Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!

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1st year – Too Academy

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It wasn't the first time she found herself alone on a swing in the park near their home. She looked over at a group of children playing and having fun. She saw their parents standing to the side talking with each other as they kept an eye on the children, but no one was looking at her.

With a deep breath, she jumped off the swing and walked over to two girls and two boys playing in the sandbox. She saw the sandcastle they were making and it looked like fun. They made it higher and higher.

"That looks fun," Mac said.

The children looked up at her and frowned when they saw her.

"What are you doing over here?" A boy with freckles asked her with a scowl.

"Are you planning on ruining our sandcastle?!" The other boy demanded and got up to defend it.

"Mum says that she's bad and that we have to stay away from her…" the girl with ponytails whispered but Mac heard her. "I don't want mum to be mad at me…"

Mac bit down at her lip.

"I just…I just…" Mac stuttered but the boy closest to her shoved her away so she landed on her back and felt her head hit the ground and it hurt.

"Get away from us," he snapped. "We won't let you ruin our sandcastle. Dudley says you always ruin things and we don't want that!"

"Stay away!" the others chimed in. "Stay away!"

Mac felt tears in her eyes as she pushed herself up and looked at the children who had turned back to their sandcastle and was again laughing and having fun and Mac looked at them for a moment longer before she turned and walked back to the swings.

Tears fell from her eyes as she stayed there watching the four children until they were picked up by their parents. She saw the warm smiles and happy looks that the grown-ups showed their children and she wished that someone would look at her like that.

"You stayed away from her, didn't you, Martin?" Mac heard a woman ask the boy who had shoved her.

"She tried to talk to us but we told her to go away," Martin said proudly. "Just like you said we should. We didn't want her to ruin our sandcastle."

"Good," the woman said. "Her aunt tells the most horrible things about that girl and I don't want you to mix with someone like that."

Mac couldn't stop the fresh stream of tears that escaped her eyes as she sobbed and shook at the swings.

"Why?! What did I do?" she sobbed. "I just wanted to play with someone on my birthday…"

...

Mac jerked up in bed breathing hard and tears in her eyes. She inhaled shakily trying to calm down and push away the memory. She hated to remember it. It was the first birthday she remembered. She had turned five and had been told by her aunt to leave the house and not come back until it was dark outside, and since it was summer it wasn't dark until really late.

She had gone to the park near the house and when she had seen the children playing she had finally gathered her courage to ask them to play, but… she shook her head. No, she wasn't going to remember it. The hateful looks, the painful words… it was just how she grew up to remember her birthdays.

She never had a good birthday until she turned 9 when Daiki had learned it was her birthday and dragged her home with him and had his mum bake a cake. She had tried to refuse but Ayano had insisted when she was told what day it was and that was when she had her first birthday cake and first good memory from her birthday.

She sighed as she got out of bed and smiled as Nao opened one eye as if to check on her before he went back to sleep. She reached out and scratched his ear before going to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

The memory wouldn't leave her and it was still bugging her as she walked into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw the set table and noticed food prepared for her and under a small umbrella in order to keep it from drying out.

Mac took the last steps to the table carefully and noticed a small note attached to the umbrella and picked it up.

Happy birthday, Mac! I'm sorry I had to leave early for work and couldn't join you for breakfast. But I wanted to prepare something for you so I hope you'll enjoy the food. I am sure you have plans with your friends today like you normally have, so we'll celebrate your day another day.

Happy birthday, again. Love, your uncle.

Mac blinked rapidly trying to get rid of the tears in her eyes as she re-read the note and smiled slightly. Her uncle hadn't forgotten her birthday. He hadn't before but it was always a surprise when he remembered and actually marked the day in some way.

With a lighter heart, she sat down and started to eat the prepared food.

...

Though, after breakfast, she couldn't help but wonder what she would do. She hadn't heard anything from her friends and with them spread all around on different schools….it wasn't likely that she would be spending the day with them like she normally did.

She frowned a little as she sat down at the bed and absentmindedly patted Nao's head when he curled up in her lap.

She knew that she would see Daiki and that had her smiling again. She guessed that she must be happy with that and not think about how things had been before. It was just another thing she had to be okay to let go.

Everything changed, after all.

With that thought, she put Nao down and got up and grabbed her bag and watched as Nao jumped inside it before closing it and heading to the door.

She made her way to the school for basketball practice. She spent her time as she walked instead of taking the bus and memories from earlier years came back as she walked.

