The morning sun filtered softly through the wooden shutters, casting golden rays into the quiet house. Birds chirped outside, and the wind carried the faint scent of blooming flowers from the distant hills. Aizen Arcime stood in the doorway of their rented home, brows furrowed in confusion.
"...Strange," he muttered, scanning the quiet interior.
The house was completely silent—no pitter-patter of little feet, no rustling of pages from Lyra in the study, no humming from the kitchen. Just stillness.
He walked further inside, the wooden floor creaking under his steps. "Did they all go out without me…?"
Aizen scratched his head. His long, midnight-black mane was a bit disheveled from his morning training, and his golden eyes flicked to the window, half-expecting the twins to jump out and yell "Surprise!" But nothing.
He sighed. "Guess I'll go train. Can't slack off now."
Grabbing his sword and stepping back outside, he barely took two steps before—
"SURPRISE!!"
Colorful streamers exploded from the trees above the path, and glittering dust rained down as five figures leapt out from behind the bushes and crates—Lyra, Lina, Mikaela, Theodore, and even the old baker from the village who Aizen occasionally helped chop firewood for.
A large white banner with hand-painted words fluttered above:
"Happy 20th Birthday, Papa Aizen!"
Aizen froze.
"What...?"
Lyra grinned, walking up to him with her arms crossed and eyes shining. "You forgot your own birthday, didn't you?"
Aizen blinked, stunned. "…It's today?"
Theodore nodded excitedly. "Yup! You're twenty now, Papa!"
Mikaela added with a smug grin, "We planned this for a whole week while you were distracted with Lina's sparring lessons. Even I kept the secret, and that's impressive."
Lina held out a handmade flower crown, her cheeks slightly pink. "This is from all of us. I helped make it…"
Aizen took the crown slowly, staring at it like it was the most sacred treasure he'd ever seen.
He swallowed hard. "I didn't think… anyone would remember."
Lyra stepped closer and looked up at him with a teasing smile. "Of course we remembered. You're not just some cold warrior anymore, Aizen. You're family. Our family."
His chest tightened. For a moment, the memory of the burning ruins of his village flickered in his mind… and then faded, drowned out by the laughter around him.
---
Later That Day
The backyard was full of noise and joy. Mikaela and Lina were chasing each other with sticks. Theodore sat beside Lyra, practicing his control over light magic, and Aizen just watched it all with quiet contentment.
They'd prepared a small feast: grilled fish, roasted root vegetables, and a special honey-pork dish that Lyra made just for Aizen—though the pork was slightly over-charred, and Aizen ate it with a straight face anyway.
When night came, they all sat around a small campfire behind the house. The stars were brilliant above, and the moon hung like a silver crown in the sky.
Lina leaned on Aizen's leg, drowsy. "Papa… are we going somewhere soon?"
Aizen looked down at her and gently stroked her hair. "Yeah. One more month here to finish our training. Then… we head out."
"To where?" Theodore asked curiously.
Aizen smiled faintly, golden eyes reflecting the flames. "Wherever fate leads us."
---
End of the Month: Departure Day
Their bags were packed, and the house they called home for nearly a year stood quietly behind them. Lyra looked over her shoulder at it one last time before stepping beside Aizen.
"You ready?"
Aizen nodded. "I am now."
Lina stood between the twins, both holding her small hands. They wore traveling cloaks now, gifted by the village elder, and looked like a proper party of young adventurers.
Mikaela nudged Lyra and whispered, "Let's make sure Papa doesn't forget next year's birthday."
Lyra chuckled. "He won't. Because next year… I'll be baking the cake again. Hopefully without burning it."
Aizen smiled to himself as they began walking down the dirt path leading away from the village. The wind blew gently, carrying the scent of wildflowers and promise.
He turned twenty with people who truly cared for him.
He wasn't just the Black Lion of revenge anymore.
He was a father. A leader. A protector.
And he was no longer walking alone.
---
[End of Chapter 13]