Kaiserschmarrn spots his master in the crowd, chatting with people and moving around the room with grace. They spot him in turn and smile, waving him over almost a little too excitedly for his tastes.

"Kaiser! Over here!" calls his attendant, who he at times considers a bit of a hassle to deal with. But the Food Soul has found himself grown used to his master attendant's cheerful nature, carefree and ever abound.

He greets them with a gentle smile and a gentler voice, giving polite nods to the other people around them as well. Unbeknownst to them, he'd rather not be here right now. It wasn't exactly his plan to attend such a gathering. Of course, it was only because of you that he came in the first place.

"You called, Master Attendant?"

His attendant nods, excusing themselves as the guests they were occupied with prior scatter, likely to find other groups to chat and gossip amongst. As the two of you walk off, the imposing thrums of the ballroom's music slowly fade to a faint hum.

"Kaiser?" You begin with a tinge of uncertainty in your voice, a hand on his arm. "We can leave early if you want."

The two of you were just outside the grand hall, standing in a smaller but no less grand foyer. He looks to you with slightly furrowed brows. A question is on his mind, but he feels that you should explain yourself further.

"I know it wasn't exactly your choice to come to this event, and it's mostly for me, but I can tell you'd rather go back home instead of hang around here." You let go of his arm and glance towards the ballroom. "However, I have one request before that happens."

You tell him your selfish request, a sheepish smile on your face.

"You wish to dance with me? Out here?" This came as a bit of a surprise to the Food Soul. "Are you not having a good time?"

You tell him that isn't it. "It's just that I feel like I've been neglecting you ever since we got here, so I thought maybe we could at least do something together before we go home. So, won't you dance with me?"

Kaiserschmarrn is good at keeping up appearances, and he no doubt hides his hesitation well. If it was up to him, really, he'd rather not... but alright, fine. Perhaps he will indulge in a dance with you, just this once.

It's a simple enough request, and easy enough for him to complete to get you in high spirits. Your smile when he agrees is enough for him to consider that, yes, this wasn't a bad choice. His attendant doesn't wish for things as ambitious as he does; that's something Kaiserschmarrn is almost grateful for.

It almost slips his mind, but to his dismay he realizes that you might have a stronger hold on him than he'd like.

"If it's with you, then perhaps I truly can throw caution to the wind, drop everything, and dance like nobody's watching..."

"The restaurant's closed?"

You turn to Milk, confused. After gathering a few new recipes and ingredients with Milk, the two of you returned home for the day. To your surprise, the restaurant front was vacant and the window's curtains had been closed from the inside; it looks like the lights are off, too. There was also a "closed" sign on the restaurant's door just in case anyone didn't get the memo.

She nods, casually replying, "Yes, that's right." Strange, you think. On any regular day, the restaurant would be open and running—thanks to the help of your Food Souls, managing the restaurant was never too much trouble. The sun was still sitting in the sky, and the normal closing time was still hours away. You wondered if you managed to miss a scheduled off-day or something.

Both of you began walking to the side of the restaurant with the intent of entering the back door when Milk stops. "Ah, Master Attendant," she says. "I forgot to mention: Rice wanted to talk to you." Milk walks in front of you, heading to the restaurant area and gesturing for you to follow. "She's in the restaurant waiting for you."

You tilt your head. "Waiting for me?" But the lights in the restaurant are closed, you say internally. If Rice was still in there, wouldn't the lights be on?

Though it was a bit odd, you decided not to dwell on it and followed Milk into the restaurant from the back. Milk steps aside to let you enter first. Before you enter, Milk catches herself letting out a giggle. "Milk?" You turn to her, hand on the doorknob. "What's so funny?" Milk shakes her head, smiling apologetically. "Nothing, Master Attendant. Let's head inside."

You hesitate. "Alright..."

You furrow your brows as you open the door. It's dark, as you expected. What you don't expect is the lights turning on as soon as you enter.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MASTER ATTENDANT!"

The restaurant, filled with full of bright and familiar Food Souls, greet your surprised figure. You freeze in place, very clearly and effectively stunned.

"Oh, wow... I-I don't know what to say..." You look back at everyone, letting out a little laugh after seeing their expectant expressions. "Thank you guys so much! This is really sweet of you, you didn't have to do anything for my birthday." To be honest, you hadn't actually expected everyone to remember. Maybe they hadn't. But then, you wonder, who had?