"Kenzie," Daiki was suddenly in front of her and she blinked.

"Daiki," she said.

He smiled and suddenly she found herself in a hug. His strong arms surrounded her and she could smell his scent as her head rested against his solid chest.

"Happy birthday, Kenzie," he said softly and when he pulled back smiling at her.

She smiled back and when he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. She returned the kiss and smiled when he pulled back and pushed a strand of her hair out of her face as he watched her.

"You looked to be in deep thought," Daiki said when he pulled away and just held her hand as they walked the last part of the way to the school.

"I was just thinking," Mac said vaguely.

He nodded and even as he looked at her with a searching look he didn't press it and Mac was grateful for that because she wasn't sure if she even knew how to put words to what she was feeling right now.

...

After getting changed Mac left the room she used and blinked when she found Daiki waiting for her outside. He just smiled and grabbed her hand before starting to walk toward the gym. Mac couldn't help but glance at him all the way wondering what he was thinking.

"You do look cosy," Imayoshi said when he spotted them. "Handholding and all that…"

Mac just rolled her eyes having grown used to Imayoshi's teasing. Daiki scowled at him, though, but didn't say anything.

"Hey, Mac!" Sakurai greeted with a wave and smile.

"Mac is here!" Namamura cheered.

"And the jerk," Wakamatsu scowled. "You seem to actually show up lately, Aomine."

"Someone has to keep you in check," Daiki snapped back.

Wakamatsu sneered and stepped forward but Mac intercepted and stepped between them.

"Enough," she said giving them both a look. "Calm down."

"Seems like everyone is here," Harasawa said after also giving the two boys a stern look.

Mac turned toward the coach and smiled slightly as he nodded to her and she was curious about the knowing smile he had on his face.

"I want you to have fun today," Harasawa said. "You have all worked hard and I think that having fun with basketball is important as well, so today I will let you do what you want."

Mac hid a confused frown but shrugged when Harasawa went back to his office and left them to themselves. She looked at Imayoshi who was smirking lightly and he was looking at her. She blinked. Why was he looking at her? Especially when he was smirking like that?

"What?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing," Imayoshi smirked. "I was just wondering why coach let us have the day to have fun, that's all."

Mac pushed her glasses up her nose and frowned at him.

"I don't know," she said.

"You don't?" Imayoshi arched a brow. "Well, I would have thought…"

"Shoichi," Susa sighed. "Just…get to the point."

"Oh, you're ruining my fun," Imayoshi pouted at Susa.

Mac looked at them confused and noticed that the others also looked confused but no one dared to interrupt Imayoshi when he was in this mood.

"Well, then," Imayoshi said and smirked at Mac (again). "Happy birthday, Mac."

"Eh?" Mac blinked surprised.

Susa smiled warmly.

"Happy birthday, Mac," Susa said reaching out to ruffle her hair slightly with a fond smile on his lips. Daiki scowled at him but Susa ignored him. "Aomine let us know and we asked the coach to let us celebrate you with a fun day at practice. You work so hard for us so we wanted to thank you."

Mac blinked and felt stunned as she looked around at the smiling team around her all looking really pleased and happy and they were all smiling at her.

"Happy birthday, Mac!"

"Congratulations!"

"Happy birthday!"

She swallowed as she smiled rather shyly and self-consciously as she thanked them and looked at Daiki who was standing back and looked a little gruff but his eyes were watching her with a warmth that she had come to find familiar and safe.

"You did this?" Mac asked.

"Um…well…" Daiki coughed and looked away with a blush.

"Oh, he did," Imayoshi grinned evilly as he stepped up to them again. "Despite being a basketball genius who only thinks himself is good enough he can actually think about someone else…"

"Shoichi," Susa sighed.

Mac frowned at her captain who just smiled but stepped back as Mac turned her attention back to Daiki who looked a little flustered.

"I just… it's no big deal…" Daiki stammered and shuffled on his feet. "It's just one practice. I thought it was something you would like."

Mac smiled at how flustered Daiki seemed and couldn't help but chuckle and when he looked at her she felt her smile soften. He smiled slightly himself before he looked away again.

A cough brought them both back to reality and the fact that their team was gathered around them. Mac cleared her throat and stepped away from Daiki.

"So…should we start?" she asked.

...

