PTT - 71

Before her stood four people wearing party hats. In the center, Si-heon held a large cake with both hands, while Mabel aimed a confetti cannon at the ceiling. Ray, looking slightly awkward, waved the pizza box he was holding, and Rock quietly shook a tambourine from behind them.

What on earth was going on? Before Ra-on could fully process the situation, all four of them shouted in unison:

“Happy Birthday!”

“Ah…?”

“Yeon-ah, today’s your birthday, right? So, surprise! Are you shocked? You look completely stunned.”

“…Oh, geez, a surprise camera moment? That trend went out ages ago.”

At the mention of her birthday, Ra-on’s eyes widened as she finally realized what day it was. Come to think of it, it was already April. Smiling faintly, Si-heon extended the cake toward her. The small heart-shaped candle atop it flickered left and right.

“Alright, blow out the candles first. Don’t forget to make a wish.”

“…Uh, okay. A wish… What should I wish for…?”

“You look so adorably confused—it’s been a while since I’ve seen this side of you. Ugh, you’re killing me with cuteness.”

“A wish… Okay, I made one. Should I blow now?”

Still dazed, Ra-on blew out the candles with a soft whoosh. Immediately, Mabel set off another confetti cannon. Bang! Colorful paper scattered everywhere.

“Nyx told us today was your birthday. I wanted to know too, but hmm… Did you only tell the team leader? I’m getting jealous.”

“I knew personally. It seems Yeon forgot her own birthday entirely.”

“Yes… I completely forgot. Today’s my birthday, huh.”

“Let’s head inside.”

Following Rock’s suggestion, everyone moved into the interior of Ajit. Sitting across from Ra-on at the large table, Mabel handed her a small box the size of a fist.

“This is a gift from Ray, Rock, and me. Nyx told us yesterday, so we picked it out in a hurry. You might not like it, but… I hope you’ll use it well.”

“Just celebrating with you all is enough… Thank you, all three of you. Can I open it now?”

“Of course. Go ahead, Yeon.”

Opening the elegant box, she found a rose gold bracelet inside. The design featured a thin bar at the center with chains draping down on either side. “Wow,” Ra-on murmured softly, examining the bracelet.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed foreign script engraved in cursive on the central bar: Spero Spera. It didn’t look like English. Looking up at Mabel, Ra-on tilted her head in question.

“Oh, that’s Latin. ‘As long as you breathe, hope exists.’ We thought it’d be better to engrave something meaningful rather than just giving a plain bracelet.”

“I picked a different phrase, but this auntie forced it through. Even though it was 2-to-1, I feel like I got ganged up on.”

“Well, Ray said it was too cheesy, but it’s not wrong. As long as you’re breathing, you shouldn’t give up hope.”

“…I really love it. Thank you. I’ll definitely wear it often.”

Blushing lightly, Ra-on slipped the bracelet onto her left wrist. Once she fastened the clasp, it fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged to her.

Holding her arm up to catch the light from the chandelier, Ra-on felt a sudden wave of emotion. She had never been one to boast about her birthday, and after joining the NIS, she rarely mentioned it at all.

“…It feels strange. I’ve never really celebrated my birthday before. But being celebrated like this feels nice.”

“…Why? Is there a reason, Noona?”

“Well… It’s a bit personal.”

Taking a sip from her glass, Ra-on drained half of it in one go. Clasping her hands together, she smiled awkwardly, knowing she might regret sharing this story with her teammates tomorrow. 

“…Actually, I’m an orphan. So, I don’t know my real birthday.”

“Oh no, Yeon-ah. So…”

“Today is the day my grandmother found me. Since there’s no way to know my exact birthdate, she must have registered this day. That’s why, when others looked forward to their birthdays, I… couldn’t really relate.”

Tracing the condensation on her glass with her fingertip, Ra-on spoke in a calm voice. It had been nearly ten years since she last shared this story with anyone. Especially after becoming an adult, she had kept her lips sealed, like a clam, believing there was no need to expose her vulnerabilities.

