Work Text:
Saihara could admit that he was a well-organized person. But organized enough to throw a surprise party? Now that was pushing it.
Organizing for one person was easy enough. He knew how to keep himself in line and on a schedule. Most days it worked out, some days he had to improvise. But that was fine. He knew how to handle it. What he didn’t know how to handle was an entire birthday bash.
His usual fancy writing had turned to some weird cousin of chicken scratch, notes making you squint and turn your head to read them. Did that say to put up the balloons or was it a shopping list? Shuichi didn’t quite know himself.
It wasn’t like anyone was telling him that he was doing a bad job. His classmates seemed more than happy to comply with his requests that they hang up a banner or inflate balloons. They told him to keep on planning and such whenever he tried to be of assistance. It didn’t keep the thoughts from coming through.
He taps his foot against the floor as he bites onto the pen he’s holding, palms sweaty and clipboard held close to his chest. He probably would have started pacing if it wasn’t for the commotion throughout the dining hall.
Kaede only deserved the best. It would be criminal not to give her it. She did so much for everyone, and she deserved something that compensated for all of that. He just doesn’t know how to do that. How do you give someone who has everything she could want even more? The question echoes through his mind like a broken record and doesn’t stop until he’s forcibly thrown out of his thoughts.
“Hey, Shuichi, dude. You good? You’re leaving teeth marks.” A familiar voice interrupts, gesturing to the pen. Shuichi finds himself removing it in a haze, face flushing. He probably looked like an overgrown, teething child.
Kaito’s face looks on encouragingly, face knitted into some form of concern for the detective. Shuichi can’t help but give a smile.
“I’m fine, sorry Momota-kun. Didn’t mean to zone off. I should be focused. Did you finish the balloons? Because if so you can go help set up the tables. If you want, obviously. You don’t have to. Sorry.” He rambles on, covering half his face with the clipboard in embarrassment.
There’s an exasperated sigh and Shuichi is compelled to say sorry again. The look he’s given isn’t much better. “It’s Kaito. I told you that months ago.” Kaito takes a moment to think and eventually pushes the clipboard away from Shuichi’s face.
“But all that be damned. You’re getting totally worked up over this. You aren’t some-“ Kaito looks around once or twice before lowering his voice momentarily, “-some robot. You gotta take a break sometimes.”
He can’t help but nod. “Yeah, sorry- erm… Kaito-kun. I’ll get right on that.” He apologizes with the full knowledge that he’s going to go right back to work the moment he can shoo Kaito off. He knows he probably seems impolite. He has no intention of doing so, but he was really set on getting this done in time.
A frown etches itself across Kaito’s face. “You gotta stop saying sorry sidekick. Stand up for yourself! Be a man!” Kaito exclaims, patting Shuichi on the back in such a way that almost knocks the wind out of the latter. The former takes no notice and continues on.
“If you’re so bent on all this going just fine, then let me help you out! I’ll be the sidekick for once while you take lead.” Kaito insists, craning his neck in order to properly see the itinerary.
Notes are scribbled across the clumsily put-together page. There are bullet points scattered everywhere along with check boxes and incoherent paragraphs that look like a different language entirely.
“Ah, it’s not exactly readable, Kaito-kun. Sorry.”
Shuichi diminishes the look he’s given and fiddles with his pen, waiting for the other to make out everything on the page. It takes a short while, and Shuichi’s surprised that he hadn’t fallen back into the habit of biting his nails by the time Kaito is finished.
“Dude, no shade or anything, but you really gotta work on your handwriting.” Kaito comments, flipping the first page to reveal a second page. Shuichi swears he sees Kaito’s face drop for a moment.
The second page isn’t as jumbled as the first. It seems to have been recorded far before the first page, the handwriting looking more formal opposed to some sort of ancient transcript. It’s simple, a chart listing a series of names and supposed jobs. There are notes in the margins, though those aren’t bad either. Mostly off comments about each person and position.
“You managed to get some of the upperclassmen to help?” Kaito questions, effectively breaking the silence.
“Yeah. They were surprisingly compliant to help. A group of them walked up to me and asked what they could do. I honestly thought they were going to yell at me,” Shuichi mumbles. “I guess Kaede’s track record of making friends wherever she goes pays off.”
