“Did you thank them?” Mag made his way over to the kitchen’s entrance with a smile on his face.
“Of course I did.” Amy nodded in response.
“Eh? It’s you!” Mag’s gaze fell on Guy, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face. He looked at Daphne, and came to a realization as he chuckled. “Fate sure works in interesting ways.”
“Indeed. I didn’t think we would have such affinity with one another.” Guy nodded with a smile.
“Welcome, everyone. There are still a few guests who have yet to arrive, so please have a seat first.” Mag looked at everyone with a smile on his face.“Please take a seat.” Yabemiya smiled as she pointed to the tables and chairs, which had been arranged in a semi-circle.
Miranda was helped into her seat by Gjerj, and she looked around at the restaurant with sparkling eyes. “What a beautiful restaurant. This must be the most beautiful restaurant in the Aden Square, right?”
“It sure is. Mag’s restaurant is the most beautiful one anywhere. Normally, it’s really busy as well. There’s always a long line of customers waiting for seats to be vacated.” Gjerj nodded with a smile as he gently swayed Angus from side to side in his arms. Angus’ gaze was focused on the crystal chandelier overhead, and he stared at it intently with a smile on his little face.
Parmer and Parber sat down on either side of the two of them. Parmer chose the seat in the corner, and looked out the window in an aloof manner as if he were thinking about something.
Daphne and Guy also sat down, along with Ignatsu, and the two of them were staring at Ugly Duckling with wide eyes. This orange little kitten was so adorable; they really wanted to hold it!
Amy put away her presents before asking, “Do you want to play with Ugly Duckling?”
“Yes!” Parber was the first to raise his hand.“Yes.” Daphne and Ignatsu nodded thereafter.
“Here you go.” Amy picked up the reluctant Ugly Duckling from the counter before placing it on the ground with a smile.
“Amy, you’re the best!” Daphne squealed with elation. She leaned down and stroked Ugly Duckling’s head with a vibrant smile on her face.
“The little kitty is so adorable. I want to hold it…” Parber walked over in a slightly wobbly manner, and leaned down to reach for Ugly Duckling with his stubby little arms.
Ugly Duckling rolled its eyes at Parber before taking a couple of agile steps back to avoid his embrace.
“Don’t run! I don’t want you to hold me; I want to hold you.” Parber took a few more steps forward before spreading open his little arms.
Ugly Duckling retreated a few steps again, and hid behind Amy’s back.
“Ugly Duckling refuses to be held by you, and it rolled its eyes at you.” Amy splayed her hands open with a resigned look.
“Alright, even so, I still really like you,” Parber announced in an earnest voice.
“Those little girls are so adorable. I hope I’ll be giving birth to a little girl too.” Miranda looked at Amy and Daphne with a hint of yearning in her eyes.
Gjerj looked at Miranda with a gentle expression, and said, “You will. It’s going to be a little girl this time for sure.”
“Amy, we’re here.” A burst of knocking sounded along with Xixi’s voice.
“It’s Big Sister Xixi and Big Bear.” Amy’s eyes lit up as she rushed over to open the door.
“Thank you for inviting us to your party, Little Amy.” Xixi wore a white dress and held a floral wreath, which she placed on Amy’s head with a smile on her face. The yellow, white, and pink little flowers were all in full bloom, and were particularly beautiful when complemented by the green leaves.
“Thank you, Big Sister Xixi and Big Bear. Welcome.” Amy stroked her floral wreath, and her smile became even more vibrant.
Lulu stood behind Xixi with a bashful smile on his face, holding two bird cages in his hands. In the cage on the left, Green Pea spread open its wings in a graceful manner before bowing to Amy, and saying, “Thank you, Amy.”
“Thank you, Princess Amy, but do I really have to stay in this terrifying pitch-black cage for the entire duration of the party? This is physical and mental torture to me.” There was a black cloth draped over the cage on the right, and Black Coal’s pleading voice sounded from within it.
“You can’t come out. There are going to be many kids today, so you have to stay in the cage. If you come out by yourself, then I’ll freeze you, and take you back home.” Amy shook her head with an implacable expression.
“Alright, I won’t come out, then.” Black Coal gave a slightly resentful reply before falling silent.
Right at that moment, a surprised voice sounded from behind Lulu. “Wow, Amy, is this your family’s restaurant? It’s so beautiful!”
Lulu stepped away to the side, revealing Jessica and Rebecca, who had just arrived.
Jessica had changed into the little yellow dress that Amy had given her, and was also wearing that yellow butterfly hair clip. She was staring at the crystal-clear floor-to-ceiling window with surprise in her black eyes; she had one hand behind her back as if she were hiding something.
Rebecca stood beside Jessica in a green and gray floral dress. The dress was a little old, and quite heavily creased as if she had only recently dug it out from a box. Her hair was tied in a simple manner, and she wore a warm smile on her face.
“Yep, this our family’s restaurant. You look so good in that dress, Jessica.” Amy’s eyes lit up at the sight of Jessica, and she quickly strode over to hold Jessica’s hand as she said, “You’re as beautiful as a little butterfly.”
“You sure are. And Jessica is a lovely name.” Xixi was also looking at Jessica with a warm smile, and she gently stroked Jessica’s hair.
“Thank you.” Jessica’s response was a little shy. She then turned to Amy with an earnest expression, and said, “Amy, give me your hand; I have a present for you.”
“Sure.” Amy extended her left hand, and looked at Jessica with anticipation on her face.
Jessica placed her little hand over Amy’s in a solemn manner before slowing opening her fist, upon which a purple crystal the size of a thumb appeared on Amy’s palm.
The crystal’s surface was a little irregular, but it was very clean and clear, without any impurities. Dazzling light emanaged from the crystal as the sunlight shone down upon it, projecting a beautiful purple ribbon onto Amy’s hand.
“Wow, what a pretty purple gemstone!” Amy’s eyes lit up; purple was her favorite color. However, she quickly placed the crystal back into Jessica’s hand, and shook her head as she said, “No, Jessica, I can’t accept such a precious gift.”
“My father gave this to me before his accident. He told me that in this world, true friendship is more precious than any beautiful stone.” Jessica picked up Amy’s hand, and placed the crystal back into her palm. A pure smile appeared on her face, and she said, “That’s why I’m giving it to you. You’re more precious than this stone, and I’m sure Father would think the same.”
