Birthdays are something that's always been exciting to you. You've never been someone who asks for a lot of things so birthdays are just special where you are treated specially, can open wrapped gifts (this is your favourite part), and are allowed to eat or do basically whatever you want. Plus, your parents were working parents so they didn't have a lot of time to spend with you on a daily basis, which was unfortunate, and that's why they tried to make you feel extra special on your birthday. 

After you moved to Seoul, you couldn't possibly have your parents visit you every year, so you settled with spending your birthday with your friends, specifically Irene. The first time you spent your birthday there, Irene was basically your guardian already and she wanted to at least treat you to something so you could feel special. Even though you had to weigh your weight every day, Irene knew neither you, Seulgi, or herself actually cared so she took you to your favourite restaurant right after practice. 

"Because it's your birthday, let's eat your favourite food," Irene announced, making you look up from your shoes with amazement in your eyes. "My treat." 

"Really?" 

Irene gave you a warm smile, hand patting the top of your head. "Of course, Eli-ah. I know this is the first birthday that you had to spend away from your parents, but we still have to celebrate right?" 

You grinned, wrapping your arms around her waist in a tight hug. Your height was starting to match hers and she dreaded the day you would tower over her. 

"Thank you, Hyun-unnie." You replied in a small voice, making her coo. Honestly, you were just too cute. 

Seulgi heard your conversation and let out a beaming smile. "Can I come too?" 

You and Irene exchanged looks before chuckling, nodding your head simultaneously. "Of course, Unnie. We wouldn't forget about you." 

After that, Irene had tried to do something special for your birthday: a picnic, a hike followed by your favourite food, a special sleepover with a fort and everything, and so on. There were some specifically special birthday moments though, like the one before your debut. All of you were so busy with debut preparation that you forgot about your birthday. Thinking about it now, you must've been so anxious about the debut because there was NO WAY you would forget about your birthday. Irene had tried to do something even remotely special because she had seen the way you acted for the past few weeks and she didn't like what she was seeing. So, she woke you up early in the morning with seaweed soup before practice and planned to spend the night cuddling on your shared bed.  

"Eli-ah, wake up," she sat beside your sleeping figure on your shared bed, running her hand through your hair trying to coax you awake. You all shared a room and she opted to share a bed with you instead of sharing a bunk bed, with none of you being actually fond of sleeping a few meters off the ground. You groaned a little before catching her hand in yours, bringing it down to your face to snuggle closer instead. Irene laughed lowly in response, staring at you with fondness painted in her eyes. 

"Isn't it still early, Unnie?" You grumbled, eyes still stubbornly closed. 

"It is but I've cooked seaweed soup for you," your eyes opened blearily in effect, making you catch the fond smile she had directed at you. "And I thought we could spend your birthday morning together." 

With that you opened your eyes a little wider and sat up, your hair a complete mess on top of your head. Irene smiled and raised her hand to fix your hair a little. "It's my birthday?" You whispered huskily whilst trying not to wake the other members up. 

Irene furrowed her brows in confusion and a little bit of concern. "You forgot? I thought that's your favourite day of the year?" 

You frowned when you realised you really had forgotten about your own birthday. Due to your busy schedule, the days had blurred together and you didn't even keep up with dates anymore. You only knew the countdown on how many days it was until your debut to the public as a part of Red Velvet. 

"I guess I did..." You were still frowning, your brain trying to catch up with the fact that it was April already. 

Irene erased the concern from her eyes so she wouldn't make you even more worried. "Then let's celebrate!" 

Your frown finally turned into a smile and Irene gave you a beaming smile in return. "Let's go!" 

Both of you quietly made your way to the kitchen where you could see the steaming pot of seaweed soup on the stove. Irene let go of your hand to prepare you a bowl while you took a seat on the kitchen island, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. 

A few moment passed and Irene appeared in front of you with your bowl of soup and your favourite mango juice on her hands, putting both in front of you. She took a seat next to you, the seemingly permanent warm smile still painted on her lips. 

"Happy birthday, Eli-ah." She wrapped an arm around you as you took a sip of your soup, eyes closing in bliss. 

"Thank you, Hyun-unnie. This soup tastes so good." 

She beamed. "Really?" You looked at her whilst still slurping it, nodding in response. Irene chuckled then kissed the side of your head in affection. "I'm glad. You can have as many as you want." 

