"Rui~ You said I could have one request of you for my birthday, right?"

"Y-yes. Within reason."

"Then let me use you as a pillow."

"E-eh?!"

It was a simple request. Well, Yuyuko thought it would be. All she wanted was some alone time with Rui and a nice, soft body to nap on. But, of course Rui was a mess because of her request. Any affection got her that way.

But, she agreed. Now, how was this going to work out for Yuyuko? She was just going to have to find out through experience.

"You're really warm, Rui."

"Y-Yukko..."

Yuyuko was already on her lap. Rui was as red as could be. Should she really be surprised by that?

"You're a very stiff pillow, Rui. Come on, relax a bit." Yuyuko said.

Rui gulped and took a deep breath. Yuyuko leaned against her, hearing how fast her heart was beating. And Rui didn't get any less stiff. Great. This was a job now. Try to get Rui to relax.

"Jeez, your heart is really pounding. Don't pass out on me, please." Yuyuko teased, "Why are you so nervous? Your girlfriend sitting on your lap shouldn't get you that worked up."

Rui didn't have a rebuttle. She was looking anywhere but at Yuyuko. Yuyuko pouted and kissed her on the lips. Rui let out a squeak and stared at Yuyuko with wide eyes.

"You're a horrible pillow, Rui..." Yuyuko pouted at her, "Come on, you can relax."

"S-sorry... Yukko..." Rui took a few more deep breaths and tried her best to relax.

"Why are you so nervous? It's just me, Rui." Yuyuko kissed her on the cheek.

"I... I don't want to mess up... especially on your birthday..." Rui mumbled.

Yuyuko rolled her eyes, "As if you can mess up this. Come on, let loose."

"I... I'll try." Rui managed to calm herself enough that Yuyuko could comfortably lay on her.

They sat there in silence for a while. Yuyuko closed her eyes and was starting to drift off. This was a lot better than before.

"Yukko? Can I... can I... play with your hair?" Rui mumbled.

"Sure. Just be gentle." Yuyuko agreed.

Rui slowly started doing that. Yuyuko smiled and nuzzked closer into Rui. It was soothing. This was the best birthday gift ever. Getting all this attention from her timid girlfriend was rare and Yuyuko was definitely not going to complain.

"I love you, Yukko..." Rui whispered.

"I love you too, Rui." Yuyuko replied.

"Thank you for being patient with me." Rui continued, "I know I'm... not the best girlfriend... since I get so... embarrassed by affection..."

"Don't say that. You're the best girlfriend I could ever ask for, Rui. Stop downplaying yourself." Yuyuko didn't like what she was saying.

"I... I am? But... but I'm sure there are so many better options out there... I'm nothing special..."

"No. We aren't doing this, Rui. You aren't talking bad about yourself. Especially not on my birthday." Yuyuko sat up and gave her a hard look.

"S-sorry..."

Yuyuko sighed, "Is there something bothering you?"

"Maybe..."

"Talk."

"W-well... seeing Fumi-senpai and Tamao-senpai dating... I just... feel so much lesser... because I can't show you my feelings like they do..."

"There's a reason I'm dating you and not them, though. Because I like the way you act with me." Yuyuko responded.

Rui didn't reply. She was trying to avoid eye contact at all costs. Yuyuko grabbed her by the chin and forced her to look again.

"Rui, I love you. For who you are. Please stop trying to be like someone else. This is our relationship. And I don't want to see it change. I like how it is now." Yuyuko stated.

"A-ah... I... I'm sorry, Yukko... and sorry I'm making you worry on your birthday..."

"You can make it up to me by cuddling with me."

"H-huh?"

"Change of plans. I wanna cuddle instead now." Yuyuko stated.

Rui stared at her with wide eyes. That was not what she was expecting. Yuyuko was looking at her expectantly. Rui nervously nodded, agreeing to it.

"But, I'm laying on you." Yuyuko added.

"O-okay..." Rui agreed.

Yuyuko got off of her for a minute so she could lay down. Rui took a few deep breaths and opened her arms, inviting Yuyuko to join her now. Yuyuko smiled and quickly filled the gap, nuzzling into her neck.

"This is nice..." Yuyuko whispered, "Getting you all to myself today is a treat."

"Yukko~!" Rui whined.

"I'm just teasing you, Rui. But I do enjoy these moments alone with you."

"I... I do too."

Yuyuko yawned, "Mmm... I'm tired..."

"You always are." Rui retorted.

"How can I resist taking a nap in a position like this?" Yuyuko teased.

Rui tightened her grip on Yuyuko slightly, "You can sleep anywhere, though."

"Yeah, but this is the best place to sleep. On you."

"E-eh?!"

"You're nice and warm..." Yuyuko yawned again.

"How would you like it if I did this to you?" Rui weakly challenged, trying to deflect all the teasing.

