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It was late at night, and Ena was lounging on the couch, languidly scrolling through her phone.
She’d originally come down here after she began to feel both parched and famished while working on a new piece, rummaging the cabinets and fridge for something to fill her stomach.
Eventually, she settled for a bag of chips and a bottle of water. She’d devoured them while leaning against the counter, watching whatever video was open on her phone at the time.
Yet when Ena was finished, she didn’t feel like going back to her room just yet. She could afford to take a small break; she’d gotten a lot more progress done than she was planning for today.
So she decided to just rest in the living room for a bit. It was nice, actually. It was a bit cooler than any of their rooms upstairs, and it was a little quieter too, she didn’t hear the faint noise of whatever anime Mizuki was watching anymore.
Anyway, point is, Ena hadn’t realized how much time had passed until a message popped up at the top of her screen.
A small smile played at her lips when she realized that it was from Airi.
Her eyes scanned over the message, and her grin grew even wider, warmth bubbling up in her chest.
Oh right, it’s my birthday! Not even Ena herself knew how she so quickly forgot, she had been excited for the past week to spend the whole day with her girlfriends and a few of their mutual friends that Mizuki and occasionally Mafuyu were teasing her about it every chance they got!
But somehow despite that, she hadn’t even realized it was already midnight, and Airi had sent her a sweet birthday message—she usually called, and at first Ena raised an eyebrow at the unexpected change in routine, but she quickly noticed the part of Airi’s message in parenthesis about how she didn’t want to disturb Minori and Shizuku who had both fallen asleep while waiting for the clock to strike twelve.
A small giggle escaped Ena’s lips at the image in her mind of the two women trying their hardest to stay up, only to end up fast asleep anyway. She can practically hear Minori’s sulking voice and see Shizuku’s pouty face already. She’d have to reassure them both in the morning that it’s fine, and that they didn't need to stay up all night just for Ena if they were tired.
Ena reread the message again, and her heart swelled with admiration. She really did have the loveliest best friend in the world, didn’t she? Airi’s always been so kind, especially to her… Ena felt incredibly lucky that she got to know her.
It sounds kind of silly, but I hope that we get to be best friends in all our next lives as well. No matter how silly the thought was, it was the truth nonetheless.
Ena hugged her phone tight to her chest and closed her eyes, letting memories of her and Airi’s time together flash before her eyes. She startled a bit when she felt her phone buzz against her body.
She glanced down at it and realized this time it was from Haruka. Her lips curling up once more, she quickly typed out a response to Airi before she tapped on Haruka’s contact.
It was another birthday message, of course. This one being just as sweet as Airi’s had Ena grinning so hard her cheeks hurt.
She’d just finished replying to Haruka when a few more messages popped up at the top of her screen. One from An, excitement evident even through the screen. The other was a string of texts from Emu, in which she wailed about being a whole two minutes “late”, and then proceeded to wish Ena a happy birthday with at least seven exclamation marks.
Ena’s eyes crinkled in mirth as she took her time responding to both of them. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with joy.
It was almost stupid, it’s not like this was anything new; she had been friends with these people for years, and they had done this for years. Yet still, every single time she couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude towards them.
She really couldn’t help it—it reminded her of how much she’s loved and how many people are there for her. It reminded her of how much she’d grown from the insecure, angry little girl she once was. She’s forever happy where she is now, and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Ena reread the multiple texts she had received over and over again. She reminisced once more on each and every fond moment she had shared with her dear friends, and of course, her lovely girlfriends.
She was practically fully spaced out when a familiar pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders.
“Enanan,” Mizuki sing-songed.
Ena yelped and startled, her phone flying out of her hand and bouncing on the couch.
“Mizuki!” She twisted around in Mizuki’s hold to face her. “Don’t just creep up on me like that!”
Mizuki giggled sweetly, and only now did Ena notice that both Kanade and Mafuyu were standing behind the couch as well. A certain sugary scent permeated the air that Ena couldn’t quite place her finger on, nor did she know where it was coming from.
Mizuki circled around to the front of the couch and plopped down, picking Ena’s phone up and handing it to her. Ena accepted it and gently placed it in her lap, turning to face Mizuki.
“Aww, don’t be like that, Ena!” Mizuki teased, “Is it so bad to want to wish your cute girlfriend a happy birthday?”
