So. It is June 11th, a very special date for me. Today is Himeko's official birthday, and as a loyal fan (and self-declared Husbando), I decided to make a small, simple gift to Best Girl in Honkai Impact. Just a small tip: Look up the Vernal Brocade outfit for Vermilion Knight, that way you can better visualize her attire.
Pay Me a Drink?
8:49 PM, Far East branch Schicksal Headquarters.
This had been a rather peaceful week at the base. No training drills, no Outbreaks, just the routine patrolling around the area. The crew of Hyperion was enjoying this small break from the constant fighting to wind up and release all that pent-up energy. To most of them, it meant getting some snacks and making a small party at their dorms since they were still required to be ready for deployment at any time. Others would binge on any sort of book or series that they didn't have time to follow recently. And then there was Captain, sitting by himself at a barstool.
With a can of soda in hand, the young man stared at the wooden bar with apparent interest. A closer look would reveal that his expression wasn't that of someone in a good mood, which was kind of unusual. Some deemed it to blissful ignorance and naivety, but Captain always walked around with that pleasant face and a smile adorning his features. Sure, when the situation asked for it, he would respond with all seriousness, but even then, nothing seemed to phase his positive mood and attitude. Nothing, except for whatever was bothering him now.
"~sigh~ It can't be helped..."
He let out another long, hopeless sigh, taking a big gulp of his soda, almost as if it was beer. There was a "correct way" to drink it, you know? A lesson a certain red-haired woman tried to teach him more than once. And speaking of which…
"Tsk. Whiskey on rocks, make it double."
She sat on the stool next to his right, with the grace of a feather, regardless of how inebriated she already was. This beauty was clad in a red and black dress, with some Chinese style going on to it. The bartender passed her the drink and the red-haired lady didn't hesitate in taking it all in one go. The glass was put on the polished wooden counter with a loud clack from the ice shaking inside.
"One more."
The bartender, already used to this course of action, poured more of the strong liquor to the lady, shaking her head. It was like watching an old movie time and time again. The redhead repeated the previous feat as naturally as she breathed. Taking a brief pause with her head hanging low, she groaned in clear frustration before asking for another round.
"Tough night?" Captain asked, offering a gentle slime.
"You don't have any idea..." Himeko said as she raised her head to look at him, her annoyed expression melting into an equally gentle one.
. . .
"So, how was your date?" Captain asked, already having an idea of the response.
"Unfortunately, as usual. Meet a nice guy, chat a little, he's kinda funny and good looking. Then we go out on a date, he insists on paying for the dinner and any drinks I want. And finally… the groping and attempts to get me into his bed. Can you believe it?" She said, clearly pissed off about the situation.
"Come on, it can't be that bad. How many dates did you go to that ended like this?"
She looked at him with a skeptical face, one eyebrow raised.
"Do you want the actual numbers, Captain?"
"Not really..." He could at least read this cue. "Even if the end wasn't very pleasant-"
"Yeah, "pleasant" sure is the word I would use here..."
"Ahem- uh, does it really sour the entire thing? I mean, dinner and free drinks sound like a good time, and you said he was funny..."
"Ah, Captain, Captain… my sweet, naive, completely out of the dating game Captain… That's not how it works. You have to analyze it as a whole. And I can say without a single drop of doubt that all this idiot wanted was to score with me, probably to brag about it with his friends who are probably equally idiotic." That level of bitterness was something you didn't see on Himeko unless she was drinking and in a bad mood.
"The audacity of that prick! Acting like I owed him something because he "spent some extra bucks" on me."
"W-well, admittedly, I never dated before, so I guess I can't really talk about it..."
Being a very young captain of Schicksal meant that Captain dedicated a good chunk of time to study and training, even more during high school where he would take extra classes in order to pass on the tests. At the age of 22 years old, he was the youngest person to get the rank of Captain and be in charge of an aircraft such as Hyperion. Himeko's presence there technically made her the highest in the command chain, but it was mostly Captain who coordinated the missions.
"Do me a favor and don't be a douche when you grow up, okay?" Himeko pointed a slender finger at him, then downed another glass of the amber-colored drink. "Oop. That's enough hard liquor. One beer, please." The bartender tossed her a can, once again shaking her head. She was not going to remove the unconscious redhead from her bar in the likely event of her getting completely wasted.
"And how do I prevent that?" he asked in a joking tone, but deep inside he was serious about it.
The can hissed as Himeko opened it. She took a couple of large gulps from the drink, moving her head backward, then let out a loud, satisfied sigh, pressing the can against her forehead.
"Kyaah!~ That's the stuff~" Then, she turned to Captain. "All you have to do is be genuinely nice, not just so you can get in someone's pants. Most girls will get along with you if you're a decent human being."
