Chapter 18: The Fifteenth Birthday (Part 2)
**Sunny POV**
The morning sun broke through the shutters like a sneaky thief, painting the room in warm gold and sneaking into my eyes until I had no choice but to wake up. I yawned, stretching my arms above my head, feeling the satisfying pop of my joints after a night of weird dreams involving flying boats and endless tangerine fields. Fifteen today—felt weird, like I'd leveled up in some game, but the real world didn't come with stat screens. Or did it? [System] would probably argue it did.
Before I could fully process the day, *BOMPH!* Something heavy and energetic landed square on my chest, knocking the wind out of me like a surprise Sea King punch.
"Happy birthday, Sunny!" Aqua shouted, her voice a mix of glee and triumph, as if she'd just won a divine lottery. She was straddling my torso like a hyperactive cat, her blue hair a wild mess framing her face, her eyes sparkling with mischief. My ribs protested violently, and I gasped for air, trying to push her off without accidentally using Haki.
"Ghh—Aqua! I just woke up! Get off, you're crushing me!" I wheezed, my face heating up as I realized how close she was—her legs pinning my sides, her hands on my shoulders, and that smug grin inches from mine.
She laughed, not budging an inch. "Exactly! A hero must begin his fifteenth year with a goddess's blessing! You're lucky I didn't wake you with a splash of holy water!" She leaned down, her breath tickling my ear, and for a second, I thought she might do something crazy. Instead, she planted a loud, exaggerated kiss on my forehead—*smack!*—before jumping off the bed like a spring-loaded toy, her skirt twirling as she raised her arms in victory. "Breakfast time! I smell fish stew—move it, birthday boy, or I'll eat your share!"
I groaned, sitting up and rubbing my chest. "Some things never change," I muttered, but I couldn't help smiling. Aqua's energy was chaotic, but it was *her*, and on my birthday, it felt like the perfect wake-up call—annoying, affectionate, and utterly Aqua.
{Ego}: "Correction: Goddess's assault = inefficient wake-up method. Probability of rib fracture: 12%. Recommendation: Install anti-goddess barriers on bed."
[System]: "Master Sunny, your vitals spiked delightfully during that encounter! Heart rate up 18%, adrenaline surge optimal. Also, her landing technique was flawless—shall I analyze for romantic intent?"
"No analysis!" I snapped, throwing a pillow at the empty air where their voices echoed in my head. Great, even my birthday started with internal bickering.
---
**Breakfast Table Chaos**
I stumbled into the kitchen, still rubbing sleep from my eyes, only to be hit with a wall of aromas that made my stomach roar. Belle-mère had gone all out—the table groaned under the weight of fried fish glistening with herbs, steaming rice piled high, fresh bread slathered in tangerine jam, a bubbling stew that smelled like heaven, and even a small cake cooling in the corner, its icing a lopsided but loving masterpiece. Nojiko was setting plates with her usual efficiency, her blue hair tied back in a practical ponytail. Nami was scribbling notes on a scrap of paper between bites, her orange ponytail bouncing as she chewed. Aqua was already stuffing her cheeks like a chipmunk preparing for winter, her staff propped against the table like a divine utensil.
"Eat up, birthday boy," Belle-mère said, ruffling my hair as I sat down, her cigarette dangling from her lips. She looked tired but happy, her purple hair catching the sunlight. "Fifteen's a big deal. You're practically a man now—don't make me regret saying that."
I grinned, piling food on my plate. "Thanks, Belle-mère. This looks amazing."
Of course, peace lasted all of ten seconds. Nami reached for the last piece of fried fish, only for Aqua to snatch it mid-air with her fork. "Aqua, stop hogging the fish!" Nami yelped, her eyes narrowing.
Aqua chewed smugly, waving the fork like a scepter. "But it's Sunny's birthday fish, so I should eat it for him! Divine duty, Orange-chan—goddesses need sustenance to bless the day!"
Nami's face turned red. "That doesn't even make sense! Give it back, you greedy goddess!"
"Greedy? Me? I'm sharing my divine presence—that's worth ten fish!"
Nojiko sighed, passing me a roll. "Here, Sunny. Before they turn breakfast into a battlefield."
Belle-mère chuckled, exhaling smoke. "You kids are going to give me gray hairs before I'm forty."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying not to laugh. "Girls, can we not argue over fish on my birthday? There's plenty."
Aqua and Nami froze, then both turned to me with identical pouts. "Fine," they muttered in unison, before glaring at each other again.
Same circus, different day. But as I bit into the stew, savoring the warmth and the love baked into it, I wouldn't trade this chaos for anything. It was home.