Ena flushed and immediately crossed her arms, “Hah? That was your way of wishing me a happy birthday?” she grumbled.
It was Kanade who giggled this time, “Ah, yeah… you didn’t even actually say ‘happy birthday’, Mizuki,” She curled a few stray strands of hair around her finger.
Ena hadn’t noticed that Mafuyu had moved to her side until a soft, gentle voice spoke near her ear.
“Happy birthday, Ena,” Mafuyu said, placing a tender kiss on her cheek.
Ena’s brain felt like it was short-circuiting. Her eyes widened and she stammered out, “M-Mafuyu!”
“Ah, Mafuyu! I wanted to do it first!” Mizuki whined and pouted.
Mafuyu just smiled, though, and huffed a small breath of laughter.
“You were taking too long,” she said, not unkindly.
Mizuki let out a small ‘hmph’ but clearly got over it soon, moving to wrap her arms around Ena’s waist and bury her face in her shoulder.
“Happy birthday, Enanan,” Mizuki crooned, placing a featherlight kiss on the junction between Ena’s neck and shoulder. Ena shuddered at the feeling. She felt like she was burning up from the inside out.
Just then, she felt Kanade’s soft hands rest on her shoulders, and her lips met the crown of Ena’s head.
“Happy birthday, Ena,” she whispered.
Ena squeaked this time, “Kanade…” she muttered. Ena’s arms fell to her sides, and her face was so flushed she felt like she might pass out.
Mizuki’s arms tightened around Ena’s waist, “Hey… why don’t I get a reaction like that?” she complained, nibbling ever so slightly on Ena’s neck. Yet that little action was still enough to make Ena’s breath hitch. Mizuki snickered at the sound, biting down a bit harder, and Ena was really starting to think that her own girlfriends may kill her on her own birthday.
Something a little heavy was placed on Ena’s lap, and the sweet scent she had smelled earlier now invaded her nostrils at full force. It made her mouth water, and she immediately knew what it was without even looking down. She even wondered how she didn’t recognize it before.
She looked up at Mafuyu, who had placed the sweet treat on her lap, and now she really wondered how she didn’t even notice a whole cheesecake in Mafuyu’s hands. Mafuyu smiled lovingly at her, and moved her bangs aside to press a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Ena’s eyes brightened as they traveled down to the delicious looking cheesecake in her lap. She then turned to face Kanade, whose eyes held as much love and care in them as always. The movement did force Mizuki to unlatch herself from her spot on Ena’s neck, however, but she managed to only grumble marginally about that.
Kanade blushed when Ena’s eyes met hers. Her hand traveled up to hold her cheek, and Ena leaned into the touch.
“Ena, you’re cute when you’re flustered,” Kanade said, her lips curling up even more, and Ena was sure that she was so red she looked like Mizuki’s old bow by this point.
“I know, right?” Mizuki exclaimed, shifting to press a kiss on Ena’s shoulder this time.
“Shut up, Mizuki,” Ena hissed, with no real bite in her tone.
Miizuki murmured bitterly and pinched Ena’s side. How rude of her, Ena couldn’t even do too much about it unless she wanted the cheesecake to fall off her lap!
Kanade’s hand fell from Ena’s face, but was quickly replaced by Mafuyu, who turned Ena to face her once more.
Ena barely had time to process what was going on before Mafuyu’s lips were on hers, soft and rosy.
Warmth enveloped Ena from the inside out, and her hand came up to rest upon Mafuyu’s own where it was still on her cheek.
The kiss was almost sickeningly saccharine, and the difference from how their kisses usually are and this was almost jarring. They’re had their fair share of tender kisses, of course. But that didn’t change the fact that their kisses were more likely to be on the rougher side (mostly thanks to Ena), tongues entangling and biting lips and hands wandering… So something this soft shocked Ena to her core, and it quickly left her a pliable little puddle in Mafuyu’s hands.
Through the haze in her mind, she could feel Mizuki relatch herself onto Ena’s neck, biting and kissing and licking. She felt a small hand curl itself in Ena’s hair and knew it was Kanade. Kanade gently scratched at Ena’s scalp, and then she leaned down to the other side of Ena’s neck, copying Mizuki but in a much more relaxed manner. She simply left chaste kisses along her throat.
