Ishikawa Goemon - Birthday Story

"Goemon. This is my birthday present to you. Please accept it without saying a word."

I was at a loss for words when she held out the box with a slightly stricken look on her face.

("...... Eat this and die.")

This is not the same as when she offered me a yaki miso onigiri.

Right now, we are completely in love with each other and getting along well together.

I can tell she was being very tense, so I calmly accepted the gift without saying a word.

"Why don't you open it when I'm not around?"

"Not here?"

Her lips are tight. The blush on her cheeks is reddening.

"...... I may have been a fool, so will you give it back to me before you open it?"

"Wait, wait."

"I was too carried away. Go back to your room and open it, if you please. I'm going to retreat to the Enma Palace for a while."

"I said wait."

I am the kind of person who wants to make her happy and spoil her as much as possible.

I don't want her to hate me, and if there are people who hurt her, I want to eliminate them without mercy.

"I was just… getting carried away."

I wanted to reply that “if you said that much, I would be curious about what it would be”, but I swallowed it for the time being.

The love of my life is a picture-perfect honor student who’s not good when things are out of her control. That's why, I can't imagine what she would have chosen to be so excited about.

Judging from the size, it's probably not an accessory.

It’s likely to be a glass or mug because it is a little heavy, but we each have our own mugs in the house already.

(“Thank you for such an enjoyable party. Can I return the favour next time?”)

A week ago, we had a group birthday party at the shared house. (T/N: It’s on the birthday drama CD. Check it out!)

After soaking in the hot spring, we played ping-pong in the pool room and then went to the beach with a projector.

Then we had claypot dishes, a hot plate and a stone oven pizza. A hundred crackers were clanging. It was an intense day of singing and blowing out as many candles as there were people.

The only regret is that the car, which is the gift from Tetsunojo that is still top secret, was not delivered in time. And the jacuzzi from Sharaku has not been used.

"Let me ask you something, will you open it?”

“Wait!”

I really won’t hate it. Calmly, I untied the bright red ribbon and opened the wrapping paper.

“This is…”

"Don't say anything."

I secretly tightened my face. It is a lesson for shinobi not to show their feelings. I had always been able to conceal my feelings.

("Fufu, even though you say that, you're still on good terms. That's right! Do you know 'Daigoro'?")

I was able to keep my composure when Oshichi asked me about it.

But now, this is impossible. If I hadn't had her in front of me, I would have screamed out of joy.

"I'm so happy, thank you!"

It was a rock glass. It was a beautiful faceted piece, and…

"It’s a pair…"

"Stop."

She plopped down on the table. I see, I can certainly understand why she said 'accept without saying anything'.

“It’s about time we have these.”

"I-Isn't it beautiful?” She said, without looking up from her prone position.

“I bet drinking would taste great with this!”

"...That's what I thought. At first it was just one, but then the store clerk told me, 'This comes in a matching set'..."

"She told you?"

She is still lying face down. Her ears that were peeking through her black hair were red.

"Goemon, you look like you’re having fun whenever you’re watching a movie while drinking… I just thought… I want to enjoy it with you…"

At the end of her words, she stood up suddenly.

"I'm going back to Enma's palace."

“No you won’t~”

I quickly cuddled her back.

"Let me go... I'm so embarrassed..."

“I'm so happy. Let's drink together from now on, you can have cider or water~”

“... Oh my gosh, what's wrong with me?”

“The ‘husband and wife’ part?”

I didn't miss it. The box is carefully labeled with 'husband and wife glass'.

It’s a common item found everywhere but it’s meaningful because she chose it.

"Isn't it great? We’re like a married couple after all~"

“Don’t mention it anymore…”

"Are you not satisfied with me as your husband?"

"You know what I'm talking about. How mean of you..."

"Because you said you would leave me and go back to Enma Palace."

"I was just… embarrassed."

"You asked me not to mention it, don't you want to admit that we're a 'husband and wife'?"

“I didn't say that.”

After a pause for a breath, her body suddenly relaxed.

"To receive something like this... Wasn't it a bother?"

"It’s not a bother, I'm happy."

“I wonder what the average ...... girl would choose to give to her lover.”

"I'm sure there are some girls who would choose the couple glass. At least for me, I'm very touched to receive this. Sorry for being not an easy guy to read."

I think the teachings of a ninja are both good and bad. It is good when a man can be searched and not be discovered easily as in the case with Oshichi.

But at times like this, a man who can express himself well with his entire body might make the other person happy.

“Should I get water or alcohol?”

I couldn't answer immediately. I wanted to use the glass with her as soon as possible. I had no doubt that she had the same thought.

“I… don’t want to let go.”

I kiss her neck again and run my fingers through her glossy black hair.

“I've had a thought…” She doesn't resist, and intertwines her fingers with mine.

"When I was alive, I was blind, wasn't I? Maybe it was for the best."

I lost my words. She lost her sight because of me. How could she possibly say such a thing when she had lost her sight because of me?

"If I had been able to see you, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to bake the dumplings well. If someone looked at me like that...what kind of girl would be able to bake well? I would be too embarrassed to face you."

I felt out of sorts, but at the same time, I was filled with a bitter love for her.

("Good morning, you're the first one today, aren't you?")

I didn't want to be a man who hurt her. So we said hello and talked about the weather, and that's it. I climbed the stairs while eating the dumplings that had been grilled for me, and then looked back and sighed.

Even when I think back on it now, I do have feelings for her then.

“But I can see no other woman but you.”

“But… Stop… Don’t look at me.”

I put my finger on her button while she shyly muttered. I want to monopolize her, fueled by the fact that she wants to monopolize me back. I want to go all out.

"I'll say it again. I'm really happy with this couple's glass. I'll use it with care, and I want to drink with you soon."

"But you're going to unbutton me, aren't you?"

"I'll feel happy when I start drinking, so I'm going to get drunk."

"You're not that weak, are you?"

I didn't want to say that it's different when she’s around. Sorry that I’m a man who hides his emotions but I’m very excited right now.

Especially seeing her standing next to me holding a glass and smiling, it would be enough to get me intoxicated. I’m too happy.

"But if you insist on drinking from the glass first... I'll stop."

I bite her ear, which is slightly reddening, and pull off her blouse.

“Y-you’re not matching your words to your actions!”

“Please tolerate me~”

“Geez…”

I slip off the thin fabric and drop my lips to her shoulder. I kiss her again and again, her dark hair scattered on my skin.