ℂ𝕣𝕦𝕖𝕝𝕥𝕪 | 𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕥𝕠 𝕋𝕠𝕕𝕠𝕣𝕠𝕜𝕚

ninety five

Growing up, Tomura made it a priority to torture me on my birthday.

Every year, I'd dread the seventh of April because it'd be hell from the moment the sun rose. I never got birthday presents or so much as a 'happy birthday' from anyone.

I'd be lucky to be unconscious for most part of the day. When I was, I'd count that as a merciful gift. Atleast then I wouldn't have to be awake to experience it, right?

Last year, Tomura forced me to sit in a lemon bath. You'd think that would be relaxing--- anyone would. Though, it was the furthest thing from relaxing when you had tiny papercut-like cuts all over your body.

The pretense of the feeling often haunted me but this year...this year was different from the moment I woke up.

I'm dragged our of my slumber when a weight jumps on me, a squeal making my eyes rip open. Shock, worry and confusion paint me before I realize what had happened.

Eri is straddling me and bouncing to wake me. "Iku, Iku!" She repeats the nickname, "It's your birthday!" I blink my blurry eyes as I look to my door to see three figures standing there.

"Eri, don't hurt her." Shota lectures, a coffee cup in hand as he rests his arm around my mom. My mom is carrying a Chocolate cake in her hands and I'm immediately smiling at the sight.

Hitoshi yawns as he leans back against my wall. "Iku's birthday!" Eri wraps her small arms around me, leaning into me as I lay in bed. Securing an arm around her, I chuckle.

My mom and Shota walk into my room, "Happy Birthday, hun." Eri gets off me but sits in my bed, leaning against the wall as she grabs the black cat plushie Shota got me for Christmas.

My mom sits at the edge of my bed, placing the Chocolate cake on my lap as I sit up. The candles are lit and I read the message iced on the cake. It says 'Happy 17th to our strong girl' and my lip wobbles at the words.

"We love you so much, hun. Don't we, honey?" My mom says and looks over at Shota who stands by my bed. The raven haired man smiles and rests a hand atop of my head, "Definitely do."

Okay, now I'm crying happy tears. My mom 'awe's' and Hitoshi walks over, sitting on the carpet by my bed. "Love ya, sis." A shit eating grin sits atop his lips as he says it but I know he's sincere despite it.

"I love you so much, Iku!" Eri hugs me a little, careful not go touch the cake atop my lap. My lip wobbles as I cry, "I love you guys, too. So much. This-" My voice cracks. "I've never had this before. Thank you."

My mom smiles despite her teary nature, "Of course, honey." Hitoshi speaks up from the floor, "Make a wish, then. I'm hungry, stupid." Rolling my eyes at him, I look to the candles and wish.

I wish for light and happiness. I wish to stay with my family forever. I wish for them to be happy--- for us to stay happy. I wish for the world to remain bright in their presence. I wish for it all.

After blowing the candles out, my family cheer and I sniffle as they leave the room to go downstairs and cut it. Sitting on the edge of my bed, my lip wobbles hard as I struggle to reign in my emotions.

"You coming?" Hitoshi pops his head back into my room as I swallow heavily. Attempting to rid myself of the heaviness in my throat, I clear my throat. My brother walks in and sits next to me on my bed.

"Everything okay?" Sniffing, I nod my head adamantly, "Of course, yeah, it's just-" I look down at my black carpet. "I've never had a birthday. No one's ever cared enough, y'know?"

It's quiet for a long moment before he speaks, "Never? How did you spend your birthdays then? By yourself?" A dry chuckle ripples from my throat at that.