"That 's it?"
"I know right? Shocking! Hahahahaha~" The booze was having its effect on the red-haired lady. Captain ended up fixing on her face a little as she drank more of her beer, noticing how her cheeks were starting to get a faint tinge of pink to them.
"Ah~ But seriously, don't be a jerk. Aside from that, it is not that hard to charm a girl, especially around your age." She pointed out, signaling for another beer.
"What is so special about my age?"
"Oh, nothing much. It just so happens that most of you younglings are just beginning your romantic lives, and with that comes the fairy tale expectations, and the hopes of finding the perfect guy or girl… and after that comes frustration." She said, opening the second can and taking a sip.
"And there's nothing inherently wrong with that, I find it pretty cute, actually. How adorable it is to watch them struggling with love, aww~" She said, making a baby talk voice and even pinching Captain on the cheek.
"You're saying it like that but you're just-"
"Shhh, no-no. Do not mention cursed numbers." Himeko immediately shushed Captain, placing a finger on his lips.
"But you're just-"
"I said no cursed numbers. Who cares about age, anyway, right?" she comically shut his mouth closed, to the point Captain had no other option besides dropping the topic.
"Still… that's some very subjective advice you're giving, Himeko." Captain looked aside and despite being tipsy, she noticed his slightly sad tone.
"Hey… what's going on? You're not usually like that, Captain."
"E-eh, like what?"
"Like that. You looked pretty bummed about something."
"There's nothing bothering me, really. You don't have to-"
"Aah, then listen to me, instead," she said, wrapping one arm around his neck and pulling him closer. They almost fell on the floor. "Seriously! This is the last time I will accept to go out with "Handsome guy from PR". Nobody knows how to keep their hands to themselves."
"Didn't you say that three dates ago?"
"This time I'm serious, Captain. No one can buy me using expensive food and fine wine! Even though that was a very tasty one… No! That's it! I'm done with pretty guys in nice clothes, with their flowers and stuff..." Whatever she was ranting about drowned in some incoherent mumbling before Himeko took another long sip from her beer. "One more, please~"
"If you're done with mister Handsome from PR, then who are you going to date...?"
"Hmm, a boy like you wouldn't understand what an adult woman seeks… but I think I can sum it up to you, fufufufu~"
"I'm not that young, you know..." He hid his face a bit under his cap. "So what are the great qualities you seek, miss High Standards?"
"Well, what do I look for in a guy…? Hmm, he has to be confident, intelligent, and must look good too." Himeko started listing off her checklist, counting on her fingers as she went on.
"Define "look good", what is it?"
"Ah, you know… uh, when he is clean and smells good, ah… you just know when someone looks good, okay?"
A tiny frown threatened to form in his face, but Captain brushed it away.
"I see… well, and what about personality and... stuff like that?"
"Eh, I'm not being very picky about it anymore. As long as he is not insufferable and… ~hic~ doesn't see me like a piece of meat…" It seems that the booze was starting to get to her head. Nevertheless, Himeko finished her beer and asked for another, which she promptly opened and chugged down.
"Having life goals is a good sign too. I don't want someone who doesn't care about their future. And he has to know how to work hard, I'm not doing all the heavy lifting!"
"Sounds reasonable."
"I don't need someone extra sensitive nor the most stoic stud either. They say medium is premium, and being a good listener is a must."
"Again, sounds reasonable. Umm… does… salary factor in any way?"
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, halfway through chugging her drink.
"Of course it does, Captain." He felt a spear across his heart. "But it is not the most important thing, not by a great margin."
"It… it isn't?"
"Well, maybe if you're a shallow and materialistic person. Finances are a part of sharing your life with someone and it definitely should be taken into consideration. ~sip~ But honestly, if that's enough of a deal-breaker that you pass someone you really like, then I hold no sympathy for you."
"... Wow, that is a very mature and sober way of thinking."
"Hey, I am mature and sober. Most of the time~" She said, finishing off that can and going for another.
"Ah, one more detail, and this is important. He has to support me, you know? I don't mean agreeing with everything I do or think, nor move mountains for me. I mean… really being there for me, calling me out when I'm doing something wrong, showing interest in what I do…" She seemed to wander a little in her own memories. Captain wondered if that was because of something that happened to her in the past.
"Aaah, seriously… How much do you plan on making a woman wait, huh?!" The sudden increase in volume surprised the young man next to her.
"Uh, are you waiting for someone…?"
"Hah…? Ah no, it's just that- ~hic~ Theresa said one time:" And the redhead made a high-pitched voice, mocking the short nun. "Keep on waiting for your Prince Charming and you'll end old and wrinkled like a raisin, tehehe~"
Captain couldn't help but laugh at her impersonation of the Principal.
