OOC Naoto is here, but…aah, I'm sorry. Short but sweet, as per usual.
"It'll be your birthday soon, right? Don't worry, I'll definitely be there!"
Haaa…I hope I can hold you to your word this time, Souji-kun.
"Naoto-kun?"
It's not like him to be late. Maybe…he was in an accident? No, no, no. That's silly worry, not credible fact…
"Naoto-kun."
Tch…now I've worked myself up into a…a…whatever it is I'm feeling. Where are you…
"Naoto-kun!"
"Ah! Yes? Wait…Rise-san?"
"You were zoning out for a minute there. Are you okay?"
Naoto closed her eyes, leaning forward and resting her chin in her palms. "I'm not entirely sure myself. I suppose it's because Souji-kun hasn't returned."
Rise smiled knowingly, tousling Naoto's hair as she looked to Yosuke for support. "Don't worry! He'll make it. He always does."
"Rise-san's right. Souji's just a little late. There's nothing to worry about, okay?"
An hour passed by.
Naoto shifted nervously as she glanced at the door to the Junes break room. Her birthday party had been held there against her will, despite all her claims that she simply wanted to enjoy some tea and rest in her apartment. As such, it was a spirited occasion, but the worry for the team leader's well-being was growing. Even Teddie's bad jokes had dampened somewhat.
Suddenly, the door was shook by the soft rap on someone on the outside.
"Sorry I was late! Traffic today was a nightmare all on its own, and the train had to stop, but-"
Souji gently shouldered his way into the room, small box in hand as his friends smiled fondly at his arrival. Naoto sighed in relief, but her emotions were getting the better of her; she could feel a sort of frustration against Souji. Trying not to focus on it, she stood with a soft groan and strode over to the crowd, matching Souji's grin with a tired smile.
"Never mind that, Souji-kun. You kept poor Naoto-kun waiting!"
Souji was immediately apologetic, setting the box down on one of the many tables and walking to the detective. "I-I'm sorry. I told you I'd be here, but…I hope I have some way to make it up to you…?"
"…Senpai."
He stopped and watched with a slight hint of a blush, focused on Naoto as she glanced upwards to meet his sight. "I…can you…"
Normally, her awkwardness would be endearing, sometimes complemented with a titter or a comment from her friends, but this was different. The air grew heavy, forcing even Teddie from making any sort of remark. Souji seemed unaffected, almost used to always being the target of some type of ire. Naoto glared at him for a second, the result being torn between anger and joy, before she seized him by his hoodie sleeve and pulled insistently towards one of the break rooms. She could hear him calling for their friends to continue on as he went with minimal resistance. Shutting the door quietly behind them, she turned back to Souji, who had put his hands in his pockets as he gazed at her intently. "I wasn't aware that you were coming back."
"…Ah."
"You could have at least informed me accordingly…I wanted to plan something for you."
"Your birthday's more important than me coming back-"
"No, it isn't! I was worried!"
Naoto herself did not mean to snap at him, the shock in Souji's eyes only served to drive that point home. She knew it was out of character, becoming upset so easily. It didn't matter.
He was here. She was peeved. A perfect time to vent.
"I took on the mantle of visiting you because you're in college and you're busy, what with me still being a…a high school student."
"…Naoto-"
"I know we were talking about moving in together in your apartment after I graduate, after which everything, according to you, would be 'just peachy' and-"
"Wait, what are you-"
"-then you started focusing on exams and I was under the impression that-"
"Naoto-"
"Then everyone keeps telling me that I'm too fixated on what the future is, and then Rise-san saunters into my office one day, drags me to Okina and lectures me about girly things and the facets of being lonely!"
"…Um-"
"I'm wasn't lonely! Don't look at me like that! I…I just…"
"Naoto."
Souji rested his palm on her shoulder, instantly cutting off her tirade as she stared at him, the look in his eyes telling her that she needed to take a breath. "I know it's barely any consolation but…for what it's worth, I'm sorry."
