The Light That Follows Darkness

The twins, catching sight of my reactions to the gifts, were absolutely thrilled and brimming with joy. However, beneath their excitement, a hint of annoyance lingered. Trapped in this wretched place, they couldn't buy me anything or make any grand gestures, leaving them feeling peeved.

With downcast eyes and apologetic expressions, they turned to me and said: "Xeno, why didn't you let us know about your birthday? We could have done something, at least. We could have asked Ryuji to bring us some supplies, and we would have crafted something special just for you. By the way, when was your birthday?"

I responded with a gentle smile: "Honestly, I didn't even remember my own birthday to share it with anyone. Ryuji and Lana must have stumbled upon the information in my profile. Isn't that right, Ryu?" I glanced at Ryuji, who nodded and confirmed my assumption. "And to answer your question, my birthday was three weeks ago on April 16."

Pausing for a moment, I continued, my gaze shifting between the twins: "But you know what, girls? Your presence in my life as my emotional support is more than enough. Just having you by my side, supporting me, helping me, and lifting me up is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Thank you for always being there, pushing me forward, and giving me a sense of purpose. If it weren't for you, I might have lost hope long ago."

The twins, their smiles beaming, enveloped me in a warm embrace.

"Thank you," they said, their voices filled with gratitude, "For giving us a reason to live and for becoming our family. That includes Ryuji and Lana, whom we learned about through you."

In a sudden burst of inspiration, they released their hold on me and reached for their hair, swiftly removing their ties. With mischievous grins, they motioned for me to sit on the ground. Though perplexed, I obliged, curious about their intentions. Little did I know, they had a surprise in store.

Using their ties, the twins skillfully fashioned my long black hair into an intricate knot.

"This is our humble gift to you," they declared.

"A symbolic gesture to wish you a happy birthday and express our gratitude for everything. We wish we could do more, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. And there's one more thing we'd like to give you."

With those words hanging in the air, they approached me from opposite sides and planted affectionate kisses on my cheeks. The suddenness and intensity of their actions left me momentarily stunned.

Trying to conceal my astonishment, I instinctively placed my hands on my flushed cheeks and asked: "What about your own hair? What will you do without your ties? And why the unexpected kisses? You caught me completely off guard!"

"Hehehe, looks like the early bird gets the worm, right Ha-Eun?" Hana chuckled playfully.

"Hehehehe, you're absolutely right, sis," Ha-Eun replied with a mischievous giggle.

The twins, their laughter laced with mischief, responded only with those lines before falling into an intriguing silence.

Ryuji, wearing a knowing smile, spoke up, his tone filled with anticipation: "Ohh, I can't wait to see Lana's reaction when she finds out what the twins did. It's going to be priceless. And don't worry, my dear sisters, I'll get you new ties. Leave it to this Ryu."

The twins beamed happily, nodding in agreement with Ryuji's suggestion.

"Thanks, Ryu, you're the best," they chimed in unison.

" Hehe, no prob, no prob we’re family, aren’t we?" Ryuji quipped, his voice brimming with affection.

As the twins and Ryuji continued their conversation, I had no choice but to interject, raising my voice to get Ryuji's attention.

"Hey, blabbermouth! If you cause any trouble between Lana and me, I'll silence you so fast you won't even have time to scream 'uncle.' Got it? Also, come back tomorrow to collect the letter I'm about to write, and I'll give you instructions on what to say if anyone asks for more details. Deal?"

"Roger that, boss! You can count on me," Ryuji responded enthusiastically.

"No need to worry about a thing when Ryuji's on the case."

With those words, Ryuji left, a smile on his face and a skip in his step. I couldn't help but think he was pleased that I enjoyed the surprise. And if I knew him well enough, he was probably going to spill the beans to Lana. That damn blabbermouth.

With Ryuji's departure, I carefully wrapped the twin kodachis in the soft velvet cloth that came with the box, concealing them beneath the mattress. I then folded the overcoat Lana had gifted me and discreetly tucked it away amidst the layers of unused bed sheets.

Left alone as the twins embarked on their meditation and training, I found myself immersed in a moment of solitude. Suddenly, a voice echoed in my ears, filled with sorrow and disappointment. It was Eve, sounding sullen as she spoke, "Young master, I apologize. Your birthday has come and gone, and while those gifts and birthday greetings brought you joy, as an AI without a physical form or emotions, I couldn't provide you with any of those. I'm sorry, young master. I know you must be disappointed in me, perhaps even saddened."

Eve's concern was endearing, but I needed to reassure her and dispel any lingering sadness. "Hey, Eve," I began, my voice gentle yet firm.

"There's no need for all of this, you know. Whether you're an AI or a human, it doesn't matter to me. The gifts and greetings are secondary. What truly matters is the feeling of being loved and appreciated, even in this hellhole. That's what made me so incredibly happy. And as for you, Eve, I am grateful for you every single day, every minute, every second. You are not just my partner in crime, but my greatest assistant. Your presence alone is a gift beyond measure. I thank Ryuji every day for bringing you into my life. So, please, no more sulking or sadness. And never put yourself down or feel bad about it."

Eve's voice, carrying a mix of embarrassment and contentment, responded: "Here's to many more years of happiness and fulfillment, young master. I wish you a life filled with joy and satisfaction. And I must express my gratitude for your presence in my existence. Without you, there would be no Eve from the very start."