Isekai Journey Of The Magic Archer

We have been together for a while, and I can tell for sure now... just like how looked more attractive in the morning sunlight, this 'friend' of mine looked far more charming in the darkness of night.

And maybe night also enhanced her ability to speak sweet things like this one.

A smile appeared on my face without notice and I knew the consequences of my next words, but still…

"A spell hmm... fine, then. I don't mind being spellbound if the caster is such a wonderful old-"

-Smack.

"Do you think I wouldn't smack you just because it's your birthday?"

'The hit definitely was weaker, though. Didn't hurt like it usually does.'

Smiling at her with a happy smile and rubbing my head, which definitely hurt a bit, I shook my head with a deeper smile while looking at her suddenly grumpy face and grabbed her hand.

"So? When are you gonna wish me a happy birthday? It's already midnight."

And at my question, the grumpy face vanished as soon as it had come and she shook her head.

Her eyes became more sincere, and a unique seriousness shined in those already gorgeous eyes.

"Must I wish 'happy birthday' as everyone does?

People who say this to others on their birthday mostly don't mean anything at all.

In my hundred years of life on this earth, I have rarely seen people saying something like: have a sad birthday you bitch or bastard, may you have a life filled with utter disparity, and may god bless you with their greatest protection for the rest of your life, or something like may you have eternal life…

Having eternal life would be a curse, so let's just put that aside. So some do wish others to have a long and happy life... which is understandable.

But, mostly, why do people say happy birthday? And why at midnight when the day ends and a new day starts?

Not everyone is born at midnight, right?

I don't understand where this custom came from or why we just do that and I'm not interested in knowing either.

So, well, I actually don't believe in this saying happy birthday stuff. And I genuinely apologize if you were expecting something like that.

Instead of saying a simple happy birthday to the person I love, I would very well greet them good morning, afternoon, evening, and night every day.

Even wishing for a good day is fine to a certain extent when wishing for others, but we still don't actually know what will happen to them through that day, right?"

'Another reason I couldn't stop liking her...'

Sometimes, she says stuff that seems weirdly true.

This was just like that night when we were on that bench and I said some weird concerning stuff.

Her words sometimes hit differently even though they might not be much to others.

And I could tell she meant every single word she said...

"Haaa…"

This birthday of mine just became so special I couldn't even express those in words.

She was just something else... something like no other.

And this overflowing joy I felt from her words shouldn't be just mine, right?

It was too soon even now, so the most I could do to show her my thanks would be...

She was smiling warmly at me after those words, and I didn't know if she knew just how much those simple words meant to me.

She might not actually have thought about it and had just said what came from her heart. And it was even more special because of that.

It was my birthday but there was no rule that only the one having a birthday should receive any gifts, right?

I was holding her hand, and as I could understand her emotions, she could understand mine the same.

And the sudden joy I felt naturally confused her.

It was just a bunch of random words from her side but, the true personal value they held for a person like me was enormous.

She practically meant instead of wishing me to be happy for a single special day that might be filled with uncertainty, she would very well be a part of my life forever and wish me to be happy in every moment of this life.

It was peculiar from a general perspective, but, at the same time, the words were realistic.

And who wouldn't want a partner who says such sweet words from their heart?

I certainly would love to have her greet me every day, every hour, and every moment.

And this lovely girl who didn't know the reason behind this happiness, joy, and bliss I was feeling got even more confused when I lifted her hand, which was locked with mine.

Her hand, this special hand, a beautiful hand that was one with mine, came closer to my face and... I kissed the back of this hand.

"You might not understand this much, but... thanks, Rein. Just these words mean a lot."

But I knew even though she heard those words, I would get no reply for a while now.

It was just a kiss on the back of her hand, but she knew just how big of a deal this was.

She must have thought it would be a long time before I do this and I thought so too but, her words... I have just fallen in love with them.

Her mind has just gone chaotic, and she has blank eyes as she just looked down, trying to understand what just happened.

She looked cute even now and this night... it will be a bit longer, from what I can tell.

A night that is long, and the deep conversations will make it longer.

And if we find a good topic to talk about... we might not get to sleep either.

Not that I minded that.

Sleep is necessary, but we can still manage a busy tomorrow without that.

Or, if needed, we can just sleep here. Under this starry sky, moonlight being our blankets.

Her hand is cool but my warm one should be good enough to ease her, just like it has always done.

Anyway... we still have some things to talk about when she gets out of this train of thought.

Like, my birthday gift from her.