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The sun was barely up when Kasane Teto rolled out of bed with a grin that felt like it was going to split her face in two. Today was April 1st, which was the most important day of the year for her because it was her birthday.
Being a senior in high school was already stressful enough with exams and graduation talk, so she really needed this stress-reliever. She hopped around her room to get dressed, putting on her signature drills and making sure her red hair looked perfect . She prepped herself for the cards, the singing (probably), and the breaded pastries.
She checked her phone immediately to see if the group chat was blowing up. Usually, Miku or Neru would be the first to spam her with stickers and annoying emojis. It was expected of Miku… but getting Neru to do something like that was nothing short of a miracle, so it was always a pleasant sight to see. Her hopes were dashed when she remembered that they weren’t even in the city - Miku, Neru, Gumi, Len, and Rin had all left two days ago for a huge local singing competition. Teto found it funny how serious they were taking this singing thing… but she had also been a little salty about it, figuring they would at least still text her.
She opened the chat and saw nothing but a picture of a breakfast tray that Gumi had posted.
Gumi : look at this omelet! it is shaped like a bird.
Len : Don’t eat it Gumi, it has eyes.
Rin : eat the bird!!!!
Teto frowned at the screen before clearing her throat and typing out a quick message.
Teto : Good luck today guys! Also does anyone know what day it is?
She walked down the stairs while holding her breath, waiting for a response. A minute later, her phone buzzed and she instantly opened it.
Miku : It’s Wednesday Teto lol. Why are you up so early?
Neru : it’s the day we die of boredom because we have to wait in this lobby for three hours
Len : Are you saying I’m not entertaining for you? :(
Neru : poking my cheek and then snickering isn’t entertaining
Neru : your ragebait sucks
Teto stared at the messages. ‘They’re joking’ she thought. ‘They have to be joking because it is April Fools’ day and they are trying to trick me’ She laughed to herself and headed out the door to catch the bus - she was sure that once she got to school, everyone would jump out and surprise her.
-|-|-|-
The hallways of the high school were crowded and loud. Teto walked with her head held high, expecting someone to tackle her in a hug. She saw Honne Dell leaning against a locker, looking at his phone with a bored expression. She didn’t know him well enough to actually talk to him, so she just walked past. Then she saw Lily walking with Kaito near the music room - they were talking about sheet music or something, something she knew she couldn’t hold a conversation in, so she walked past them as well. Then she saw Meiko and Luka - the two coolest teachers in the building - walking toward the faculty lounge.
“Good morning Ms. Meiko!” Teto chirped.
Meiko blinked at her. “Morning Teto. You’re awfully energetic for a Wednesday”
“Well… I think you know why!” Teto nudged her arm.
Luka tilted her head. “Is there a test today? I don’t remember scheduling one for the seniors”
Teto’s smile faltered just a little bit. “No no ! At least I think not? I-it’s my birthday!” she said with an uncommon waver in her voice.
Luka and Meiko looked at each other and Meiko actually laughed a little. “Teto, honey, your birthday isn’t today. It’s October 10th. Everyone knows that”
“What? Huh?” Teto felt her heart drop. “No no, that‘s something different. April 1st is my birthday I swear!”
“Nice try Teto” Luka said with a small smile. “April Fools’! You won’t trick us that easily. We may be old but we aren’t geriatrics” she said with a laugh. “We’ll see you in class”
Teto stood in the hallway as they walked away, feeling a bit of heat rising to her cheeks. They were teachers, so maybe they were just being professional and didn’t want to be ‘tricked’ on April 1st by one of their most rowdy students… but she really wasn’t joking about it.
She huffed and stomped toward the cafeteria where the UTAU crew, the name she gave to the friend group she had when growing up and the one she kept close contact with, usually hung out before the first bell.
She saw how packed the table was and felt hopeful that at least one would remember her special day. Sekka Yufu was sipping tea, Namine Ritsu was looking at her reflection in a window, and Utane Uta - which everyone just called Defoko - was staring into space like she usually did. With them say Momo Momone who was chatting with Yokune Ruko, and Sukone Tei was scribbling something in a notebook that probably had something to do with Len… and probably Neru now.
“Hey guys!” Teto sat down heavily at the end of the bench.
