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The 14th of February
A chilly day marking the beginning of lent, the celebration of love, and the birthday of a certain eccentric writer.
Now, Yami didn't dislike her date of birth, if anything she was honored to be born on a day that symbolized romance.
But...
'It's completely different to be surrounded by it!' She internally snarled. In one direction a couple was sharing a hug, a turn away and another couple was sharing a scarf, and then a turn away from that another couple were walking with held hands.
Then another.
Then another.
Then another!
Love was literally in the air and it was suffocating! And don't even get her started with the amount of teenagers fumbling their way with flustered faces, engrossed in their own little worlds and not having a shred of PDA decency!
'Not like the innocent ones are any better.' She thought with a glare as she overhears another pair use the 'my hands are cold' excuse to hold hands for god knows how many times at this point. 'Don't think that just because you're both girls makes this anymore bearable!' She internally snarled at them.
She huffed and quickened her pace to the office, if working would distract her then she had all the more a reason to be a workaholic.
Though, she'd most likely still have to write an article about love.
She groaned.
.
.
.
"Good Morning.." Yami called as she entered the dilapidated building of Stray Beat. It wasn't really as dilapidated as before though, she had taken the courtesy to somewhat brighten up the exterior-- don't expect much, she's only supposed to be a writer-- so now it only looked like a dull building from the outside!
'That's not my concern though, I'm more concerned about the inside--' Her thoughts were interrupted by a squeak, and then a tumbling ruckus of falling items.
She heaved a sigh, and began walking to what was most certainly going to be another annoyance.
"Shiba-san, don't you think it's a little early for your antics--" She paused as she entered the room, taking in the sight in front of her..
A messy tangle of red ribbons, ensnaring an equally messy woman with green hair (that's a lie, she looked really pretty), who was also her boss.
"Ah, good morning, Sato-san." Shiba greeted, somehow looking perfectly composed despite her predicament.
Yami stared, and Shiba stared back. A brief silence ensued, where one was wondering how someone could get tangled up like a yarn from a simple fall, and the other.. probably wasn't thinking at all.
"...You know, I feel like we'd get lots of clicks if we filmed even a fraction of your clumsiness." Yami finally said.
"That would not be related to our objectives, and would only tarnish our reputation." Shiba bluntly replied.
"If you're so self-aware then at least try having some shame.." Yami grumbled as she approached, expertly avoiding any trash in the way-- she had gotten used to it.
"What were you even trying to do with all of this?" She asked as she began untying her, looking around at the chaotic mix of decorations strewn all over the place-- some not even related, making it more messy than usual.
"If it wasn't obvious, I was decorating for the special occasion."
Yami blinked, looking back there was a primary theme of valentines and birthdays.
"Hmph.. Well, no need to act so condescending, you didn't even finish." She huffed, though she couldn't hide her faint blush.
"I wasn't trying to." Shiba said, though her smile said anything but. "and for the record, I did ask Kessoku Band for help since they were nearby, but..."
Yami groaned, "Let me guess, they were busy off in their own little worlds. Strengthening their bonds, making chocolate, and god forsake me-- writing and playing romantic songs for each other."
Shiba chuckled, and that was enough of a confirmation to make Yami groan again, "Kids these days..." she grumbled.
"...You're still young yourself, Sato-san. I'm certain opportunities will still arise."
Yami glared, and Shiba stared back with a perfectly blank look, until it gave way to a little smile.
"You--! You're only a year younger than me! And I'll have you know I had plenty of people coming after me in high-school! Ugh! What am I even saying, I sound like a grandma trying to defend herself.." Yami grumbled and Shiba couldn't help but chuckle, she huffed.
She wouldn't admit it, but it was nice hearing her laugh.
"Ah, there we go." Yami grumbled as she finally untangled her boss. Standing up, she dusted her knees and began cleaning up the mess-- as usual.
"Thank you, as always--" Shiba paused as she was getting up, looking a little troubled.
'Was the fall that bad?' Yami thought, but then she noticed something, "Hey, aren't these a bit damaged? They're also a bit pale and weathered.." she asked, as she looked at some of the decorations.
