PB4G: Kat's Khaotic Birthday, Pt. 8

Kitty Kat's Khaotic Birthday Week, Pt. 8
---
July 13, 2032
Daechi. The black marble home of the family Kit.
Inside of her room, dimly lit as it was, Kat lay asleep on her bed. That slumber was soon interrupted by a soft hymn.
"'Bon anniversaire, nos vœux les plus sincères~...'"
She emerged from her sleep. She recognized the voice, and even without her glasses, she could make out that unmistakable purple hair. Without a word, she let her songstress finish.
"'Pour chanter en chœur: 'Bon Anniversaire~!'"
Kat applauded. "Merci, beautiful. Could you hand me my glasses so I can see your radiant face?"
Carrie picked her glasses up from the mantle and handed them to her. "Thank you...way better."
"All the better to enjoy this most wonderful of days: marking your 19th year on this Earth. How are we feeling about it?"
"A lot better than how I was feeling a week ago. I wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear. Now I'm feeling really good, and...well, sad that today's the last day we'll all be in one place for a while."
"So we make tonight all that it can be. Everybody's out making final preparations, your parents included. So, we have some time to relax if you want. Just the two of us."
"Those might be my five favorite words put together. Every second I spend with you is a gift."
"Oh, you. Well, on the subject of gifts..."
Carrie reached down and picked up a delicately-wrapped box. "Please tell me you didn't break the bank for me again." Kat took the box.
"I'll be saving that for our engagement." 
"Whyyyy do you do that to meeeeee." Kat swooned, before composing herself and opening the gift. Under the wrapping was a shoebox. "Uh-oh, I'm sensing one of my favorite things..."
"Heehee~."
She opened the box. "Ooooooh..." She took out and unfolded a black boot. Written down its side in pink stitching was her name, So-yin, in stylized cursive. The second boot was the same.
"I know you love your boots, but they are starting to show their age. And I know how much you enjoy a personal touch."
"Care, I love these...thank you so much!" Kat hugged her. "I know for sure what I'm wearing tonight. Gosh, you spoil me...all of you just..."
Carrie wiped a tear from Kat's eye. "It's alright. I understand."
"I've felt so much love in this last week from so many people, and...I'm gonna let everyone know how much it means. I'm gonna turn into a mess tonight, I just know it...ugh, sorry for being such a crybaby..."
"You're fine. I'm happy that the week's turned around the way it has. You give everyone so much love and attention and you deserve just as much in return." Carrie kissed her. "Now let's get you some breakfast, and then, after that..."
"Cuddles?"
"Whatever the birthday girl desires. My job is to keep you happy until it's time for the festivities."
"All I need is to look into those eyes, and I'm good."
Carrie winked back. "Just for that, I think a massage is in order. See you in a few~."
Kat fell back onto her pillow, a smile of content on her face. "Tonight's gonna be awesome...I already know it."
---
Late afternoon at the Stay Golden lounge. A sign out front made it clear: 'Lounge closed tonight for a private event. We will resume normal hours beginning tomorrow, 14 July.'
And yet, despite this, the establishment had found a way to draw curious attention. The parents of the birthday girl, Wei and Joon, were looking down at something, confused. Across from them were Mini, looking exasperated; Vikram, looking as though he had some explaining to do; Vijay, with a nervous smirk; and Parvati, looking as any embarrassed teenager would, like she would rather be anywhere else.
At their feet was the source of all these reactions: a small, black-and-white bird, with thin yellow crests above its eyes. It looked around with some curiosity.
"Um...Vik?" Wei spoke up.
"I have an explanation--" Vikram responded.
"He has an explanation, alright." Mini shook her head.
"Vikram...when you asked if it would be alright to rent an animal for tonight, I agreed on the assumption that it would be something more...standard?" Joon said.
"Come on, I think he's cute! Who wouldn't want a penguin for their birthday?" Vijay questioned.
"Don't penguins live in the cold? Won't he get, like, heat stroke?" Parvati asked, as the little bird flapped its wings.
"Yo-ho, fam, what's all the--um." Lin arrived, accompanied by Eun.
"Uh...is that what I think it is?" the latter asked.
"I have an explanation!" Vikram repeated.
"Give them the explanation, dear. Please." Mini responded.
"The rental place I called was completely booked except for a couple of critters! So it was either the penguin or a water buffalo! And I don't think I need to explain why the buffalo would've been a bad idea!"
"Wouldn't have been a totally bad idea. Could've had people ride it." Eun interjected.
"I made the suggestion to rent both so the penguin could ride on the buffalo!" Vijay raised his hand.
"Like that was ever gonna work, dummy." Parvati looked through her phone.
"It's irrelevant anyway, they have a one-rental policy--" Vikram pointed out.
"What is this conversation we're having right now?!" Mini questioned.
"I wanna know what kind of rental place even has a penguin. Usually those places offer, I dunno, ponies, y'know, something to ride on." Eun said.
"Well *I* think he's a cutie." Lin bent down and picked up the penguin, holding it as one would a baby. "Oh, he's just a silly little guy, isn't he?"
"His name is Oswald, by the way." Vikram mentioned.
"Alright, well..." Joon tried to keep it together. "If we're going to have...Oswald around, someone needs to keep an eye on him at all times. Make sure no one trips over him, or he eats anything a penguin isn't supposed to. Just take him inside, there's people staring."
"Come on, Ozzie..." Lin went inside.
"Great, she's already got a pet name for him. Next she'll be paying for a stroller." Eun followed her.
Mini walked in with a sigh, while Vikram scratched his head. "All I'm saying is the buffalo might've been more interesting." Vijay said.
"Maybe it could've farted in your face." Parvati responded as she followed.
"You're taking this surprisingly well." Wei said.
"It's the hand we've been dealt, and I've come to accept that our family's life is a miasma of chaos and that things like this are going to happen no matter how carefully I plan. This is *fine*. What we're experiencing right now is *fine*." Joon insisted.
"Would it make you feel better if I told you that you look ravishing in that dress?"
"Wei, please, we're not teenagers, you don't have to compliment me every two minutes."
"I don't think there's an age limit on calling my wife beautiful."
"...do you really still mean it?"
"Moreso now than I did on our first date."
Joon turned and gave him a kiss, then readjusted her glasses. "I love you, you buffoon. Right, now let's make sure Oswald hasn't annihilated our food." She walked inside.
Wei confidently flexed his collar. "Still got the moves, Wei-yin."
As he turned to go inside, his phone rang. He picked it up. "'Yello?"
"Hi, Mr. Wei, it's Ryme."
"Eko's here too, let him know!" another voice chimed in.
"I think he knows already, genius!"
"Is everything okay?" Wei asked.
"Yeah, everything's fine, we just picked up our outfits in Guro. Except..."
"Uh-oh."
"Our Uber just...left? After we told him we'd be right back?"
"With my soda! I wasn't even halfway through it!" Eko griped.
"Not that I'm sad not to hear another story about how he was a lifeguard, then a restauranteur, then an emergency dispatch operator..."
