In the past few days, my brother has started getting along better with Sora. To be honest, I still don’t fully trust him. It’s strange; he no longer seems like the same person who fought against my brother. I remember how I saw him from the medical zone that day: his figure was that of someone entirely different, as if his whole existence was wrapped in an unstoppable fury. But now… now he seems more human. Could it be because of what my brother says? He told me he’s been helping Sora “seem more normal.” And honestly, it feels like he’s working a miracle. With each passing day, Sora looks more like one of us, though there’s something about him that will never stop being… different.

The best thing about all of this is that the café isn’t as boring as it used to be. Now I have company. I play with Nanao and Aiko, and even though they’re much younger than me, they’re really fun. Sometimes I wonder how they manage to have so much energy. If you leave them alone for five minutes, they’re already coming up with a new game, and somehow, I always end up involved in their antics.

But amidst the laughter and games, there are moments when I feel a little useless. My brother, Naoko, and Kiomi are always training, getting stronger every day, as if they’re preparing for something big. Even Sora has started joining them. And then there’s Alexander, always busy with something in the café, and Judas, who, besides being a great warrior, makes the most delicious drinks I’ve ever tasted in my life. Not that Alexander is bad, but… Judas has a gift, and he knows it.

In the middle of all this, I just stay here, not doing much. My brother suggested I should start school, but the idea makes me nervous. I don’t know why, but just thinking about it makes my stomach knot. What if I don’t fit in? What if I end up being a burden? These questions won’t leave me alone.

However, a spark of inspiration hit me while we were at the café. We were resting, everyone minding their own business, when something lit up in my mind like a light bulb.

—Naoko’s birthday is coming up! — I suddenly exclaimed, jumping to my feet and looking for someone to listen to me first.

Of course, my first victim was Zein. He was sitting on an improvised bench, polishing his sword with that almost obsessive concentration he always has. I ran over excitedly, almost tripping over a chair in the process.

—We have to do something special for her! — I told him, nearly shouting with excitement.

Zein looked up from his sword, blinking as if he was just processing my words.

—Her birthday?” he murmured, bringing a hand to his chin. “Now that you mention it, you’re right. Maybe we could get her a gift or prepare a simple meal.”

Kiomi, who was sitting nearby, nodded with a faint smile.

—I agree with Zein. Something simple but meaningful would be perfect. She’ll definitely appreciate it.”

But not everyone was on board with such a modest idea. From the kitchen, Alexander frowned as he arranged the utensils with almost military precision.

—A simple meal?” he said, dropping a ladle with a metallic clang that echoed through the room. “Naoko does so much for everyone. She’s always looking out for us, working tirelessly. I think we should do something more elaborate.”

Planning Naoko’s birthday became the central topic of the day. As we discussed the details, I couldn’t help but notice how everyone seemed more united, more lively. Even Sora, who was so reserved at first, now actively joined in the jokes and ideas. It was a refreshing change, and though I still didn’t fully trust him, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe he was starting to become part of our group.

Looking around, I realized something important: maybe I wasn’t training like the others or as strong or talented as them, but being part of something this special, organizing a surprise for Naoko, made me feel useful. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was doing something that truly mattered.

—Whatever you decide, we’ll help however we can, — Aiko said while playing in the yard with Nanao and Sora.

—Yeah, count us in! Right, big brother? — she added with a radiant smile, glancing at Sora.

—Of course, I’ll help however I can, — he replied, though he seemed slightly nervous, as if unsure how helpful he could really be.

Judas, who had remained silent until then, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice, as always, was calm yet deep, carrying an honesty that left no room for doubt.

—I owe Naoko a lot. She’s been more understanding with me than I deserve... So we shouldn’t settle for something simple. —

Judas’ comment left a brief reflective silence in the air, until a brilliant idea suddenly lit up in my mind, so quick and exciting it almost made me jump out of my seat.

—How about a surprise party?! — I exclaimed enthusiastically, gesturing as if I could already see it unfolding. —We could have it in the yard, decorate it, prepare a special meal, give her nice gifts, and… oh! We could have games or something fun too. —

The idea was well-received by everyone. Even Alexander, who always seemed so serious and meticulous, allowed a faint smile to break through as he nodded in approval. Within minutes, we had already divided up the tasks. To my surprise (and maybe a little panic), I was designated as the one in charge of organizing everything.

That same day, without Naoko suspecting anything, we headed out to get everything we needed. As we wandered through the market stalls, everyone was enthusiastically throwing out suggestions.

—Do you think we should get balloons? — Aiko asked, holding a handful of them in her hands.

—Sure, but let’s go with soft colors. We don’t want it to look like a kids’ party, — I replied, laughing.

The next morning, we got to work early. Kiomi, who seemed to have a natural talent for being discreet, volunteered to keep Naoko occupied while the rest of us focused on transforming the yard.

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Sora, with his skill for shaping natural materials, took charge of creating flowers and all sorts of organic decorations. Though they were simple, Aiko and Nanao personalized them with ribbons, glitter, and vibrant colors. It was adorable watching them work together, focused and giggling all the while.

—Do you think she’ll like the color? I don’t want it to be too much, — Aiko asked, holding up a garland of flowers dyed with natural pigments.

