EFME 82

“I’m the first, right? To congratulate you this year.”

Even though he had set an alarm for twelve o’clock to congratulate him. Sunyul knew the full truth but asked anyway. The question, with its obvious intentions, felt so cute that Muyoung chuckled and nodded.

“I suppose so. You’re the first.”

Even though it was an obvious answer, a wide smile bloomed on Sunyul’s face.

“Thank you.”

“Go on and unwrap the present!”

“Don’t just keep standing there, come in for a bit.”

Muyoung led the hurried Sunyul into the room. Then, they sat side-by-side on the sofa and he unwrapped the gift. What came out of the small box was a neatly folded handkerchief.

Muyoung unfolded the soft handkerchief. The handkerchief, a mix of light gray and sky blue, had a much brighter feel than what Muyoung usually used.

“The Guild Master didn’t tell me his preferences, so I was thinking of buying a light pink one, but I bought that one instead.”

“Really? Light pink is fine too.”

“In that case, should I go exchange it for a light pink one with a rabbit on it?”

“Do as you please.”

“…I’m kidding.”

It was a joke, but it seemed like he might actually tell him to go exchange it, so Sunyul meekly raised the white flag.

“You usually only wear dark-colored clothes, but a handkerchief isn’t something you wear around. I thought it would be nice if you used a bright color for this at least, so I bought it. Something a little vibrant is nice, isn’t it? It’s a bright color, but they said there’s a purification skill cast on the handkerchief, so it won’t get dirty easily.”

Sunyul briefed him on the current handkerchief so that the talk of the light pink one wouldn’t continue.

“Since it’s an item, it goes into the inventory too. It has to, to be more useful, right?”

“I suppose so.”

“I was trying to buy an item that wasn’t a consumable with my own money, but I didn’t have enough for anything else, so I bought that. I’ll get you something better next time.”

“I gave you a card.”

The card Muyoung had given him was only being used for tiny, small-sum payments. At places like convenience stores or cafes.

It would be nice if he used it freely at some bigger places. He knew well that Sunyul wasn’t the type to spend other people’s money so easily, but that’s why he disliked it even more. He wanted him to not think of it as someone else’s money, but to use it comfortably as if it were his own.

Unaware of such feelings, Sunyul shook his head, saying it was absurd.

“I can’t buy the Guild Master’s gift with the Guild Master’s card!”

“From next time, buy it with my card.”

“Hey, how could I do that.”

Sunyul replied playfully, as if he thought it was a joke. Instead of seriously saying he was being sincere, Muyoung just swallowed his words. It would probably be more likely to get him to use it on things other than gifts.

“Anyway, please use it comfortably.”

“I’ll treat it with care.”

“You can just use it roughly.”

“I could tear it up to use as a bandage, or it could get corroded from wiping monster fluids, or I could lend it to someone else?”

With each what-if scenario Muyoung brought up, Sunyul’s face grew paler.

“…Please treat it with care.”

“Alright.”

Muyoung smiled, looking at that pale face. Realizing he had been teased, Sunyul pouted his lips. Though his expression relaxed soon after.

“I bought a cake too. I bought it from a really famous shop.”

“You did?”

“It’s a strawberry cake, you’ll like it.”

Muyoung never even considered mentioning that he liked neither strawberries nor cake. He didn’t like the cake itself, but Muyoung just nodded his head.

“It would be better to eat the cake in the morning, right?”

“Yes. Let’s eat a meal first.”

“Okay.”

Muyoung’s eyes scanned Sunyul, who answered obediently.

“Is that all for the presents?”

“Uh…”

The tone was one that clearly expected to receive more.

Should I have prepared something else? Did I miss something? Was I not familiar with birthday culture?

Sunyul’s eyes, unable to think of anything in particular, darted around busily.

Muyoung pulled Sunyul in by the waist. Sunyul’s body was lightly pulled toward Muyoung. At the same time, their lips met softly and then parted.

Muyoung met Sunyul’s eyes. At the close distance, Sunyul’s face, his cheeks faintly flushed, was reflected in Muyoung’s pupils. Even the affection mixed with excitement and joy.

Sunyul blinked and then wrapped his arms around Muyoung’s neck. The kiss that followed once more was a little deeper and longer.

⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹

Sunyul’s eyes flew open. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was the ceiling of Muyoung’s room.

He had tried to wake up before Muyoung no matter what to prepare breakfast…

“You’re awake?”

Seeing Muyoung in the spot next to him, he didn’t know whether to call it a success or a failure. Muyoung placed a kiss on the forehead of Sunyul, who was seriously contemplating.