Mac was alone in the gym waiting for Daiki and looked around the large room where she just had so much fun with her team. She really had enjoyed the time they had spent playing for just the sake of it and not because they were practising or preparing for a tournament. How long had it been since she had played basketball like that?

It had been too long, but unfortunately, she didn't have time to go to the street courts much lately because of school, practice and her magic lessons slash revisions. Basketball just for fun wasn't something she had time for anymore and it wasn't until now that she realised just how much she had missed it. But Daiki had seen that she had missed it and made sure that she had time today to just play basketball for fun. Even when he didn't want to play himself he had just spent a couple of hours playing for fun, just for her.

And by doing so he had brought back to her the relaxed and fun basketball when you played with your teammates and not having to pay attention to their progress all the time. (Don't get her wrong, she loved that as well but it was good to be able to just relax from time to time).

It reminded her about her time at Teiko before….well, before. She frowned as she thought about that and suddenly she missed her friends and wished that they were there even if she knew it was impossible to gather them all again.

"Stop being demanding," Mac muttered to herself as she shook her head. They had just been there for Inter-High and she had seen them then, she couldn't demand or expect that they would come back just because of her birthday. It was too much and not fair of her to even wish for it.

"Kenzie?" Daiki called and she smiled as she turned to face him.

"Coming," she said and walked over to him and smiled when his hand connected with her.

They walked in silence for a while and Mac wondered just where they were going but she stopped herself from asking because Daiki seemed to have a plan and she was curious to see just what he was going to do.

Mac told Daiki about her conversation with Tarou and Taiga and Daiki listened in silence and gave her a proud smile when she finished.

"I'm glad you told them," he said.

"Oh? I would have thought you would say that I only need you," Mac teased.

Daiki rolled his eyes.

"Of course I'm all you need," Daiki said before he turned more serious. "But I think that your uncle knowing… well, he can help you and someone helping you I am all for."

Mac squeezed his hand as they walked deeper into a park and she frowned slightly as she looked around.

"Um, Daiki…" she said. "Just where are we going?"

Daiki smiled at her but refused to answer making her grow even more curious.

...

They rounded a bend in the path and Mac stilled as she took in the scene in front of her. There on a grassy hill was a large blanket spread out and several baskets were there filled with food if she would guess, but it wasn't really what caught her attention. It was the group of people standing there looking at her.

Her friends.

Her old team. All of them. And they were all smiling (even Shintaro) and some were bouncing up and down waving frantically (Ryota).

She looked to Daiki who was looking at her and smiled when he saw her looking.

"Did you…" she started.

"No, not really," he said. "It was more a joint decision."

Mac squeezed his hand again.

"Let's go," Daiki said unknowingly interrupting her thoughts and dragging her toward their friends.

"Happy birthday, Mac-cchi!" Ryota was (unsurprisingly) the first to bounce over to her and pull her away from Daiki and hug her. "We came to celebrate with you!"

"I want to hug Mac-chin too," Atsushi pouted and tugged Ryota away from her and pulled her into another tight hug. "Happy birthday, Mac-chin."

Mac laughed as she hugged him back.

"Thank you," she said as she pulled back and smiled at him and then at Ryota who was still grinning. Before she could say anything else Seijuro was there and hugged her as well, though he was calmer about it the hug was equally warm and tight.

"Happy birthday," he whispered in her ear. "You didn't think we would miss it, did you?"

"No, but…" she chuckled slightly as she pulled back and saw his knowing look making her smiled again.

"Silly girl," Seijuro said fondly.

"Oi, don't call me silly," Mac protested but he just smirked and allowed her to turn toward Tetsuya who was smiling and waiting patiently for her to greet him.

"Hello, Mac," he said. "Happy birthday."

Mac hugged him and felt him hug her back and pat her back.

"Thanks, Tetsu," she said. "I'm glad you're here."

"Of course," Tetsuya said simply.

"Shintaro," Mac said turning to the green haired boy.

"Happy birthday, Mac," Shintaro said stiffly and pushed up his glasses. "It's a good day according to the Oha Asa."

Mac saw the way Ryota rolled his eyes but Mac just nodded and smiled as she reached out hugging the taller boy. She felt the way he stiffened before he hugged her back awkwardly. When he pulled back he was blushing and looked away from her. She just smiled and allowed him to do so, she knew he wasn't one for hugs and she rarely hugged him for that reason. But she just couldn't help but hug him today.

"Eh, Taiga?" Mac suddenly noticed her cousin standing back and watching them.