There’s an understanding non of the head from Kaito. “Guess so. I just didn’t know they were so dedicated. This seems like a great deal of the two upper classes. You even managed to get some of the more reserved people in on it. Nice.” Kaito smiles.
“The credit can’t go to me. Their friends egged them to join. I didn’t do much but assign them jobs.” Shuchi replies, tempted to start messing with the pen again. He’s clearly being given more credit than due.
“That’s huge though! Seriously, almost everyone is on here. Even one of the reserve course members,” Kaito points out. “But there are still missing members of our class?” Kaito eyes the paper, clearly trying to tell if he’s read it wrong or not.
Furrowing his brows, Shuichi can’t help but sigh. “I know. I’ve been trying to wrangle Oma all day. He’s been running amuck and messing with everyone. Last I heard he was trying to put fireworks on the cake.”
Kaito scoffs. “Typical Oma. I’m surprised Maki hasn’t gone after him yet. Maybe she can tie him to a pole or something. Or put him on a baby backpack. There’s probably one in his size.” Kaito half-jokes, gaining a chuckle from Shuichi.
“She’s actually a bit preoccupied at the moment.” Shuichi explains. “I convinced her to keep Kaede busy and away from the general vicinity of the party.”
That prompts a shocked look from Kaito. “You? Got Maki to hang out with Kaede?” He raises a brow.
“Wha- What’s that supposed to mean?’” Shuichi exclaims, stumbling over his words. Kaito doesn’t give a response and Shuichi clears his throat to continue, albeit the side-eye he gives Kaito momentarily.
“I told her if she wasn’t going to help set up, then she could keep Kaede busy until I shot her a text to bring Kaede back. She actually seemed glad at the prospect.” He explains, pointing to a note in the margins that stated where exactly Maki was. “I’m pretty sure they’re in the piano room right now.”
Kaito reads over the note carefully, still taken aback. He blinks several times and is the one to clear his throat this time around, pausing before speaking. “When you think you know a girl, I guess…”
“No point in dwelling on it I suppose. As long as she does her job, I’m not going to question anything.” Shuichi hums, tapping the pen on the clipboard as he looked over the names once again.
There’s a sigh from Kaito, though it’s short-lived. “Gotta look at the positives! She hardly talks to other people, so this is a great step,” He beams. “Let them have their time together while we work.”
Nodding, Shuichi uncaps his pen and points to the empty spaces with the non-ink side. “There’s still a lot to do. You could help set the tables, or maybe even blow up balloons. Though Tojo-san and Kiibo may have you beat at those. Although, there always is da-“
As if on cue, there’s a loud booming noise followed by a flash of bright lights. There’s the shouting of several others that follow, and he swears he sees one of the upperclassmen fall off a ladder while trying to put up streamers. He’ll have to ask them if they’re okay later.
“…damage control.” He mumbles, cursing under his breath.
Kaito’s look of aggravation isn’t overlooked. “Listen Kaito, could you help keep Oma in line for at least an hour-“
There’s another crack, and the two cover their ears momentarily as a boom follows. “-while I finish this up? I would ask Amami, but he’s helping out in the kitchen.”
Reluctantly Kaito nods, scanning the room for the miniature imp. “If it helps ya’ out. God forbid though, someone needs to hang him from a tree.”
A glimpse of messy purple hair surfaces amidst the crowd, and Shuichi is forced to watch as Kaito goes running after Oma.
He rubs his temple and fidgets with his hat, hoping Maki is having a better time than he is.
─────────────
Maki internally curses the detective out as she fumbles with another note. For all the trouble this is worth, that party better be the best fucking thing she’s ever experienced. She would gladly trade places with any of her classmates. They were probably having a better time than she was.
The Piano keys plunk under the weight of her unsteady fingertips, the notes that come out sounding not-so-very melodic. How did Akamatsu do this all day? Sit in front of a piano on an uncomfortable ass stool while her fingers got sore from pressing the same keys again and again.
“Ah, not quite. You’re off by a few.” Akamatsu flashes her a polite smile, gently taking her soft hands and placing them onto Maki’s own. Maki feels herself coil back, scooting away and hovering halfway off the bench.
Polished nails point to the keys Maki is meant to play, and she follows the directions. The smoothness of the piano against her calloused hands is almost uncanny. She brushes away her regret and thinks about how it’s better than blowing up balloons.