"Tsk, that little brat… If she paid me on time I wouldn't be so stressed all the time! Do you know how harmful it is to your skin and hair, Captain?!"
"Hahaha, yeah, I wish my paychecks weren't delayed all the time too. Living in the quarters is nice, but we still have to pay for food and anything else..." Becoming part of Schicksal wasn't exactly the experience he first imagined, but it could be worse. Probably.
"Oh, speaking of which, umm..." She looked a little bashful for a moment, which made his heart skip a beat. "Captain, could you… lend me some for tonight? I'm kind of short on money-"
CLACK!
That was the sound of the bartender placing a glass cup on the wooden counter, a few stools away from them, with more strength than usual. Her glare at the red-haired lady was intense enough to set something on fire.
"S-sure, this night is on me..." Captain didn't want to piss off the bartender either, so he would need to sacrifice his wallet again. Bye-bye, Kallen Fantasy VII Special Edition, hopefully, see you at the next anniversary event.
"Really? Thanks, Captain~ Hey, two more beers here!"
"Wait, Himeko, you know I don't drink-"
"Ah, come on, Captain, you have to accompany me this time. Are you really going to let this gorgeous woman drink by herself all night?~"
Himeko flaunted her looks in front of Captain. There was no denying her good looks, but right now… wow. The red and black sleeveless dress she was wearing had that Chinese style to it and didn't exactly fall into the definition of "Modest", having a considerable cleavage and leaving her smooth thighs pretty exposed. The golden details that ornated the edges of the dress matched her amber eyes, and she also had a black translucent shawl with a white fluffy hem wrapped around her shoulders.
"Captain, are you done staring?~"
"S-sorry!" He said, looking away to hide his blush while the tipsy lady laughed her head off. He did notice all this the moment she arrived, but Captain didn't allow himself to look too much into it. While she looked absolutely stunning, it was also… frustrating.
Despite his protests, the bartender did bring two more beers to the pair, and Himeko didn't waste time to open it. She then nudged Captain, lifting her drink.
"Here, let's make a toast~"
"What for?"
"Hmm, how about… to the good friends that also get delayed paychecks?~" She said, beaming a bright smile. Captain didn't find in him the strength to not smile too.
"Alright, cheers for that."
"Cheers!~"
Once she wasn't looking anymore, currently chugging the contents of the can, Captain's smile waned off. He stared at the beverage he held with both hands.
"Friends..."
. . .
The night went on and Himeko and Captain followed on drinking and chatting. Well, Himeko was doing all the drinking and most of the talking too. She ranted about each and everything that got on her nerves.
How she felt some back pains after using the Scarlet Fusion battlesuit. How Theresa said it was due to age despite herself being even older (that loli hag...). How her paychecks always got delayed and sometimes had a certain quantity missing, usually when the Principal appeared with a new manga volume.
Kiana kept singlehandedly sinking the class average grades, which directly impacted her performance bonus. She didn't take a vacation in years, and all that stress was clearly "taking its toll" on her. Last week she caught Ai-chan rerouting processing capacity from Hyperion's core systems to run some shady game servers. Again. And it was exam week so she had a ton of reports to fill in.
Around the 7th can of beer, Captain had convinced Himeko that she had enough for tonight and accompanied the redhead on her way back to the quarters. The bartender did give him a suspicious look as he paid the bill, but it turned into a sympathetic smile as she eyed the giggling woman leaning against the bar.
And now here they were, slowly making their way back to Himeko's room, a couple of minutes away from midnight. Himeko had one arm loosely wrapped around Captain's shoulder for support and he did his best to not outpace her. The drunk redhead kept on rambling and laughing, albeit her speech sounded more impaired by the heavy drinking.
"Fufufufu~ And you know, when Theresa gets on my nerves I... ~hic~ I like to place her habit on the highest hanger~"
"Ah, so it is you…"
"Hmpf! Serves her right for teasing me all the time. Not everyone gets to keep their appearance forever, and I'm not getting any younger!" Himeko pouted.
"I'm pretty sure the Principal is just taking care of you. Theresa is not mean like that."
"I know that, Captain, but… ~hic~ ever since you have joined, she has been… ~hic~ teasing me nonstop! Like, I get it! It looks like I can't find a decent guy, no need to shove that in my face…"
"You know she doesn't mean harm."
"I know, but Captaaaain…" She whined. "Why must it be so hard to find someone? I mean, look at me!"
"Yeah, I know-"
"No no, look at me!" Himeko stepped in front of him and cupped his cheeks, making sure Captain was looking directly at her. "Take a good look and tell... me I don't look absolutely… sssstuning."
