<Episode 28>
"Herwin's birthday is in a week."
"Has it already been that long?"
"Herwin, is there anything you want? This older brother will buy it for you."
Starting with Christine, the topic of Herwin's birthday came up.
"How should we do the birthday party? Should we ask the professor for permission to borrow a classroom for half a day?"
"Shouldn't we? There's no other way."
"That's right. We did that for Christine's birthday too."
Christine, whose birthday was in mid-May, had borrowed an empty classroom and received congratulations from her friends.
It was a small birthday party with only close friends.
Since all the students lived in the dormitory and could only go out on weekends, it was impossible to hold a large party within the academy.
"Oh, can I make a suggestion?"
Bianca, who had been quiet, cautiously raised her hand.
"What is it?"
"Actually, other kids besides us said they wanted to celebrate Herwin's birthday too."
"Other kids?"
"Yeah, well… the ones who admire Herwin, you know."
"Ah……."
A small sigh escaped. The friends glanced at Herwin, whose brow was furrowed.
"I know you don't like it, so I was going to refuse, but they already rented a mansion."
"What? A mansion?!"
"Yeah, a pretty big one too. Herwin's birthday is on Saturday, so you can go out. I guess they're planning to have a birthday party at the mansion."
The friends were stunned by the unimaginable scale, their mouths agape.
"Wow, I knew Herwin was popular, but I didn't know it was to this extent……."
Ethan exclaimed, and Herwin's eyebrows twitched.
"Now that things have come to this, let's just have the birthday party at the mansion they prepared……."
"No."
Herwin cut Bianca off before she could finish.
"When did I ever ask you to do something like that? They did it on their own, so there's no reason for me to go."
"But, everyone did it thinking of you… and they want to give you a birthday you'll never forget……."
"I still don't want to. I hate being around a lot of people."
The friends quietly glanced between Herwin and Bianca.
It was true that Bianca's suggestion was burdensome.
Especially for Herwin, who hated being around a lot of people, it was a terrible suggestion.
They understood his feelings, but there was another problem with rejecting Bianca's suggestion outright.
If they had already rented a mansion, they must have paid all the money, so what would happen to their efforts if he refused?
However, Herwin was adamant. The person himself didn't want to, so no third party could step in and stop him.
"Well, what about it? I think it's a good idea."
Then, Arista opened her mouth.
"Arista."
"Herwin, think about it again. It's not like they're anyone else, they just wanted to celebrate your birthday."
Even with Arista's persuasion, Herwin still didn't unbend.
"And they already paid all the money. They worked hard to save money and find out about things, what will happen if you don't go?"
"Then who told them to do things without discussing it with me? I don't think I have any reason to look out for their situation."
"You can't be that heartless. At least they started with good intentions, so we should show some sincerity too. Right? Lucia?"
Lucia, who had been quiet, flinched. She saw the gazes focused on her and met Herwin's eyes.
Herwin seemed to think that Lucia, at least, would take his side.
"Uh… I think the same as Arista."
"……Huh?"
"It's not that bad of a suggestion. It's just that there are a lot of people, but everyone is gathered to celebrate you……."
"Lucia, you know how much I hate that kind of thing."
"I know. But when else will you have this kind of opportunity? And if they prepared this much, they'll definitely do the same thing next time, right?"
Herwin, feeling that Lucia's words were valid, flinched.
"So why don't you just attend this time and tell them firmly not to do it again from next time? Strike while the iron is hot."
"As expected, Lucia! I knew you'd understand me!"
Arista sparkled and hugged Lucia tightly.
"If it's still too much, think of it as an end-of-term party instead of a birthday party. The timing is right before the summer vacation starts. Bianca, how many people organized this?"
"Quite a few. About 10? More than 70 people will attend. Maybe most of the first years will gather."
"……Huh, I heard there was a fan club, but I didn't know there were so many."
"It seems like most of the grade likes Herwin."
A vein popped out on Herwin's forehead at his friends' whispers.
"Herwin, huh? Let's just bear with it once."
"Yeah, a party after a long time! Sounds fun, right?"
Lucia and Arista both sparkled at Herwin.
He was about to say he didn't want to, but he eventually sighed at the burdensome eye attack.
"Haa… do as you please."
"Yay!"
"Wow, really?"