"Happy birthday, Mac," he smiled and came forward to hug her as well. "Kuroko told me to come."

"Aomine-kun told me to invite him," Tetsuya corrected and Mac looked at Daiki who scowled and refused to look at her.

"I'm glad," Mac said. "Thank you all."

...

They sat down and Mac couldn't help but watch her friends as they talked and started to pull out the food from the baskets and she had to laugh when she saw that it was mostly burgers and fries from Maji Burger.

"Well, no one knew how to cook," Ryota said sheepishly.

"I could have cooked if I had known," Taiga muttered. "Mac taught me a lot."

"Well, this is good as well," Mac said. "It's a tradition by now."

And it was. So often they had ended up at Maji Burger to eat and talk after having fun playing basketball on her birthday…

She sat beside Daiki who had been fast in taking his seat next to her.

"How come you all could be here?" Mac asked looking around.

"It's not that hard when it's the holidays," Seijuro said. "Though, my father has ordered me to come to work with him tomorrow so I will need to go back to Kyoto tonight."

Mac frowned at the mention of his father and work but just nodded.

"I will also go back to Akita tonight," Atsushi said around his sweets. "We have practice tomorrow and Muro-chin says I can't skip it." He pouted.

Mac glanced at Taiga who was frowning slightly but didn't say anything so she just nodded.

"Well, the rest of us aren't that far away," Ryota grinned. "And of course we would come for your birthday!"

Mac was getting worried that her face was going to split open because she smiled so much. But it was impossible not to smile as her friends were gathered around her.

They talked and ate, having fun as they spent the afternoon having a picnic in the park. It was difficult to keep her composure as they each gave her presents and wouldn't hear of Mac's protests saying that it was present enough that they were there and with her. Seijuro even went so far as to glare at her making her stop talking and open the presents in front of her.

Mac was surprised when Ryota pulled out a boomerang and got up to toss it. She laughed as she got up as well and joined him in tossing it and laughed when it turned back toward them.

...

Seijuro watched Daiki who was watching Mac with close attention and a small smile as she was having fun with the boomerang along with Ryota, Tetsuya and Taiga. Atsushi was standing beside them eating his crisps as he watched them and even Shintaro had gotten up to watch and pretended that he was unconcerned even if he joined in now and then.

"You really have gone all out planning today," Seijuro said.

Daiki glanced at him.

"I haven't done much…" Daiki said uncomfortably.

"I heard you tell her that it was a joint decision," Seijuro said. "And while I had planned on coming to see her, I will admit that I hadn't thought about having a picnic like this. That was your idea."

Daiki shrugged and looked over at Mac again.

"She wanted to see all of us," he said. "And I know she loves picnics, so I just suggested doing it like this."

Seijuro had a pensive look on his face as he looked at Daiki. He would admit that he had been worried when he learned that Daiki was dating Mac and that he still had concerns, but… it was hard to deny that Daiki really cared for Mac. Perhaps it would work out.

"Last year it was different," Seijuro said. "When Mac was dating Kiyoshi and would spend part of the day with him even if we spent most of the day together."

"Why would you mention him," Daiki scowled.

"You jealous?" Seijuro challenged with an arched brow.

"No," Daiki denied but still scowled. "I just don't see the point in mentioning him now."

Because with him she was being pulled away from us, but when she's with you she's still ours, Seijuro thought but didn't voice it.

"No reason," he said. "Just enjoyed seeing your reaction."

Daiki scoffed and looked away from him and back at Mac who was leaning on Ryota because she was laughing so much and needed his help to stay upright. He frowned but didn't move to pull her away like he wanted to.

Seijuro smiled slightly.

"I know she has met those men again," Seijuro suddenly said.

Daiki looked over at him.

"Shintaro told me and so did she," he said. "I trust that you had her back when she did."

Daiki arched a brow at him and Seijuro could only guess the surprise he felt at the words. It was a common fact that Seijuro didn't trust anyone when it came to Mac. He would deal with everything himself.

"She explained and while I…wasn't happy," Seijuro frowned. "I know it was the right thing to do. I don't like it, but I guess I can't really help with that side of things."

He looked like it was a personal offence that he couldn't help with the magic side of Mac's life.

Daiki nodded.

"It's frustrating to be outside of that world only because it is harder to help Kenzie," he agreed.

