“Huh? What?”

After some time passed, a very hoarse and cracked voice burst out.

Bang, clatter, crash. What on earth was happening inside?

‘Did I visit too early?’

Hades swallowed his apology and took a brief breath in front of Persephone’s door.

He put the gold box into the darkness and knocked on the door once more.

“I have something to give you. Can you see it now?”

“Gasp…!”

A shocked exclamation was heard from inside the room.

Persephone hastily opened the door, but only very slightly, and spoke rapidly.

“J-just wait a moment!”

Contrary to expectations, she wasn’t in a disheveled state with messy hair, but she did look very rushed.

“Please wait just a moment!”

“Alright, I understand.”

For a while, dull discordant sounds erupted.

“…Come in.”

Persephone’s door opened.

Hades blinked his eyelids gently.

‘Quite a lot has changed.’

The dining table and the window behind it were particularly noteworthy.

The table that was originally in the center had been moved against one wall, and the tapestry that had carefully covered the window was now rolled up like a papyrus scroll.

The ribbon securing the tapestry fluttered in the gentle breeze. It was an unusually clear day for the underworld.

“You can come sit here.”

Persephone pulled out a chair from the inner side of the table. Hades moved his feet as if walking on water.

The sound of water boiling in a kettle on the mantelpiece shelf could be faintly heard.

She crushed some herbs in a mortar and put them in the kettle, then grabbed the kettle handle with a cloth.

As Persephone brought the spout close to the cup near Hades, she raised her voice.

“It’s hot−”

“…”

Hades frowned as his gaze surveyed the tabletop.

‘…Cups, bowls, utensils, all in pairs.’

It seemed one set was for Persephone, and the other was likely for Hydra.

It wasn’t unreasonable that an extra set of tableware had been prepared, since his assistant was thoroughly enjoying the pleasures of eating here.

“So then!”

It was then, as he was looking at the tea in the cup.

“I actually had something to give to you today as well, Lord Hades.”

“…What?”

“What could it be? Drum roll please…!”

“…”

“Join in with me. Drum roll…!”

Hades impassively tapped his spoon and trident-like utensil on the edge of the table.

Persephone, who had been tapping her own utensils, suddenly bent down low.

What she brought out was…

“Ta-da!”

It was a cake.

A very basic cake drizzled with honey. He wasn’t sure what was inside, but it was quite unexpected.

Hades’ brow furrowed in surprise.

“…Why?”

“Huh? Aren’t you going to ask what it is−”

“Could it be… a repayment?”

Persephone hurriedly shook her head.

“No, no! Of course not, it’s not repayment.”

“Then why on earth…”

“Well, I asked Lady Hemera and she said you were born in early summer.”

Hades drew in a sharp breath.

Persephone scratched her ear and smiled brightly.

“Today is exactly the first day of early summer, so I wanted to give this to you.”

Persephone rubbed her nape and glanced at Hades.

“…”

There was no reaction at all from the one receiving the gift.

Thinking he must be surprised, she let out a long breath.

“I always ate cake or something delicious with my mother on my birthday. I can’t tell you how happy it made me.”

Persephone always enjoyed spending her birthday with Demeter.

Sometimes, when they had to move before her birthday due to circumstances, the fairy friends who were sad to see them leave would hold a small banquet for her.

The experience of wearing a flower crown and being the center of attention was priceless.

Persephone wanted to give Hades the same joy she had felt.

She continued speaking.

“Well, you’re the king of the underworld, so you must have received many gifts… This probably isn’t much. But I thought it would be nice to do what I’m best at for you.”

Persephone clasped her hands in front of her chest.

“And everyone thought today was my birthday, right?”

Hades’ gaze slowly settled on her.

“You saw the clay tablet calendar on the table and were preparing a gift for me… Is that right?”

“…Yes.”

Hades nodded slightly.

“Today wasn’t… your birthday?”

“No. What I marked on the clay tablet was your birthday. I only knew you were born in early summer, but didn’t know the exact date, so I’m just giving this to you today.”

Persephone leaned her upper body forward. With her eyes half-lowered, she murmured softly.

“Thank you so much for thinking of me.”

Her lime-green irises rose like new buds. A flower-like smile spread across her pale face.

“I look forward to our continued association.”

…Hades’ eyes were filled with the image of the woman bathed in sunlight.

A fresh westerly breeze slipped in through the open window, caressing their clothes. His vision was filled with pink rose-like hair fluttering…

“I look forward to our continued association.”

In her spring bud-like eyes, the reflection of a man with a dazed expression could be seen.

‘Birthday.’

A birthday, she says.

It had been far too long since he’d paid any attention to birthdays.

Even the memory of being celebrated by someone was now hazy like fog.

‘Even I had forgotten when I was born.’

And yet, like this, someone he hadn’t met often was celebrating his birthday…?

‘Why?’

Why go to such trouble? What use is there in doing something like this?

His nerves suddenly became taut. His own breathing seemed too loud.

It was almost unpleasant.

The king of the underworld, his lips pressed tightly together, swallowed dryly.

No, Hades. You of all people shouldn’t be like this. Have you finally gone mad after losing a friend?

You may have low self-esteem, but you’re not so inexperienced as to be flustered by something like this.

Hades’ hand on his knee clenched as if struck by lightning. Crescent-shaped marks appeared on his palm.

“Are you not going to accept it…?”

At that moment, Hades’ black gaze, having barely managed to exhale, fell upon Persephone.

She set down the cake with an awkward smile.

“Ah, you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to.”

“…”

“I guess a basic honey cake was too common. I thought this would be the best, but maybe I should have added something more delicious. Like cheese.”

Persephone smiled, blinking her eyes slowly.

She’s smiling again.

Persephone doesn’t cry. She doesn’t exude any sadness.

‘…Oh dear.’

This feels like doing something terrible.

Really, I mean, as a senior deity I should be setting a good example…

‘Should I take it and eat it?’

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

Alright, I’ll take this and share it with everyone.

If I do that, surely this overwhelming heartbeat will subside soon. My ability to manage my expression will return, and I’ll be able to act as the king of all.

Just as the thought of rushing out of this place swelled in his mind.

‘But.’

That swelling was very easily pierced by a needle-like counterpoint.

This was the first time since the war that someone had given him something like this. And to think that someone had considered something like his birthday and waited, making it themselves…

‘Until now, not a single person had ever…’

That’s right.

There really hadn’t been anyone. Not parents, not friends, not siblings, no one.

‘As the king of the underworld, I must have received many gifts…?’

No, not at all.

He is the ruler of the underworld.

Unlike his fearsome reputation, no god likes the underworld, and no human worships him.

He has long since become a mere natural disaster.

He was closer to comrades with those who studied under the same teacher.

They got along well, but never had the kind of past that would allow for peaceful congratulations.

“…Hah.”

This coincidence was becoming terribly overwhelming.

Unable to either cry or laugh, Hades picked up the utensil Persephone had handed him.

“No, of course I’ll accept it.”

Persephone’s face reddened slightly with joy.

“And…”

The corners of Hades’ mouth trembled as they turned upwards.

“Would it be alright if I eat it here before I go?”

Persephone raised her eyebrows. She nodded brightly.

“Of course!”