"Ah, well.. that's because.. they aren't really..." Shiba trailed off, and Yami noticed that small bead of sweat on her brow.
Suspicious, she inspected the decorations a bit more-- a strenuous task given how messy everything was-- until she saw the boxes they most likely came from.
"...Are these old decorations from the company?"
Shiba gulped, and looked away. "...We're a bit tight on budget?" She tried.
"Wow, you sure know how to make a girl feel special on a special day." She deadpanned, and Shiba could only fidget.
"Hmph, you're lucky I don't mind such silly things." She lied, "But still, this was way too much decoration." She gestured at the pile of boxes. "You only decorate this much when there's going to be a party for the entire office, and we can't have that because..?"
"...We're a bit tight on budget..." Shiba sighed.
"And also because I'm like, your only employee. Which is also because of your budget." Yami said with an irresistible chuckle as she went back to cleaning.
"...Going by that logic, then it does not need to be party-sized if it is only to celebrate you." Shiba murmured with a small huff.
Yami found that a bit amusing (and cute). "Oh~ Then do tell, what sort of candy will you buy for your one and only employee~?" She asked with all the condescending tease in the world.
"I am not that cheap to neglect one employee." Shiba huffed once more, "and I.. sort of already did..."
"Eh?"
Shiba shook her head, "Nevermind, it is a bit embarrassing, so let us just order some food now. What would you like?" She said in hopes of changing the topic.
"Embarrassing? Just what did you do for your shameless pride to take a hit? Actually, why are you still sitting?" Yami pressed on, approaching the suddenly sweating Shiba who was still on the ground.
"Ah--! Wait--" Shiba fumbled around, but it was clumsily futile as Yami was able to go around her and see what she was hiding.
A squished box of a cake.
"...Shiba-san."
"Do not." Shiba uselessly warned.
"You squished a cake with your clumsy butt."
"I am going to fire you."
Even the threat of unemployment didn't stop Yami's fit of giggles, while Shiba could only sit there, hiding her fluster behind her hands.
Calming down a little, Yami picked up the box. It was small and squished on one corner, yet it miraculously didn't spill.
Shiba, also calming down a bit from her fluster, finally stood up. "I apologize.. It is ruined, but I shall get another one." She said.
Yami raised a brow, "Now that isn't cost-effective, is it? The box somehow didn't explode, so I'm sure it's still fine."
"Huh? But--"
Yami waved her off, "It's fine, I told you I don't mind such silly things. I'm not a picky eater and--" She opened the slightly crumpled box, and immediately blushed. "I'm guessing the cake itself is cost-effective?" She asked, pointing at the pink cake which although malformed, was still vaguely shaped like a heart.
Shiba hesitantly nodded, "Yes, I figured it would be best to simply combine the two occasions.. I also figured that strawberry would be to your liking.. Was I wrong?"
"No, no, it's just.. Whatever! Where was I? Ah! I was saying it's the thought that counts!" Yami said with a shake of her head.
Taking a whip of the cake, she took a taste. She was a simple girl, she liked sweet foods and cute things, and while this only fitted one criteria thanks to a clumsy butt, she decided that the effort added to the charm.
"See? It's fine." She ultimately declared.
“I see.. that's good..” Shiba said with a sigh of relief, before putting on a small, pretty smile. “Happy Birthday, Sato-san.” She said, a simple, traditional greeting for occasions like these.
Yet it didn't fail to put a wide smile on Yami's face.
Yami shook her head, "Now go get some spoons, I shouldn't be the only one to eat a cake your clumsy butt sat on."
"You aren't letting that go, are you."
"It's payback for all the cleaning." Yami giggled.
Taking the crumpled box and the sighing Shiba in tow, she maneuvered through the maze of garbage that was the office to the kitchen.
Maybe February 14 wasn't so bad after all.
.
.
.
"Say, isn't this cake from the convenience store across the street?"
"...I was a bit tight on budget?"
"Cheapskate..."