❤BIRTHDAY❤

15th February

I wake up in the morning.

I say wake up, but just like last night, I couldn't sleep at all.

The only difference is this time... I couldn't stop thinking about what Kiyotaka will do.

I never, ever saw any sort of significance to this day, unless it was to be celebrated together with my brother.

But for the first time, I... anticipated my own birthday.

"What does he plan to do..."

I squeeze my pillow, and imagine what surprises he has up his sleeves.

"If it's Kiyotaka... then..."

I'm sure he won't disappoint his very own girlfriend...

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I check the time on my phone.

School does not start in an hour and a half.

So I can't see him until then...

"Why am I nervous...?"

What if he forgets about my birthday? What if he is that type of person...

"No..."

I promised not to doubt him, so I have expect some sort of inevitable surprise.

After all... if it's him... then...

"He won't forget, right?" I lay down on my bed again, and close my eyes.

"He'll never forget..."

"Good morning, Suzune."

"G-Good morning, Kiyotaka..."

I finally meet him.

"What's up? You're really red."

"Am I? Y-You're seeing things."

"No, I'm pretty sure-"

"Just- let's get going!"

"Right..."

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We both walk together, holding hands, just like any other day. But...

Today is not meant to be like 'any other day'

Shouldn't he realize that?

If so, shouldn't he say something?

Why does he seem like he's forgotten?

"Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun!"

Hirata-kun comes to greet us.

"Good morning, Hirata." Kiyotaka replies.

"Good morning, Horikita-san."

"Yeah... good morning..."

"Oh, what's this? Why is your face red, Horikita-san?"

"Why are both of you saying the same thing...?"

"Suzune, what happened? You're acting weird today..."

"It's nothing..."

"Did you sleep well enough?"

"Yeah..."

"Then why-"

"Ah! Good morning, all of you!" Kushida-san intervenes.

"Good morning..."

I really hate this...

The class was normal as always. Greeting each other and conversing with each other.

For some reason, I feel an odd feeling in me.

Is this annoyance?

"Suzune, are you fine?" My neighbour, Kiyotaka asks.

"Why ask me such thing? It's not like today... is any different. I'm the same as always..."

"I see. You felt a little bit off, but I guess I was worrying over nothing."

Take a hint...

"Idiot..."

"Huh? Where did that come from?"

"It's nothing..."

"I see... actually, I'm slightly confused."

The bell for homeroom rings, as Chabashira sensei enters.

I rest my arms on my desk.

"Idiot..."

After School

"Oh yeah, I nearly forgot," he reaches for his pocket, "It looks like my watch stopped working. I tried to fix it independently but to no avail."

"And what does that have to do with me...?"

"Um, I was wondering if you could accompany to the jewellery shop to get the man to fix it for me."

"Can't you do it alone...?"

"I could, but I would rather have my girlfriend beside me."

"That's romantic..."

"What is going on with you? Did you really not sleep last night?"

"Well, something like that..."

"And why didn't you sleep?"

"Because..." if I reveal the reason, how would he react?

If I tell him I was thinking of what he will do for ky birthday, will he be full of guilt?

I mean... it's not as if i informed him of the specifics of my birthday.

I can't really blame him for forgetting what he hasn't known.

"I just couldn't sleep... that's all."

"Ah, I see. Was it too cold for your liking?"

"Y-Yes, that's it. It was... too cold."

"Then-"

"Eh?"

He wraps his arms around me, "Are you warm, now?"

Jeez... he is still loving, even if forgetting my special day.

I don't even have a reason to be annoyed at him.

He disallows me from having a reason to hate him.

"It's warm now, thank you, Kiyotaka."

"Mm? Maybe I should do this to you tonight, at bed-"

"Don't push your luck."

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I sit on the bench, nearby the store in which Kiyotaka stops at, talking with the shopkeeper.

"How can someone so clever be so dense, I wonder...?"

First manipulating Koenji-kun into expulsion, then putting up an act of incompetence in front of Ryuen-kun to gain the upper hand of the exam.

Yet still,

Blurting out embarrassing things?

Forgetting his cute lover's birthday?

I guess Kiyotaka can also have weaknesses when it comes to topics that do not require wisdom.

I'm guessing something had been happening in the past, that caused him to be as he is currently.

What about him is he hiding? And why can't I ask him about his past?

Even by staying by his side for the past few months, I still know nothing about him.

Is my boyfriend someone... special?

"You can't sleep here, Suzune."

"Huh?"

I open my eyes.

"Were you that tired? Well, you have missed two consecutive nights of sleep. It is understandable."

"Was I... sleeping?"

"Yes, if not, then close to sleeping. It's fine, though. I completely understand." He grabs my hand, "Let's go to your room as soon as possible, so you can rest."

"Kiyotaka..." Maybe I should finally tell him, about today. About the today he forgot about, "Actually, today is my birthday-"

"I forgot the change... I'll be right back, Suzune."

"Huh? Wait-..."

