Kaji has intentionally not been keeping track of his own age, but Ib? That's important. "I can handle dinner, but I really need some help with the birthday cake. Lemon cake's her favorite, but I tried a sample? And it just came out too tart. It's supposed to be not super-sweet, but I think I messed it up." The smile on his face is a little self-deprecating.

"I could... also use a hand... with my present. But you've got to keep it really quiet, okay? I want it to be a surprise, and she has this talent for worming information out of people."

It's a stack of papers, the seal of the city on them, maybe not the most exciting thing for an eleven year-old's birthday. Except for what they symbolize. Adoption papers.