The Birthday Trap

He could feel multiple piercing gazes following him.

No doubt those bewildered stares came from members of the organization, baffled by the sight of that Georgio the Hyena casually accompanying Rocco on a stroll.

Their eyes seemed to silently scream, What on earth is going on!?

Ignoring the attention with practiced ease, Rocco made his way through the garden.

Once he reached a slightly open area, he turned around to face Georgio and Ragar, looking up at them with a firm nod.

Good.

Both of them were still with him.

"Both of you, crouch down. It's time for a top-secret strategy meeting," Rocco announced with determination.

Taking the lead, he crouched on the ground and picked up a nearby stick, using it to write "Strategy Meeting" on the dirt.

He alternated his gaze between Georgio and Ragar, who obediently crouched as instructed.

Then, with a serious expression, he pulled out a sealed envelope from his chest pocket and held it up dramatically.

The envelope was black, adorned with a purple wax seal.

It was an important letter that had arrived earlier that morning from the main estate.

"It's finally here. The invitation to my sixth birthday party…" Rocco announced dramatically.

At his declaration, both Georgio and Ragar's eyes widened, their faces filled with shock.

They seemed to grasp immediately the true nature of the invitation—this was no ordinary party; for Rocco, it was a harbinger of impending doom.

"What? Master, your birthday's coming up soon? Why didn't you tell me earlier?! I don't have a single present ready!" Georgio exclaimed.

"Unbelievable… I, of all people, failed to know the date of my Young Master's birthday. What a disgrace!" Ragar muttered, visibly distressed.

Completely oblivious to the weight of Rocco's concerns, the two of them descended into a flurry of activity.

Despite their usual bickering, they suddenly banded together in an oddly cooperative fashion, discussing what Rocco might want as a gift.

"What do you think the Master would like?" Georgio asked.

"I don't know! The Young Master never expresses any desires!" Ragar snapped.

Rocco frowned, puffing out his cheeks in frustration as he observed their antics.

This is supposed to be a strategy meeting for the three of us, he thought feeling annoyed.

His sour expression eventually caught their attention, and both of them panicked.

"Ahh! Master, please don't be upset! We'll listen properly now, I promise. Please don't puff up your cheeks like that!" Georgio pleaded.

Despite his words, Georgio couldn't resist poking at Rocco's puffed-up cheeks and squishing them between his fingers.

Ragar, meanwhile, appeared to be struggling with his own impulse to do the same, clasping one hand with the other as if to restrain himself.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Rocco snapped, brushing Georgio's hands away and straightening himself.

He held up the black envelope again, regaining their attention.

Sensing the gravity in his tone, Georgio and Ragar immediately composed themselves, sitting up straight and ready to listen.

Seeing their sudden shift in demeanor, Rocco nodded his head approvingly before lowering his voice to a serious whisper.