy frosting. The sweet aroma of vanilla and cocoa filled the air, mingling with the warmth of the moment.
Three women stood around the cake, their voices harmonizing in a cheerful rendition of "Happy Birthday." The young man at the center, Ren, stood with a happy smile curling his lips. His slightly long hair fell in soft waves around his ears, framing his boyish face. His lean, average build radiated a quiet confidence, and his eyes sparkled with gratitude as he looked at the women surrounding him.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Ren, happy birthday to you!" the trio sang, their voices blending in a melody that felt like a warm embrace. As the final note faded, they clapped enthusiastically, their faces beaming with affection.
"Make a wish, Ren!" chirped Hiyori, the youngest of the group. Her light pink hair was tied into playful pigtails that bobbed as she bounced on her heels. The frock she wore, a pastel pink number with a flared skirt, added to her youthful, almost impish charm. At sixteen, she was a bundle of energy, her tsundere personality evident in the way she crossed her arms and pouted slightly, as if daring Ren to mess up his wish.
Ren chuckled, his smile widening. He leaned forward, his breath steady, and blew out the candle in one smooth puff. The flame flickered out, leaving a wisp of smoke curling upward. The room erupted in cheers.
"Alright, Ren, cut the cake!" said Kyouka, the elder sister of the three women. She stood tall, her beautiful figure complimented by loose, oversized pants and a fitted blouse that hugged her generous curves. In her early-twenties, Kyouka was the epitome of the "cool older sister" stereotype—confident, a little aloof, but fiercely protective.
Her bust strained slightly against the fabric of her blouse, drawing attention without effort, and her long legs gave her an air of effortless grace. She leaned casually against the table, her dark eyes watching Ren with a fond smirk.
Ren picked up the knife, his movements careful but relaxed. The cake parted easily under the blade, revealing its moist, chocolatey interior. He sliced a generous piece and turned to the woman standing closest to him, Tachibana Misa, the matriarch of their little family.
Misa was a vision of mature beauty in her early forties. Her dark hair was tied back in a neat, elegant bun, not a strand out of place, accentuating the graceful curve of her neck. The yukata she wore, a deep indigo with delicate floral patterns, clung to her voluptuous figure in a way that was both refined and undeniably sensual.
Her full, heavy breasts pressed against the fabric, their curves hinted at with every subtle movement, exuding a quiet allure that spoke of confidence and experience. Her hips and backside, equally generous, swayed slightly as she shifted her weight, the yukata draping over her in a way that highlighted her mature, womanly form.
Yet, despite her striking appearance, her warm, maternal smile softened the intensity of her presence.
"Here, Mom," Ren said softly, offering the first slice to Misa. He held the plate out, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of respect and affection.
Misa's lips curved into a gentle smile, her voice smooth and calm, carrying the weight of her years with grace. "Thank you, darling." She took a small bite, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment as she savored the sweetness. "Delicious, as expected. You've always had a knack for picking the best cakes, Ren."
Ren blushed at the praise, scratching the back of his neck. Before he could respond, Misa stepped forward and enveloped him in a warm hug. Her body pressed against his, soft and comforting, her curves a reminder of her nurturing yet undeniably alluring presence. "Happy birthday, darling," she murmured, her voice low and soothing.
She pulled back slightly, her hands resting on his shoulders as she reached into the folds of her yukata and produced a small, neatly wrapped gift. "This is for you. I hope you like it."
Ren's eyes lit up as he took the gift, his fingers brushing against the smooth wrapping paper. "Thank you, Mom," he said earnestly, his voice thick with emotion.
Next, Ren turned to Kyouka, cutting another slice of cake. She raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as she accepted the plate. "Not bad, little brother," she teased, her voice low and playful. She took a bite, her full lips curling around the fork in a way that was effortlessly captivating.
