Chapter 29: Birthday Party

Tomorrow is Kazuya’s birthday, and we decided to celebrate it.

To prepare for the celebration, I parted ways with Kazuya for the time being. I consulted with the dining hall staff, went out to make arrangements, and the day passed by like that.

The next morning, after waking up at the inn, during our usual morning embrace, I called out to him.

“Happy birthday, Kazuya. Today, we’re going to celebrate it big time.”

Kazuya held me tightly and whispered.

“Yeah… thanks. But honestly, just hearing you say that is more than enough for me.”

“I’m doing this because I want to. Even if you said you didn’t want anything on my birthday, you’d still end up celebrating it anyway, wouldn’t you?”

“Ugh… yeah, I guess that’s true…”

“Then just accept it and enjoy being celebrated.”

“…Alright.”

---

To check that everything was properly prepared, I went to make the rounds on my own first. That meant Kazuya had to stay behind at the inn.

After confirming that everything was going smoothly — and discovering an extra delightful surprise along the way — I returned to the inn in high spirits. Around noon, Kazuya and I headed to the dining hall I had reserved.

It wasn’t a fancy or upscale place — more of a tavern frequented by adventurers than a polished restaurant.

“Here?”

It was only natural that he was surprised. I had considered booking a more luxurious restaurant, but Kazuya is an adventurer, a hero. A posh place would just feel too stiff. It wouldn’t suit us.

“Yeah, here. Come on, just go in!”

I gave him a little push and had him open the door.

As soon as he stepped inside, makeshift cracker-like spells and magic tools went POP!, filling the room with bursts of light and sound as the adventurers welcomed him.

“Kazuya!! Happy birthday~~!!”

I quickly circled around to face him and set off a cracker spell with a POP! as I shouted.

Other adventurers followed my lead, voicing their own birthday wishes to Kazuya.

To adventurers, Kazuya is a top-tier A-rank, leagues above them. A hero with the mission of defeating the Demon King — someone they all look up to. And once they heard that I’d be covering everyone’s food and drinks today, no one hesitated to lend their help.

I sat the flustered Kazuya at the central table, and soon, a whole cake was brought out from the back of the tavern. It had exactly 18 candles on it.

In this world, it doesn’t seem like there’s a custom of putting candles on birthday cakes and blowing them out, but I didn’t know how birthdays were typically celebrated here to begin with. I figured Kazuya might actually prefer the way we used to do it back in our previous lives. So even though the pastry chef and the head cook of the tavern gave me a hard time about it, I convinced them.

After everyone finished singing the birthday song, I had Kazuya blow out the candles.

A bit embarrassed, Kazuya leaned in and blew them all out in one strong breath. The adventurers and staff looked on as if they were witnessing something truly strange, but once I clapped my hands, everyone else joined in with their applause.

“And there’s more of a surprise for Kazuya! Guess what!”

“Huh, there’s more?”

Kazuya clearly hadn’t anticipated any of this. Overwhelmed by the atmosphere and everyone’s energy, he looked stunned.

I took a deep breath and shouted the brand-new surprise that had just come in today.

“From the Adventurers’ Guild: the defeat of the Demon King's officer, the Giant King Typhon, has been confirmed! And Kazuya has been promoted to S-Rank!! Congratulations, Kazuya!”

“OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

That revelation stunned every adventurer in the room. After all, defeating one of the Demon King’s top officers and reaching S-Rank was monumental news.

“That's our Hero!” “Now take down the Demon King next!” — voices praising Kazuya filled the air.

Kazuya stood up and waved to everyone. “Thanks, everyone!” he called out in return.

After responding to the cheers, he turned back to face me.

“Thank you, Miki. I never imagined I’d have such a joyful, fun birthday party. And I couldn’t have defeated Typhon without your help. From the bottom of my heart… I’m grateful. I love you.”

And with that, he pulled me into a firm embrace.

Everyone around cheered even louder, whistling and hollering in celebration.

“I’m grateful too, you know. But don’t get carried away — the partying ends today.”

“I know,” Kazuya replied with a sheepish smile.

After that, the festivities continued with drinks, music, and wild merrymaking.

“Cheers to the great Hero Kazuya!”

Even though most of the adventurers had never met him before, as the guest of honor and newly-promoted S-Rank Hero, Kazuya was never without company and looked like he was having a great time.

Whenever someone new walked into the tavern, we told them it was Hero Kazuya’s birthday party — and that everything was on the house. Naturally, they joined in the celebration.

---

As the festivities settled down and things quieted, it was time to prepare for the second surprise.

Kazuya probably thought that was the end of his birthday party—but it wasn’t over yet.
A birthday isn’t complete without a birthday present.
Incidentally, giving birthday presents does seem to be a custom in this world, too.

