32 - Smile

"Big sis! You called? That's great.”

Marlota's question gave her a smile. Her sister, who is the youngest, "Have you been doing well?"

"Big sis, please buy me a new laptop and cellphone because the one you sent me was broken," Marites groaned quickly. She is currently enrolled in a Tourism course at college.

"Why, what's happen?"

"I don't know. Big sis, I need a laptop and cellphone next week; just send money, ha?"

She simply nodded to bring their conversation to a close. Because she know, Marlota will not stop until she gets what she wants.

"Big sis, I'm in the same boat as Marlota. I need money to fix the motorcycle you bought after Onyok crashed into a pole and scratched the tire, which had to be replaced."

She took a long time to respond. She is used to her family in the Philippines giving her problems every time she calls, and she has become accustomed to fulfilling their needs even when she has nothing left.

"O-okay, I'll send," she says.

"Really? Thank you!"

She only gave a simple smile. Even if it's only a video call, she feels better when she sees her siblings' happy smiling faces.

"My daughter, Marie!" her mother.

When she saw her Mother on the screen, it brought tears to her eyes. “Ma! How are you?"

"Daughter, when will you send payment for my debt? The one you sent last week was insufficient, especially since your father even took food for his pet chickens. Your four siblings are also grown up and both are already in college. Marites wanted a new laptop and cellphone. Kuhh, what you gave her is wrecked again! You probably heard that earlier when you talked to her. Mario, he need money for their school activity. Mark, on the other hand, needed money to repair his motorcycle."

"Got it, 'Ma."

When she finished writing what her Mother had said on a small piece of paper, she sparingly nodded. It didn't take long for them to make a video call to her because they all had something to do, and she simply sighed when their call ended. No one remembers to greet her. She just smiled sparsely to herself and didn't even think about it.

She tucked her phone under her pillow and turned her attention to the food, tears welling up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. It's her birthday today, but no one remembers, not even his mother. Maybe next year, they will

She had lost her appetite and decided to just lie in bed and sleep because she had to be up early the next day, 6 a.m., and it would be better for her to get some rest now. She was about to close her eyes when she received a call from their Superior, which she quickly accepted.

She greeted him with a cheerful "Konbanwa!"

"Saisho ni kuru kaisha no chikaku ni resutoran ga arimasu," Come here now to nearest restaurant, faster;

"Noted Superior." She quickly answer and the call died

Their superior is a woman, and she is Japanese, and she has been invited to the first restaurant near the Company.

She quickly put on a muffin slipper and went out because the Restaurant was so close. It was only then that she noticed that her coworkers were gone; it appears that their team had an emergency meeting. She quickly grabbed his company bike parked to one side and pedaled to the Restaurant, which was only about a ten minute ride.

Mrs. Ajinomoto may call them late at night if they have done something wrong or against Company policy, she thought as she pedaled.

When she arrived at the restaurant, she immediately parked the bike to one side; the entire establishment was quiet, as if waiting for her. She counted the slippers outside, there were over twenty people inside. She removed her slippers and set them aside.

"Ureshii na kyou wa. Tanoshii na kyou wa. Tanjoubi omedetou. Outa wo utaimashou."

She was nailed in her place when the happy faces of her coworkers in the staff house sing a Japanese birthday song, one of them were carrying cake, and some were holding balloons. She did not move immediately and was completely baffled by what had happened when they greeted her.

"Happy birthday, Marie!" Fidel, who was carrying a tarpaulin, is next to Judith, who is carrying a cake with three candles lit on it.

She locked her gaze on them, some of whom were dressed in thick pajamas, while the men wore the same, holding balloons and smiling at her as if she had treated them well.

So, what exactly is going on here...?

Even though she and Judith are friends, she has no idea how they found out it was her birthday.

"As you can see, Maria, you've reached the age of 30!"

They both laughed at what her friend said at the same time, and it was only then that she noticed Mrs. Ajinomoto and nodded gently next to their Team Leader.

"H-how did you figure out that today is my birthday?" In astonishment, she inquired.

"Mrs. Ajinomoto did. She called us, and said we were surprise you."

She gave a tearful smile as she looked at their superior, who is known for being strict with her employees, so it's surprising that this is how she treats them, particularly her.

"Will you just stare at the candle and blow it out? What, Maria?"

She did as Judith said, but she blew it, leading Judith to intervene.

"Hep-hep! I know you're not going to wish, so I'll make a wish for you." It simply smiled and closed her eyes when she looked at it. "Lord, I pray for a boyfriend for my friend. I pray, Lord, that she is no longer a hater, and that you will hurry up and give her a man because she is thirty years old. Lord, I don't want her to die a virgin, untouchable. Amen!" and lit out three candles with a single blow.