Seijuro thought of the anger he had felt when told and how much he had wanted to leave Kyoto to go to Tokyo and find Mac as soon as he heard. He had almost done it, but Mac had told him to remain where he was. It had hurt… he still felt slightly hurt because of the fact that Mac had done it without telling him first, but… he knew, logically, that he had no reason to feel like that. Sometimes it felt like two persons were fighting in his mind about how to best protect Mac. Everything would be to protect Mac.

He sighed.

"Why are you sighing?" Mac asked and he blinked as he realised that she had come up to him and sat down next to him without him noticing. "Are you still upset with me?"

"No," he said and she looked at him for a moment before she smiled.

"Good, I hate it when you're upset with me," Mac admitted.

Seijuro shook his head slightly.

"Are you having fun?" he asked changing the subject.

"Yes," Mac nodded. "What are you and Daiki doing here by yourselves?"

"Just talking," Daiki said and Mac glanced at him.

"You two…are talking," Mac looked at them doubtfully.

"You don't think we can talk?" Seijuro asked amused.

"You're not really the ones to talk much together," Mac pointed out looking between them. "I know you're friends, but…"

Seijuro chuckled as she trailed off.

"Maybe," was all he said.

...

With a lighter spirit and smile Mac hugged her friends' goodbye and promised to see them all again soon. She was still smiling as they all walked their different ways to go back to their homes and Mac was left standing with Daiki who was silently watching her form her side.

"Thank you for today, Daiki," Mac said turning to him.

"Why are you thanking me?" Daiki asked reaching out to take her hand in his and squeezed it as they started to walk.

"Well…I guess it is only natural to thank you…" Mac frowned confused.

"The day isn't over yet," Daiki said making her blink.

"Eh? But…" Mac said.

Daiki just smiled as he continued to walk leaving Mac to wonder what else he could have planned of them. It had already been a good day and she felt much better than what she did this morning waking up from that dream.

Deciding to just let Daiki take the lead and see what he had planned she didn't comment as they got on a bus or ask when she realised that they were heading uptown and she was not really sure what was there. It wasn't really an area where they normally went.

She watched Daiki as she wondered and smiled as she thought about how good he had been lately and it filled her with such happiness that scared her at times. Daiki was her everything and she knew that, but the intensity of her feelings was starting to scare her. What if she lost him? What if he stopped liking her? What if he realised that he only saw her as that scared little girl he wanted to protect from when they were kids?

Unknowingly she squeezed the hand she was holding and Daiki glanced over at her and frowned a little.

"What's on your mind, Kenzie?" Daiki asked.

Mac blinked and shook her head.

"Nothing," she smiled.

"Come on," he pressed. "I can see that something is bothering you… do you want to go home?"

"No, it's nothing like that," Mac reassured him. "It's just my mind playing with me. Don't worry."

Daiki frowned.

"But…"

"Daiki," Mac said and he sighed and nodded.

"Fine," he said. "It's time to get off the bus anyway."

...

They stopped by a sushi place and had dinner before they headed through the streets again. The streets were more crowded than she would have thought even for a nice summer night, but she didn't comment on it as Daiki led her through the street. She saw the river coming up in front of them.

"It's the Sumida River, isn't it?" Mac asked.

"Yes," Daiki nodded.

"What are we doing here?" Mac asked curiously unable to stop herself.

"You'll see," Daiki said.

"So secretive," Mac muttered. "I didn't know you had it in you."

Daiki laughed and pulled at her hand a little as they walked down to the pathway along the river and turned to the right and headed further up.

Mac noticed that there was a mixture of couples and families with kids around them all seemingly there for a reason, but most headed in the opposite direction as them.

Finally, Daiki stopped when they reached a park and she saw some people had gathered around the park but it was not too crowded. She wished the cherry blossoms had bloomed now because she could only imagine how beautiful it would have looked with the trees and the grass underneath. The sandy paths were very straight and barely curvy at all through the park but she didn't really mind.

" Come on," Daiki said when he found an almost secluded spot and put the basket he was still carrying down and pulled out the blanket and spread it out. "A second picnic."

"A second picnic?" Mac asked.

"Well, kind of," Daiki said. "I thought we could have our desserts here."

"Dessert?" Mac looked at the basket curiously. "You have dessert?"

"Of course," Daiki said a little gruffly before he glanced at the clock. "It's still a few minutes, though."

Mac sat down and blushed when Daiki sat behind her so that his legs were on each side of her and he pulled her closer so that she was leaning against his chest. She could feel his breath against the back of her head and then the side as he leaned a little forward.

