Tohgi walked around town aimlessly taking in the sight to calm himself down before the next fight. He had mixed emotions leading to the battle. Although he was excited about the chance to finally express his anger towards Hanzo's callous taunt, it was also the last test in the entrance examination to the order. After the battle against Hanzo, his fate would be sealed. He continued wandering, when he finally decided that he needed a drink. He walked into the nearest bar and ordered a pint of ale. As he took his seat and started drinking he noticed a group of loud jolly friends in the bar, one of them screamed "happy birthday". Hearing the word birthday reminded Tohgi that his birthday had just passed.
Tohgi: birthday huh? (This is the first time I have had my birthday away from home, I was so focused I didn't even realise it had passed) I wonder how they're doing… it's about a month now.
Tohgi touched the necklace on his neck, made from a cheap gemstone and a rope.
Flashback.
Willow: Happy Birthday! Me and mama made you a cake.
Tohgi: you mean mama made the cake and you pretended to help, right?
Willow pouted her lips and looked at Tohgi annoyed at his comment.
Willow: I actually did most of the work this time, I chose the ingredients in the market and made the mix and put the icing and the decoration, next year I am going to be a woman after all
Tohgi: (teenager, but okay) Really? You did all that yourself?
Willow: I chose your favourite colour this time.
Tohgi chuckled when he saw the cake, which made Willow sad. She imagined he was laughing at the cake because he thought it looked bad
Tohgi: (purple is your favourite colour, not mine)
Willow: you don't like it.
Tohgi: Oh no, I love it!!! I was just shocked to see a purple cake for the first time. Let's try it!
Willow cut a piece out for him to taste. After tasting it, he had no doubt that Willow was the one that made it.
Tohgi: (way too sweet…) Baking must be your second calling
Willow: yaaaaayyyyy, you can have as much as you want, special birthday treatment.
Tohgi: Oh no... We have to save some for papa
Denver: (Oi! don't involve me in this) Oh no, I wouldn't want to take from the birthday boy now would I?
Tohgi: oh but you must, it's your daughter's first attempt at baking and it's so... good, here have this piece with a lot of icing
Tohgi's dad whispered to him.
Denver: I'm your father you have no right to do this to me.
Tohgi: huh? I didn't hear you, do you mind saying that louder?
Willow became attentive to their conversation. Denver laughed awkwardly and took the piece of cake Tohgi offered him.
Denver: Ohhh… I said, this must be very delicious, let me try it now
He bit into the cake and felt an instant rumble in his stomach from the fear of what would happen later.
Denver: it is so good my stomach is dancing for joy
Tohgi's mum laughed out loud at the reactions from Tohgi and her husband.
Willow: mama let's have some
Wendy: I already reserved some for us, let's go have that.
She smirked at them while taking Willow to an identical cake she baked separately. Denver whispered as they walked away.
Denver: we've completely lost, men zero women one
Wendy: Make sure to finish your plates boys.
Tohgi and his dad bellowed "of course" with a constipated smile holding back their tears.
Willow: Oh I almost forgot
Willow ran to her room and came out with a necklace.
Willow: uhm... Mama bought you a gift.
Wendy: huh?
Denver: How did you not know about what you bought?
Wendy: While we were shopping for ingredients to make your cake, Willow saw that crystal pendants and wanted it, luckily for us the merchant felt indebted to me and offered to give any as a gift. She said the gold and coloured ones had more value but Willow was insistent on getting the grey, I didn't know she was getting it as a present for Tohgi.
Tohgi: Why grey?
Willowed became apprehensive from the fear Tohgi might not like the necklace.
Willow: I just thought it reminded me of you
Tohgi: (oi, am I that boring?)
Willow: you're very accepting and easy and well, like, I don't know, you know...
Silence filled the room as willow tried to find the words to express the meaning of her gift.
Willow: You don't like it right? I can take it back and…
Tohgi patted her on her head, crouched down to her height and with the most heartfelt smile he had worn that day, he told her he could not think of a more perfect gift. He hugged her and thanked her for the gift. Willow was beaming with joy, she jumped up and down repeating the words "you're welcome".
Denver: Tohgi, don't forget your cake, you must be hungry (I'm not going to die alone)
Tohgi looked at his dad, the heartfelt smile had been replaced with a very sarcastic one.
Tohgi: Thank you for reminding me, I almost forgot
Danzai: You're more than welcome
Flashback ends.
Tohgi: What am I getting emotional for?
Tohgi chugged the cup of ale he had.
Tohgi: I just have to win tomorrow and celebrate that with them when I get back.
After remembering his last birthday, the anxiety and nerves he was feeling were all but gone. Relieved and happy, Tohgi got up to pay when a girl tripped over him and spilled her drink on him. She was completely dazed and looked like she was in trouble.
Girl: please help me, I forgot my money pouch.
Tohgi: huh? Why should I care?
Girl: out of the kindness of your heart?
Tohgi: I just got alcohol spilled on me, I am not feeling very kind at this moment. Were you about to run off without paying?
Girl: shhhhhh…. I didn't have a choice. I was going to send someone back, but we've made a scene now.
Tohgi: who's we? Wait, I'm very confused right now. Are you drinking?
Girl: huh?
Tohgi: How old are you?
Girl: why do you care?
Tohgi: I need to know if I am going to be putting myself in trouble.
Girl: It isn't important.
Tohgi: I guess you don't need my help after all
Girl: wait, wait, wait, I am 19 years old
Tohgi stared at her for a long second, he could tell that despite her efforts to hide it, she was underaged.
Tohgi: (there's no way in hell that she is older than me) I'll be heading out.
Girl: wait, wait, wait, I am..
She tipped toed to reach Tohgi's ears and whispered.
Girl: Sixteen, please help me! I don't want the bartender to find out.
He paused for a second to think his actions through. After deliberating he called for the bartender and the girl leaned closer to his chest in an attempt to hide her face.
Tohgi: excuse me.
She was very nervous not knowing what Tohgi would do.
Bartender: Yes sir?
Tohgi: I would like to pay for my drink and hers
Bartender: very well sir
Tohgi: Thank you, bye.
Tohgi walked the girl out of the bar, they walked together for a few seconds, after which he began to walk away from her.
Girl: aren't you going to ask why I'm drinking even though I'm underaged?
Tohgi: I'm sure you have your reasons, and I'm sure they don't affect me in any way, so we'll leave it at that.
Girl: Thank you
Tohgi: Also, it seems that the thought of talking about whatever it is has caused that constipated look on your face, so I'd rather not pry with that in mind. On another note, weren't you here with your friends?
Girl: oh… I was meant to pay today, so when they found out I didn't bring any money they paid for their drinks and left me behind.
Tohgi: You have really nice friends.
Girl: I'm sorry about today, I would pay you back, how can I reach..
Tohgi: no need, just be careful.
Tohgi and the girl went their separate ways. Tohgi headed back to his hotel room. From the moment he got back to his room, he spent the rest of his time mentally preparing for his battle against Hanzo. The long awaited day finally came, Tohgi was laid on his bed, he didn't leave his room once before the fight. Whilst he waited, the words Hanzo said to him rang in his head
Tohgi: ("Given that you carry that toy on your back, I am assuming you pretend to be a swordsman").
A letter had arrived earlier instructing all the candidates in group XI to be present at their designated battle arena by 19:00 for the results of their fights. The time was 17:30
Tohgi: It's finally time.