Turning 18 felt less like something to celebrate and more like adding another year to a miserable lifespan.
And yet… unlike every year before it, this one came with expectations. With something that almost resembled hope.
Those were the thoughts running through my head as I dragged myself out of bed like usual.
Brush teeth. Instant noodles for breakfast. Go through the motions.
November 2nd.
My birthday.
Same day as the Mexican Day of the Dead.
…The irony wasn't lost on me.
And yet, the messages started popping up.
Kaede: "HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, ONII-CHAN!! 💖🥳
You're officially… well, almost an adult now, hehe.
Umm—what are you doing today? Are you celebrating? If you're not busy or anything, you can… maybe drop by home? Even just for a little bit. 😅
Mom would be really happy to see you too."
Yeah, I'm sure she'd be...
Kurumi: "Happy birthday, Takumi. 😘🥳🖤
Don't go giving that attention to anyone else today, alright?
I want you all to myself. 😈
And I have a little present for you~"
Yamashita: "Happy birthday, Shiba-kun 🌸🤍
I hope this year brings you a little more peace… and that you're able to move toward the future you want for yourself.
Please take care of your health as well.
As my cherished friend, I'm rooting for you. Really. 😌"
Tetsu: "Happy birthday, Forsaken.
Heh… my lil brother's finally turning 18. Feels like yesterday you were still causing trouble just trying to survive the streets.
Still not old enough to drink properly, though. Don't get ahead of yourself. 🤣"
If you've got time, swing by the bar—or my place. I've got something for you. Don't make me come find you instead."
Maestro: "Yo, kid.
Kurumi told me. Happy birthday.
18 now… good. That means you're finally ready for the industry.
You keep your head straight and keep grinding, we're gonna make serious money this year. And don't get distracted.
I don't invest in distractions."
Manager: "Happy birthday, kid.
18, huh… time flies."
Means you're stepping into a different league now. People start expecting more… and taking more.
I'll be watching how you grow from here. Don't disappoint me."
Inazuki: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIBA-KUN!! 🥳💖✨
Hope you have like, the BEST day everrr—cake, vibes, people actually treating you right, all of it!! 🎂💫
Alsooo… for today only, try not to be all broody and dramatic, okay? 😤 You're literally allowed to be happy for once, dummy. You matter to people, you know. Like, actually."
Oh—and don't get a big head, but Haruna lowkey made me pass this along too 🙈💕"
She shared a screenshot with Nakamura's message.
"Tell him this...
Happy birthday, Shiba-kun. I hope you have a really good day today. 🤗 I know we haven't really talked much, but… maybe we can get to know each other better from now on."
And a message even from overseas, which shocked me all the more.
Lil V€xxx: "Happy birthday, Forsaken. 🙈🔥
Have a good one, bro. And if you ever get to New York, hit me up. 😈"
I opened MTB's group chat, which was buzzing with messages.
Kurogane: "Yo, Forsaken. Happy birthday, lil bro. Don't get soft just 'cause people are being nice today. Keep your head sharp."
Sora: "Happy birthday, man 🥳💪 Just take it easy today. Eat good, relax—you've earned that much."
Rei: "Happy birthday Forsaken. Another year closer to everything catching up with you. Still, don't disappear on us."
…Thanks, you all.
Damn it.
I can't even bring myself to feel bad about being here.
Suzuki stood there like she owned the hallway—ponytail slightly messy, still in her gym clothes. A bag hung from her hand.
"Happy birthday, Shiba‑kun," she said, casual. "Since we're neighbors, I figured I'd show up in person. It's more efficient than texting."
I blinked. "Uh… thanks. And good luck at practice."
She clicked her tongue softly, annoyed at my plain response. Then she shoved the bag into my chest with no hesitation.
"And I, um… baked you this cake." She looked away. "Don't get the wrong idea. It's just… you should eat something decent on your birthday, okay? You always look like you forget to."
"T‑Thanks… You didn't have to, though…" I replied, still a bit stunned.
Suzuki let out a quiet, controlled sigh—the kind that said I'm making this harder than it had to be.
"You could've just said thanks, idiot" she said, crossing her arms like it was obvious. "And don't sweat it. We're friends."
The word landed cleanly, like she'd rehearsed it once in her head before committing.
A beat of silence stretched—too long for her usual rhythm.
Then she straightened, already shifting her weight like she was transitioning to her next cue.
"A-Anyway, I need to go out," she said, voice back to its usual smooth confidence. "Enjoy the cake. And… have a good birthday."
She gave a small, practiced wave and turned down the hall.
"Bye," she added, lighter, almost tossed over her shoulder as she walked away.
Sometime later, I sat on the couch, thinking who to visit first while eating the chocalate cake Suzuki made for me-which, by the way, was pretty good-when my phone buzzed.
Instagram: @daeun_official followed you.
And soon after, a message.
Daeun: "Hey… I heard that collab with Lil V€xxx.
Didn't know you were out here being all international.
Kinda funny you didn't mention that. 😅"
Me: "Was I supposed to mention it? 😏"
Daeun: "I'm just saying—it was good. Didn't expect you to already be doing collabs outside Japan, that's all."
A second message followed.
