/paper stars

A boy with exotic lavender eyes seated cross-legged on the carpeted floor of Mimi's bedroom flipped through an electronics magazine, staring at the products with fascination.

"Mi-chan, what do you want for your birthday?" The boy abruptly inquired, glancing up from an article about robots.

The girl, who was scribbling in her diary feverishly, gnawed on the end of her pencil as she pondered. "But…my birthday isn't until two weeks later."

Ken shrugged nonchalantly, smiling. "It doesn't matter. Close enough."

"Hmm, I want…I want a hundred wishes!" Mimi grinned impishly, pleased that she settled on what she sought after on her sixteenth birthday.

The boy remained silent for a while, speculating how on earth he could grant her a hundred wishes. The color drained from his face, he hoped she did not compose a list of extravagant desires that he could not fulfill.

"It's okay if you don't know what to get me, Ken-chan. You know you're my birthday present," She stuck out her tongue playfully and resumed writing in her leather-bound diary.

He blushed. 'I'm her birthday present…?'

-two weeks later-

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mi-mi…! Happy birthday to you!" A small crowd gathered around Mimi as she giggled in delight.

"Make a wish!" Someone hollered.

The cake was positioned in front of her and Mimi beamed at the sixteen candles. She glanced across the table and met Ken's eyes.

'I wish Ken-chan will be happy for a long time…' She opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

Eight candles went out. Four candles went out. Three candles went out…one candle left and it was the farthest candle from her. Ken bent over; his lips only a few centimeters from the candles and subtly blew.

The people near them cheered but their shrieks were unheard to Mimi and Ken, who were gazing at each other as if they were the only ones in the room.

"Come," Ken mouthed and disappeared upstairs. The girl obediently trailed behind and found him in her room, his two hands behind his back.

"What's that you got there?" Mimi asked pryingly, making an effort to catch a glimpse of what he was hiding.

"Your gift." He merely replied and pulled it out. A noticeable hint of cherry appeared on his cheeks.

A jar of multicolored paper stars crammed to the brink, each handmade with love. The container was labeled '100 Wishes' in permanent black marker.

"Ken-chan…you shouldn't have…" the girl trailed off, eyes widened in marvel. "It must have taken you a while to make these…"

"Shhh." The boy's amethyst eyes glinted affectionately. "It was worth it. I long for you to be the happiest girl in the world, Mi-chan."

Mimi threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, Ken! You wouldn't believe what my birthday wish was…"