Nick began to tap his fingers on the wall he was leaning on. He watched as his friend Hiros rummaged through the closet, looking for “something” as he had referred to.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” Nick asked, his patience beginning to run thin. Hiros’ voice was a bit muffled, as if a coat or blanket was covering his face, but Nick was able to hear him clearly enough.
“I know where it is, I just buried it in all this stuff so no one can find it!” Hiros shouted back.
“For something this valuable, you think you’ll keep it secure in a more… protective way?”
“Do I look like the person that would have a large lab with an underground vault?”
“You could-”
“Got it!”

Hiros exited out of the closet, holding out a dagger. “This is what Nagisa gave me so I could visit her. Watch this, it literally can cut a fabric in space!” Hiros walked up to a fairly empty spot in his home and slashed at the air with the dagger. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then all of a sudden, a tear appeared out of nowhere, forming a portal. “Once we step inside we will be at my sister’s domain. Make sure you grab your present, OK?”
“Wait, we are going now? I thought the party wasn’t for a few days?” Nick said.
“True, but she did ask me to help her set up for the party, mainly with decorations” Hiros replied.

Nick let out a small chuckle.
“Oh yes, but she better pay me this time!” He grabbed his own present and jumped into the portal, following Hiros who went in before. Nick had never been to Nagisa’s domain before. He expected a large, heavenly palace, or maybe even some place representing hell (she is the goddess of darkness after all). He was surprised to see that her domain was… merely a  large field. The place was not empty as Nick spotted numerous fountains, gardens, a large lake, and what appeared to be a small town out in the distance. There were numerous monster girls all over the place, all of them moving about and setting up for the party.

“Wow…” Was all Nick muttered to say. Despite all the hustle and bustle from Nagisa’ subjects, the place was fairly tranquil and Nick felt at ease.
“Ah, my first guests!” Nick heard a familiar voice boom from behind him. He turned around and came face to face with Nagisa herself.
“Glad you could come help ‘boys’,” she said with a wink. “Not that I needed to have this set up this way, but, I think I want to try something different this year!”
“So that’s why you are having others set up the party?” Hiros asked. Nagisa nodded with a smile.

Nick caught her eyes focusing on his hands, or more precisely, the present he was holding.
“Oh right, is there a place where you are keeping your presents?” Nick asked.
“Why, of course!” Nagisa pointed to a large fountain to their left. The fountain was already covered in presents.
“I thought we were your first guests?”
“Oh, you are, but all my subjects each got me a gift as well~” Nagisa giggled. Hiros had left them for a spell to place his gift alongside the fountain. He waved over to Nick to do the same. Nick was about to do just that, but Nagisa put out her hand to stop him.

“Nick.”
“Uh… yes Lady Nagisa?”
“You know, some gods have a tradition where they get to open one of their presents before their birthday~” Nick looked at her while a frown formed on his face.
“Well, it’s probably better that you open this gift after the party. It’s-”
“It’s what?” Nagisa seemed intrigued by Nick’s words, catching him about to say “dangerous”. How could a mortal gift to a goddess even be remotely dangerous?
“Well now you just made me want to open it even more!” Nagisa exclaimed as she yanked the gift out of Nick’s hands.
“Come on, I know-”

Before Nagisa could continue speaking, Nick had grasped the gift out of her hands. She noticed that he was sweating heavily.
“No! Lady Nagisa, I mean-” Nick stopped himself to think. The goddess watched her friend with confusion but also some concern. Nick was a bit of a trickster, but he never dared pull anything funny with her before. She couldn’t quite read Nick’s mind, but his face gave away that he had felt some regret, but whether it was for how he exploded on her or something else, she couldn’t tell.
“I wrapped this up so only me or a god could open it. It’s not that it’s dangerous to a god, but I’m afraid what will happen if it fell into mortal hands.”
“Could you at least tell me what it is?” Nagisa asked.
“I know your subjects are loyal, but I would feel more comfortable if we talked about it… alone.”

“Nick….” Nagisa’s voice trailed off a bit. “Don’t tell me, are you proposing?” She said with a slightly embarrassed laugh. Nick shared her sentiment but shook his head.
“Oh trust me, you are wonderful, Lady Nagisa, but I wouldn’t propose to a god!” There was an awkward silence between the two. “Just… don’t open this present until later, like after the party, OK?” Nagisa looked over at Nick, her face filled with concern but also curiosity.
“Alright, I won’t open it up until after.” Nick let out a sigh of relief and went over to place his gift down.

“So, what can I do to help? Hiros said that you needed help with decorations.”

“Oh, well….” Nagisa walked over to Nick with a mischievous smile on her face. “Do you like plants?”