Ena’s hands felt numb as she found the strength in her to move her lips in tandem with Mafuyu. Multiple emotions burst in her chest and pooled deep in her stomach, and her heart ached with just so, so much love.
Mafuyu swiped her tongue against Ena’s lips before she pulled away, a small string of saliva connecting them. Ena panted heavily, a dazed look in her eyes.
Her heart was beating so hard she thought it may escape from her chest—there were so many different things to focus on at once, and she was completely overwhelmed.
Mafuyu leaned back in to press one final peck against Ena’s lips, and Ena’s pretty sure that’s when she lost her mind.
She came back to her senses to hear Mizuki giggling in her ear, “Too cute,” she teases, and Ena doesn’t have it in her to chastise her.
“I… I…” Ena stuttered, “Thank you…”
“No need to thank us,” Kanade said, her hand still absentmindedly scratching at Ena’s scalp. It was stupid, how good it felt.
“Yeah! We did all this because we love you, after all!” Mizuki exclaimed, tightening her hold around Ena’s waist. Ena reached a hand up to pat at Mizuki’s head.
Mafuyu picked up the cheesecake from Ena’s lap, “I”m gonna go cut this for us, okay?” she then walked away after Ena gave a little nod and hum of acknowledgement.
Kanade walked around the couch and Mizuki and Ena moved over to give her room to slot herself on the other side of Ena. Kanade gently took Ena’s hand in hers, and squeezed once, twice in reassurance.
When Ena looked over at Kanade, she saw nothing but pure love and affection in her gaze. Ena smiled in response. She’s sure her eyes looked the same, and her own heart was brimming with fondness.
“Mizuki’s right. We love you, Ena,” Kanade remarked, running her thumb over the back of Ena’s hand. Ena couldn’t help but think about how soft Kanade’s hands were. They always have been, really.
Ena huffed a small giggle, “I know, I love you guys too, I just…” she trailed off. She had begun mimicking what Kanade was doing to her earlier, but this time to Mizuki as she ran her hands through the soft pink locks.
Mafuyu came back, two plates in hand. She placed one on Ena’s lap, a slice of cheesecake with a single lit candle on it and a fork on the side. The other plate went to Kanade, which had a fork and a candleless cheesecake. Mafuyu left again but returned shortly with the remaining two plates, which were for herself and Mizuki.
The trio already on the couch scooched over a bit more so Mafuyu could sit down next to Kanade. Mizuki unwrapped her arms from around Ena, but still remained leaning into her.
“Okay! Make a wish, Ena!” Mizuki cheered.
Ena took a deep inhale and closed her eyes, and then she blew the candle out, her wish already made up in her mind.
I want this feeling… this warmth, this love… to stay forever. No matter what.
It’s not unlike the wishes she’s made in the past years, it just gets worded a little differently every time.
“Okay. Done.” She said.
Her girlfriends all smiled at her, and then Mafuyu seemed to remember something.
“Oh. I haven’t said it yet, have I?” She started. Ena hummed curiously at that, but Mafuyu quickly continued, “I love you, Ena,”
Ena sputtered over her words, and quickly shot out a, “M-Mafuyu!” followed by a, “…I love you, too,”
She turned her gaze to Kanade, then to Mizuki, then down at the cheesecake in her lap.
“I love all of you, really. You’ve all helped me so much and… you’re all just really special to me, yeah?”
She really didn’t want to cry, but she could already feel her eyes burning regardless. Again, it’s not like any of this is that new. But every year she still feels that same pressure behind her eyes.
Mizuki noticed this, of course, and her voice takes on a softer tone.
“You say that, Ena, but you’ve helped all of us just as much, you know? You’re just as special to us as we are to you.” Mizuki placed a hand on Ena’s shoulder, and Ena’s free hand came up to frantically rub at her eyes. Mizuki always knew just what to say.
“Mizuki is right again, Ena,” Kanade spoke up this time, “you’re incredibly important to all of us. We love you a lot. Let’s keep helping each other and pushing each other forward, alright?”
Mafuyu made a hum of agreement, “Mhm. Let’s all keep supporting each other,” she spoke in a delicate and soothing manner, and even though Ena wasn’t looking at her, she could still hear the smile that was evident through her voice.
“Uh-huh! Forever!” Mizuki tacked on.
Ena looked up and beamed at them, her face was flushed and a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Yeah,” she said.
“Forever.”