Actually, Kyle’s birthday hadn’t arrived yet. He was born on December 31—the very last day of the year—meaning there were still about fifteen days left.
If someone were to ask why they were celebrating so early, when it wasn’t even the day before but still a considerable time away—
“Because I doubt we’ll have the luxury to celebrate then.”
After the festival, they would be moving to wipe out the Northern Mage Corps’ base of operations. There was a high chance that on his actual birthday, he wouldn’t even be in the territory, let alone having a party.
Rather than celebrating after the fact, it was better to do it in advance.
[(´・ω・｀)✧✧✧]
Shu took a sip of the wine he had someone deliver and was about to start getting ready when, as always, the system abruptly interfered.
What? What now? What!
“Don’t look at me.”
At my grumbling, the system window popped up again.
[φ(°▽°*)♪]
[□□□□～]
Even though the text was completely obscured, I could still tell what it was trying to say.
I swung my fist through the air. That thing—it was definitely saying, “Nope~” The little wave symbol at the end made the system seem twice as infuriating.
“I get it, now go away!”
As annoying as it had been, the system at least had the decency to disappear whenever things were about to get really embarrassing.
But this time, it didn’t seem to have any intention of stepping aside like usual. Even as I sipped another glass of wine and reached for the outfit I had prepared, the system persistently hovered around, sending me those irritating emoticons.
So it couldn’t show me words, but it could show expressions, huh?
“I just want to punch it once…”
As I muttered darkly, the system hesitated and backed off. As if it would even feel anything if I hit it.
Anyway, Kyle would be back soon. I quickly shed my tailcoat and slipped my arms into the outfit I had prepared for his birthday.
…This was… way more…
Even with the help of alcohol, I couldn’t completely shake off the overwhelming embarrassment.
The birthday gift I had prepared for Kyle… was myself.
[(✿◡////◡)]
I had no other choice!
Seriously. Kyle was a legitimate high-ranking noble, which meant he already had just about everything of value. On top of that, he was the kind of person who would immediately buy whatever he wanted the moment it crossed his mind, making him one of the most difficult people in existence to shop for.
In other words, if there was anything he wanted but didn’t have, it was probably something even he couldn’t easily get his hands on.
‘And there’s no way I could get something like that…’
Still, I couldn’t just do nothing. We’d both been so caught up in our chaotic lives that we had never properly celebrated each other’s birthdays.
I needed something meaningful. Something that would genuinely move him. A trump card.
Something Kyle loved most. Something that would completely catch him off guard and make him truly happy. Something he wouldn’t normally see—something rare and special.
No matter how I looked at it… that had to be me.
The problem was, it couldn’t just be me in an ordinary sense. That wouldn’t be any different from any other day.
I needed something so special, so unforgettable, that he would think about it for years to come—something that could only happen today.
[–▷◁–]
The system even suggested that I go all the way and put a ribbon on myself. It wasn’t something I had considered, and honestly, I didn’t have the shameless confidence to say “I’m the gift” out loud, so I hesitated.
Realistically, it wouldn’t make much difference whether I had a ribbon on or not… but still…
“Not happy?”
Of course, he’d be happy. There was no return policy, no exchanges.
Hoping alcohol would help me push through, I quickly downed another glass of wine to soothe my dry throat. Just then, I heard the sound of Kyle knocking on the bedroom door.
Thankfully, as if it finally had some tact, the system waved a little farewell emoticon and disappeared.
***
“……”
Kyle Blake doubted his own eyes.
And for good reason—his bedroom, which was always meticulously kept, now had an atmosphere filled with things that had absolutely no place there.
An emptied bottle of fine wine. Candles subtly illuminating the dim room. Red flowers carelessly strewn across the bed. And then…
A lover sitting on the bed, perched on his knees, wearing nothing but a loosely draped coat over his shoulders.
“Shu.”
The half-removed tailcoat lay discarded on the floor, leaving only a thin dress shirt underneath. The problem was… that shirt was his.
The unbuttoned dress shirt was a little oversized for Shu. The shoulders were loose, and the sleeves were long enough to completely cover his hands. Naturally, the wide hemline draped down past his waist, reaching all the way to his thighs.
“What the hell is this all of a sudden…?”
The real issue was that there was nothing underneath the shirt. His toned, well-built legs were completely exposed, making him feel slightly vulnerable.
“Well, your birthday isn’t far off, is it? I thought I’d celebrate early.”
Kyle’s gaze darkened as Shu playfully tugged at the fabric. He understood why his lover had arranged this little event. They’d be busy handling the Northern Mage Corps soon, so Shu wanted to celebrate now while they had the chance. Kyle had probably heard about it in advance from his knights.
