My Cat Girl Neighbor Is Impossible to Understand

Chapter 39: Chapter 39 - Her Birthday

Yuiko’s birthday morning was greeted with sunshine streaming through the curtains. Sui had been awake for many hours; his stomach felt filled with butterflies.

Today is the day, he told himself, looking at the present lying on his desk. Don’t screw it up.

He had spent days preparing for this day. Weeks of saving money and arranging everything.

He deserved the best, he reminded himself. She deserves everything.

He picked up the present and left for the gate.

She stood there, as always, wagging her tail upon seeing him.

"Morning!" she greeted, sounding excited.

"Morning," he replied, trying to look casual. "Happy birthday!"

She perked her ears up. "You remembered!"

"Of course I did! I remember everything."

"You say that all the time."

"Because it’s true."

She laughed, walking next to him. Her tail wiggled happily.

"So," she said, "do you have any plans for today, apart from school?"

"Well, maybe. You will have to wait and see."

"Oh, mysterious."

"I am."

She bumped into his shoulder. "You’re very mysterious."

After class, Sui led her away from the usual way home.

"Where are we going?" Yuiko asked, perking up her ears.

"It’s a surprise."

"I don’t like surprises."

"Yes, you do. You love surprises."

"I love good surprises. Bad ones are awful."

"This one is good."

"How do you know?"

"Because I prepared it."

She trusted him and laughed, twining her tail around his arm.

They went to a small park, situated by the river where everything happened. It was evening now, and the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink.

He led her to a bench overlooking the river; there was a small blanket spread on it and a box placed in the middle.

"Okay," he said, taking a deep breath. "Sit."

She sat down, widening her eyes. "Sui, what is all this?"

"Open the box."

She carefully lifted the lid off it. In the box, there was a small, hand-made stuffed cat – soft, gray one with golden eyes which matched hers. There was a collar with a tag hanging around its neck: Yuiko’s cat.

Her breathing stopped.

"Sui... you made this?"

"By hand." He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "I’ve been working on it for weeks. I wanted to give you something unique, something that nobody else could give. Something that would belong to us only."

Her hands shook while she carefully took the stuffed animal out of the box. She held it gently, as if it were made of crystal.

"It’s wonderful," she whispered. "It’s so beautiful."

"I know it’s not perfect..."

"It IS perfect."

She looked up at him with shimmering golden eyes.

"Sui, nobody has ever done anything like this for me. Nobody has cared about me enough to create me something with their own hands."

"You deserve everything," he whispered. "I wish I could give you the whole world. But this is all I have."

She hugged the stuffed animal tightly to her chest.

"It’s enough," she whispered. "It’s everything."

Then she burst into tears.

Sui panicked. "Yuiko! What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong? Are you alright?"

She laughed through her tears, shaking her head.

"I’m happy," she sobbed. "I’m so happy that I can’t stop crying."

"Oh." He breathed in relief. "That’s great."

"Stay here." She took his hand. "Don’t leave me."

"Where would I go?"

"Just stay."

He sat down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders. She buried her face in his chest, laughing and crying.

"I love you," she mumbled into his shirt. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

She pulled herself back and wiped her eyes, flashing him a brilliant smile.

"This is the best birthday I’ve ever had."

"It’s not over yet," he said.

"What do you mean?"

He reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet pouch. In it was a silver necklace with a little cat charm.

"I got this too," he said. "The cat is mine. The charm is a promise."

"A promise of what?"

"A promise that I’ll always be with you. A promise that I’ll always love you. No matter what happens, I will always be yours."

Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Sui..."

He opened the necklace and put it around her neck. The little charm laid on her collarbones.

"Happy birthday, Yuiko."

She touched the charm, gently caressing it with her finger.

"I don’t know how to thank you," she whispered.

"You don’t have to thank me. Just be happy."

"I am happy. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been."

He bent forward and kissed her forehead; her eyes fluttered closed.

"I love you," he murmured, touching her skin.

"I love you too."

They were sitting on the bench, looking at the sunset. The river shimmered beneath them. Yuiko was holding the stuffed cat in one hand and touching the necklace with another.

"Sui?" she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Will you kiss me again? This time for real?"

His heart hammered in his chest. He cupped her cheek, tilting her face up.

"Are you sure?"

"I’ve never been more sure of anything."

He leaned forward; their lips met.

Soft. Warm. Perfect. They stayed there for longer than the first time. When they separated, both were breathless.

"Wow," she whispered.

"Yeah," he breathed. "Wow."

She laughed, putting her head on his shoulder.

"Best birthday ever," she said.

"Best birthday ever," he agreed.

They stayed there until the stars appeared above them, hugging each other and the stuffed cat.

And Yuiko knew, for sure, that she would never forget this night.

Later that night, Sui walked her home. The streets were empty, the moon was high.

Standing in front of her door, she turned around and faced him.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. For today. For the gift. For being you."

"Thank you for being born," he replied. "For being here. For being my life."

Her eyes shimmered again.

"You’re going to make me cry again."

"Sorry."

"Don’t be sorry." She smiled and touched his cheek. "They’re happy tears. Every time I cry near you, they’re happy tears."

He covered her hand with his.

"Good. Since all I wish is to make you happy."

"I do. I’m so happy."

She tiptoed up and kissed his cheek.

"Good night, Sui."

"Good night, Yuiko."

She vanished inside, holding onto the soft cat toy. Sui just stood there, feeling his cheek with his hand, his heart brimming over.

He went home with a big smile on his face.

The best birthday ever, he said to himself. For both of us.