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Today is the fifth of October—Haruka’s eighteenth birthday. Admittedly, she feels a little strange about the whole affair; since she’d become an idol, her understanding of what it meant to celebrate her birthday had been substantially warped. At one point, she’d hoped that taking some time away from the scene would allow her to settle back into something a little more normal. The trouble is, she doesn’t exactly know what ‘normal’ is anymore, and neither does any of her unitmates.
They’d already been through this song and dance last year, but—of course—they’d seemed to be heading straight towards repeating it. Haruka had respected the others’ wish to keep their plans a surprise to the extent that she could, but the MORE MORE HOUSE wasn’t exactly large. It’d been hard not to overhear Shizuku and Airi bickering about it occasionally; neither of them were very skilled in staying quiet while they argued. From what she could gather, Shizuku had wanted to prepare something extravagant, along the lines of a birthday show, while Airi had insisted that they couldn’t possibly arrange something like that (and that, even if they could, Haruka would prefer they didn’t.) Neither of them had seemed particularly willing to compromise; it had to be all or nothing. Eventually, Haruka had spoken up, reminding them that they really didn’t have to put this much thought into her birthday celebrations, but all three of the others had rejected that statement. Minori in particular had insisted that she should be properly shown the extent of their gratitude, and no matter how many times Haruka had said that that wasn’t necessary, they wouldn’t seem to listen.
So, in short, today is shaping up to be an interesting day. Briefly, she considers backing out of whatever her friends have planned, pleading some sudden illness, but she quickly discards the idea. The reality of it is that they have worked this hard for her, and to back out now would be to throw away all of their efforts, which would be just as selfish as forcing them to do all of… whatever they’d done. She’ll just have to hope they didn’t work themselves too hard on her account.
After answering birthday-wish texts from An, Kohane, and a few others from her superstar days, she replies to Airi’s text in the MMJ group chat:
Airi Momoi: shizuku and i are at the station
Airi Momoi: are you ready, haruka?
You: Yes, I’m ready. I’ll be there shortly. Thank you for being so patient.
Airi Momoi: dude. its your birthday
Airi Momoi: also we love you
Airi Momoi: if you can believe that
That makes Haruka smile to herself. Airi’s dry humor is so prevalent that Haruka can almost hear it through the messaging interface.
You: Oh. I thought you’d been trying to keep that a secret, too. (I’m just kidding.)
You: In any case, I appreciate it.
As planned, Haruka arrives at the train station eighteen minutes after she leaves her house. When she meets up with Airi and Shizuku, though, she’s a bit surprised by what she finds.
“Is Minori not feeling well?” she asks, after receiving their birthday greetings.
Airi rolls her eyes. “She’s decided to take about thirty years setting up decorations at the house. I told her we weren’t gonna wait for her, and she was like, ‘Okay! I’ll just keep prancing around with streamers! Yay!’”
“I’m sure she’ll finish soon,” Shizuku clarifies. “She wouldn’t miss an occasion like this.”
“I’d hope not,” Haruka says. “She seemed so excited for today.” More than I am, honestly.
“Well, it’s out of my hands if she delays too much longer,” Airi snaps. “I’m giving her ten more minutes.”
“I don’t think that’s entirely fair,” Haruka says; at the same time, Shizuku says, “At least give her twenty, Airi-chan…”
Airi’s gaze shifts between the two of them, eventually landing on Haruka. “For real? I mean, I just don’t wanna waste your time. Seems like waiting an extra hour for no reason isn’t how I’d want to…” She trails off, making an agitated gesture.
“I don’t mind too much, I think,” Haruka says. “If it’s possible, I’d like all four of us to be able to share this day together.”
Airi stares at her, and clearly tries to pretend she isn’t smiling. “Fine,” she says. “Twenty it is. After that, though, we’re going with or without her.” She pulls out her phone, relaying the message to Minori.
“If we can, I’d like to wait a little longer,” Haruka replies, “but I don’t know how long the itinerary you’ve made is. If we can’t wait, I understand.”
Shizuku tilts her head. “I guess it’d depend on how long you want to spend at the—”
Airi grabs her arm and shakes it. “Shizuku! No spoiling the itinerary!”