Against his better judgment, Captain did as she told him. His eyes traveled from her head to toes, taking notice of the smallest details. The golden pins that tied her silky hair into a neat bun. Her amber eyes contrasted so well with her fiery red strands and under the moonlight they were, it looked like they had their own glow to them, an intense burning. Her cheeks had a pink hue, thanks to all those drinks, and it really suited her fair skin. Then there were her lips. They looked so soft and… inviting.
Her dress had some sort of collar piece around her neck, opening down to expose her cleavage and well… The skin of her shoulders also looked a little reddened. There was a mildly chill breeze blowing. The shape of her waist, her hips, her smooth legs that were mostly exposed (seriously, thank you to whoever designed that dress), everything in her was the definition of…
"Perfect…" The words escaped his lips in a whisper before he could collect his thoughts.
"What was that?"
"N-nothing! I meant that, uh, you're right. You're pretty, Himeko."
Still cupping his cheeks, Himeko puffed hers in a playful pout.
"That's not what I… asssked you, Captain."
"Eh? But you just said-"
"I asked if I'm… absholutely sssstuning…"
Her ability to speak clearly was decreasing fast, and she was starting to lean back and forth. Better take her to her room already.
"Himeko, I think we should go before you-"
"No, answer the… question, Captain. Am I the most... sssstuning woman you ever laid your pretty eyes on?~" The lack of balance made her tip forward, so Captain had to support her by holding on to her arms. The sudden proximity made his heart skip a beat.
"H-Himeko, you really need a place to lay down-"
"Come ooon, say it~ And be… honest. I'm a… grown-up woman and I… can handle harsh critics." The inebriated redhead wouldn't let him escape so easily, right? Rather, Captain would feel awful if he left her alone in that state.
"I t-think you are… stunning." He said, looking away from her face, which wasn't that easy, considering Himeko was getting closer.
"Really? Yay! Thank you, Captain~ You're such… a good boy, you know?~" And then she did something he wasn't expecting at all.
Himeko took off his cap, placed it on herself, and started to pet Captain in the head, exactly how one would do to their beloved pet. If Captain had any doubts he was blushing before, now he was sure of it, as he felt his face heat up like a furnace. Still, the chill breeze of the night blew by again, and Himeko shivered a bit, still petting Captain.
Seeing how this drunk maiden wasn't in condition to walk a single step more, Captain decided to do what was necessary. Taking off his jacket, he pulled her shawl over her shoulders, placed the jacket around her, and carefully turned around so she wouldn't lose balance.
"H-here, hop on…"
It took her a minute to figure out what he intended.
"Wha… no, Captain, you don't need to-"
"It will be faster if I carry you. It is getting cold and you need a good rest." He said, looking ahead as he waited for Himeko to climb on his backs.
After a long minute of silence, he felt her hands holding on to his shoulders, and with a tiny "up!" Himeko latched on to him. Adjusting his hold a bit, off they went.
"Well, since you offered… onward, my noble steed!~ Hahahaha~"
The pace was more or less the same as before. The last thing Captain wanted was to make her throw up or something. Quiet and steady, they crossed the empty courtyard that led to the dorms. A full moon came out from behind the clouds to shine some light on the dim path.
"Captain… you really meant it, right…?"
"Hmm?"
"What you said before… I'm pretty, right…?"
"No," The pause got her worried. "You're stunningly beautiful, remember."
"Don't tease me like that, young man." She said, pinching his ear.
"Ouch! Hehehe…"
"~sigh~ Then why is it so hard to... fiiiiind someone…? It pisses me off… ~hic~"
"Umm, I guess…" Did he really want to go on? The chances of saying something compromising were pretty high. "I think it is because those guys only see you as a pretty face. They always compliment your looks, but no one sees how smart you are, or how much effort you put into your work. How you take care of your students as if they were your family, and how you go beyond your own limits to see that everyone is doing well."
"O-oh…"
"Honestly… it pisses me off too. Every time you come from these dates you complain about how these idiots can't keep their hands off you, and how they treat you like a prize… Tsk, makes me want to punch someone…"
"Wait… what was that…?"
"Uh, nothing! I just… feel sad that you struggle so much to find a decent person, you know? And if you of all people are having a hard time, well, what chance do I have then…?"
"Hmm… Theresa once said… I should stop looking so much for it… that the answer was closer than I thought…" She said before going silent again.
Another chilly wind blew by, and Himeko felt her legs a bit cold. Her body, however, was protected by the white jacket covering her. Not only what, Captain… felt really warm. She propped herself up a bit, adjusting her legs around his waist, and then let her arms coil loosely around his neck. She rested her chin on his shoulder, snuggling closer to this newfound source of heat.
