Tokura Misaki sat down at under a tree in the park, watching as people walk past her. She would shoot envious looks at children there with their parents, having a good time. She sighed as she thought it was a mistake to come in the first place. She wanted to avoid Card Capital due to the crowd there. Today was supposed to be a special day even though she doesn't feel special at all. She lifted her knees up but made sure her long skirt covered the front of her legs.

She then folded both her arms and rested them on top of her knees. She felt cold and unwanted, unloved by anyone. She started to feel sorry for herself with all those thoughts she put in her own head. She felt her warm tears flow down her cheeks as those thoughts in her mind became more extreme. She hid her head in her folded arms as she didn't want anyone to see her pathetic self at the moment.

She heard rustling of dried leaves coming from next to her. She assumed that it was probably some kids who dropped their toys nearby. She thought that by keeping quiet, they would leave and she was backed up by the sound of silence. The wind was starting to pick up and it made her shiver even though she had her school blazer on. It felt cold and lonely, which was what she felt she deserved then. She felt a light weight being dropped on to her and it felt warm again. She turned up her head and saw Kai Toshiki. He was leaning in next to her, looking at her with his green eyes.

He had given her his blue blazer somewhere along the way when she was crying. She could see him taking a seat right next to her and expected him to speak. He remained silent and just sat there, leaning onto the tree behind them with his eyes closed. She could still feel tears rolling down her cheeks but tried her best to wipe them off so he wouldn't notice. Even so, she was sure he saw those tears.

"How did you find me here?" She asked out of curiosity.

"I just happened to be passing by." He replied.

"I see." She said. She turned her attention to the families again, looking at them with envy.

"You miss them right now huh?" He asked all of a sudden.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Your parents." He responded. He was looking at her intently right now that she felt slightly uneasy.

"Is it because I was staring at the families around that gave you the impression?" She inquired.

"It's more like the fact that you are sitting here alone, crying, when people are waiting for you at the shop." He explained.

"Can't I just want to be alone?"

"You definitely can. But there must be a reason why you want to be alone on your birthday." He said.

"How did you know it's my birthday?"

"Shin told everyone."

"I just wish that my parents were here to celebrate with me. After so many years, I just want to hear them say 'Happy Birthday' to me and just smother me with affection." Misaki said honestly.

She didn't understand why she was pouring her heart out to Kai but she felt comfortable doing so. He sat up and moved closer to her. He then petted her head gently. She could see from his eyes that he understood how she felt. She could feel tears rolling down her cheeks again. She felt touched by his actions. It wasn't something she would expect from anyone, especially from him.

"Happy birthday, Misaki." He said.

"Thank you, Kai." She was smiling now. She wiped the tears off her face.

He let go and just sat next to her in silence now. It wasn't an awkward and tense silence. It was the silence which states that they have reached an understanding beyond words. She felt comfortable like this. It was a side of him she never knew existed since he keeps his distance from everyone.

"Why did you cheer me up?" She asked. She was curious now that she thought about it.

"I think that no one should feel this way on their birthday." She smiled at his reply.

"Don't look too much into this matter. And please don't tell anyone. Miwa would not stop picking on me if he knew." He added.

"I get it. This will be our little secret." She said. He got up and offered her a hand to pull her up. She took it without a second thought.

"You should get back. I'm pretty sure Shin is wondering what's taking you so long." Kai said.

"I guess you're right. It's getting late." Misaki replied.

They walked on the path heading back to the shop. The sunset was coloring the sky a bright orange as they continued on their journey in silence. She wanted to express her gratitude to him but it felt hard to form the words to say it. She walked awkwardly next to him as she is starting to feel her heart pounding harder in her chest.

"I don't think I'll be going in." He said as they reached the junction which separates them from their paths.

"Oh." She sounded kind of disappointed but she knew he wouldn't be comfortable in the situation where people are going to force him to do things.

"Hey, try to act surprised. Shin put n a lot of effort just to make you happy."

"I know." She said. She took off his blazer and handed it back to him. He was already about to leave until she called for him.

"Kai, wait!" She mustered every ounce of courage she got to say that. He turned around and she walked up to him, running on adrenaline.

"What is it?" He asked.

She stood on her toes and gave his cheek a peck. She could feel her own cheeks getting warmer by the second. She peeked at him and saw a shocked look on his face. She felt that she crossed the line with her actions. She wanted to leave until he caught her wrist and pulled her straight into his arms for an embrace. She was panicking that she didn't realize it was not a hostile action.

"I'm sorry about just now. Let's just forget it ever happened." She blurted out.

"I won't forget it. I know you won't be able to either." He said. She expected him to tell her off but was surprised he said it in a gentle tone.

"Huh? You… Don't want to forget it? Is it because you're really angry at me?"

Kai gave a small smile and pulled her close for a kiss. Misaki was extremely surprised but she didn't resist. Her face was scarlet once he pulled away. She was at a loss for words. She never expected that he would act this way towards her.

"I have something else for you. I just didn't know when the right time was to give it to you." He took a small present box out of his bag. It was wrapped in red with a little silver ribbon at the top right corner of the box.

"Happy birthday again, Misaki." He kissed her forehead and left before she could even recover from the shock.

She opened the box really carefully and took out a pink bookmark with purple floral patterns. She flipped it around and there was a message which he wrote for her.

I noticed you like to read and I wanted to give you something which you would use every day and remember me by.

She smiled to herself as she held the bookmark in her hand. She walked back towards the shop and thought to herself: I'll always remember you…

The End