Ch. 147 Happy Birthday (2)

Louise pulled out a small box from her pocket.

The box seemed even smaller in Simon’s broad hand.

Louise smiled awkwardly as Simon carefully opened the box. Inside was a bottle of black ink, as pitch dark as Simon’s own hair.

Simon held up the bottle in the air to inspect it. The setting red sun disappeared behind the bottle as the blackness smothered the light.

Louise made sure to stress her point. Ink given as a gift was usually imbued with some novel magical property.

Simon took his eyes off the bottle and looked at Louise. She looked nervous, as if she was worried if it was an adequate present.

Simon easily recalled the conversation he had with Louise during the rainy season.

He remembered the warmth of her voice as she said that.

Louise looked at the bottle in Simon’s hand.

Louise nodded her head.

Especially in the Academy. Their books were always printed with black letters.

Though that time she had lost her temper and broke the pen tip against the paper.

Her day always brightened when she was reminded of that special person.

Louise smiled at the black ink in Simon’s hand.

The ink was black. If you mixed every color in the world, it would probably be this generous color. It accepted anything without refusal.

She finished with her honest feelings before Simon could say anything.

Simon clutched the bottle with one hand, deeply moved by Louise’s words. The cold glass caught the warmth of his palm.

He stood up and sat the ink bottle on his desk.

Simon spoke in a soft murmur. He wanted to leave the bottle untouched forever. He was good at memorization anyway.

Ian picked up his own gift box and tossed it at him, and Simon skillfully snatched the box from the air.

He opened the package to reveal a pen and nib. The small, thin point was his favorite style to use.

Louise did not object to Ian describing Claire as “fearsome”. When it came to her grades, she was terrifying. She barely prepared for the exams and still took second place.

Simon placed Ian’s gift next to Louise on the desk.

Ian felt his heart shake at Simon’s self-assured manner. Although Ian was afraid of Simon, he was always waiting, always hoping. Ian was willing to give everything to his cousin, but he knew retreating wasn’t an option—instead, he would give his greatest effort. Perhaps Simon was looking forward to that, too.

Simon smiled and took a card game out of the drawer. They couldn’t miss out on a card game at this time of day.

That was unfortunate, but they made do with three good friends and a card game. There was not a shred of space for regret.

*

*

*

Time slipped by and eventually they drifted from the card game to lounging on a comfortable spot on the carpet instead. They talked about the professors and students, and laughed at everything they found funny, and Louise especially found herself overcome with giggles. The stars started to peep out in the darkened sky, and Simon lit a candle, which stirred more memories that they began to talk about.

Simon considered that this might be his best birthday ever. He might not have a birthday like this anywhere else.

His thoughts turned to Louise. Her birthday was between their graduation and New Year’s. They could spend it quietly in the Academy or in the capital, depending on what she wanted. However, Ian would have a busy schedule right after his graduation, and Simon might be studying abroad. Louise had always worked hard for the both of them.

Louise groggily hugged a pillow and murmured, “I’ll just close my eyes for a moment,” then promptly fell right asleep. Sitting down.

Ian nodded as if he was thinking the same thing.

Simon confirmed that Louise was asleep before looking back at Ian.

Simon spoke with his heart unchanged, his voice chilly.