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Herta Space Station, inside Asta's room.
The lights in the room were off, leaving the space in a soft, atmospheric dimness. Illumination came only from strings of colorful fairy lights draped along the walls, casting a warm glow over dozens of heart-shaped balloons floating near the ceiling. In the center of the living room, a large, glowing holographic sign stood prominently on a sleek table.
Ten large characters shimmered in the air: "Happy Birthday, Brother Hiroshi."
In front of the sign sat a magnificent, three-tiered cake nearly half a meter tall. A delicate golden crown rested on the top tier, while the sides were intricately decorated with sugar jewels and cream-piped roses. Beside it, two plates and a fruit knife lay ready.
Hiroshi stood at the entrance, frozen. A wave of warmth surged through his chest, making his throat feel tight. Station Master Asta... she really went through all this effort. She's already so buried in work, yet she still found the time to arrange all of this just for me...
"How do you like it, Brother Hiroshi?" Asta asked cautiously. She stood beside him, her fingers nervously interlaced as she searched his face for a reaction. Having grown up in a family where servants handled every detail of a celebration, she had clumsily tried to recreate the magic of her own birthdays on a smaller, more personal scale. She was terrified it wasn't enough.
"Thank you, Station Master Asta," Hiroshi said, meeting her gaze with genuine emotion. "This is the first time anyone has celebrated my birthday since I came here. I'm truly touched."
Asta's shoulders relaxed instantly, and the tension left her face. He likes it! He really likes it! Yes!!! Inside, she was cheering, but she maintained her graceful, if slightly shy, composure. "As long as... as long as Brother Hiroshi is happy."
Hiroshi looked around the room, noticing a lack of a certain furry presence. "By the way, Station Master Asta, where's Peppy?"
Asta felt a flash of guilt. "Pe... Peppy? Oh, Arlan took him to the park area to play. Don't worry about him..." After all, what she had planned for tonight was for Hiroshi's eyes only. Not even a dog could be allowed to witness it. "Ahem! Let's... let's cut the cake!"
Asta picked up the fruit knife and tried to slice into the top tier. However, the cake was incredibly soft and airy; as she pressed down, the structure began to wobble and lean precariously. Her forehead broke out in a cold sweat. How can I not even cut a cake properly! I'm failing at the simplest thing!
"I'll do it, Station Master Asta," Hiroshi said gently.
In a blur of movement, he summoned the Demon Blade Thousand Blades. The cracked katana glowed with its signature purple light as he made a series of lightning-fast, horizontal swipes. The blade passed through the sponge like it was air. In an instant, the cake was divided into several perfect, clean slices. He placed a piece onto a plate and handed it to her.
"Here you go."
Asta took the plate, but her gaze remained downward, her small face filled with melancholy. I messed it up, she thought miserably. I was supposed to be the one taking care of him today, but he ended up doing the work.
"What's wrong, Station Master Asta? You seem... unhappy," Hiroshi asked, concerned.
"Ah! I..." She looked up, startled. Oh no! I'm ruining the mood with my gloomy face! After a moment, she whispered, "Brother Hiroshi, do you think I'm useless? I can't even cut a cake right..."
Hiroshi smiled, his eyes softening. "How could I think that? You're the busiest person on this station, yet you did something you've never had to do just for me. That means more to me than a perfectly cut cake ever could."
The gloom vanished from Asta's heart like mist under the sun. She stared at him, her eyes shining with infatuation. He's so thoughtful. He really is the one...
"Station Master Asta, aren't you going to eat?" Hiroshi asked.
Asta propped her elbows on the table, her smile turning slightly mischievous. "It's alright. I'll eat later." I'll have something even tastier later. For now, you eat, Hiroshi. Become as 'delicious' as possible so I can enjoy you later...
Suddenly, she dipped her finger into a bit of cream and smeared it across his cheek. "Hey!"
"Hmm?" Hiroshi paused, looking at her in confusion. While he was distracted, she added two more streaks to his other cheek, giggling. "Hahaha! Brother Hiroshi, you look just like a little calico cat now!"
"Oh, an ambush! Watch me retaliate!"
The two spent the next hour chasing each other around the 300-square-meter apartment, laughing and playing like children until the cake was mostly gone. As they finally settled down, catching their breath, Asta's expression turned serious—and deeply flushed.
"Brother Hiroshi... do you remember the special gift I mentioned?"
"Special gift?" Hiroshi leaned in, his eyes sparking with curiosity. "What is it?"
Asta didn't speak. Instead, her face and neck turned a deep, burning crimson. Slowly, she reached for her jacket and let it slide off her shoulders, revealing an elegant, translucent purple lace bra underneath that perfectly complemented her soft skin.
She spoke in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper. "The special gift... is me..."
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