#ikepri azel

Azel: "Ah, I'm so happy. Have I ever been this happy before? No, I haven't."

Azel: "My birthday is coming up soon, but this year I don't have to show my face at the city's celebration."

Azel: "I won't be surrounded by countless people, nor will I have to see that disgusting old man's face. I can finally experience true freedom. What a wonderful birthday this is going to be."

(How many times have I heard this now?)

As usual, we were having breakfast together in the kitchen, and Azel was in an unusually good mood.

The festival celebrating the birth of the "Living God of Tanzanite" was one of the biggest events in the city.

On the streets I'd walked through the other day, there were vendor stalls that only appeared at this time of year.

From time to time, dancers performed while singers sang something beautiful, making people stop and listen.

And the people kept praying for the same things:

"God, please help my business prosper."

"God, please cure my daughter's illness."

I felt like I'd grasped the true nature of the living god's birth festival.

(Even if their god had left them, the people's faith didn't easily disappear.)

(It's just that, now that their god has become a mere symbol, their devotion feels a little less blind.)

(Still, just thinking about what his past birthdays were like makes my chest ache.)

(I guess it's no wonder he's this giddy about it.)

Azel: "By the way, you understand, right?"

Emma: "Huh?"

Azel: "Are the preparations going smoothly?"

Emma: "What preparations?"

Azel: "C'mon, don't play dumb with me."

Emma: "Are you talking about your birthday?"

Azel: "What else?"

Emma: "So basically, you've been hinting at it to me every day because you want your birthday celebrated?"

Azel: "Exactly."

(I kind of suspected that already, but that's just like him.)

Azel: "You're someone who wants to celebrate birthdays, so I'm generously allowing you to celebrate mine."

Emma: "That's quite an honor."

I set my cutlery down on the empty plate and stood up.

Emma: "Actually, I've already decided how I want to celebrate."

Azel: "Good thinking."

Emma: "However, this method is honestly... forbidden."

Azel: "What's that supposed to mean?"

The cheerful expression he'd been wearing vanished the moment he heard the ominous word "forbidden."

Emma: "It's a presumptuous way to celebrate."

Azel: "What kind of celebration?"

Emma: "Promise you won't get mad?"

Azel: "Depends on what it is."

Emma: "Then never mind—"

Azel: "I won't get mad, so just tell me."

(Got him on record.)

I cleared my throat and stood in front of him.

Emma: "You've been listening to the wishes of so many people as a god all this time."

Emma: "And if that's what a Tanzanite god's birthday is supposed to be like, then this year, I'll be the god!"

Azel: "Ha?"

The once-lively kitchen fell completely silent.

I felt my face heat up when his eyes practically said, "What's this girl on about?"

Emma: "I'll grant you three birthday wishes."

Azel: "What are you, a magic lamp?"

Emma: "I'm a god."

Emma: "And of course, I'll do it for free. How does that sound?"

Azel: "Not bad. Actually, that's great—well done."

(I figured this would make him happiest.)

Azel: "Then here's my first wish."

Emma: "Say anything you want."

Azel: "From now on, you'll obey everything I say."

Emma: "Rejected."

Azel: "Wait, that's not what we agreed on."

Emma: "Because that's cheating!"

Emma: "If the first wish gets granted, then there's no limit on the rest."

Azel: "Tch."

Emma: "I'm not falling for it."

(I have a feeling that if I were to agree to one of Azel's whims carelessly, I'd end up walking straight into a trap.)

When I instinctively tensed up, he let out a small, disappointed sigh and propped his chin on his hand.

Azel: "Then first, prepare a huge feast with fancy dishes for my birthday."

Azel: "Enough that it won't even fit on the table."

Emma: "Sure."

(The kitchen counter is pretty small anyway, so making too much might actually be perfect.)

(Besides, this place is cramped for eating anyway. If we had a proper dining area, celebrating would be way easier.)

Azel: "For the second wish, prepare a physical birthday present."

Emma: "Do you have any requests?"

Azel: "None. But expensive doesn't mean good."

Azel: "What matters is what you were thinking when you chose it."

Emma: "Got it. I'll find something that makes you happy."

Azel: "As for the third wish… no, I'll save it. No point using them all at once. I'll figure it out later."

Emma: "Hehe, take your time deciding."

(Since it's his birthday, I want to go all out.)

I was about to carry the empty plates away when he stood up.

He gathered the plates before I could and brought them to the sink, making me smile.

Emma: "If I'm preparing a feast and a present, I'll need to go to the city."

Emma: "I don't have any plans today anyway, so I think I'll head out."

Azel: "Don't follow any shady people."

Emma: "I'm not a child, you know."

As I tried to leave the kitchen, he placed his hands on both my shoulders.