Chiharu's Birthday Mayhem
By:
pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or any of the characters.


Tuesday, June 1

"Chiharu, you're pretty early today."

The brown haired girl bounded down the steps with a bright smile on her face. Mihara Chiharu felt especially happy today. Last night had been the first night where she hadn't went to sleep unsatisfied or worried. Today was a new, bright, beautiful day.

It was Yamazaki's birthday.

She had gotten ready for it. She had even thought of every single detail that would happen today. Chiharu had rehearsed her lines and had spruced herself up to look extra special. Today, her hair was let down to flow freely. What's more was that around her wrist sparkled a beautiful bracelet. It was her treasure. After all, Yamazaki had given it to her.

"Hai," the girl said as she sat in her usual spot for breakfast.

Her dad was seated in his usual seat as well, reading the newspaper and grinning at his daughter. "I wonder why? I wonder if it has something to do with 'Kashi-kun's birthday?" he said with a wink.

His daughter blushed a deep red as she reached for some breakfast. Why did they have to tease her so much? "Did you always know? That I..." She looked down into her breakfast and blushed. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation with her parents.

"...Loved him?" her mother finished with a smile. The older woman sat down in her seat as she set the carton of milk on top of the table. "Of course we knew, Chiharu. We're your parents."

"And don't worry," her father said. "We approve of him fully."

Her mom nodded in agreement as they began to eat their early meal. "I think you two compliment each other very nicely. He's charming, a gentleman, polite, smart, talented...sometimes he's too good to be true."

Chiharu smiled at the comment as she began to eat quietly. Her mother was right. Yamazaki was all those things...but even more. It was true that he seemed to be perfect, but Chiharu knew that he had fears, fury, and minor flaws. No one could be perfect. But in her eyes, Yamazaki was the closest one to perfection.

"I take it that you've read the book, Chiharu?" her father asked with a knowing smile, "the one by the Yamazakis?"

His daughter nodded. That book had saved her. It was the one that had given her the idea for the perfect birthday present for Yamazaki.

"I bet I know what your present is," Mrs. Mihara said teasingly.

This time, Chiharu didn't blush, but she still smiled widely. "Yeah...today's the day I finally tell him. I just hope the day turns out as perfect as I imagined it would be."


Chiharu took a step into the classroom and immediately spotted her friends in the corner, talking eagerly. Everyone was there, except Yamazaki...again. She bit her bottom lip in nervousness. What if Yamazaki doesn't show up at school on his own birthday? She had been planning to take him to the lake right after class. They'd take a little boat ride just like she had done two years ago and she'd tell him right in the middle of the beautiful lake. Maybe he'd even...kiss her.

She blushed. She should really stop thinking about his lips like that.

"Hey, everyone," Chiharu said as she neared the group. They greeted her back with cheerful 'good mornings.'

Chiharu knew they all realized how important this day would be for her. Anything that had to do with Yamazaki was important to Chiharu, after all. But Syaoran was the one who had went straight to the point. "What did you get him?"

She laughed at his bluntness. "Well...I-I'm going to tell him."

Her friends suddenly broke into cheers. The girls were hugging her and Syaoran and Eriol were smiling.

"Oh, Chiharu-chan!" Tomoyo said dreamily. "I wish you the best of luck!"

Sakura nodded eagerly. "But I'm sure you won't need it. The day will be perfect, you'll see."

"I hope," Chiharu said nervously, "What if I mess something up?" That would be horrible! After practicing her lines last night and planning the whole day out, the day better be perfect!

"You won't. But you better tell us the details later on!" Naoko said with a wink.

As Chiharu blushed in embarrassment, the bell rang. Class was about to begin. As she walked to her seat, she frowned as she spotted a familiar, empty seat.

Yamazaki still wasn't in.


Chiharu sighed as she walked down a deserted road towards her home. Yamazaki hadn't shown up at school at all. During the entire day, she had been looking over her shoulder, waiting for him to just pop up out of nowhere and start telling one of those stupid stories.

Amazing how you can miss something so annoying.

Now she felt desolate. It was her big chance today to tell him and he doesn't show up! If her luck keeps up, the day would be ruined! After all, how can she tell him how she feels if he's not even there with her? Dragging her feet, she couldn't help but feel a bit at ease. Maybe this was a good thing. She was too frightened to tell him anyway. She'd just put it off for another day.

Even though she felt this way, Chiharu still wanted to confess her love. Besides, if she keeps putting it off for another day, by the time she gets the guts to actually do it, it would be too late.

