Emergence: Roots Of The Past

Chapter 27: A Birthday Surprise

Saki looked at everyone in the house. All of them, ranging from Matthew all the way to Kiriko and the other grads were here. They were all here...here for her.

Saki: You guys...I don't know what to say...

Saki was on the verge of tears. All of her friends, putting aside their differences for her. This was too much for her to handle, and she finally let the tears flow out of her as she collapsed onto her knees.

Matt: S-Saki?! Are you—

Saki: No, I-I'm ok! These are...happy tears, yeah! H-happy tears...

Matt knelt down and hugged Saki, allowing her to cry on his shoulder.

Saki: S-Sorry about that; it's just... Hayato never even acknowledged my birthday sometimes unless I told him.

Matt: It's okay...did we accidentally scare you a little?

Saki: A slight bit.

Saki stood up, finally regaining her composure.

Saki: Anyway...what are we all standing around here for? Come on, let's have some fun!

With that, the 19th birthday celebration for Saki kicked off. Everyone was doing their own thing, while Matt, Saki, Kiriko, and Ayano were all finishing a round of Mario Party 10. By the looks of things...Matt just won the entire game.

Kiriko: Holy crap! How in the—...how do you even play this game?!

Matt: You've never played this game, Kiriko? You are literally the wealthiest out of the four of us; have you not heard of this game?!

Kiriko: Not really, no. Never played games as a kid. I always focused more on being perfect, especially given the fact that my family said that we were "blessed" with our riches due to our high reputation. The main reason why I moved is because I was actually able to get away from them, and I was actually blessed with my own allowance. One thing I was taught when I met your brother...choice.

Matt: Really? Well then...how do you feel now?

Kiriko: I feel...whole. Sure, I was given everything as a kid and spoiled to my core, but now...I feel like I don't need anything else other than this. People that I can talk to through genuine words and who are not trying to hold up my legacy—like I am making my own path. You'll have to ask how the others feel, though. I can't speak for everyone.

Ayano: Well said.

Kiriko: Thanks, guys...but...

Kiriko looked down to the ground.

Kiriko: All of...this was because of my error in not seeing the bigger picture. I knew Saki had a boyfriend, and it was recent, but...I never once imagined what would have really been going on behind the curtains. Now that everyone knows that I was a catalyst, if not a major cause for your downfall...would people look at me the same way that you guys originally saw Hayato? To be remembered as a manipulator and backstabber...hell, some people in our former class already think of me that way.

Saki: Kiriko...your concern for that alone sets you apart from him.

Matt: Honestly...the way I see it, Hayato was merely a shell of Harry, corrupted from both Haures and Obata. The fact that you still value your view of others means that you haven't been corrupted by any outer influences. Also, it shows you still have self-preservation, which is great.

Kiriko: I...

Kiriko shedded a tear as she looked at the two.

Kiriko: You two are amazing friends...I'm sorry I was such an entitled asshole to you two at first.

Matt: That behavior happened almost four years ago. What matters is our attempts to right our wrongs, Kiriko. The mere fact that you even consider doing so... I'd say you are already on your path to becoming the best version of yourself.

Kiriko: Thank you.

Matt looked around, seeing something on the ceiling.

Matt: That's a weird place to put a painting.

Saki looked up.

Saki: What? I don't—

Matt: Made you look.

Saki looked down, and saw Matt on one knee.

Saki: Matt...what are you...

Matt: Saki, I...I have thought about this for a long time now. Truth be told, I almost reconsidered doing this, had it not been for Kazendo and Mei talking me back into doing this.

Matt pulled out a small box from his left pocket.

Matt: Saki Yoshida...

Matt opened the box, and inside was a small ring.

Matt: Will you marry—

Saki: YES!!!

Saki wrapped her arms around Matt, crying into his shoulder once again.

Saki: Oh, my god! Is this actually happening?! I-Is this a dream?! Quick, somebody slap me!

Matt: There's no need for that! This isn't a dream, Saki! I promise you, this is real!

Saki: Holy shit...

They both embraced each other for a while, Saki slowly calming down in Matt's arms. As Saki pulled away, Matt held out the box again.

Matt: Permission to put this on your finger?

Saki looked Matt in the eyes as she nodded eagerly.

Saki: Yes...permission granted.

Saki held out her hand, and Matt took it gently as he slid the ring onto her ring finger. She raised it to the light to see it more closely and take in its features, noticing a form of text imbedded into the center.

Saki: Is that...?

Matt: Ancient Kaizonian text? Yes. Nola was the one who gave me this ring; she told me what the translation was. "The world is what you make of it. Make sure it's good."

Saki looked at the ring one more time, and with a steely glare of confidence and determination, she curled her hand into a fist.

Saki: I will...

Matt: No...we will...for our daughter...for Hana.

Saki: Right...for Hana.

They both walked away, their futures officially intertwined. Kiriko walked out to Ayano.

Kiriko: Hey...you're a Moonblade, right?

Ayano: Yeah? Why do you ask?

Kiriko: I'm wondering if...you can teach me how to fight properly.

Ayano lit up when she heard those words.

Ayano: Very well. And please, you don't need to say anything flashy like "Sensei"—a simple Ayano will do.

Kiriko: Very well. What about those two lovebirds?

Ayano: Them? Let's allow them to live their lives.

Kiriko nodded as she looked at the two. Before her eyes, she saw love that was beyond the levels she knew. It didn't go without saying that no matter what got in their way, she would be there for them. Now, it was time for her to be a real friend.