Kind's POV
When Kind opened his eyes, he saw a cake topped with cherries, birthday candles burning, and his name written in the center. Chicken drumsticks, grilled chicken, salad, plain dal, and rice were arranged around the cake. One set of chairs faced each other across the table.
His eyes widened, eyebrows raised, and a faint twinkle appeared on his forehead. When Jun saw Kind standing there, jaw dropped at the sight of the birthday surprise, he gently pushed Kind's lower jaw up with his index finger. Kind turned his face, and their eyes met.
Suddenly, tears began to roll down the birthday boy's cheeks. He was smiling, yet tears fell one by one onto the floor. Jun had no idea why Kind was both crying and smiling at the same time. He hurriedly put his arm around Kind's shoulder and helped him sit on the chair next to him.
Then, Jun pulled the chair on the opposite side of the table closer to himself. He took out some tissue paper and wiped Kind's tears.
"Kind, it's your birthday today. I'm here with you, and your birthday cake is waiting eagerly to be cut by your hand," Jun said, trying to cheer Kind up, though he didn't understand the reason behind his tears.
"Quickly cut the cake—the candles are melting all over it!" Jun demanded, adjusting the chair to its original position and handing a plastic knife to Kind.
"Wait! Wait! Make a wish before blowing out the candles," Jun reminded him as Kind prepared to blow.
Kind closed his eyes and made a birthday wish. What should I wish for? Chifun_cake's new book in English translation? No, no... Or should I wish for success and prosperity for me and others as well? He then opened his eyes and, while blowing out the candles, thought, I wish for love. Instead of wishing for success and prosperity for everyone, his inner voice quietly wished love for himself.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," Jun dramatically sang the birthday song, the words dragging softly from Kind's lips.
Oh no, Kind thought as his left hand automatically came over his lips, suddenly aware of the birthday wish he had just made.
"Hey, what happened?" Jun asked, noticing Kind's reaction.
"Oh, that's nothing." Kind let out a laugh, but his flustered smile was wide and awkward. The exaggerated expression slowly faded as he fidgeted with the front of his shirt.
He then sliced the cake into a triangular piece and fed it to Jun.
Jun didn't refuse. He ate a small piece of cake and placed the rest on an empty plate. Then Jun sliced a piece and offered it to Kind. As soon as he saw Kind eating the cake slice with an adorable smile, Jun's heart began to pound fast. He quickly smeared white cream from the cake onto the birthday boy's cheeks.
"Hey!" Kind yelled, wrinkling his nose and raising his hands to wipe the cream off.
"Hehehe," Jun chuckled, brushing off Kind's playful tantrums as he served grilled chicken on both plates. With Binita's help, he had arranged this little birthday party for Kind and allowed him some time to relax, although Jun had to call the café's owners multiple times for permission.
"Why were you sad? Did anyone say anything bad to you?" Jun asked, cutting a small piece of chicken.
"No, that's not it," Kind hesitated before speaking. But when he saw the care and concern in Jun's eyes, he couldn't hold himself back from telling the truth.
"Well, you remembered my birthday even though we just met a few days ago. My family—whom I've been living with for so many years—just forgot my birthday and—" He broke down into sobs again, lowering his head to the plate.
"Kind…" Jun uttered gently, holding the weeping boy's hand. "They must have been busy with something. Besides, parents never forget their child's birthday."
"But…" Kind immediately turned on his phone, opened his messages, and showed the screen to Jun. Jun leaned forward for a better look. The ground seemed to fall away beneath his feet as he read through the conversations: messages like "Come home early, you have some chores to do,""Clean the kitchen for me,""I will be late today,""Can you cook for us, dear?" And finally, when he saw the last message, he dropped his fork onto the plate in shock.
He had no words to comfort Kind, whose parents treated their own son like a servant. Jun couldn't help but feel angry toward Kind's parents—and sorry for Kind.
"Kind, no matter what comes and goes, I'll be with you every step of the way, happy or sad," Jun said from the depths of his heart, gazing into Kind's eyes. Hearing those words, Kind's wounded heart felt a sweet, healing warmth. Jun then handed Kind a small gift-wrapped box.
"What is this?" Kind asked, puzzled.
"A gift for you," Jun smiled.
"No, I can't take this." Kind refused the gift, pushing the box back.
"Why?"
"You've already done so much for me."
"I've done nothing," Jun said, sliding the box back. "Accept this, or I'll get angry at you."
"Stubborn!" With no options left, Kind took the small box.
"Don't open it here. Open it at home," Jun requested as Kind was about to unwrap the gift.
"Okay."
After finishing their food, Kind gathered his belongings and went to the café's front area, where Binita was busy cleaning the counter. She was responsible for cleaning, closing the café, and watching staff who slacked off during shifts.
"Hey, done with your little birthday party?" Binita asked as Kind approached.
"You should have joined us," Kind replied with a friendly smile.
"Sorry, I had to finish my work first."
"Shouldn't the other staff be helping you?" Kind asked, noticing no one else was around.
"Yeah, but someone requested me to leave you guys alone. Because I'm in charge of everything at the café, I couldn't leave without finishing the work. But I let the other staff go," she said, shifting her gaze to Jun, who was busy with something at the back.
"Oh, he shouldn't have," Kind murmured, looking from Jun back to Binita.
"Let me help you!" Kind tried to take the mop from Binita's hand.
"No, it's okay. I can handle it," Binita said, moving the mop away.
"But it's already 10, and the route to your home wouldn't be safe if you stay late," Kind said, crossing his arms and offering to help. "Let me help you! Two is always better than one."
"And three is better than two!" Jun called out from behind.
"Okayyy," Binita finally agreed, unable to argue with them. The three divided the chores and finished within an hour. Binita went into the changing room and returned with her uniform in a bag and a helmet in hand.
"Let's go!" Jun said as Kind took the bouquet in one hand and the rest of his belongings in the other. Binita locked the café's entrance and walked down to where Kind and Jun waited.
"See you tomorrow then," Binita said as she put on her helmet and started her motorbike. The boys nodded goodbye as she rode off.
"Bye then, walk home safely," Kind said as they reached his doorstep. Jun walked him all the way to his door.
"Be with you every time!" Jun said, waving his hand in the air with a smile, but Kind gave a confused look.
"The full form of B.Y.E. is Be with you every time," Jun murmured, coming close to Kind and touching his nose with his own. He took a few steps back, smiled, and walked away.
Kind stood there, rubbing the spot where Jun had touched his nose, a question lingering in his mind: What was that? He went inside, switched on the lights in the dark house, did his homework, and finally went to sleep.
That day had been painful yet surprising for Kind. He finally understood a harsh truth about his family and learned what his mistake was. Now that he knew, he didn't want to repeat it again.