She couldn't believe this was happening to her. How could he do this! She had planned the whole day for nothing! She had stayed up all night for hours for nothing!

Chiharu couldn't help but mumble her frustration out loud. "Stupid Yamazaki-kun..."

Before she could even take another step, she suddenly felt arms wrap around her waist from behind and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"What did I do now?"

She sighed in relief as she realized who it was. Yamazaki's head was perched on her shoulder and he was grinning at her sheepishly. "D-Don't scare me like that!"

He laughed but didn't withdraw his hug. "Sorry Chiharu-sama. But seriously, what did I do wrong now? I was just simply on my way to get some groceries for my mother and suddenly I see you mumbling something bad about me." Yamazaki pouted. "I'm hurt. Calling me stupid isn't very nice."

But Chiharu ignored the comment completely and instead, changed the subject. "Where've you been? You weren't in school today or yesterday," she asked. "Did Akane's mom really have the baby? That's what I heard."

"Yup. Yesterday I had to stay with Auntie and take care of Akane at the hospital because my parents had business with their editor. Uncle didn't come with them on the trip because of his work but he tried to come as soon as he could when he found out Auntie was having the baby. He didn't get here until only a few hours ago." He grinned. "A new, healthy boy. I've always wanted to have a boy first when I get married. Then another boy and a girl. What do you think, Chiharu-chan?"

She couldn't believe he was talking to her about children. But the amazing thing was that she wanted the same exact thing. First a boy, then another boy, and then finally a girl. Did she ever tell Yamazaki that? What were the chances of him wanting the same exact order of children? That was when Chiharu noticed what position they were in. Yamazaki was hugging her from behind with his head resting on her shoulder, while she simply laid her hands on top of his while looking at his face. "Y-Yamazaki-kun..." she whispered as her heart began racing, "What are you doing?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked innocently. "I'm just hugging a friend."

"S-Stop," she ordered as she grew stiff. "People are looking." She knew that wasn't true. This street was absolutely deserted. But having Yamazaki hold her like this was simply nerve wrecking. It wasn't that it was uncomfortable. In fact, it was very comfortable being in his arms. She just wondered if he felt how fast her heart was beating.

But her best friend didn't move and simply grinned, pulling her closer. "You know there's no one here on this block. Besides, you hadn't objected a second ago." His low, husky voice made her shiver even though it was a normally, sunny day.

But after a quiet second, Yamazaki pulled away reluctantly as he sighed. Chiharu turned to him and tried to keep her blush down. He was just so warm.

No. She couldn't think about that right now. There were matters at hand that she had to take care of.

"Yamazaki-kun?" she whispered after a short silence. Chiharu looked up with the brightest smile that had ever been on her face. "Are you forgetting something?"

Her friend cocked his head to the side. "Huh?"

"You dummy. Happy birthday!" she said in excitement. Chiharu grabbed his hand suddenly. "Are you busy? Can I take you somewhere?"

Yamazaki grinned widely as he refused to budge when Chiharu gently pulled his hand. "I don't know," he said, pretending to think hard. "I have so many other things to do." He laughed at Chiharu's cute pout. "But I think I can squeeze in some time with you into my busy schedule."


Chiharu stopped in front of the lake, still holding Yamazaki's gentle hand. There they were, looking like a perfect little couple who were holding hands in front of the beautiful lake. She had dragged him all the way here which, by the way, was a pretty long way from where they were before. But this was her plan. This was how she had imagined it and she wouldn't let anything ruin this day.

She heard Yamazaki whistle. "Wow," he mused softly. "The lake's pretty. It's been a long time since we've been here. I remember the last time that we were here, it was my birthday and the boat capsized. But you know, there really is a loch ness monster in Scotland. If you didn't get so angry, the boat wouldn't have tipped over. Anyway, the monster is said to be really long. I think witnesses have said it to be about a mile long-"

The girl gave him a look that made him immediately shut up. There he goes again with the stories. Hopefully, she wouldn't get so mad this time that the boat would capsize. Chiharu silently promised herself to try not to get too angry.

Yamazaki laughed as he turned to her. "Well? Why'd you bring me here?"

But she only smiled and completely ignored the question. "Want to get a boat?" She began to gently pull him towards the boat rentals before he even said anything.

He chuckled as he followed her. "It looks like I have no choice. Let's just make sure that this time the boat doesn't capsize." He got a glint in his eye. "Wouldn't want your school uniform all wet. After all, the shirt is a little thin. Who knows what would show up if you get wet."

