𝖧𝖤𝖠𝖱𝖳𝖳𝖧𝖱𝖮𝖡𝖲 ☆ 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 [✓]

⁰¹³ BIRTHDAY WISHES

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Luma's birthday was today. They didn't attend school that day along with their friends to hang out with Kaede and her friends before the party tonight. The group attended an arcade. The group consisted of Luma, Kaede, Komi, Xiao, Kaeya, Ayato, Albedo, Ayaka, Chongyun, Xingqiu, Bennett, Razor, Lumine, Aether, Sucrose, Kazuha, Itto, and Venti. The second years and Bennett had brought their gifts to the arcade.

"Happy Birthday Luma!" Bennett exclaimed, placing his gift on the table. "Thank you, Benny!" Luma returned his energy, smiling brightly. "Happy Birthday Luma," Razor said shyly. "Thanks Razor, it means a lot," Luma replied. "Lumi, Lumi! Come race with me!" Itto said, getting on one of the motorcycles.

"Alright!" They said, heading over and getting onto the motorcycle next to him. "I'm gonna kick your ass." "You wish, Arataki!" Luma exclaimed. "In your dreams, Miyazaki!" He said back as the game began. "Relax, Kaeya, they're best friends," Albedo told Kaeya, seeing him visibly tense up. "I know," he said, almost forcing it.

When the game ended, Itto lost with 5th place and Luma winning first. "No fair, Lumi! You always win," Itto said with a pout. "You'll win someday, Itto," Luma said, patting their friend on the shoulder. "Come on!" They exclaimed, returning to the group, seeing Bennett trying to win a plushie in the claw machine.

"Oh no," Luma whispered, knowing Bennett's poor luck. The cat plush slipped through the crane and a loud buzzer was heard from the speaker. "Too bad!" It said, making Bennett huff in annoyance. "Let me try," Luma said. He moved to the side, sighing. He knew Luma was going to get it in the first few tries. Somehow, they knew how to place it and time it exactly in order to obtain the plushie.

They swiped their card and lifted themselves up, clasping the joystick. Their eyes were fixated on the crane with a focused expression, determined to win. Kaeya smiled to himself, remembering their competitive streak. In middle school, he played video games with them and they were always determined to win. They put more effort into video games than school. Granted, school didn't contribute to their mental health in a good way and they didn't prioritize things that didn't benefit their mental health. They knew it wasn't good to not fully prioritize school, but they truly wanted to feel happiness again.

"Yes!" Luma held their arms in the air, smiling brightly as the plush dropped into the dropbox. They eagerly took it out and turned to Kaeya, handing it to him with a wink. Cupping his face, they stood on their tiptoes to supposedly kiss his cheek but instead said, "For appearances, okay?" Squeals and gasps came from the group as he discreetly nodded. Pulling back, Luma offered him a sweet smile.

"It's okay Benny. You'll get it next time," Luma said, frowning slightly as they patted his arm a couple times. "Thanks, Lumi," he said, smiling a bit. Albedo and Kaede joined the group after playing a round of air hockey together. He went up to the claw machine and swiped his card. Hearing the machine start up again, Luma and Bennett turned around. Bennett frowned at Albedo seemingly calculating in his mind where to hover the crane. The cat plushie he was hoping to get was quite obviously for Kaede. The determination to make Kaede happy was evident on Albedo's face, making Bennett lower his head. Luma turned their focus away from the couple and to Bennett, rubbing his shoulder slightly.