"Ooh, ooh, don't forget that he was a Buddhist monk for like, five weeks!"
"Stay on topic, girls." Wei advised.
"Sorry, sorry." Ryme apologized.
"So...how long do you think it'll take you to get here?"
"Depends on when we can get another Uber. I don't think walking around with our outfits is a good idea."
"Nah, then we'll get all sweaty, and people'll think we're weird, like that guy who kept talking about hyphens..." Eko related.
"Look, I'll--I'll call you an Uber. The quicker we get you two here, the less chance that my wife ends up having an aneurysm. Just sit tight and I'll get you a ride." Wei interjected.
"Thanks, Mr. Wei. See you soon, hopefully." Ryme thanked.
"Thanks, Mr. Wei~!" Eko chimed.
The call ended. "It's just a delay, not the end of the world..." Wei dialed again.
He went back inside not long after. "Everything alright in here?"
"Yes, they're all just...playing with the penguin." Joon replied.
Sitting at a table, Lin had the water bird seated in her lap. "Oh, look at his wittle eyebrows! I can just eat you up~."
"What a serious and dapper gentleman he is." Eun commented.
Oswald, for his part, could only stare around confused.
"So what was keeping you out there?" Joon asked Wei.
"Oh, that was the girls. They've been delayed just a tad." he replied.
"Oh, God." She tensed up.
"Slightly! Their ride left them behind, so I called them another one. They should still get here before So does. Everything's gonna be fine."
"Don't tell me you're freaking out already." Mini put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Everything looks great. The pussycat's going to love it. Don't start panicking. Sit down and relax. Maybe hold the penguin."
"I doubt Lin will let go of it so easily." Joon took a deep breath in, then out. "Okay. Sit down and relax. I can do that."
From behind the stage curtains, Cindy emerged, wearing goggles and overalls. "Okay, your sound system's perfect, your TVs are all synced up and every big and small appliance is functioning at 110%. All set for a night of fun."
"Thanks a bunch, kiddo. That's a few less things for us to worry about." Wei thanked.
Vijay looked right at Cindy, in complete awe. He envisioned sparkles appearing all around her.
"Earth to loser, what's with the starry eyes?" Parvati asked.
"I am audience to a Divine Arbiter given flesh...!" Vijay responded.
"That's a girl in greasy overalls, dude."
Oblivious to her admirer, Cindy's attention had shifted to the black-and-white bird on Lin's lap. "Ahhh, is that a penguin?! Let me see!" She hopped off the stage for a closer look. "Oooh, it's a Snares penguin! These only live in New Zealand, and they're soooo cute! Can I give him a hug?"
"Be my guest. By the by, his name's Oswald." Lin handed the bird over.
"Oooh, Oswald, don't you look so dapper? Such fine feathers you have! You know, black feathers always remind me of..."
"Lady Cynthia?"
The voice couldn't have been who she was thinking. She turned around. "Hugo...?"
"Ms. Cynthia, is everything alright?" Joon asked.
"Uh...yeah, I'm fine. My mind's just playing tricks on me. I had a little birdie with black feathers once, and..." Cindy shook her head. "I'm fine. I should get back to the hotel and get changed." She gave Lin the bird back. "Be back in a few!" She hurried out the door.
"Well, that was odd. Wonder what that was all about." Mini commented.
"The maiden is clearly heartbroken! Vulnerable as a tiger cub! Only one thing could possibly heal her!" Vijay proclaimed.
"Getting as far from you as possible?" Parvati replied.
"(In the name of all that's good, please don't let this...)" Joon observed her niece and nephew bickering, as her eldest daughter held onto a penguin. "(...be the tone setter for the rest of the night.)"
---
About an hour later, the Artisan group had arrived, save for Kat and Carrie.
"Hey, Barbara?" Cindy asked.
"Yeah?" Barbara replied.
"I've been really curious about something. You've got a lot of powers in common with Candy, right?"
"Mmhmm."
"Have you tried talking to any sea animals? Like, say..." Cindy gestured towards the penguin. 
"I don't know if it's such a good idea."
"Why not?"
"I think she means it's not a good idea to try it around..." Kibō looked over towards Sakuya, who was currently holding the penguin.
"If she finds out I can talk to animals like Candice can, then she'll start asking me to talk to seals every chance she gets. Plus, I...honestly haven't even tried yet." Barbara explained.
"Well there's no better time to try." Cindy urged.
With a sigh, Barbara walked over to the bird. "Hi there, little guy! What's your name?"
Barbara expected silence, maybe even a squawk or two. What she didn't expect was--
"'Ey, missy. The name me mum and pops gave me was Scipio Rosenberg Xavier Alphonse XII, but the dingos that hoisted me out of me nest call me 'Oswald' or some shit'." the bird replied in a rather thick New Zealand accent.
Barbara froze up with a smile, not entirely sure what to make of what she'd just heard. "...huh?"
"Is there something the matter, Senpai?" Sakuya asked.
"'Oi, missy, did ya get that? I know I'm talkin' loud enough at ya. Could ya tell Pinky here to loosen her grip? You'd think she was tryin' to choke me to death with how tight she's got me.'" the penguin sounded out.
Barbara had no immediate response. "(Is this what Candice hears when she talks to animals?! She makes it sound like a magical experience! This is more like talking to a Venice Beach surfer bro!)" she thought. "Uhh...nope, everything's totally fine~! Just admiring his feathers. Ahehe..." She turned to walk away. "...oh, and, Saku? You might want to ease up on him a bit. He looks a little uncomfortable."
"Oh! I do beg pardon, Oswald-san. I don't know my own strength sometimes." Sakuya apologized.
Barbara walked back to her previous spot, preferring not to hear whatever response the penguin came up with. "So, did it work?" Cindy asked.
"I'm pleading the fifth." Barbara replied.
"It's a family response." Kibō said.
Still seated, Joon was looking anxious. "Wei."
"Yes, dear?" Wei himself was looking nervous.
"Unless traffic is at an abnormal high, the girls should've been here by now. Could you please call and see what's going on before my hand feels the urge to quake?"
"Y-yeah, on it." Wei stepped aside to dial his phone. "Girls?"
"Hey, Mr. Wei." Ryme answered. The sisters were still in the back seat of a car.
"Hey, uh...you guys close by? We're starting to push for time here..."
"I...don't know. We had to take a detour. They were filming something in the middle of the road."
"They were dancing and singing and jumping all around! I think it was one of those medicine commercials!" Eko chimed in.
"So where are you now?" Wei questioned, nervous.
"Um...you see any landmarks, sis?" Ryme asked.
Eko looked out the window. "Uh...does Gyeongdong Market count?"
"Did I just hear 'Gyeongdong Market'? That's all the way across the bridge! Ugh, at least it's not that far off..."
Ryme's attention was diverted by the driver. "Oh, um...Mr. Wei? The driver says he's got a really bad stomachache and needs to stop for some herbs..."
"Seriously?!" Wei turned back to Joon to ensure she wasn't looking, then regained his composure. "Alright, I'm nipping any more shenanigans in the bud. You girls just wait by the market, I'll send someone to come get you. Probably should've done that to begin with."
