Birthday Bonanza! (09/22/2020)

Yuri was a girl with many secrets. She could steep tea perfectly (this was not a secret,) which was something she picked up from the English nannies who would attend to her during her life before independence. No one knew the whereabouts of Yuri's residence and upper class upbringing. Having it be revealed would cause too much attention, and the flood of schoolmates wanting to know more cause too much embarrassment and guilt.

In her drawer, which would typically hold the socks and garments of an ordinary teenage girl, held a dazzling display of knifes which she often peered into, in the way a child would peer into the tank of their pet hamster. She would gingerly pick one up with only the thumb, index and tender middle finger, and wipe the dust of with a cloth. With the thumb of her left hand, she would glide along the edge of the blade, and inspect the handicraft of many nights she spent grinding that metal against a whetstone. When her thumb dragged too deeply and its flesh tore open, Yuri would twitch.

Yuri was fairly tall for her age (this was not a secret) and so with a clever disguise she browsed through an adult themed store and even walked out with a pleasure device.

She held other secrets that were not so scandalous. There were many popular novels and shows she enjoyed, but if anyone ever asked if she watched them, she'd shake her head. Even basic info, the kind you find out the day you meet a stranger, were a secret to most. Her favorite kind of food, drink, her favorite season, song, or what character she liked to play in Super Smash Bros. All details needlessly guarded.

The girls who knew her the most, the other members of the literature club she took part in, knew as much as any other person would. Yuri never liked talking about herself in any fashion, nor did she try to be the topic of conversation, and so the other girls knew what she would permit anyone to know - that she enjoyed horror, tea, writing poetry (she would not show them her works however), and spending time alone in peace and quiet, with a pleasant aroma roaming from some sort of scented candle.

Despite this, she was privy to the secrets of her peers. Monika confided in her the time she ate meat unknowingly in a dumpling soup, and despite recognizing it, finished the entire bowl. Over cupcakes, Natsuki complained quietly to her about her intrusive father. And once, Yuri found Sayori spaced out out on the roof of the school, her face a far departure from her usual cheery self. Yuri didn't know how she ended up knowing these things - but people often found solace in her because of her reserved and serene nature, and likely wouldn't or couldn't tell anyone that, if they knew that little fact about themselves, could set a terrible chain of events in motion.

So when Monika asked her in the clubroom on a Friday after school when her birthday was, her entire body tensed up.

For those three, that was something they could never know.

"Yuri, did you hear me?" Monika said.

"Yes, yes, O-...october third."

Monika let out a disappointed moan. "I'd say that's unlucky, but considering that all the other club members share the same birthday as me, I couldn't say that in good faith, ahaha!"

Natsuki and Sayori joined in on the chuckling, while Yuri fidgeted further with the book in her hand. A week ago, Sayori mentioned her upcoming birthday to Monika, and when she told her when her birthday was, Sayori's voice filled the room. Natsuki asked what the commotion was about, and when she found out she joined in on the celebration. Yuri stayed quiet in the front of the room, not wanting to intrude, feeling happy and respected that the others, knowing her, did not rope her into their fervour. Yet the entire time they talked vibrantly, her chest was tight, and there was a terrible itch on her neck. Her birthday was the same as the others. But legs would not flex, stand herself up, and bring herself to them. If she opened her mouth, vomit would eject. And so she kept her birthday to herself.

Now, after a week of them planning for this party on the upcoming Tuesday, she could not possibly reveal her true birth date. It would set back all of their preparations, and she would impose on them a sudden obligation to include her in. That was something she could not feel selfish enough to do.

"I feel bad though..." Sayori chimed in. "On Tuesday we're all going to celebrate our b-days and get presents, but Yuri will be completely left out."

"Don't be. I'm making a cake for all of us to eat - and there's no way any of you will be in a bad mood after having a slice." Natsuki said with a smug, self-confident grin.

"Oooh! What kind?"

