Rose- "Ah,another year already ..? My birthday's tomorrow ..."

It's bright and early in the morning

Before heading off to work, I check the calendar and notice that tomorrow is that fateful day .

(Well, it's not like I have any plans... It'll be just like any other day, I guess )

I will be 34 years old as of tomorrow I feel nothing .

And these past 10 years I haven't even seen the slightest glimmer of love , either . Now I really feel nothing ...

Rose- "Hm? Oh, I got a letter... It's from Ayaka ."

Rose- "oh , look at that ... she's married now. Her husband looks like a nice man ...

Ayaka is one of my juniors I knew back in culinary school. I've been getting deluged with wedding announcements from all of my former juniors recently .

(I suppose even my juniors are in their 30's now... I guess that's what happens when you're 30 , you get married. )

Delivery man- "Good morning ! Sayama Express !"

Rose- "Oh, morning Thank you

Delivery man - "Sign here , please ."

I looked at him he had greish hair and his eyes are grey too , but don't get me wrong he is young and really good looking ."

Delivery man- "Are you okay "

Rose- "Yes where do I sign ?"

Rose- "Alright "

The delivery man presents me with a rather large envelope . On it, pink lettering spells out "Zexil."

(It's from mom...)

(What in the world is Zexil ?)

I sign for the envelope and as I lifted my head up , I locked eyes with the delivery man .

Delivery man- "...!"

Rose- "?"

(What's going on ? Why does he look so surprised all of a sudden ..?)

Delivery man- "... It's been a while , huh ? "

Rose- "Hm?"

The name tag on his uniform reads "Kikuchi"
(Did I know a Kikuchi?)

Rose- "Um , did we meet somewhere before...?"

Tilting my head to the side I see the smile vanish from his face almost instantaneously .

Kikuchi- "... Thank you very much."

Rose- "Oh, yes thank you..."

(Did he mistake me for someone else? He was about the same age as my younger brothers .. But I don't know anyone that young .. do I ?)

I'm still rather perplexed by that interaction as I open the envelope and look inside .

Rose- "This is... a ticket to a singles event!?"

(Oh, mom ... you didn't ..!)

I started looking around to see if anybody heard me , when ...

Delivery man- ..."So are you... going to that?"

I blushed

Rose- "Huh?"

(Oh jeez , how embarrassing . I can't believe I said that out loud... He must have heard me. )

Rose- "U-um, maybe ! Who knows! Ahaha..."

(But just why would a delivery man be asking me something like that ...?)

I laugh it off awkwardly and hurry out of my apartment .