Nervous fingers fiddled with the elaborate bow tied around the wrapped package. Kyoko bit her lip. "Are you sure this is good enough? What if she doesn't like it?"
"It's fine, Kyoko-chan," Yashiro said. He straightened one of the paper flowers Kyoko had taped around the room. "I'm sure Kotonami-san will like whatever you got her."
"Yashiro-san you don't understand!" Kyoko wailed, latching onto one of his hands like he was her only lifeline. "I've never celebrated a girl friend's birthday before! What if it's too much?" She blanched. "What if it's not enough? What if I should have made two dozen cupcakes instead of a dozen diet conscious gelatin desserts? What if Moko-san doesn't like gelatin? What if she gets angry and hates me?!"
Yashiro patted Kyoko with his free hand. "Calm down. Everything looks nice. It's just the right amount of decorations and food for a small group of friends." He tried not to look too uncomfortable as Kyoko looked at him like his word was gospel. He loved Kyoko like a sister, but she could get very…intense…about the smallest things. "You put thought and effort into this and Kotonami-san will appreciate it."
"You think?" Kyoko sniffed.
"Of course." Yashiro subtly wiggled his hand free. "Now get ready. Amamiya-san should be bringing Kotonami-san in a minute."
"Right!" Kyoko wiped her face dry and shoved her nerves to the back of her mind. It was Moko-san's birthday! It would be perfect! She'd make Moko-san smile!
When the door opened, Kyoko was ready with a smile and a shower of confetti. "Happy birthday, Moko-san!" she cheered.
Unfortunately it was Chiori who entered first, getting the confetti right in the face. She sputtered, batting it out of the way as Kanae looked around the room.
"Jeeze, what is all this?"
"Surprise?" Kyoko fidgeted as Kanae raised an eyebrow. "I wanted to make your birthday special…"
Kanae glanced at the paper flowers and the pretty arrangement of pale green gelatin. "You really didn't have to go to the trouble."
"But you're my best friend!" Kyoko said. "It has to be perfect! You said you liked lilac color so that's why the flowers are lilac and the green tea gelatin is only ten calories per serving so you don't have to feel bad about having some!" Kyoko dove for her gift and held it aloft like an offering. "And I made you a gift!"
Kanae edged back a bit from Kyoko's enthusiasm, but she reached out and took the small box from Kyoko's hands. It was wrapped in tissue paper with a painstakingly tied ribbon that looked impossible to undo. Thankfully it slid off. Kanae could swear Kyoko was literally holding her breath as she peeled the paper away. It almost made her smile. In the box was a delicate pendant made up of arcing wires and tiny rhinestones similar to Kyoko's Princess Rosa necklace. Kanae did smile then. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Kyoko launched herself into a full body hug. "I'm glad!"