"Yeah, but only this once. Bianca, tell those guys clearly too. If they do this again next time, I won't let them get away with it."
"Okay! I'll tell them clearly!"
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"That's right, it's a little much to just attend the party……."
"I'll ask the kids today. Then they'll give you work. How far has the work progressed……."
Bianca talked about the progress of the work as far as she knew.
It seemed like Herwin, the birthday boy, shouldn't be listening, but his friends already didn't care about him.
Herwin, feeling empty, leaned back on the back of the chair and met Lucia's eyes for a moment.
'Sorry.'
Lucia whispered softly. She felt bad that she seemed to be forcing him to do something he didn't like.
Herwin sighed at his kind-hearted childhood friend.
'It's okay. What can I do since it's already happened?'
Lucia was relieved to see his furrowed brow smooth out.
There was someone secretly watching the two of them. It was Bianca.
She narrowed her eyes for a moment when she saw the two childhood friends talking with their eyes. But when someone called out to her, she quickly composed herself.
* * *
The day after Herwin's birthday party was set, Saturday.
Lucia and her female friends got permission to go out and went to Terban Street to buy Herwin's birthday present.
"Hmm, I don't know what to buy."
"I was thinking of a fountain pen, would that be okay?"
"Oh, Bianca, you have good sense?"
Christine and Bianca, who were walking ahead, were talking about Herwin's gift.
Arista, who was next to Lucia, asked Lucia.
"Lucia, do you have anything in mind for Herwin's gift?"
"Um… not yet. Arista, what are you going to get?"
"I'm thinking of buying polishing compounds or tools for sword maintenance. After all, a swordsman's life is his sword."
"There's such a thing. That's original."
"Well, I'm just a sword friend, so I can only think of things like that."
Compared to commonly given gifts such as books, handkerchiefs, or fountain pens, it was a gift that stood out.
It was unique, but it was like Arista.
Lucia briefly imagined Herwin being happy to receive Arista's gift.
She could easily picture him showing her a smile that he didn't show her.
Lucia quickly shook her head before her emotions were consumed by jealousy.
'I promised not to hate Arista anymore. Get a grip, Lucia Agnes.'
"Lucia! Let's go over there!"
Arista smiled brightly and pulled Lucia's hand.
Lucia, who had briefly hardened her face, smiled back at her friend's bright smile.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
Lucia held Arista's hand tightly and followed her. There was no hesitation on Lucia's face.
* * *
"………."
Lucia, standing in front of a small shop, couldn't take her eyes off the object visible through the window.
Following her friends, who had set a meeting place and time and scattered, Lucia also wandered around alone to buy Herwin's gift.
Then she happened to find this jewelry store.
Clang-
"Excuse me……."
Lucia carefully entered with a small voice.
"Welcome, customer."
An old man with glasses perched precariously on his nose stood up from his seat.
"Are you looking for anything?"
"Um… can I see the thing over there?"
Lucia pointed timidly at the object in front of the glass window.
"You mean the cufflinks. Which one do you want?"
"The second one from the left here."
The old man took out the displayed cufflinks.
It was a cufflink with a gem that was darker and more intense than a ruby.
It looked exactly like Herwin's eyes, so she couldn't take her eyes off it.
"Are you perhaps buying it for your boyfriend?"
"Yes, yes?"
Lucia's face flushed, and the old man smiled kindly.
"The person who receives a gift from such a cute young lady must be very happy."
"That's, well……."
"I'll give you a special engraving service. You can engrave initials on the inside of the cufflink, would you like to do that?"
Lucia couldn't bring herself to say that it wasn't a gift for her lover.
She opened and closed her mouth, and finally lowered her head.
"Then… please."
"Can you tell me the name to engrave?"
"Herwin Fene… no, Lucia Agnes, please."
Lucia, who was about to say Herwin's name, immediately changed it to her own name.
"Since the button is small, the full name will be engraved in small initials. Is that okay?"
"Yes, that's okay."
"I'll make it pretty. Please wait a moment."
The old man took the cufflinks and went into the workshop inside.
Lucia, waiting for the button to come out, fanned her face to cool the heat.
"This much is okay, right……?"
Usually, giving someone an item with your name on it was something that only lovers did.
But this was just initials, not the full name.
Lucia patted herself, thinking that this was a gift that friends could give each other.