"You want any herbs, Mr. Wei? You sound reaaaaally stressed right now." Eko asked.
"I'll be alright, just...sit tight." Wei hung up, then let out a breath. 
"Well?" asked a tense Joon.
"So..."
"Oh God."
"I didn't even say anything!"
"Your body language is screaming it. It's going downhill. I can feel my hair graying in real-time."
"Settle! They had to take a detour. I'm gonna send someone to go pick them up. There won't be any problems after that."
"Well send someone that can do it the quickest. Another delay might send me over the edge."
"Right, the quickest. I'll ask around and see who fits the bill."
Wei first approached Max and Ibuki. "Hey, kiddos."
"Howdy there, Mr. Kit. Anything we can help you with?" Max asked.
"Yeah, so, we've got a bit of an issue on our hands. The act we got to perform tonight is stuck up in Dongdaemun, and we need them here pronto."
"Uh-oh. You want one of us to go fetch 'em?" Ibuki asked.
"I hate to ask, I'd do it myself, but between coordinating and trying to keep my wife off of the edge, I need to stay here. It's only a couple of districts up, so it shouldn't take long. Know anyone who can do it quick and easy?"
"Well, when it comes to driving, the fastest one would be--" Max began.
"Maxie, no!" Ibuki interjected. "There's too many people around, you want someone to die?!"
"You said he didn't hit anyone on that bus ride."
"Yeah, sure, but--"
"You want to fill me in on who you're talking about?" Wei asked.
"Him!" Ibuki pointed at Kibō, standing around unassumingly.
"Wait, him? No offense, but he's always come across as the most normal of your bunch. Is he really that bad of a driver?"
"You've met his mom, haven't you?" Max asked.
"Oh, Kyoko, right? Yeah, she can be a little...intense, but I don't get that vibe from him."
"He saves it for whenever he gets behind the wheel. Last year he drove our bus from Tulsa to New Orleans in about seven hours. Normally it takes ten." Ibuki informed.
"Oh, geez. Well from here to the market and back would take no time at all. But I don't know if I should risk it, especially with my own car..."
"I can go with and make sure he doesn't cause a wreck." Max said.
"Maxiiiiie, don't...how many hospital visits do we have to make?" Ibuki asked.
"You want it done quick, Mr. Wei? He's the guy you want."
Wei contemplated what should be done.
Minutes later, he was outside, in front of a new-looking black car. There with him was Max. And Kibō. "I'm gonna give you the keys, alright? I literally just bought this car two weeks ago. I don't want to see any scratches."
"Yes, sir. I'll get it back in one piece." Kibō assured.
"(Whether or not everyone in it comes back in one piece is another story.)" Max thought.
"Quick and easy, alright? If we're lucky, you'll get them here before So shows up. Now if you'll excuse me, my wife's shoulders are in need of massaging." Wei walked back in.
"Been there." Max looked at Kibō, who was looking at him funny. "What?"
"TMI." Kibō replied.
"Oh come on, we're all a bunch of affectionate saps. Why even hide it?"
"Because in my case, it's your sister?"
"...yeah, okay, fair enough. Let's go get this over with." 
Max got into the passenger seat, Kibō getting into the driver's side. "Alright, leather seats. Not bad, Golden Man." Max commented. "Alright, ready to...Keeb?"
In his seat, Kibō's eyes were in shadow, an ominous grin on his face. "Hmhmhmhm...tell me something."
"Keeb...?"
Kibō looked up, his eyes revealing a swirling madness as his grin widened. "Have you ever been so happy you felt like you were dying?"
"Wha--?!"
"Hahahaha...it smells fresh out of the factory. Let's see what I can do with this..."
His eyes flared up. "GRAY SUNRISE...OVERDRIVE!"
He hit the gas pedal, and the car zoomed off.
Pressed against his seat as Kibō dodged traffic, Max tried reaching for the steering wheel. "Give me the wheel, Keeb, GIVE ME THE WHEEL!"
"Good...good...! The ecstasy one only feels when on the verge of extinction...!" Kibō ignored the attempts.
"YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND! Slow the hell down, man...we're hitting Ludicrous Speed here!"
"Hahaha...hahahaha..."
"OH GOD WE'RE GOING TO PLAID, AAAAAH--"
What a sight to behold for anyone passing through the Yeongdong Bridge, connecting Gangnam with Seongdong, as the shiny black vehicle zoomed past.
---
Back at the lounge, Rin's party arrived. "Hello, all. Is...everything alright?" she asked at the sight of the stressed parents and one very inconspicuous polar bird.
"Hello, Professor Kubo. Dr. Wolfe. Things are wonderful." Joon replied.
"So I see..." Rose watched as the penguin waddled around.
Joon got up. "I need to get my mind back in order. Professor, this is my sister, Min-li. Mini, this is--"
"The famous Professor Kubo, I'm guessing. So-yin talks about you so much, I could tell immediately." Mini shook Rin's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine. Kat's told me all about you and your literary efforts." Rin replied. "Lovebug, this is Kat's aunt. She wrote the book you're always reading with Kat."
"Hi." Shizuka waved.
"Hello, little one. So you like 'The Captain and the Cat Thief', do you?" Mini asked.
"Uh-huh. Kitty Kat reads it to me before bed."
"So you must know it pretty well. What's your favorite part of it?"
"I like the drawings."
"I'm happy to hear that! I did the drawings, too."
"Shizuka loves drawing when she's at home. She says she wants to have drawings as good as the ones in the book." Rin said.
"Is that right?" Mini's eyes got starry. "I happen to have some art books my daughter had when she was younger that teach kids the basics. If she's alright with it, I'd love to pass it along to your little one."
"That would be wonderful! Would you like that, lovebug?"
"Uh-huh." Shizuka nodded.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Song-Patel. It's very generous of you."
"Don't worry about it. Better to give interests their proper care early, know what I mean?" Mini replied.
"Oh, I couldn't agree more. My entire teaching philosophy focuses on individual talents. As a fellow bookworm, I'd love to pick your brain a bit..."
"Unbelievable. It only ever takes her a minute." Rose observed.
"Hello!" Vikram popped up to greet her.
"Um...hello."
"This is my brother-in-law, Vikram, Dr. Wolfe. An exceedingly friendly sort." Joon introduced.
"Charmed. You are the proprietor of the Indian goods store, yes?"
"The one and only!" Vikram confirmed.
"I've had some of your Chai. A very soothing texture. I'm a tea enthusiast, so I love experiencing more flavors."
"It's like magic in a bag. Perfect for when you're a bundle of nerves like my sister-in-law."
"I am not a bundle of nerves." Joon denied.
"Have you seen yourself the last few days?"
"I've been anxious, not nervous. There's a difference."
"If I may..." Rose interjected. "As for myself, I--"
"Wait, don't tell me." Vikram did his psychic routine. "You're the therapist with the Eyes of Truth."
"The Eyes of...what?"
"That piercing gaze that can see into one's soul. Like a cat watching your every move. It's as if you're unmaking me just by looking."
