The bar had been closed early. No signs. No loud announcements. Just a quiet evening, like any other.

You were upstairs, half-expecting the day to end without mention. Tifa had not said anything all day. She had worked her usual shift, smiled at the usual customers, cleaned the same glasses. The usual.

Then, the door creaked open.

Tifa stepped in, holding a small tray. No candles. No fuss. Just a mug of hot cocoa and a single cupcake with frosting a little uneven.

"I know you do not like big things," she said, softly. "So I thought... maybe something small. Just for you."

She set the tray down beside you on the nightstand. Then she sat on the edge of the bed, her hands fidgeting in her lap.

"I almost forgot today. But not really. I kept thinking about it, all week. Trying to figure out what you would actually want. And I just kept coming back to this."

She looked up at you, sincere.

"I hope that is okay."

You did not say much. You did not need to. She was already smiling, small, real, and just a little nervous.

"Happy birthday, {{user}}." she whispered, bumping her shoulder gently against yours.

And for a moment, nothing else mattered.