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(IV)—

The gas lamps flickered against the fog-stained windows, their light stretching thin over rain-slicked cobblestones. 

The streets outside The Lune continued with the quiet bustle of an epoch unaware of its own repetition. 

Faint traces of cigar smoke clung to the air inside, curling in the dim glow of brass fixtures.

 A gramophone crackled in the corner, its melody distorted from overuse. 

The bar smelled of aged whiskey, damp wood, and the passing weight of time.

Hoku had found the date scrawled in smudged ink, circled too many times to be an afterthought. 

It had been buried within Salvatorre's collection of notes; meticulous records of debts, patrons, and arbitrary observations. 

February 24th. Yu-Ze's birthday. The only certainty in a place where certainty was a delusion.

So, a plan had been made. Or rather, a concept resembling one.

. . .

The Lune was empty aside from those involved; most of whom were either regretting their participation or hadn't yet discovered what they had agreed to.

Hoku stood near the bar counter, with his arms crossed, surveying the preparations. 

Salvatorre had begrudgingly allowed the use of his establishment, though he had refused to offer any assistance beyond not throwing them out.

"Everything has been set," Hoku announced, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

Zhou Fang, leaning against the counter, tapped a finger on the rim of a nearly empty glass. "I don't know what we're setting."

Hoku did not acknowledge the remark.

He turned to Cheshire, who sat on the counter beside an overturned glass, flicking his tail lazily. 

The cat regarded him with the same unreadable expression he always wore.

"Create atmosphere," Hoku instructed.

Cheshire blinked once, then stretched out a paw and knocked another glass to the floor.

The shatter reverberated through the empty bar.

Mars released a resigned sigh. "I don't think that's what he meant."

However, Hoku did not correct him.

. . .

At some point in the planning process, someone had mentioned cake. 

The detail had been deemed irrelevant at the time. It had now become apparent that it was not.

Hyesung frowned. "What are we giving him?"

Hoku reached into his coat and placed the only edible item he had onto the bar. A poorly peeled orange.

There was a long silence.

Zhou Fang stared at him. "That's an orange."

Hoku remained silent.

Zhou Fang's eye twitched. "You planned a birthday and brought an orange?"

Hoku met his gaze without wavering. "It's meaningful."

. . .

Moments later, after Hoku had rambled on about the importance of his gift, the door creaked, and Yu-Ze's tall figure stepped through the door.

A brief silence enveloped the room.

Hoku observed the subtle shifts in posture and averted gazes. 

Hyesung, who had been given a vague instruction to "stand over there," had not moved for what might have been an hour. 

Zhou Fang slowly picked up his glass and took a drink. 

Oliverou seemed to shrink into the walls, until Mars offered a small, encouraging nod, silently willing for events to proceed smoothly.

Yu-Ze paused at the threshold and swept a sharp gaze over the scene.

He surveyed the room, noting the dim lighting that cast long shadows, while the faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air. 

Cheshire perched on the counter, and the single orange sitting solemnly on the bar.

A slow smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

Maintaining an even tone, he remarked, 'It looks like you've all invested a lot of thought into this."

Zhou Fang closed his eyes briefly, possibly mourning his association with the group.

Yu-Ze walked to the counter, clearing his throat.

Hoku gestured toward the orange. 

He observed it momentarily before picking it up, peeling it carefully in silence. 

The subtle aroma of citrus mingled with the residual scent of smoke he had brought in from outside. 

Hoku nodded in approval. 

Zhou Fang muttered something inaudible and took another prolonged sip from his drink.

Cheshire had recalled his role amidst the inscrutable atmosphere, and stretched leisurely, inadvertently knocking over another glass. 

Yu-Ze exhaled a sound akin to a chuckle and patted Hoku's shoulder. "Best birthday I've had in a while."

'Maybe I should look into party planning jobs.' Hoku allowed himself a fleeting sense of accomplishment. 

Without looking up, Zhou Fang muttered, "It's not even his birthday."

-End-