She swallowed and barely dared to breathe as she felt just how close he was. She couldn't mess this up now… he was so close. Close…

"Any minute now," he said almost breathlessly into her ear and his breath tickled her ear.

His arms hugged her close just as a whizzing sound went through the air and then a sound like an explosion and sparks filled the sky in beautiful colours and patterns. They kept flying up and creating brilliant waterfalls in blue sparks, and flowers in red and purple.

"Woah…" Mac gasped as she took in the flashes of light, dazzling and glittering lights.

Mac could hear other's appreciation of the fireworks going on above them as well and children's laughter and excitement as they enjoyed the exploding bursts of colours and sparks, she could hear children crying and barely noticed the soothing voices of their parents trying to calm them as she stared up at the sky.

"Pretty," Mac breathed as she stared at the firework.

"I thought you might like it," Daiki said softly and she felt his chest move as he spoke.

She settled more comfortably against his chest as she leaned her head back on his shoulder staring up at the sky. She didn't want to miss any of the fireworks.

"Oh, look that looks like a flower," Mac said pointing. "And that looks like a heart."

Daiki smiled as he took in the happiness in Mac's voice and just enjoyed watching her as she looked up at the sky in wonder and amazement.

...

The fireworks lasted for a long time and Mac couldn't help the serene kind of peace that filled her as she watched and felt Daiki so close and safe. It was perfect.

"Kenzie…" Daiki said and his voice was quiet, nervous.

Mac turned slightly and looked away from the fireworks to look at Daiki who was looking back at her with a look on his face she hadn't seen before. It was more intense and determined.

"Yeah?" She asked quietly.

"I… I wanted to…" Daiki frowned slightly and Mac couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight of him looking for the right words to use like he often did when he tried to tell her something and was nervous. Though she couldn't help that her heart seemed to be beating faster and in beat with the fireworks going on above them.

He seemed to take a breath and looked at her for a moment before a new resolve settled on his face.

"I love you, Kenzie," he said.

Mac felt her mouth drop open and her eyes widen as she took in the words. He had…he just… he said…he loved her? Like… love-love? He... no one… she realised that she needed to breathe and inhaled as she stared at him with wide eyes. He looked nervous, she realised and she wondered why… when she realised that she hadn't said anything.

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She closed it and swallowed before she tried again.

"I love you too, Daiki," she whispered.

A relieved smile crossed his face before he leaned down and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes as she kissed him back and raised a hand to grab his shirt and pulled him closer as the kiss grew deeper. His hands fell to her waist and she somehow managed to turn around so that kissing him would be easier.

The fireworks above them only added to the atmosphere and Mac was aware of the sounds of the sprays of glowing sparks raining over them but she was lost in the sensation of Daiki and his warmth and hands on her waist pulling her close and the kisses that were pressed against her lips, cheeks, jaw before going back to her lips.

Eventually, he pulled back and she felt breathless as she stared up at him and saw that he was much in the same state as her. She smiled but it was not lost on her that she had tears in her eyes or that one escaped.

A look of concern crossed his face as he used one of his hands to reach out to rub the tear away leaving a hot trail against her cheeks as he did so.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

"I… I'm just happy," Mac said.

"I don't want to see you cry," he frowned.

Mac smiled even as she sniffed a little before she leaned up and pressed another kiss to his lips.

...

Daiki brought out dessert after a little while. The fireworks were still going on showering them in light and colours as the fireworks flashed above them.

"I hope you like it," Daiki said and sounded nervous.

"You baked it?" Mac asked surprised and looked at the chocolate cake. It looked pretty with frosting and decorations and all.

"Mum helped me," Daiki said rubbing the back of his head.

Mac felt touched as she smiled as she watched Daiki. This side of him was not something everyone got the chance to see. In fact, Mac would bet that she was one of the few that really got to see this soft and thoughtful side of him. He normally hid behind a gruff exterior. But he had always been kind to her even after he changed their last year at Teiko.

"Thank you," Mac said when he handed her a plate with a piece of the chocolate cake.

She took a bite aware that Daiki was watching her nervously.

"This is really good," Mac said grinning.

"You sure?" Daiki asked biting his lip as he looked at her. "You're not just…"

Mac reached out and put her hand over his mouth to stop him from completing the sentence.

"I'm not just saying that," Mac reassured him. "It's really good. Here."

