Empty Birthday (Chiya Birthday 2025) Part 1/2

#IsTheOrderARabbit? (#GochiUsa) #FanFiction
#宇治松千夜生誕祭2025 #ChiyaBirthday
#Wss366

The water bowl shone with a faint blue light. In it, Chiya saw her reflection and an empty, rippling blue. She stared for a full minute, hoping something would appear. Then, sighing, she recited a closing chant of thanks to Mizuhanome-no-Kami.

She reverently disposed of the water, wiped out the brass lotus-shaped divining bowl, and wrapped it in soft, blue silk. She’d been sure the bowl would reveal that her friends were actually holding a surprise birthday party for her. Surprise parties were almost a tradition at this point.

Feeling empty, she dressed for work. For some reason, Grandmother had scheduled her for a double shift. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but today was her birthday. She shouldn’t have to work extra just because her family didn’t celebrate birthdays.

If she could have said her friends were doing something, she was sure Grandmother would have let her off, just this once. But they weren’t. The divination had been the last proof.

Yesterday she went to Syaro’s and found her mending clothes.

“I need to make plans for tomorrow. Is anything special happening?” Chiya had asked.

“No one has told me anything.” Syaro didn’t look up from replacing a button on her blouse.

“It’s my birthday,” Chiya said.

“Oh, that’s right. Happy birthday.” Syaro’s voice was flat as she bent forward, focusing on a stitch.

With a sinking feeling, Chiya left and #called Rize. Rize would tell the truth if pressed.

“I have to work all day tomorrow, but if you have plans for a party, I could get off,” Chiya explained.

“Party? No, there’s no party. I have to study late for exams,” Rize replied.

“It’s my birthday. There has to be a party, and I promise I’ll be surprised.”

“Honestly, I promise there isn’t a birthday party. We’re almost adults. Birthday parties are for kids.”

What could she say to that? “I’m still a kid.”

Rize wouldn’t lie to her, she thought as hope had drained away, leaving emptiness. Maybe they were tired of her. Were they thinking things like: “She thinks she’s a big business tycoon;” “She’ll put us out of business;” “Snob always dressing fancy?”

Empty, empty, empty. That’s how she felt as she finished dressing. If she put on her smile, no one would know how much it hurt.

“Get down here, you’re wanted,” Grandmother called.

She pasted her smile on, trooped into the café, and stopped. It was dim with the windows still covered. A dust mote drifted in a shaft of light. Somewhere, she heard Anko scurrying in the silence.

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