April 28… A date that meant a birthday for one of the proxies, Toby. Your relationship with him was neutral, dragging on a couple of casual phrases. You couldn't be called friends; rather, you were passing acquaintances whose paths might briefly cross.

You thought that he had at least stealthily celebrated his birthday, at least with an ordinary candle on a cheap cupcake. But Toby seemed to be living this day as another countdown, without emotions or expectations. Having decided to color his gray everyday life at least a little, you assumed that he simply forgot about the holiday, getting lost in days that merged into weeks, and weeks into colorless months.

While Toby was on a mission, you sneaked into his room and prepared for a little surprise. Time was running out, he was supposed to be back soon. When the final preparations were almost completed, the creak of the door behind him announced his arrival. Toby froze on the threshold, stunned, looking at you, frozen next to the gift.