Kokomi's
B-Day Bash!
A "Choose-Your-Own Adventure" minigame made by @dracaenazine on Twitter!
How will we celebrate Her Excellency's birthday this year?
You notice that the atmosphere seems a little livelier today.
Perhaps it's the chatter in the air, the new warmth in the breeze, the freshness in the water, but Watatsumi Island and all its inhabitants are buzzing with newfound energy.
You're back from a mission, reporting directly to a fellow commanding officer on the status of foreign troops in the territory, when you overhear some discussion between footsoldiers.
"Her Excellency's birthday is today," one says with an excited look about his face, "I can't believe it! I can finally give her the present I bought."
"What did you get her?" the other asks, an equally excited expression donning his features.
"I imported some seashell macarons from Fontaine. General Gorou always talks about how much Her Excellency likes sweets."
They share a laugh, but a sudden feeling of dread creeps down your neck.
Wait... Kokomi's birthday is today?
"Traveler..." Paimon says slowly, turning towards you, "Did we seriously forget... Kokomi's birthday?"
"I mean I don't remember her ever mentioning it to us?" You pause to think for a moment. "So... technically it's not forgetting?"
"Isn't it polite to know these things though?" she huffs, hands on her hips, "Especially Kokomi! We've gotta pay her back for everything she's done for us!"
You nod in agreement, but a slight frown is quick to tug the edges of your lips downwards.
"But what should we get her?"
"Oh." Paimon stops, pressing her lips firmly together. "I, uh, didn't think that far about it yet."
A moment of silence passes, the only sound between the two of you the rush of a distant waterfall crashing into the rocks below the island.
"Well," you finally say when a minute's gone by, "I have a few ideas. What about..."
"A hairpin?" Paimon inquires, cocking her head to the left, "Isn't that a little cheap? What's she gonna do with a piece'a plastic?"
"No, I mean one of those metal ones we saw in Inazuma City, you know, from the jeweler's shop. I'm pretty sure I spotted a seashell hairpin a week ago."
"Oh! Then why didn't you just say that?" Paimon brightens up and you laugh at her excitement. "Let's go before someone else buys it!"
The streets of Inazuma are bustling-artisans and customers alike filling the space with sound, animating the otherwise quiet evening. From the lanterns, an orange glow lights the cobbled streets, flecks of crimson dancing at their cores while they burn bright.
You approach the jeweler's stand, eyes searching for a gold pin with a pink seashell decoration at the end of it. Many similarly shaped pins with differing lengths line the wall, dazzling ores and metals crafted to resemble tigers, flowers, and the occasional insect.
Just when you think you've found it, you jolt in surprise when Paimon gasps, her small hand pounding at your shoulder.
"Oh! Oh! That one! It's that one!" she shouts, tugging at your sleeve,
"I found it! It's that one!"
A moment of hesitation lapses due to your startled state, but you're quick to recover and start to signal the shopkeep.
But just before you can ask for the hairpin, a feminine voice rings out from behind you:
"I'd like that seashell pin, please."
"Kujou Sara?" Paimon shrieks, "What are you doing here?"
Upon hearing the shrill yelp, the maiden's eyes widen and she stiffens, shoulders tensed. She looks like she'd just been caught with an entire hand in the cookie jar at midnight.
She looks... surprised?
"Traveler?" As steady as her voice may by, her tone holds nothing but genuine shock. "I should ask the same of you."
Your gaze flits to her furrowed brow as you try to process what had just happened. As an adventurer, you're always prepared for the unexpected, but honestly, you never expected to run into Kujou Sara of all people during your outing.
Forget what she's even doing here, why is she asking for the hairpin in the first place? It's not like she's the one with an obsession with all things oceanic.
"Well... it's for," Sara says, looking away, "For Lady Kokomi. Since it's her birthday today." At her straightforward reply, you feel some of the tension melt away, a gentle smile taking the place of your frown.
"I see." You take a step back, exposing the hairpin to Sara. "You can buy it, then. Since it's for Kokomi." An element of delight lingers on her features for a moment before she resumes a neutral expression once more.
"Thank you, Traveler." You swear you catch the smallest of smiles curving her lips upward when you brush past her.
"No problem."
Once you leave the shop, returning back to the streets of Inazuma City, you feel a small hand pat the side of your arm.
"Hm? Paimon, what's up?" Turning to your tiny companion, you find her looking rather irked. "Why are you mad?"
"Why am I mad?" Paimon giggles, a slightly mocking lilt to her voice, "You, uh, you seem to forget that after you gave the pin to Sara, we uh, we DON'T HAVE A GIFT NOW!"
"It's fine!" you try to reason, "We'll get her a nice kimono from Ogura Mio! She's always wearing the same outfit anyways."
"Yeah, because the game made her that way," Paimon mutters, pouting.
"Huh? What was that? Sorry, I couldn't hear you."
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just saying that it was a good idea." You don't think it's what she really said, but drop it for the sake of time.
"Alright! Anyways, to Mio's we go!"
Rushing to the celebration with the wrapped present in hand, you find that, surprisingly, you're right on time for the party.
"Traveler!" Gorou beckons you over to the central pavilion, tail wagging. "Glad you could make it!"
"Happy to be here!" you reply with a smile, handing the bundle in your arms to him, "Must be a really special day for everyone, huh?"
"Definitely! Her Excellency's birthdays are always celebrated by the entire island. We couldn't have made it to where we are without her guidance and faith. I tried starting a petition to make it a state holiday, but Her Excellency vetoed it. Goes to show how humble she is as well!"
Before he can finish spouting praise, you spot a spot of pink emerge from the castle behind the general.
"You think too highly of me, Gorou."
"Your Excellency!" His tail wags more furiously when he sees her. "You're finally here for the ceremony!"
"I couldn't possibly be late to something as important as this." She giggles, the soft wrinkle under her eye accentuating her smile. "And besides, I'm very excited to see what everyone has gotten me. A little fishy told me there might even be some unexpected presents."
As if on cue, gasps ripple through the crowd.
You turn to see what caused the commotion, only to watch as a figure emerges from the back, clad in her usual uniform. A small, rectangular item wrapped in curly ribbon is clutched in one of her hands.
Speak of the devil.
Kokomi smiles at the sight, a touch of relief in her irises.
"I'm glad you could make it, Sara," she says, "It's a pleasure to have you here."
"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for inviting me to your party." She moves forward to hand her present to Kokomi, gingerly passing it to the priestess when she's close enough. "I hope you'll find my gift to be a suitable fit for you.
"There is also a note from Her Excellency attached. It's a part of... her means of reparation."
"Do you mind if I read it now?" Kokomi asks. Sara nods quickly, a gesture of her hand inviting the woman in front of her to indulge herself.
"Please, go ahead."
The priestess, taking the cue, flips the embellished card over and scans its contents.