These motions didn't go unnoticed by the young man, who thanked the heavens for Himeko not seeing his face right now. You see, this new position allowed her to feel warmer, but it also meant more physical contact with Captain, especially the chest area pressing against his back. He rationalized that Himeko was too drunk to acknowledge that, and deep inside he was also thankful for that fact, but Captain did his best to keep only the purest thoughts in mind for the rest of the way to the dorms.
At last, they arrived at the quarters Himeko lived in. Kiana, Mei, and Bronya moved out a while ago, so now the red-haired maiden lived alone again. Since it wasn't the first time Captain accompanied her after a night of heavy drinking, he knew where the spare key of her room was. It took some skill to open the door while making sure she didn't fall over, but he eventually succeeded.
For a low-cost living it was fairly big, fairly bigger than his quarters for sure. The benefits of being in a higher rank, he supposed. Now, to properly deliver this semi-conscious lady.
Captain got to her room and gently placed Himeko on the bed, took off her high heels, and removed the hairpin from her head, letting her red strands fall free. Himeko groaned in annoyance as she lacked the source of warmth she got comfortable with. Laying her on the bed, he pulled up the blanket over her and sat on the bed next to her. For a brief moment, Captain allowed himself to admire her without hiding it. And then, he felt a hand rest on top of his.
"Thank you, Captain… you really are… a good friend, you know?" She said, somewhere between a drunk and a sleepy state. "You paid for drinks for me, you listened to me ranting nonstop… and you take care of me whenever I get wasted. What a… ~hic~ good boy~"
She leaned forward a bit in an effort to reach and pat his head again. In this dim-lit room, her eyes still had that fiery amber glow to them, and a gentle smile adorned her face. Yet, something about this situation really bothered Captain. One tiny detail that somehow detracted from the whole desirable experience.
"Yeah, friends…" He whispered to himself.
No matter how he thought about it, she was completely out of his league, in every relevant area. She was smart, funny, gorgeous beyond belief, and stronger. How could he hope to compare? No wonder Captain fell for her. And more than that, the person behind the "pretty face".
Himeko had some very bad hands handed to her by life, and she kept on moving forward. Despite the hardships, and battles, and loses, and the constant dread of some bodiless threat trying to annihilate their very existence, she kept on smiling. This inebriated maiden laying next to him was one of the bravest persons Captain knew in his life, even if it was relatively short, and she was willing to sacrifice anything to give a better future for those around her.
This is what Himeko fought for, a brighter tomorrow for Kiana, Mei, Bronya, a d everyone else. This side of her that few people acknowledged was the source of the great admiration Captain held towards her. And then, there was the part she hid from everyone.
He didn't know the details but from previous talks, most of them accompanied by beverages, he could see Himeko had suffered a lot in her life. Sometimes he wondered just how big and heavy was the burden she carried. And these thoughts were the final push on him towards falling in love with her. If she was taking care of everyone around her, who would take care of her?
Captain wished to be this person, to at least help alleviate some of the pain. He wasn't sure if he would even be capable of that, but he would try his damn best. But again, how could he ever hope to match her level? The frustration he felt every time she went on a date with someone else waned when she returned, complaining about yet another idiot who took her for granted. But it also increased in size every time.
All of those feelings swelling inside his chest brought Captain to this moment of indecision. He held the small box in his pocket as if his life depended on it. It's been two weeks now and he made a plan to "perfectly deliver" it to her. A dozen plans, in fact, but he wasn't counting on someone asking her out today. He could simply give it to her tomorrow like a normal person, but he didn't want it to be "normal". He didn't want her to see him as "any other person".
Speaking of tomorrow, his eyes trailed to the alarm clock on the stand next to her bed. 12:03 AM, it was officially June 11. Looking down at her again, Captain held a weak smile.
"Ne, Himeko, it is past midnight so…" He didn't think much about it, hesitation would stop him from doing it. "Happy birthday~"
And as he said that, Captain produced a small black velvet box from his pocket. The drunk maiden paused her head pat ministrations and looked lost in thought for a moment, before turning to the alarm clock and realizing what he meant. She then noticed the small box resting on Captain's hand.
"Captain… you really didn't need to…" Drunk or not, Himeko was aware of his financial condition. She would know, not being much better than him.
"I-it's nothing too fancy, but I hope you like it. To be honest, I d-didn't know what else to choose…" He stuttered, looking aside and praying she was tipsy enough to not notice the red hue in his face.
Himeko stared at the gift for a good while. Maybe her brain was slowly processing things. She then sat up, carefully picking the box in her hands and opening it. Her half-closed amber eyes got fully opened with surprise and awe at the contents of the box.
