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Every evening…every weekend…it was always the same.
She would leave school, take the train with Midoriya and Iida, then get off at her stop and head to her small studio apartment. Sometimes she would stop at her nearby grocery store to get some food if her money allowed it, but most of the time she would simply munch on some cheap snacks that she bought from the convenience store.
Unfortunately, this was a common occurrence. She really couldn’t afford much; her parents would send her money but most of it was spent on her rent and her school tuition. She would try to save as much as she could by getting something small, but most of the time she would rely on the food from Lunch Rush to help her survive the day. A necessary lifeline amidst her financial struggles.
During the weekdays—in the evenings—she would sit in her small apartment, do some homework, maybe eat, and then go to bed. She will then wake up and get ready to head to school. It was the same cycle—a lonely cycle—but going to school was where she didn’t feel the crushing weight of loneliness. But unfortunately, she couldn’t be at school all the time, she couldn't escape to its needed refuge.
The weekends were the worst and today was no different…except for one small detail.
Today was her birthday.
She should be celebrating, as anyone would on their special day. But instead, she walked the desolate hallways of her apartment complex, clutching a small plastic bag in her hand. She gazed ahead, hearing the echoes of her own footsteps bouncing off the beige-painted concrete walls, amplifying the deafening starkness of her surroundings.
Suddenly, a ding emanated from her phone. Uraraka sighed, a heavy weight settling in her chest. Slowly, she grabbed the phone from her purse’s pocket and looked at the screen.
Ashido: Hey guys! Who wants to go to karaoke tonight!?
Hagakure: Oh, that sounds fun! Count me in!
Kirishima: Oh, hell yeah! I love karaoke!
“Oh, looks like they want to go out for karaoke,” Uraraka whispered to herself. She then silenced her phone and placed it back inside her purse, “That sounds fun.” She voiced, somberly.
As soon as she reached her apartment, she grabbed her keys and unlocked the door. She entered the dark room and promptly turned on the lights, revealing the bareness of her apartment.
“I’m home.” She said to no one except herself.
She slipped off her shoes and stepped inside. Crossing the room, she placed the small bag on the rectangular coffee table at the center of her apartment. Four zabuton cushions lay neatly around the table, waiting in silence.
She sat down and pulled out the contents from her bag. Since it was her birthday, she got herself more than she usually gets thanks to the extra cash her parents gave her. She smiled at the sight of the delectables before her. A small cake, two mochi balls, and some milk tea with boba. To others, it might seem like an ordinary snack, something one would casually pick up on a whim, but to her, it was a rare indulgence, a small luxury.
She looked at her food and then at her surroundings. She sighed, sadly. It was so quiet. If only she could celebrate with her friends.
She wanted to invite them, but she couldn’t afford the hospitality she felt obliged to provide. She wouldn’t be able to buy food or even snacks for them. So, instead, she sat, quietly, hearing the slight buzz emanating from the fluorescent light overhead.
And it wasn’t like they were going to invite her somewhere or celebrate her birthday with her.
Nobody knew about her birthday. She never told them…it was a personal choice of hers.
Well, nobody except for one person.
Midoriya is the only one who knew, the only person he told. She urged him to not tell anyone. He was reluctant at first, he kept saying that something like that shouldn’t be kept under wraps. But in the end, he agreed and promised to keep it a secret.
It was for the best; she preferred not to feel guilty for failing to provide what she had hoped to give.
One thing did bother her though, Midoriya hadn’t wished her a happy birthday. She thought he would have at least texted her but maybe he was doing it as a means not to bring attention to her birthday, that would make sense.
But still…even just one text.
Uraraka shook her head, stopping the negative assumptions that were trying to evade her thoughts. Maybe he’ll say something later today, she shouldn’t worry about this.
So, with that in mind, she pulled out a single candle from her pocket, one that she found while walking back to her apartment. She unpackaged the cake, unfolding the sides until it stood unsupported on the small cardboard. She then placed the candle on the small cake.
“Oh right, a lighter.” She promptly stood up and walked over to the kitchen. She grabbed a lighter from the cabinet, one that she used for her candles, “Good,” She rushed over to her little table and sat back down.
She carefully placed the white candle on the cake and lit it. As the small flame flickered to life, dancing softly on the wick, she gazed silently. The single light cast long, solitary shadows across the empty room. She sighed, the sound echoing in the hollow stillness.
Her phone kept vibrating. She wanted to see what they were discussing but she shouldn’t. Her friends must be having fun…if only she could be there. If only they were here to reduce the quiet loneliness surrounding her.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "Happy birthday," to the empty room. With a small, lone huff, she opened her eyes and blew out the single candle, its smoke curling into the silence.
Uraraka sighed and weakly smiled at her cake, “Let’s hope for a good year. Well…time to dig in I guess.”
She stood up to grab a fork, but before she could take another step, a knock echoed from her door. Uraraka froze, startled by the sudden noise. Who could that be? Who would visit at this hour? It couldn't be the mailman; she hadn't ordered anything, and her parents couldn't make it, so it couldn't be them either. So, who else could it be?
“C-Coming!” She walked over to the door, partially worried about who might be behind it.