His words lingered in the air, his hand gliding from her shoulder to her cheek, fingers ghosting just barely along her skin. Naoto's breath hitched slightly at the feeling, but the urge to say one more thing before…something happened. Before he would eventually go into his whole "it's-going-to-be-okay" routine and obviously succeed in sweeping her off her feet. Stupid Souji.
"…I was doing everything I could to avoid intruding on your studies, but here you are…and you couldn't find the will to at least tell me you were here?"
Souji's eyes widened a bit at her drop in volume, but he soon had a gentle smile on his face as he stood straight, stepping back and spreading his arms wide. Naoto tried to scold him more, but her intense emotion overcame her, and she was soon throwing herself into his embrace. Souji took her cap off and held her head to him, gently cradling her as she tried not to sob into his shirt.
"Hm…I think…" He kissed the top of her head as he started to brush her hair, murmuring softly into her ear. "…I think you wanted me to say…I love you…so much. And I missed you. I'm sorry I couldn't come any earlier."
Naoto hiccupped as she nuzzled into his chest, and she contented herself with the feel that she had longed for since he left. Taking in his scent unconsciously, she silently appreciated the warmth of his hug.
Ah…he's really here. It's not a dream, not anymore. His strength, his smell, this feeling of…it's warm. So…warm.
Naoto curled her head into him as she held on tightly, blinking back tears as she whispered, "You're so cruel…acting so kind one minute and disappearing the next…"
Souji chuckled softly as he held her, listening to her slowly calm down. "I know. Before you punish me in whatever manner, how about I show you your presents?"
"I'm not a child, you know. Y-you didn't have to get me anything."
"I like coddling you. Come on, don't drag your feet."
Souji opened the door to an empty room; puzzled, he glanced around, but the only evidence that anyone was there were the assorted presents on the nearby table and the remains of what looked like a bustling party.
"That's weird. Did they really go home already?"
Or…they're setting the stage for some sort of shenanigans.
"Take a seat on the couch. Closing your eyes would be nice, too."
Naoto did as she was told, taking a seat and closing her eyes; Souji caught her peeking, however, so the next few minutes were spent with her covering her eyes with one hand.
Hmm…he's coming back here.
Setting something somewhat heavy down on the table. Present? No…too soft sounding. Unless it's a plush…no, no, no.
Cake? Hmm…viable.
Hey…why did I hear the lights shutting off?
He has something now. Sound of striking flames. Matches, I assume.
Further investigation is required. Time to sneak a look at-
"You can open your eyes now."
Naoto opened her eyes slowly, noting that the room was indeed darkened considerably, save for a lamp in the corner that provided the barest vision possible. "Mood lighting. You'll see."
Souji managed to strike a match, his face brightened slightly by the ensuing fire. Reaching down, Naoto caught a glimpse of a cake, the gentle flame touching a multitude of matches stuck into it. One by one, the room grew brighter, until Naoto was able to see a clear view of her close surroundings. Her face was illuminated by the candles that were resting in an elegant little cake, specially designed in case she had a meal beforehand, such that she wouldn't be forced to finish. In a fine scrawl of pale blue icing, it clearly read: Happy Birthday, Naoto.
Naoto looked up at Souji, puzzled as to how he was able to see well enough in the dark. To her surprise, he was wearing a strange pair of goggles, blushing slightly as he took them off. "Um…night vision goggles. It's actually pretty incredible what you can get when you pay attention to Tanaka listings."
She felt an urge to put on the fancy gadget just as Souji placed it on the table, but her attention was called back to him as he cleared his throat nervously.
"Heh…uh…kinda weird to be doing this in a Junes break room, but…"
Naoto raised an eyebrow, doing her best to hide a smile.
"I, um…I know I haven't been here to see you as often as I would like, but…at least I can be here to wish you a happy birthday."
Naoto felt her face warming a bit, but she considered his logic…and broke into a fit of giggles. Souji was taken aback by her change in demeanor, but some part of him was happy to see her laughing. "W-what are you laughing for?"
"You come back home to woo me, put on silly goggles and showing off your 'mood lighting', and then you-…you just….hehehehe!"
She wiped her eyes and smiled widely, remarking to the blushing Souji, "It's so sweet. I…I just love that about you."
