A Little Daydreamy

— March 2nd. It was still too early to call it spring, yet the sunlight had already started getting warmer. 

Ring’s first birthday we would be spending together as lovers was approaching. 

[ Flashback ] 

【 RING’S BEDROOM ; DAYTIME 】 

Kate: Nn… mmph… 

— During the small window of time we somehow managed to carve out between missions. 

Ring had to prepare for his next assignment, and so I told myself a kiss would be enough, but… 

The way our lips came together in a deep, unrestrained kiss led to heat reflexively building up in my lower abdomen. 

Kate: … R-Ring, if we go any further… 

Ring: … Yeah. I won’t be able to stop if we do more than just kiss.

At last, our lips parted and we paused to steady our breathing.

The heat underneath our skin wouldn't extinguish so easily, but we had no choice except to endure it for the time being. 

(It hurts, but I don’t want to get in Ring’s way…) 

I pushed my emotions aside and put on a smile.

Kate: You’ve gotten really good at kissing, Ring. 

There was a time he didn't know he should breathe through his nose while kissing, and now I was the one being constantly left breathless. 

Ring: Y-You think so…? I just remembered your favourite spots, and just… did it… 

Ring: But I’m glad I satisfied you. I’ll only get even better from now, so you should look forward to that. 

(I wonder what'll happen to me if he gets any better than this…) 

Ring: … The next time we meet will probably be around late February. 

Kate: You’re right. Oh… will we be spending your birthday together on March 2nd? 

On his birthday last year, we weren't even friends yet, much less lovers. 

We were only two people with a very distant relationship… so I wasn't in any position to properly celebrate his birthday. 

All I did was tag along when he asked for help with picking out a present for Nica, and afterwards gave him a small gift of my own. 

(That’s exactly why I must give him the best, most genuine, celebration possible this year…!) 

Kate: If you'll be busy with missions or other things, we can always do it another day… 

Kate: But I’d really love to celebrate your birthday with you on the actual date itself. 

Ring: Don’t worry, I’m free on that day. 

Ring: … Actually, I’m looking forward to celebrating with you, so I kept my schedule free. 

Ring: I want to celebrate with Nica too, so I told him we’ll celebrate our birthday the day before. 

Ring: I’ve been getting ready to spend my birthday with you. I’m really glad you asked. 

(Ring wants me to celebrate his birthday with him too… I’m so happy…) 

Kate: I’m going to make it the most splendid birthday ever! You’d better be looking forward to it! 

From that day on, I devoted myself entirely to making careful preparations for Ring’s birthday. 

In between my work as a Fairytale Keeper, I compiled a list of places I wanted to take him, and visited them myself to see if they were suitable for a good date… 

— Just like that, the days passed by in a flash, and his birthday finally arrived. 

[ Flashback End ] 

【 LOUNGE 】 

Kate: Happy birthday, Ring! 

Kate: I put together a few plans for today. Will you pick the one you like best? 

I held out the note where I wrote out the possible “date courses”. 

I tried preparing a wide variety of options — anything that might make this the best birthday he's ever had. 

Ring: Then… I’ll go with this one. 

…

【 MARKET 】 

The date plan Ring chose for his birthday was the one with the least travelling required — a simple date nearby. 

After stopping by the morning market to pick out some fresh, delicious vegetables, we headed to the River Thames. 

Our next stop was the fish market. 

The moment we stepped inside, we were swarmed by the noise and happenings. 

Kate: It's so lively in the morning… 

(Since this fish market is only open on certain days, I couldn't survey this one in advance…) 

(I need to stay alert so I can guide Ring around!) 

Out of nowhere, the crowd of people nearly knocked me off my feet— 

Kate: … Wahh—! 

— I lost my balance and was about to fall over, when Ring wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me against him just in time. 

Ring: You okay?

Kate: Yes, thank you. Looks like everyone’s been busy since the sun came up, let’s try not to get in their way. 

Ring: … Yeah. It's “our” first time here too. Let’s be more careful. 

(Hm? Have I ever told him I’ve never been here before…?) 

I had a small gut feeling that something was off, but I didn’t think it was serious enough to question. 

Instead, I turned my attention to choosing fish with Ring. 

We split our groceries between us, each carrying half of the bags on one hand. With our free hands, we laced our fingers together and made our way towards Crown’s castle. 

