Chapter Text
Kurosawa had learned the hard way a long time ago that Adachi liked his surprise to be simple and practical. He disliked when he found out Kurosawa splurged for him. One time, he gifted Adachi a lavish set of ties, simply because he imagined they’d look good on him. Kurosawa never thought Adachi would find out how much it cost because he'd never seen Adachi ever get interested in fashion-related trends before. As it turned out, Adachi found out from Urabe-san on the very first day he wore one of the ties to work, that the tie was from a limited edition spring collection of this renowned imported brand which Urabe had been eyeing for a while but couldn’t afford it because it was only sold as a set, so it cost a damn fortune.
That night, Adachi had unreasonably demanded Kurosawa return the gift back to the store because he only wore one of them and that he didn’t need to wear luxurious ties which cost almost as much as his monthly paycheck. On top of that, he also found out how much their several sets of couple’s pyjamas really cost. It was their very first time having an argument and it was over something so foolish as that. He kept refusing Adachi to pay him back and his fiancé was upset because Kurosawa splurged his own hard-earned money for him. In a stalemate, they ended up going to bed in silence with Adachi’s back on him all night who shirked his attempt at spooning him and it was enough to drive him crazy, but he knew better than to coax his beloved when he needed his space, so he let him be.
The next morning, Adachi was the one who hugged him first while he was making breakfast, apologized for being ungrateful, and acted very unbecoming, yet he still didn’t let the matter drop.
“…it’s just the two of us here, Kurosawa, we’re still young but we’ll never know what the future might bring, so we should start saving up as much money as we could.”
“…and I don’t need to wear something so luxurious on me, it gives me anxieties and it’s just inviting unwanted attention from others …”
Adachi gave him three choices then: to pay back with his paycheck that month, forbade Kurosawa to buy him any more expensive gifts for the rest of the year including his birthday, or Adachi would have to stop staying over for a while to cut down on food cost, electricity, and water bills until it reached the price of the ties. Kurosawa didn’t expect that Adachi would really take it this far. He tried to flirt his way out of it but his sweet angel was very firm on it. Besides, he knew Adachi was right, he was never that mindful when it came to spending money.
In the end, he reluctantly chose the second option because he knew Adachi would never back down when he already set his mind on something. At least Kurosawa would be the one in control of the second option.
So now, with Adachi’s 31 birthday coming, he needs to think hard about how to go around this restriction. He doesn’t want Adachi to think he’s the type to easily go back on his words and he certainly doesn’t need a repetition of that night, when the bed felt so cold even though his beloved literally sleeping beside him. Yet, he wants this to be very special as it’d be the first time they get to celebrate a birthday together since becoming a couple. To say he’s thrilled is an understatement of the century. They hadn’t been able to celebrate Kurosawa’s birthday this year because he was on a week-long business trip back then, so this time he’ll make sure to do it properly.
Having struck down many ideas for almost a month, he nervously settled on this surprise. He went on gift hunting for about two weeks, stores-hopping, and then custom-ordered it at the nth store he visited. When it was finished, he hid the gift in the deepest part of the lowest drawer to make sure Adachi wouldn’t find it by accident. In his defence, this present wasn’t technically exclusive for Adachi and it was normal for custom-made jewellery to be expensive so he was sure Adachi wouldn’t mind it this time.
On that day, he decided on a warm quality time at home just the two of them, with a hearty meal and a scrumptious birthday cake made just the way Adachi liked it. A chocolate gateau with layers and layers of chocolate ganache, decorated with chocolate truffles and berries on top, and some sprinkle of cherry sauce. When they have finished the birthday wishes and feed each other desserts, maybe after one or two glasses of champagne, Kurosawa would give him the ring and propose to Adachi to move in with him, permanently this time.
It was just that, the sooner the birthday came, the more Kurosawa thought deeply about it. Not because he had a change of heart, never, but more to the realization that it’d seem a bit pushing to do it on Adachi’s birthday. It would be more suitable to do this for their first Anniversary instead. Yes, that’s right, for his birthday, Adachi should just enjoy the day fully for himself, instead of having to make decisions regarding their future.
It was two days away from the D-day and Kurosawa hadn’t come up with anything special enough for Adachi’s birthday present. He had no choice but to ask Fujisaki-san again for some advice.
“Hmm…let me see, wouldn’t it be better to take him somewhere for the day and then just have the cake at dinner?” she wondered.
“Ah yeah, I’ve been thinking about this one place actually, but still not sure…you know that newly opened dessert café which was advertised as a manga café a while ago? Apparently, customers can pre-order birthday cakes there and have it served whenever they want...”
“Oh! I’ve been there 2 weeks ago, on Sunday,” she exclaimed.
“Really? How was the atmosphere? Crowded?”
“It wasn’t though, maybe because they’re new? But the food was good and it was pretty cozy. Adachi-kun loves manga, doesn’t he? The shelves there were floor-to-ceilings high and full of mangas! I’m sure you guys can relax there, it felt pretty private too.”
“Thank you, Fujisaki-san! That settles it then, now it leaves me with the day…” he trailed.
“Well, the dinner venue seemed very Adachi-kun’s style, so why not find someplace where you both love during the day?” she suggested.
He mulled over it all afternoon, places where they both like? Adachi didn’t really go out unless Kurosawa asked him to, and he himself would love to go everywhere as long as his beloved was with him. Just when he was about to text Adachi, he saw a message from Mr Nakajima. The older man sent him a hyperlink and a photo of himself and his 10 year-old-son in front of what looked like a giant gate decorated with…wait…Kurosawa gasped, he read the caption of the photo:
Manager Nakajima
Have Kurosawa-kun and his brother gone here already?