"Angel cake topped and filled with a chocolate ganache." Natsuki kissed her fingertips like a Frenchman, and the others, including Yuri, began to salivate while they wondered what a ganache would be, or look like.

"You do have a point though Sayori..." Monika said. Then she raised her right finger. "Hey, I know! Maybe we could do an early birthday for you, Yuri."

"A...Huh?"

"Yeah, good idea Monika!" Sayori said. "How does getting some early birthday presents sound, Yuri? October the 3rd isn't that far off from September 22nd."

Before Yuri could object, Monika began to ask Sayori about how they would have to adjust the decorations and balloons. As they talked, Natsuki scratched her head.

"I guess I need to find you a gift for Tuesday, huh? Lucky me, I can dedicate my precious weekend for that. So, whad'ya want? I know you're particular so I don't want to accidentally get you something you'll toss out the window."

Yuri could feel today's lunch in the pit of her stomach. Sayori and Monika were oblivious to the look on her face as they revised their plans excitedly.

"As for me - honestly I'm not expecting much. Hell, pay for my lunches for a week, I'd love that plenty. Hello, Yuri? Did you just hear what I just said?"

Yuri set down her book. She clasped her hands together in a slippery manner as she moistened her lips.

"Stop!!"

The other three girls turned to face her in a quiet, intrusive manner. She noted Natsuki's furrowed eyebrows. She began to feel weak but she pressed on.

"I...I don't need an early birthday celebration. So don't change your plans, keep them as is. Y-you don't even have to celebrate it when it comes, or give me gifts, haha...please. I'm just here f-for the literature." Yuri's voice was a mumble near the end, but she got her point across.

The group accepted her decision in silence, and then Monika excused herself to the washroom. Sayori began to play on her phone and Natsuki returned to her corner by the closet. Yuri picked up her book again, and tried to read but the words were swimming on the page. Such a mood would persist until Monika decided to wrap the day up and everyone left saying empty goodbyes to each other.

Yuri found it in herself to murmur an apology to at least Monika, who stayed behind to organize some paperwork.

"It's okay Yuri, really. You know us, we like to get caught up in the moment." Monika smiled, and as she turned back to her papers it quickly dissipated.

"By the way, since you stayed, let me ask you something..."

"Yes?"

"I feel a little stalkerish for saying this, aha, but...you know how we're Facebook friends, right?" Yuri nodded stiffly.

"Well, forgive me for being curious, but I checked the birthday you had on there, and...it's not October third."

"A-ah-ah, yeah!" Yuri chortled. "It's November 23rd! I'm always paranoid about putting data up on the internet, s-sso..."

Monika cocked her head. "On your page it said August 4th."

"...Oh. Oh! Well, it was a while since I've made it, so I don't even remember what date I set it to."

"Mhm. Makes sense. Well, Yuri, enjoy your bus ride home."

"Thanks, you too." Yuri said as she slid open the door to the hallway.

"What do you mean, I don't take the bus,-"

Yuri slid the door shut and ran away.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come Monday, Natsuki fumed around the room as she pushed desks together.

"First Monika's late, as always, and now even Yuri's not here to help us prepare for the party? Humph." With a grunt she makes a 2x6 row of desks. "No cake for her!"

"Oh be nice." Sayori said before blowing air into a balloon. "Turn that frow- upsi- down, and beee cooool!"

Natsuki chuckled. "Hey, save that helium for the balloons! I'm not covering you if Monika finds out we run out."

"Sawee."

As Sayori, tied off another balloon, Monika burst into the room.

"Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late..but I have a good excuse."

"You lost yourself in the melody again?"

"Shut up. Look, guess what I just found out right now..."

And as Monika revealed the secret Yuri had been trying to hide, Sayori and Natsuki realized that today's literature club session was going to go into overtime.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuri arrived on Tuesday before anyone and saw the decorations she put up. She inspected the names on the banner and many questions ran through her head. Most of all, a feeling of distress and panic encouraged her to run, far away, or go hide in the closet, the bathroom, the library, any other typical place. However, the damage has been already done. Not being present to enjoy their labours would be the greatest insult of all.

