Chapter 6 – I Love You Too
Today is December 23rd, and the dawn of Hikari's birthday.
As the morning sun rose, Taichi called through the crack of her bedroom door "Hikari! Wake up birthday girl, it's 9:00, time to get ready!"
Upon hearing her brothers call, Hikari opened her eyes in excitement. She swiftly made her way to the bathroom to begin getting ready, when she found a bag with a note on top. 'Happy birthday little sister, I hope you like it. Love your big brother Taichi.' She gasps upon seeing the contents. "It's beautiful!"
Showered, dressed and make-up ready, Hikari made her way to the living room. "How do I look?" She was wearing a beautiful pink winter dress. It reached her knees, had ribbons around her waist, which were tied to make a bow and had a v-neck, showing a slight cleavage. She was wearing black boots and leggings for her to keep warm.
"Absolutely perfect." Their mother replied.
"Just one more thing." Taichi pulled out a small box from his pocket and placed it in Hikari's hand. "Happy 16th birthday Hikari."
She opened the small black box to find a golden necklace, with the crest of light engraved into it. Hikari looked up to her brother wearing a big smile "Thank you. It's wonderful!" She picked it up and placed it around her neck. "It's just like before." Referring to her tag and crest from years ago.
Taichi looked at the clock on the wall "Shall we make a move then? Let's get to the aquarium for the opening time at 11:00. We'll have breakfast there."
Hikari was unaware that Taichi was in on the surprise the others were planning. He had already planned the aquarium trip with her, but when he saw Takeru a few days before, he was told about the surprise. He put on his watch, thinking "3 o'clock, I can't forget."
Hikari put on the new gloves, scarf and coat which came with the outfit. Lastly putting on her pink satchel, they both began to make their way to the aquarium.
"Have a great time!" Their mother called, and saw the siblings off.
Ding dong!
Daisuke opened his front door to find Miyako and Ken at the door struggling to carry a multitude of bags. The two quickly barged in as their hands began to give way.
"Woah, is that everything?." Daisuke spoke surprised
"Everything? That's not even half of it!" Miyako replied exhausted and frustrated. "We have to go get the rest now! Have you started to get the house ready yet? It's already 1! You need to be at the aquarium at 3." As she began emptying the bags, Miyako smiled "Ah but I am looking forward to tonight. I hope it'll make her happy."
"I'm sure she will be, as long as we all make sure we get our tasks done, it'll be the best party of her life." Ken looked to Daisuke and winked "And after the other day I'm sure Daisuke will make it extra special for her."
Daisuke blushed, knowing what he was he was referring to. Only Ken knows about the kiss Hikari gave him. Miyako stood there confused for a moment.
Ken then broke the silence "Well then lets get the next lot of bags yeah, Miyako?" He started dragging the confused girl out the door, but then whispered in Daisuke's ear "We'll be back in a bit, don't forget to sort the present before anyone sees."
Daisuke nodded, the present he got Hikari was very special, nothing was going to screw it up. As the front door shut, Jun left her bedroom and made her way behind him "Just to let you know I'm staying at my boyfriends tonight, don't tell mum or dad or they'll give me shit for it, and don't trash the house." Jun, with bag in hand, left Daisuke on his own in the house.
Daisuke hurried and began the preparations. He went to the wardrobe in his bedroom and got the balloons and banners out. "This will be the best day of your life, Hikari."
3:00pm soon came for Hikari. Time always passes quickly when you're having fun afterall. Taichi lead Hikari to the exit of the aquarium. Snow is lightly falling from the sky, and the ground is covered with a light layer of the soft white powder. Last minute Christmas shoppers are everywhere, rushing around the town, making it much more busy than normal. As the two head out, they see Daisuke standing there, hands in pockets and smiling.
"Hey, Daisuke!" Taichi called. Along with Hikari, they head over, passing all the frantic shoppers. Daisuke turned round to see the two walking over.