“Well, now I’m curious,” Haruka says, half-smiling.
“You’ll find out, if our group leader ever arrives,” Airi grumbles.
“I’ll just have to wait, I suppose.” Haruka takes a seat next to her seniors.
They wait in silence for a couple of minutes, until Shizuku eventually asks, “Have you had a fun day so far, Haruka-chan?”
“I’ve only been awake for a couple of hours, but I suppose so, yes. The weather was particularly nice when I was out running.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Shizuku says brightly. “It’s like even the sky is celebrating you…”
Haruka laughs. “I’m not sure about that.”
Shizuku closes her eyes, sighing dreamily. “Yes, but just imagine it. The sun gently touching your skin, the birds singing for you… The grass squishing softly beneath your feet…”
“For the record, this is what your party would’ve looked like if she’d gotten her way,” Airi says. “I think she might’ve actually mentioned a flock of singing birds at one point.”
“I didn’t!”
“Pretty sure you did. Actually, if I remember right, you brought that up after I said we couldn’t rent out a concert hall.”
“Ohh… right, because we were going to do the concert outside.”
“You wanted to do the concert outside. But we still don’t have enough money to just stage concerts whenever we want. Like I’ve told you and Minori about a thousand times.”
“We could’ve saved up,” Shizuku protests, but she’s clearly already given up on this argument. The three of them fall silent again, and the minutes tick by.
“Minori, you’re such a dumbass,” Airi mutters, staring at her phone again. “She’s not even reading my messages.”
“She’s probably on her way,” Shizuku says gently. “Just give her a little longer.”
“Well, she’d better hurry. She’s got four minutes.”
I wonder what she’s up to, Haruka thinks. Is she really putting that much work into decorating?
Airi repeatedly taps her fingernails against the side of her phone, her face slowly morphing into a deeper and deeper frown. After she’s decided it’s been long enough—whether it’s actually been exactly twenty minutes or not isn’t clear, but Haruka doesn’t see her look at any sort of clock—she sighs, and clicks it on, swiping and tapping through apps at lightning speed. “I’m calling her,” she says. “Hopefully she responds to this, at least.”
Thirty seconds later, she sighs again, more deeply. “She didn’t pick up. You think she’s all right?”
“She might have forgotten her phone,” Haruka suggests, refusing to even consider the more pessimistic explanations for the moment. “Or perhaps she’s on another errand, and will come back soon.”
“Without her phone?” Airi says. “I mean, it’s possible, but…”
“Or maybe Minori-chan’s phone is upset with her, and won’t tell her when she’s getting called,” Shizuku says. “It’s happened to me once or twice.”
“Yeah, but you’re…” Airi gestures vaguely, perhaps attempting to evoke her general Shizukuness. “Last time I checked, Minori knows how to use her phone. And she had it with her… I think.”
“It might’ve run out of battery,” Haruka says. “That’s happened before, hasn’t it?”
Airi rolls her eyes again. “Oh, God, don’t remind me. I was hoping I could go the rest of my life without thinking about that ever again.”
“I apologize for bringing it up.”
“Whatever.” Airi types up another message, this time sending it in the group chat.
Airi Momoi: okay minori change of plans
Airi Momoi: if youre still alive and you see this message, text me back and STAY AT THE HOUSE
Airi Momoi: well come back and get you
Airi Momoi: if youre dead um
Airi Momoi: your gf is not going to be very happy with you
Haruka raises an eyebrow at this last point. “That’s all you have to say about that possibility?”
Airi looks up from her phone, looking a little confused. “I mean, it’d be fucked up if she died on your special day. I think you’d have the right to be mad.”
“I… think we should change the subject,” Haruka says quietly.
“Sorry.” Airi mimes zipping her lips shut. “I’m just being annoying, anyway. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“We should start our trip,” Shizuku says. “We have quite a few things to get to.”
“Yeah, good point. Um, so first, we’ll stop by the mall for a while. Any stores in particular you’ve been keeping an eye on?”
“I’m afraid not,” Haruka says. “I’ve been too busy to think about shopping.”
“Well, there you go. Take some time and splurge a little. We’ll pay.”
