11 October 20XX
The house was quiet when I came home, a rare kind of peacefulness that settled over everything like a soft blanket. I slipped off my shoes and called out, "I'm home." From the kitchen, I heard the gentle clatter of dishes and smelled something savory simmering—a comforting scent of spices and herbs that could only mean my mother, Mariea, was cooking.
"Welcome back, Himeya!" her voice drifted warmly from the kitchen. "How was your day?"
"Good," I answered, though I kept it brief. She was in her element, and I didn't want to disturb her while she worked her culinary magic. I was, admittedly, a little relieved to see she was the only one home. Dad was still at work, and my sister, Haruka, wouldn't be back until later. It felt like I had a quiet moment to myself to unwind, and something about that sounded nice.
I climbed the stairs to my room, expecting the usual silence there. But as I opened the door and stepped in, I noticed an envelope on my desk, neatly propped up against a stack of my books. My name was written on the front in familiar handwriting—Haruka's.
Curiosity stirred within me. Haruka never left notes like this; she'd usually just call or text if she wanted to say something. I picked up the envelope, feeling its weight in my hands, a little surprised by the slight tremor in my fingers. It wasn't often I received letters, especially from her.
I sat down on my bed, the envelope in hand, and carefully opened it, unfolding the letter. Haruka's words met me on the page, each sentence flowing with warmth and thoughtfulness. As I read, a quiet warmth spread through my chest, mingling with a bittersweet ache. Her words about my journey, her encouragement, her faith in me—it was so rare for her to say these things out loud. Reading them here felt… almost unreal.
Dear Himeya,
Happy 18th birthday, my little brother! I can't believe how quickly you've grown—no longer the shy, hesitant boy who'd peek out from behind my legs but now an 18-year-old, standing tall and with a quiet strength that I admire more than I can say.
Today marks a significant turning point for you, and I feel so grateful to be here, watching you navigate this journey. Being your older sister has been one of my greatest joys. I've seen your struggles, your doubts, and your victories—all the moments that shape who you are now. I know you're sometimes burdened by the weight of your own heart, caught up in thoughts of whether you're truly strong enough, good enough, or worthy of the love around you. But, Himeya, you are.
You've always had a natural kindness and resilience that pull people to you. Touka, for instance, sees that in you, maybe even more deeply than I do. She has this incredible faith in you, one that I know you don't take lightly. Watching the way you two look out for each other has been like witnessing something rare and precious, a partnership so genuine that it's hard to believe it could be anything less than fate.
I don't say this often, but thank you for being someone Touka can lean on, too. After everything that's happened, seeing you two find your way together has been a source of comfort and hope. You're not only a protector in her life; you're her friend, her equal, and, dare I say, her heart. Keep looking out for her, Himeya. She needs you just as much as you need her.
As you step into this next chapter, remember that you have all the support you could ever need. I'll be here, always, to remind you of the path you've chosen, to help you find strength in your own story—even when it feels like the world is against you. Believe in yourself as we believe in you. You are stronger than you think, more loved than you know, and ready for whatever lies ahead.
Happy 18th, my dear brother. May this year bring you clarity, courage, and a love that deepens with each step.
With all my love,
Haruka
I reread the letter twice, letting each line sink in. Haruka always had a way of knowing what I needed to hear, even before I knew I needed it myself. She was far away right now, probably buried in work, yet here she was, her thoughts reaching out to me through these pages.
As I folded the letter and placed it back on my desk, I felt a renewed sense of calm. The weight of expectations, doubts, and fears seemed a little lighter, softened by her words and the quiet encouragement they carried.
Maybe tonight, after dinner, I'd text her a simple thank-you. She'd understand.
...
With the letter still fresh in my mind, I felt a swell of warmth as I stood up and headed back downstairs. I had expected another quiet evening, just me and my thoughts. But as I descended the stairs, the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air, pulling me toward the kitchen.
"Happy birthday to you!"
The cheerful chorus caught me off guard, and I paused halfway down, my heart racing. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was met with a sight I never anticipated. My family was gathered around the dining table, which was decked out with balloons, a colorful banner, and a cake that looked far too delicious to be real. There were candles lit atop the cake, flickering brightly against the soft light of the room.
And among my family, I spotted my friends—Touka, Hiro, Kousuke, Uguisu-senpai, and Yuka—each of them grinning widely, their eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.
"Touka!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of surprise and joy. She smiled brightly, her cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and embarrassment. Seeing her there, all dressed up and cheerful, made my heart skip a beat.
"Surprise!" they all shouted again, and I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a rush of emotions. It was overwhelming, in the best possible way.
My mom, Mariea, stood at the center of it all, beaming proudly. "We wanted to do something special for your birthday this year," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "You've grown up so much, and we just wanted to celebrate you."
I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me. I glanced around at my friends, at Hiro, who gave me a thumbs-up, and Kousuke, who was pretending to take notes on how to throw a surprise party. Uguisu-senpai had her camera out, snapping pictures of the moment, while Yuka stood next to her, holding a party hat and laughing at the whole spectacle.
"Did you all plan this together?" I asked, feeling a mix of disbelief and happiness.
Touka stepped closer, her smile brightening the room even more. "It was a group effort," she said, her voice soft yet playful. "I might have mentioned your birthday to everyone, and they wanted to help. I hope you like it!"
"It's amazing," I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Thank you, everyone."
As I approached the table, my gaze drifted back to the cake. It was decorated with a cute design—a mix of my favorite flavors—and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Make a wish!" my mom encouraged, gesturing toward the cake.
I closed my eyes, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. It was hard to believe how fortunate I was, surrounded by my family and friends, all of whom cared enough to make this day special for me. I wished for the courage to keep moving forward, to embrace whatever the future held for me, and to cherish the bonds I had with all of them.
When I opened my eyes, I blew out the candles, and everyone erupted into cheers. "What did you wish for?" Touka asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"If I told you, it wouldn't come true," I teased back, and she playfully rolled her eyes, knowing full well I was just trying to keep the moment lighthearted.
"Okay, okay! Just cut the cake!" Kousuke interjected, grinning from ear to ear.
As I sliced into the cake, laughter and chatter filled the room, a beautiful symphony of voices and joy. This was more than just a birthday celebration—it was a reminder of how lucky I was to have these people in my life. As I handed out slices, I caught Haruka's eye, and I smiled at her, feeling grateful for the letter she had written, for the love that brought us all together, and for the new chapter that awaited me.
Today was a turning point, and I was ready to embrace it, surrounded by the people who mattered most.