The end of January loomed ahead.
The usual suspects—Asahi, Chiaki, and Hinami—were having lunch together in the cafeteria. Fuyuka, who had become a regular at their table, had a prior commitment with someone else.
“Fuyu-Fuyu has finally left the nest. They grow up so fast,” Hinami said.
“Are you her mother, or something?” Asahi joked.
“More like her BFF, thank you very much!”
“Big claim. Can you really back it up?”
“I-It’s true! We’re, like, the bestest of friends!” Hinami exclaimed. Her forced tone and the beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead, though, said otherwise.
“Not sure about that one, chief. Asahi’s probably closer to her than anyone else,” Chiaki, who usually played the part of yes-man to everything his girlfriend said, challenged her for a change.
“Ugh... that’s true.”
“And what’s up with ‘bestest,’ anyway? You in elementary school, or something?” Asahi retorted.
“Asahi’s in a total no-nonsense mood today; he’s gotta shut everybody down,” Chiaki joked.
“Don’t you feel jealous that she’s hanging out with somebody else?” Hinami asked.
“Nah. I want her to be friends with everyone.”
“Cute. Just like an elementary schooler.”
Asahi pouted at his friend’s mirrored insult.
“I mean, she’s fitting in already. She got invited to have lunch with another classmate, right? Never thought I’d see the day,” Chiaki said.
Indeed, Fuyuka had started to hit it off with others. The fact she was interacting with people other than Asahi, Chiaki, or Hinami was proof of that. Back when the semester had just begun, her frigid persona had still been very much alive in the other students’ minds, which meant there was an invisible glacial wall between her and everybody else.
Fuyuka hadn’t opened up her heart fully yet, as evidenced by the reluctant smile she wore and the tinge of hesitation in her voice. Still, her determination to form bonds with everyone, one step at a time, had touched their hearts. Her ice-cold personality had soon thawed around others, akin to snow melting into runoff. Soon, a new image of Fuyuka Himuro permeated their minds, and they realized she was a normal girl like any other.
“I’m so happy for her,” Hinami said.
“Me too,” Asahi agreed, his lips naturally curling into a wide grin.
Fuyuka had sincerely aspired to change, and watching it finally unfold in front of him was nothing short of delightful for Asahi. Chiaki and Hinami, who likely shared the same sentiment, looked at each other and laughed.
Actually, it feels sorta off... There’s something I don’t like about those smirks.
“So, what are you doing on February 1st, Asahi?” Hinami asked.
“Hina beat me to the punch, but yeah—I wanna know the answer to that one, too.”
“What are you guys on about?” Asahi replied, exasperated.
“Hahaha, nice one! Hear that, Chii-pie? Classic!”
“Haha, no, seriously! That’s a good one!”
“The Obnoxious Couple” exploded in a peal of hearty laughter, leaving Asahi in limbo. He didn’t understand what was so humorous about the situation.
“Wait, we’re talking about February 1st here, right? Isn’t that just another Saturday?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m not. What’s the big deal about that day?” Asahi replied honestly, which induced more wild laughter from Chiaki.
“You’re such a dork, Asahi, you know that?” Hinami said, puffing out her cheeks.
“Why are you mad at me? I don’t get it.”
“I’m sorry, man, but you messed up big time on this one,” Chiaki added.
“But I don’t have a clue what you guys are talking about.” Asahi pleaded.
He consulted with the calendar; there was nothing to indicate that it was anything other than a normal weekend. He tried to search the internet for any anniversaries. Surprisingly, it yielded multiple results.
“Is it the anniversary of the first national radio broadcast in the country?”
“Not even close!” Hinami yelled.
“Oh, I get it—it’s Spooky Day. You know, Feb-boo-ary and all?”
“Bzzt-Bzzt! Wrong again! Your jokes are the only thing that’s scary here!”
“Okay, okay. It says here that a second New Year is celebrated on that date as a Shinto custom. Something about sidestepping an unlucky year or whatever.”
“Nooope, that’s not it either! God, someone’s been slacking in their studies!”
“Ouch. Not gonna lie, that stings extra bad coming from you, ” Asahi said. Man, she’s not having any of it. Guess that day must be really important.
“Asahi, my guy, what you’re looking for probably won’t be on the internet. Just saying,” Chiaki chimed in.
“Could’ve told me that sooner.”
“Sorry man, for real. This convo was just too hilarious,” Chiaki replied as he chuckled and nudged Asahi with his elbow.
I’m racking my brains over here and still nada, Asahi thought. “Just tell me what it is already. I’ll admit it—I’ve literally got no clue.”
“Whaaa... well, fine. Guess I’m gonna have to at this rate,” Hinami whined. “It’s Fuyu-Fuyu’s birthday!”
Asahi had braced himself for the important bit of news that everybody seemed privy to except him, and it truly didn’t disappoint.
“Seriously?”
“Dead serious. Why would I lie about it?”
It doesn’t look like they’re playing a prank on me. So it’s Fuyuka’s birthday, huh? First I’ve heard about it.
“I’m gonna give it to you straight, Asahi—I thought you of all people would know,” Chiaki said.
“What I can’t figure out is how you two knew about it already.”
“It’s like, the second or third thing you ask people when you first meet them. You mean you don’t?”
“Nope.”
“What do you two usually talk about then?” Hinami asked with a dubious expression.
“Cooking and schoolwork.”
“And what else?” Hinami pressed.
“You know, gossip and stuff.”
Asahi’s straightforward answer didn’t seem to amuse Hinami, who slouched her shoulders and gaped in disbelief. Her response was a major overreaction in Asahi’s eyes. Her boyfriend wasn’t much better—he was holding his sides and guffawing. Asahi glared at them and sighed. He’d long lost track of how many he’d let out so far already.
“It does sound like something they’d do, though, you know?”
“Stole the words right outta my mouth, Chii-pie! Anywho, you better not forget to wish her a happy birthday, got it?” Hinami added seriously.
“Yeah, you won’t let it come and go without preparing something special for her, right?”
“She’s my friend. Obviously I’ll do something,” Asahi replied.
“Yup, that’s what I like to hear!” Hinami exclaimed.
Now that I’m actually aware of what’s going on, I’ve gotta do something to show I care, Asahi thought. He figured he’d cook up something a little more extravagant than usual, consisting of an assortment of her favorite dishes. Still, he felt like that alone wouldn’t be adequate to commemorate the occasion. Maybe I should bake a cake without her noticing. Something simple, like a shortcake or a sugary chocolate cake. Hmm, a fruit tart sounds like a great option, too... Then again, I could just go all-out with a Mont Blanc. Decisions, decisions...
Midway through his musings, an important detail finally struck him—he’d been brainstorming under the assumption that Fuyuka would be free on that day. He realized it’d be a good idea to assume she had plans.
She’d definitely catch on if I asked if she was free a few days before...
Asahi was deep in thought until Hinami clapped her hands together and flashed a smile.
“Now we’re all on the same page about Fuyu-Fuyu’s birthday, I’ve got one teensy little suggestion for you, Asahi!”
“You guys look like you’re up to something.”
“Always been quick on the uptake. I think you’re gonna like this one, man.”
Hinami, not wanting anybody else to hear, approached Asahi and whispered her proposal in his ear.
“You know what, that doesn’t sound half bad,” Asahi replied with a nod.
The couple threw their hands up in a high-five.