Haruka frowns. “No, you shouldn’t feel like you have to—”
Airi takes her by the shoulders, and shakes her gently. “Girlie. It’s your birthday. We’ll pay.”
Haruka blinks. “Right. I apologize.”
“All three of you are so weird, I swear,” Airi says, shaking her head.
“‘All four of us,’ I think you mean,” Haruka smirks, taking the opportunity to strike back.
“Hey—no. Do not lump me in with the rest of you. I object.”
“Careful, Airi. You’ll start attracting attention if you yell.”
Airi blushes. “One more word out of you and I’m rescinding every nice thing I’ve said about you today.”
“Oh, dear.”
Shizuku giggles. “You’re cute when you’re this flustered, Airi-chan…”
“Not you, too!”
“I’m beginning to regret offering to pay for everything you buy,” Airi says as Haruka takes today’s fourth stuffed penguin off the shelf, cradling him in both arms.
“I can’t help it,” Haruka says absentmindedly. “Hmm… What should I name this one…?”
“You haven’t even bought it yet,” Airi complains.
“He looks like he’d be a good Oswald,” Shizuku suggests.
“Oswald…” Haruka considers this, squishing the penguin’s face slightly. “I like it.”
“Shizuku, where on earth did you come up with that?” Airi asks.
“Umm, I thought it fit with the other names she picked.”
Haruka nods, sliding the penguin into her bag, which is bulging with stuffed penguins and penguin-themed merchandise. “Okay, I think I’m ready to check out,” she says.
“You think?” Airi says dryly. “You must’ve added thirty pounds to that bag just now.”
“Penguins are surprisingly light.”
“Oh, come on; you made that up.”
“I didn’t.” Haruka unslings the bag from around her shoulder, handing it to Airi. “Here, see it for yourself.”
“Well, yeah, obviously the bag doesn’t weigh that much, but you definitely made up that fact.”
“Not necessarily. It depends on the species; emperor penguins weigh over seventy pounds on average, but the smallest species only weigh a few pounds each. For example—”
“Wait, okay, stop,” Airi says, holding up her hands. “I’m sorry for questioning you. You can stop.”
“If you insist.” Haruka takes the bag back and makes her way to the checkout counter.
“Are there any other stores on this floor you two are interested in?” she asks a short time later, as they leave the store.
“We want to go where you want to go,” Shizuku says. “You should decide where we’ll go next.”
“I think I’ll need to look at a map, in that case.”
“There’s one that way,” Airi says, pointing to the atrium ahead with one hand while awkwardly holding her phone in another. The three of them pick up the pace, not wanting to delay.
Every time they come to a mall like this, Haruka is impressed with its size. This time is no different, even though she’s sure she’s been here before. There are dozens of stores just for clothes, and at least five for jewelry. One jewelry store is visible on the other side of the atrium; although it’s tempting to look inside, she already knows Airi would tear into her if she even mentioned the idea.
“Maybe we could check out the jewelry store over there,” she says, pointing to it.
“Okay, but anything from there is coming out of your pocket,” Airi says, staring flatly at her.
“I thought you said you’d pay for everything,” Haruka giggles.
“My God, you and Minori are going to drive me to my limit.”
“Still nothing from her?” Shizuku asks, a tinge of worry in her voice.
“Not a word. I’m half-convinced she’s doing this on purpose.”
“I’m starting to think we should check on her once we’re done here,” Haruka says, trying to ignore the pit forming in her stomach.
“Yeah. I’m with you there.” Airi sighs. “Sorry; this isn’t really… how I wanted this to go.”
“It’s okay,” she says, half-truthful. At any rate, she certainly isn’t upset with Airi. She scans the list of shops for ones they haven’t visited yet, which isn’t particularly helpful (how is she meant to know what the products are like from the title alone?) After some thought, she decides the stores on the third floor might be the most appealing.
Fortunately, she ends up being right. She isn’t particularly picky about what style of clothes she wears, but there’s one that happens to catch her eye at this moment specifically. The selection is very casual, mostly graphic tees and hoodies, which normally wouldn’t particularly interest her, but there’s one on display in the front that does.
“Let’s go there next,” she says.
