SS ー Cherry's Birthday (2024)

[graysheep]

 『You know, your name is my favorite――』

I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but on my birthday, my mother told me why I was named that way.

 

In my memory, naming me is the only thing my delicate as soap-bubbles mother refused to negotiate with my headstrong father.

 

"...... So? Why are you following me from behind, Junky?"

"Ngha? Cuz you passed right in front of me when I came out of the konbini? Same place, same way!"

"I dislike presenting my back. Please go ahead."

"Negative, offer declined~~! The cherry blossoms are so pretty that I want to take my time looking at them before going home. ♪

Why don't you just run home, Cherry pie?"

"And why would I rush home? To accommodate you?"

"Hah! I'm laughing my ass off~~! We both know you'd get the long end of the stick, though? Pukuku!!"
 

On my way home after a business meeting, I ran into Junky.
I was exhausted from talking to simpletons,
and now I was engaged in a strange conversation with this guy.

 

(No, there is no need to talk to him. Just ignore him.)
 

"Hey hey, look, Cherry pie. The river's pink ♡"

"......"

"Ah, we haven't seen the cherry blossoms yet this year!! Not like we do it every year, tho★"

"......"

"If they keep fallin' like this, the trees will be left with nothing. Boohoo."

"They were made to fall to begin with."

 

As I walk, disregarding the one who keeps bubbling about being "ignored" or "sadge",
everything behind me suddenly becomes quiet.

When I looked back, I noticed Junky standing in front of a building,
peeking inside.

 The building looked like a store, and the predominantly white stones added an aura of exoticism.

It was too foreign to fit into the cityscape.

 

"How do you read this? De- De- De...... De- Death."

"Don't say such unsettling things, please."

"What is it, then?"

"Des trésors."

"Meaning?"

"...... It means treasures."

"Gotchu, gotchu! That's Snow and BASKU for me♡"

"Is that so?"

 

When I turned on my heel to leave, Junky forcibly pulled me into the store.

Feeling foolish for resisting that superhuman strength, I stopped.
The doorbell welcomed us with a beautiful sound.

 

"Ah, it's a cake shop! ♡ I'm gonna buy one for ya, Cherry pie! It's your birthday after all★"

"There is no need. And I do not like sweets."

"That's just a load of lies! You're taste deaf!"

"...... Had it not been for the laws of this land, you would have died."

"Huh? How come??"

"You are better off not knowing."
 

Birthdays are utterly meaningless. Because they remind me of many things.

But for some, it's an important day.

Happy Birthday, CHERRY.