Chapter 20 Birthday and Girlfriends

No one's POV

Within his apartment, Nhazul was in the middle of playing an online game with Leo who was at their parents house. As they had entered the second phase of the boss fight, Leo would speak up.

Leo: Hey, big bro! Mom was wondering what did you want to eat for your birthday tomorrow?

Nhazul: Oh, she doesn't need to do anything big. I'll be fine with Pizza or Sushi.

Leo: Kay! Oh, are you going to bring Chizuru with you?

Hearing this, Nhazul just rolled his eyes and spoke up.

Nhazul: I'm not sure if she's working or not. I'll have to see.

Leo: Ah, alright. Oh what about Ruka?

Hearing this, Nhazul would raise and eye surprised.

Nhazul: Ruka?

Leo: Yeah, she was fun to be around when we went out for New Years! I wanna see her again.

Once again, Nhazul would roll his eyes.

Nhazul: I'll have to see, but I'm sure she'll make it.

Leo: Awsome! Oh, mom wants me to do my homework. Talk to you later, big bro!

After Leo would get off the game, Nhazul would remove his headset, setting them down and sighing.

Nhazul: I swear that boy always has a damn request...

Upon getting up, Nhazul would walk out onto his balcony, leaning over.

Nhazul: I wonder if she's even home.

Picking up a pellet for snakeheads, Nhazul would toss it at her sliding door, attempting to call Chizuru to the balcony, which surprisingly worked, causing her to walk out.

Chizuru: I'm not keeping crap on my balcony.

Nhazul: They're pellets for snakeheads.

Chizuru: Whatever. Was there something you needed?

Nhazul: Yeah. I was wondering if you were free tomorrow around 5:00?

Chizuru: For Leo, right?

Nhazul: Yeah. Tomorrow is my birthday and Leo was wondering if you could stop by.

Hearing this, Chizuru would close her eyes, leaning on her railing.

Chizuru: Yeah, I figured as much. But I'm sorry. I promised to go see my grandma in the hospital tomorrow.

Nhazul: How is she doing?

Chizuru: She tends to get nervous after examinations, so it's been planned for awhile now. So I can't do 5:00.

Nhazul: That's fine. Leo would understand. I'm sure he'll be fine with just Ruka.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look over surprised and confused.

Chizuru: Ruka?

Nhazul: Yeah. Leo had asked for her too. Knowing her, I'm sure she'll be able to make it. But, thanks anyway. Tell your grandma I said-

As Nhazul went to walk back inside, Chizuru quickly stopped him, reaching over and grabbing his shirt, making him look back.

Chizuru: Hey, let me finish.

Nhazul: Huh?

Chizuru: As I was saying. I can't go at 5:00, but I can do 6:00.

Nhazul: Are you sure? It's fine if you can't-

Unbeknownst to Nhazul, Chizuru would have a faint blush on her face and a slightly jealous look, as she would let go of Nhazul's shirt.

Chizuru: I-I'm not doing this for you... Until I quit the rental job, I'm still your "girlfriend".

Hearing this, Nhazul would just chuckle.

Nhazul: Yeah, my extremely high priced girlfriend.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look in Nhazul's direction annoyed, before walking back inside, however before doing so, she spoke up one more time.

Chizuru: Happy Birthday.

As Nhazul would hear her door close, he would just roll his eyes, but have a small smile on his face.

Nhazul: Thanks.

As the day continued to go on, it would soon turn 12:00 AM, signaling Nhazul's birthday. However, the moment it hit 12:00, Nhazul would receive a call from Ruka, making him sigh.

Nhazul: Why am I not surprised...?

As Nhazul picks up, without warning, Ruka would fires off some crackers and congratulates him for his birthday, causing Nhazul to hold his ear in pain.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-...My freaking ear...!!!

Ruka: Huh? Nhazul? Hello?

Nhazul: T-Thanks...

Nhazul said, rubbing his ear, still ringing from the fire cracker.

Ruka: No need to thank me. It's my job as your girlfriend to be the first to wish you happy birthday on midnight.

Nhazul: That so...?

Ruka: It's great that you get along with your family. I know you'll have tons of fun and we'll have more fun on Sunday!

Nhazul: Actually... Did you want to come with me, tomorrow?

Hearing this, Ruka would look genuinely surprised.

Ruka: Huh...?

Nhazul: Leo had asked for Chizuru and you to come over. Chizuru won't be able to come until 6:00, so if you aren't-

Ruka: OF COURSE!!! I'd love to come!

Ruka said happily and excitedly over the phone, making Nhazul sigh.

Nhazul's thoughts: I don't know what I was expecting... Of course she was going to go...

As Nhazul would look back down at his phone, he would notice that he had received a text notification at the same time Ruka had called. Opening it he would see it was from Mami, wishing him a happy birthday.

Nhazul: ...

(Timeskip)

It's currently now late in the afternoon and after getting dressed, Nhazul would make his way down the stairs of his apartment complex and would immediately be met by Ruka happily waiting for him.

Ruka: Well, shall we head to your family home?

Nhazul would just give Ruka a look.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Well, someone's definitely excite...

As the two go to Nhazul's family home, once they arrive, Ruka is surprised to see how big it is.

Ruka: Oh! It's a pretty big house.

Nhazul: This house belonged to my grandparents before the passed away. This was my mom's family home, so she was definitely keen on keeping it.

Ruka: I see. It's a lovely house.

Ruka said as she casually and nonchalantly held Nhazul's arm, before he took it from her.

