Summer Vacation Arc: 62 Birthday and Death Anniversary

Summer Vacation Arc
62 Birthday and Death Anniversary

–Dreaming.
A young Meru was being dressed in a cute dress by a maid in front of a mirror.

“Young miss, happy birthday.”

It was a dream, but not a dream.
That day was Meru’s seventh birthday. It was several months before Meru left the Toujou household.

“Today is your birthday party, so I’m sure there will be a magnificent celebration. It will surely be a wonderful day. I’m jealous.”

The young maid spoke to the seven year-old Meru with sincere respect.
She never treated her like a child. The words she used were also not ones normally used with a seven year-old child. Those around Meru were already recognizing her as an adult.

“I wonder if that’s true…”

The only thing belying her age was the very slight loneliness that clouded her innocent face. The maid inclined her head to the side at that reaction.

“Today is the day I was born, but…”

Meru closed her eyes.
Her small back became even smaller.

“It’s also the day my mother died.”

Meru slowly opened her eyes.
That dream was nostalgic, and she spaced out just a little bit.
The current Meru was a different person from that Meru. That Meru was a girl much more delicate and lonely.

Meru’s room, which had the lights left on, was bright. When she opened the curtains, the sky was dim. Looking at the clock, it showed that it was three a.m.
Meru let out a small sigh and got up from her bed.

She changed her clothes and went down the stairs. No one else was awake yet, so it was quiet. The house was well-lit even in this dim early morning so that Meru would be okay even if she got up in the middle of the night. That’s how it was every day, but she felt especially sorry about it today.

She prepared a light breakfast for her family and left a note.

She headed toward the entryway and looked at the calendar there, making a complicated face.

August tenth. (Meru’s birthday.)

That was written on today’s date.
After staring at those words for a while, Meru put her sneakers on and quietly left the house.

She got on the first bus and headed toward a slightly far off town.
When she got off the bus, she had arrived at the place she came once a year. Gazing at the seemingly endless stone steps in front of her, she gathered herself and began to climb.

Each time she ascended another step, the number of graves increased.
It was still early in the morning, so there weren’t many people there. It was because she knew that that Meru visited at this time.

Meru continued to climb, stopping only when she reached the top.
Different from before, there were few graves here. In the very back overlooking the town was the place Meru was heading to.

The grave Meru visited was engraved with that. She placed the small flowers she had brought in an inconspicuous spot.

Meru crouched down in front of the grave and quietly brought her hands together.
She had only ever seen the person lying in the grave in pictures. However, even if they had never met, she was an important person to Meru.

Until ten years ago, she had visited this place every year. Meru had not forgotten her mother’s death anniversary once. It might be because it was also her birthday.

After she had been there praying for a while, she heard the sound of someone stepping on gravel nearby.

“…!”

When Meru looked over her shoulder in surprise, she saw Shigeharu. Shigeharu looked apologetic seeing Meru immediately put herself on guard.

“Sorry. Did I startle you?”
“Yeah…”
“Meru. …Happy birthday.”

He probably hesitated over whether or not he should say that in this kind of place. Meru stood seeing Shigeharu saying that with a wry smile.

“Thanks. You also came to visit, right, Dad? Go ahead.”

Meru smiled and handed her spot over to Shigeharu. Since he had taken Meru in as his daughter, Shigeharu also had to refrain as much as possible from taking action related to the Toujous.

“I just happened to see you leaving…I came by car. It’s been ten years since the last time, so I’ll have to pray properly.”

Shigeharu crouched down in the spot where Meru had been.

Meru stared at Shigeharu with his hands pressed together in front of the grave.

–How many years did he long for your mother?–

Seiya’s words suddenly popped into her head. That was something she had heard from Mariko a long time ago.

When Meru paused in front of a department store’s Mothers’ Day Fair, Mariko spoke just a little bit about Rui. That Rui was someone she aspired to be like, and also her rival in love.
Mariko was two years Shigeharu’s junior at the same university, and she fell in love with him at first sight. However, Shigeharu always liked Rui, Meru’s mother. Finally, after countless attempts, he finally looked her way. Mariko told her the story nostalgically.

She figured it was because of that that she didn’t get riled when Seiya said those words.

“Dad.”
“What’s up?”
“…What kind of person was Mom?”