“Rest.”

At those words telling him to rest, Sunyul resolutely shook his head and sat up.

“Guild Master.”

“What.”

Sunyul clenched his fists tightly.

“I’m going to make breakfast! Of course, it’ll be me helping Juyoung, but…”

For someone who had started off so confidently, Sunyul’s voice gradually trailed off without confidence. Since he had never cooked before, it was only natural to lack confidence. Anyway… helping out on the side was still making something.

“I’ll prepare it, so you should rest, Guild Master.”

“…Alright.”

Deciding it was better to accommodate the grimly determined Sunyul as much as possible, Muyoung obediently nodded. Sunyul smiled brightly and quickly returned to his own room.

Thanks to Muyoung washing him last night, there was no need to wash again. Sunyul quickly changed out of his pajamas, tidied himself up simply, and went down to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Juyoung was cooking. Just as Sunyul had requested in advance yesterday, he seemed to be making seaweed soup, as the savory smell of it filled the air.

“Um, Juyoung.”

“Yes, Mr. Sunyul.”

“Since it’s the Guild Master’s birthday, I want to make him something delicious too. But I’ve never cooked before… and I can’t give him something that doesn’t taste good. Even if I can’t do it all, I want to help with something, so is there anything I can help with?”

The human-friendly homunculus, who had in fact already finished most of the meal prep, did not say the heartless words that he didn’t need any clumsy help.

“Then please cook the eggs sunny-side up.”

“S-Sunny-side up?”

“Yes. First, please take out two eggs and wash them in water. I will prepare the frying pan.”

“Ah, okay!”

Sunyul excitedly went to wash the eggs. Juyoung gathered the other ingredients and laid them out beside him.

“First, preheat the frying pan…”

Juyoung explained how to make fried eggs in great detail and helped him, and thanks to that, Sunyul was able to complete a perfect soft-boiled egg.

“Wow!”

“Excellent, Mr. Sunyul.”

“Thank you! Is there anything else I can help with?”

“Then Mr. Sunyul, could you take out the side dishes you’d like to eat from the refrigerator and transfer them to plates?”

“Ah, okay.”

“The plates are over here. You just need to transfer the amount you usually eat.”

Under Juyoung’s kind instructions, Sunyul was able to help with the kitchen work without difficulty. While Sunyul was preoccupied with the side dishes, Juyoung finished the remaining tasks.

“Everything’s ready now, right?”

“The cake.”

“Right.”

The center of the table had been left precisely empty in consideration of the cake. Placing the cake in that empty spot created the perfect birthday spread. Sunyul, even wearing a party hat, called for Muyoung.

“Guild Master, it’s ready!”

Muyoung came down to the living room. Seeing the rather enormous strawberry cake, Muyoung felt a sense of being overwhelmed for the first time in a very long while. Sunyul beamed as he lit the candles.

“Happy birthday to you.”

The song Sunyul was singing began to fill the room. Behind him, Juyoung clapped his hands to the beat. It seemed there had been an instruction from Sunyul.

After the song ended, Juyoung set off a party popper with a blank expression. The confetti from the popper flew about wildly and settled on Muyoung’s head.

Muyoung was sure he looked ridiculous. But he felt quite good nonetheless.

Muyoung did as Sunyul told him and blew out the candles. Only after the candles were out did Sunyul come over and gently brush the confetti off Muyoung’s head.

“How was it?”

“It was nice.”

“How many points out of 5?”

“I’ll give you 100 points.”

Muyoung spoke with sincerity. At that generous rating, Sunyul beamed with joy.

“Really? Excluding your fondness for me?”

“Why would I exclude my fondness for you? It’s nice because you did it for me.”

At those words tossed out calmly, Sunyul’s face turned red. Sunyul’s mood instantly soared up to the ends of the sky.

Just like on his own birthday.

Sunyul recalled that day. He still couldn’t forget the moment Muyoung had made him so happy.

“You made me so happy on my birthday, so I hope the Guild Master has a good day too.”

“It’s a good enough day.”

Muyoung pulled Sunyul closer and placed a light kiss on his cheek. Sunyul laughed happily and sat down.

“Guild Master, I made the egg dish over there.”

“You did well. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Let’s eat and then have a slice of cake before we go.”

“Sounds good. Let’s take the rest to the guild and share it.”

Muyoung subtly attempted to share it. Sunyul’s eyes widened, and then he soon nodded, saying, “Ah!”

“Right. They say you should share everything on a feast day!”

It was a relief that he interpreted it positively due to his increased knowledge. Muyoung, satisfied in many ways, nodded his head.