Shinji woke up and pressed the button of his alarm clock. It was shaped like a small roster and her sister had given him as a gift with her first salary of the temple.

The little boy got up from his futon and went to the bathroom to get ready for the swimming lessons.

He brushed his teeth, put on one of the trunks Sakuno had bought him, put some shorts and a t-shirt and checked his backpack before putting on his back.

Shinji went to his sister's room and she was still sleeping. Since she got sick, she arranged her schedules with Ryoma's help and was able to sleep a little more.

He kissed her cheek and whispered "I am off, Nee-chan" before leaving her room.

######

Ryoma had a toast with jam on his mouth, while he finished preparing scramble eggs. His cooking had improved a lot under Sakuno's teachings and he was know able to prepare basic dishes without transforming them in charcoal.

"Good morning, Ryoma-nii!" Shinji entered his kitchen with a smile.

"Oh, Shinji." He answered taking a bite of the toast before leaving it on a small plate. "Morning. Take a seat, food will be ready soon."

"Okay!" the boy waited on the short table, his backpack by his side.

"Here we go." Ryoma went to the table carrying two dishes. There was scrambled eggs, a big toast with fruit jam and sausages.

"Thank you for the food, Ryoma-nii!' he clapped his hands together, before picking up the hashi and start to eat. "It's yummy! You are really getting better!"

"I am sorry I can't make many options like your sister food." He said, re-starting to eat his toast.

"Don't worry." the boy grinned between bites. "I like Ryoma-nii's food."

"Better than your sister's?"

"Of course not!" he responded honestly and Ryoma chuckled.

#########

They were going to his swimming lessons. It was a short walk, just a few blocks to the temple. They were talking when the little boy's green eyes were drawn to a bakery window display with a beautiful birthday cake showing. It was covered with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and strawberries.

"What is it?" Ryoma asked, when he stopped walking. "Do you like cake?"

"Birthday cakes." he smiled at Ryoma. "They are so beautiful."

"What kind of cake do you usually have on your birthday?"

The teenager noticed his sad expression and he looked at the cake inside the store again.

"I never had one. Nee-chan too. We never had money."

Ryoma felt horrible and inconsiderate.

"But, Nee-chan would always by a little cupcake for me." He smiled again. "I want to bake a birthday cake for her on her next birthday, Ryoma-nii. Would you help me?"

"Of course." He looked at the little boy gently and touched his hair. "And how about you, Shinji? When is your birthday? We could make a cake for you too."

"Really?" his green eyes sparkled and he held Ryoma's hand. "Can we really?"

"It would probably not be so beautiful like this one, but…"

"I want it! I really want it, Ryoma-nii!"

"It's settled then." Shinji grinned. "When is your birthday, Shinji?"

"December 24th."

"For real? It's my birthday too."

"Can we have two cakes then?!"

"No problem." Her mother always insisted on having one at his birthday, even with him telling her it was not necessary. "Let's go? Otherwise we are going to be late."

"Yes!" he held Ryoma's bigger hand and they started to walk again.