…

【 LONDON STREET ; DAYTIME 】  

Along the way, Ring suddenly stopped in his tracks. 

Ring: Come to think of it… this is where I saw you for the first time. 

Kate: Wasn’t our first meeting at the palace…?

Ring: Nope. I spotted you in town a few days before that. I didn't know you were a member of Crown back then. 

Ring: There was something about you that made it feel like we shared an affinity, and I thought of wanting to befriend you— 

Ring: But in the end, I couldn't even say hello… because I didn't have the guts to. 

Kate: Is that so? I’m so sorry, I don’t remember that at all… 

Ring: I was only watching you from the sidelines, so it's only natural you were unaware of it. 

Ring: If the me from back then saw us now, he’d be shocked for sure. Now that we're not just friends, but lovers—... 

Kate: … Ring?

He suddenly fell silent.

I looked up at him to see his eyes fixed on me uneasily. 

Ring: Having my girlfriend celebrate with me on my birthday… I feel so happy, I’m starting to think that maybe this is all just a sweet. 

Kate: Geez! Don’t let it be just a dream! 

I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. 

Ring: …! … Y-Yeah, this isn’t a dream. 

Ring: Your soft lips and your scent… there’s no way a dream could recreate them. 

He looked hopelessly adorable as he blurted the words out with his face bright red in colour… it made me feel up to a little mischief. 

Kate: … But maybe I’m the one dreaming.

Ring: Huh? 

Kate: I get to say “happy birthday” to my handsome, adorable, and reliable boyfriend who I love soooo much. 

Kate: Being able to celebrate like this makes me so happy… how can we find out whether this is a dream or reality?

Ring: …

My intentions went through to him, and Ring leaned down this time and pressed a kiss to my cheek. 

Ring: I-Is this enough to prove it…? 

Kate: Fufu, good. This is reality. 

Ring: *Sigh*... you’re so cute when you tease me like that, but it also feels so unfair I’m falling for it every time. 

Ring: … I recently learned a term to describe people like you. 

Kate: And what would that be?

Ring: “Little devil”. What are you trying to do? Make me fall even harder for you…? 

Kate: Hmm, let me think… how about becoming the most lovey-dovey couple in the world? 

Ring: M-Most lovey-dovey couple in the world!? 

Even I thought it sounded ridiculous, but seeing him look genuinely thrown off made me forget where to stop. 

Kate: You're going to be my last lover, right? If that's the case, I think we should love each other more than any other couple. 

Ring: T-That’s true! 

I smiled at Ring as he responded with a slightly desperate edge to his voice, and squeezed his hand. 

Ring: I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life!! I’ll give you the biggest love in the world!! 

— Caught up in the moment, the words Ring shouted sounded almost like a marriage proposal. 

The people passing by around us must've heard his voice, because everyone started applauding. 

Ring: Ah… s-sorry. I got too carried away…! 

Kate: Fufu, that's okay. I’ll cherish you, and give you the biggest love in the world too. 

Ring, still blushing all the way to the tips of his ears, broke into the happiest grin. 

Even though his birthday had only just begun, I was already so happy it felt like nothing could possibly top this. 

…

【 BOTANICAL GARDEN 】 

After returning to Crown’s castle to make sandwiches with the ingredients we bought, we made our way to the botanical garden.

We spent a good time admiring all the rare plants before moving to the courtyard. 

As we ate our sandwiches while sipping herbal tea, I started feeling sleepy—

Ring: Go ahead and take a nap. You’ve been so busy lately, you must be tired. 

(Have I told Ring I've been busy…?) 

There was that uneasy feeling again. 

But it was no match for the drowsiness that washed away the urge to question it. 

Kate: But… we don't get to spend time together often, I don't want to waste it by sleeping…

Ring: It’s fine. Here. 

Ring gently pulled me closer and let me use his muscular arm as my pillow. 

Kate: … Your arm's so warm. It's like melting my tiredness away. 

Ring: Really? If it’s helping you relax, you can use it for as long as you want. 

Ring: Also, if you ever have trouble sleeping at night, I can always sneak into Crown’s castle and let you use my arm as a pillow— 

Ring: … Wait. No. That's a bad idea. If I got into your bed, I don't think it will end with just me being your pillow.

Kate: … Fufu, I doubt so too. I might end up attacking you instead. 