"Ah...quite."
"There, see, just like that! Where did you come from that gave you such a golden stare?"
"Canada."
Suddenly, the door opened.
"We're back. Crisis averted." Kibō announced.
Ryme and Eko both walked in, their hair frazzled and with faces in shock. "That...was..." the former began.
"Totally WICKED!" Eko finished. "Can we do that again?!"
"Please, no!"
"Where's Max?" Barbara asked.
Outside, the car was back in the parking space, completely unscathed. Max, on the other hand, was facedown on the pavement.
"Holy crap, is he dead?!" Sahir questioned.
"You dumbass! I warned you, didn't I?!" Ibuki questioned.
".....I saw things, man." Max finally uttered.
"Oh thank goodness, he's alive! I started having some bad flashbacks there..." Cindy exhaled.
"Up and at 'em, buddy boy. Let's get you inside." Sahir hoisted Max up.
"I swore I'd never drink, but your boyfriend's pushing me, Barb." he uttered.
"Ugh, what did you do, Keeb?!" Barbara demanded.
"I just drove. I think he's being dramatic." Kibō replied.
"I'd kick your ass right here and now if I wasn't catatonic." Max uttered.
"But did you die?"
The youths went inside as Wei inspected his car. "Ha...what a family you got for yourself, kitten..."
---
About half an hour later, Carrie arrived outside the lounge, and took a look through the door. "Looks like everyone's already here. Best not to keep them waiting."
Kat walked up next to her, wearing a pink-and-black half-dress that reached up to just above her belly button, along with a matching skirt and the boots Carrie had gifted her. Pink armbands adorned both of her wrists. "Do they look like they're having fun?"
"It certainly looks lively in there. All that's missing is the guest of honor." Carrie giggled. "Even now, you're more worried about everyone else. Today of all days."
"You know me, Care. I can't have fun if someone else isn't."
"You have nothing to worry about, Kitten. It's going to be wonderful. Come along." Carrie grabbed Kat by the hand, taking her inside as she blushed. "Hello, everyone, I've brought the star of tonight's proceedings!"
"Heeeey, fam, fancy seeing you all here!" Kat greeted.
"There's my little heartbreaker!" Wei got up and tightly embraced her.
"Watch how much you're squeezing, Pops, I'm not a bottle of hot sauce!"
"You're sure spicy enough to be one." Lin commented.
"So what's that make you, a fresh plate of kimchi?" 
"C'mere, you little..." Lin hugged her sister. "You're looking fab. I'm obsessed with those boots."
"Good for me that you can't swipe 'em. They've got my name written front and center."
"I wouldn't dream of it. They're perfect for you. And they might go perfect with what I got ya." Lin winked.
"Ooh, boy."
"So-yin." Joon spoke up.
"Hi, Mom." Kat hugged her. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I shouldn't have given up drinking so quickly. The eleventh hour brings the worst stresses."
"Aw, please, it's all in your head. Everything looks perfect to me. Dunno what would get you all...stressed."
Kat caught sight of her friends, all gathered around each other. Max was seated, holding an ice pack on his head. Tabby was now holding the penguin. "Hi, roomie!" Natalia waved, a bit nervous.
"Hi...?" Kat put up her hand. "Mom, why is there a--"
"Ask your uncle." Mini spoke up.
Vikram, eating from a plate of chips, waved. "Hi, pussycat!"
Vijay, eating from the same plate, followed suit. "Hi, cuz!"
Sitting and attached to her phone, Parvati rolled her eyes. "Hey, Kitty Kat."
"In case you're wondering, his name is Scipio Rosen--Oswald. His name is Oswald." Barbara caught herself.
The penguin vocalized, seemingly dissatisfied with her claim.
"Oookaaaay...and what's wrong with you, Sparky?" Kat asked.
"Your dad's got a mean ride, Kitty Kat. Nimble and quick. Dodges traffic easy." Max replied.
"Um, what?"
"Homeboy took a joyride with Kid Thunderbolt and found out." Ibuki clarified.
"You guys exaggerate too much. So I drive a little quick. I've never gotten into an accident. Never even gotten a speeding ticket." Kibō retorted.
"Perhaps it's because you blaze by so quickly, the police think it's the wind." Kenneth suggested.
"If my life wasn't flashing before my eyes for like the 7th time this year, I would've given you the boot before we even got to the bridge." Max stated.
"You couldn't do it in the swamp, you wouldn't have done it now, either." Kibō retorted.
"I was whooping you before Barb stepped in."
"Not how I remember it."
"Bro, you would've been alligator food if my sister hadn't shown up when she did."
"Keep thinking that if it makes you feel better."
"Girls, girls, you're both VERY pretty!" Sahir stepped in. "Now, not as pretty as *me*, mind you..."
"Shut up, Sahir!" Max and Kibō both ordered.
"Guys, come on, no fighting now, of all times." Barbara interjected. "Keeb, can you please just admit that your driving might be a *teensy* bit chaotic for most of us?"
"I wasn't even driving that fast." Kibō denied.
"Keeeeeb." Barbara gave him a stern look.
"Tch...fine. Sorry I was a little speedy."
"Good enough. And Maxie?"
"Yes, Mom Two?" Max replied.
"I know you've had a stressful year--I mean, stressful for our standards--but I think the last thing anyone needs is you getting into a fight with my boyfriend in the middle of our best friend's birthday party. Can you please keep it cool?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm cool. I'm cool. I'm John Wick cool."
"Is that before or after he wipes out an entire nightclub?" Sakuya questioned.
As the banter continued, Kat felt someone poking her shoulder. "Got a second, Ms. Popularity?" Eun asked.
"Oh, hey, Eun. Didn't see you there." Kat replied.
"Stepped aside for a minute. I actually got a call from someone who wanted to say happy birthday." Eun looked to her phone screen. "You decent, bro?"
"Military-appropriate as is required, Euni." replied a mild-sounding male voice.
"All yours, kitten." Eun handed Kat the phone.
On the screen, inside a faintly lit barracks was an unassuming young man with neatly kept black hair and glasses. His arms were covered by long sleeves, and closer inspection would reveal holes for piercings in his ears. "Evening, So-yin. Hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"Oh hi, Hyun. I'm just dandy. I can already feel my bones creaking." Kat replied.
"Ha ha, I bet. That ripe old age of 19. It's all downhill from here."
Suddenly, Lin rose up from behind Kat, looking over her shoulder. "Hiiiiii, Hyunie, how ya dooooiiiiing~?"
"Hi, Linnie, I'm doing great. Wishing I was there with you and that fabulous dress you've got on."
"Ohhh, you charmer, you..." Lin's eyes took on a glow.
"Try not to drool on me, please." Kat uttered.
The rest of the group looked on. "*That* is the Snake Queen's boyfriend?" Sahir questioned.
"Not at all what I would've expected." Kenneth said.
"I know he's in the military now, but I would've expected someone a lot more...wild, I guess?" Barbara added.
"He's got tats under those sleeves, and the army doesn't permit studs in your ears. Or hair past your shoulders. But even then, my brother's always been a softie." Eun explained.
