To really see this world, huh?
Anya used to think life was just this dull, repeating day after day, with little to look forward to for tomorrow.
But Iris’s arrival seemed to have truly changed her. Even though it had only been a few days, for the first time, Anya had tasted what it meant to be “fun.”
That vibrant feeling was something she’d never experienced before.
“Little Anya, since I’m the System bound to you, of course I need to give you tasks. Listen closely, your first task is to live happily! Put aside those heavy burdens that are suffocating you, at least for now!” Iris stepped forward, smiling gently at Anya.
Staring into those azure eyes brimming with laughter, Anya found herself entranced, her breath catching a half-beat behind.
“All right, all right, time to go home, little Anya. I don’t really like nagging others anyway. I had a lot of fun today. Thank you, little Anya.” Iris giggled, turned away, and disappeared right before Anya’s eyes.
Seeing the White Furred Ball vanish, Anya couldn’t help but touch her chest, feeling the pounding acceleration of her heartbeat.
After a moment, Anya returned to the Auckland Family’s mansion. The house was still as cold and empty as ever.
Her father was probably busy again with Northern Border affairs and wouldn’t be back tonight.
She was used to this, as it had always been this way. But today was actually rather pleasant—she’d spent most of the day wandering outside with Iris, and she was satisfied.
“Why is it so dark?” As soon as she walked into the hall, Anya frowned.
Compared to usual, the lighting was much dimmer. Stranger still, the hall that was usually bustling with people was now empty, not a soul in sight.
“Miss Anya, happy birthday!”
Yisha’s voice suddenly sounded from behind her, quickly followed by a chorus of maids echoing her.
Anya spun around and saw several maids carrying a big cake. Leading them, Yisha was holding an unopened gift box, her face adorned with a soft smile.
Anya froze, taking a while to process what was happening, her voice carrying a hint of confusion: “Yisha, you guys… There’s no need for such a big cake, we definitely won’t finish it.”
“It was the master’s special instruction. He said you must have a proper birthday celebration.” Yisha scratched her head and handed over the gift box. “It’s a pity Miss Meidi couldn’t return home today. Otherwise, there’d be another person here to make it livelier for you.”
Anya accepted the gift, looking at the smiling faces of the maids, and softly said, “Thank you, all of you.”
Maybe it was Iris’s words earlier that had worked their magic, but suddenly, Anya felt her sadness lighten. At least at this moment, she wasn’t alone.
“Miss Anya, come make a wish and blow out the candles!” The maids set the cake on the table, and Yisha called her over with a smile.
“All right.”
As Anya approached, the candles were already lit, and the gentle Birthday Song began to play in the hall.
She stood before the cake, palms pressed together, and closed her eyes.
In previous years, making a Wish was just going through the motions.
She never knew what she wanted, nor did she have much to hope for.
But this year, a thought unexpectedly rose up in her heart, clear and undeniable, even to her own surprise.
I hope Iris can always stay with me.
She finished her Wish, opened her eyes, and blew out all the candles in one breath.
Behind her, the maids immediately applauded. The sound echoed especially loudly in the quiet hall.
“Congratulations, Miss Anya, on turning seventeen!” Yisha said with a smile. “Yisha wishes you happiness every day from now on!”
The other maids quickly followed with their blessings, their voices full of sincerity.
“Open your gift, Miss Anya. Yisha picked it out with great care.” Yisha smiled gently, gesturing for Anya to open the present in her hands.
Anya unwrapped the gift box to find a brand-new Stuffed Bear inside. It was fluffy and soft, far more delicate than the worn-out bear she kept on her bed.
“Every time I clean your room, I see that bear on your bed is almost falling apart.” Yisha blushed. “So I thought you should have a new one.”
“Thank you, Yisha.” Anya was taken aback for a moment, then spoke in a choked voice.
After eating the cake, Anya returned to her room.
This birthday was livelier than any before, and with no cousin there to make snide remarks. She should have felt happy, but somehow her heart felt strangely empty, like something was missing.
Hugging the Stuffed Bear Yisha gave her, Anya lay on her bed and held it up in front of her, staring at it for a long time before muttering quietly, “Iris… she probably doesn’t know it’s my birthday today, right?”
Anya set the Stuffed Bear carefully on her bedside, sighed, and said, “I guess I’ll read some Comics before sleeping.”
She got up and took the unfinished Comic from the bookshelf, opening it slowly.
Suddenly, a silver-white magical glow burst in front of her eyes. Anya was momentarily blinded by the flash, and in the next second, she found herself stepping into a soft space strewn with stars.
It felt like she was standing on fluffy cotton, even the air around her was warm and gentle.
Once her eyes adjusted, she saw the familiar White Furred Ball standing not far away.
“Good evening, little Anya~” Iris waved at her, walking over briskly.
“This is my System Space. You can think of it as my home. It’s the first time I’ve let anyone else in.” Iris explained as she took Anya’s small hand.
When she let go, she smiled with her eyes. “Looks like I was right. Here, I can really touch you.”
Anya gazed at the smile so close before her, and the tips of her ears turned faintly red.
Her cheeks flushed a soft peach color, the warmth of Iris’s palm still lingering on her hand.
“Look at you, always pretending to be so serious when you’re clearly capable of being shy. Isn’t that boring?”
Iris grinned and poked Anya’s cheek with a fingertip, the soft touch making Anya shrink her neck on reflex.
“Iris, why did you suddenly bring me here? Is something the matter?” Anya steadied herself, avoiding the teasing, her tone carrying a trace of curiosity.
“What else? Of course I want to show you the result of my hard work all night!” Iris grabbed her hand again, leading her deeper into the space. “Come with me~”
After letting go, Iris stood in front of her and snapped her fingers crisply. “You’ve never seen Fireworks before, have you? Today, I’ll open your eyes.”
As soon as the words fell, a sharp crack sounded from the star-strewn sky.
Immediately, ribbons of color streaked through the night.
Fireworks bloomed one after another—red like clouds at dusk, pink like mist, blue like light from the deep sea, dazzling to the point she couldn’t look away.
Anya first held her breath in shock, then looked up. Her eyes were filled with the light and shadows of Fireworks, sparkling as if they contained the whole sky.
“Come sit and watch!”
Following the voice, Anya saw Iris sitting on a bed as fluffy as a cloud, beckoning her over enthusiastically.
Anya went over and sat down gently. Immediately, a gentle gardenia fragrance wafted to her nose.
This must be Iris’s scent, gentle and clean, making her feel inexplicably at ease.
“Why are you looking at me? Watch the Fireworks, I worked so hard preparing them just for you!”
Seeing Anya still staring at her, Iris pouted and pointed at the Fireworks in the sky.
Only then did Anya look away and gaze at the sky again. After all her years in the Northern Border, she had never seen such a brilliant and spectacular sight. Before long, she was completely entranced.
“The main act has to make a grand entrance, don’t you think? I really didn’t waste my night’s effort.”
Iris puffed out her cheeks exaggeratedly, then turned to her with sincerity in her eyes. “I heard you muttering about me just now. Actually, when you spoke with your father yesterday, I knew today was your birthday. That’s why I prepared this grand Fireworks display.”
The explosions of Fireworks boomed around them, Iris’s voice warm and soft as it passed through the brilliant sound to land in Anya’s ear: “Little Anya, happy birthday!”