Crystal chandeliers shimmered above the long dining hall. Polished marble reflected soft golden light as the Nishina estate filled with polite laughter and the clink of glasses.
Rin, dressed in a pale rose dress, stood near the entryway greeting her father's business partners. Each handshake felt like a practiced performance.
"It's an honor to finally meet the young successor of the Nishina Group," one gentleman said, his smile dazzling but hollow.
"The honor's mine," Rin replied smoothly, returning the same polished smile.
Beside her, Mai leaned close and whispered, "You look… fine."
Rin blinked. "Fine?"
Mai stifled a laugh. "Yeah, like you're pretending not to panic. Do you know how hard it is for me to keep a straight face right now?"
Rin bit her cheek to stop from giggling while still shaking another guest's hand.
"Stop it," she hissed under her breath.
Mai only grinned wider. "Never."
A little later, when most of the guests had settled, Rin noticed two maids struggling to bring in trays of steaming dishes. Without thinking, she hurried to help.
"Here—let me carry that," she said, taking one end of a silver platter.
The maids gasped. "Miss Rin, please—this is our job—"
But Rin smiled. "Then let me be part of your team tonight."
Her father's sharp voice cut through the hall. "Rin."
She froze.
"You are the host, not the staff. It's your birthday—be more like me and let these small matters be handled properly."
The words stung more than she wanted to admit. She placed the platter down carefully, murmuring an apology.
Behind her, her mother sighed and walked over. "Ignore him," she said gently, wrapping an arm around Rin's shoulders. "He still thinks kindness undermines authority."
Rin chuckled weakly. "I just wanted to help."
"And you did," her mother said, smiling. "That's what I love most about you."
The small warmth of those words made Rin smile again.
When everyone had gathered around the long table, her father stood and raised his glass.
"Tonight, we celebrate my daughter's birthday—and her growing role in the Nishina Group."
A round of applause followed. Rin stood, cheeks pink, and bowed slightly.
"Thank you," she began, her voice soft but steady. "For being here tonight. I know many of you came after long hours of work, and I truly appreciate it."
Her gaze swept the room, landing on her parents and Mai. "This past year taught me a lot—about patience, about strength… and about how much I still have to learn. I'm grateful for everyone who helped me grow, even when I didn't realize I needed it."
Polite clapping filled the hall. Mai whispered, "Look at you, Miss Professional."
Rin elbowed her lightly. "Hush."
As dinner began, Rin tried to keep the conversations flowing, but her thoughts kept circling back to the scene she'd witnessed at the mall. The laughter, the shared looks…
Mai leaned in from across the table, grinning. "This is your birthday, not a board meeting. Why the long face?"
Rin sighed. "It's nothing. I'm just tired."
Mai squinted. "Liar. You look like you swallowed a lemon."
Rin glared at her. "It's you."
Mai blinked. "Me?"
Rin hesitated, then blurted, "Yesterday. At the mall. With Hayate."
Mai froze, the fork halfway to her mouth. Her eyes widened in mock horror.
"Ohhh no. You saw that?"
Rin nodded, cheeks heating. "You were laughing and — and holding his arm."
Mai pressed her lips together, trying—failing—to hold in a laugh. Her shoulders trembled until she couldn't stop it anymore. She burst out laughing so loudly that Rin's father looked up from across the table.
"Nothing, sir!" Mai said quickly, wiping a tear. Then she leaned toward Rin again, giggling. "You thought we were what? On a date?"
Rin crossed her arms. "You don't have to make fun of me."
Mai exhaled, still chuckling. "Okay, okay, listen. He asked me to help him pick your birthday gift. That's all. He looked so serious I thought he was choosing national policy, not perfume."
Rin blinked. "He… what?"
Mai grinned. "Yup. Operation Surprise-Rin. I swear. I'd never steal your prince charming." She paused, smirking. "Wait… are you jealous?"
Rin's face went crimson. "W-what?! No!"
Mai wagged a finger. "Careful—you'll turn into Miyu."
"Mai!"
"Love you too."
The tension cracked like thin ice. Rin hid her face, half laughing, half mortified, while Mai cackled into her napkin.
When the lights dimmed, the maids carried in the cake—a towering vanilla creation glowing with twenty candles.
Rin's mother led the chorus of Happy Birthday, her father clapping off-beat, Mai harmonizing terribly on purpose.
Rin made a wish she'd never admit out loud and blew out the candles.
"Cake time!" Mai announced, already reaching for the knife.
"Wait—!" Rin started, but Mai had already cut herself a mountain-sized slice.
Five minutes later, frosting covered Mai's fingers and half her cheek.
Rin laughed so hard her stomach hurt. "Mai, if you keep eating like that, you'll get fat!"
Mai spoke through a mouthful of sponge cake. "Unlike you, I exercise."
Rin tossed a napkin at her. "You're impossible."
"Admit it—you love me."
"I tolerate you."
"Same thing."
Even Rin's usually stoic father cracked a smile as Mai reached for a third slice.
After dessert came the gifts.
Her father gave her a sleek new pen engraved with her initials; her mother presented a delicate necklace set with a small ruby that caught the light like fire.
Then Mai dramatically produced an enormous box. "From me!"
Rin opened it—and burst out laughing.
Inside sat a giant stuffed shark wearing a tiny silver necklace.
"You're kidding."
Mai beamed. "Two gifts in one! And he's adorable."
Rin hugged it, still laughing. "You're insane."
"Thank you."
But when the laughter faded, Rin's smile faltered. "Did… he say anything?" she asked quietly.
