Chapter 150: 3 Sisters and 1 Dad… Wait
Today was the day.
16th December 2026.
Keiko’s thirty-fifth birthday.
I leaned against the restaurant counter that morning, sighing. Thirty-five. Same as me. Our “official” ages finally aligned.
Half of our lives, we’d spent together. Teenagers, chaos, marriage, kid, now this. Time really did sprint faster than Suzuka on free dessert day.
Too bad I could only manage to take a half-day off from Manna’s Kitchen. The birthday girl herself had the whole day off.
“Why do you take a half-day off, huh, Ryuko?”
Aki poked me with her spatula for the fifth time.
“Because I need to do something,” I answered calmly. For the fifth time.
Suzuka leaned in too, eyes narrowing like a detective. “I don’t believe that. At all.”
“Yeah,” Aki crossed her arms dramatically, “today’s Keiko’s birthday. She took a full day off, and yet you’ve never once taken a half-day before.”
I sighed. Privacy, ladies, ever heard of it?
Still, they weren’t letting up, whispering theories like I was planning a secret affair, a bank robbery, or both.
Finally, I threw in the towel, grabbed my bag, and waved. “Mind your own business, please. Enjoy the rest of your shift. Thanks. Bye.”
I bolted out of there before they chained me to the sink for interrogation.
---
By the time I reached home it was 2 p.m., my heart beating fast with excitement. Gift? Ready. Cake? Waiting. Plan? Family birthday date with Keiko and Rin. Perfect.
When I opened the door, Keiko greeted me with her usual warm smile. Her hair was down today, flowing gently over her shoulders. Even at 35, she was beautiful, in a way that made me wonder if time secretly reversed for her.
“Welcome back. Rin’s still at school,” she said, standing in the living room.
“Yeah. Just another thirty minutes,” I nodded. “So, decided what you want to do today?”
Her lips curved into a playful grin. “I want a family trip to the theme park.”
“Theme park, huh? Got it.” I smiled.
---
At 2:30 p.m. sharp, Rin came bouncing home. We sang the birthday song together, blew candles on the cake, and snapped a few photos that made me tear up inside. Family moments like these felt golden, like tiny treasures I wanted to pocket forever.
Then—off we went to the theme park.
We arrived around 3.30 p.m. “Nice, still got plenty of time. Let’s go!” I said, charging forward like an overenthusiastic child. Keiko laughed, Rin rolled her eyes, and together we entered.
Now, this was the first time we’d ever gone to a theme park as a trio. I didn't know that Rin wasn’t a fan of roller coasters, but seeing her skip every single ride confirmed it.
Naturally, I teased her. “What’s wrong, Rin? Afraid of flying a little?”
She glared at me like she was trying to laser-beam me out of existence.
But karma worked fast. By my second roller coaster ride with Keiko, I was already pale and staggering.
I collapsed on a bench, clutching my stomach. “Urghh…”
That’s when Rin plopped down beside me, smug grin plastered across her face.
“Stop acting tough, Dad. You’re gonna die at this rate.”
I forced a smile, wheezing. “I only did it for Keiko. I didn’t want her to ride alone.”
Rin smirked, arms crossed. “I’m not a fan of theme parks either. I’m just doing this for Mom.”
…Why did that sound like a battle declaration? Who loves Keiko more: Dad or Daughter.
I groaned. “At least try to look more cheerful then. It’s her birthday.”
Rin fell silent, staring ahead. But then her lips twitched—like she was secretly plotting.
Before I could ask, Keiko returned from the restroom, waving apologetically. “Sorry! The line was so long.”
“It’s fine,” I said quickly. “Shall we continue?”
“Mom,” Rin suddenly said with a bright smile, “let’s go to the café. I heard they have amazing pancakes.”
Keiko’s eyes lit up. “Really? That sounds great. Let’s go!” She grabbed Rin’s hand, excitement written all over her face.
I followed behind them, smiling. Rin’s “battle” aside, it warmed me to see her trying to cheer Keiko up in her own way.
---
The café was cozy, pastel-colored, and packed with couples and families. The three of us stepped inside, and the waitress at the counter beamed.
“Welcome! Oh my, three sisters? You’re all so cute and pretty!”
…
…Excuse me?
My soul immediately left my body. Rin’s face twisted into the universal expression of teenage cringe. Keiko just chuckled and played along, bowing politely.
“Yes, thank you. We’ll need a table for three.”
And me? I died inside. Again...
And worst of all—they think Keiko’s the eldest sister. Which makes me what? The clumsy middle child? Or—heaven forbid—the youngest who still needs pocket money?
I swear, if I’m still Ryuko at 70, hunched over with a cane, people will say: ‘Oh wow, three generations of sisters, how lovely!’
And I’ll still be screaming internally, ‘No, lady—I’m a grandpa! A grandpa!!
---
Back to reality.
The waitress, oblivious to my internal suffering, happily seated us. Rin covered her face with her hands. “This is so embarrassing…”
Keiko, however, leaned toward me, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “Should I call you my little sister from now on?”
I froze. “Don’t you dare.”
Rin smirked, “Actually, that sounds perfect. You’re my older sister anyway, Ryuko—everyone already thinks so.”
I groaned, pressing my forehead against the table. “This is mutiny. Absolute mutiny.”
They both laughed. My pain was their entertainment.
Despite the identity crisis, the pancakes were good—fluffy, sweet, topped with strawberries. Keiko fed Rin a bite, then nudged me until I took one too. I pretended to sulk but couldn’t hide my grin.
Watching them smile across the table, I felt something warm spread in my chest. Even if the world thought I was “the sister,” it didn’t matter. As long as the two of them were happy, I could endure the humiliation.
…Still, if anyone else calls me “cute little sister” again, I might just scream.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of rides, games, and laughter. Rin won Keiko a small stuffed rabbit at a booth, and I—after ten failed tries—won her a lopsided duck that looked like it had survived war. Keiko hugged both like they were priceless treasures.
When the sun set, we stood at the park’s entrance, watching the lights flicker on. Keiko squeezed my hand on one side and Rin’s on the other.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice full of warmth. “This was the best birthday.”
Rin smiled, cheeks pink. “Happy birthday, Mom.”
And me? I squeezed her hand tighter and said simply, “Always.”