Kyouka's bust, prominent and proud, seemed to demand attention, her blouse doing little to hide her curves. Yet her demeanor was all cool confidence, her tall frame towering over Ren as she reached out to ruffle his hair. "Keep up the good work, yeah?" she said, her words brief but laced with affection. She handed him a small box, her gift to him. "Don't expect me anything big from me since I only started earning money, but… happy birthday."
Ren laughed, shaking his head. "Wouldn't dream of it, Kyouka. Thanks." He set the box aside carefully, his heart swelling at her understated but genuine care.
Finally, Ren turned to Hiyori, who was fidgeting slightly, her pigtails swaying as she shifted from foot to foot. He cut a smaller slice for her, knowing she preferred smaller portions. "Here you go, Hiyori," he said, holding out the plate with a grin.
Hiyori huffed, her cheeks puffing out as she took the plate. "Hmph, you better not think this makes up for eating my snacks last week," she muttered, her tsundere nature in full force. But her eyes softened as she took a bite, her expression betraying her enjoyment.
At sixteen, Hiyori was petite, her frock complimenting her youthful figure, which was still developing but carried a certain delicate charm. Her light pink hair framed her face, and her pigtails gave her an almost doll-like appearance.
"I… I didn't have money for a fancy gift like them," Hiyori admitted, her voice quieter now. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, thrusting it toward Ren. "So, um, I made this. Don't laugh, okay? It's not much, but… happy birthday, dummy."
Ren unfolded the paper to reveal a hand-drawn picture of the four of them together, smiling under a bright sun. The lines were a little shaky, but the effort and love poured into it were undeniable. His heart melted, and without thinking, he pulled Hiyori into a tight hug. "Thank you, Hiyori. This is perfect."
Hiyori squirmed, her cheeks flushing red. "G-get off me, you big idiot! It's not that great!" she stammered, but she didn't pull away, her tsundere facade crumbling under Ren's warmth.
Ren stepped back, looking at the three women who had become his family. "I'm so glad I get to celebrate my birthday with all of you," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You've made me feel so loved, ever since… ever since Mom and Dad passed away. I'm so grateful you adopted me."
Misa's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her hand gently cupping Ren's cheek. "Ren, your mother was my dearest friend," she said, her voice calm but heavy with feeling. "When the accident happened ten years ago, I promised her I'd take care of you. At first, it was out of duty, but…" She paused, her eyes glistening. "I'm so glad I decided to adopt you. You're the most amazing boy in the world, Ren. You've brought so much joy to our lives."
She leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, her lips warm and comforting. Ren closed his eyes, letting the moment wash over him.
Kyouka smirked, breaking the tender silence. "Alright, enough sappy stuff. Let's eat before this cake goes to waste." She grabbed a plate, her cool demeanor returning, though her eyes betrayed her affection.
Hiyori, still blushing from the hug, piped up. "Yeah, but Ren, you better not eat too much. Don't want you getting fat on your birthday."
Misa shot Hiyori a stern look, her maternal authority cutting through the air. "Hiyori, stop making mean comments. Let Ren enjoy his day."
Hiyori stuck out her tongue but didn't argue, instead grabbing a fork and diving into her slice of cake. Ren laughed, the sound light and genuine.
"Oh, and I ordered plenty of food for tonight," Misa added, her tone brightening. "Pizza, fried chicken—everything you love, Ren. We're going to have a feast, so you all better bring your appetites."
"Awesome!" Ren said, his eyes lighting up. "This is already the best birthday ever."
As the four of them gathered around the table, the room filled with laughter and chatter. The cake was sliced, plates were passed around, and the warmth of their bond enveloped them.
For Ren, surrounded by Misa's nurturing grace, Kyouka's cool confidence, and Hiyori's fiery affection, this was more than a birthday—it was a celebration of the family they had built together, one filled with love, quirks, and unbreakable ties but he always felt like something was weird with him.
Something huge was incoming he had no idea about.
"What is this feeling?" He always questioned but he got no answers.