"Happy Birthday!" Bella (Belgium) exclaimed as she hugged the short brunette.

Ib smiled, hugging her back. "Merci Bella," she said.

"So," she wiggled her eyebrows a little and nudged her shoulder into her friend.

"So what?" Ib giggled.

"Do you have any plans tonight? With Kiku?" she sang the male's name in a tune of teasing.

The red-eyed beauty's cheeks blazed in blush to where she looked like the tomatoes her best friend Lovino loved. "N-no," she answered in a whisper before lowing her head.

Kiku and Ib had been dating for about two years, and it was almost a miracle to both that they even returned each other's feelings. Sadly, they were both so awkward and shy that making dates were hard and almost foreign.

Bella sighed and put her hand on the other's shoulder. "I'm sure he'll ask you some time today."

Ib nodded. The bell rang and she scurried to class. It was History class, where she sat next to Kiku. She was about to sit down when the male brunette pulled her into his lap. Her cheeks quickly turned red again. Kiku wasn't one for public affection. His bold movement utterably confused her.

She turned her head to look at him, but all he did was give her his signature slight smile. She decided not to question it and laid her head on his shoulder. What was odd was that no one acted as if this was strange, as if this was normal. Even Mr. Wang didn't act upon it differently. She began to think, "Is this even the real Kiku?"

That question was answered when she saw his small blush. He always blushed whenever he gave her affection, so all she could do was smile.

The class went on as normal, the clock ticking slowly. Ib was listening to Mr. Wang's lecture on the Opium War when Kiku placed a neatly made origami heart in her hands. She blinked at it. It read, "Open me," in his neat handwriting.

She did as the heart said. Inside, the note said, "Dear my Ib-chan, I have never told you this, but I love you. I know we are young, but my feelings for you will never change. I understand if you don't love me back. I have a habit of being a bit too early at admitting things."

She giggled a little, knowing it was true. "But," she continued reading, "I do truly love you. So answer me one thing. Will you go to dinner with me tonight?"

She smiled and kissed his cheek, meaning yes. He blushed but smiled, receiving her message.

Ib didn't need something big and extravagant, she just needed something full of love.