Happy Birthday

Dismissal time, eh?

F...Finally!!!

Why am I so excited, you ask?

It's because..... Mom bought me the latest release of Grand Raft Auto yesterday as a present for me.

Another question is, why did she give me a present? Dummy, it's because, hmp, my BIRTHDAY TODAY! YEY! I'm sure you have read the title so at you should have the hint.

Anyway, this is odd. Suzuki went home after me. She didn't even wait for me.

Whatever, what comes first is the game. I told Okamoto and the others that we'll have an online match!

Gyah, I'm so thrilled!

"Kusakabe, can you come with me at the moment?" asked Riko.

"Sure, what's the matter?"

"You'll see. Let's go." answered Riko.

I don't know where is this going to lead me but fine.

....

We went downstairs and surprisingly, Okamoto and the others are there to. It looks like they are waiting for us.

"Why is everyone here?"

"Why, you ask? It's because today is your birthday!" answered Koyanagi.

"Yeah!!" shouted the others.

T...These guys remembered....

WAIT, I DIDN'T EVEN TELL THEM ONCE WHEN MY BIRTHDAY IS!

"Hey, I didn't even reveal my birthday. How did you guys know?"

"U....Uhmmm..... W....We have seen your birth date from the s...survey we filled up the other day. Hehehe.... Hehehe...." answered Okamoto and Tatsumi.

Did we answer a survey that time? Hmmm, I can't recall.

"Let's go on a barbecue store. I am getting hungry~" revealed Koyanagi.

"You're always hungry, y'know." mocked Riko.

The others laugh as she teased Koyanagi. Well, I guess they just wanted to have me celebrate with them.

This feels good, having friends like them....

"Are you going with us, Kusakabe? I'll smack your face if you say no!" said Tatsumi.

"Of course! Let's go and fill our tummies!"

.....

Mmm.... The aroma of the meat being cooked in front of us.... too salivating!

"Itadakimasu...." said Koyanagi as he grabs a piece of meat with chopsticks.

"Idiot, it isn't even cooked well!" reacted Amatsuka-san.

"S...Sorry.... I'm just hungry...." answered Koyanagi.

"Amatsuka-san, may I ask a question?" asked Riko.

"Oh, what is it, Prez?" responded Amatsuka.

"When did you and Tatsumi-kun start dating? Hmm?" inquired Riko.

W....What did she just....?!

"Y...You guys knew?!" responded Amatsuka in shock.

"Duh, it's obvious. You guys suddenly almost are together every day." answered Riko.

"You're often away from our group now, aren't you?" asked Okamoto.

"Coming from someone who dates the class President...." rebutted Koyanagi.

"Oh~ My turn! When did you and Okamoto-kun started going out? Hmm...." responded Amatsuka as a counterattack.

Oh, that reminds me that these two are also dating.

"U.....Us??? U....Uhmmm....." answered Riko as she shakes in embarrassment.

This is rare, seeing Saionji so shy.

"Why don't you tell us the story, Okamoto? Your girl can't narrate it for us, so you do it." added Amatsuka.

Crap, she's in full force! Her timing is so at point!

"I....I don't want to....." answered Okamoto as he is blushing.

U....Ugh! What in the world was that, Okamoto?! As a man, you should be beaten by someone like Amatsuka! Don't be so bashful!

Oh, I am bashful myself though.

Wait! Did I just admit that I'm soft?! No, it was a mistake!

I'm a tough and resilient guy! I can overcome any embarrassment!

"Boring~. Oh, I'll make the question easier for you two. Care to answer?" asked Amatsuka.

"W...What is it?" answered both Okamoto and Riko.

"Who was the first to confess?" asked Amatsuka.

A...Amatsuka-san! T....This girl is not finished after all!

'If no one's going to answer....' challenged Amatsuka. '.....Hey Okamoto, I'll make sure Kusakabe will take Riko away from you!'

M.....Me?!

"I CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN!" responded Okamoto.

W....Whoa, t...that must have triggered him.

"I.....I was one who confessed to Riko." answered Okamoto as he must be nearing his peak of embarrassment.

H....His face is so red!

C.....Crap, so this must be the feeling of Suzuki whenever she is mocking me.

T...This is satisfying!

"Oh.... So how did you do it? Love letter? Straight up?" added Amatsuka as she is truly curious.

"I answered what you need! Why don't you ask Kusakabe his status with Suzuki?" rebutted Okamoto as he points at me.

Hey! Hey! Hey! T... That's dirty!

This damn dude...He shifted her attention towards me!

"Oh, now this is more intriguing. Hey Kusakabe..." said Amatsuka as she now looks at me.

This is bad!

"You and Suzuki are dating, am I wrong?" questioned Amatsuka.

"Yes, you are wrong!"

"But, you two are always together. Walking home every dismissal, shopping together, you guys even went to the shrine together, right?" added Amatsuka.

"That's true, but.... we are not dating! M...More like, we're r... rivals!"

"Rivals?" asked Amatsuka.

"She always makes fun of me because I easily get embarrassed when I am with her. Don't get me wrong though, it's her antics that is doing the job!"

"Hmm..... Say, you knew that new student way back then, right? Do you feel uneasy or shy whenever you are with her?" asked Amatsuka.

Is she referring to Miyuki?

"When I am with Miyuki? Hmm, at first only because I didn't recognize her immediately. But now, I am not that flustered anymore."

"Hmm, that makes sense, then." answered Amatsuka.

"W...What do you mean?"

"Hahahaha! Suzuki is right. You are quick to blush!" teased Amatsuka.

A...Am I getting mocked right now?!

"T...That's not true!"

