"What do you mean by paint Ayako-chan?" Miki asked.

"Don't kids love clowns?" Ayako asked.

"Yes...?" Oh no, please don't tell me-----

"I and Yumi-tan will dress up as clowns!" Ayako exclaimed.

"B-But how about Miki-chan?!"

"She's going to be the host in the party!"

"EHHHH?! B-But--------!"

"Just say anything you could think of! I'm kinda planning to do a magic show." Ayako said. "Let's start putting on the makeup!!!"

Ayako had this mischievous look on her face while slowly walking towards me with the paint. I quickly backed away from her. Think Yumi! Think! Before she makes you a clown!!!

"W-Wait!" I exclaimed. "Maybe the kids will get scared at clowns!!! You're doing a magic show, right?! Dress up as a magician!"

She stopped for a moment.

"Maybe you're right!" She said. "But how about you? Are you going to dress up normally?"

"Um..." I thought. "Aha! I'll do face painting!" I said.

Thank goodness! I know how to do face painting. I'm grateful that I took painting lessons in elementary!

"So you still need to paint yourself!" Ayako said and walk another step forward.

"I'll do it myself!" I said, grabbed the paint away from her, and got a mirror.

"So, a magic show and face painting?" Miki asked.

"Yup!" Ayako said happily. "I feel this party is going to be successful!"

The woman from before went towards us.

"Miu isn't here. Do you know why?" She asked.

"She still has to do something on school." I lied.

"Oh..." She started to walk away.

"Wait! Do you have any microphone? And can we ask for water?" Ayako asked.

"Yes, we have a microphone. Why?"

"Can we borrow it?" Ayako asked. "We were tasked to host the party by Miu-tan."

"And the water...?"

"We'll be needing it for the face painting by Yumi-tan."

"Sure." She nodded. "I'll get it."

She said and went back inside the house.

So, what design should I do? I thought. I picked the brush up and twirled it around my finger. Oh! Maybe a flower design would do the trick!

I dipped the brush on the paint and carefully applied the paint first near my eye, down to my cheek.

"Here!" She got back and handed us the things.

"Let's start!" Ayako exclaimed and got a magician hat from her bag.

Why is she bringing a magician hat to school...? I sweat-dropped.

"Yumi-tan, stay here and paint first your face okay~?"

"Sure..."

"Miki-tan!! Gambatte!!" Ayako said and pushed Miki a little towards the center of the party.

Miki (Jung)shooked while holding the mic tightly. Come on Miki, you can do this!

"A-Ano..." She spoke through the mic. The kids stop on what they're doing and stared at her. She gulped. "K-Konnichiwa! I'm Mitsuko Miki, but you may call me as Miki-neesan (I almost typed Miki-unnie ^^;)! I'll be hosting the party for today. Before we start, may I ask you if you like magic shows?"

"Hai~" The kids chorused.

"Today, we have a magician, and she's willing to do a magic show! Let's welcome, Ayako-neesan!"

The kids clapped and chanted her name. Ayako enthusiastically went over to the center and smiled before grabbing the mic.

"Konnichiwa~ as you may know, I'm Ayako-neesan, the magician! Now, may I ask where the birthday girl is?"

There was a commotion at the back, and then a girl was pushed towards the front. She shyly went over to Ayako.

"So you're the birthday girl?" The girl nodded timidly. "What's your name?"

"A-Ami..." She spoke quietly.

"Ami-chan! No need to be shy~" Ayako gave Ami a smile which kinda boosted her confidence. "So, let's start with a basic magic trick!"

Ayako motioned towards the back of the girl. She stiffened. Ayako showed her hands to the kids, revealing nothing. She motioned to her ear and twirled her hand and showed to the audience. The previously empty hand has now a coin. The kids wowed and clapped. She gave Ami the coin.

"And now, for the next trick..." Ayako took the hat and shook it. Nothing fell. "Eh? It seems like our furry friend's shy. Who wants to help him?"

Multiple hands shot up while Ayako looked over at them. She pointed at a boy and the boy went over to her. Ayako reached over to the hat and grabbed a carrot. The kids once again wowed at her.

"Poke the carrot over to the hat! I'm sure Mr. Rabbit wouldn't resist a tasty snack~" Ayako explained and set the hat over to a nearby table.

The boy did what he was told, and a rabbit sprung out of the hat making the audience gasp. The rabbit hopped towards the boy and munched on the carrot. The boy's eyes sparkled and he petted the kawaii and furry rabbit.

Ayako did many different magic tricks. From a rabbit, then a dove, doing card magic, and much more! I admit Ayako impressed me. It went for an hour (and I can't believe she has many magic tricks to share) before the gate opened and revealed Miu and her friend. They rushed towards me and Miki. Ayako saw this and bowed.

"And, Magician Ayako's done on her show!" Ayako said while tipping her hat. The children whined.

"Please! Another magic Ayako-neesan!" They all chorused. We sweat-drop.

"Ayako did a good job when we were baking the cupcakes, didn't she?" Miu said.

"She sure did." I agreed.

"Hmmmm," Ayako thought. "Ah! I have one last trick. But first, line up!"

They immediately formed one straight line. Ayako grinned at how obedient they are and entered her hand on the hand. She pulled and got a cupcake.

Our eyes widened before looking at the tray of cupcakes as indeed, one of the cupcakes gone missing. Now I'm getting creeped out by Ayako...

She handed it to the first one and the girl smiled at her before munching on it. She got another and gave one, and so on. That was until every kid got a cupcake.

"And that's the end of Ayako's Magic Show~!" She said and went towards us.

"H-How did you do that?!" I asked, horrified.

"A magician never reveals her secret~" She said and winked.

"Thank you for buying us time to bake the cupcakes!" Miu bowed.

"And here's your reward!" Her friend gave us the cupcakes. We immediately took one and ate.

"It's nothing!" Ayako said while eating. "Besides, I had fun! But, can we still continue the party?"

"Eh?" I and Miki looked at her.

"Let's finish it! And besides, I don't want to go to school today..." Ayako said while pouting.

I and Miki almost choked at the mention of school. Who wouldn't if your subject this morning is Science?! And that baka-sensei is your teacher?!

"What's the matter Miki-tan, Yumi-tan?" Ayako asked.

"Our teacher... Is Meanie/Baka-sensei..." I and Miki said glumly.

"Don't worry, I got you absent slips." Miu's friend said and waved towards our face the slips.

"Arigato!! You're a life saver!!" We tackled her into a hug.

"E-EH?!" She squirmed.

"Oi, Yumi-tan! Stop hugging! It's your turn!" Ayako reminded. Miki stood up first and went to host the party.

"What will you do?" They asked.

"I'll do face painting." I sighed. "And I'm pretty sure my hands will be cramping after this..."

"We'll help!" They exclaimed.

"Let's start the face painting activity!" Miki exclaimed and the children crowded towards us.

"And also, form a line or your neesans won't do it!" Miki added.

They obediently formed a line and we started painting. It took us some time to finish painting. It was then followed by games, and before we know it, it's already 4 in the afternoon. It's already quiet in the backyard, and the only people left were me, Miki, Ayako, Miu, her friend, and Ami.

"Happy Birthday Ami!" Miu smiled at her little sister and her sister hugged her.

"Thank you onee-san! This was my happiest birthday." Her little sis said.

For some reason, I felt my chest tighten. I'm happy for them, yet I'm feeling sad. It might be because I have a younger 'sister' in which I don't know her name. I don't even know where she's now, or is she alive. Or maybe... I don't have a younger sister...

But something inside me tells that she isn't a lie.