There was a table nearby with a cluster of presents in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and wrapped in various kinds of coloured paper. Some of the Food Souls insisted you open the presents they got for you. You didn't open all of them right then and there though—there were just too many of them that you feared you wouldn't be able to use your arms the next morning. A good handful of the presents were handmade, and of course there were those who bought things you might like. You appreciated and treasured them all, even if sometimes some of them were a little questionable...

You didn't exactly get a cake. What you did get were several cakes in many flavours, shapes, sizes, and decorated with designs both intricate and simplistic. It honestly baffled you that there was so much variety of cake you weren't likely to eat all by yourself. But what fun would it be to eat a cake by yourself anyway? Not only was there a lot of cake though. Food was also way too much. Looking at it all made you worry just how many left overs you'll end up trying to cram in the fridge. Hopefully some Food Souls were big eaters...

The party is filled with music and laughter, a loud, cheerful atmosphere you'd usually expect from a party filled the room. Food Souls laughed and joked, sang, drank and danced; some of the younger Food Souls ran energetically around the room. Some others just sat and chatted the evening away. Everyone, even those who weren't always the most cheerful, seemed to enjoy themselves just fine. You couldn't help but smile at how nice it was to have everyone present on your birthday.

The sun had nearly set over the horizon and the party was slowly dying down. You decided that after clean up, you would get to the bottom of who was behind this pleasant surprise and thank them for their hard work. You spot Milk and Black Tea finishing up clearing tables and walk over to them.

"Hey guys," you say. Black Tea bows her head to you. "Greetings, Master Attendant." Milk smiles. "Good evening, Master Attendant. Did you have fun?" "Of course I did." You grin. "Say, I didn't think everyone would actually do anything like this for my birthday. Surely there must've been at least one or two Food Souls who planned this party in the first place... Could either of you tell me who it was?"

Black Tea's lips pressed into a thin line. "I must apologize, Master Attendant. The original organizer of your party specifically instructed us not to say anything."

You frown slightly, turning to Milk. But Milk just shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Master Attendant. I promised I wouldn't tell, either."

You sigh, defeated. "Could you at least give me a hint?"

The two hesitate before taking a moment to think.

"Ah, I know," Black Tea eventually says. "He's been with you for a very long time. Around the time you were new at being an attendant."

You frown. "When I was new? That could be anybody!" And it's been so long, I couldn't possibly remember who's been with me the longest. Milk and Black Tea give each other a look, and Milk adds, "He's also very polite and kind, and he tries his best for you everyday." Black Tea nods in agreement. "He's a certain... butler, of sorts." Your eyes widen at the realization. Hearing Black Tea and Milk talk so fondly of this person makes you feel bad for not figuring out who they were talking about right away.

"It's-!" You start, but a sudden voice cuts you off.

"Master Attendant?"

You turn around. Brownie is standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Speak of the devil, Black Tea thinks, smiling to herself. Milk picks up on Black Tea's reaction and giggles with a hand over her mouth.

Black Tea smirks, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Well, I think Milk and I shall retire for the night." The two ladies collect their remaining cleaning supplies, and they sneak a knowing look at you before swiftly exiting the room. Your face warms in slight annoyance for them suddenly leaving you alone with your birthday party's secret organizer.

The whole time, Brownie stood still at the door, remaining ignorant to the situation you were just in. He watches as Black Tea and Milk leave the two of you alone, then turns back to you with an eyebrow raised. The defeated look on your face prompts him not to ask you about it. Instead he says, "Did you enjoy yourself at the party?"

An amused smile appears on your lips. "It was as enjoyable as it could be, thanks to you as the planner."

"Ah." Brownie smiles bashfully. "You found me out."

You nod. "Did you really prepare this all for me?"

Brownie raises his brows, eyes widening slightly. "Oh, n-no no! Err, I mean yes, I... I may have done some planning. But it was Rice who told me when your birthday was." Brownie's eyes struggle to meet yours as he explains. "You never did tell me when your birthday was. Not exactly."

Last month, Brownie had asked about your date of birth out of curiosity. Somehow the topic came up in a conversation and you casually mentioned how your birthday was actually in the coming month. Because you didn't elaborate, Brownie decided not to ask you further. But, now knowing about your upcoming birthday, Brownie felt that he couldn't just sit around and do nothing.

"As your butler, I can do all manner of things," he says. "And..."

Brownie clears his throat.

"And... I wanted to make sure you were happy on your special day-"

You hug Brownie before he could finish. Brownie, who'd frozen in shock, slowly returns the hug.

"Thank you."

No words were needed to make your day a good one, never mind a whole party. Somehow Brownie already understood this, almost as if he could read your mind. Even so, the butler still felt a little guilty. You feel him shake his head, as you let go of him for a brief moment.