Ring: You said something similar when we first started living together. I was shocked, and wondered if I should be the one attacking you. 

Kate: I’m strong. 

Ring: … Yeah, I know. 

He nodded, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at me tenderly. 

(I love that Ring is loud with his love, but…) 

(I also love how he expresses it through his facial expressions, even when he’s not outright saying “I love you”.) 

Kate: Are you enjoying yourself, Ring? 

Ring: Yeah, of course. … So much it makes me feel glad to have been born. 

Ring: The other date courses you came up with looked fun too. I want to go on those dates some time, even when it’s not my birthday 

Kate: I’m glad I did all that research then. Which one would you like to go on next?

Ring: Let me think… the crepe you bought with edible flowers on it looked really good… 

Ring: I want to check out that dye workshop too. The path was muddy from the rain that day, so we’ll need to take a different route… 

Kate: … Wait, what?

His words made me lift my head from his arm.

Kate: How do you know about those? All those things happened when I was surveying date locations, didn’t they? 

The crepe, the dye workshop… none of it was information Ring should've known. 

Ring: T-That’s…

Kate: Were you… tailing me? 

Ring: … Yeah, I was. 

Ring: It started when I found a memo you dropped. 

Ring: It said you were going to check out those places yourself… I got worried, so I followed to keep an eye on you the whole way. 

Kate: Did you pick today’s date course because it has the least travelling around and would be easier for me…? 

Ring: … Yeah. They all looked so fun, I couldn't decide, so I picked the one that wouldn't tire you out too much. 

Kate: Now that I think of it… the herbal tea you bought me had sleep-inducing effects. 

Ring: … Sigh. Of all things, that’s what gave me away? I must look so uncool right now. 

Kate: That's not true. You were only being considerate and looking out for me, right? 

Whether out in the sun or hidden in the shadows, Ring was always there to protect me. 

That made me love him even more. 

Kate: Thank you, Ring. It makes me really happy to know you care this much for me. 

Ring: … As long as you’re happy :) 

…

【 PATH LINED WITH TREES 】 

— We left the botanical garden and walked along a path lined with trees. 

Kate: Come to think of it, we saw osmanthus trees here on your birthday last year, right? Doesn't look like they’re in bloom anymore… 

Ring: Yeah, this place brings back memories of that day. I remember comparing myself to the osmanthus flowers back then. 

Ring: If these osmanthus trees were bred and genetically modified to bloom out of season — they’d be the same as me. 

Kate: ah… 

Ring was born in a research facility in Germany, as a child brought to this world as part of an experiment to artificially create the Cursed. 

Bearing a child with specific traits isn't so different from selectively breeding plants. 

Ring: When you said they were grown “carrying the hopes of the people who cultivated them”, it got me thinking.

Ring: Just like the way flowers make people happy, I wondered if I fulfilled the hopes those research had for me…

Kate: … I– I’m so sorry. I didn't know about your past back then, but that was still insensitive of me to say. 

Ring: You didn't do anything wrong. Besides… I’ve already found my answer to that question.

Kate: An answer…?

Ring: Even if my birth was conditioned to other people’s desires, how I live my life is up to me to decide. 

Ring: … Like how I’m choosing to be with you. 

Kate: … You're right. I want to be by your side to walk the path of the future you choose too.

At my honest words, Ring gave my hand a firm squeeze in response while looking slightly bashful. 

…

【 STREET NEXT TO WATERWAY ; SUNSET 】 

Soon, Crown’s castle came into view, and Ring spoke with a hint of loneliness in his voice. 

Ring: … Thanks for today, Kate. Time flies when we’re having fun, huh. 

Kate: You make it sound like the day’s already ended.

Ring: Your memo stated the date course ended at the botanical garden. 

Kate: Ring, that memo was only meant for me to list the places I needed to survey. 

I stopped in front of the hotel Ring and I lodged at in the past.

Kate: The day itself isn't over yet. So— 

Kate: Until the sun comes up tomorrow — will you stay with me? 

Ring froze, his face turning red as the implied meaning of my question sank in. 

Ring: … G-Gladly. 

Ring: This is one of my life choices too. I want to spend every last second of this birthday with you! 

He averted his gaze as though to conceal how flustered he was, but he still took my hand and laced his fingers with mine.

Story by @the12thnightproject

Artwork by @accurine