Chapter 37: Birthday

(Ryoto's pov)

Today is Rito's birthday, but as usual, he forgot about it, but it only helped the group and me to prepare the surprise party. Haruna avoided him the whole day so she wouldn't spoil the surprise. Rito was devastated by it. Just you wait, my little brother, just you wait...

Rito was coming a little later today, probably a bit depressed after Haruna tried to stay away from him. It made it easier for us to see if everything was in order. The penguins also helped a lot. Even our dad was present.

Rito finally returned home looking gloomy, but as soon as all of us shouted 'SUPRISE', his mood changed instantly, likely because he spotted Haruna.

After some time, Rito received gifts from everyone but Haruna and me. Haruna shyly gave Rito a wrapped present. Rito asked if he could open it, and Haruna nodded. It was watering pot since Rito worked a lot in the garden. He was the happiest with her present, and it showed, but he hadn't seen my present yet.

I walked up to Haruna and placed a big red ribbon on her head.

Ryoto: "Well, here you go."

I was satisfied with my work. On the other hand, Rito was confused, and so was Haruna, but she was also blushing. Mikan looked disappointed in me, Risa was laughing, Lala was smiling, and the rest didn't know how to react.

Ryoto: "Do you like my present?"

Rito: "Nii-San!!! You can't give people as gifts!"

Ryoto: "I'm legally able to do it."

I took out Haruna's birth certificate. Rito and Haruna were shocked.

Rito: "How did you get this!?"

My face lost all emotions, and I said in a flat tone.

Ryoto: "I sold my body to the devil."

Rito: "Don't you mean soul?"

Ryoto: "I know what I said."

I returned to normal shortly after.

Ryoto: "So, do you want this or not?"

I waved the paper before Rito. His eyes followed it for a while.

Rito: "I... don't... need it."

He refused it with great effort.

Ryoto: "Ok, enough with this joke."

I ripped the certificate into shreds.

Haruna: Don'-!?"

Ryoto: "Calm down, it was only a copy. I wouldn't destroy the authentic document."

Rito: "It was a joke?"

Ryoto: "Of course it was. You didn't believe that I would do something like this for real, right?"

Risa: "I would believe it."

Risa raised her hand.

Mikan: "Wouldn't be the strangest thing you did."

Mikan added.

Mio: "You did stranger things at school to be honest, like when you jumped out through the window while we were on the third floor."

Risa: "And don't forget about your encounter with Haruna's sister."

It seems that my reputation is almost nonexistent here.

Ryoto: "Ok, so I did a few questionable stuff but forgot about it. What I want to give you, Rito, is..."

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Rito: "...Is?"

Ryoto: "...whatever you want, so tell me, Rito, what is it that you desire?"

I activated my powers so Rito would tell me only the truth. Even if he says something like 'I want successfully confess to Haruna-chan', she would probably accept his confession. If he says something different, I'm prepared for almost everything, so it's a win-win situation for me.

Rito: "I...I want to... spend time with Nii-San like we used to."

I was shocked by the sudden revelation. I expected a lot of things but not this.

Rito: "It's just after elementary school you started distancing away from Mikan and me. You still acted like a good big brother, but you limited our time together to a bare minimum. I miss the times when we played football together without any worry in the world. If I, Mikan, or our parents did something wrong, just tell us, and we'll try to fix it."

Ryoto: "*Sigh* It's not yours or anyone's fault. It was my decision. Not the smartest or proudest choice in my life, but it was mine to make."

The atmosphere became awkward, and I scratched the back of my head and finally broke the silence.

Ryoto: "How about we play football in the garden like we used to. I still have the ball. Dad gave us."

Rito: "You didn't lose it?"

Ryoto: "How could I? It's one of my treasures."

Rito smiles at my statement and agrees. We went to the garden after first going to my room to take the ball. We played for a while, and for the first time in a long time... my smile was genuine. It was noticed by Mikan, dad, and surprisingly Lala. Lala was confused because it was the first time she saw me smiling like that. It's not like I didn't want to smile genuinely, but I still couldn't open my heart fully even if I wanted, but right now, I ft as if u returned to simpler times, forgetting about everything unnecessary. Shortly after, everyone joined the fun, and it had fun until the guests needed to return to their homes.

__________

*PING*

*QUEST COMPLETED*

Reward: 30 SP, Lucky charm (one time use)

__________

That night I didn't have any nightmares.

---

The following day I woke up refreshed for once. I remembered then my reward, 'lucky charm'.

'Karen, what does it do?'

Karen: "*Breaths in* *Breaths out*"

'Karen?'

Karen: "Do you want to read the description?"

'I can read descriptions?'

Karen: "Only of your titles and items got from the system."

'Do it then.'

__________

Lucky charm: One-time use item that allows you to max out your lick for a short while. After using this item, even a goddess of luck herself would lose against you in a luck-based game. It only works for two minutes, though.

__________

An excellent item, but I shouldn't use it carelessly, so for now, it stays in an inventory-like space that I don't have access to.

A day went on as usual, but I was walking home alone as I went for a walk in the evening. Satisfied with my stroll, I returned to my room. Lala was lying on my bed reading something. Curious about what she was reading, I walked up to her and laid beside her to see...

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END

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