[[Happy first birthday, Marie!]]

The Repairman slowly and carefully guided Cat Slime over to Marie, helping him keep the cake balanced. He offered to carry the cake himself, but Cat Slime insisted that he present the cake that he made.

When they finally got to Marie, the Repairman turned to her and smiled.

“Well, Marie, you’ve been my assister for a year now, and–”

“Wait, did you mean assistant or sister…?” Marie asked, head tilted slightly.

“Oh, erm, both. Anyway…”

The Repairman reached behind himself, pulling out a small green toolbox, wrapped in a light red ribbon.

“How about something to help your job out more…?” he asked, as Marie gasped.

“R-Repairman…”

And then Cat Slime wobbled forward, squeaking happily as he brought the cake over.

“Oh, Cat Slime! Thank you!” she exclaimed, being quick to grab the platter from him. She gently set it on top of the tool cart and turned back to the Repairman.

“And thank you, too!”

“Don’t thank me yet!” the Repairman chuckled, holding the toolbox out. “Open it first!”

Marie took it, and after gently unraveling the ribbon, opened the toolbox to reveal…

Bows. Rows and rows of bows. A lot of them were identical to her green one, but there were also plain orange, red, and violet bows. Not only that, there were a few made of wool, and some with white polka dots.

The Repairman beamed, as he saw the stars in her eyes. Of course, she would probably organize them better, but her awe in that moment…

His eyes nearly popped out when Marie gave him that hug.

“Oh, thank you, Repairman! I’m gonna have to try these on!”

“N…no problem…” he gasped, before being let go. “…ack…Glad you like ‘em! Be sure to thank Susumu; she helped me pick some out. Anyway, just let me know, and I’ll get you the tools you want in there, too, okay?”

“Oh! I’m gonna have to think about that one…”

Cat Slime squeaked indignantly, holding a large knife in his mouth.

“Heh, but before I do, I guess I should blow that candle out and cut the cake, huh?”