Still, the way Shu shyly fidgeted with the hem of his borrowed clothes, his fingers lightly brushing against his flushed lips as he hesitated before saying, “I’m your gift,” made him look rather adorable.
Of course, his expression suggested he would rather die than admit to such thoughts, but his face betrayed him.
“Do you like it? I mean… it’s not much, but at least for tonight, I’d like to give myself to you as you wish.”
“Ah, no—”
Kyle quickly cut in, flustered.
“It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just… a little…”
“A little?”
Shu tilted his head.
But to Kyle, the way his lover’s tousled hair swayed under the dim lighting, the way he sat there in nothing but his shirt, waiting for his reaction, was…
“…A little too much.”
Shu smirked at Kyle’s awkward response.
“Well, I already knew you had an unexpectedly perverted streak.”
Kyle’s expression turned a bit strained.
“You’re seriously going to say that after waiting for me in my bedroom, wearing nothing but my shirt, as a birthday present?”
“You’re not mad about it, are you?”
“No. I actually like it very much. Your ‘unexpectedly perverted’ nature… I’ll admit to that.”
Shu let out a soft chuckle and patted the spot beside him. Kyle poured himself another glass of wine before settling down next to him.
“Did everything go well?”
“Yeah. The guests have all returned home. Tonight will be quiet.”
“That’s good to hear.”
There was a faint rustling sound.
Shu felt Kyle’s weight shift against his back, his strong hands pressing against his shoulders, followed by the warmth of his breath at the nape of his neck.
“Well, since I’m already celebrating your birthday, I might as well give you some special attention tonight.”
Shu grazed his teeth over the rim of his wine glass and smiled—a habit that resurfaced whenever he was scheming something.
“You say that, but most of the time, you’re the one who lacks self-restraint.”
Just sitting there in nothing but a dress shirt was already overwhelming, and Kyle seemed to be enjoying himself, as if wondering what kind of mischief Shu was plotting.
“I always thought birthdays were meaningless.”
After all, he had spent the past several years focused solely on governing his territory. Compared to the countless major and minor incidents that required his attention, a personal celebration like a birthday had long been a distant thought.
Even in the North, birthdays weren’t really a big deal. They celebrated the New Year instead, so he had never thrown a party for his own birthday.
But now that Shu had gone out of his way to make a big deal out of it, Kyle found himself thinking that maybe the day was worth commemorating after all. And, in turn, that made him… happy.
“I’ll save the birthday greetings for the actual day, so for now, just focus on receiving your gift.”
“I suppose so.”
Their lips met. Keeping hold of Shu’s chin, Kyle slowly tilted him back.
As their breaths intertwined, his hand slid downward, gently stroking Shu’s knee before trailing up his bare thigh. The oversized shirt, which had already been slipping off his shoulders, rode up further under Kyle’s touch.
Of all the things in this world that Kyle coveted, the one thing he desired above all, the one thing he could never have enough of no matter how much he possessed—the thing he cherished, loved, and found happiness in the most—was Shu.
“…It’s kind of strange.”
Kyle murmured softly against Shu’s throat, his lips brushing over the pulse there. But as Shu reached for him, he lifted his head and met his gaze.
“What do you mean?”
“How did someone like you end up in my life as if by magic?”
At first, Shu had been a mere object of affection. Then, he became a puzzling enigma. Over time, he had become Kyle’s unshakable companion—someone he wanted by his side forever. Looking back at everything they had been through, Kyle couldn’t think of anything more miraculous.
Magic. Perhaps even fate.
For Kyle, Shu was that kind of existence.
“I used to think my life was nothing but fire and shadows.”
He lifted Shu’s face with his fingertips, tilting his chin to meet his gaze.
Red lips, slightly swollen from their kiss. Sharp yet delicate eyes that softened even when narrowed. Well-defined features and the unusual curve of his lips that sometimes hinted at a smirk when he wasn’t paying attention.
Everything about him was so deeply captivating that if this was a dream, Kyle never wanted to wake up.
“If happiness still exists for me, then it’s in being with you.”
Shu let out a soft chuckle before pulling Kyle close.
“You’re surprisingly sentimental tonight. You must really be feeling the birthday spirit.”
“Now that you mention it, I appreciate the thought. The older I get, the more poetic I seem to become. What a tragedy.”
“……”
“So, are you ready to unwrap your precious gift?”
Kyle’s red eyes darkened as they locked onto Shu’s.
“You tell me.”
*Ahem ahem* i should give them some privacy too 🤭( ˘ ³˘)♥