I agonized over the choice, picking it from the magical tools I brought from the village.
Kazuya wouldn’t reject it at this point, and I was ready to give it to him.

“Kazuya.”

I called his name with just that one word.
And yet, he must’ve sensed something, because his whole demeanor shifted. He turned toward me with a serious expression.

“What is it, Miki?”

His tone was light, but his face was focused—he had picked up on something. Sharp as always.

“I want to give you your birthday present. Will you accept it?”

As I said that, the rowdy hall around us suddenly went silent. Everyone’s eyes turned to us.
Uhh... when things go dead quiet all of a sudden, it makes me really nervous?

“Um, it’s this bracelet.”

I held out a large bracelet.
It was a simple silver band with three small red gemstones.
Kind of plain-looking. But the appearance wasn’t the point—its effect was.

“I’d be happy with anything from you, Miki. If it’s a bracelet, that just makes it even better.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, give me your right hand.”

As I said that, I could hear the sound of people swallowing nervously—gulp.
Kazuya offered his right hand. I slid the bracelet down from his fingertips and, at his wrist, began chanting.
The bracelet shrunk with a little snap, fitting snugly around his wrist.

In that moment, the gallery around us looked like they were about to erupt in cheers, but I raised my hands to quiet them.
Not yet. It wasn’t time to get loud just yet.

“Hey, this—”

“Yeah. It’s no ordinary bracelet. It’s a magic tool imbued with a magical effect. And actually... there’s one more.”

From my pocket, I pulled out a matching bracelet—same design, but with blue gemstones. I handed it to Kazuya, then offered him my right hand.

“Kazuya, put this one on me and pour your mana into it. Say the words, ‘Let the contract be forged.’”

Kazuya nodded silently, slid the bracelet down my hand, and infused it with magic.

“Let the contract be forged.”

As he spoke the words, the bracelet absorbed his mana, shrinking to fit my wrist perfectly.
Then, the gemstones on both of our bracelets pulsed with a resonant glow.

The light faded. I took a few steps back, putting some distance between us.

“Kazuya, channel your mana into that bracelet and picture it—imagine me appearing right in front of you.”

Hearing that, Kazuya struck a stance and focused his mana.
And then—I was standing in front of him, teleported from where I’d been.

Kazuya’s eyes widened in surprise, and then, without hesitation, he hugged me tightly.

“Thank you, Miki! This is the best birthday present ever!!”

That was the moment the crowd finally exploded, erupting into wild cheers and celebration.
The applause wouldn’t stop, and some people even ran over and jumped on us.

In this world, teleportation magic—outside of dungeon escape spells—is extremely rare and precious.
Even those dungeon spells rely on strange dungeon forces, not individual magic or tools.
To teleport a single person with a magic item? That’s practically unheard of.

Just seeing teleportation magic was a stroke of enormous luck for everyone present.

These bracelets were a pair. They allow the wearer to teleport the other to their side.
The range is limited—only within visual range, about a few dozen meters—but for two people fighting side-by-side, it’s more than enough.

There are some limitations: both users must supply mana, and the contract is binding—once forged, it can’t be used with anyone else.
But for us, that shouldn’t be an issue. Yeah.

Kazuya wasn’t the only one getting caught up in the moment—the alcohol had clearly started kicking in, too.

“Miki! ...I can’t hold it in anymore! Just for today! I’m sorry!”

—And with that, he suddenly pressed his lips against mine.

The crowd roared again.

I was so startled I couldn’t even resist. I blinked rapidly, not comprehending what had happened.
It took me a moment to realize—I was being kissed.

And even after realizing it, I didn’t feel like pushing him away.

It was Kazuya’s birthday. And I was the one who set the mood.
It’s just a kiss. For today only. Just for today, because it’s his birthday.

Yeah. That made it okay.

Come to think of it, since becoming an elf, this was my first kiss outside of family.
...Well, not like I had any in my previous life either.

My first kiss was with Kazuya.
Strangely, I didn’t hate it.
Actually... no. Better not go down that line of thinking.
My emotions are running high today. It’s dangerous.

How long did it last? I don’t know—my head was spinning.

Kazuya finally pulled away and apologized, “Sorry.”

Once our lips parted and I snapped out of it, I almost wiped my mouth with my sleeve, but it felt like a waste.
Instead, I traced my lips lightly with a fingertip.

“It’s fine. I forgive you. But only for today, okay?”

As I said that, Kazuya took it as permission and kissed me again.

Hey! That’s not what “just for today” meant!

...Seriously. What a guy.

Just for today. Only today is special.

That night, until the birthday party was truly over, Kazuya kept stealing kisses—
not just on the lips, but on my cheeks, forehead, neck.
Wasn’t he getting a little carried away?

But well... just for today. It’s his birthday, after all. I’d let him have his way.