---
**The Gifts Begin**
After breakfast—miraculously without a food fight—Belle-mère clapped her hands, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Alright, you lot. Let's not keep him waiting. Gifts, now."
I blinked, surprised. "Gifts? You guys didn't have to—"
"Shut up," all three girls and Belle-mère snapped in unison. Even Nojiko, usually the quiet one, joined in with a grin.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay… geez."
**Nojiko's Gift**
Nojiko was first, her cheeks faintly pink as she pushed a small, neatly wrapped bundle into my hands. "I, um… made this for you," she said shyly, tucking a strand of blue hair behind her ear. "It's nothing fancy, but…"
I unwrapped it carefully, revealing a deep blue scarf, soft yet sturdy, knitted with intricate patterns that looked like swirling waves. My chest warmed instantly—it wasn't just a scarf; it was hours of her time, her care stitched into every loop.
"You made this?" I said, genuinely touched, wrapping it around my neck. It fit perfectly, warm against my skin. "Nojiko, it's amazing! Perfect for those cold training nights."
Her face lit up, her smile soft and genuine. "I'm glad. You're always out there pushing yourself, so… I thought you could use something to keep warm."
I pulled her into a quick hug, feeling her tense then relax. "Thank you. Really."
Aqua, watching from the side, crossed her arms with a huff. "Hmph. A scarf? Practical, I guess. But wait till you see *mine*."
Nami snickered. "Jealous already, goddess?"
"Jealous? Of a *scarf*? Please!"
**Nami's Gift**
Nami was next, sliding a rolled-up parchment across the table with a mix of pride and nervousness. "This… is my first real map," she said, her voice a bit shaky. "Of the East Blue currents. Not just a doodle—actual navigator stuff."
I unrolled it carefully, my eyes widening at the details: neat lines charting winds, currents, hidden reefs, even notes on safe harbors. It was sharp, clean, professional—her passion poured onto paper.
"Nami… this is incredible," I said, tracing a route with my finger. "I'll treasure it. Seriously."
Her lips curled into a proud smirk, but her cheeks flushed pink. "Of course it is. I'm the best navigator around. Someday, I'll chart the whole world for you. So you better keep up, Sunny."
Something in my chest thudded, warm and unexpected. I smiled back, feeling a spark I couldn't ignore. "I'll hold you to that. We'll sail it together."
She blushed deeper, stuffing her face with leftover cake to hide it. "Y-yeah, whatever."
Aqua's eyes narrowed. "A map? Cute. But maps can't kiss, can they?"
Nami nearly choked. "What?!"
**Belle-mère's Gift**
Belle-mère dropped a heavy box in front of me with a thud, her cigarette smoke curling around her like a halo. "Don't open it too fast, kid—it's heavy."
I lifted the lid, revealing a pair of weighted gloves, sleek and tough, with reinforced padding and straps that screamed "built for battle." They were heavier than they looked, perfect for pushing my limits.
"Whoa… these are perfect!" I said, slipping one on and flexing my hand. "Thanks, Belle-mère. I'll put them to good use."
"Yeah, well, don't break 'em in one week like the last pair," she grumbled, but her eyes softened. "Happy birthday, kid. You're growing up too fast for my liking. Makes me feel old."
I hugged her, feeling her pat my back awkwardly. "You're not old. You're timeless."
She snorted, ruffling my hair. "Flatterer. Just don't get yourself killed out there."
**Aqua's "Gift"**
Finally, Aqua cleared her throat dramatically, standing up like she was about to perform on a grand stage. The room tensed—everyone knew Aqua's ideas were either brilliant or disastrous.
"Ahem! For Sunny's fifteenth birthday, I, Aqua-sama, shall bestow my most precious treasure—*myself*!"
Everyone froze. Nami's fork clattered to her plate. Nojiko's eyes widened. Belle-mère nearly inhaled her cigarette.
"…What?" I managed, my brain short-circuiting.
Before anyone could stop her, Aqua grabbed my face with both hands, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something deeper. She leaned in and kissed me—not a quick peck, but a full, warm, lingering kiss that sent sparks through my entire body. Her lips were soft, insistent, and—oh gods—her tongue brushed mine, turning my mind to mush.
"MMMM—?!" I mumbled, my face blazing as the kiss stretched on, her hands tangled in my hair.
The room erupted in chaos.
"N-NANI?!" Nami yelped, her face turning beet red, hands flying to her mouth.
"Nojiko, cover your eyes!" Belle-mère shouted, but she was staring too.
"I can't! I'm staring in horror!" Nojiko replied, her voice a mix of shock and giggles.