Airi and Shizuku both turn to look at the store in question, and their reactions are wildly different.
Shizuku coos. “Ooh, Haruka-chan, I didn’t know you were into that kind of aesthetic! I think it’d suit you very well.”
Airi waits until Shizuku is done gushing, then says, “That’s not even a penguin.”
“It certainly is,” Haruka says. “Look at his little beady eyes, and the pattern on his face.”
“Whatever. Just don’t blame me if this is another Phenny-kun situation.”
“He looks much more like a penguin than Phenny-kun.”
“I believe in you, Haruka-chan!” Shizuku chirps.
“It’s not like it’s up to her to decide,” Airi says, but before she can complain any more, Haruka is already inside the store, looking for the shirt with the penguin on it.
By the time Airi and Shizuku catch up to her, she’s at the checkout, handing her card to the cashier. “Would you like a receipt, miss?” he asks.
“No, thank you,” Haruka replies.
“By the way,” Airi adds, knocking on the counter to get the cashier’s attention, “we were having a debate about this. What species is the bird on the shirt?”
“Uh, I’m pretty sure it’s just a penguin,” he replies.
“Shit.”
“Hey! Airi-chan, don’t be rude,” Shizuku says.
“If it makes you feel any better, you’re not the first person today who’s asked. Apparently the design is kinda vague? Check the tag, though, if you really wanna know.”
Haruka checks the tag, and indeed, the shirt is a ‘M Penguin Icebreaker Tee - Cyan.’
“I was right, then,” she says, showing it to Airi.
“Fuck,” she mumbles.
“Airi-chan!”
“Thank you very much, and have a wonderful day,” she says to the cashier, before the three of them exit the store.
“Wait, that was it?” Airi says. “You really were in there just for the penguin shirt?”
“I looked around for a moment to see if I wanted anything else, but I didn’t notice anything,” Haruka explains. “But… I did also see a shirt that you might like, Airi.”
“I think I’d rather take off my disguise right now and shout ‘Hey, I’m actually Happy Everyday’ in the middle of this crowd than wear whatever you saw,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“No, I was being serious. It reminded me of the kind of things you like to wear to practice.”
“Did it also have text on it that said ‘I heart big boobs?’”
“No.” (It had actually read ‘I heart tall women.’)
Airi side-eyed her. “I don’t believe a word of your lies.”
“I’m not lying.”
“I don’t believe you. Shizuku, help me out here.”
Shizuku blushes. “Wh-What am I meant to—”
“Do you know what shirt she’s talking about?”
“U-um…” Her gaze slowly drifts towards Haruka, and when Shizuku sees the look on her face, her own lights up with understanding. “I think I do, yes.”
“Did it say ‘I heart big boobs’ on it? Yes or no question.”
“No, it didn’t,” Shizuku says, doing her best to hold back a giggle.
Airi growls. “Okay, whose side are you on?!”
“Shouldn’t you both be on my side?” Haruka asks, also trying not to giggle.
“You’re extremely lucky it’s your birthday,” Airi says. “Anyway, do you think you’re ready to go? No pressure; just asking.”
Haruka considers what she’s bought already. Actually, she’s starting to realize, it would be hard to carry too much more. The stuffed animals are quite big, and her arm is already getting tired from hauling the bag around for the last couple of hours. “Yes, I think I’m finished.”
“Cool. Back to the MORE MORE HOUSE, then.” Airi starts walking towards the stairs, then stops. “Hold on—Haruka, did you pay for that yourself?”
“Oh,” she says, realizing she did. “I apologize. I wasn’t thinking.”
“No, it’s whatever. Let me know how much you spent; I’ll pay you back.”
“That won’t…” She cuts herself off. There’s no need to rehash this debate again, she decides. “Sure. I’ll check it when we get home.”
Haruka’s keys jangle as she unlocks the door to the MORE MORE HOUSE. Before any of the three of them can step inside, Airi yells, “All right, girlie, you’ve kept us waiting long enough. You’d better start explaining yourself, or…” When she receives no sign of a response, she quiets down. Then, strangely, she… laughs.
“Oh, fucking hell,” she half-says, half-cackles.
Haruka frowns, turning to look at her. “What is it?”