"Not who I would've pegged to wind up with our former Viper, but opposites attract, and all that." Max replied.
"I think it's cute. Good for her to have a nice influence. Makes it less likely she'll get socked in the face again." Ibuki added.
"So, got less than a year til you're allowed to grow those locks back out, eh?" Kat asked, as an amorous Lin remained looming over her shoulder.
"Ha ha, yeah. I might keep it a little shorter, though. It's been a lot less to manage." Hyun scratched his head.
"And it'll be a lot less to bitey-bitey." Lin chimed.
"Pleeeeease not so close to my ear." Kat complained.
"Anyway, sorry again for not being there in person. Schedule really hasn't been accommodating to being able to leave." Hyun said.
"Don't worry about it, dude. Just calling means a ton. It's this one who's losing her mind." Kat replied. 
"I can't help it! Being alone in that apartment sucks!" Lin exclaimed.
"Here, here." Cindy, overhearing, mumbled to herself.
"I know, and I'm sorry for all that, Linnie. But hey, I'm already a third of the way done with my term. I'll be back in time to be at your sister's next birthday." Hyun said.
"Ugggh, my next birthday..." Kat grumbled.
"The big 2-0! Gonna be a crusty old hag like me! We can have it at the apartment. Our clean, organized, suitably-occupied apartment." Lin teased her.
"Aw, look at you using big words, maybe we can work on talking in complete sentences next."
"Alright ladies, back to your corners." Hyun signaled for a 'time-out'. He appeared to hear something from farther away. "Alright, it's lights-out time for me. Happy birthday again, So-yin. Don't go too crazy on the cake."
"I'll mail ya some." Kat joked. "Thanks, big guy. Stay safe up there."
Lin squeezed into frame. "I'm gonna buy a ticket and come up there soon, okay?! I'm getting a cuddle and a bitey-bitey one way or the other!"
"I don't know if command would allow, heh, bitey-bitey inside the barracks, but maybe if I ask really nicely..." Hyun replied.
"Then call it a date! Be safe up there, handsome! Love youuuuuu!"
"Love you, Linnie. Be good." The call ended.
"Oooooh~." Lin swooned. Then, a snicker to her side.
"'Oh, Hyunie, you absolute Chaaaad, please have my babies~!'" Kat teased.
"You've got no room to talk! 'Oh, Care, my beautiful French fry, please step on me~!'"
"I-I do not sound like that!"
"'Oh, Care, this spot on my back's hard to reach, could you take this sponge and--'"
"Shut up shut up SHUT UP!" Kat became flustered. "Care, that's not how I talk, right? Right, Care?"
Carrie, averting her eyes, was blushing. "N-no, Kitten, not at all."
"Haaa, I think a certain heiress just had a dirty thought." Lin smirked.
"I will shove you down the toilet if you don't zip that yap!" Kat griped.
As the sisters playfully argued, and with everyone's attention diverted, Oswald the penguin slipped away unnoticed. He waddled behind the stage, and came across a set of wires attached to the wall. Hopping onto some adjacent crates, the curious bird took one look at a purple wire plugged into the wall, and his animal instincts drove him to put his beak around it, and pull.
In an instant, the entire bar was plunged into darkness.
"Whoa whoa whoa, who stole the lights?!" Sahir questioned.
"Oh no, is this an ambush?! I'm expecting a spotlight to drop down and reveal the villain!" Tabby exclaimed.
"Alright, everyone calm down! It's probably a fuse." Wei called out.
"I made sure everything was fine earlier..." Cindy said. "I'll go check it out." She turned on her phone's flashlight. As soon as she did so, someone appeared behind her.
"Hello, fair maiden! Art thou in need of protection?" Vijay asked.
"AHH! Oh, um, hi...no, I, I don't need protection, thank you. I'm just going to the back..."
"The sinister villain behind this outage could be back there, you never know."
"Really, I'm fine, I can protect myself."
Behind the would-be admirer, someone else appeared. "I've come for your pickles." Max said ominously.
"YIIIIIKES!" Vijay fled. 
"Thanks, Maxie." Cindy said.
"Anytime, 'cuz'." Max retreated to the darkness.
"Wei." Joon said a distance away.
"Yes, Joon?" Wei responded.
"It's happening. What I feared is happening."
"Keep the blood pressure down, it's an easy fix. I bet it was just something getting unplugged."
"Or maybe it's a citywide power outage and the whole plan is collapsing before my eyes."
"I highly doubt that. Number one, you can't see anything. Don't go nuclear on me. It's nothing a shoulder massage can't fix."
"Ugh..." Joon waited a moment. "...alright, I'm waiting."
"I'm giving you the massage right now."
"No you aren't."
"Well I'm giving it to *somebody*."
"Um, Mr. Kit, I'm kinda flattered, but I'm not on the market to be a trophy wife." Eun spoke.
"Oh jeez! Sorry, Eun! Please don't tell your brother!"
"Nah, I'm just messing with you. Sorry, couldn't resist."
"Then who--"
"I must say, in your heyday most girls would be clamoring for this opportunity. How fascinating that it would be me instead." Kenneth spoke.
"CRAP!"
"I'm going to have a stroke." Joon uttered.
Back with the Artisans...
"Whoever's resting their hand on my ass, you're gonna have a *real* bad time when the lights come back on." Ibuki said.
"Sahir-kun." Sakuya spoke.
"Why does everyone assume it's me?!" Sahir questioned.
"Well it's obviously not me." Kibō said.
"It's probably Maxie!"
"Why would I wait until it's dark to cop a feel of my own girlfriend?" Max questioned.
"That's a loaded question, Sparky." Kat replied.
"Alright, buddy, whoever's messing around, you're gonna get an earful..." Ibuki turned on her phone's light. As soon as she did so, she could see the black-and-white water bird fondling through her pants pocket. "GAAAH!"
The shock caused her to fall out of her seat as everything went dark again.
Backstage, Cindy looked for the electrical outlet. "It was right around here..."
"Finally, light!"
Cindy turned to see Ryme and Eko, now in full costume. "It feels like we've been in darkness forever!" the latter exclaimed.
"Sis, it's been dark for two minutes." Ryme uttered.
"Oh, you two look so cute! I'm a sucker for pop acts of any kind..." Cindy said. "Sorry, gotta keep focus."
She looked around, locating the outlet. "Aha, here we go." She plugged the cable back in, and the lights slowly came back on.
"Oh, thank goodness." Joon uttered.
"Now you can put the whiskey away." Mini said.
"Alright, everything's good. One of the cables was unplugged." Cindy emerged.
"And I've got a pretty good idea who the culprit was." Ibuki stared down the penguin.
Oswald, for his part, merely cocked his head, none the wiser.
---
As the party continued on with no further penguin-related incidents, Kat approached the twin performers. "Hey, ladies. Got a sec?"
"Hi, girl of the hour! Sure, we've got plenty!" Eko exclaimed.
"Cool, so, I'm amped to hear you guys perform and all, but...could you give me a few minutes before to grab the mic and...say a few things?"
