Until I Met You ||Kyoya Ootori|| DISCONTINUED

•15• Happy Birthday Michiya-san •15•

"Michiya-san! Happy birthday!" The little girl gasped as she opened the door to see her favorite volunteer standing behind a cake. Two other caretakers were next to Candy and popped small confetti cannons.

She quickly ran past the cake and jumped up to give Candy a hug. "Thank you so much, Candy!" Candy spun her around and they both laughed from joy. "I can't believe you're eleven now!" She placed the kid on the ground and messed around with her hair.

"You're growing up so fast, enjoy this time while it lasts because soon you'll be old like me!" Michiya covered her hair to stop Candy from tangling it. "Stop! Stop! What if I want to grow up to be like you, huh?"

Candy stopped playing with her and chuckled. She knelt down and pulled the small girl into a hug. "Let's not think about growing up, I just want to spend time with you right now."

"You're weird Candy, how can I not think about growing up on my birthday?" The two talked for a bit more and then the two other caretakers and Candy sang 'happy birthday' to Michiya.

While Michiya chowed down on a slice of red velvet cake, the caretakers talked at a low volume.

"I miss being that innocent.." One whispered.

"She doesn't even care that none of the other kids came to celebrate her birthday. How sad..." The other responded.

"It doesn't matter if the other kids come or not, she doesn't need them. She obviously doesn't need them or you guys, because she has me." Candy stepped in front of the volunteers and frowned. It hurt to hear the other kids and caretakers talk behind Michiya's back. Candy knew Michiya heard their whispers, but despite that, she didn't let it affect her.

"Leave now. It's pretty clear you don't want to be here in the first place." Candy pushed past the women and made her way to Michiya who finished her first slice of cake. "...Did you hear any of that?"

"Don't worry Candy, you're right. I only need you!" Michiya looked up at her and gave her a genuine smile, there was no hint of sadness or lies, just pure happiness.

"...Happy birthday, Michiya-san."

•~•~•~•

I slowly opened my eyes to see my room covered in darkness.

That's odd, I thought it was morning...

I sat up sluggishly and stretched out my stiff limbs. I reached out for my phone on the nightstand while rubbing my eyes. When I checked my phone I saw it was one in the morning.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes some more. For as long as I remembered, once I woke up I could never go back to sleep. My mind would never let me rest once it's been awoken.

"Maybe I should go out for a walk, then I might become sleepy..." I stood up off my bed and slipped on my slippers while I made my way to my suitcase.

I pulled out a thin gray jacket, it wouldn't do much against the cold, but it was the only jacket I brought with me. I pulled the jacket over my sweater, making me feel a little squished because of the layers, but I tried not to mind it. I then pulled down my pajama shorts and switched to sweatpants. After I finished changing, I shoved my phone in my pocket and slowly made my way out of my room and wandered over to the exit.

I remember clearly this door being very loud from when we first arrived, so I tried my best to be slow when opening it so it wouldn't creak as much. The last thing I wanted was to wake up someone else. The door still made noise, but the rooms were far enough from the exit for no one to hear.