"Hmm? I'd love that. Maybe we should try it sometime." It didn't do anything to stop Yuyuko from teasing her.

"Yukko!"

"You offered."

"I know... um... are you going to nap?"

"Yep... care to join me?"

"Fumi-senpai might get mad..."

"It's my birthday. That'd be in poor taste if she did." Yuyuko stated.

Rui let out a small laugh, "I guess you're right about that."

Yuyuko smiled. Finally Rui was lightening up. Good. Now to just keep it that way.

"Rui~ would you be a good girlfriend and brush my hair again?"

"S-sure." Rui stammered, before she did just that.

Yuyuko let out a sigh of content. This was perfect. She was already starting to doze off. So, she moved a little closer and relaxed. Rui kissed her on the head.

"Love you, Rui..." Yuyuko mumbled before promptly falling asleep.

"Love you too, Yukko." Rui responded with another kiss.

When Yuyuko stirred, she was disappointed to not feel Rui. She frowned and opened her eyes. She was alone on her bed. Where did Rui go?

She just sat up as the door opened.

"A-ah, Yukko. Um, sorry. Ichie-senpai needed me for something. I... thought I'd get back before you woke up." Rui was now staring at her with wide eyes, a look of regret in her eyes.

Yuyuko stretched, "It's fine. What time is it anyway?"

"It's almost five." Rui replied.

"Cake?" Yuyuko questioned with a little bit of a begging look.

"Tamao-senpai said we have to eat dinner first." Rui replied.

Yuyuko pouted, "I want cake now!"

"Yukko." Rui tried to be firm, "No cake until after dinner."

"Please, Rui~?" Yuyuko kept pouting at her.

"N-no." Rui was losing her ground fast.

"Yuyuko, stop trying to coerce Rui into your schemes. Anyway, Tamao made dinner herself just for you. It's rude not to want it."

Fumi was standing at the door now, giving Yuyuko a stern look. Yuyuko sighed and gave up.

"Also, it's your favorite dish of hers. Do you really want to miss it?" Fumi added.

Yuyuko perked up at that, "It is?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't she make it for your birthday?" Fumi rolled her eyes.

"That changes everything." Yuyuko got off the bed, "Is it done yet?"

"Almost. Five more minutes."

"Let's go, Rui." Yuyuko grabbed her arm.

"Jeez... mention your favorite food and you're suddenly like this." Fumi sighed.

The three of them made their way to where Tamao was cooking. Ichie was with her. They were talking. They fell silent as the other three girls entered the room.

"I see you found them." Tamao said.

"Yes."

"It just finished. We can eat."

Everyone got their plate of food and sat at the table. They had a few small conversations here and there. Not too much to talk about today.

"So, what did you do all day, Yuyuko?" Ichie questioned.

"She took a nap on top of me." Rui replied.

"As if you had any complaints." Yuyuko huffed at her.

Rui blushed and quickly looked down. Yuyuko chuckled. Rui was so easy to embarrass.

"As much as I hate you taking naps, I suppose today is the exception." Fumi sighed, "Why must you stay up late?"

"Because I can." Yuyuko replied, "I do what I want and there's nothing you can say that will make me reconsider."

"You're a handful today."

"You won't get mad at the birthday girl, right?" Yuyuko gave them all an easy-going smile.

"Depends." Fumi replied.

"Anyway, cake time?" Yuyuko changed the subject.

"You're very eager to have your cake." Ichie commented.

"I got to choose it myself. Of course I'm eager." Yuyuko replied.

"I'll get it then and we can do presents too." Tamao said.

She left the room. Fumi decided to follow her after a few seconds.

"I'll clean up these plates then." Ichie left too.

Now it was just Rui and Yuyuko again. Yuyuko looked over at Rui. Said girl was still blushing and refusing to look at her.

"Rui? Come on, I'm just teasing you a bit. No need to get so worked up over it." Yuyuko leaned against her.

"Stop teasing me then..." Rui whined.

"Alright. I won't tease you anymore tonight." Yuyuko promised.

"We're back!"

"That was fast."

The three girls returned. Tamao set the cake down on the table. Yuyuko waited eagerly as she started dividing it up for everyone. Soon enough, they all had a slice of cake.

"So, have you enjoyed your birthday, Yuyuko?" Tamao asked.

Yuyuko nodded, "Yeah. This has been the best birthday I've had so far."

"Oh? Well, I'm glad to hear that." Tamao smiled at her.

"Are we doing anything else together?" Yuyuko questioned.

"We didn't have anything else planned. If there's something you want to do just say so."

"Hmm..." Yuyuko thought it over, "I just want to hang out together."

"Well, there's no one else out right now. We have the common room to ourselves."

"Let's see what we can find to do together until Fumi has to go home."

"Sounds like a plan."