"What the birthday girl wants, she gets. On one condition." Ryme replied.
"Uh-oh."
"We heard from Mr. Wei that you've got a bit of rhythm to you, yourself. So..."
"*Uh-oh*."
"Just one song! We could do one of our dads' old hits. C'mon, it'll be fun."
"Well...my dad does like whenever I sing one of his songs, so...I guess I can do that."
"Yippee! If it goes well enough, we can be a trio! Would we be '3shots', then?" Eko questioned.
"Let's not push it."
A moment later, Kat appeared from backstage, and took hold of a microphone. "Hear ye, hear ye, can I get everyone's attention, please?"
"Testify, Preacher Kit." Max joked. 
"Okay, so..." Kat fidgeted. "How's everyone doing? Having a good time?"
Affirmation from the crowd.
"Okay, good. I'm glad. I've been...lying awake, afraid about how this week was gonna go. Cuz I guess being paranoid about stuff going wrong just runs in the family. So I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank everyone for picking me up. This week, and since...forever."
Kat let out a breath. "I swear I had stuff prepared, but guess I'm gonna wing it. I'm gonna start with...the Lady in Red."
"Heh, hi." Rin waved.
"I'll get the tissues ready." Rose commented.
"You know, when I was little, teachers would always ask 'what do you want to be when you grow up'. Back then I didn't have a real answer. If I'd had Professor Kubo around, I would've just penciled her name in." Kat began.
"Aww." Rin uttered.
"Smart, kind, beautiful, so put-together. Great taste in women."
"Flattery will get you everywhere." Rose said.
"She helped me realize that I could be something more. That I don't have to hide how I'm feeling. I am who I am now because I met you, Prof. And I know there're some kids in Kyoto that are gonna be very lucky. I'm gonna miss walking up past that flowerbed for a therapy session or to read our butterfly princess her bedtime story. You've just gotta make the new place look as pretty. I know you're gonna do it, cuz there's not a whole lot you can't do. And you make me believe that I can do anything, too. So...thank you. Really."
"Roooooose..." Rin uttered, emotional.
"I am nothing if not prepared." Rose handed her a tissue.
"Next up..." Kat gestured towards the Artisan tables. "This mess of chaos. Four years ago, I was shipped to Japan without a friend in the world. I wound up in a room full of people a lot like me. The world hadn't been kind to them. Everyone in that room had a hole in their heart they couldn't fix alone. Thankfully, they didn't have to. Trauma brought us all together, and now we're a big, beautiful family. I can't make this a general thing, so I'm gonna go one-by-one. And when I'm finished, and it looks like I've forgotten someone, don't worry, cuz I didn't."
"Let's start with the new girl. Cind, I know we haven't known each other too long, but I know beautiful when I see it. I know what it's like to grow up lonely, and with recent events, I hope that being here's helped with you feeling better. And hey, if you ever take up streaming again, y'know...hit a girl up."
Cindy giggled. Kat winked at her.
"Okay, next up...little sis Tabby cat. I'm so thankful that you were the one that sat next to me that first day at uni. I was happy to find a friend so quickly. I didn't realize I'd actually found a little sister. One that survived something so horrible and came out of it stronger than ever. I'm so proud of you, Tabs. You deserve all the love in the world."
An emotional Tabby wiped a tear from her eye, mouthing the words "I love you" to Kat. The latter made a heart sign with her hands.
"We're gonna be partying in a couple weeks for your big day. Now next up..." Kat looked to Ibuki. 
"Honey." the latter spoke.
"Queen. You absolute QUEEN. Nothing I say can do it justice. You're amazing. If you look up 'strength' in any dictionary, you're gonna find this woman's picture next to it. I don't know how you've managed to get knocked down as many times as you have and *still* get back up. Most girls wouldn't be so complimentary of their ex's current GF, but I've got nothing but love and admiration for you. You've earned your happiness the hard way, and I'm proud to call you my friend."
"Love ya, cutie." Ibuki blew a kiss at Kat.
"Now for a certain magnolia..."
"I need no thanks, Kat-chan." Sakuya spoke up.
"I think differently. Because you've taught me so much about how to live without fear of being judged. About...what it really means to be human. So I want to put this out there, because you should hear it: You're a wonderful friend, an exceptional person, you deserve to be happy, and no matter what ignorance someone throws your way, you're beautiful exactly the way you are. I want you to have a long, happy, seal-filled life, Saku. After everything, you deserve a little peace."
With a smile and a nod, all Sakuya had to respond with was "Thank you."
"And you lucked out that you've got a guy like the joker sitting next to you."
"She means me." Sahir said with a smirk.
"No, really?" Max responded.
"I dunno how you can be in the same room as Kicks and not get the biggest grin on your face. The first day of class, when Prof tells us to introduce ourselves, this guy immediately jumps up, untucked shirt and all, and says 'No need to say anything else, Teach!' If anything could tell you what you were in for..." Kat related.
"Ha! Can't believe you remember that. You wanna talk about a first impression, how about this girl standing up on her desk, asking a certain snippy Brit if he ate his twin in the womb?" Sahir responded.
"K-Kicks! I thought we agreed never to bring that up?!"
"Yes, we *did* agree." Kenneth grumbled.
"Sorry, sorry! But it was the funniest thing! That's when everyone knew, 'this girl's gonna be a problem'. Oh, the good old 'Kitty and Kenji' days." Sahir replied.
Snickers from the crowd.
"I'm gonna keep the womb joke in mind." Parvati said.
"Please don't." Mini replied.
"Anyway." Kat spoke.
"Sorry! Didn't mean to steal your thunder." Sahir apologized.
"Heh. That really does sum it all up. You make it impossible to be mad at you. And on the subject of that introduction..."
"Oh, bother." Kenneth uttered.
"I'd never wanted to deck a guy as much as this silver-tongued Scouser. Being all high-and-mighty and 'I'm not here to socialize, I'm just here to be a twat'." She mimicked his accent.
The other Artisans laughed. "That does *not* sound like me."
"It kind of does, though." Natalia giggled.
"Anyone who says first impressions are everything never met Kenny. Cuz underneath that razor sharp exterior, there was someone way more observant. The 'artist' of artists who can make his audience weep. I didn't really appreciate it til I saw him make that Natty ice sculpture. The heart and detail you put into your work is absolutely crazy. I know I mess with ya...kind of a lot, but you know where it comes from. I love ya, Kenny." Kat spoke.
"The feeling is mutual...Katherine." Kenneth replied.
"Ha! Yes, finally. Hadn't heard that in a while." Kat turned to Kibō.
"Oh, I know what's coming now." he uttered.
"Don't act like I'm gonna say something bad! Honestly, Keebie...I was just gonna talk about what a perfect gentleman you are. On top of the perfect combo of brains and brawn. You getting between me and that TikTok jerk the other day says everything. Thanks for always being such a bro."
"Well...alright, then. That's not so--"
"And pro tip, ladies, if you ever need a good foot masseuse..."
"Aaaand there it is."
"How much are you charging?" Lin asked.