"Eat with me, Unnie." 

Irene shook her head. "It's your birthday soup." 

You gave her a warm smile. "It's better to be eaten with the people you love, Unnie. Eat with me and we can give the rest to the unnies," you shrugged cooly. "Besides, I'll probably eat with them again anyways." 

Irene looked at you with love written in her eyes. She's always loved how considerate you are and she couldn't help but squeeze you in a hug, careful of the soup in your hands. "I love you." 

You grinned. "I love you too." 

It's been almost six years since your debut and you had spent many birthdays with the leader, her spoiling you every year with the things she knew were of your interest, no matter how much it cost. She was aware that fans gave you, everyone really, expensive gifts every year so she tried to keep things a little more personal with the stuff she knew you would like or had been wanting for a while. She was also aware of the fact that you could get them yourself but why let you do that when she could buy it for you? 

This year marked the ten years that you had known each other and Irene wanted to do something a little bit more special for your birthday. Due to the ongoing pandemic, although you were still allowed to go outside, it was highly encouraged to stay indoors and do social distancing. With that in mind, Irene tried to make a surprise party at the company, where it's deemed safer, with the staff that you're closest to. She wanted to invite your friends like ITZY or BLACKPINK but thought better of it, having them send a short video saying happy birthday and sending the presents they had for you to the company instead, which would be received along with the birthday gifts your fans had sent in. Despite everything that's going on, she still wanted to make your birthday special which you very much appreciated.

That morning you woke up to the members singing happy birthday with your favourite cheesecake on their hands, candles in shapes of your Korean age lighting up brightly.

"Happy birthday Eli-aaaaaah!" They all cheered and Irene brought the cake closer to your face so you could blow the candles. You looked at all of them with warmth and love before closing your eyes to make a wish. After you blew the candles, they all cheered again before bringing you into a group hug, making you laugh huskily, your voice still recovering from sleep. 

"Thank you so much, everyone, I love you all." 

"Awww," they all cooed while Yeri wrapped both arms around your neck to bring you into a second hug. You hugged her back tightly. 

"Let's have some cake!"

After enjoying the cake and filling the kitchen with laughter and teasings of you getting old, you went back to your room to reply to fans' messages on social media as well as posting your own pictures the members took this morning, with the caption thanking everyone for the birthday wishes. You spent the day watching Harry Potter films on the couch in the living room, snuggled up to Irene and surrounded by your other sisters. Times like this often made you wonder where you'd be if you didn't take the risk of auditioning and moving to South Korea to become a trainee. 

You shivered in fear thinking about it. 

All of you got hungry and after ordering a late lunch, Irene had the idea to go to the company, all six of you, to go through the presents the fans had sent for you. 

"Why don't we go to the office to collect the gifts from your fans? Manager-unnie texted me that they've received beautifully wrapped boxes of gifts all in your name." 

You raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. You usually would go through gifts days after your actual birthday as to not create a scene if they found out you were at the company, alone or with Irene. Never with all the members. However, if that's allowed now and you could possibly meet some fans you're up for that. 

"That's a great idea! Are you coming with me?" 

Irene gave you a mischievous smile. "Of course I am, we all are. Who's gonna make sure you'll behave, huh?" 

Your right eyebrow raised in question but you proceeded to pout with mirth evident in your eyes. "Why do you have to know me so well?" 

"That's my speciality!" Irene ruffled your head lovingly. "Go get ready, I think if we leave now we could still catch some glimpse of the fans there." 

You didn't question her further as you quickly got up and ran to your room to get ready, leaving a chuckling Irene behind. She was glad you weren't too suspicious of the idea, especially with how all the members were coming with.

Oh well, she just hoped it would stay that way. 

As the van pulled up, you could see some fansite masternims who had arranged the presents still there as of waiting for a miracle. Well, you were here and you would not hesitate to thank them in person instead of through letters. 

"Eli," Manager-unnie called with warning clear in her voice, making you groan and the others to snicker. "You have fifteen minutes with them, and don't get too close. No hugging, okay? We don't want to take any risk." 

You pouted sadly but nodded, knowing it was what's best for you. Wendy patted your head softly, making you turn your attention towards her. Looking at her warm smile you couldn't help but reply with one of your own, making the rest swoon. Honestly, after all these years, how are they still finding you so charming? 

