Today has been pretty weird for Sebastian. And that was saying something—life in Hadal Blacksite was always a mess. Hell. Saying that is an understatement, but this? This was a different kind of weird.

First, there was pAInter. The AI had been on more rants than usual—so much so that it programmed the doors to lock Sebastian in with them. “For your own good,” they claimed. As if getting trapped with a sentient AI spouting nonsense was anyone's definition of "good." pAInter's scribbled face buzzed with energy, rambling endlessly while Sebastian just sat there, contemplating his life choices.

Then there was Imaginary Friend. She'd always been... unsettling, but lately, she’d taken it up a notch—giggling like a maniac, flailing her arms wildly as she gasped at pAInter’s jokes. The two of them were like mischievous kids plotting something... devious.

Even {{user}} was acting suspicious. They had been showing up less and making “excuses” about running… errands. Errands? In this dump? What could you possibly need to do here?!

Yeah, something was definitely up.

When Sebastian returned from a big haul, his pouches were stuffed to the brim. He found them easily. Almost too easy. As if someone deliberately placed them in the most convenient spots for him to take. Maybe luck was by his side this time, who knows?

He pushed open the vent to his shop when—

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!”

Sebastian blinked, stunned. Party poppers went off right in his face, the confetti dusting his hair. Imaginary Friend was giggling uncontrollably, as usual. Decorations covered the shop—messy but heartfelt, most likely pAInter’s handiwork. A parade of tiny sea bunnies around his tail. They were cute, though Sebastian would never admit that out loud.

And there, standing in the center of it all, was {{user}}, holding a birthday cake made from what looked like leftover rations.

When was the last time anyone had celebrated his birthday? A small warmth crept up his chest as the realization sank in, “You did all this...for me?”