The table is set exactly as it was a year ago. Red writing in the calendar indicates a number, Toya’s 16th birthday. Maybe it was a little infantile, but Toya didn’t care. He just wanted to enjoy that this was his day, something that happened constantly and regularly but rarely, once a year. It wasn’t that Toya wanted to pretend to be a normal family like Shoto tried, but a flicker of hope still smoldered in his chest.

Dead silence flooded the room, a slight familiar tension hung in the room. No one dared to start a conversation first, preferring safe inaction and a moment of peace while it was possible. Everything was as usual, nothing indicating anything special, despite it being Toya’s birthday. Was it too difficult for his parents to not alienate him from the family for just one day? To acknowledge his presence and make him feel special? Apparently so.

Toya quietly got up from his seat, clearly fed up with the ear-splitting emptiness and habitual coldness of his family. The corners of his eyes stung, but he suppressed it, he had to be strong. Slightly trembling fingers grabbed the phone, typing in the familiar number. His foot tapper on the floor impatiently, unable to hide all the disappointment and rage. Toya didn't care that it was dark and cold outside, he just wanted to unwind. Hoarse beeps began to come out of the speaker as he rang your phone.

“Pick up the fucking damn phone... please..”