Chapter 16 : Rosie's Birthday

In the morning Rosie ran with excitement to Satoshi's room, Satoshi was asleep. Rosie jumped on top of Satoshi with her knees on his chest.

*Ugh!*

Satoshi woke up with a gasp, Rosie was sitting on top of him with her knees on his chest,

"At least give me peace in my sleep!!! What happened so early in the morning again''

Rosie looked at Satoshi with eager eyes,

"What gift did you two choose for me?!!!''

Satoshi hadn't quite sobered up and couldn't understand what Rosie was talking about.

"What gift and who am I going to choose it with?''

Rosie replied, puffing out her cheeks, crossing her arms and looking away.

"I know you and Dad had a talk yesterday, you planned a surprise birthday for me, didn't you? You don't have to pretend you don't know!''

*Satoshi*

What the fuck are you talking about? All I remember last night was finding out you're literally a witch… So today is her birthday, that's why the old man was so depressed. I guess he remembered all that bad memories... 

Damn old man, we talked all night, you should have at least let me know beforehand… I guess I have no choice but to pretend,

"Okay, okay, you caught us, but I can't ruin the surprise! You'll find out when the time comes...''

**

Rosie looked disappointed. After a brief blank stare, Satoshi continued in a wheezing voice.

''N-now why don't you get off me, it's getting hard to breathe...''

It was as if Rosie had forgotten that she was sitting on Satoshi's chest.

"Ow Okay, sorry!!!" she said and jumped off.

They went downstairs to have breakfast together, Sven was already in the tavern kitchen. When he heard Rosie and Satoshi, he came out of the kitchen and approached the pub, then called out to Satoshi.

"Hey, kid, can we have a word in private?''

Rosie smirked and assumed they were going to discuss something regarding her birthday. She gave Satoshi a little push on his waist to go and talk to Sven, and she went into the kitchen to have breakfast that Sven had prepared.

Sven whispered nervously,

"Son, I'm grateful that I was able to confide in you about my past yesterday, but you're too young for me and y-you know, I'm not into men.''

Satoshi couldn't remember exactly what he was doing at the end of the night, he thought to himself, 'Did I spank a buffed guy again in my dream last night? Holy shit that sounds extremely Sus, I'm glad I didn't say that out loud and did I just get thrown into the son zone?' and then he answered confidently.

"Pops, I don't remember exactly what happened yesterday, but I'm not into men either.''

Sven raised one eyebrow and looked at Satoshi suspiciously, Satoshi continued.

''I'm really not, I even tested it before!!! And never mind that, why didn't you tell me anything about Rosie's birthday all night, Huh! oldie boldie ?'' 

Sven didn't know which of his words to react to, 

"You did a T-test?! Huh... Never mind, I was going to tell you about her birthday but you passed out before I even finished my story. Well, don't worry about Rosie's present, I've prepared something. I'll need a little help from you, when I give her gift I'll tell you what you need to do''

With a sigh of relief, Satoshi said, "Good then," and went to the kitchen to have breakfast. 

They worked in the tavern until the afternoon. When they took a break, Sven brought a large steak and drinks to the table and raised a bottle in a cheerful tone,

''May your birthday be as bright and cheerful as you are! Cheers to you!''

Rosie looked a little disappointed,

''I thought we were going to celebrate this year with a cake like the Aetherians...''

**

I thought they were supposed to grow normally until they were 20 and then their growth slowed down. Who would choose a cake over a big steak? Tsch you're still a kid,

**

Sven said, "You know I don't like that sweet stuff and isn't the most important thing, that we're together?! Come on, my arm is getting tired...''

Satoshi and Rosie took their own drinks from the table, After saying "cheers", they toasted bottles.

Satoshi was happy with the food, While he was enjoying the steak with great appetite, Sven said, 

"Now it's time for your present," and took out a pouch and handed it to Rosie.

Rosie opened the bag excitedly, two tickets and a lot of silver coin were inside, Rosie asked her father, confused,

"Ehm? You bought me money?''

Satoshi interjected "Best gift ever pops keep it up" he said and drank his drink.

Sven laughed and said "Look at the tickets, these tickets are for Arcadia City, the capital of Aetheria''

Rosie was excited, "Are we going on a trip together?! I can collect lots of new herbs!''

Sven was a little sad and said in a deep voice, "No, not with me this time! With him!" and pointed to Satoshi.

When Sven pointed at Satoshi, Satoshi choked on his piece of meat and he said,

"Hey, I do *cough* I don't remember agreeing to that."

Sven said, "I told you that I would need your help when the time came and you said 'well then'. Besides, is it bad that ? Are you going to spend your whole youth in this village, with living a boring life?''

Satoshi said in a rebellious voice, "No way!!! I tried to get away from my boring life for once and I ended up in that damn forest!!! and yes I'm gonna spend my damn life in this boring village'' 

Rosie's disappointment was written all over her face, "I-I'd better go up to my room," she said, she left the pouch on the table and left the room.''

Satoshi also left the kitchen to get back to work, Sven thought to himself,

'I guess they weren't as close as I thought... I thought they would be happy to go on an adventure together. I guess I was wrong'

...