Yamazaki winced as he held his arm. Let's just say that Chiharu had a really good punch.


"Yamazaki-kun," Chiharu said, "are you sure you don't need any help?"

He smiled and shook his head as he moved the oars of the boat. "I'm good. Men like me always have to do the hard work anyway."

Chiharu scoffed at the "men like me" part but couldn't help but think how sweet it was of him to offer to paddle. But he was always that kind of guy. He was always a gentleman but wouldn't want to admit it. He'd always try to cover it up with jokes.

She closed her eyes as the breeze swept through her hair. It was so comfortable out here. All you could hear was the peaceful waves of the lake and the playful chatter of the birds. But what probably made it even more peaceful was the thought that Yamazaki was here with her. After all, if he could make a ride in a crowded train comfortable, he could definitely make riding a boat in a lake comfortable.

Chiharu inhaled a deep breath, her eyes still closed. This was it. She had gotten him here as planned and now was the time to give him her birthday present.

...If she could do it...

Her ears caught the sound of the paddle pushing away water disappear and she opened her eyes to see if Yamazaki had stopped paddling. Her heart skipped a beat.

Yamazaki had, in fact, stopped paddling. Now they were in the middle of the lake with no one near them. But something she hadn't expected was that he had placed his face so dangerously close to hers. She was suddenly frozen in place as she stared straight into his dark eyes. Chiharu could already feel the blush rushing to her face.

If she could move just a few centimeters forward...

Yamazaki's soft smile widened a bit at her surprised expression. "You looked so peaceful," he whispered. "Sorry I startled you."

"Th-That's okay." Chiharu didn't dare to blink. This couldn't be reality. Her plan was coming into place too perfectly. This would be the perfect time to tell him. Maybe today was just her day.

He let out a small chuckle. "You look even prettier than usual, you know." As soon as he said it, he seemed embarrassed and looked down. "S-Sorry. But it's the truth."

His companion felt her heart fluttering rapidly. Oh how she loved his compliments.

With his head down, Yamazaki had caught sight of Chiharu's hands which were lying on her lap. Smiling, he picked up one wrist gently. "You're wearing it. The bracelet."

Chiharu nodded proudly. "Of course! I always wear it. I love it. Thank you again..."

He shook his head. "As long as you're happy."

Her smile widened at his kindness. Her mother was right. Sometimes he seemed too good to be true. And he wasn't even trying to make her blush. His face was completely honest. Yamazaki truly meant what he said.

Yamazaki lay her arm down again gently as his eyes bore through hers. This was it. Say something, Chiharu, she told herself. "Yamazaki-kun?" she started softly. "I..."

Why did her throat suddenly dry up? Why did her voice simply refuse to come out? What had happened to all that rehearsing of lines last night? This was her chance to tell him. She couldn't get nervous now. Chiharu had dreamed about this all her life. She refused to chicken out now. But still, she was trembling with nervousness. Suddenly she didn't feel so confident. The thought of rejection suddenly filled every bone of her body. What was she kidding anyway? She didn't deserve someone as perfect as him.

Wait. But Chiharu loved him. All she wanted to do was to tell him. It didn't matter if she was worthy enough to have him or not.

She could almost feel an extreme headache coming on. She really had to make up her mind.

Suddenly he jerked his head upwards before she could continue. Yamazaki looked curiously at the sky.

Chiharu raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

He suddenly took off the sweatshirt with a hood he had on and passed it to her as he grabbed the paddles. "It's starting to rain. We should head back."

As soon as she had said that, she felt little droplets of rain fall upon her face. It was then that she noticed that the sky was graying. It was weird since it had been so sunny before. But how could she be so oblivious to the weather? She guessed that being with Yamazaki made you oblivious to other things.

Chiharu took the sweatshirt from him gratefully. She was still in her uniform without any kind of protection from the cold. Putting up the hood to cover her brown hair, she felt the boat moving as Yamazaki began paddling. The rain was getting stronger every passing minute and Chiharu didn't think that the sweatshirt would help. It, too, was getting drenched in the rain. But she couldn't care less right now.

She sighed, looking at Yamazaki's face. Stupid rain. It had interrupted the special moment. But she couldn't blame the rain. The only one she could blame was herself. Why did she have to be such a coward? It was just Yamazaki.