She grasped the knob and twisted it, slowly opening the door, “Hi, may I help—”
Uraraka stopped. Her eyes went wide upon noticing who it was.
“Happy birthday, Uraraka!” Midoriya belted, smiling brightly.
“D-Deku! What are you—” But before she could finish her sentence she peeked over his shoulder and noticed that he was not alone.
“Hey Uraraka! We heard that it’s your birthday, so we rushed over as soon as we could.” Iida spoke.
“Yeah, we couldn’t let you celebrate by yourself, ribbit,” Tsuyu commented.
“Nobody should be alone on their birthday,” Todoroki added.
Uraraka was at a loss for words, she couldn’t believe they were here, her friends!
“Sorry. I um—told them. I just—I knew you wouldn’t come to karaoke and well, they kind of forced me to explain why you weren’t coming and that is when I told them about your birthday. And well, here we are,” Midoriya explained, shyly, “Oh, um, we brought snacks, and we also got you a cake!” He explained, presenting the box that was being held in Midoriya’s arms. She noticed that Tsuyu and Iida were carrying a few grocery bags.
“We also got you some presents…Midoriya helped pick them for you.” Todoroki explained, showing his hands that were carrying four gift bags.
Uraraka couldn’t believe what she was seeing, she was in absolute shock. Her mind raced, searching for something to say, but her voice failed her. She could only stare in disbelief as her friend smiled brightly at her.
Midoriya noticed her moment of surprise, but to him, it looked like she was frightened by the sudden intrusion.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry we came here so suddenly! We didn’t me to intrude like this! I probably should have called or texted! I could have—”
“No, Deku,” Uraraka began, “I-It’s fine…I’m just—I’m just, thankful I suppose.”
Midoriya gazed at her in bewilderment.
“I just—I never told my birthday to others because I never really celebrated it. I mean my parents would buy me a cake but because they were so busy they never had the time to really celebrate it. And it was just such a bother with money and everything, we didn’t have enough to offer to host a party and I don’t like others paying for me. But here you guys are—I didn’t even tell you to come.” Uraraka explained, rubbing her neck, shyly, “I um—I’m glad you did…thank you.”
“Oh, Ochaco, we will always be there to celebrate your birthday, ribbit. It’s a special day that should be spent with friends,” Tsuyu explained.
“Yeah, we will never let our friends be by themselves, you deserve to be surrounded by those who care about you,” Iida proclaimed.
Uraraka could feel herself starting to choke up. She quickly swallowed the lump forming in her throat and brushed away the tear threatening to fall down her face
“T-Thanks, guys,” Uraraka muttered, then she gestured toward her apartment, “Come on in! I don’t really have much sitting space, but you can use the zabuton cushions. I can bring some more,” She quickly explained as she walked in and took off her shoes.
“It’s okay, Uraraka! We can manage with anything, please don’t stress,” Midoriya implied.
Uraraka stopped her frantic pacing and looked over at her friends. They were all smiling at her, each simply grateful to be there with her. Her heart warmed in happiness; she didn’t deserve their kindness.
“I’ll put the cake in the fridge!” Midoriya said as he walked over to the small kitchen.
“We’ll set up the snacks on the table,” Iida voiced. Both he and Tsuyu kneeled near the desk and began to set up the various foods they brought, “We bought some of your favorites, like mochi and dango.”
Uraraka could see the foods they were bringing out; she couldn’t help but start to salivate.
“Uraraka, is it okay if I put the presents by that wall over there,” Todoroki asked, pointing at the wall where her futon was rolled up.
“Yeah, that is fine,” Uraraka replied, smiling as she walked over to the table with a few extra cushions from her closet.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Midoriya rushed out of the kitchen and towards the apartment entrance. He opened his yellow backpack and pulled out six boxes, “I brought some games if we feel like playing!”
Uraraka couldn’t help but giggle at his friend’s silliness as he placed the boxes on his arms and carried them over to the living room, ensuring they didn’t fall.
“Well, let’s get to eating! We have cake afterward and then you can open your presents, Uraraka.” Iida exclaimed.
Uraraka nodded.
She sat down while Midoriya, Iida, Tsuyu, and Todoroki joined her. She indulged in the foods they brought, savoring every bite. It was so good. The mochi, the dango…it was all her favorites! She rarely got them because of how expensive they were but here she was, enjoying them with her friends.
She only ate a few, however, not wanting to indulge too much on what they had bought.
“Eat as much as you want, Uraraka! It’s your birthday!” Midoriya nudged.
“Oh, okay,” She grabbed another mochi and took a bite, the flavors exploding in her mouth, “Thank you,”
“No problem! This is your day after all!” Midoriya added.
For the rest of the evening, the five of them ate and played together. She opened her presents with the cake saved for last. As her friends lit the candles and sang "Happy Birthday," Uraraka couldn't help but feel a warm glow in her heart. Afterward, they enjoyed the cake and spent time talking and laughing, as if they didn't have a care in the world.
As she laughed, she glanced over at the small cake she bought, the candle still protruding from it.
She smiled.
Thanks guys. She thought.
For once she wasn’t alone. The apartment felt lively, the walls now filled with the laughter of her friends.