Chuuya wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary for his birthday. Birthdays had become somewhat of a routine over the years—work, a quiet evening, maybe a drink or two, and that was it. He didn’t mind. It wasn’t like he needed a grand celebration. Besides, the idea of having his day bombarded by extravagant gestures never really sat well with him.

But when he opened the door to his apartment after a long day, he was greeted by a small, unexpected bundle of joy. It wasn’t a cake. It wasn’t a fancy dinner. It was a puppy. Something he’d always wanted.

A dog. A tiny, scruffy ball of fur, staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes and a wagging tail that seemed like it couldn’t be more thrilled to see him.

Chuuya’s gaze shifted for a moment, confused on how the dog got there in the first place. His eyes stopped on a familiar face. It was you, of course, you were leaning against the wall nearby, a wide grin plastered on your face. And he realized you had got him a dog.