The icy rain pelted against her face as she sat there numbly. Even though she had already resolved to blame herself for not telling him she loved him, she couldn't help but think that this was also Yamazaki's fault too. Why did he have to be such a flirt, yet such a gentleman at the same time? How come he could never fail to impress her and make her smile? Why did she love him so much?

Why couldn't he just make this all easier and say that he loved her?

Chiharu's frustration was catching up with her. She couldn't help but feel...angry towards him. She knew it was unjust, but he was the one who made her fall in love with him in the first place!

Yamazaki must have noticed her change of expression because he had stopped in mid-paddle even though they were close to land. The waves of the lake were a bit stronger now since the rain was coming down harder and because of the added winds. He was soaked through and was shivering because of the cold. Yet Chiharu almost didn't feel sorry for him. He deserved it! Yamazaki was the one who had troubled her heart and left it out in the cold! Why did she have to feel sorry for him if he was left out in the cold for once?

What was wrong with her? This wasn't Yamazaki's fault. Her exasperation was just too much.

"Chiharu-chan?" he asked, looking at her curiously. "What's wrong? Don't worry, we're almost there. Are you cold?"

Yamazaki made a move to wrap her in his arms but she had pulled away from her grasp sharply. She didn't know what was coming over her. Today was horrible. She had planned it to be so perfect but it turned out to be the complete opposite. Why couldn't she just tell him and get it all over with? Why did he have to make it so hard? Why did he flirt so much? Didn't he know that if he simply did all those things to play with her that it would break her heart? All those compliments, those winks, those times where he sucked up to her...she had taken all of them to heart. They really did mean something to her. It was just painful to think that he would do that for no reason. There had to be a reason right? He flirted with her and made her blush all those times because he loved her right?

"Why do you do this to me, Yamazaki-kun?" Chiharu snapped as he immediately pulled his arms away from her shivering body. "Why do you love to bother me so much? Why do you like to hug me and compliment me? Don't you know it's wrong to play with someone's heart!"

His face expressed a look of pure shock. "Chiharu-chan, I-"

"No!" she screamed, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. The rain seemed to be similar to how she was feeling. All she wanted to do was pour out her frustration, her nervousness...her love. But obviously, the frustration had gotten the best of her. She no longer thought of what she was saying. The words she spoke came straight from her mouth and she felt like she didn't even understand what she was saying herself. "I'm tired of trying to overcome my nervousness. I just want to hold you, hug you, kiss you, be with you, tell you that I-"

She paused as Yamazaki grabbed her clammy hands in his own, pulling closer to her face. He looked at her desperately, almost begging her to say more, to finish her sentence. "Th-That's you what, Chiharu-chan? Please tell me...Please."

It was then she realized it. They both were the same. They loved each other. Both of them knew it deep down in their hearts, yet they were just too scared. They were too scared to say it aloud...to confirm it with each other. They were too scared they'd ruin their friendship and that they'd get their hearts broken. But that little feeling in the pits of her stomach remained. They both should've listened to their instincts but instead they succumbed to the grasps of doubt and fear. They should've let their emotions be known instead of keeping the feeling bottled up.

Chiharu shook her head slowly as she pieced it together. Yamazaki had given more than ample signs that he cared for her. She had just mistaken it as senseless flirting. "Oh Yamazaki-kun...I'm so sorry...I'm sorry...I-"

"I don't flirt with you, you know!" Yamazaki interrupted as he tried to explain himself. "I really do mean everything I say to you. When I say that your beautiful, intelligent, clever, strong, courageous, witty, and so much more...I mean it," he said with honest eyes. "I-I know I tell all these annoying lies that get on your nerves. But this isn't one of them.. I mean this with all my heart and soul. I would never say or do anything for no reason." Yamazaki sighed aloud, the rain pasting his hair to his forehead. "As you said before...All I want to do is hold you, hug you, kiss you, be with you, tell you that I..."

Chiharu held her breath as his words died away. She could tell that he was gathering his strength to finally say it. He was going to confirm everything they both felt for each other with those three words.

But Chiharu had lost patience. Just knowing now that he felt the same was enough to send her heart fluttering away. Her cold hands grabbed the sides of his face gently as she suddenly lifted her face to his.

There, they shared the most emotion-filled kiss anyone could ever have. Suddenly, as her lips were locked on to his, Chiharu didn't feel the cold rain and winds against her shivering skin anymore. All she could feel were warmth and a bubbly feeling exploding inside of her.

Now this was how it was supposed to be.

