Chapter "Broken Celebration"

Hisashi stood frozen, while Subaru looked on with a furrowed brow.

“Hello?” came Hanae's father's voice from the phone. Hisashi, still in shock, lowered the phone and ended the call.

“What’s going on?” Subaru asked, his confusion evident.

“Today was Hanae's birthday,” Hisashi said, causing Subaru’s eyes to widen in disbelief.

“What?” Subaru asked, stunned. “It was her birthday today?” Hisashi could only respond with silence.

“So she wanted to spend her birthday with just you?” Subaru asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“She should have told me,” Hisashi said, his tone tinged with disappointment.

“You should talk to her and work things out,” Subaru suggested. Hisashi nodded slowly in agreement.…..

The next day, Hanae and her friends emerged from the university, chatting and laughing together. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, Hanae remained noticeably quiet and downcast.

As they exited the university and gathered around their car, One of Hanae's friends cheerfully announced, “Don’t forget, we’re going clubbing tonight!” Her friends responded with enthusiastic nods all around.

“Sorry, but I won’t be able to join,” Hanae said disinterestedly.

Her friends looked puzzled. “What? Why not?” one of them asked with concern in her voice.

"I'm just not feeling well," Hanae said. "You all enjoy yourselves; I’ll just rest for a bit."

One of her friends placed a reassuring hand on Hanae's shoulder. "Alright, dear. Rest up and take care," she said warmly. In response Hanae nodded in acknowledgment.

After her friends drove away in their cars, Hanae, still feeling melancholy, got into her own vehicle.

The driver had barely started driving when he abruptly slammed on the brakes after feeling a slight bump.

As Hanae looked up, she saw Hisashi pressed against the front windshield, breathing heavily.

Hanae, stunned, quickly stepped out of the car and approached Hisashi. "What are you doing? Are you okay?" she asked, standing directly in front of him.

Hisashi stood upright, nodded, and said with urgency, "Hanae, I need to talk to you."

Hanae, looking puzzled, replied, "Y-Yeah, I'm listening.”

Hisashi quickly grasped her hand. “Not here,” he said, beginning to walk away with her.

“Hey, wait!” Hanae said urgently, pulling her hand free. Hisashi turned, looking at her in confusion.

“What do you think you’re doing? I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said angrily.

Hisashi faced her, gently holding her shoulders. “Hanae, I’m truly sorry about last night. Please, just give me another chance and come with me.”

Hanae angrily shoved Hisashi's hands off her shoulders. “No, I won’t.” she firmly declared.

Hisashi's gaze was heavy with sorrow. Hanae then quickly turned around and began to walk away, but after a few steps, something stopped her in her tracks. She looked back to find Hisashi standing there, clutching her hand tightly, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Please, Hanae, please,” he implored, his voice breaking with desperation.

Hanae’s heart clenched at the sight of his pain. Her own eyes softened with a mix of concern and helplessness, caught between the weight of his plea and her own conflicted feelings.

The driver stepped out of the car, concern etched on his face. “Lady Hanae, is everything alright?” he asked.

Hanae shook her head but kept her eyes locked on Hisashi. “Everything’s fine” She replied “He’s a friend. You can go home; I’ll manage on my own,” she replied.

The driver nodded, got back into the car, and drove away.

Meanwhile, Hisashi continued to hold Hanae's hand, a faint, hopeful smile tugging at his lips…..

In the serene garden, Hanae sat alone on a bench, her eyes lowered. Suddenly, she heard the sound of running footsteps approaching her.

She quickly glanced in the direction of the noise and saw Hisashi approaching, a broad smile on his face. He carried a large bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates.

He rushed over and sat next to her, barely catching his breath. Without missing a beat, he extended the bouquet towards her. “I know I’m late, but happy birthday,” he said with a smile.

Hanae was momentarily stunned, her words caught in her throat as she stared at Hisashi. Slowly, she extended her hand and took the bouquet. “How did you know?” she asked, puzzled.

Meeting her gaze with a smile, Hisashi pulled her phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “You left this behind last night,” he said.

Hisashi then quickly offered her the box of chocolates, saying, “This is for you as well. I wasn’t sure of your taste, but I hope you’ll like it.” Hanae accepted it with a smile.

Hisashi then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag, extending it toward her with a smile. “And finally, your present. Happy Birthday,” he said. A faint smile appeared on Hanae’s face as she accepted the gift.

“Go ahead, open it,” Hisashi urged.

Hanae looked inside the bag and found two small boxes. She opened one and discovered a set of beautiful butterfly hairpins. A joyous smile spread across her face as she took out one of the pins and quickly put it on. She glanced at Hisashi and asked, “How does it look?”

Hisashi smiled with delight and nodded in approval.

Hanae then opened the second box and found a stunning pair of anklets. Her eyes widened in amazement as she took in their beauty.

With a smile, Hisashi said, “You love wearing these, don’t you?”

Hanae met his gaze with a smile of her own and asked, “How did you know?”

“I’ve noticed you wearing them quite a bit,” Hisashi replied with a grin. “And since they’re not something most people wear, I figured you must really like them.”

Hanae smiled softly and said, “This is the best gift ever,” her voice gentle and sincere. Hisashi met her gaze with a warm smile of his own, and for a moment, they locked eyes.

Hanae then extended the box toward Hisashi. “Could you help me put them on?” she asked. Hisashi’s eyes widened, and a flush of red spread across his cheeks.

“Me?” Hisashi asked nervously. Hanae responded with a gentle nod.

Hisashi, his cheeks flushed, took the box and knelt at her feet, his gaze fixed on her feets.

Hanae gently lifted her long skirt, revealing her ankles already adorned with bracelets.

“Please remove them,” she said softly.

Hisashi, visibly nervous and red-faced with his heart racing, gazed at Hanae's ankles. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and with a determined expression, slowly extended his hand toward her ankle, gently holding her foot.

Hanae's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly closed her eyes.

Hisashi’s heart raced as he carefully removed Hanae’s sandals with a gentle touch. Hanae’s fists clenched in nervousness, her face flushed with emotion.

Hisashi gently removed her old anklets and, with careful hands, placed his gifted anklets on her ankle, securing them with a delicate touch. As he worked, he frequently glanced at her foot, noting that the tips of her toes had turned red. With a swift motion, he slid her sandal back on her foot and then swiftly moved to her other ankle.

He placed the second anklet on her other ankle, then continued to hold her feet gently. Hanae sat silently, her eyes shut tightly, her face flushed, and her fists clenched in nervousness.

With a sigh, Hisashi slipped the sandal back onto her foot, gazing at it with satisfaction. Standing up and stepping back, he smiled and said, “It looks beautiful.”

Hanae opened her eyes, stood up, and looked down, her face still flushed.

“Are they comfortable?” Hisashi asked, smiling.

Hanae clenched her fist once more, then swiftly moved forward and embraced Hisashi, her arm wrapping around his face. Hisashi's eyes widened in surprise, his hand raised but he did not return the hug.

In a tender moment, Hanae and Hisashi stood motionless as she embraced him. Leaning closer, she brought her lips to his ear and whispered softly, "I..." Hisashi's eyes widened even more in shock.

She continued, “I really lo—”

“What the hell is going on here?” An enraged voice echoed, interrupting and halting Hanae's words mid-sentence.

Hanae and Hisashi quickly stepped back, breaking the hug. As they looked toward the source of the voice, they saw Todoka and eight of his friends staring at them, with Todoka looking furious.