Birthday Bonanza (09/22/2023)

>Monika's birthday is today!
>Waking up to several texts of well-wishing!
>But she slept late and needs to head to work!
>Stuck in traffic, dealing with responding to all of the messages!
>"Thank you so much!", "Awh, so sweet <3", "Hope you've been well bestie" over and over again!
>Feeling like a robot with these responses, but nothing is more inhumane then leaving a message left on read!
>Arriving at the office, turning off her phone to focus on data entry!
>Thousands of queries, thousands of results, all needing attention from Monika!
>No time for anyone until lunch!
>Alone in the break room and getting happy birthdays from the dokis!
>Yuri, Sayori, Natsuki, they're all here!
>And they all want to party after work!
>They know Monika's birthdays are the best time to let loose!
>Last year Monika was so drunk she joined in on a bar's food eating competition!
>She only ate one hot dog before gagging and vomiting all over the judge!
>But this year Monika wants none of it!
>Monika's brain is fried!
>She wants a light dinner, an hour of reality television, and an early retirement to bed!
>Monika politely refusing in the group chat!
>The dokis are disappointed!
>They have not seen each other all year!
>They have barely talked all year!
>Graduation and heading into the workforce has drained their ability to stay connected!
>Monika feeling a butterfly in her stomach!
>Getting off work! Stuck in traffic again!
>Picking up a tub of ice cream at the grocery store!
>Heading home and feeling alive!
>Doing some light cleaning before the doorbell rings!
>It's the dokis! They brought pizza and wine!
>Having a fun dinner in the kitchen, catching up with each other!
>Yuri is almost done with her book! Sayori finished her degree in child studies! Natsuki has already been promoted to a sous chef!
>Monika intently listening, and sharing little about herself!
>Playing some cards to cap off the night!
>Seeing the dokis off at the door, giving hugs goodbye!
>Tipsy Monika dragging herself to her bed!
>No nightly routine! No teeth brushing!
>Sleeping in her party clothes, too tired to take anything off!
>Drifting into a dreamless sleep!
>A happy birthday for Monika!