Ruka: Eh?!

Nhazul: Chizuru is technically my "girlfriend". It'd be bad if we went in arm and arm.

Hearing this, Ruka would just pout at Nhazul, but would do as he said, as the two would walk in, being met by him mom and Leo.

Leo: Happy birthday, big bro!

Nhazul: Thanks.

Nhazul said rubbing Leo's head, as he would notice Ruka.

Leo: Ruka!

Ruka: Hello, Leo. It's been awhile!

Leo: Could Chizuru not come?

Nhazul: She said she'd stop by later after visiting her grandmother.

Nhazul's Mom: Please, make yourself a home, Ruka.

Ruka: Thanks for having me.

As the two would walk in, Ruka would hand both Nhazul's mom and dad a present, surprising them and Nhazul.

Ruka: Um, this isn't anything you could call a gift, but...

Nhazul's Mom: For us?

Ruka: It's the day your precious first born son was brought into this world, so I thought it must be a very special day for your family.

As this happened, Nhazul would just look back towards Ruka, giving her a look.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... What kind of appeal is she trying to make...?

Nhazul quickly decides to show Ruka around the house . Taking her to the kitchen, as he just gave her a look.

Nhazul: ...-_-... What do you think you're doing...?

Ruka: What ever to do you mean?

Nhazul: I'm pretty sure I told you that they think Chizuru is my "girlfriend". And you bring gifts acting like your my girlfriend isn't helping...!

Ruka: Yes, I know, but this is definitely my chance!

Nhazul: Chance?

Ruka: Since Chizuru isn't here yet, I have an opportunity to win Leo over, making him like me more. So have a good birthday.

Ruka said as she walked back into the living room, making Nhazul sigh and hold his head.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... I don't know why, but why I am going feeling of Deja ve...when it comes to stubborn women...?

(Timeskip)

As Nhazul's small birthday party would go on, Ruka would start helping around and is overall quite nice with everyone, trying to win them, by pouring drinks for Nhazul's dad, helping his mom with dishes and playing video game and card games with Leo, despite knowing what she was trying to do, Nhazul couldn't help but enjoy himself as well, playing Smash Bros with her and Leo, beating them both.

Nhazul: And, I win again.

Leo: Boo!

Ruka: You're cheating!

Nhazul: If you call skill cheating, then I've been cheating all my life.

Leo and Ruka: Boo!!!!

As the three would continue to play, Ruka would soon look down with a saddened look, which Leo and Nhazul noticed.

Leo: Ruka? What's wrong?

Ruka: It's just, playing games with you reminds me of my younger cousin.

Leo: Your cousin?

Ruka: Yeah... I'd go Hokkaido with my family once a year. I always loved playing with him, we'd always play games together. But, he moved away to America and I don't see him as often if at all anymore...

Leo: Oh...

Nhazul's thoughts: At first I thought she was lying to get brownie points, but her face is way to genuine for it to be a lie.

As Leo would continue to look at Ruka, he'd soon smile at her, before hugging her, surprising her.

Leo: Well, don't worry, Ruka! We can play games anytime you want!

As Ruka would blush, she would soon smile, hugging Leo back.

Ruka: Thank you, Leo. You're such a sweet boy.

Soon, Leo would notice that the time was pass 6:00, before looking over at Nhazul.

Leo: Big bro, is Chizuru still coming?

Nhazul's dad: Yeah, it's getting late. We should probably cut the cake soon.

Nhazul: I'll go-

Suddenly, the door rings and as everyone goes to the door, they would see it was Chizuru.

Nhazul's thoughts: Speak of the devil and they shall appear...

Chizuru: I'm sorry I'm late.

Leo: Chizuru! You made it!

Leo said hugging Chizuru, as she patted his head with a smile.

Chizuru: Of course. I wouldn't miss your big brother's birthday.

Chizuru would look towards Nhazul, before looking towards Ruka.

Chizuru: Hey, Ruka. Sorry I'm late.

Ruka: I-It's totally fine!

Ruka's thoughts: The time has come, but I've prepared! The board is set! I've been saving up likability! Nor even Chizuru can overturn my hard work!

As Nhazul's mom invites Chizuru to sit, however, Chizuru states that she wish to first pay her respects at the family altar. Something that completely surprises everyone, especially Ruka.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... She came in with "Girlfriend" Mode swinging....

Ruka's thoughts: That never even occurred to me! The heck? The family alter? I know Nhazul mentioned his grandparents passed away, but... but... I didn't... The thought never crossed my mind... Is that what girlfriend do...?!

Once she had arrived, almost in an instant,

Ruka realizes Chizuru is completely turning the table and all her efforts are for nothing. As they talk, eat and drink,

visibly and genuinely upsetting her, which Nhazul was quick to notice.

As they talk, eat and drink, Nhazul's parents ask where Chizuru lives and she reveals its the same neighbourhood as him, making his dad playfully suggest they should live together, making him roll his eyes, but Chizuru explains that if they do, she will lean too much on him, and she needs to be independent, and that's why they don't live together. However, not long after, Nhazul notices that Ruka isn't in the room and goes to see where she went, seeing she had gone to the bathroom.

Nhazul: Oh, there you are.

Ruka: ...

Nhazul: Are you alright?

Ruka: ...

As Ruka would remain silent, Nhazul would just sigh, before rubbing his head, however before he would be able to speak,

Ruka grabs him by the shirt and pulls him towards her and kisses him, making his eyes widened in surprise.