My son just found out about it this week,
They said it’d only be open till New Year.
The link brought him to a website of an amusement park two towns from here which just added a whole new section for Ragna Crimson-themed rides and merch stores! He couldn’t believe his luck. This would be the perfect gift for Adachi’s birthday and they could go on a full-day date too. He promptly thanked Mr Nakajima for the info and booked the tickets that second. He just realized that he hadn’t clarified to the older man about Adachi’s age until now. Not that he thought it was necessary.
It’s finally the day. His beloved went back home the last three days because his mother was staying over, so now he’s waiting for Adachi to come to his place. The temperature took a steep drop that morning so he reminded Adachi to dress warmly. He himself is clad in a thick black shirt, retro pile fleece jacket, cargo denim pants, and white leather sneakers. Fifteen minutes later, Adachi shows up at his door bundled up in a plaid shirt covered with mid-thigh puffer jacket (which makes him look so round but Kurosawa is careful not to slip that out loud), dark jogger pants, and comfy canvas shoes.
They arrive at the amusement park right at the opening time and it’s already very crowded, mostly with groups of teenagers and families. They go straight to the Ragna Crimson’s area and proceed to try all the rides (this time Adachi has taken a nausea pill as prophylaxis prior to getting in line to the more daunting ones) and visit all the merch stores.
They are on their way to have lunch when they see a little kid crouching alone at the corner of the street, almost hidden by a tree and a trash can. They approach the kid and hear he’s actually sobbing while clutching a small backpack to his front like his life depends on it. After much coaxing and wailing, the little boy who looks like he’s barely four years old, finally tells them he lost his mother and his friends. They decide to bring the kid to the security office. While the officers there are quick to help and announce the missing child, the amusement park is quite big and packed that day which means finding the mother will take some time. They are also a bit shorthanded as some of the officers have to be deployed to guard a parade that’s ongoing right now. Thus, Kurosawa and Adachi volunteer to wait with the kid until the mother comes while one officer stands by in case they receive reports.
The cute little boy, named Naoki, is quick to warm up to Adachi and both of them play with the figurines Adachi bought earlier. Kurosawa stares at them both affectionately and tamps down his urge to take a video. Adachi did say he has several nephews and nieces from his cousins and would always play with them whenever they have family gatherings. The same can’t be said for him, though. His Aneki doesn’t have kids yet and his relatives are all distant and busy with their own lives.
The clock ticks by and after a full hour, there’s still no sign of the mother. Naoki looks very agitated now, keeps looking outside, and his stomach growls, so the both of them ask for permission from the officer to find some food for him. Kurosawa buys Adachi and Naoki sweet crepes and not long after the last bite, a distressed woman runs to their direction with an officer in tow. She picks Naoki and profusely thanks both of them for taking care of her kid. They are just about to say goodbye to each other when the mother addresses his baby.
“Naoki, don’t forget to say thank you to these gentlemen, you know what to do, right?” Naoki nods and promptly walks to Adachi.
“Thank you for playing with and taking care of me, Oniichan! (re: big brother)” he bows perfectly toward Adachi.
“You’re welcome, Naoki!” Adachi coos happily and pats his head. He then proceeds to Kurosawa.
“Thank you for buying me food and taking care of me, Ojichan! (re: Uncle)” he bows perfectly toward him.
“…………”
“…………”
“…………”
Kurosawa’s smile freezes on his face. The air around them suddenly stands still.
“Ah! Sumimasen !” the mother looks panicked, drags Naoki towards her, and bows hastily.
“Naoki! That one is also oniichan !” They can hear the mother chides Naoki in small voices as clear as day, which is only answered by Naoki with “Really??” in a look of total confusion.
“…………”
“…………”
“………………………”
“A-ah, it-it’s fine…” Kurosawa painstakingly forces his smile.
When the pair of mother and son finally leaves and he regains some senses back, he realizes that Adachi’s breathing sound is weird beside him. He turns to him and when their eyes meet, suddenly the shorter man goes into unnatural coughing fits while covering his mouth, whole body shaking. He then realizes that Adachi is actually repressing his cackle the whole time!
“Aaah, honey, you’re so meeeaan!” he laments.
“I’m sorry, Yuichi!” he squeezes his hand. “Don’t take it to heart, you know how little kids are…they can be very…..............honest sometimes.” Adachi gives him a sympathetic look, and the next second he snickers.
Kurosawa couldn’t believe his ears! Just who the hell taught his shy angel to be a little gremlin like this??
“You--!! Uugh, just you wait! When we go back home I’ll tickle you ‘til you slobber all over your face like a baby!” he pinched Adachi’s cheek but at the same time can’t hide his amusement at seeing Adachi becomes this playful with him.
“Oh nooo….please have mercy on me, Ojichan !” Adachi fakes a horror face and the next second grins smugly...
Kurosawa blushes so hard hearing that and Adachi uses that moment of him being totally distracted to dislodge himself from his grip and run away from him, giggling all the way. Thankfully, nobody is around them at the time to witness him being totally flustered.
And it’s the first time he feels so relieved that Adachi can’t read his mind anymore…
Suddenly, he can’t wait till they get home....
Kurosawa never really thought too much about his appearance before….
Scratch that!!
It’s time to ask Aneki for some advice, maybe a new hairstyle is long overdue…
And maybe the next time he goes shopping, he’ll just go to Adachi’s clothing stores instead of his usual branded boutiques.
-The End for Real-