[ XVIII | Voice ]

[lunchpenalty]

[ His voice is quiet as though he hasn't gone to sleep yet. The tone sounds a little hopeless or perhaps a bit fearful of what's to come still. ]

I never thought I'd be spending my seventeenth birthday like this. This smog.... It's never going away, is it?

Comments

[angelic_lawyer]

It's your birthday? Then, happy birthday.

[lunchpenalty]

Ah... Yeah, it is.

Thanks, Naruse. Has your birthday already passed this year?

[angelic_lawyer]

Unfortunately, I suppose there are better ways to spend it.

...No, it hasn't.

[lunchpenalty]

You can say that again.

I miss the days where I'd have a tiny, insignificant party. My mom would make me hot chocolate every year, too.

I suppose celebrating birthdays here is pretty difficult. And even if you wanted to give a present, what could you possibly give?

[latteheart]

Your birthday? Ah, really? Happy birthday! Is...there anything you'd like for a present? I'm sure I can find something...

The smog...? Ah...it's ash, isn't it? A volcano seems likely...I didn't realize we were near one, but if it was big enough...it would certainly explain things.

Well, in any case! It has to clear up eventually. Don't worry.

[lunchpenalty]

Ah, Miss Alpha. You don't have to get me anything.

Mm. I'd thought it was a volcano. The earthquakes that occurred before the sky went dark was pretty reminiscent of an erupting volcano. So yeah, I suppose ash is a better word for it if that's the case.

You really think it'll clear up?

[latteheart]

Haa, really? Well...if there's anything you want, just let me know! I don't know what I'll be able to find, but...I can look.

Mm, it will! Eventually. Even the air around Mt. Fuji cleared in time, you know?

Ah, until then, though, be careful when you go outside, alright? The darkness is one thing, but with all the ash in the air, you could get sick easily.

[lunchpenalty]

Haha. Thanks, but you really don't have to go through the trouble of finding me a gift.

I wonder if the ash in the air is sort of like smoke? Where if you breathe in too much you get lung complications...

[mercifulsmile]

Happy birthday, Kyon!

[lunchpenalty]

A-Ah... Thanks, Gracia.

[mercifulsmile]

I didn't know I was older than you. I always thought it was the other way around!

[lunchpenalty]

I... wasn't aware you were older than me, either. It's probably rude of me to ask, but... How old are you, Miss Gracia?

[withoutnobody]

It will eventually.

[lunchpenalty]

Mm. I suppose you're right. But how long is "eventually," I wonder....

[withoutnobody]

A while, I'm sure.

[lunchpenalty]

Damn. Even though this is a natural disaster type scenario, I still can't help but blame the scientists.

[euphoricheir]

For what it's worth, Happy Birthday.

[lunchpenalty]

Thanks, Miss... Euphy, wasn't it? The girl who so easily convinced me to wear a bunny outfit in the future?

[euphoricheir]

Yes! And you're Kyon. Forgive me for not keeping tabs with you, but the recent events has left me a bit exhausted. You know, I'm sure I have a cupcake or something left from Suzaku's birthday. Would you like one?

[lunchpenalty]

Massive earthquakes and probable volcanoes tend to do that. I hope you or your friends weren't hurt in what happened at Latimir.

A-Ah. You really don't have to give me anything, Miss Euphy. It's all right, really.