And so, when the others arrived, she played the part of the child who received the gift from their parents - not what they wanted, but something that was close, like getting the newest Madden but on a different console than the one owned. Yuri was as happy as she could be, played the silly games they planned even though she did not enjoy such trivialities, and ate cake.

When the others had opened their presents, gave hugs, and expressed gratitude, they turned to Yuri.

"We didn't have a lot of time to get something more meaningful, but we all went to the bookstore all pooled our money to get this for you."

She peeled off the wrapper and looked at the cover of a familiar looking book.

"Ah! I...I didn't read this one yet. Thank you so much." Yuri smiled sickly.

"Also, we bought copies for ourselves." said Monika, as she pulled out her copy. "You know, despite this being a literature club, we haven't actually a book that we've all read! Well, if you don't count what we read for school."

"Yeah, so we thought we could start with this book. What do you think, Yuri?" Sayori asked.

"That's wonderful. But, Natsuki, where is your copy?"

"Oh, well.." Natsuki played with one of her ponytails. "I don't usually like this kind of stuff, so I didn't want to buy it, hate it, and have it in my bookshelf and torment me. I'll just borrow it from the library."

Yuri shoved the book in her hands into Natsuki.

"Here. J-just take this one. The truth is, I already have my own copy. I've read this four times over already..."

After a pause, Yuri continued after realizing no one else was going to talk. "I didn't expect you guys to go out of your way for me, so I really didn't want to look ungrateful when you gave me this.."

"So, you read it already?" asked Natsuki. Yuri nodded, and then Natsuki said, "So is this book good or not? We just bought this yesterday, so we can still get a return if it's not."

"No, this is a very good book. It's very good if you don't enjoy horror, because it blends many other genres such as romance into the story, and the characters..."

Yuri proceeded to talk up, introduce and encourage the others to read the first Chapter. It was getting late, and Monika decided to end the party.

"Please, leave the cleaning to me." Yuri said, with a bow. "It's the very least I could do after today."

"No, it's okay. I can help too. I'm the club leader after all. But Sayori, Natsuki, feel free to leave - I know you had to stay rather late yesterday. I'm sure you're tired."

The two took her up on the offer and left. Monika began pulling down the banner as Yuri wiped off the cake knife.

"You know, Yuri, I think this is the most I've heard you talk since you've joined." Monika said.

"I-is that so?"

Monika nodded. "I'm not that surprised though, if something interests you, then there's no end to what you can say about that thing."

"Oh God, sorry."

"Don't be." Monika set down the banner on one of the desk and walked up to her. "That's something I like you about you."

"Oh.."

"I guess I'll just have to find out what else interests you, if I want to see that side of you again?"

"..."

"...So uhm. Is that knife clean yet or..?"

"A-ah yes! I was just, yeah." Yuri set down the knife on that same desk, the handle pointing to Monika.

"Thanks." Monika smiled at Yuri, and their eyes locked. Yuri's chest tightened, it was as if Monika's piercing green eyes plunged into her eye sockets and gleefully peered into what was inside of her, warts and all.

Monika and Yuri left the clubroom, with it looking as if the party never happened. They parted ways at the front of the school.

"I can't wait for tomorrow. Good luck on preparing for your role as "horror tour guide" okay? Ahaha!"

"Yes, you won't be disappointed." Yuri said with a smile.

As Yuri looked at the landscape whizzing past her on the bus, she thought about today, and if she made the right choices. Should she have run away? Or been more aggressive about how they knew about her birthday?

Despite the fear of someone looking inside her, if it was people like Sayori, Natsuki, and Monika, perhaps it won't go as bad as the other times. Maybe they were people she could finally let in. Most of all, she wanted to know more about them. Yuri could not wait to go home and read over the first Chapter of the book, and think of interesting questions to ask the others.