A collar. A golden-colored chain with a pendant. It was quite small, shaped after a tiny flame or an ember, and a shiny black gemstone rested inside it. She traced it with her slender fingers, carefully lifting it from the box to eye level so she could better look at it. Meanwhile, Captain watched her, his leg bouncing frantically from the anxiety he was feeling right now.
"It's obsidian, that gem… I've heard it is supposed to protect you and absorb bad vibes or whatever… I don't really believe in that stuff, but I thought it would… look nice on you…" Each sentence came out lower than the previous, to the point he was almost whispering at the end.
Himeko spent a good while studying the pendant, noticing every small detail in it. It wasn't some expensive piece of jewelry. In fact, it would be lucky if it had a layer of high-quality gold applied here, and the gemstone wasn't the finest nor most expensive around. However, it was very well made, with subtle details and no imperfections that she could detect, regardless of her being sober or not.
"Pretty…" She voiced, mesmerized by the gift, then looked at the young man sitting on her bed. "Thank you, Captain. I loved it~"
The smile she gave while saying those words hit Captain like a huge wave of relief, so much that he released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. This wasn't the way he planned to give her the gift, none of the seventeen scenarios he imagined, yet it felt right. Perhaps because it happened naturally. He acted on impulse and ignored every voice in his head telling him to abort the mission, and he was glad he did so. He was glad Himeko liked it. That alone turned the entire month on a net positive.
Putting on his jacket again, Captain was ready to take his leave.
"Well, you're safe in your bedroom and ready for some well-deserved rest. Guess my job here is done, see you tomorrow, Hime- Himeko…?" Captain felt a tug on his wrist. Her hand held him firmly in place.
"Captain… come here…" It was less of a request and more of an order as the red-haired lady pulled him towards her. The odd angle and the sudden pull made him land almost on top of her, and he didn't have much time to react to that because the next second, her arms were wrapped around him in a tight, warm hug. It would be amazing if he didn't panic internally.
"H-Himeko?! What's g-going on…?"
She took in a deep breath and slowly released, blowing air near his ear, which sent chills down his spine.
"You smell… really, really nice, you know~"
The unexpected and unusual compliment only added to his current shock state.
"Eh?!"
"And you're super clean too… and intelligent… we just have to work on… your confidence~"
He was just too lost and overwhelmed by… everything she just did to fully process that. After a couple of minutes in which Captain used every ounce of willpower he had to not move a muscle if it wasn't prompted by Himeko shifting in place, she let go of him. Himeko cupped one of his cheeks with her hand again, making Captain look her in the eye. They kept like this for another period of time that felt much longer than it actually was, and then she said in a whisper.
"It was in front of me… all this time.."
Captain felt confused and conflicted. What should he take from this? Was she talking about their previous topic or something else entirely? Why did he have to be so dense when it came to taking hints?
"Can you put it… on me, please?" She said, lifting the pendant.
"... Sure." He answered, doing as she asked.
Captain gave her some space after that, and she traced the little ember resting on her bosom with her fingers. It looked so delicate that she feared any amount of strength could damage it. Looking up at the young man again, Himeko leaned forward. One of her hands held on to his shoulder, the other cupped his chin. She pulled him closer, and her eyelids slowly closed. For a moment, Captain thought his heart would explode, but then…
"... Zzzzzz…"
She leaned all the way forward and ended resting against him. Her forehead softly hit his chest, and there Himeko dozed off. Captain stood still like a statue. Was this reality or a fever dream? For some reason he felt like someone out there was mocking him, making him get so close, just to sweep the carpet from under him at the very last second. But honestly, even this was positive in his book, considering this was the closest he ever got to his secret goal.
Sighing, Captain carefully pushed Himeko and laid her back on the bed, tucking her again, brushing aside a strand of hair from her forehead. She looked so… happy, with a pleasant expression and a red hue across her cheeks. Maybe it was the booze, maybe it was his gift. Either way, if she was happy, he was happy.
Would it be too bold of him to…
"J-just in the forehead…" He considered, but shook his head, pushing the thought away. It didn't feel right.
"Good night, Himeko."
And as he got up and headed outside her bedroom, he heard a little rustling and murmurs.
"...night, Captain…"
He didn't sleep that night.
. . .
"Good morning!~ Where is my favorite hot-headed bimbo who is getting older today?~"
The door swung open with loud noise as an even more noisy white-haired girl in a nun outfit barged in. Her sky blue eyes scanned the room, looking for vestiges of the red-haired lady she sought, usually a trail of fancy clothes and beer cans. Surprisingly enough, she found none. The quarters were spotless.
"Hmm, weird. I'm sure she went on a date yesterday…" Theresa said to herself, making her way inside. There was a certain pattern to this, and if Himeko had a date, you could be mostly sure that she would be late the following morning. Hence why the principal decided to go get Himeko herself.
