Chapter Text
Day 1: Birthday
"Hey."
Chiba looked up from where he sat, nodding to acknowledge Hayami who handed him the sweet-smelling box she had. She sat on her heels beside him, hands casually resting on her lap; bright hair tied back with a barette that reminded him of Kataoka.
Wordlessly, he opened the box that she brought and she did the same for the box of macarons that he had with him. It was quiet, save for the crickets and the rustling of leaves. The bustling sounds of the city were far off and muffled and it was here that the pair felt most at home.
"We should have brought a lamp," Chiba mentioned, setting down the strawberry shortcake on the checkered red and white blanket they sat on.
Hayami nodded but said, "We'd be seen easily."
"I doubt our classmates would care."
She paused from removing the plastic lid of the macarons and stared at Chiba who took out some disposable forks, a candle and a lighter. He was right, of course. No one from Class E would care if they saw the two of them sitting there, on a threadbare blanket like they were having a picnic, albeit under the chipped moon. It would cause them to have ideas (Nakamura especially), but the two of them were not particularly concerned.
"Innacurate," Hayami said, placing the macarons beside the shortcake. "They would care. It's us who don't care."
Chiba lit up the single candle on the cake, illuminating their faces with a soft tone of orange. Neither of them particularly favored sweets, but just for today, they would indulge. They stared at each other for a while, willing the other to take the hint and start singing. Even though this picnic of theirs occured annually, the singing part was often awkward for both of them.
The candle's flame flickered when Hayami sighed and Chiba was quick to cup his hands around it. She started humming, voice soothing despite its chill. He pulled away and waited for her to finish the song; both of then staring at the card surrounded by decadent strawberries and sweet frosting.
"Happy birthday, Koro-sensei."