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“Yooooo, Kurahashi!”
The young boy didn’t have enough time to turn around, when his best friend jumped atop him, laughing as he did. Maeda soon followed after and ruffled his hair as he flew up behind him, and the two friends laughed with him.
“Ah–!” Kurahashi laughed at them. “Woah, what’s this about?”
“Happy birthday, dude!” Toubyou jumped off his back and slapped it several times.
“We’re here to give you well-wishes, aaand~” Maeda produced a present from behind his back. “Gifts!”
Kurahashi’s eyes widened and took the small box from his hands. He stared down at it before shaking his head and tried to push it back to him. “No, no, I shouldn’t–”
“Come on, man!” Toubyou brought a box from behind his back. “We’ve both got something for you! You gotta take it, y’know!”
He tried pushing them back, but they were both shoved into his arms. He sighed before chuckling and accepting them.
“Fine, fine. I’ll open them in class, alright? I’m sure Seimei wouldn’t mind.”
“Hey, he didn’t mind it when Sano did!”
“Yes… but Sano is also clearly his favorite student.” Maeda gave him a bored look.
Kurahashi laughed and they all walked to their class. When they entered, Kurahashi got a few more well wishes from his classmates. He sat down and took a glance towards the front. It was then that he realized… someone was missing.
“...Where’s Seimei?”
Kuniko sighed. “He… he, uh, is going to be a bit busy. Apparently something happened in the teacher’s lounge that’s going to keep him for a while.” She turned to smile at him. “Oh yeah, happy birthday, Kurahashi.”
“Thanks, Uta–”
She set a card on his desk and he stared at it. He looked back up, laughed, and pointed down at it in confusion.
“What’s… uh, what’s this for?”
She glanced at the card before looking up at him. “Why, your birthday of course! Sorry I didn’t get you anything.”
He looked back down and an uncomfortable look crossed his face for a moment. “No, no… this is more than enough.”
As his eyes raked over the card and he opened the two boxes, he couldn’t help but feel a pit in his stomach. He didn’t deserve this. Nothing from these guys. He couldn’t accept any of it in good faith.
And yet, here he was.
Smiling and thanking all of them for the gifts and well wishes.
Happy birthday, Kurahashi Yuuta.