He slumped back in his chair. "It never changes."
"And now..." Kat paused. "Sorry. I'm getting into the real tear-jerker territory now. With respect to tonight's entertainment, I need to give a special shout-out to my favorite twins in the whole world." 
Barbara gave a little wave. Max stayed quiet.
"I had the hardest time trying to answer the question, 'What are Barbara and Max Jadefang to me?' One was my roomie for two years. The other was the first guy to break my heart. But it's way more than that. On the one hand, you've got an angel in the flesh who's got the kindest, most beautiful heart you'll ever find. I don't know where I'd be right now if I didn't have you to sing and dance with for those two years. Nothing spoke how much you mean to me than that last year when you went home. I'm sorry I couldn't pull you out of that awful time. I don't blame you for leaving, I just..." Kat began to tear up. "When you left, I lost more than a roommate. I lost the best friend I'll ever have. Those two years, we picked each other up over and over again, and when I couldn't do that anymore...it tore me up inside. You're my tether to reality, beautiful. I don't wanna lose you ever again."
Barbara, too, had been moved to tears, taking off her glasses to wipe them away. She gestured for Kat to approach. She hopped off the stage, walked over to the table, and embraced her best friend. "I love you."
"I love you too, Barbie. Besties for life?"
"Forever and ever. I'll never leave you again."
Kat dried her eyes, knowing fully well that they would be leaking again soon. "Which brings me to..." She looked at Max. "'What Kit So-yin thinks of Max Jadefang.'"
"Let's hear it, then." Max replied.
"Once upon a time, I had the biggest crush on this dorky boy who talked like a corn farmer. He'd say things that were so charming...and then do things that made me wanna strangle him. Over, and over. I can't go over all of it here, but this blockhead and me went through *hell* together. You are what kept me up at night for the longest time."
"Can't say it's not justified."
"I know you only ever wanted to do the right thing. And I'm glad I was the one to knock some sense into you. I know there was a time where you hated me. Our worldviews couldn't have been more different. But I knew deep down that we were the same. And now that we're way past that awful time, and both in much better spots in life, I can honestly say, Sparky---"
Before she could finish, he got up and put his hand on the mic. "It's alright. I already know."
"Well, I wanna vocalize it anyway. I trust you with my life, Maxie. I don't say that to just anybody. I don't really believe in destiny, but I think we were meant to meet. Or really...we had to, to become who we were meant to. You've given me way more headaches than any girl oughta have, but--d'oh, forget it." 
Knowing that their bond was deeper than mere words, Kat stopped, and simply hugged Max. "Like I said, I already know. Thanks, Kitty Kat."
"You're welcome, you big dummy." Kat turned to Natalia. "Hey, cutie."
"Hey, you." Natalia replied, teasingly.
Kat hurriedly skipped over, and sat in her lap, putting an arm around Natalia as she made herself comfortable. "Everyone should have a Natty in their lives. But not this one, this one's mine and I will fight you for her. I'd like you all to take a good look at this adorable ball of sunshine and ask yourselves, 'what was she like when you first met her?' Well, that same first day of class where everyone was their Alpha-1.0 selves, this one was draped in a hoodie, sitting in the corner and jumping at any small noise you would make in her direction."
"...there were a lot of times where I was afraid we would lose her. She was as low as a person could be. I wanted to wrap her in a bubble and protect her from everything. Because she is just the sweetest, most creative person I've ever met. And to watch her grow from scared and depressed to this bundle of love and sunshine, it...it just warms my heart up so much. Natty, you're our heart and soul, and the best hug on the planet." Kat kissed her on the forehead. 
"Heeheeheehee~." Natalia giddily blushed.
"Now, y'all have probably guessed who I'm saving for last. So I'm gonna move on to my amazing fam. I could talk about how the chaos set me up to be who I am now, but I wanna focus on how you all *really* made me who I am. Aunt Mini, Uncle Vik. Y'all taught me what it really means to love. That it doesn't matter where you come from. And I don't wanna overlook everything you instilled in me, Aunt Mini. You making stories to read to me had such a deep effect. It taught me the value in being a 'big sis' to someone, and treating little kids with the kindness and respect they deserve. I have a copy of all of your books on a shelf in my room in London. That's how important they are to me. When people ask me why I want to teach kids, I tell them it's because my fabulous aunt taught me how to make an impact. That's something that can't be replaced."
"Oh, you...come here." Mini urged, standing up to hug her niece. "You're wonderful and I love you, pussycat."
"I love you, Mom Two."
"OH THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL!" An emotional Vikram got up and bear hugged both of them.
"Ak...too much, Uncle Vik, too much...!"
"Okay, roll it back, Dad, roll it back..." Parvati coaxed him away.
"Thank goodness I'm not wearing any sharp jewelry." Mini sat back down.
Kat turned her attention to the table where her parents and sister sat. "Now we get to the heart of it all. My sister looks like she's prepared for her compliments, so why not start with her?"
Lin playfully stuck her tongue out at her.
"For my entire life, my sister was my hero. She picked locks and told off everyone and I thought that was the coolest thing. Wasn't until later that I realized that it wasn't. And until recently, I was waiting for her to realize it, too. That's why last week made me so angry. Because I thought things were changing for the better, and they really hadn't."
"I'm sorry, kitten." Lin replied.
"This, right here? You being content and serious is what I want. I don't want you to end up in jail or worse. I want you to be happy in spite of everything. I want my big sis to be my hero again."
That got to Lin. She shielded her eyes. "C'mon, So, don't..."
"It's okay! I know you're trying your best. I keep saying these things because I want what's best for you. I know I throw the word around a lot, but you were my sister first, Lin. I took every cue from you growing up. I want us to be that tight forever."
Lin looked up. She gave Kat a peck on the cheek, then a hug. "I won't let you down, So. I love you too much to do that ever again."
"I believe you, Lin. Thank you." Kat looked to her parents. "Mom? Pops?"
"Yes, kitten?" Wei asked. Joon averted her eyes, seemingly wanting no part of any compliments.
"This was so hard for me to think over. How do I sum up everything you guys have done for me? Who else would've taken me from school to school trying to find me a place to fit in? How does anyone really thank their parents in the best way?"
"How do I put it into words how cool of a dad I've got? How I can only muster up the courage to get in front of people because my dad did it for his whole life despite people telling him he sucked? How I respect the hell out of him for doing what he loved in spite of his body telling him he couldn't anymore? How I love him so much that I kicked a girl's ass for making fun of him? Everybody knows this guy as Golden Wei, the singer. I only know him as the best dad I could've asked to have."
"Ohhhh." Wei hugged her from behind. "And I couldn't have asked for better kids."
Then, Kat turned to her mother. "Mom."
"Don't, So-yin. Please." Joon begged.
"Why not?"
"I've done nothing worthy of praise."
"Now that's just a lie. You've absolutely busted your butt trying to make this whole week...no, my whole *life* perfect. Because you got it in your head that if you don't do everything a certain way, that I'll be resentful. That I'll think of you the way you think of Grandma. I get it. Being paranoid is a family trait, I guess. But..."
