CHAPTER 29: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOMI-CHAN!

Tayomi opened her eyes slowly, feeling a year older. Oh yay! It's my birthday today! Once she got up, Kiseida pounced on her, knocking her back down onto her bed.

"YOMI-CHAN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Kiseida yelled.

Tayomi smiled and hugged her. Kiseida thrust a present into her hands and told her to open it. She opened it gingerly and saw the notebook she had been wanting for a month, ever since they last went shopping together. She squealed and pounced on Kiseida, hugging her even tighter than usual. The year was ending and since she was graduating, her time left with Kiseida would be very little. It was November 29th, which meant she had thirty two days left before she bid farewell to the Spiritual Arts Academy.

The Dance for graduates was on New Year's Eve and Tayomi had not a clue what it was about. Hinamori told her it was a usual party where guys ask girls to be their partner and they go to the Dance together. Tayomi was a bit worried. Since Hitsugaya and she were the only ones among the first year students who were graduating, it meant they would be the youngest there. Their height did not help much at all. She started to worry and hoped she would not go alone. She forgot her problems when her classmates bombarded her with presents, making her happy. For some reason, Hitsugaya was completely out of sight and she wondered where he was.

For the afternoon, Class 1 celebrated her birthday with her. They had a fun time under the sun, playing silly games. It doubled as a farewell party for her, since she was leaving their class at the end of the year. All the girls hugged her, telling her they would lose a fellow female in their class and how much they would miss her. Tayomi hugged them all back, wiping away the tears in both her and their eyes. She knew in her heart that she would miss her whole class. Though graduating early was good, she had to admit that this year had been one of the happiest years in her life. The whole Class had a group hug, without Hitsugaya. Tayomi wondered where Hitsugaya was and felt that the group hug felt different without him. Maybe on his birthday, our class can have a proper group hug…


In the evening, Hinamori caught her after her bath and covered her eyes. She instructed Tayomi to follow her and not to peep. Tayomi was kept in suspense. Where is Hina-chan taking me? When she opened her eyes, she gasped. The garden was decorated with lights, illuminating the flowers under the sinking sun. There was a cake for her as well, probably made by her senpai. Hitsugaya, Renji and Kira stood there, all smiling at her. After taking it all in and realising that her friends had set up a party specially for her, she laughed and thanked them.

"Happy birthday, Tayomi-chan!" The four of them cried.

Tayomi squealed and gave them each a hug. Kira, Renji and Hinamori had to bend down to hug her though, Hitsugaya had no need to. For some reason, she felt that Hitsugaya had held her for a longer time. Smiling, Hinamori told Tayomi to cut the cake. Tayomi giggled, saying that she had had quite a lot of cake on her birthday, but since they had put in so much effort, she would risk gaining weight and eat the cake. Hinamori smiled and Kira told Tayomi that Hitsugaya planned the whole thing. Renji nodded, with Hitsugaya standing beside him, blushing. Tayomi smiled and ran over to Hitsugaya, grabbing his hand and thanking him, making them both laugh.

For the rest of the evening, the five of them discussed the graduation Dance. Hinamori would be going with Kira and Renji would be taking another girl in his class. Tayomi said that no one had asked her yet, so she would wait for someone to ask her. Hinamori nudged Hitsugaya.

"What, Bed-wetter?" Hitsugaya grumbled.

"You'd better do it this time! I'm not helping you!" Hinamori huffed.

"Whatever…"

Hinamori, Renji and Kira had shared a present and bought a white bunny soft toy for her. Tayomi thanked and hugged them again. She cuddled the bunny. It was soft, fluffy and definitely huggable. She knew she was going to place it on her bed and sleep with it every night. Hinamori, Renji and Kira had to go back to their rooms and bid farewell to her and Hitsugaya. Kira patted Hitsugaya on the back, before he left. Tayomi waited for them to leave, before she dragged Hitsugaya to the railing in the garden, near a cherry blossom tree. She asked him where he had been for the whole day and why he did not turn up for the class party. Hitsugaya kept silent for a while, before answering her. According to him, he had been busy with the preparations. He looked at Tayomi and took out a silver bracelet with a small snowflake charm attached to it.

"Happy birthday, Tayomi." He smiled at her.


Tayomi was stunned for a moment, before she finally giggled and thanked him. She outstretched her right arm and bugged Hitsugaya to put it on for her. He nodded and put the bracelet on her right wrist. The shiny, white snowflake sparkled under the moonlight and Tayomi smiled, admiring its beauty. Hitsugaya watched her look at his present with a certain love. Under the moonlight, her black hair looked glossier than usual and her purplish-blue eyes sparkled with life. He felt the same feeling come over him again, the same feeling he felt when they sat on the tree together and their lips touched. Tayomi noticed Hitsugaya gazing at her, smiling at the same time. She smiled back at him and he leaned closer to her again. Tayomi felt herself being attracted to him and learned closer to him. This time, their noses touched first and they gazed into each other's eyes up close. Then, their lips closed the distance in between their faces and Hitsugaya's lips slowly went towards her. Tayomi's went closer to his as well and she felt his lips touch hers again. It felt like heaven, but she felt unsteady. I should not have sat on the railing… She felt herself lose her balance and tumble backwards, off the railing.

"AHHHH!"

She tumbled onto the ground and stayed there for a few seconds, feeling stupid. She had done it again… Hitsugaya rushed behind the railing, towards her. He pulled her up immediately, feeling disappointed inside as he had missed again. Why was she so hard to kiss? He sighed and Tayomi giggled. He looked at her innocent face and knew she did not fall off deliberately to avoid him. It was purely and accident. He knew the next time he tried, he would have to be careful. Hitsugaya still felt like he should give her something special and quickly kissed her on the cheek. Tayomi blushed and kissed him back.

"Um… I'll walk you back to your room." Hitsugaya mumbled. "But before you go, I want to ask you something…"

"Yes?" Tayomi's eyes grew wide.

"Well… Um…." Hitsugaya stuttered. "You know… The G-grad-du-duation D-dance…W-will you go with me?"

Tayomi nodded happily. Hitsugaya smiled and hugged her. Holding hands, they walked off.


Author's Note:
Well the last time, she fell off a tree. Now she falls off the railing. *Sighs* She hasn't grown up... But at least they're going to the Graduation Dance together :D Next chapter, it will be someone else's birthday... Hitsugaya's Birthday! December 20th... XD What will Tayomi get for him? What will she do? Find out in the next chapter :D Please review!
Oh and I finally got my 10th reviewer...Tiryn! :D
And the idea for Hitsugaya's present came from my friend Jazion Keera... She writes awesome stories XD