She pulled away slowly, yet kept her head close to his. Chiharu smiled sheepishly at the surprised Yamazaki with a great big blush on her cheeks. She couldn't believe she had just done it. All those nights wondering how it would be like kissing him...she had never thought she'd get the chance. What's weird was...it was so much better kissing him in real life than in the dreams she had of him. "Y-You were saying?" she said when she finally regained her breath.

Yamazaki just sat there for a moment as if he was still trying to register what had just happened into his brain. A smile grew on his face as he realized that it did happen. Chiharu had just kissed him. "I love you, Chiharu."

Those words...he said it. He actually said it. And he did it without blushing or stuttering or getting nervous. He was completely serious. All Yamazaki showed on his face was a gentle expression of complete happiness and a slight smile. "I love you too."

With a smile still on her lips, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her in for yet another one of those breathtaking kisses. None of them noticed the rain anymore and seemed to forget that they were in the middle of a lake. The fact that they were soaking wet didn't bother them anymore either. All they thought about was right in front of them. Chiharu smiled a bit as she deepened the kiss. So this was how it felt to be unafraid of your own feelings. Instead of keeping it in, she wanted to shout her love to the whole world.

What definitely felt the best though...was that he loved her back.

The two pulled away as their air supply lessened. Holding her in his arms, Yamazaki smiled down at her with a sly grin. "So...where's my birthday present?"

Although she knew he was only kidding she pouted as she pretended to pull away from him. "I guess you don't want these kisses then?"

Chiharu had only been joking but Yamazaki seemed to instantly regret his earlier question. He had instantly hugged her tighter so that she wouldn't be able to pull away. "N-No, no! I want them!"

She giggled at his reaction. "I thought so."

"I was right you know."

Looking at him curiously, she said, "About what?"

Yamazaki grinned childishly as he kissed her quickly on her forehead. "Pretty girls with their hair down kiss good."

She sighed as she smiled slightly. He would never change.

"You know what other things they say about pretty girls? They hug good, they're sweet and they're smart. But you know, sometimes pretty girls can be really jealous sometimes. They even get really moody, you know?"

Chiharu frowned deeply. "Moody? I do not get moody!"

Yamazaki chuckled. "Who ever said you were one of those pretty girls?"

"Yamazaki-kun!" She was about to punch him in the arm but he easily caught her fist before it could hit him.

"Did I ever mention that pretty girls are violent too?" he said, laughing.

Before they knew it, Chiharu was trying to teach that dork a lesson with a few knocks on the head while the dork held her back. But while they were laughing, they obviously forgot they were still in a boat. With a splash, the boat suddenly turned over as the movement on board became too much.

But as they came up to the surface, they broke into laughter once again. Yamazaki held onto her soaked body as they stayed afloat in the water. "I thought we agreed not to let to capsize this time," Yamazaki said as their laughter died.

"Still, that was fun. Hey, I think the rain's dying down."

Chiharu was right. The rain had slowed to a slight drizzle now. It was a wonder how it had changed that fast, but she wasn't complaining. She simply didn't care if it was pouring on them or not.

After a comfortable silence, Chiharu drew closer to him and gave him a peck on the lips. "Happy birthday, Yamazaki-kun."

He smiled. "Oh great. Now I have to make sure your next birthday is the best you ever had. How can I ever top this?"

"You don't need to. Just stay by me."

Yamazaki's arms pulled her body closer. "Dummy. Of course I will."

Okay, so maybe it wasn't that storybook romance she had read in the Yamazakis' book. Maybe it wasn't as perfect as she had planned. Chiharu was soaked and freezing, yet she wouldn't give anything to change where she was right now.

It was where she belonged, now and forever.

"You know what they say about couples, don't you? " Yamazaki started with a grin. "If they're on a boat and then it capsizes, it's bad luck for them. The only way to reverse it is to make out for five whole minutes."

Chiharu giggled, shaking her head at the goofy Yamazaki she loved. "What if they make it ten minutes instead? Will they get even more luck?"

She almost laughed at his expression. Chiharu was sure that he was shocked that she had actually gone along with a lie for the first time. "Of course."

Yamazaki pulled her shivering body close for yet another bewildering kiss.

So maybe she had been overreacting when she had no clue to give Yamazaki for his birthday. The answer had been in front of her the whole time. If she hadn't been so blind with fear, maybe she would've actually noticed it.

But that didn't matter anymore.

What mattered now was that she was in his arms...permanently.

THE END