Kat took a second. "Okay. I brought something with me that I found the other day." She took an aged piece of paper out of her pocket. "This was an assignment I got when I was six. One of the questions they asked was 'Who do you want to be like when you grow up, and why?' Everyone would've put like, a streamer or a singer on there. But six-year-old me wrote down, word for word: 'My Mama, because she's smart'. Admittedly, kid me wasn't the most descriptive person, but in the thirteen years since, my mind hasn't changed on that. I wanna be a teacher like my smart Mama, because my smart Mama has done everything--*everything*--to make my life better. More than once I've had someone say 'You look and sound more like your mother every day, So-yin.' Lots of girls would be annoyed to hear that. But all I can say is 'good'."
A mixture of touched and exasperated, Joon gave her youngest a look. "Are you done, So-yin?"
"I'll never be done thanking you, Mom."
"...I blinked, and before I knew it, you'd become this remarkable young woman. I could not be more proud, and yet...sometimes I miss my little girl."
"I'm still your little girl, Mom. Always will be. So no more being afraid, okay?"
Joon hugged her, patting her on the back. "You'll always keep me up at night. I'm your mother. It's my job."
"I know. And it's my job to remind you how amazing you are." Kat collected herself. "Okay, now without any more delay--oh. Wait. I've got this weird feeling that I'm forgetting someone. Hmm. Can't put my finger on it, but I've just got this sense..."
She walked over to where Carrie was sitting, then sat herself down on the table beside her. "...that someone so very important has slipped my mind."
"Now whoever could that be?" Carrie questioned with a smirk.
Kat took her hand. "So...for the longest time I had this dream. There were two cranes in a lake, performing a beautiful dance on a moonlit night. That was always my comfort image. Just thought of it whenever I was stressed. Then about three years ago, the dream started to change. One of the cranes slowly turned into me. The other one...turned into this stunning beauty, with eyes and hair colored a deep purple. Those dreams were what pushed me to say something that I'd been hiding for a while. So, with a little help from my two besties, I made my dream a reality. Garbed in these absolutely amazing black-and-white dresses, I had a moonlit dance in a lake with my crane."
"And I'm gonna tell you all right now...the three years since that dance have been the happiest of my life. Because now I get to share it with the smartest, kindest, most thoughtful, generous and unbelievably, stunningly BEAUTIFUL girl in the world. Every day that I wake up to that smile, and those deep purple eyes staring back at me, and that divine voice saying 'I love you' to me, I wonder how I could be this lucky. I'm just a gamer girl from Seoul who went to school abroad to get away from bullies. And I wound up with the greatest happiness you could ever find."
Kat took Carrie's other hand. "Care...you're my rock. Whenever I'm down, you're there to pick me back up. Every minute I spend with you is a gift. And at the risk of sounding like I'm about to ask you something big, I wanna spend every last minute of my life looking into those eyes. I wouldn't have made it through this week if you hadn't kept my head above the water. So I'm gonna cap this long-as-hell speech off with the words I'm gonna be repeating for the rest of my days: I love you, Care. I love you more than anything."
Carrie's eyes illuminated. "Darling." was all she said, before leaning in and passionately kissing Kat. The crowd applauded. Sahir whistled. The penguin just looked around, confused.
Concluding, Kat went back onto the stage. "Okay. Now that I've got all that off my chest, I've got one more surprise for y'all. Ladies!"
Ryme and Eko came bounding out from behind the curtains. "Took you long enough, birthday girl!"
"I know, I know! So, I'm gonna hold up my end of the bargain. Me and the girls are gonna sing y'all a little tune. Pops, you might recognize this one. Time for a bit of craziness..."
---
Later in the night, on the roof of the lounge, Kat was looking up into the sky, so filled with stars as it was.
"There you are. Care said you'd be out here."
Kat turned to see Max standing there. "Hey, Sparky. You had enough of the party?"
"I was gonna ask you the same thing."
"It's getting pretty noisy, yeah, but all I wanted was some fresh air. Not easy to think when your GF gets hyped up and starts challenging every guy in the building to arm wrestle her."
"Can't deny that. Your uncle put up a heck of a fight, but when Ibuki gets that competitive look in her eyes, woof. So...what did you want to think about?"
"Just--"
"Well, here's a curious sight." Rin appeared. "I was wondering why people were starting to disappear. Is a bit of karaoke that intimidating a prospect?"
"Hey, Prof. Nah, wasn't about that. Just needed a bit of quiet."
"I understand." Rin looked up. "It's a beautiful night for it. The stars and the moon and not a single cloud to block them. Almost makes you want to dance, doesn't it?"
"Umm..." 
"I'm teasing. I just love that story. That lake has quite a few important memories for me too. Hopefully Kyoto has a place like that to spend some time by."
Kat returned her gaze to the sky. "Are you nervous about the move?"
"Of course. Naruki's the only home I've known. I've been to Kyoto before, but living there is completely different. I take it as being a new phase in life."
"A new phase?" Max asked.
"Yeah. Living in Naruki was one phase, and now I'm taking everything I've learned to this next phase. It's the same with you all."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Everything from before was the prepare for what comes next. I feel like I've gone through twenty phases in the last year alone."
"You and me both. I've just been thinking...we're really in that 'adult' part of life now, huh? Everyone's either got a job or getting to their second year of uni. And everything keeps changing. Things could be even more different the next time we all meet up like this. Different hair, different job...a ring on a finger, maybe." Kat wiggled her fingers at Max.
"Don't put that pressure on me, dude."
"I'm just messing with ya."
"Look, all I'll say is, I'm starting online classes next month, and I've got a good gig right now at the TV station. I want to be absolutely sure that I can take care of her before I pop that question. She's already told me that it's what she wants. I just want to have that security before I take that step."
"I get it. We've all got a pool going of who pops the question first."
"Ahh, stop, stop! All this marriage talk is making me feel old!" Rin waved her hands.
"Don't get all crazy, Prof, that's still a long way off! It's probably not gonna happen til we've all graduated."
"I know that. I just have to remind myself that you all *are* adults now. I've spent this whole night reminiscing about that first day. The journey you all took from that point until now...I couldn't be prouder. It all still feels like yesterday."
"That goes for you too, Professor. That was your first day teaching. Now you're gonna be an assistant principal." Max pointed out.
"Time's a crazy thing. A year ago we'd just yanked you out from the swamp. Between then and now, we got caught up in another world's gang war. Just another wrinkle to our 'normal'." Kat added.
"What is 'normal for us, anyway?" Rin asked. "Well, let's get back to the party before people start to worry. I'm sure karaoke is going to be very lively."
"Hey Kitty Kat, you think we could coax Kenny up to the mic?" Max asked as they started walking.
"You got any of those blowfish candies left stashed away? Cuz then the answer's an easy 'yes'." Kat replied.
As they walked back down to the festivities, their shadows reflected their inner selves: the armor they wore to battle months earlier.
Those days were far off in the distance. For now, under the moon and stars, there was peace.
That, in and of itself, was reason enough to celebrate.
END