She stopped again.

So did he.

Scarlet finally turned toward him with an irritated expression. "Why are you copying me?" Ciel looked completely relaxed, as if this entire situation was perfectly normal.  A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

"I'm accompanying you," he replied calmly, "so you won't feel lonely."

Scarlet rolled her eyes. "You're annoying. Go somewhere else."

Instead of leaving, Ciel laughed softly and continued running beside her. It was only Scarlet's second day of training. And she had already received punishment. Two full laps around the massive Vesper mansion grounds. The mansion was so large that even one lap was exhausting.

After thirty minutes of running, Scarlet's breathing had already become uneven.

Her steps slowed. Her shoulders rose and fell with every breath.

Ciel glanced at her briefly. "You can do it."

Scarlet shot him a tired glare while gasping for air. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Enjoy it then!"

Ciel only chuckled quietly. Meanwhile Scarlet continued running stubbornly. She refused to stop.Even if her legs were screaming in pain. Even if every breath felt like fire in her chest. Another thirty minutes passed.

Now Scarlet looked half-dead. Her hair was messy, her cheeks flushed, and her breathing rough.

Her legs felt like they might collapse any second. Just as she felt like giving up— he noticed a familiar figure standing ahead on the path. Her eyes widened slightly.

Grandpa…?

As she got closer, she realized it really was him. Lorenzo Vesper stood there calmly with his hands behind his back, watching them. Scarlet suddenly gathered the last bit of strength she had and ran toward him.

"Grandpa!"

She almost collapsed in front of him. "This is too unfair!" Her voice carried a dramatic grievance. "Help me beat the person who punished me!"

Lorenzo chuckled.

The sound was deep and amused. "How can I beat him," he said calmly, "when that person is me?"

Scarlet acted froze. Her expression changed instantly.

"Oh… it's you?"

She straightened slightly and spoke in a completely different tone. "Then shorten my punishment." Lorenzo sighed as if deeply troubled.

"…Fine."

Scarlet's eyes lit up. "Then only one lap."

Scarlet's happiness lasted exactly one second.

"Grandpa!"

"I'm not even halfway done yet!" Lorenzo immediately covered his ears like a stubborn old man.

"I can't hear anything."

"Run."

"Run."

"Run."

Scarlet stared at him with disbelief. Meanwhile Lorenzo turned his attention toward Ciel. "Oh brat, you actually came today."

"I didn't expect that."

Then he added casually— "Happy birthday."

Scarlet's entire body stiffened. The words hit her like a falling rock.

Birthday…? Ciel simply replied calmly.

"Thank you."

Then he resumed running beside Scarlet as if nothing had happened. Lorenzo watched them leave with interest. He turned toward one of his men. "Why is Ciel running with her?" The guard bowed respectfully.

"Master, Young Master Ciel said he would accompany Young Miss during her punishment."

Lorenzo chuckled quietly. Meanwhile Scarlet felt extremely awkward. Her mind kept repeating one sentence.

It's his birthday.

And I forgot.

She slowly distanced herself while running. Her eyes stayed fixed on the ground. She didn't dare look at Ciel. But Ciel noticed immediately. He glanced sideways at her.

"Scar."

She stiffened. "…Yes?"

He tilted his head slightly. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Scarlet forced an awkward laugh.

A small sweat drop formed on her forehead. "Happy birthday, my dear Ciel."

Ciel raised an eyebrow.

"That's it?"

Scarlet sighed internally. She felt guilty. No matter how much they argued whenever they met— Ciel had never forgotten her birthday. Every year he gave her a gift. Even when they were children. Even when they were fighting. But she… forgot his birthday completely.Scarlet cleared her throat.

Then she spoke in a polite tone that sounded slightly exaggerated.

"So… what does Master Ciel want as an apology from me?"

Ciel slowed his pace slightly. He pretended to think seriously.

"Hm…"

Scarlet watched him nervously. Finally he spoke.

"Spend the day with me."

Scarlet blinked. "…Only that?"

Ciel nodded casually. "Yes."

Then he added with a faint smile—

"So run faster."

"Then we can go somewhere to play."

Scarlet stared at him for a moment. Then her tired expression slowly brightened.

"Okay!"

Her voice carried genuine excitement. Suddenly her steps felt lighter. Her exhaustion faded slightly. And for the first time since the punishment started— Scarlet began running with new energy. Beside her, Ciel watched quietly.

The faint smile on his lips remained.

Because for him—

This birthday had already become far more interesting than he expected. 

And for the gift he already took from her when his birthday just started. He said that while licking his lips.