✔ | At Least We Have Forever

Chapter 43 - Happy Birthday

The special day for the Miyuzaki's princess (or their priestess princess to be specific) had finally arrived. Everyone who was invited was getting ready with what they were supposed to wear and of course, their gifts for the birthday celebrant. They didn't have any problem regarding their attire for that night since they were told that it wasn't really necessary to wear something too fancy. Though as much as possible, they have to wear something semi-formal. The invitations would be their passes to the hotel where the celebration was held since the security would be tight.

The celebration was held on a Saturday night. Of course, they wanted to look their best for their friend, and so they fixed themselves in a way that they would be comfortable and at the same time, presentable. The same goes for the gang. Surprisingly, Yumi managed to convince Hiei to attend the party but it only happened after one hell of an argument between the two. Kurama just devised an idea to make Hiei stay on guard outside the function hall since Yumi couldn't make him enter the hall, though the three-eyed demon asked Yumi to give his gift to Riya.

As for the celebrant, she stayed at the hotel the day before the celebration with Ritsuko and Haruna. Riya even had a chance to play with her twin nieces Misako and Sachiko and her nephew Satoshi who also attend the celebration just to be with her. Mari, Yumi, Haruna, and Ritsuko helped her get ready. The gown she was going to wear for the night was something that the female Wielders had designed through their collaboration. It was a white and light blue layered, frilly-like gown with light blue translucent above-the-elbow gloves. Her hair had two braids on the back of her head that held a small amount of her hair tied to a white rose barrette. Riya couldn't help but smile at the sight of herself after she was done getting ready.

But at the same time, Riya couldn't help but feel worried as to what Kurama might think about her outfit and looks. When the Wielders entered her room, they sensed those worried. Keiko approached her and placed both hands on Riya's shoulders as they looked at the mirror.

"I'm sure Kurama will love it, so you have nothing to worry about," Keiko said reassuringly.

Riya smiled before smiling. "I hope so."

The celebration started at 6 PM but the introduction to the celebrant was done at 6:30. All of the guests were there and everyone was having a good time, especially when the students of Class 2-C and Class 2-D got a chance to know most of the members of the Miyuzaki clan who attended. Kurama and his family were there early and they've been conversing with some of the guests there. But Shiori could see that Kurama was a little tense. And before she could even ask why, Yumi and Yukari approached him.

"Will it be okay if we take Shuichi-kun from here for a while, Shiori-san?" Yumi politely asked.

The said woman eyed the two girls with slight confusion, making Yukari approach her and whispered something to her ear.

"Shuichi-senpai is Riya-senpai's 17th dance," Yukari whispered.

It wasn't a secret to Shiori as to what that meant since she had been to several 17th birthday celebrations of some female members of the clan. She smiled upon hearing that from Yukari and nodded.

"If it would make my son feel calm, then I wouldn't mind," Shiori said.

The two girls thanked her and pulled Shiori away from them. They ended up with the group of men on the northeast of the hall, among the group were Yusuke, Kuwabara, Soujiro, and Noboru.

"Why am I here?" Kurama asked the moment the girls stopped dragging him.

Yumi faced him with a smile. "It's about time for the ceremonial 17 dances and in case you're forgetting, you're the 17th dance. The most important one, for that matter."