Versatile: Alternate World

The lively music surrounds the entire place, which signifies the beginning of the party. The people are already enjoying the atmosphere and are now waiting for the program to start. As for me who already have experienced the same party, I didn't have the luxury to enjoy it. I have missed many of the crucial scenes in the past on what happened to Riko so today, I have to make sure I know what will occur here.

A few minutes later, Suhei and Pandora arrived. Pandora is no longer using her wheelchair as she can finally walk around without it. Although she still needed some help from time to time, her rehabilitation is quite working well and the results are tremendous and obvious. The receptionist lead the two on our table as well and we exchange greetings before the two sat down.

Then, the music started to mellow out. The music that was played while we are dining in the past plays in the speakers which means the food is now being given to the guests.

The waiters started roaming carrying food for the guests and one of them arrived at our table, distribute the plates and handed the food that are for us. I kinda hated this kind of food distribution since you are not free to grab whatever food you want to eat and you are limited to the amount of food present on your plate, so whatever you received, then that's it.

We are also handed one bottle of wine as well as the other guests. This wine is the main reason we got drunk so fast in the past timeline. I didn't know that we have such a low alcohol tolerance until we drank the contents so getting drunk after a few sips is something I didn't know until I expected it.

And so, everyone started eating. The mellow music of the party sets the mood for everyone to enjoy the food before the main event begins.

"The food is not completely bad... but it seems my tastebuds are no longer able enjoy much of this. I think I still prefer your cooking, Manato..." Janus swallows the food he was chewing.

"Agreed. I didn't expect that I wouldn't be enjoying food like this anymore. I easily enjoyed this before I joined your house but I think the food you cooked influenced our tastebuds a lot that food from restaurants and catered food just taste okayish nowadays," Rika nodded while still chewing as well.

The others agreed as well, though it is a bit embarrassing to know that everyone likes my cooking that much. It's not that extravagant but for them to like it, perhaps I did it too well.

Soon, the emcee appeared on the makeshift stage and started to begin the program. Based from the looks of it, it seems she was some employee or a high ranking officer of an office job and volunteered to be the Master of Ceremonies in the current show.

"Thank you everyone for joining us in this wonderful occasion of celebrating the birthday of the sole daughter of the Akusabe family. It's quite the joy to see familiar faces of everyone who joined us here. And it seems not only those who are acquaintances of the Akusabe Family are here but also some people that are the closest friends of Miss Akusabe here. Everyone should enjoy the night and listen to the music, as some surprises are being held as well for our birthday girl! Please stay in your seat until then and prepare for the surprises we have prepared for her!"

Riko who was sitting with her family near the stage was shocked by the emcee's announcement that there are several announcements meant for her to celebrate her birthday. Based on the past timeline's memory, there must be something that she didn't like for the incident to occur.

Before the surprises starts, Riko talks to her parents before standing up and heading to our table.  We have one chair vacant which must mean it was on purpose since she wants to talk with us while on the party.

"Happy Birthday, Riko! It's been sometime since your birthday last year go but seeing you hold a party, it's just something we didn't expect," Suhei hugged Riko like a brother and pat her back before congratulating her.

"Thanks brother Suhei. I am glad you and Pandora managed to join me on my celebration!"

Janus is a little bit nervous before but now that Riko sat with us, his usual self returned.

"Yo, Happy Birthday. Seeing how well your birthday party is, its kinda making me jealous of my own birthday celebrations as well." Janus sighed.

"Thanks Janus, but hey, simple celebration like we did during your birthday last month was fun and that should be it. There is no need to make a grand party like this, you shouldn't be jealous to be honest! I prefer that way of celebration instead of parties like this..." Riko clearly shows that she didn't like parties but since its her parent's wishes, she is forced to go along.

"Happy Birthday, Riko-onee chan! You look gorgeous today!" Sora hugged Riko and the latter reciprocates happily as well.

"Hehe, sorry about my sister, Riko-onee chan. She ruffled your clothes but thanks for inviting us in your birthday party," Akira smiled as he ruffled the hair of his sister.

"It's fine, its fine. Also, why are you being formal talking to me? You guys don't need to do that, I just changed clothes but that's it."

Renatta also exchanged greetings with each other although the two didn't interact much as they didn't want to garner attention to others. Pandora also greets her with her own voice as well though she was struggling a bit, she managed to say it and Riko is quite happy.

But as for me, I didn't greet Riko just yet and observed Riko instead. If I didn't experience the past timeline and went into being an adult, reading expressions wouldn't be something I would possess today. Seeing Riko's current state made me a little bit worried.

"Hey, hey. Everyone has greeted Riko but you, Manato. What's going on? Why are you speechless at the moment? In fact, I noticed you are too serious while we are sitting here. It was like you didn't enjoy the atmosphere here, are you alright?" Rika noticed my behaviour was odd so she consulted me on what is happening.

"Riko. I know this is your birthday but... you look tired and stressed. Are you alright?" I immediately asked.

Riko was clearly surprised but she immediately tried to hide it.

"W-what are you saying? It's the same old-" I immediately cut her off in her sentence.

"Don't lie to me, Riko. We are friends for long and I have observed many behaviours of everyone for the past years and you cannot easily hide on me about the state you are currently in. You might be able to fake everyone about it but not me. Tell me, is something currently bothering you?"

Riko was silent for a bit and was about to say something but then, the emcee returned and started the program once again so Riko's response was immediately interrupted.

"Alright everyone! We are now going to begin showing the surprises for our birthday girl today! Seeing this gift made me feel the love the parents have for their one and only girl! Now, presenting the gift from her mother and father! Please show it to everyone!"

Two huge square shaped objects were pushed into the stage, which made me try to recall if something like this happened before but even though we are not drunk during the gift distribution in the past timeline, I didn't remember the gifts of Riko's parents to be two huge square-shaped items. I am quite sure that they gift Riko a position in the company that her father was working at and proudly gave it to Riko which made Riko a little bit disappointed before. But now, this is a different gift entirely and I doubt it was the same in the past timeline.

"Please remove the cover and reveal the gift to everyone!"

As soon as the people who pushed them removed the black curtains that covers the boxes, I couldn't believe my eyes and neither does everyone else in the room.

"Presenting to you, two slave elves are gifted to Riko for her birthday! As the age of magic has progressed, the elves that appeared has finally been in demand now and two of them are currently right in front of us! These two are adept in magic so training Riko in magic with their help will be a tremendous help! Please, come to the stage and say your greetings to your daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Akusabe!"

The two happily went into the stage and gives their greetings to Riko.

"Happy Birthday dear Riko! We present you our gift so that you won't have problems in learning magic. We have money so we easily bought two to aid you in  learning one and I can tell you are pretty excited learning them so I thought this is going to be a very appropriate gift."

But contrary to the expected, Riko angrily burst in anger.

"What the f*ck mom and dad? Are you two insane?! I am so disappointed in the two of you! Free them at once!"