Peeking around the corners, she found nothing that showed a drunk tornado had swept through the place, which really made her think if the woman finally landed a good match this time. Her answer came in the form of a tired groan from the bedroom. Theresa poked her head in and there she was.
"Good morning, sleepy head~ Did you get wasted again?" She asked playfully.
"Mmmm… Good morning…" The red-haired lady groaned as she slowly sat up. Needless to say, she had a major hangover.
"What time is it…? Oh, come on! 5 AM, Theresa?" Himeko complained, letting her body fall back on the bed.
"Just because it is Friday, doesn't mean you get to skip class. Hangovers are not an excuse either~"
Himeko groaned louder.
"Now get up, wash that face and be presentable. Just because it is your special day, Theresa-chan will cook you breakfast~"
"Do you even know how to cook? I thought you survived on Melon Bread and Bitter Melon juice…"
"Oi! What do you take me for? Of course I can cook." Said the Loli Nun, indignant that her skills were being questioned. "Now, where do you keep the toaster and the sliced bread?"
"Ugh, my head… Can we even call making toast cooking?"
"Do you want my breakfast or not?" The Principal said, pouting with her hands on her waist. Then, her eyes noticed something curious and out of place. A white cap that belonged to a certain young man she knew. In fact, both Theresa and Himeko knew this person, but it seems the redhead surpassed Teri in just how well she knew him. She couldn't help the smug look that came to her face.
"What? What's that face for…?" Himeko said, looking at the smug kid standing at the doorway.
"Fufufufu, nothing. Nothing at all~"
"Hey, what was that?"
Theresa ignored the questioning and went to "cook" breakfast.
Later that day, after classes were over and the work at the school was done, the girls gathered at Himeko's dorm to celebrate in a small party.
"Happy birthday, Himeko-san," Said Mei, making her way in while carrying a cake.
"Happy birthday, Subject Himeko." Bronya followed, speaking in her usual monotone voice and floating inside.
"I wish you a happy birthday, Major." The always polite Fu Hua came after.
"Yay! Happy birthday, Auntie Himeko!~ How many years again?" And of course, Kiana was the last of the group.
"Kiana… how many times do I have to say- ah, forget it…" This was usually the time where Kiana would receive a knock on the head, but honestly, Himeko was growing accustomed to the nickname.
The celebration was pretty simple but very lively and heartwarming. As usual, Mei took the task of cooking, being assisted by Bronya, while Fu Hua distracted Kiana with some games. A Kaslana in the kitchen could turn into a dangerous situation. Theresa arrived a couple of minutes later and with her was none other than Rita Rossweisse, the Maid of Schicksal.
"Tadaan~ We have arrived! Happy birthday, Himeko!~" Said the Loli Nun, making her way in.
"My best wishes, Himeko-san. Sorry for appearing without notice, Theresa-sama insisted that I come too." Rita did a small bow, then followed her inside.
"It's no problem, you're welcome too~"
Before the redhead closed the door, she looked outside and froze for a moment. She saw in the distance, a familiar figure rushing towards her. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"There you are! I thought you wouldn't come… Captain~"
"Sorry, I got stuck with Ai-chan on a maintenance routine." He said, a little out of breath.
The party continued even more lively now that everyone was present. Rita immediately joined Mei in the kitchen, allowing Bronya to demonstrate her superb gaming skills that could only be matched by Fu Hua. Poor Kiana never stood a chance. The results were a very fancy-looking dinner and a small competition between the Purple-haired girl and the Maid. The ultimate winners were the others, who got to enjoy a delicious meal.
And the surprises didn't stop there, Himeko received a gift from everyone. A new pair of fashionable boots from Mei, a fluffy red scarf from Bronya, a book about fine wines from Fu Hua, and an actual bottle of a very expensive white wine from Rita.
"I personally selected this considering what I know from your tastes, Himeko-san. It is not red wine, but I believe you'll find the flavor very pleasant to taste, especially with a portion of cheese."
"Hehe, I'll keep it to a special occasion~ Thanks, Rita."
"You're welcome."
"Just don't go chugging down the entire thing, okay?" Theresa said, stepping in to deliver her gift. Judging by the shape of the wrapping and knowing her, it could be only one thing.
"A Homu doll? Aren't you too old for this kind of stuff?" Himeko said that but still hugged the pink plushie.
"Hey, Homu is for all ages! Besides, this is a limited edition Homei with three different ribbons. You don't find those that easy." She said, puffing her chest out proudly.
"Oho, I wonder how much it cost then…" Himeko eyed the short girl suspiciously.
"Ahem- let's focus on something that really matters, your other gifts! It's your day, after all."
