It’s not often that Momoka doesn’t get to spend her birthday at home. Six years ago, it was an emergency at the Byoin. Young and eager to prove herself, she pressed her palms against a dying man’s heart and all she wished for that year was to not have her first patient die on the gurney. Two years ago, it was a mission. On their way home, the team got caught in the middle of a rainstorm and took shelter in a cave. Momoka whispered her wishes in front of the campfire as she shivered under a blanket. This year, it was—
.
Well, this year, it was because all her friends weren’t even home at all. Hiroki decided to extend his stay at Tea because he got a new lead at a new species of this plant his was looking into, Yasumi decided to look for her next apprenticeship, Hisakata decided to spend some more time training with his mentor, and Takatsugu decided to follow Hisakata into the mountains. And she doesn’t blame them, of course not, no, not at all, so Momoka’s decided she’d rather spend her birthday in Konoha, alone rather than lonely.
On the streets of the Red Oak District, Momoka takes a stroll with a big red balloon tied around her wrist. It bobs alongside her as she taps her fingers against her hips while she hums a tune to herself. It’s not 'happy birthday to me' because that would just be sad, but it’s something random and cheerful and equally as celebratory. She isn’t sad that she isn’t with her friends and family.
Of course not,
no,
not at all.
The smell of freshly baked bread wafts onto the street and Momoka follows her nose when she enters a small restaurant. It’s a new one, she notes, opened just two weeks ago—she remembers because they ordered a bouquet from her. Her interest is piqued when she's greeted by a large poster that says 'Best Pies in Konoha!'. She enters the shop and looks around for a few seconds before settling on a booth to sit in.
"Hi, yes, a slice of apple pie, please," she says, flashing a bright smile at the server who approaches their table. She slides into the seat, following the server's gaze as they look expectantly at the person in front of her, "And you?"
[MFT]
.
Well, this year, it was because all her friends weren’t even home at all. Hiroki decided to extend his stay at Tea because he got a new lead at a new species of this plant his was looking into, Yasumi decided to look for her next apprenticeship, Hisakata decided to spend some more time training with his mentor, and Takatsugu decided to follow Hisakata into the mountains. And she doesn’t blame them, of course not, no, not at all, so Momoka’s decided she’d rather spend her birthday in Konoha, alone rather than lonely.
On the streets of the Red Oak District, Momoka takes a stroll with a big red balloon tied around her wrist. It bobs alongside her as she taps her fingers against her hips while she hums a tune to herself. It’s not 'happy birthday to me' because that would just be sad, but it’s something random and cheerful and equally as celebratory. She isn’t sad that she isn’t with her friends and family.
Of course not,
no,
not at all.
The smell of freshly baked bread wafts onto the street and Momoka follows her nose when she enters a small restaurant. It’s a new one, she notes, opened just two weeks ago—she remembers because they ordered a bouquet from her. Her interest is piqued when she's greeted by a large poster that says 'Best Pies in Konoha!'. She enters the shop and looks around for a few seconds before settling on a booth to sit in.
"Hi, yes, a slice of apple pie, please," she says, flashing a bright smile at the server who approaches their table. She slides into the seat, following the server's gaze as they look expectantly at the person in front of her, "And you?"
[MFT]