"Truth be told, Master Attendant, I haven't given you anything as a gift."

You gaped. "What are you talking about? Don't be modest, you organized a whole party for me!"

He shakes his head again. "That's different. The party was a group effort."

"But-" You start to protest, but Brownie knows you too well. Knowing you would protest, he sits you down on a nearby couch. Taking a seat alongside you, he effectively quiets you by taking your hands and squeezes them gently.

"I might not have anything prepared for you at this very moment, but whatever you wish is my command. It has always been my duty to serve and satisfy your every need. Today is no exception. So I ask you, Master Attendant, what would you like from me?"

The way he spoke so confidently all of a sudden caught you off-guard. If you were being honest, it flustered you a little. You paused to think about what you could possibly want right now, but nothing specific came to mind. A moment of silence goes by; Brownie sits still, waiting for your response. Finally, you say, "Okay, there might be something you can do for me."

Brownie, naturally eager to comply, gives you his full attention. "Yes?"

"Could you smile for me?"

Brownie, who is always prepared to fulfill your every wish, practically freezes. He blinks, stopping as if to thoroughly process what you'd just asked of him. He looks at you, blatant disbelief in his eyes.

"You... want me to smile?"

You nod.

"Well, if this is your command, then I'll just…"

Brownie takes a quick breath as if to prepare himself for an upcoming mission. Looking into your eyes, he musters up a close-mouthed yet endearing smile.

"You see, is this okay?"

You stare.

"Master Attendant?"

When you don't reply right away, Brownie's expression falters slightly and his eyes look off to the side, embarrassed by your intense gaze. His hands are still holding yours, so you're able to catch his fingers fidget. Vaguely aware of the smoothness of his gloves, it's only then do you register the warmth in his hands.

"...Master Attendant?" Brownie repeats, snapping you out of your daze. You blink. "Oh, s-sorry, Brownie. I didn't mean to stare, haha." Brownie shakes his head. "It's alright. I'm just, ah, not used to doing anything like that."

Brownie was always so proper, even stern at times. As much as others tried to tell him to relax a little, he never truly acted on it. So seeing him acting more laid back like this is sort of...

"You should smile more," you tell him. Brownie sat still, wide-eyed and flustered and at a loss for words. Eventually, he stutters out a reply, "I... I will try."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the two of you made sure that the restaurant was nice and tidy for tomorrow, Brownie escorts you to your room. He waits for you to change into clothes more suited for sleeping and enters when you finish to tuck you into bed. You stifle a yawn. "Tired?" Brownie asks. You nod in response. "That surprise party took a lot out of me, hehe. I know I already said it before, but I can't help but thank you for doing this for me." The butler shakes his head.

Brownie had sat on the bed next to you, his posture upright and his gaze out the window. "I know you've had a difficult year," he says. "And I know how much pressure you put on yourself every day. You think you don't deserve things like this, and yet you continue to persist even when giving up sounds far more ideal. I can't help but feel conflicted when you say you aren't hardworking. I can see your strengths, and I know the other Food Souls do, too. It's... disheartening when you put yourself down." You can see him frown slightly as he talks. "You work so hard, I thought to make today feel like a reward for you. A day to really relax, destress and enjoy yourself." Brownie can feel your attention fixate on him; he continues with unexpected resolve, "You are more resilient than you realize, Master Attendant, and I wanted to make sure you didn't have to push yourself so much, at least for today." He pauses, taking some time to carefully think of what he wanted to say next.

"Now that you're turning a year older, I'm sure that that would take its toll on you, too, in one way or another." Brownie's gaze shifts to you. He takes your hands in his, just as he did in the restaurant, and slightly rubs his thumbs on the back of your hands. It felt... nice. Your face warms.

"I wanted to make sure that you truly were content on your special day. That you really, truly felt cared for and appreciated."

Brownie wasn't normally this talkative. At least, you didn't think so. You knew how much he tried to fulfill his duties as your butler, but you couldn't help but wonder if words of affirmation were included in his job description.

Was he always capable of giving you such strong praise?

You feel tears well up in your eyes. Brownie notices and wipes the tears away before you could. He gives you a soft smile, comforting you with a gentle embrace since he knows you enjoy hugs. He rubs your back, and you awkwardly laugh in his arms. He really did know you better than anyone else.

Brownie catches you staring a little too hard at his face again and closes his eyes, visibly embarrassed. "M... Master Attendant, you're staring again..."

You laugh as you cover your face into his chest. You couldn't help it. You rarely see him smile like that.