Nezumi doesn't really know Aster. In truth, he doesn't know Shion all that well either. He thought he did after all the years of keeping an eye on him from afar, but the past few days have made him realize something is different. At first, he didn't want to see it, but finally, he realizes denial can be dangerous. Shion's changed, and now Nezumi has to learn him all over again.

Secretly, he hopes none of those changes took away what drew him to Shion in the first place.

But he shows up to the first birthday party he's been to since the village burned. He says the food is worth trying, he supposes. It's not like he did anything in preparation.

In truth, he comes for Shion, even if Nezumi finds birthday celebrations to be stupid. What's the party for? Surviving another year is important, he supposes, but being alive itself is the reward.

At times, he can be found near the fire, roasting the fish slowly, always aware of the world around him. At one point, he removes his shoes and goes into the water just a bit. It's been a while since he's done that.