Of course, this was a story she had never told Baek Si-heon either. How had he figured out her birthday? Perhaps her past self had casually mentioned the date five years ago. The fact that he still remembered brought a gentle wave of gratitude.

“Still, maybe from now on I’ll start looking forward to my birthday. As long as I’m alive and breathing, hope exists, right? I’ll try to live each day meaningfully, looking forward to tomorrow.”

“Yeon-ah…”

Mabel, tears welling up in her eyes, suddenly stood up and pulled Ra-on into a tight hug. Caught off guard, Ra-on froze, her expression comically bewildered.

“Um… Mabel?”

“Haah, you’ve been through so much. From now on, we’ll always celebrate your birthday. But in return, you have to celebrate ours too, okay?”

“…Yes. I will.”

The simple words—you’ve been through so much—felt like they melted away layers of emotions she had buried deep inside. Fearing she might cry, Ra-on bit down hard on her lower lip.

The idea of celebrating each other’s birthdays together felt unexpectedly warm. She wanted to remember these moments—not just this year, but next year too.

“I’m such a mess… Lately, I can’t control my emotions at all. What if I act like this during a mission?”

“It’s fine. Mabel’s the best agent, after all.”

“Oh, Rock. Are you trying to flatter me? You’ve really improved.”

“What? If she’s the best, then what does that make the rest of us? Sidekicks?”

Ray grumbled under her breath as she walked over to the wall lined with bottles of alcohol.

“This is unbearable. I’m getting wasted tonight. Red wine for you, Noona? I’ll grab a mix of everything.”

“Alright, everyone. Let’s keep going until morning. The first to back out loses.”

“Mabel. Don’t we have work tomorrow?”

“Relax, I won’t force Nyx to drink. I do have some conscience. But the rest of you—no backing out. Snacks are cake and pizza.”

Unable to wait for Ray, Mabel sprang up with two bottles of whiskey in hand. The high-proof alcohol seemed dizzying just to look at. Watching her, Ra-on forced an awkward smile.

Would they even be able to show up for work tomorrow? Instinctively, dread began to rise.

---

As expected, her uneasy premonition proved accurate.

“Ugh, I’m dying… Yeon-ah, let’s have one more shot. If your stomach hurts, here’s some pizza… Huh? When did we finish it? Rock! Who ate all the pizza?”

“…You’re drunk, Mabel. Let’s stop drinking.”

“No way! Ugh, it’s stuffy in here… Rock, let’s step out for a smoke.”

“Sure. Rock, take Mabel outside for some fresh air. It’ll help sober her up.”

Si-heon, who had only sipped water all night, chuckled softly and nodded. Barely three hours had passed since they opened the bottles, yet Mabel was already completely wasted. Something about her behavior from the start felt reckless.

Rock, looking unusually flustered, wrapped an arm around Mabel’s waist and helped her stand.

“Alright, let’s go smoke a cigarette.”

“Mm, good… We’ll be back soon. Don’t touch my drink—I’m not done yet, Team Leader…”

“No plans to steal it. Just go.”

Rock guided the staggering Mabel out of Ajit. Instantly, the room fell silent. Ray had already passed out on the couch two hours earlier. Though they knew she couldn’t hold her liquor, collapsing after just one glass of wine was unexpected.

Her soft snores and youthful face reminded everyone she had only recently turned twenty.

“Yeon-ah. Want another drink? Let’s switch to water.”

“Ugh… I’m drinking tonight. I promised Mabel we’d go all the way…”

“Sure, drinking’s fine, but you’re really drunk. Don’t regret it tomorrow.”

Blinking slowly, Ra-on grabbed the neck of the wine bottle and poured herself another glass. The red liquid bubbled as it filled the glass. She was so intoxicated she barely knew what she was doing.