“Hey” Ruko said without looking up. She was wearing a oversized hoodie and looked like they hadn’t slept at all.
“So…” Teto started, leaning forward. “Big day, right? Big, big, big day?”
Momo looked up and smiled sweetly. “Yes it is! It’s April Fools! Did you prank anyone yet Teto?”
“I’m not pranking anyone!” Teto yelled, causing a few people at the next table to look over. “I am eighteen today! Don’t you guys remember the party we talked about?”
Defoko finally looked at her with those dull, tired eyes. “Teto, shut up. It’s too early for this. Your birthday is in October. Don’t try to lie to us just because it is April 1st.”
“I am not lying!” Teto’s voice was getting high-pitched.
“You are totally lying!” Ritsu said, clicking her tongue. “You just want attention. It’s okay to want attention Teto, but you don’t have to make up a whole birthday for it. Your other friends will be back soon so quit it”
Teto felt like she was going crazy. She looked at Aino Hate, who was sitting at the very edge of the group. “Hate! You know, right? You remember!” Hate just shook her head and went back to listening to music.
Teto felt a lump forming in her throat - this all seemed to be one big cruel prank. Surely they all knew, right? And if it wasn’t a prank, it would still be cruel that her best friends didnt’t actually know when she was born. She looked around the cafeteria for the one person who usually fought with her about everything. If anyone was going to call her out or actually know the truth, it was Adachi Rei.
She spotted her near the vending machines. Rei was wearing her usual jacket and had that permanent scowl on her face. Her hair was tied back and she looked as rugged and tough as ever. Teto felt her face get hot just looking at her, but she brushed it off - they fought all the time and were sworn rivals… they were definitely not anything else… though that thought (lie) didn’t stop Teto’s heart from doing a weird flip whenever Rei told her to shut up.
Teto marched over to her. “Rei!”
Rei was trying to get a bag of chips that was stuck by kicking the machine. “What do you want, fossil?”
“It’s my birthday” Teto said, crossing her arms. She tried to look confident, but her voice wobbled.
Rei finally turned around and looked Teto up and down. Her eyes stayed on Teto’s face for a second longer than usual, and Teto swore she saw a flicker of something there… but then Rei just snorted.
“Yea yea whatever. April Fools or something. I’m not stupid, Teto. The worst day in history is October 10th, not April 1st. Anyway, go away… I’m a bit busy as you can see”
“Rei… please” Teto whispered. “Everyone is saying that, but it’s today! I’m officially eighteen!”
Rei leaned against the machine. “You’re eighteen? You act like you’re five. Stop trying to trick me, Teto. I’m not as stupid as the others. Today’s the day that everyone lies about everything”
“But I’m not lying!” Teto shouted.
“You are annoying” Rei said after she finally got her chips. She started walking away. “Go find someone else to bother with your fake birthday”
Teto stood by the vending machine alone and small and… invisible. She felt a little bit like Neru.
She had been so excited for this day for months and had hoped that maybe, just maybe, she and Rei would have a special moment today. They had always had a weird relationship, but she thought her birthday might be a good way to connect in a better way than they were used to.
But alas, Rei didn’t care… and nobody else, for that matter.
-|-|-|-
The rest of the school day was a blur of misery - in every class, Teto tried to mention it, and every time, people just laughed at her. By lunchtime, she gave up. She didn’t even go to the cafeteria, instead opting to sit in the library by herself and eat a plain piece of bread - it was stale.
She checked her phone again.
Teto : Fine. Nobody remember. I don’t care
She waited for a response. Five minutes passed… then ten minutes.
Rei : Stop being dramatic. See you at practice later
But Teto didn’t go to practice - she couldn’t face them, and especially not Rei. She felt like the biggest fool of April.
-|-|-|-
She stayed in the library until the final bell rang. When it did, she practically ran to the bus stop. She just wanted to go home, lock her door, and sleep until April 2nd… at least by then the ‘joke’ would be over.
As she walked toward her house after getting off the bus, the sky was turning a dusty orange. Usually, she loved this time of day (because it reminded her of Rei, but she’s never admit that), but now it just felt lonely. She reached her front door and fumbled with her keys. Her hands were shaking a little bit because she was actually holding back tears, which made her feel even more pathetic - She was Kasane Teto, she was supposed to be loud and confident and the leader, but right now she just felt like a girl that everyone forgot.