"Hey…d-don't laugh when I'm trying to be sincere…"
"No, no…it's not that, it's just…"
Naoto looked up at Souji and placed a hand on her chest, giving him one of the brightest, most beautiful smiles he had ever seen from her. Clear emotion was evident in her tone as she said, "…I must be truly blessed, having someone like you. I'm not sure I know how to thank you, Souji-kun."
Souji's eyes widened a fraction as he digested her words, and his surprise was soon replaced by a blush and a sheepish head scratch. "I, er…you don't have to worry about it, really."
Naoto leaned forward to cut a slice of the cake under the patient watch of Souji. As the two helped themselves, a few content minutes passed until Souji spoke up once again.
"Come here. I have another present for you."
Naoto had some notion of what he meant, but played along, standing and walking with a subtly snarky stride as she took the hand Souji offered to her. "I had this whole thing thought out. A speech, you know?"
"Yes? And…?"
"I decided against it. You've heard Nanako say that I like the simple things best, so…I'll keep it short."
"Mhm…?"
Sliding gracefully onto his lap, she draped her arms around his neck as she made a little noise of affirmative curiosity, but she patiently waited for Souji to say his piece as he placed his hands on her hips to steady her. "We've been dating for a good few years and my mentality's never changed."
Naoto cocked her head in a teasingly coy manner as she gazed fondly at him, knowing from experience that he wasn't quite finished. "…I love you."
His arms slipped around her back, and the two enjoyed their simple hug as Naoto rested her chin on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she felt his hands gently massage her back. A sigh escaped him as she brushed his hair, but she stopped fairly quickly to lean back and take his face in her hands, gently tugging his cheeks as she snickered quietly. As he tried to reach up with a murmur of distaste, she smirked and said, "You forgot something."
"…Hn?"
Scoffing and giving him a mock pout, she leaned forward and muttered against his cheek. "Now how could Perfect-kun forget something like this…?
Letting her hands rest on his shoulders, her nails dug gently into his shirt to silently let him know to stay still. Feeling his body stiffen up in response, Naoto giggled silently as she pecked his cheek, nuzzling against him as her lips trailed closer to his own. Her arms moved to lazily wrap around his neck, the slight momentum allowing her to meet his lips. Souji's eyes fluttered closed as she moaned softly in a ploy to break him, melding into him as they tasted the intense blend between each other and the birthday cake. Some part of Naoto's mind leapt with joy as she felt his arms tighten possessively, his fingers grazing gently against her hips as he squeezed. They parted to catch their respective breaths, with Naoto smiling in satisfaction at the twinkle in his eye. "Now there's what was missing."
"D-…did you plan that?"
"A little. Do you dislike it?"
Souji placed his hands back on her hips, tracing the tiny margin of exposed skin between her shirt and her pants. His look turned the slightest bit contemplative before he looked back at her and smiled wryly. "No."
"Well, that's-"
A sharp whistle cut through the air as Teddie burst in, followed closely by a heap that looked like Yosuke, with Rise, Yukiko, Chie, and Kanji following behind in that order. "SENSEI! How could you take advantage of our Nao-chan while we were gone?!"
Kanji grabbed the back of Teddie's collar as Yosuke stood with a groan, remarking, "Eh…it looks more like Naoto-kun took advantage of Souji."
Naoto turned slightly and settled comfortably into Souji's lap, smiling lightly as Souji wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're not wrong. This one's mine."
Rise looked shocked for a moment before shouting in dismay. "Wait, why are you letting her be so possessive, Senpai?!"
Souji shrugged and smiled and he close his eyes, resting his chin on Naoto's shoulder. "Can't say I don't like it."
As the rest of the group filed over to consume what was left of the food, Souji felt Naoto slide between his legs and nestle her head into his chest. He smiled slightly as she took his hand in hers, letting his thumb rhythmically stroke her fingers. Grey eyes met, and Naoto smiled softly as she murmured, "Thank you."
Souji simply nuzzled his forehead against hers, smiling as he closed his eyes.
It's not like she minded at all.
Happy Birthday, Naoto Shirogane (and those whose birthday falls on the same day)!