And just like that, he leaves me for his change.

I stand alone.

Again.

"I wonder..."

If he actually cares about me...

20 minutes later

"Hey, Kiyotaka."

"Mm?"

"It's... It's..."

"It's?"

No good... I can't bring myself to tell him.

"I-It's getting gloomier earlier than usual, d-don't you think?"

He look up at the sky, "Really? For me, it's getting more colourful as days go by... especially ever since that day."

"That day?"

"The day I first fell in love. I saw the colours of day, and the colours of night. Both of which homes many bright colours."

"No way, even night?"

"Well, if you were in my shoes, you'd understand."

"In your shoes, huh?"

Even if I were in his shoes, would I understand?

"I got that phrase from the internet. It means, putting yourself in other people's circumstances. It is a quite clever way of depicting one's thoughts in simple words, I was delighted to stumble across it."

"In your shoes... Kiyotaka, can I put myself in your shoes?"

"..." he fell silent.

"..."

"Suzune..."

"Y-Yes?"

"It's an idiomatic expression..."

"Idiomatic-... I know that much, Idiot!"

"Oh really?"

"I meant- if you could- as in-"

"I get it, you want to understand my life?"

I widen my eyes, "Can I?"

"I'm afraid, it must wait. There's no telling what would happen to you if you receive such information, so I must refrain from doing so."

I lower my head, "Just to protect me? Or protect yourself?"

"Protect myself?"

"Do you want to protect your identity by doing so? Because... you don't care about me at all?"

We both stop.

For some reason, I want to let go from his hand.

But I couldn't get myself to do it.

"Suzune, I care about you, of course."

Even if he says that...

"I see..."

It's not at all reassuring.

"Look, we're here. At your dorm."

I look up.

We're here, huh?

So that's the end of my birthday surprise?

"I-It's still 5 PM, don't you want to come inside, Kiyotaka?"

"Unfortunately, I have assignments to complete, so I must tend to those."

"C-Can't we do it together?"

"The teacher did state that we were to do it independently."

"I see..."

"So I'll have to manage on my own. I'm sorry."

"It's fine..."

"Really?"

"Yes... it's fine, Kiyotaka..."

"Then, see you tomorrow, Suzune."

"Yeah..." I don't want to wave him goodbye, "see you tomorrow..." Not yet.

Not whilst it's still a special day.

But... it's already too late.

His back is already turned away from me.

And his legs are moving away from me.

I guess all that anticipation was betrayed ruthlessly.

It's still, however, my fault.

It's always my fault...

For everything.

Because of me, he got hurt by Koenji.

Because of me, he got hurt by Ryuen.

All because of me... he...

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"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HORIKITA-SAN!"

This first thing I hear and see when opening my door is-

the sound of voices and party poppers, as well friends.

"Huh?"

All of my new Class D friends were inside of my room, with widening smiles.

"We heard, from Ayanokoji-kun. That your birthday is today, Horikita-san!" Hirata speaks.

"From... Kiyotaka?"

"That guy was willin' to do anythin' for a good surprise birthday. I mean, I've never seen him so desperate, man," Sudo also speaks.

"He was... desperate? Then-"

I turn around-

If this was arranged by him...

Then-

"Happy birthday, Suzune."

"Kiyotaka..."

What stood in front of my eyes:

The face of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka smiling at me.

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Hours later

We sit beside each other under the door handle. It's as if we are exchanging body warmth.

"Everyone's gone, huh?" I say.

"I'm sorry. I arranged this party without knowing you would be tired. But I just made this more troublesome for you, didn't I?"

"N-Not at all! In fact... I wanted to be surprised..."

"Are you convinced now?"

"Of what?"

"Of my love?"

"Eh?"

Ah, I see.

It's because I doubted him... once again...

How embarrassing...

"I'm sorry, Kiyotaka. I swore I wouldn't doubt you, yet I-"

"I know, it's fine. I should not have pretended to have forgotten about your birthday in the first place."

"Is it really fine?"

"Yes, everything is fine."

"You always say you're fine... but most of the times, it turns out to be false..."

"Well, about those times-..."

"But Kiyotaka, where is my birthday gift?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I totally forgot."

"Eh!?"

"Just kidding."

He reaches for his pockets.

"What's that?"

"Hair clips, I think that's what they call them. I call them hair decorations, but I guess either name doesn't matter."

"Huh?"

He places the clip on my hand

It was a flower clip for my hair.

"A rose flower..." I put it on.

"How is it?"

"Like I will know, I can't see it..."

"Oh, then rest assured. It looks beautiful on you."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, really."

"T-Thank you..."

"And also-"

He pecks my cheeks.

"Happy birthday, Suzune."

Check out my other fanfics on my profile!

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG HE SMILED?!

The first natural smile?!?

I guess you can call him 'aya-no-frown-ji' am I right? Hehe... hehe...ehe..eh..

Horikitasuzuneisbestgirl

Thanks for reading! (Please excuse any mistakes)