She put the key in the lock and turned it. The house was dark. She stepped inside and reached for the light switch.
“APRIL FOOLS!”
The lights flashed on and Teto jumped so hard she nearly fell over. Her living room was absolutely packed. Sekka Yufu, Namine Ritsu, Defoko, Momo, Ruko, Tei, and Hate were all there, accompanied by others as well - even people from other classes she barely talked to. There were streamers and balloons everywhere and a giant banner that said ‘HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TETO’ in bright dark magenta letters. Just below the banner was a table with a massive cake shaped like a baguette.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” they all shouted after the initial prank.
Teto stood there with her mouth open. She looked at Ritsu, who was grinning like a maniac.
“You should have seen your face in the cafeteria!” Ritsu laughed, slapping her knee. “You looked like you were going to explode!”
“We all had a group chat for weeks” Momo said, coming over to hug Teto. “We had to make sure everyone said October 10th. Even the teachers were in on it!”
“Meiko and Luka too?” Teto gasped.
“Luka was the one who suggested it” Defoko said, leaning against the wall with a rare smirk. “She said it would be the ultimate prank for you!”
Teto, who had held in her tears for practically the entire day, allowed them to finally spill out, though now they weren’t tears of sadness anymore. She was laughing and crying at the same time. “I hate you guys! I hate you all so much!”
“We know” Ruko said while handing her a party hat.
Teto looked around the room and soaked in the warmth of those who were there. After sweeping the room back and forth, she finally spotted the one she wanted to see the most standing awkwardly in the corner. She wasn’t wearing a party hat and didn’t put herself front and center, but she was still there, and that was enough.
Teto walked over to Rei, wiping her eyes along the way. “You were in on it too?”
Rei looked away, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “Y-Yeah. Whatever! Ritsu threatened to delete my save files if I didn’t help”
“You told me I was annoying” Teto reminded her while stepping closer.
“You are~ annoying” Rei said while elongating her statement. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, wrinkled paper bag. “Here. Take it before I change my mind”
Teto took the bag and opened it. Inside was a baguette keychain.
“You made this?” Teto asked, looking up at her.
Rei shrugged. “I had some spare parts. It’s stupid. Throw it away if you want”
“I’m never throwing it away” Teto said. She felt that surge of confidence coming back “But I might need to hide it from you… don’t want it getting burnt or anything you know” She said with a smile as she stepped into Rei’s space. “So… Am I still a liar?”
Rei sighed but didn’t move away. “No. You’re eighteen. Happy birthday, Teto”
For a second, the noise of the party seemed to fade into the background. Rei was looking at her with an expression that wasn’t a scowl at all - a rare sight. Teto reached out and grabbed Rei’s hand - it was cold, but Rei didn’t pull away. In fact, she squeezed Teto’s hand back.
“Come on” Rei muttered, pulling her toward the table. “Eat your bread cake before Ritsu eats the whole thing”
Teto let herself be pulled along. The house was full of music and laughter and the smell of fresh bread and sweets. Her friends were all there, and even the ones who were far away started calling her phone one by one.
Miku : HAPPY BIRTHDAY TETO! SORRY WE LIED!
Neru : we are literally about to go on stage but miku made us call. happy birthday brat
Teto put her phone down and looked at the crowd in her living room. She was overwhelmed with admiration of her friends. ‘Best birthday ever’ she thought as she leaned her head against Rei’s shoulder for just a second… Rei didn’t push her off.
-|-|-|-
The party lasted until nearly midnight. They ate the entire baguette cake, played three rounds of truth or dare, and Ritsu ended up accidentally breaking a lamp while trying to show off a dance move.
When everyone finally started to leave, the house got quiet again.
Of course, Rei was the last one at the door.
“See you tomorrow?” Teto asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Rei nodded. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but she just settled for a small nod. “Yeah. See you tomorrow, fossil”
Teto watched her walk down the street until she disappeared into the shadows. She closed the door and locked it, looking at the mess of wrapping paper and cake crumbs in her living room.
She took the little keychain out of her pocket and held it to her chest. She really was the biggest fool of April for thinking her friends actually forgot.