She used her spoon and cut a piece of the cake before feeding it to Daiki. He blinked as he tasted the cake himself.

"See?" Mac arched a brow.

"Alright," Daiki nodded.

"Good boy," Mac smirked and Daiki laughed and before she could take another bite he had leaned forward and kissed her lightly before pulling back and leaving her blinking after him.

"Eat," Daiki said like he hadn't just kissed her.

Mac nodded and returned to the cake.

...

Daiki sighed contently as Mac shifted a little in his arms as she stared up at the firework show. They had finished the cake and Daiki was really relieved that it had turned out alright. He had worried that it would be horrible. Luckily his mum had helped when she realised what he was trying to do.

He just hoped that the day was what Mac had hoped for. He really wanted to give her a good day because she deserved it more than anyone. He had thought really hard on what to do for her; he even read some of the magazines lying around the house trying to get tips on what to do on dates. But nothing really helped until his mother had stepped in having noticed that he had been thinking about something.

Despite feeling embarrassed and self-conscious Daiki had asked her for advice. He might be bad at showing it, but his mum was great and he was really grateful. She always listened when he needed her to and was understanding. So, she had told him to just think about what Mac would want and what she liked. If he did he would find something that made her happy.

So, Daiki had thought and thought. It wasn't really that difficult to know what Mac wanted the most. It was a day spent with her friends like she usually had. It was just the fact of getting them all there. Luckily it had turned out alright since they all wanted to see Mac on her birthday.

But he also knew that she would want to play basketball and that she needed to play for fun. She hadn't done that in a long time and Daiki saw that she missed it. She never complained, though. But Daiki knew. He also knew that it was unlikely to get them all to play together like before. It was too much tension between them for that and it would ruin the day for Mac. And that was the last thing he wanted.

That was why he had fixed the practice of the day to be just playing for fun. He knew that Mac had a become friends with the guys on their team now and he saw that they all had a soft spot for her. Even Imayoshi. It was impossible not to, though.

And finally, the firework show. He had heard of the show that was being held by the Sumida River and that it lasted for about 90 minutes. It would be perfect.

"You're thinking about something," Mac interrupted his thoughts.

"Just thinking about you," he said.

"Cheesy," Mac teased and laughed when he pouted. "Oh, don't pout."

Mac twisted around so she could reach up and kiss him. His arms immediately tightened around her pulling her closer as he was getting lost in her kiss and the sensation of her warmth against him and her hands on his neck and shoulders.

"I have something for you," Daiki mumbled as he pulled back slightly.

Her green eyes seemed darker as they looked back at him and she had an almost dazed look in her eyes that made him feel strangely proud.

"Eh?" She blinked.

He reached into the basket (if she didn't know better she would think there was some magic to that basket with all the things he kept pulling out of it throughout the day) and pulled out a small box wrapped in blue paper.

"Here," he said a small blush in his cheeks as he pushed the gift into her hands.

Mac stared at him before looking down at the gift in her hand. "You didn't have to…"

"I know, but I wanted to," Daiki said. "Now, open it."

Mac started to unwrap the paper and placed it down on the blanket beside her before she opened the small box and stared.

"Daiki…" she whispered.

"Do you like it?" Daiki asked apprehensively.

Mac could only nod as she stared at the necklace inside. It was perfect, a half-long silver chain with a silver basketball pendant attached to it.

"Help put it on?" Mac looked up at him and he swallowed as he nodded.

With slightly shaky hands did he pick up the necklace and reached behind her neck to fasten it. It took a few tries because he was aware of how close he was to Mac, he could feel her breath on his face and neck as he tried to fasten the clasp.

"There," he said when it finally clicked in place.

He pulled back and watched as Mac reached up a hand to touch the necklace and lifted it slightly so she could look down at it.

"It's perfect, Daiki," she said and smiled happily at him.

With that, he gave in and pulled her close for another kiss just as the last firework exploded above them into a large red heart.

...

...

AN: Finally an update for you! XD What do you think?

Hope you liked Mac's birthday chapter. :) As for the firework show that Daiki took Mac to - it's inspired by a real firework show that is happening in Tokyo at the end of July. At least according to the information I found on the internet. :) So, I adjusted it a little so it would fit with what I wanted for Mac and Daiki's date. But I just wanted to let you know that it is inspired by a real event called the Sumidagawa Firework Festival.

Thank you for reading and supporting the story! :)