The volume of her coworkers' cheers as their Superior and Team Leader laughed together, as if they understood. She shook a little. She is unconcerned about becoming old and virgin. She didn't require the presence of a man in her life, but she was mystified at the time. It was the first time an employee like her had been invited to such a gathering and celebration.

Mrs. Ajinomoto appears to be planning to dismiss me. According to rumors, this is the despedida party.

"Kanpai!" they exclaimed as they simultaneously raised their glasses and drank.

Judith and their Superior were next to her. She couldn't move, and in the aura of the old woman, it was as if a chain was tied around her neck.

They took their seats on the floor, facing together the elongated table. His favorite Japanese dishes are in the center. Tamagoyaki, Kashi Pan, Takoyaki, Shabu-Shabu, Dumplings, Sushi Rice, and Amazake Drinks are some of the popular Japanese dishes. The amount of food prepared almost made her eyes enlarge. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. She believes there is a replacement for it.

"Domo Arigatogozaimasu!" Thank you very much.

When they'd finished eating and said their goodbyes to the old woman, they promised at the same time. They'll be up early again tomorrow, and the night will be long.

They got on their bikes and pedaled away in silence. Even though she was wearing thick pajamas, she was not wearing a jacket or scarf, and she felt the cold of Japan.

This is causing me a great deal of discomfort. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my job.

One after another, she sighed. She doesn't believe there will be no replacement tonight, so she'll speak with their Team Leader tomorrow as well, just in case. Her family relies on the money she makes as a fruit picker, so she can't be fired.

"Congratulations on your special day."

She gave the man name Gheron a sidelong glance. Her brow furrowed, and she 'didn't respond to his greeting. She had noticed it giving them stares as they ate earlier.

"Marie, get a good night's rest. Greetings on your special day." He smiled.

She just rolled her eyes. Wish, Gheron will swim on the road.

"Ayyy!" she exclaimed, and she was the one who was swimming on the road surface. When her bike sped away, she was in excruciating pain.

Fidel was the first to get off his bike and attend to Marie, but she quickly retracted Fidel's hand.

Some of their companions came to a halt in front of her and stared at her. Others smirked and laughed, but she ignored them. They had only been nice to her earlier because they scared to their superior and team leader.

"I don't like her. She's so picky! Eww."

She pretended she wasn't heard that. She has no influence on what they say at any point because she is more knowledgeable about herself.

"Maria, what happened!" Judith rushed over to her, but all she did was look at her friend. As if nothing had happened, she rose to her feet.

"Do you mind if I ask if you're all right?"

Gheron also asked, his eyes locked.

"No one dies simply on this," she said fatally before returning to pedaling. Nothing appeared to be wrong, but her foot and knee were hurting.



THE next day, Marie was driving to the farm. She smiled slightly as she remembered how foolish she had been the night before, but she was glad that someone had remembered her birthday. She was happy last night, even if it didn't show on her face. She was concerned, however, about their Superior's good manners. Her mind was still mulling over what might happen.

The icy temperatures in Japan had frozen her. It is not possible, even if it would be nice to sleep and cover the bed with a blanket. Her parents' bills and her siblings' tuition in the Philippines are keeping her awake at night. Because she was the only one they could count on, she had to work double shifts.

She arrived at the Green House and immediately began supervising the strawberry harvest. They begin at 9 a.m. on occasion, but also at 6 a.m. on occasion, when the owner, Mr. Yakoto, is present. Everyone, including their superior, was afraid of the him.

“Maria!

She only gave Judith a sidelong glance before returning her attention to the strawberries. She's now getting rid of the dried leaves and extra flowers. The heat generated by the GreenHouse temperature appears to be of assistance in some way.

"Stop being snobbish. Oh, and first, here's your coffee." She was handed instant coffee by Judith.

"I'm done; just finish what you're working on."

"Superior gave that' no. Its up to you. You answer her question about why'you didn't accept the coffee she gave you," she said.

Mrs. Ajinomoto appears to have a plan to fire her, so she turned to it and grabbed the coffee she was holding in his other hand, despite the fact that she intended to drink coffee later to warm her stomach.

"By the way, Maria, I discovered the name of my crush was Gheron," it chuckles. "Gheron of my life! It seems like we are truly destined to be together. Gheron and Judith Nuptials."

The wind blew her away, allowing Judith to talk freely; it's hyper every day, and she realizes that her friend's specialty is most likely that.

"I got some news, Maria," her friend said, "I just heard it from our coworker..."