"Go, we'll wait inside." 

You nodded before petting her thigh lightly then opening the door just enough for you to climb out, getting out carefully to not show anyone that the other members were inside. Manager-oppa followed you out and would be staying with you outside, making sure you wouldn't be outside for too long. 

As you made your way to the fans their eyes widened in recognition before squealing slightly, hands over their mouths. You gave them a charming grin and a wave, making them melt even more. Honestly, you were much prettier in real life. 

"Hi, thank you so much for coming." You bowed in greeting and they did the same, smiles on their faces. "How are you?" 

"We're fine, Eli. Happy birthday!" One of them replied and the others cheered after her, making you laugh. 

"Thank you so much! Have you been here long?" 

Another person responded, shaking her head. "It's okay. The staff had taken your presents inside, Unnie. Hope you like them." 

You gave them your signature warm smile and they all but melted all over again. "I'm very grateful. Thank you again." You bowed once more to show your gratitude and they replied in kind. 

"I'm sorry I can't hug you, should we take pictures instead? With distance, of course." 

They laughed but nodded, taking their phones out. You talked some more before your manager called your name, head tilting towards the building as a sign that it's been fifteen minutes already. 

You nodded before turning back towards the fans with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry but I have to go. Thank you so much for supporting me and Red Velvet. Just know that we all cherish and appreciate every one of you ReVeluv." 

They nodded and bowed, you doing the same in response. "Bye! Thank you again!" 

"Bye, Eli!" "Bye, Eli-unnie!" They chorused and you noticed some of them filming, making you wink at the cameras knowing they would upload the videos as soon as possible. 

You made your way inside with your manager, him showing you the room where the presents were stored. Or so you thought. 

The minute you opened the door, all the people inside screamed 'Happy birthday Eli!' very loudly which caused you to jump slightly, eyes wide in surprise. You took in the sight of your favourite cake on the table and many, many presents stacked up in the corner. You also noticed how the room had been decorated with your favourite colour. 

"Yah, what is this?" You looked around with wonder in your eyes, taking in the image of your members with wide, carefree grins on their faces, accompanied by your closest staff members including your manager and the group's managers. 

"Surprise!" 

You laughed loudly, looking around in amazement. "I get that. Thank you so much." 

Your manager would've hugged you but with social distancing, she'd have to wait. She gave you her warmest smile instead, prompting you to smile back. "You've done a lot for us, Eli-ah, we just want to make sure you know how special you are to us." 

There were sounds of agreement echoing throughout the very small crowd and you couldn't help but teared up, not being able to hold back your happy tears. 

Seulgi, who saw how your eyes had teared up, quickly made her way to your taller figure with a concerned frown on her lips. "Why are you crying? Don't cry, you're gonna make me cry too!" 

You chuckled tearily while wiping the happy tears away, Seulgi eagerly helping out while the other members made their way to where you were. 

"These are happy tears, Unnie, don't worry." 

Seulgi only shook her head but the worry had disappeared from her eyes. You looked at your members. "Thank you so much." 

They gave you their happiest smiles before Joy broke the silence, holding out an iPad for you to hold. "Play the video, dongsaeng-ah!" 

You chuckled as you heard BLACKPINK's intro and voices, all congratulating you and saying their apologies because they couldn't be there in person. They mentioned the presents they had sent and your eyes wandered towards said presents, head shaking in amusement. After their voices, you heard those of the girls from ITZY and you giggled, making the others to do the same. They greeted with high enthusiasm though they expressed how they wished they could've seen you in person. They also mentioned their presents and your eyes found them among the various piles, of gifts, a soft smile forming on your lips. 

After the video was over you looked up and wrapped your arms around your members, making them scoot closer and melt into the embrace. One of the staff filmed and the other took pictures of the moment, making sure to capture how perfect it looked.

"Thank you for making my birthday very special. I love you so much." 

There was a chorus of "We love you too, Eli" before they pulled back from the hug and Yeri to drag you towards your cake.

"Let's celebrate again, Unnie! Then we can do your favourite part!" 

You chuckled but nodded your head nonetheless, eyes wandering around the room once again. 

You saw the look on everyone's eyes and you feel the warmth building in your chest, feeling the love directed towards you. You were very grateful for everything you have achieved and earned, and you wouldn't change anything for the world. 

You were blessed, there's no doubt about it.