Daeun: "Also… happy birthday. 🥳
Not exactly in the habit of wishing random guys I just met online, but here we are."
A short pause.
"Have fun today, mysterious Japanese rapper. 😼"
Me: "Thanks. Now I've gotta figure my schedule out—funny how I was a nobody not that long ago, and now everyone suddenly wants to hang out. 🙃"
Daeun: "Oh, look at you, suddenly in demand. Careful, though—that kind of attention disappears just as fast as it shows up. Still… enjoy it while it lasts. You kinda earned it. 😼"
Guess I did.
I left my phone on the table and focused on eating the cake Suzuki made for me.
It was… good.
After a while, I decided to visit my family first.
Might as well get it over with.
I reached the house in ten minutes and rang the doorbell.
The door swung open almost immediately.
Kaede froze the second she saw me.
For a split second, she just stared—like she wasn't sure I was actually there.
"Onii-chan—! Happy birthday!" she squeaked, voice breaking at the edges.
Then she threw herself at me.
Her arms wrapped around me too tight, like if she let go, I'd disappear again. I just stood there for a second before awkwardly patting her back.
She didn't let go right away.
After she did, just as suddenly, she grabbed my hand.
"Come on, come on—Mom's in the kitchen!" she said, dragging me inside like nothing's ever changed.
Mom stood at the stove, cutting vegetables.
She glanced over her shoulder—
—and paused.
One second, before she turned fully.
"…Happy birthday, Takumi," she said, voice was steady, a little too careful. "I… thought you might come, so I made a little extra."
She stepped closer, slower this time.
Then she reached out and hugged me lightly. As if she was testing whether this level of physical closeness was okay.
My arms lifted a second too late, resting against her back without really holding on.
After a moment, she pulled away first.
"Breakfast's almost ready," she added, turning back toward the stove. "…Sit down, please."
And so, I did.
Mom moved between the stove and the counter, finishing up the last few things.
Meanwgile, Kaede dropped into the chair next to me like she didn't seen me in years instead of a couple weeks.
"You're staying for breakfast, right?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"I guess," I muttered.
She grinned like that solved everything.
Plates hit the table one by one. Rice, eggs, miso soup, something better than all the instant ramen and convenience store food I ate in the past week.
For a while, the only sound was chopsticks filled the room, the three of us eating with a quiet rhytm.
Then Kaede leaned in, way too curious for her own good.
"So," she started, dragging the word out, "how's it going with Daeun?"
I paused mid-bite.
"...I haven't talked to her since then, actually."
No reason to tell her the truth.
"Oh," she shot back, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is that so?"
"Who do you think I am, Mel Gibson?"
Kaede's grin widened.
"Hmm~ you have a point."
"Eat your food," I muttered.
She giggled but backed off—for now.
Mom sat down across from us, watching the exchange quietly.
There was a small smile on her face.
"…It feels like yesterday," she said softly.
We both looked at her.
"When you were this small," she continued, holding her hand just above the table, "barely able to hold your chopsticks properly."
A short pause.
"And now… You're already grown," she said, watching me a second longer than she should've.
I didn't know what to say to that, so I stayed quiet.
Mom looked down at her hands for a moment, then back up.
"…Do you have any plans?" she asked. "For the future, I mean."
There it is.
I sighed quietly.
"Work. I guess."
"That's not really a plan," she said gently.
"It is my life now," I said, a little more firmly. "Shows, tours, new albums… I need to lock in a record deal. I can't afford to slack off."
I paused, looking her dead in the eye.
"I'm gonna make the money. And I'm gonna get the fame. That's all I've got time to think about right now."
Kaede looked between us, like she wanted to say something but decided against it.
Mom set her chopsticks down, way too carefully.
"…You've always been like that," she said. "Once you decide something, you don't really look sideways. Just… take care of yourself," she said.
I gave a small shrug.
"I'm trying."
That seemed to reassure her.
Here's a clean, light polish without changing your tone:
We ate in mostly silence for the rest of my visit, with the occasional bit of small talk here and there.
At some point, I showed Mom and Kaede how many invitations I'd gotten, then excused myself.
Next, I went over to Tetsu's place.
"Yo. Birthday boy showed up," he called out from inside. "Get in here. Don't just stand there."
I stepped in, kicking my shoes off as he jerked his chin toward the couch.
"Sit. Make yourself at home."
I dropped onto the couch while he set a bag of chips and a can of coke on the table without a word. I grabbed a handful, chewing slowly before taking a sip from the can.
At least I'm eating good on my birthday.
Then he reached behind the counter and tossed a box my way.
"Here. Don't say I never do anything for you."
I caught it, raising an eyebrow before unwrapping it.
…A PS5.
I blinked.
"…Thanks, man."
He clicked his tongue, waving it off like it didn't matter.
"Don't mention it. You've been grinding. Figured I'd throw you something decent."
He leaned back against the counter, lighting a cigarette.
"Heard you've got some kind of party lined up," he added, exhaling slowly. "I'd swing by, but… work doesn't exactly clock out for me. You get it."
I did.
Better than anyone.
I still had some time to kill before the party, though, so I wasn't in a rush.
Little did I know, my first birthday party was gonna change my life forever.