"Durandal-sama couldn't come due to her schedule, but she took some time to find a gift for you too, Himeko-san." Said Rita, giving the redhead a red box with a silver bow on top.
This one was a black leather short jacket, similar to the ones she used every day. Accompanying the gift, a small card read: "Sorry for not making it to the party. I didn't know what to give you, so I had Rita help me pick something nice. I hope you like it, and Happy Birthday, Major Himeko. - Bianka."
Himeko sighed, smiling and shaking her head.
"That brat… Tell her I loved it, Rita. It perfectly matches my new boots too~"
"With pleasure, Himeko-san."
As she organized her gifts on the table, Kiana shyly approached Himeko, hands behind her back.
"Umm, Auntie… here!" She suddenly shoved her hands forward, closing her eyes shut. She held a small envelope.
Himeko picked it with a suspicious look at the white-haired girl, then opened it. Inside the envelope was a card, more specifically a voucher.
"I didn't know what to give you so I thought, maybe something you could enjoy would be nice," Kiana said sheepishly, rubbing her arm and looking to the sides. "I know I give you some trouble in class, and that I can be quite a handful at times, so maybe this will help you relax a bit…"
"Uuuh, a day at the spa with full service. How luxurious~" Said Theresa, peeping over Himeko's shoulder. She had to climb on a chair for that.
Himeko looked at the card, then at the girl shifting on her feet as if she was caught taking cookies from the jar without permission.
"~sigh~ Seriously…" She then beamed a grin and ruffled Kiana's hair. "If you really want to relieve my stress, then make sure to hand in your assignments on time. And thank you, Kiana, I'll make good use of it."
The response immediately set Kiana back to her hype mood.
"Hai! You can count on that!"
Himeko knew it wouldn't be that easy, but at least the kid had the heart in the right place.
At last, the only person remaining was Captain. He simply gave her a small purple box with a blue bow on top of it. No words went between them, just an exchange of looks.
Captain wasn't sure if Himeko remembered anything from last night, and even if she did, there was a chance it was all the alcohol talking. So he tried to play it cool. Regardless, he felt good for being able to deliver his other gift.
Taking care to not damage the wrapping, Himeko opened the gift to reveal a flask of perfume. It wasn't from a famous brand, nor did it look particularly fancy or expensive. She sprayed some on her wrist and felt the scent. It was sweet and reminded her of roses.
"Thanks, Captain."
"You're welcome."
On the sidelines, Kiana inclined to the side to whisper to Mei.
"Ne, Mei, isn't the mood a bit off here?"
"Kiana, shhh."
On the other side of the room, Theresa held that smug look again, chuckling to herself. Rita noticed that and it only took her a more attentive glance at them to connect the dots.
"I see~"
"Well, since we're done with the gifts, let's bring in that cake~" Theresa chirped, clearly more excited than Himeko about it.
Mei brought the cake in her hands, while Rita lit some candles on top of it.
"Make a wish, Auntie!~" Kiana cheered, also more excited than the anniversary person.
"A wish, huh…?" She glanced at her guests, stopping at one in particular. As they locked eyes with each other, she brought one hand to her chest, carefully pulling a pendant from under her shirt. It now rested atop her chest and she gently traced it with the tip of her fingers. With a smile crossing her lips, she blew off the candles.
"So? What did you wish for?"
"Kiana, if she tells us, the gift won't come true," Mei said, holding Kiana by the ear as the white-haired girl was almost drooling over the cake.
"The Bronya doesn't see the logical reasoning behind that."
"It's a tradition, but I personally believe working towards your goals is more important than the wish itself." Said Fu Hua as she did the thing with her glasses.
"As expected from the class rep. That sounds very profound and philosophical."
"As expected from Kiana Idiotka. Common sense sounds very impressive and philosophical."
"What was that, Bratnya?!"
"Can you two stop bickering about everything…?" Mei shook her head. There wasn't a single day where she didn't have to separate these two.
"Fufufu~ It surely is always lively around you." The Maid commented, taking the liberty to cut the cake and serve everyone.
"Humu, we wouldn't have it any other way, right, Himeko?~" Said the Loli Nun, already stuffing her face with cake.
"That's right." Himeko agreed, enjoying herself a bite of the cake. "Thank you all for being here, and for not forgetting about lil me. You all are very, very special to me."
Her amber eyes wandered to the young man yet again.
From the bottom of my heart… I love you.
The End
I absolutely love to write this kind of pure fluffy stuff. Really, I mean it. And making one about Himeko does warm up the heart. I admit half of Captain's personality here was me (don't me), but I really miss her in the game. It seems MHY shafted her out of the story and any major events, but it is okay. She will always be the undisputed Best Girl to me. Happy Birthday, Himeko~