Airi shakes her head, waving her inside. “Just look around. I think I figured out what happened with Minori.”
Not quite understanding, Haruka steps inside, observing the decorations that had allegedly taken all day so far. They’re not exactly elaborate (it’s rather obvious Minori had bought them all herself), but they’re certainly extensive (it’s also rather obvious that she hung them up all by herself.) Lines of streamers crawl along the walls and over the doorways, with paper-cutout clovers taped up everywhere. The doorway from the main room has a store-bought sign, spelling out ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ in azure letters. An intensely glittery tablecloth in the same color has been spread out over the kitchen table, which has been moved right next to the window. The glitter catches the sunlight, scattering bits of it all across the room. It’s all very… blue.
Behind her, Airi mumbles something about ‘six hours on this;’ Shizuku shushes her.
Haruka steps gently past it all and enters the living room, where three elegantly wrapped presents are laid out on the floor. The ribbon on each one matches the colors of her unitmates, making it easy to guess which one is from whom. Minori’s is the biggest by far.
Setting down her bag from the mall, Haruka considers which present to open first. Deciding to save the biggest for last, she picks up Shizuku’s first. She waits to open it until Airi and Shizuku enter the room. Airi almost starts laughing again when she sees the scene, which confuses Haruka just as much as it had the first time.
Shizuku’s gift is a golden necklace set with sapphires. It glimmers in the light even more than the glittery tablecloth did.
“It’s beautiful,” Haruka gasps.
“It reminded me of you,” Shizuku says. “I thought you’d love it.”
“I do. Thank you so much.”
Airi’s gift is a penguin coloring book.
“For my favorite young person,” she explains. “Young ass.”
“Watch yourself, or I’m going to get you a cane for your next birthday,” Haruka counters.
With that, there’s only one present left. It’s from Minori, but she still isn’t here. “Should I wait for her,” Haruka asks, “or…?”
“Uhh, I think you should just open it,” Airi says.
So, Haruka undoes the wrapping paper, trying not to rip it, and—Wow, this is heavy, she thinks as she tries (and fails) to lift it up. “All right, Minori,” she says, both hands on the rather large lid. “Let’s see what you’ve…” She trails off as she opens the box and glimpses its contents.
“U-um, you might wanna stand back,” Minori whispers. “I’m gonna jump out.”
Haruka, a little stunned, obliges, and Minori leaps out of the box, tackle-hugging her partner. “Happy birthdaaayyy!” she squeals.
“Um, hello,” Haruka says, feeling her cheeks grow warm. “I missed you earlier, while we were out shopping.”
Minori’s face falls. “O-oh… you guys started without me?”
“Minori,” Airi says, “I tried to call you, like, eight times.”
“Oh… um…” Minori pulls away from Haruka a little bit, just enough to pull her phone out of her pocket. Sure enough, when she clicks the power button, it doesn’t turn on. “Uhhh… I’m sorry, Airi-senpai…”
Airi puts a hand against her temple, willing her face to cool down from ‘I’m going to kill you’ to about ‘I’m kinda considering killing you.’ “No, it’s whatever,” she says. “This was funny, anyway. The look on Haruka’s face was really good.”
“That’s true…” Minori says, tossing her phone aside and looking longingly into Haruka’s eyes. Her face is very close.
“For the record, that isn’t at all what I meant,” Airi says, but Haruka isn’t really listening. Rather, she finds herself somewhat overwhelmed by the feeling of her worry melting away in the vibrance of Minori’s gaze. She wraps her own arms around Minori’s waist, squeezing her tightly, refusing to accept that she’ll ever have to let go. She can’t stop herself from smiling, from blushing, from staring into those deep gray eyes.
Those eyes start to fill with tears. “I love you, Haruka-chan,” she whispers. “Every day, I’m s-so happy I get to be with you. I’m so happy I get to be a-an idol with you. I’m so happy I get to be… yours.”
Before Haruka realizes it, she’s tearing up, too. “I don’t know what to say, Minori,” she breathes, “other than… thank you. And, I love you, too.”
Nothing more needs to be said. Haruka closes her eyes, closes the distance, and meets her lips in the middle.