"What if I am the one who always tease you using Suzuki's antics, will you feel flustered?" asked Amatsuka.

"I wouldn't be shy, I guess. Suzuki is different, after all."

C...Crap, this might trigger another...!!!

"Hahaha! There, I have gathered enough data to make a conclusion." said Amatsuka.

From her looks, she really feels she succeeded on something she wants to do.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's about your feelings towards Suzuki." answered Amatsuka.

M....My feelings.... for Suzuki?! Eh?!

"Do you want to know? Hmm?" grilled Amatsuka as she really is fixated on me since.

"F...Fine! Spill it!"

'Your feelings for Suzuki...' said Amatsuka. '...is.....'

"I...Is...?!"

Come on, just say it straight! S...She must be wrong on what she's thinking!

"Hey! Can we just eat now?! The meat is all have been cooked!" shouted Koyanagi.

"Oh yeah, we're sorry. C'mon, let's eat now!" apologized Amatsuka.

T....That was close.....

F..Finally, I can eat in peace.....

"That reminds me.... Kusakabe, can I make a request?" asked Riko.

"What is it, Saionji-san?"

"Can we call by your first name?" requested Riko.

Huh?

"I mean, we're friends, right? And it sounds better than Kusakabe so...." added Riko.

Did she just diss my surname?

"Sure, no worries!"

"You can also call me Riko." answered Riko.

"Yep, same with me." said Amatsuka.

"Thank you, guys! Not only for letting me call you for your first names but for inviting me today here too. I am having fun, really."

"Dummy, this is just the first half." said Okamoto.

"First half?"

"You'll see when you get home." added Riko.

..........

I...It's already 6:30 pm right now and I'm right in front of our door.

I've had so much fun, even though I am feeling full, I knew Mom cooked us something as a celebration and I am always happy to eat her cooking.

*door opening*

"Mom, I'm home!"

Huh? It's dark. Is anyone home?

Hmm? The lights aren't turning on when I press the switch. Is there a power outage?

"Mom, where are you?"

Guess I have to use my phone's flashlight. I should check the living room.

"Mom, are you there? Mom...!"

No one's answering. Hmm.... D...Did she ditch me?! No...!!

"A...Am I left here alone...?"

As I fall down on my knees, the light suddenly opened plus a two or three party poppers are popped and somebody or two shouts-

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TANAKA!" greeted Mom and another person.

"Whoa Mom! There you are!"

"It's not only me, my dear. Look." said Mom.

"Hey, Tanaka. Have we made a great surprise?" questioned Suzuki.

"S...Suzuki! How..."

"I met her in the market earlier in the morning. She suggested that we'll do a surprise before you could have reached home." revealed Mom.

"That's why you were not in the barbecue restaurant with us...."

"Yes, I rushed it here as the bell rang. Thank God we completed everything in time." relieved Suzuki.

T...They did this everything for me.....

D...Do I deserve such affection...

I....I mean for Suzuki it must be a friendly affection. Don't think that I am assuming something.

"Why don't we eat already? The food's going to be freezing in no time!" suggested Mom.

"Let's go, Tanaka. I am looking forward to eat your Mom's cooking." requested Suzuki.

"Fine, Fine. Suddenly, I'm hungry again."

"You sure have a big tummy, don't you?" teased Suzuki.

"I don't!"

................

As we finished eating and chatting, it's time for Suzuki to go home.

We're just in front of the main gate as we start to converse again.

"Please deliver my regards again to your Mom. I am grateful that she heeded with my suggestion." insisted Suzuki.

"I...It was all your plan, right? The surprise and stuff."

"Yes, it was my plan. What about it?" asked Suzuki.

"I...I mean, why bother doing it for me? You could have just went home and rest or study or play or what...."

"Dummy~ Of course I'm always gonna choose to see you over resting or playing so early." revealed Suzuki.

I...Idiot...! She's triggering another weird flag against me.....

C....Crap, w...why do I feel so happy hearing it?!

M...My face is feeling hot! A...Am I blushing?! S...She might notice it!

As I am busy hiding my flustered expression, she hands me a small, laced-handle paper bag with a ribbon.

"Here, Tanaka. My birthday present for you." offered Suzuki.

"T...Thank you, Suzuki."

"I must go now, Tanaka. See you tomorrow~." greeted Suzuki.

"Want me to walk with you?" I offered.

'Oh~....' said Suzuki. '....acting like my boyfriend, eh? Hahaha!'

"I...I'm not! I...It's already dark so...."

"Thanks for the offer, Tanaka. I'm going to be fine, my house is just less than 100 steps from here so you can rest easy." assured Suzuki.

"Okay then, take care."

"Yes, you too." answered Suzuki.

Ah~ Time to watch some TV show....

As I go back inside, my phone vibrates.

"A text message? Hmm? Let's see...."

"Thanks again for today, Tanaka. Happy birthday to you!" mailed Suzuki.

Her again, she's so energetic, eh?

I'll reply to her when I'm on the sofa already.

Tsk, my phone vibrates again. Did she mail something again?

Huh?

"If I was you, I could have walked the pretty and charming Suzuki-chan home. It's dark, after all. Plus, it will be bad if some S-T-A-L-K-E-R will grab her all of a sudden, right Kusakabe Tanaka? Hehehehe.... :P " mailed by an unknown contact.

Attached on the mail is.....

SUZUKI'S PICTURE WALKING TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF HER HOUSE, RIGHT NOW!

Damn it! Suzuki's in danger!

I immediately rush outside. I didn't even notice that I slammed the door because I panicked.

Crap, crap!

"SUZUKI!!!!!!!!"