Mai's grin softened. "He wanted to come. But he said he didn't want to change your dad's mood and risk spoiling the evening."
"Oh."
Mai bumped her shoulder. "Don't look so sad. The night's not over yet. How about an after-after party?"
By the time the last guest left, it was near midnight. The maids had started clearing the dishes; the ruby necklace shimmered against Rin's collarbone.
Mai cornered Rin's mother near the doorway, whispering, "Can I borrow Rin for tonight?"
She winked playfully.
Mrs. Nishina smiled knowingly. "Of course. Don't stay out too late."
Rin's father blinked. "Borrow? For what?"
"Girl stuff!" Mai sang, grabbing Rin's hand before he could protest.
The streets were quiet when they arrived at Café Ardent—the same place where Mai and Hayate had met days before. The lights were dim, the sign half-lit.
"Mai?" Rin asked, confused. "Why are we—"
"Just trust me," Mai said, grinning. She pushed open the door.
Inside, the café was dark.
Then—
"SURPRISE!!"
The lights flared.
A few familiar faces clapped—Kazehiro grinning from a corner table, another guard standing discreetly by the door. But Rin only saw one person.
Hayate stood near the counter, the softest smile breaking through his usual calm.
For a heartbeat, the room blurred; all the noise faded.
The little café glowed under soft amber lights. The scent of fresh bananas and caramel hung in the air.
"Happy birthday again," Kazehiro said, stepping forward with a small cake balanced carefully in his hands. A single candle flickered at the center.
Rin blinked in surprise. "Wait… is that—?"
Before she could finish, Hayate's calm voice cut in. "Yeah. The same banana cake we made on the island."
Something warm fluttered in her chest. The memory of salt wind, rain, and laughter washed through her.
Mai leaned closer, eyes wide. "You two baked? Like… actually baked?"
"Under duress," Hayate replied, a faint smirk ghosting his lips.
Kazehiro laughed, setting the cake down. "Alright, sentimental duo, let's do this properly." He struck a match, lighting the lone candle.
Everyone sang—off-key, cheerful, completely sincere. Rin blew out the flame, and the tiny room filled with applause.
Hayate said quietly, "Sorry we couldn't do anything bigger."
Rin shook her head. "This is perfect. Really."
Mai sniffed dramatically. "Aww, look at you—twenty-two now! My little island survivor's all grown up."
Kazehiro slid a knife toward Rin. "The honor's yours."
She cut the cake, laughter bubbling when Mai immediately claimed three slices.
"Are you saving the rest for the apocalypse?" Rin teased.
Mai, mouth full, grinned. "Energy reserves."
Kazehiro nearly choked laughing.
When Rin looked up again, Hayate wasn't at the table. Through the open balcony doors, she saw him standing alone, city lights glimmering behind him.
Mai elbowed her. "What are you waiting for?"
Rin turned to Kazehiro for backup.
He just shrugged, still chewing. "Don't look at me. Go. He's waiting."
Rin laughed softly, nerves tingling, and whispered, "Alright. Wish me luck."
"Luck!" Mai mouthed with exaggerated enthusiasm as Rin stepped outside.
Cool air brushed against her face. Hayate didn't turn immediately; he seemed lost in thought, watching the city below.
"It's beautiful tonight," Rin said quietly.
He glanced over, his expression softening. "It is."
They stood side by side for a moment, the silence comfortable. Then she smiled faintly. "You still make banana cake the same way?"
Hayate chuckled. "Only because you insisted the last one needed more sugar."
"You mean the one that came out half-burnt?" she teased.
"Fifty percent success rate," he said, deadpan.
Rin laughed, the sound light against the hum of traffic below.
Then his tone shifted, lower, more serious. "I have something for you."
He reached into his coat pocket and handed her a small velvet box.
Rin's breath hitched. A jewelry box. Her heart raced.
Inside the café, unseen, Mai and Kazehiro peeked through the doorframe.
Mai gasped. "Is that— a ring box?!"
Kazehiro blinked. "No way."
"Did you know?" she whispered.
He shook his head quickly, cheeks stuffed with cake. "Nope. Shh. Let's leave them be."
Mai pouted. "Fine, fine…"
They tip-toed away.
Outside, Rin turned the box slowly in her hands. "I… I—"
Hayate smiled, amused by her expression. "Open it."
With trembling fingers, she lifted the lid.
Inside lay a slender bracelet of braided silver thread and sea-shell charms, tiny diamonds catching the light—one shaped like a leaping dolphin.
Relief and awe mingled in her chest. She whispered under her breath, "Thank goodness… I wasn't ready for a ring."
Hayate tilted his head. "Hm?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, cheeks flushed. She traced the design with her fingers. "It's beautiful. The shells… they look like the ones from the shore."
"They are," he said softly. "I kept a few. Thought they'd suit you."
Her heart swelled. "Thank you. Truly."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The distance between them felt fragile, electric. Rin opened her mouth, the words forming—Hayate, I—
"Rin!"
Mai's voice cut through the air. She appeared at the balcony door, waving. "Sorry, but it's time! Your dad will kill me if I keep you any later!"
Hayate blinked. "Oh. Right. It's late."
Rin gave a tiny, helpless laugh. "Yeah… it is."
Mai leaned on the doorframe, smirking. "Come on, birthday girl."
Hayate glanced at Rin one last time, the city lights catching in his eyes. "Happy birthday, Rin."
She smiled back, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Hayate."
As they left the balcony, the wind carried the scent of banana—soft reminders of an island and a bond neither of them could quite forget.