15th Screw - backdated to August 7th

[all_wound_up]

[Action]

[Today is Nano's birthday, but she hasn't told anyone.  She's not really the type to call that much attention to herself over something like this, and it seems sort of insignificant to her compared to all of the problems in Hinoto-Ri.  But two years is a long time - at least, to her it is - and the past year especially has been full of so many chances to learn new things and meet new people, so she feels that she at least owes a little bit of celebration to herself.

And that's why she's at the bakery today, picking out a cupcake to enjoy while she wishes herself well for the next year.  Once she's got the tasty treat in hand, she takes it outside to one of the small tables set up near the street for customers to enjoy their snacks, pulling two small candles out and lighting them with a small fire spell that she learned from Namine.  After she hums a short little birthday song, she closes her eyes to send up a silent wish, smiles, and blows the candles out.]

Comments

[all_wound_up]

Riku-san!

[She didn't see him standing there, so she's a little surprised.]

Yes, that's right. Namine-san has been teaching me.

[resipiscent]

You know me?

[Durr. Who are you, Nano?]

Heh... she's getting good, then, if that's so.

[At the Facility, Naminé was good, but not yet enough to teach others.]

[all_wound_up]

O-oh... no, I must have been mistaken.

[Different Riku. She'd met the one that was here before - or one of the ones who was, anyway.]

Yes, she's helped me out so much.

[resipiscent]

Well, that is my name, so... it's okay if you do. There was a Riku before me at the place I was before, too.

That's good. What's your name, miss?

[all_wound_up]

Oh, good.

[Nano nods, letting out a relieved breath.]

My name is Nano Shinonome. It's nice to meet you, Riku-san.

[resipiscent]

Likewise.

[Don't mind him, he's just gonna sit down opposite you, Nano.]

So... you're celebrating?

[all_wound_up]

Ah, this...? Y-yes, you could say that.

[resipiscent]

Your birthday, maybe?

[Why else would she have a cupcake with candles in it?]

[all_wound_up]

W-what? How did you know?

[resipiscent]

Isn't that what people usually do on their birthdays?

[She looks so astonished, he can't help but laugh.]

Sorry.

[all_wound_up]

...I guess you're right.

[Nano laughs too, a little sheepishly.]

[resipiscent]

Heh.

So, how old are you?

[all_wound_up]

Well, I'm a first year in high school, so...

[That answers the question while not actually answering it, right?]

[resipiscent]

Oh, I see.

[It does, but at the same time, he kinda feels like she's dodging the question. He knows lots of people who are like two or three, don't feel bad, Nano!]

Well, happy birthday. I hope lots of people tell you so.

[all_wound_up]

Thank you very much, Riku-san!

[resipiscent]

Are you gonna do anything fun, or is this it?

[all_wound_up]

I didn't have any other plans, really...