With little pressure she presses the keys down in the order she was meant to, a more soothing tune following than the one prior. Her gaze momentarily shifts over to Akamatsu, the pianist adorned with a grin that could turn winter to summer in a heartbeat.
Maki’s own heart skips a beat. She ignores it and plays the note again.
“You’re picking it up faster than most! How about he take a break for now? Go get something from the kitchen?” Akamatsu asks, standing up and stretching. Maki cringes at the sound of bones popping.
Knowing her maximalist classmates, several of them would probably be messing around in the kitchen. She had been told to keep Akamatsu away from there anyway, and Akamatsu discovering whatever they were whipping up would be a dead giveaway. Maki can’t help but wonder if it would kill them to just buy some cheesy pink cake from the market instead.
Scooting back onto the entirety of the seat, Maki refuses to stand. “Aren’t you supposed to be the ‘piano freak?’ Stopping halfway through isn’t anything but procrastination. I can finish the entire thing.” She protests, eyeing up Akamatsu and making sure that she doesn’t wander off like a lost puppy.
“Harukawa-san! You don’t have to be so harsh!” Akamatsu exclaims, face flushing a pinkish-red. Maki can’t help but bite her cheek in as Akamatsu’s words turn into a hastened ramble, her own face warming up.
Maki’s fingers move off the piano keys, fist clenching in embarrassment. “Calm down, you look like a dumbass. I guess we can get something to eat. How about I take you to the market and you can pick out some candy or something? My birthday treat to you or whatever.” She grumbles, digging through the pockets of her skirt for her wallet.
She doesn’t have much, but she has enough. She’ll just ask Shuichi to pay her back or something. She knows that he’s always got cash.
As her eyes momentarily glance away from her wallet, she can’t help but catch Kaede’s gaze. A bright smile catches her view and before Maki knows it, she’s being tackled and almost trapped in a bright embrace.
“Oh, thank you so much! I could just squeeze you to death!” Akamatsu exclaims, trapping Maki in a tight hug. She feels herself grunt in surprise, pushing the pianist off of her forcefully.
Despite Maki’s push away, it doesn’t shake the atmosphere. “You’re the best! I never thought you would do something like this for me.” Kaede gushes, giggling to herself like some gossiping popular chick(at least, that’s how Maki thought Kaede sounded. She hardly cared for Western movies).
“Yeah, whatever. C’mon. The walk there is long as hell and I want to get going.” She shoves her wallet back into her pocket, stands up, and walks towards the door. She doesn’t wait for Kaede to catch up, though is sure that she’s following not far behind.
Maki’s sure to sway Akamatsu away from the parts of the school that she knows her classmates are in, all while a jittery Akamatsu follows not far behind. Maki can't believe the fact that she finds it a bit endearing.
She hastily pushes that thought out of her mind, hastening her pace. Akamatsu sprints ahead of her, realizes that she's passed the other, and flushes while waiting for Maki to catch up. Maki pushes out the thoughts that enter her head once more, grumbling to herself in frustration.
"Anyway, as I was saying, you're one of the only people to even get me anything. Shuichi-kun got me an adorable tie! I'm wearing it right now. But anyway, it was totes sweet of you! I can't believe you of all people would do something as nice as this." Akamatsu gushes, expression melting into a hazy view. Maki bites her tongue, looking away and running her hands through her hair.
Akamatsu’s face returns to its typical sunshine expression soon enough, stride full of bliss. She doesn’t talk much more, the sounds of their footsteps being their only company.
The door to the outside couldn’t come sooner. Maki watches as Akamatsu pushes it open, holding it for the other. Maki can only muster up a thanks in a grumbly voice, clamoring down the steps as Akamatsu follows behind.
It isn’t much father ‘till the market, Maki reassured herself. For now she’ll ignore the fact that she wishes the walk was longer.
─────────────
“Go crazy.”
Maki finds herself saying such as she shoves what money she has into Akamatsu’s hands. It’s hardly anything, but it’s plenty for the other to picket out a treat or something.
She watches as Akamtsu stares down at the money, as if she’s never been given anything before. There’s a smile that spreads across her face.
“You should help me pick something out! We can share it together.” Akamatsu insists, clearly tempted to take hold of Maki’s hand and drag her through the isles of the market.
