Chapter 36：Celebrating My Birthday

[Music Recommendation: "A Sweet Smile" by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST)-available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

"W-why are you crying? What does the card say? Who is it from?" Dad went frantic. He took the small card from my fingers and read it himself. "Ohh… Kai? Is this a guy?"

I nodded. "He's the friend I met while playing online, the one I told you before." I mentioned it to him when I told mom and dad that I have an overseas friend I met online, and that my cell phone bills might go up. "I told him I loved writing… I really do. But I didn't ask for any gift except his phone number so it's easier to reach him rather than always logging in the game. I didn't think he'd send me—this is actually too much."

"It is," Dad agreed, though there was a hint of wariness. I knew what he's thinking before he even said it. "That's very nice and thoughtful of him. But… he's not some old guy hitting on a teenage girl, is he?"

"Of course, not. He definitely doesn't sound like one. And ask Ken. Kai's the top player in Armageddon. He's only 16 like me. Ken mentioned he was featured in an article somewhere, I forgot. But it's true. Apparently, he's some gaming genius." Yes, he told me that way back when he first learned that I was friends with him, at the school cafeteria.

"About that… Honestly, I didn't expect it." Yeah, that's right. It never crossed my mind to think if he was rich or poor. I just knew that he was kind. It didn't matter for me anyway. You don't choose friends based on wealth. It was a matter of personality. Well, at least for me.

Still doubtful, dad asked the question he was probably most eager to ask.

"Is he your boyfriend?" he asked in a higher pitch than normal, careful not to ruin my day, but still asked what he was really curious about.

I chuckled at dad. "To tell you the truth, sometimes I wish he was. I won't mind him as a boyfriend. He's just the type I like—very kind and supportive and funny. Unfortunately, we're only friends."

Dad's eyes widened in shock. I couldn't blame him. His one and only daughter who just turned 16, was now having her first crush—the nightmare of all fathers who loved their daughters too much. I saw him swallow that truth hard. Meanwhile, my younger brother was just laughing at the background, like the cute audience he was.

After a few more discussions, they both went down and I prepared myself. I took a bath faster than I normally would since I was excited to go. It usually takes me an hour to bathe, clothe, and fix my hair but this time, thirty minutes was all it took. I hurried downstairs, carrying my phone and earphones in my pocket and a hoodie on my hand. The morning air was chilly and we'll travel by car so it would be cold until the sun rises. I wanted to bring the laptop with me but I'm afraid I might break it so I'm leaving it on my desk for now.

When I went downstairs, mom greeted me with a happy birthday in an awkward manner. I thanked her in the same manner. Then one of the maids handed me a sandwich and a bottled juice saying dad instructed we don't eat much yet. I took the ham and cheese sandwich with me and went to the car. Dad wasn't on the driver's seat but our family driver instead. That meant I'd get interrogated more along the trip. I better brace myself.

And as my instinct predicted, I did get interrogated along the trip. Good thing my younger brother helped me out saying Kai was also the top player of "War of Legends" and that he was really popular among the gamer's community, something I didn't know as well. He helped me out when I mentioned his IGN or in-game name which was Grim Reaper. It seemed that no other player had that username since he was always the first one to register with that name. It was the same username he used in every game he played. And every game he played, he became the top player. When I heard that, I finally understood why Ken was jealous of me that time. I should introduce him one of these days. I'd been so busy that I forgot to introduce him.

Anyway, we continued with the trip and it took us less than an hour to arrive at our destination which was none other than… the airport? Oh, wow! We're going overseas? That's why dad didn't drive! It was because we're going to the airport! I totally didn't expect that! And we're going to the Land of Fragrant Harbour where Bisneyland was! My favorite theme park! I had never been there in this timeline, but I did once in my past life. I always wanted to go back since it was such a magical place! I felt so thankful to dad that I jumped in joy the moment I realized it. Before boarding the plane, I texted Hora, Ken, and Kai informing them of what happened. I also expressed my huge thanks to Kai for his gift.

After a two and half hours flight, and a few more on the road after that, we finally arrived at the Bisneyland hotel. It was ten o'clock, just the time that the theme park opened. We checked in quickly and just dropped our bags then we set off to the theme park. My younger brother and I were so happy that we were basically running and prancing around. We made sure to ride all there was to ride and visit all places that could be visited. Mom and dad just followed us around. We tried all sorts of foods, especially sweets, and all types of drinks, except alcohol of course. Then, at night, there was a beautiful parade and the whole place was beautifully lit up. It was really such a marvelous and magical place. No wonder so many people loved visiting the place, both young and old.