Aqua finally pulled away, wiping her mouth with a smug, satisfied grin. "Mwah! There. Now your birthday is unforgettable. Happy fifteenth, Sunny~!"
I slumped back in my chair, dazed, my heart pounding like a drum, face hotter than a blue Haki flare. "I… I think my soul left my body."
Nami slammed her hands on the table. "Aqua! What the hell was that?! You can't just—on his birthday—in front of everyone!"
Aqua tossed her hair. "Jealous, Orange-chan? A goddess's kiss is the ultimate gift!"
Nojiko was laughing so hard she had tears. "Sunny's face! It's priceless!"
Belle-mère facepalmed. "I need a drink. And a new rule: No kissing at the breakfast table."
---
**{Ego} and [System] Gift**
As the kitchen chaos died down, the air in my mind shimmered, pulling me into that quiet inner world. {Ego} appeared first, arms folded, her scowl as sharp as ever, her elegant form glowing faintly.
"Tch. Listen up, moron," she said, her voice dripping with reluctance. "You've been swinging your fists like a muscle-headed gorilla long enough. So I—ugh—we—made something to keep you from being a complete disaster. Don't misunderstand. This isn't because I care about you or anything. It's because watching you flail around like an idiot offends me on a fundamental level."
Before I could respond, [System]'s voice chimed in, sweet and velvety but with that obsessive undertone that always made me uneasy. She materialized beside {Ego}, her ethereal form leaning toward me like she wanted to wrap me in digital chains. "{Ego} is too shy to admit it, Master. What she means is… we've been watching you push yourself, day after day, and we can't allow you to self-destruct without us intervening. So we crafted something… intimate. A gift only we could give you, born from our devotion."
A pulse of black energy ran across my skin, searing hot for a heartbeat before cooling into a strange, heavy weight. I brushed my neck—and felt them. Two perfect black circles, etched into each side like inked tattoos, pulsing faintly with power.
"…So that's it?" I asked, flexing my arm. My strength felt deliberately muted, like someone had thrown a blanket over a roaring fire—still there, but restrained. "You're giving me… restraints?"
{Ego} turned away sharply, her ears faintly red. "Don't get smug, idiot. This will force you to fight with your head, not just your meathead fists. You rely on raw power too much, and it's pathetic. If you screw up using this… don't come crying to me."
[System] giggled, the sound sliding down my spine like silk over steel. "Mm. Don't listen to her tsundere nonsense. Every circle is a piece of me engraved into you. The more you take on, the more you'll belong to us. Your strength, your body, your will—layer by layer, sealed and unsealed at our discretion."
I frowned, a chill running through me. "My discretion, you mean. I'm the one in control here."
"Oh, of course," [System] cooed, her glow pulsing. "That's what you want to believe. But every time you touch those marks, you'll remember they came from us. You can't escape us, Sunny."
The two voices overlapped, one sharp and begrudging, the other velvet-sweet and obsessive: "Happy birthday, dumbass." "Happy birthday, my Sunny."
I sighed, running my thumb across the black circles on my neck. They tingled under my touch, a constant reminder of their "gift." "…Yeah, thanks. Both of you. Even if it's a little creepy."
---
**Evening – Quiet Moments**
As the sun dipped low, the laughter, chaos, and noise of the day gave way to a soft, golden calm. The house was filled with the lingering scent of cake and stew, the table cluttered with empty plates and wrapping paper. Nojiko leaned against my shoulder on the porch, her scarf still around my neck as we admired Nami's map spread out before us. "It's really something," she said softly, her voice warm.
Nami sat on my other side, her orange hair catching the sunset, scribbling additions to her map with a focused frown. Aqua hummed a silly tune from the doorway, swinging her legs off the steps, her earlier smugness softened into contentment. Belle-mère smoked quietly on the rocking chair, her gaze soft on all of us, the wrinkles around her eyes crinkling with a rare, genuine smile.
Fifteen. I felt older, stronger, the weight of the seals on my neck a strange comfort. And yet… surrounded by them, by this family, I felt like the luckiest idiot alive. Nami glanced up, her eyes meeting mine, and for a second, the world narrowed to her smile. "Happy birthday, Sunny," she whispered.
Aqua leaned back, poking my cheek. "Yeah, happy birthday, dummy. Don't get too big for your britches now."
Nojiko chuckled, her head still on my shoulder. "We've got you covered if you do."
Belle-mère exhaled smoke, her voice gruff but affectionate. "Just don't forget us when you're out conquering the world, kid."
I smiled, my heart full. "Never."
Tomorrow, I'd test the seals, push my limits. But tonight? Tonight was for them.