May 28th, late afternoon — Riku was at his house, reclining on the couch when he decided to call Yumi.
The phone rang once, then twice, and she picked up.
"Hey," Riku said, a small smile in his voice. "Do you want to do something fun tomorrow? For my 20th birthday."
Yumi's eyes widened. She was about to call him first—she remembered his birthday but hadn't planned anything yet.
"Yeah, I'd love to," she said softly.
May 29th arrived with clear skies and a warm breeze.
Both of them met outside the Hayashi Clan village, dressed in matching trench coats — his red with the clan logo emblazoned on the back, hers a soft pink with the same emblem. Yumi's cheeks flushed as she adjusted the coat.
"So, why me?" she asked shyly, looking up at him. "Why did you choose me to spend your birthday with?"
Riku's smile deepened. "You've always had my back. You're my best friend. I'd rather spend today with someone important."
Yumi's blush deepened, realizing their bond was more than just friendship to him. But she kept quiet, smiling warmly.
They headed out to a fancy dinner, the place elegantly decorated with soft lighting. Conversation flowed effortlessly as they laughed about their past missions and shared stories from Essence Warrior history.
After dinner, they visited the Essence Warrior History Museum, where exhibits showed legendary battles and heroes of old.
Then, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they strolled through a nearby botanical garden filled with glowing Essence flora.
Throughout the day, their matching necklaces glimmered softly — a constant reminder of their connection.
Later, they checked into a two-room hotel that Riku had reserved — a place far from the busy clan village, giving them a quiet space just for themselves.
As they said goodnight, their smiles lingered in the air like a promise.
The next morning, Riku gently woke Yumi.
"We can go get breakfast now," he said, dressed in casual clothes.
Yumi blinked and smiled, already feeling the warmth of the day.
"Want to ride my dragon?" he asked, grinning.
Her cheeks instantly flushed again. "Yeah, I do."
They soared through the sky on Riku's dragon, the wind whipping around them as they flew to a cozy breakfast spot.
They ate, talked, and laughed — savoring every moment of a simple morning after an unforgettable day.
Back at Yumi's house, they exchanged smiles.
"That was amazing," she said.
"Yeah," Riku agreed, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.
Before she closed the door, Yumi gave Riku a soft hug — then surprised him with a quick kiss on the cheek.
His face tinted a soft red.
As the door shut, Yumi's heart raced with happiness, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
She watched him go, thinking about how much he'd grown since they were kids — not just in strength, but in heart.