“Why? Isn’t it your birthday? You should choose your gift or whatever.” Maki protests, crossing her arms together and planting her feet firmly on the floor to avoid the scenario from prior. She doubts it would stop Akamatsu anyhow, but Maki can always try and deflect it.
Akamatsu puffs her cheeks in such a Maki-like fashion that it almost feels uncanny. “I’m just trying to be nice! Friends give things to each other all the time.”
Although she had held a firm footing just after moments prior, Maki finds herself shaken. The term seemed so abrupt, so out of place.
“…friends?”
Maki legitimately stumbles back when Akamatsu takes hold of her hands.
"Well, of course! For you to do something so sweet, we've got to be friends." Akamatsu declares, face beaming with compassion.
If she could, Maki would have hidden the look on her face right now. Or, perhaps she could, and she was choosing not to. She was stronger than Akamatsu any day. She could easily rip the pianist off her. So why didn't she?
“What the hell is it with the people at this school and dragging others into friendships?” She merely scoffs, finally removing herself from the hug. She has no doubt in her mind that she’ll be getting plenty more of them from now on.
Akamatsu only giggles(should Maki be referring to the other as Kaede? It feels as if she should), making sure that none of the money was lost.
“Do you like candy?” She asks, “I can’t quite see you as a sweets person.”
Maki bites her tongue, not mentioning that she had hardly any care for tooth-rotting snacks and goodies. Aka- Kaede seems to be addicted to them, and Maki isn’t about to take that away because Kaede’s persistence and her own personal distaste for candy.
“Why not? Got anything in mind. I’ve never had candy before. It’s not like an orphanage is going to have luxuries like that.” Maki comments, raising a brow at Kaede’s shocked look.
“You’ve never had candy? But it’s just the best ever! C’mon, and don’t make me drag you Maki!” Kaede half teases, making her way into the isles and out of view.
Maki rolls her eyes, grumbling to herself about numerous of things. She hardly notices the buzz that comes from her pocket.
Even so, she’s sure that Shuichi can wait a half an hour or so. It wouldn’t kill him. He could take it as extra prep time incase something blows up in their face last minute.
For now she’s taken to the market isles, looking for a blonde cowlick standing out amongst the tall shelves.
─────────────
Ten missed calls and at least thirty texts seems a bit extra if you asked her. She especially didn’t understand why Shuichi was worked up when she gave a simple two sentence reply; “Heading over. Went to the store with Kaede.”
“Why go to the dining hall now?” Kaede questions, popping a pocky into her mouth. Maki hadn’t understood the crazy for the treat amongst other children at the school she had attended in the past, and she certainly still didn’t. Though, if Kaede liked it, Maki would at least give it a shot. As a friend it seemed like something she could manage.
“I’m hungry for something other than sweets. I don’t want to rot my teeth.” She partially lies, hastening her stride as she feels her phone buzz again. She’s surprised she hasn’t silenced the damn thing by now, Shuichi’s texts being a migraine waiting to happen.
Kaede seems to take this as an acceptable answer, keeping pace with Maki’s hastening steps. All the whirl Maki grabs her phone from her pocket to both tell Shuichi to shut up and get everyone read for whatever big surprise they had planned out.
The door is just around the bend, and she doesn’t feel like waiting for a text back. They’ve had more than enough time to prepare until then, so spare her.
She will give it a firm kick though. That should be more than enough of a warning.
Whirl Kaede does give her an odd look, Maki thinks nothing of it and pulls open the door, holding it for Kaede. She graciously smiles, and Maki lightly returns it.
It doesn’t compare to the smile when the lights flicker on though.
A chorus of “Happy Birthday Kaede!” fills the room, all kinds of students from different classes leaving their hiding spots and smiling at a frozen Kaede.
The pianist’s eyes glimmer in bewilderment and wonder, tears threading to prick at the corner of her eyes. It would have been an entirely sweet moment in Maki’s opinion. Would being the key word there.
Unfortunately enough, the crotch gremlin had to exist.
