Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Prince of Tennis.
Sorry for the wait. I had to sit for my final exams. So hope the story is up to the readers' standards. Have a nice read and a nice day! :D
A growl was heard from the sleeping form on bed as the curtains were opened to let in the early morning rays brighten the bedroom. Yagyuu turned around and raised his brow as the birthday girl hid her head under the blanket, "Rei, wake up. It's 8.45 in the morning and it's your birthday."
"As it is my birthday, I'd like to stay in bed for another 2 hours," the mumbling of the young woman could be heard through the blanket. Yagyuu took a seat on one side of the bed, leaning against the headboard and poking the half asleep form, "come on Reiya. I've got something plan for your birthday because I know you have no plans."
"Get off my bed," his vice grumbled as she tried to push him off her bed from under the blanket but he did not budge one bit.
"I will not do so until you get up and get ready," the tennis player insisted. He heard a growl from under the blanket before a head poke out from underneath. Reiya kept her head on her pillow, hugging another as she looked up at the man, "ne, Hiroshi, how did you get into my house?"
"I knocked down your door with a huge tree," Yagyuu said sarcastically, earning him a glare from his friend, "your house key obviously!" "Oh… I knew I should have taken it back," Reiya muttered as she closed back her eyes.
The Gentleman just looked at her, not knowing what to answer. After seconds of pondering, he placed a hand on her head, caressing her hair, and in a whisper he murmured, "happy birthday, Rei."
She opened her eyes, but did not dare to look up at him. Suddenly, she felt pain at her cheek as his hand gave a pinch, "Get ready. I'll make breakfast then we can head out to the art gallery you've always wanted to go to."
He stood up even though Reiya had not budged from her spot until her phone rang. Yagyuu was about to close the door when she heard her greeting to the caller.
She laughed, "Shiraishi-kun...thank you again … Yes, I just woke up…" He held in a sigh, closing the door and leaning against it.
"Stupid stupid stupid," he murmured quietly while lightly hitting his forehead with his fist. The president stared at his hand that had daringly caressed his ex-girlfriend's hair before fisting it and left to make breakfast.
By the time they were done touring the art gallery, it had already been three in the afternoon. Now they sat at a small café, sipping coffee and munching on sandwiches and pastries. " So who's wished you?" Yagyuu asked the birthday girl.
"Iori,Minami, Ryuu, Kairi, the boys' basketball team, Ishiware-sensei, you, Niou, Yukimura, surprisingly Kirihara Akaya, Shiraishi wished several times, the other Rikkadai guys, even Sanada wished me too and I could imagine him saying it in his ever so serious voice, 'Happy Birthday Reiya. Strive for the best.'," she listed down while chuckling along with Yagyuu at the impersonation.
Once the chuckling died down, Reiya smiled to Yagyuu, "Thanks for today. It's sweet of you to bring me to the art gallery for my birthday. I thought you being busy and all that you'll forget."
"It's you, Rei. How can I forget?" Yagyuu said, giving her a smile. Reiya took a spoonful of Yagyuu's strawberry mousse, "now I understand why the call you 'The Gentleman'."
"Reiya," Yagyuu started. "mmm?" Reiya looked at him with a brown almond eyes but Yagyuu quickly shook his head, "We better go soon. It's going to rain." The birthday girl frowned slightly but she just let him be for now or once he was ready.
"We're in luck. They had one more left," Yagyuu opened the newly bought umbrella and put it over the both of them. People ran away from ran for cover while they casually walk under the rain, conversing and laughing like it was a sunny day. An arm around Reiya's waist pulled her closer to Yagyuu, protecting her from the rushing people and rain.
The dark haired woman smiled to herself, before placing a kiss to Yagyuu's cheek, "You've been a wonderful company and friend." Yagyuu could only smile back.
When they reached Reiya's apartment door, Yagyuu returned the kiss by placing his own on her soft cold cheek, "happy birthday again, Rei." Reiya gave a thankful smile as she opened the door.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY REIYA!"
Streamers and confetti flew in her face as people shouted out their wishes. Soon they started singing, and parted like the Red Sea as Iori walk through with a cake, "Happy Birthday to youuuu~~~. You know the drill! Make a wish and blow out the candles!"
Their friend bit her lower lip as she thought of her wish and blew out the candles…or at least tried to. Reiya chuckled, "Let me guess. Niou provided the candles?"
A huge laughter bellowed from the back of the crowd, "Happy birthday Rei-chan!"
"Very funny Niou but thank you," Reiya yelled back, "Well, I guess I get another wish." She blew again but as hard as she blew, only one died permanently."Yeah, I'm not going to waste my energy. Thanks everyone! You guys are just the sweetest bunch," the birthday girl pulled the cake holder into a thankful hug before proceeding with the other guests.
Two hours later, Reiya was sneaking away as quietly as she can to her bedroom and as soon as she escaped into the tranquility of her room, she plunged herself on the bed. She closed her eyes for a few seconds only to open them again when she spotted a silver box with a purple ribbon sitting on her side table.
After a stretch, she sat back up and placed the box on her lap. Her eyes read through the message on the small card and a small smile appeared.
'To Kazuma Reiya,
Happy Birthday.
May the day be as special as you are.
Love, Yagyuu Hiroshi'
With nimble fingers, she took out the item and placed the present on her side table. Once it was turned on, the horses started to move with the rhythm of the music.
The door creaked open but she didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Trying to escape your own party?" the dark haired tennis player joked.
Reiya chuckled, "Just for a few minutes. The art gallery really took a toll on me, plus somebody woke me up pretty early." His vice president sat crossed legged on her bed, her whole body facing him now.
Yagyuu was leaning against her study table when she was caught staring at him, "Yes?"
"Thank you for the carousel. It must have been quite pricey," Reiya murmured loud enough for his ears.
Her friend shrugged as he moved towards her and sat at the edge of her bed instead, "You mentioned it before. I just happen to have a good memory and coincidentally found the perfect carousel for you. Nothing to it really."
Reiya was quite tempted to crawl over to him and be in his embrace like previous times when they were together but decided it was not the best choice at the moment. So instead, she just sat beside him and patted his knee, "well, still thank you. Oh damn, I've been saying too much of that word haven't I?" Yagyuu took her hand and gave it a slight squeeze before standing up, "you're always welcome" and in a murmur, he said, "Even though I doubt it changes anything."
"What?"
He quickly shook her head, "Come on, let's head back to your party. Everyone should be leaving soon… I hope." "Let's see what else they have in store for me," Reiya said as she passed Yagyuu but doing so, she felt her heart tightened. She had heard and understood what he meant but she could only pretend to be ignorant about his feelings because she had no other idea on how to approach him about her own feelings. For now, that's all she could do.
At 7pm, a knock on her door and the presence of certain tennis captain was another surprise to Reiya, "Happy birthday. Sorry for being late. The train and a few other stuffs caused the delay."
Reiya snapped out of her reverie, "no it's ok. I actually didn't expect you to come but of course I don't mind you coming."
Shiraishi grinned, "Yagyuu-san invited a week ago but apparently I was late for the surprise party.
"A surprise it still is," she whispered as she turned around to look at Yagyuu, who stared at her with a small smile, happy or not, she could not tell. He had disappeared into the kitchen.
He had let her go.
I guess it wasn't that good of a chapter. sorry!
well, It should be ending soon. Stay tune for the next and most probably the last chapter. :D
Have a nice day!