—She’s going to love it, — I replied, patting her head with a smile. —You’re doing an amazing job, Aiko. —

Meanwhile, Miguel offered to prepare the main dish, but to my surprise, Sora insisted on helping him. The scene in the kitchen was a spectacle in itself. Miguel worked with the precision and skill of a professional chef, while Sora, though clumsy, put all his effort into learning.

—Don’t cut like that, Sora. If you keep squashing the vegetables, you’ll end up making puree— Miguel said, pointing out the proper way to hold the knife.

—I’ll try again! Although I can’t promise they’ll come out any better, — Sora replied with a nervous laugh.

—I’m glad you stuck to peeling, because you suck at this, — Miguel said, bursting into laughter as he watched Sora struggle with the vegetables.

—What did you say, you bald ape?! — Sora shot back, raising his voice, though it was obvious he was joking. While he had originally used that term as an insult, now it carried a hint of nostalgia, an echo of their shared past. —I’ll show you what I’m capable of! —

The kitchen soon filled with laughter, turning what could have been a simple chore into a moment full of camaraderie. Though Sora still hadn’t mastered the techniques, his enthusiasm was infectious, and Miguel’s patience kept the pace steady.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the house, Zein and Judas were discussing what kind of gift would be most appropriate for Naoko. Their vastly different ideas made the conversation lively, if slightly tense.

—Something practical would be better, — Judas said, crossing his arms. —I don’t think she’s the type to enjoy useless things. —

—True, but we can’t give her something boring either, — Zein countered, trying to find a balance. Noticing my presence, he looked straight at me. —What do you think? —

I took a moment to think before responding.

—You should give her something nice. Even if it’s simple, as long as it’s heartfelt, it’ll be a good gift, — I said with a smile, hoping my words would ease their debate.

Lastly, Alexander, who always approached things with seriousness and planning, took charge of organizing the party activities. He didn’t share many details, which frustrated some of us a bit, but we understood that he wanted to preserve the element of surprise.

—This isn’t just for her; it’s for all of us, — he told us as he worked through his checklist. —We need to unwind a little, and this party will be the perfect moment. —

With the decorations ready thanks to Nanao and Aiko’s efforts, I set about hanging them up. Sora eagerly joined in, surprising me with his enthusiasm. Though he usually seemed a bit reserved, he was completely committed to the task at that moment.

—Sora, could you hang these ribbons on the higher spots? — I asked as I handed him a box full of decorations.

—Sure, leave it to me, — he replied with a smile, carefully taking the decorations.

As we worked, I decided to break the silence with a more personal conversation.

—She’s always looking out for us, you know? — I said, referring to Naoko. —I want this day to be unforgettable for her. —

—She’s admirable, yes. But I think you are too, —Sora replied, his sincere words catching me by surprise.

We continued talking as we decorated. Every ribbon, every flower, and every detail was placed not just with care but with a deeper purpose: to create an atmosphere that reflected how much we appreciated Naoko. During our conversation, Sora started sharing anecdotes from his past life, particularly about his time with his soldiers.

—On one of my men’s birthdays, I always made sure we celebrated it properly, — he recounted with a nostalgic smile. —It could be something simple, but I wanted them to know they mattered. —

His face lit up as he spoke, and I saw a side of him I hadn’t noticed before. He wasn’t just a warrior; he was also a leader who deeply cared for his people.

—When someone was injured and sent to the hospital, the whole regiment would visit them. We never let anyone feel alone. —

His words resonated with me, giving me a newfound respect for him. There was something admirable about his willingness to care for others, even in the toughest moments.

—All these experiences you’ve shared… they really say a lot about you, — I finally said. —I think we could all learn a thing or two from the way you are. —

He smiled shyly, as if he wasn’t used to receiving compliments, and we returned to focusing on the decorations.

Everything was coming together beautifully. I watched as this little mission of organizing the party had become something much more meaningful. We weren’t just preparing an event for Naoko; without realizing it, we had created a space where everyone could connect and open up a little more.

Judas and Alexander, who rarely exchanged more than necessary words, were now chatting non-stop, discussing ideas and possibilities to make everything perfect. It was curious to see how differences seemed to fade away when it came to something important. At the end of the day, we all shared the same feeling: Naoko was special to us. She had touched our lives in unique ways, and we wanted to make sure she knew it.

With each task completed and every detail in place, the sun began to set on the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and purple. The day was coming to an end, but for us, the most important part was just about to begin. The start of the party marked the moment to come together, celebrate, and share more than just words.

The venue, decorated from top to bottom, felt like an entirely new world. Ribbons hung delicately, the floral arrangements by Sora, Aiko, and Nanao added a touch of life, and the aroma of the food Miguel and Sora had prepared filled the air with an unparalleled warmth. It was perfect, simple yet meaningful, just as we imagined Naoko would like.

Now all that was left was to wait. Kiomi, who had taken on the task of keeping Naoko distracted all day, was on her way with her. In the meantime, we turned off all the lights and quietly took our places, careful not to make a sound.

In the dimness, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and deep gratitude for everyone’s effort. I could hear soft murmurs, suppressed laughter, and the faint creak of footsteps as we shifted to find comfortable spots. It was as if, in those final minutes of waiting, all the work we’d done came alive.

Finally, footsteps approached from the other side of the door. My heart raced, and a nervous smile spread across my face. Kiomi was likely preparing Naoko for what was to come. We all held our breath, waiting for the moment the door would open and Naoko would see the result of all our efforts.