When Meru asked that question with a small voice, Shigeharu slowly opened his eyes.

“That ‘Mom’…isn’t about Mariko, right?”

Meru nodded in response to Shigeharu’s question.
With his eyes still fixed on the grave, he smiled faintly.

“Rui was lively and kind, always smiling…”
“…Way different from me.”
“Your personality was originally similar to hers. I can tell from your habits.”

Shigeharu was together with Rui from birth. It was no exaggeration to say he knew her better than anyone.

“That awkward, bitter idiot of a guy always weighed on her mind…and even after getting married, she was always smiling, and she seemed truly happy. Well, not as much as Mariko and I are now, though!”

Shigeharu said jestingly and stood.

“Meru. Rui was someone who wished for her own daughter’s happiness more than anyone else. Today is the anniversary of her death, but before that, it’s your birthday.”

Shigeharu stood and carressed Meru’s head.

“Smile. That is the best offering you could give Rui.”

Shigeharu said, “Let’s go home,” and headed down the stone steps with a stiff gait.
Meru looked back at the grave once more. But in the end, she couldn’t smile.

Meru got into Shigeharu’s car and gazed at the streets that were already alight. The number of people walking about had also increased greatly.
Looking at Meru who was sleeping in the car, Shigeharu sighed helplessly.

Buzz buzz buzz.

Shigeharu’s cell phone announced the arrival of a message. He stopped the car and checked it. Shigeharu’s eyes opened wide at the contents and he grinned cheerfully, gently stroking Meru’s head.

They arrived at the house, and Meru opened the door while yawning.

“I’m ho–”
“Meru-chan, happy birthdayyyyy!”

As Meru entered the entryway, Fuuga spoke and hugged her.
Meru’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Eh…”

She could see the other executives over Fuuga’s shoulder.

“Why…”
“Hayate-kun called and said they wanted to celebrate your birthday, so I had them come over.”
“Isn’t that great, Meru-nee?”

Mariko and Kei smiled as they spoke.

“Meru.”

Hayate came close to Meru who was still frozen in surprise. He pushed Fuuga aside, ignoring the latter’s objection of “Hayate-kun!”.

“Kamishiro-kun…”
“This time we made an appointment.”

Hayate said with a smile.

“Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday, Ruu-chan.”
“Happy birthday.”

Laila and Yuuri, who were standing near the living room, added their own words following Hayate. The two of them also smiled at Meru.

“Meru-chan!”
“You’re in the way, Rengetsu.”

Shoutarou caught Fuuga by the scruff of his neck as he went to hug Meru again.

“Wh, Shoutarou-kun!”
“Kusuhara. That, ah… Since it seems to be your birthday, I’ll congratulate you.”

Shoutarou snorted and fixed his glasses.

“You’re shy as usual, huh, Shou-chan?”
“It’s even embarrassing to say happy birthday.”
“Shut up!”

While shouting angrily at Laila and Yuuri, Shoutarou put more strength into the hand that was holding Fuuga’s shirt’s collar, tightening it around his neck.

“I give, I give, I give!!”

Everyone was laughing as usual in the entryway.
Meru involuntarily chuckled.

“Cut it out already and let me in.”

Meru said and quickly took her shoes off.

“Meru-chan, I’ll cook today.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll do it.”
“So mean!”

Heading toward the kitchen, Meru smiled just a little shyly.
Seeing the birthday cake the executives brought, Meru had an incredibly happy expression.

“Well then, let’s all celebrate in the living room!”

Shigeharu directed Hayate, Fuuga, Shoutarou, and Yuuri who had remained behind into the living room.

“Meru-nee smiled, right? Dad.”

Kei said, following after the executives into the living room.
Shigeharu smiled as he looked at August tenth on the calendar.

“You saw something good, right? Rui.”

Shigeharu muttered, gazing at Meru who was smiling cheerfully.

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<TLN>
Oof another shot of feels right to the heart. I’m so happy Meru has the executives. T_T

23 chapters left in the summer vacation arc!

Well, we didn’t hit the goal for the bonus chapter technically, but I’m very grateful, and as it was only $3 off, I decided to go ahead and release one. So, enjoy a September bonus chapter!

Ko-fi link here.
October bonus chapters funded: 0/3 ($0/$30 to the first one!)