Too old for you • Tokyo revengers

Chapter 7

♫ Cinnamon girl - Lana Del Rey♫

I should have stayed home, is what I think as I sit at the bar, watching my friends dance and laugh. I always get struck by a strong sense of emptiness on my birthday, and this year, it's even worse. I've tried to join in the festivities - I really have - but my mind just keeps wandering to Mikey. After a few failed attempts at small talk with some guys, I decide to step outside for some fresh air. I stroll on the sidewalk, wrapping my arms around me to ward off the chilly air.

Absentmindedly, I look around and realize I'm not very far away from Draken's motorbike shop. I look up his address on my phone and walk 3 minutes to his shop. I'm not expecting to find it open as it's already past midnight, but the lights are on and the door is open. The bell jingles as I push it open, and I'm greeted by the familiar sight of Draken behind the counter. 

He looks up and a faint smile forms on his lips as our eyes meet.

"Hi," I greet him softly as I approach.

"Hey," he responds, his eyes flickering over me before settling on my face. "Happy birthday."

I pause, surprised that he remembered. 

A warm feeling spreads through my chest. 

"Thanks."

"Weren't you supposed to be out celebrating with your friends?" he asks, his tone curious.

"I was, but...I don't know," I exhale as I stop at the counter. "I just felt like coming here."

Draken studies me silently a moment. "Wait here," he then tells me before walking away and disappearing into a room at the back of the shop.

He walks back out with a small cake on a plate. One candle has been lit and planted in it.

"Wha-...," I trail off, my eyes jumping from the cake to his face.

He shrugs lightly. "I had a feeling you'd come here today."

"So you bought a cake just in case?" I ask, still in disbelief as he sets the plate down on the counter.

"I made it," he corrects and my lips part in surprise.

I have gotten a lot of expensive gifts from my father and my godfathers for my birthday. But this... For some reason, it's even better than anything I could have bought or received.

"Thank you," I breathe.

"Don't thank me yet. It might taste horrible," he jokes and I smile up at him softly.

"Go on. Make a wish," he encourages me, glancing down at the lit candle.

I'm leaning down to blow out the candle, trying to think of a wish, when my mind drifts to Mikey again and I pause.

"Have you ever been in love with someone?" I ask Draken, leaning back up and looking up at him.

He pauses for a moment, as if considering his answer. "Yes. With one girl," he finally replies.

"Did she break up with you?" I try to guess, sensing sadness in his voice.

He drops his gaze, his expression darkening. "No," he murmurs. "She died."

My heart aches in compassion. 

"I'm so sorry," I whisper softly.

I'm not sure what else to say. I can't imagine what it must be like to lose someone you love that way.

Draken shakes his head, a small, sad smile on his lips. "It's okay," he says. "It was a long time ago."

Still, I feel awful I even asked. 

"And you? Have you ever been in love?" he asks me.

I hesitate for a moment before admitting, "Yes, I'm in love with a man, but... he says we can't be together."

"Why not?"

"Well, he's a lot older than me," I confess, feeling the weight of my age difference with Mikey even as I speak the words. "And also, he's my father's boss."

Draken's brows raise a little at that, his expression turning thoughtful. "Those are definitely good excuses,..." he remarks.

But yes, "excuses". That's all they really are, right? Because if Mikey really wanted to be with me, he would be, wouldn't he?

I look back down at the cake and think for a moment.

What should I wish for?

My eyes drift back up to Draken who's watching me with a soft smile, patiently waiting for me to blow out the candle.

That's when I know what I want to wish for.

I lean down and purse my lips to blow out the candle.

I wish for Draken to fall in love again and be happy.

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After eating the cake, I leave Draken's shop and text Julia to tell her I'm going home and won't be coming back to the bar, then I ask my chauffeur, Frank, to come pick me up.

As I settle into the back seat of the car, Frank glances at me through the rearview mirror.

"How was your evening, miss?" he inquires with a friendly smile.

I return the smile and shrug. "It was great, thanks."

Before driving off, Frank reaches over to open the glove compartment. He turns around to hand me a small velvet box.

"Mr. Sano asked me to give you this birthday present," he explains and I hesitantly take the box, my heartbeat quickening.

As Frank starts driving, I open the box with trembling fingers. Inside is one of the most beautiful necklaces I have ever seen. The delicate chain is made of white gold and is studded with dozens of glittering diamonds, each one cut to perfection. The centerpiece of the necklace is a large, pear-shaped diamond that hangs from the chain by a diamond-encrusted bale. The overall effect is one of timeless sophistication, and I can barely take my eyes off of it for the rest of the trip home.

Should I read something into the gift?