“Kae-channnnn!” A voice rings out, practically jumping from the crowd and managing to latch himself onto Kaede’s waste. “Your friends are such big meanies-“ he stops to sniff and while away fake tears- “I can’t believe you would let them do such horrible things to me! Saihara-chan refused to let me help out, Mommy tried to grab me by the scruff, and Amami refused to let me help make your cake! And worse of all, Kai-chan over there tried to tie me up like a piñata and beat me with stick!” Kokichi points accusingly at Kaito, sticking out his tongue when Kaede wasn’t looking.
Maki is about ready to punt the bastard right here and now, if it weren’t for Kaede shaking her head. Rather, she resorted to dragging him off, pushing Kokichi back towards the crowd.
“Hey, Kaede-san, it seems you two are getting along.” A soft voice cuts into Kaede’s admiration.
“Shuichi!” Kaede exclaims, not bothering with honorifics. She traps Shuichi into one of her trap hugs, the detective clearly taken aback. “You’re the best, everyone here is! You seriously didn’t have to do all this for me. That tie you gifted me earlier was wonderful enough.”
Shuichi tries to hide his shock after he’s been freed from the hug, watching as Kaede moves onto Kaito. Kaito, unsurprisingly, seems to be trapped just like Shuichi.
Maki ignores the glaze Shuichi is giving her, moving to stand beside Kaede before everyone started to crowd around her like flies to honey. She isn’t jealous, of course not. Definitely not. She just cared about the other. That wasn’t so wrong, now was it?
“I hope ya’ like it ‘Matsu!” Kaito booms, hand pressed firmly on Shyuichi’s shoulder. “Shuichi organized the whole thing. Oma probably would have wrecked everything without him. And me, obviously! But mostly him.” Kaito smiles down at his sidekick, a light blush forming across Shuichi’s once pale cheeks.
The rest of their class seems to have gathered around them, mixing in with the upperclassmen. Maki feels like she’s watching from the sidelines as Kaede seamlessly mingles with all kinds of people, not to mention at once for that matter. Whatever skill that was supposed to be, it certainly was something to brag about.
“Would you like to open gifts, or would you rather blow out your cake first?” Their classmate, Tojo, questions. Kaede seems to think to herself, all while managing the chaos around her.
“Bakamatsu should open my present first! Her virgin ass is gonna get a kick out of it, I’m telling you! There’s this western store that kicks ass, Spencer’s. I got you a lil’ somthin’ somthin’ form the back, picked it out-“ Iruma is abruptly cut off and dragged away from Kaede by Tojo, most likely to be scolded.
“Kaede should open my gift first! It’s a very special painting with herself being my inspiration. It’s truly divine.” Angie hums, clasping her hands together.
Amami, another one of her classmates, seems to have joined the crowd. “Whats the point of yelling someone what their gift is? Don’t you think that ruins the surprise?” He questions, a laugh bubbleing up in his throat.
“Wait- what? How can it be based off of me? I’ve never been asked to model for any of your art before.” Kaede cuts in, a look of confusion plastered across her face.
“Why, Kokichi of couse! He has an array of photos. When I cant call ion anyone to take to being my muse, I simply sneak into his room and snatch up one of the photos.” Angie smiles as if the answer was obvious, her words causing mixed reactions from those around them. Not to mention Maki’s own response.
“How the hell would he even get ahold of phots in the first place?” She cuts in with a snarl. She eyes up the crowd for the miniature imp, though he seems to have slipped away. Either that or he was being blocked by a taller student. Whichever it was, she’ll get answers later.
“Is that where my camera went?” A redheaded upperclassman pipes up in a bold and motherly tone, clearly agitated. “Leave it to a boy to do something as vile as that, I suppose.”
Maki bites her tongue in annoyance, though refuses to let it show. Kaede was being bombarded enough already. She calms herself before speaking, tapping her foot against the floor restlessly. “Ignore that. Today is your special day, enjoy it while you can.”
Her words clearly mean something to the pianist. “You’re right. Im getting all worked up over nothing, I suppose. And you are too!” Kaede teases.
“Let’s have fun! Cmon, you can help me open my gifts.” Kaede insists, taking Maki’s hand firmly and squeezing through the crowd of students. Maki’s protests are list to deaf ears, Kaede pretending to to hear Maki as she insists that Kaede deserves to open them all by herself.
Maki supposes she could get used to this, as obnoxius Kaede may be at time. And maybe she coudl get used to that warm feeling, too.