Birthday parties are held every year. Six times a year for six family members. <br>Too many. <br>Does the day you were born really have that much meaning? <br>When it was my turn, I just wanted them to leave me alone. I haven’t told anyone. <br>That I think like this. I have to tell the truth. <br>I've grown enough to understand that. <hr> Recess time after the tests were returned. <br>A classmate with a pink backpack loaded with charms said while hopping around unnecessarily, <br>"Mai-chan always gets a perfect score on her tests. That's amazing!" <hr> This is a trap. <br>Indeed, a perfect score every time. A simple fact. <br>So what? <br>It's not like it's special. It's just normal if it happens every time. <br>But if I say it's normal? <br> Immediately, the world turns against me. That is also a fact. <br>Even though I tried being modest. <hr> So... <br>What if I smiled and said, "That's right. I always get 100s. Isn't that amazing?" <hr> I'd be a bit conceited, like the girl who's always laughing in the middle of class.