(I'm back! Thanks for waiting!)
Chirp, chirp.
The chirping of birds signaled the morning.
Creek.
A boy, about eleven years old and 153 centimeters tall, stepped out of his room, rubbing his eyes. His jet-black hair was still messy from sleep, and his deep orange eyes shimmered faintly under the morning light.
Tap, tap, tap—
A sound of small footsteps rushed toward him.
"Yawn—I'm awak—"
"Happy birthday, big brother!"
A girl, about six years old, with a small wooden horse in her hands, jumped onto Nova, almost making him fall.
"Hey! Haha, stop. Thank you, Mira."
Elaine came in too, smiling warmly at the sight of them.
"Happy birthday, Nova."
Nova smiled back, "Thanks, Mom."
After walking around the house, Nova couldn't help but ask, "Uh, Mom, where's Dad?"
Elaine smiled as she stirred something on the counter. "Your father will be here soon. Go take a bath. I'll make your favorite dishes today."
"What?! Really?"
Mira chuckled. "Haha, big brother, you're acting like Mom doesn't do that on all our birthdays."
"Ugh, shut up, Mira. No matter how many times she does it, I'm still gonna be excited!"
Elaine chuckled, shaking her head, and went to the kitchen. After a bit more playful bickering with Mira, Nova finally went to take a bath.
After a while, the door creaked open.
"I'm home."
"Oh, welcome back, dear. Are they ready?" Elaine asked without turning from the counter.
Joren smiled, setting down a small satchel. "Yeah. Don't worry."
Nova came out of his bath just in time.
"Hey, Dad. Where were you?"
Joren smiled as his gaze softened toward his son. "Just running some errands. Anyway, happy birthday, son."
Nova grinned, "Thanks, Dad."
"I'll start making breakfast," Elaine said. "When will your friends come?"
"Uh, they should be here soon. I told them to come early."
"Alright then."
Everyone got busy—Elaine preparing breakfast for seven people, Joren helping her at the stove, and Nova and Mira, of course… causing chaos.
"Come on, big brother, tell me that story again! How did you beat those bullies?"
"Hmph. So you won't stop until I tell you the epic tale of your big brother?"
"Yeah, yeah! Tell me. I'll confirm it with your friends today!" Mira said with a mischievous grin.
Nova froze. "Hey… now, now, Mira, my cute little sister… why do you need to confirm it? Don't you believe your big brother?"
"I do," she said, smiling slyly. "I just want to see."
Nova sighed in defeat. "Uhm… just don't bring up the part where I effortlessly beat the bullies. Or the part where I saved Riku from a punch right before it hit him. Or taking a punch in the stomach to protect Haru. Yeah… don't mention those. You see, they might feel bad, haha. You understand? They'll feel bad they couldn't help, and uh… yeah…"
Mira giggled. "Hehe, we'll see."
"Aw, come on…" Nova slumped dramatically.
Time passed like that — laughter, chatter, and the smell of breakfast filling the house.
"Nova!"
"They're here!" Nova shouted, rushing to the door.
He opened the door to see his friends standing there.
"Happy birthday, Nova!"
"Happy birthday, Nova."
"Yeah, happy birthday!"
Nova grinned at his three friends standing at the doorway. "Haha, thanks, guys! Come on in!"
Soon they were all seated at the table, the air buzzing with laughter.
"And… here it is," Elaine said, carrying a large wooden tray, steam gently rising from it. The aroma filled the room — warm, savory, with a faint sweetness of roasted herbs.
On the tray lay a golden-crusted meat pie, its surface glistening with a buttery sheen. Beside it sat a small bowl of sunfruit jam, glowing faintly orange, like captured sunlight.
Nova's eyes widened.
"Mom! You made Golden Pie!?"
Elaine smiled, "Of course. You said it's your favorite, didn't you?"
Mira giggled. "Hehe, I told Mom you'd jump like that when you saw it."
Nova scratched his cheek, grinning sheepishly. "Well, can you blame me? It's been forever since we had one!"
Joren chuckled. "That's because your mother says it takes time to prepare properly."
Elaine shot him a playful glare. "And that's because someone eats half the filling before it's even baked."
Joren raised his hands, pretending to look innocent. "Hmm, I wonder who does that. Might be Nova."
Everyone burst out laughing.
The table was soon full — warm bread, Golden Pie, fresh fruit, and sweet milk tea. The air was bright, filled with chatter and the sound of clinking plates.
As they ate, Nova couldn't help but feel a deep sense of warmth. Everything felt perfect — his family, his friends, his home.
After breakfast, they played and talked until it was time for Nova's friends to leave.
"Oh yeah, Nova — before we go," Riku said, pulling something from his pocket — a small, blue gemstone, faintly glowing.
"I'm giving this to you. Happy birthday again."
Nova's eyes widened in awe. "You're sure you want to give me that?"
The gemstone was something Riku found last year by the riverbank. Everyone wanted it, but he had kept it since he was the one who found it.
Riku turned his head away, trying to hide his genuine smile. "Yeah… keep it. You can give it back next year, on my birthday."
Nova grinned. "Yeah! You're right. I'll make sure to give it back. Thanks, Riku."
Haru stepped forward, handing him a small glass jar filled with golden biscuits.
"Honey biscuits!" Nova exclaimed.
"Yeah. I saved up for that jar for a while," Haru said, smiling. "Happy birthday, Nova."
"Thanks, Haru."
Tama then pulled out a small wooden slingshot, smooth and compact, the wood carefully carved and polished.
"Made it myself," Tama said proudly. "I was gonna use it get fruits from the trees, but I figured you'd like it more."
Nova grinned, running his fingers over it. "It's perfect. Thanks, Tama."
One by one, his friends left.
"Ha… oh yeah!" Nova said, grabbing the biscuit jar. "Let's try one!"
"Hey! Me too!" Mira said, jumping beside him.
"Alright, alright, here you go."
Crack.
"Mmm!"
They both smiled at each other, delighted by the taste.
Time passed just like that — laughter, teasing, warmth. Joren stayed home all day, deciding not to take any jobs today.
By nightfall, they were all seated again, waiting for dinner.
Elaine came in carrying a large tray, the aroma instantly filling the air. She placed plates in front of them — each with small cuts of meat roasted over the fire, brushed with honey and spice, glistening golden under the lamplight.
Nova's eyes lit up. "Honey-glazed roast! Thank you so much, Mom! I love you!"
Elaine laughed softly. "I love you too, son. But calm down first."
Nova nodded eagerly and dug in.
Mira stared at Elaine with a mock frown. "Mom… what about me?"
Elaine smiled, "I love you, Mira."
Mira grinned triumphantly. "Hehe, see that, big brother? She loves me more!"
Nova looked up, frowning, still chewing. "Hey! She never said that!"
"She did! She did!" Mira giggled.
The two bickered back and forth as they ate, while Joren and Elaine just smiled, soaking in the moment.
After dinner and cleaning up, Joren stood up, glancing at Elaine. She met his eyes and nodded slightly. He nodded back.
"Alright, kids," Joren said, his tone soft but carrying a hint of excitement. Both Nova and Mira looked at him curiously.
"It's time for the gift from me and your mother."