Elisa's home.

Bare walls were now adorned with strings of colorful birthday balloons, and ribbons scattered everywhere thickened the festive air.

A massive birthday cake sat on the living room table, topped with over twenty unlit candles—the party hadn’t started yet.

Beside it, Anna slumped on the sofa, chin propped on one hand, a troubled expression on her face.

“Why hasn’t Manager Lena arrived?”

Nearly all the guests had gathered except for Manager Lena and the three little girls she knew. Everyone waited; Elisa’s friends hid their impatience poorly.

Anna nudged Elisa’s arm. “Text her? Ask what’s keeping her?”

“I did. No reply.”

Elisa stared at her communicator, messages lost in the void. Her worry matched Anna’s. Manager Lena always replied.

“Could she be in danger?” Anna shivered, hugging her shoulders.

Elisa scoffed softly. “Nonsense. She’s with the Hero. What danger could there be?”

“If not danger, did she ditch you?”

“Manager Lena isn’t like that.”

Elisa refused to believe it. So gentle, always thoughtful at the shop—she’d never hurt her like this.

“She must be busy. She’ll come soon.”

Her whisper reached nearby friends. Seeing their hesitant frowns, Mrs. Josephine sat beside her, gripping Elisa’s hand. Her calloused palm rubbed Elisa’s smooth skin.

Something in that touch dimmed Elisa’s mood.

“If Manager Lena’s occupied, let’s start early. Don’t keep your friends waiting,” Mrs. Josephine urged.

The impatient guests seized the opening.

“Yeah, I’ll fall asleep if we wait longer.”

“I’ve got plans later.”

Anna stayed silent, watching Elisa. After a pause, Elisa gave in.

Hands clasped, she silently apologized, then forced a smile. “Let’s begin.”

Surrounded by friends, she lit the candles and donned a birthday hat.

The flickering flames cast the only light, gilding her pale face as she pressed her hands to her chest in prayer.

Before wishing, she glanced at her mother, then closed her eyes.

After blowing out the candles, the party began.

Cake, drinks, fruit—friends laughed, her mother smiled, and Elisa’s lips lifted unconsciously.

But her smile faded at the half-eaten cake on the table.

Her mother had bought this oversized cake after hearing Lena’s group would come. She’d cleared the living room, decorated the walls—all for nothing now.

Elisa pulled out her communicator again. The empty replies deepened her disappointment.

Manager Lena must be busy. An emergency kept her away.

Maybe tomorrow—or late tonight—she’d get an apology message.

*Ha, I’ll pretend to be heartbroken. Make her comfort me properly.*

Smiling faintly, she pocketed the device.

Boom—!

The floor jolted. Blinding light flooded the room. Elisa rushed to the window. Outside, magical flames burst like scattered starlight across the stormy sky.

“What’s happening?”

She gripped the windowsill, gazing up. The magical glow lit her deep eyes like constellations.

Through the rain, a terrifying crimson bird soared, surrounded by Heroes casting spells.

“It’s a monster!” Anna recognized it instantly.

Elisa frowned. “How did a monster get inside the city?”

Vedona had been invaded twice in two months—unheard of before.

“The Heroes have it under control. We’re safe here,” Anna said, leaning against the window. The beast looked cornered, moments from capture or death.

Then she paused. “Hey, Elisa… could Lena be fighting that monster? She knows the Hero, after all.”

Elisa’s dull eyes sparked. She hugged Anna tightly. “Yes! That’s it!”

She turned to her mother. “Mom, they’re battling the monster! They couldn’t leave!”

Mrs. Josephine joined her at the window. She studied Elisa, then smiled gently. “I see. They must be careful.”

Elisa’s excitement vanished. She gripped the sill, staring silently outside.

The monster fell under dazzling magic. The Heroes departed. Night returned to quiet rain.

The party lingered awhile longer, ending as friends said goodbye one by one. Even Anna left, vanishing into the rainy mist with her umbrella.

But until the very end, neither Manager Lena nor the Hero arrived.