As Daisuke looked at Hikari, he couldn't help but think "Wow, sh-she's beautiful, even more than normal!" He looked down and blushed.
"Hey, mind if I take Hikari off your hands, Taichi?" Daisuke winked at Taichi.
"Why don't you head off and have some fun, I've got a few bits to sort out anyway." Taichi suggested to Hikari.
Hikari looked to Daisuke and smiled "Sure, I'd love to."
The two made their way out of the bustling street and into a more quiet area. They make it to the park near Daisuke's apartment. It was a a small park, and most of the snow was turned and trodden, but it was quiet, and that was the important thing. There was a small patch of still untouched snow a few meters away from the apparatus. Hikari rushed over and jumped back onto the patch, she then began making a snow angel. As she was joyfully playing, snow was getting caught all in her hair. Daisuke laughed, seeing how innocent she became from a bit of snow. Hikari stood up and patted the snow away.
"Yay it turned out great hehe! It's pretty isn't it?" Hikari pointed at her little creation on the floor.
Daisuke stood next to Hikari "Not as pretty as you though."
Hikari looked at Daisuke and smiled. He had his face down, but it still wasn't enough to hide the blush spreading on his face.
"Anyway, since we're right outside my place, wanna come inside? It's pretty cold afterall." Daisuke looked up to his balcony "I just hope everyone is finished." He had left the others to finish off sorting the party while he got Hikari. It is now 4:00pm, the agreed time he would try to get her to come to the surprise party.
"Okay, that sounds good. What do you want to do there?" She questioned.
Daisuke turned to the beautiful young woman standing beside him "You'll see." He smiled and began leading her up to the apartment.
As the two made it outside the apartment, Daisuke knocked the door. Hikari looked confused to why he had to knock his own door. "He has a key right? So why the need to knock?" She pondered at this unusual behaviour, but seeing that it was pointless, she just dismissed it. The door swung open but nobody was there. Daisuke told her to head in first, stepped forward confused, and when she was least expecting it...
"Surprise!"
Party poppers were fired and confetti was flying around the room. Long strings of coloured paper confetti floated onto Hikari's head, covering her eyes. She moved the confetti to see her three friends, Takeru, Ken and Miyako cheering "Happy Birthday!"
"T-Thankyou everyone!" Hikari was so happy, she had never had a surprise birthday before. She felt a soft touch on her shoulder.
Daisuke stood next to Hikari "Happy birthday, Hikari." Then moved in closer and whispered something softly in her ear, and smiled. Hikari blushed at his words.
Takeru called to Hikari "We've got something to show you on the table."
As Hikari headed to the table, she took note the amount of care everyone put into the decorating. The birthday banners were all aligned properly around the room, and the helium balloons were bunch neatly in every corner. The table was presented perfectly, the food was placed on large oval plates and glitter was spread over the table cloth. In the middle of the was the main piece, the birthday cake. It was amazing, hand crafted icing leaves around the edge and a large red flower in the middle – a rose. 16 lit candles circled the rose.
"Make a wish Hikari, and blow out the candles." Takeru pulled up a chair to the table for her
Everyone stood around her eagerly waiting for her to make her wish. "I wish..." Hikari thought hard about what to wish for, and then it came to her. She took a big breath, then blew out the candles.
"Let's get this party started!" Daisuke shouted and ran to the stereo.
As the night came to an end Daisuke sat on the living room sofa watching TV. Hikari was laying beside him asleep, Miyako passed out from too much alcohol and Ken sat beside her asleep with her head on his lap. Takeru was wrapped up in his sleeping bag near the bathroom, as he became sick after drinking his sorrows away. Daisuke moved up to Hikari and shook her shoulder.
"Hey, Hikari wake up, I've got to show you something." he whispered. Hikari groaned as she was awoken from her slumber.
"Shh be quiet so you don't wake the others, quick, come over to my room." Daisuke stood up and headed to his room. Hikari soon followed, yawning with a drowsy look in her eyes. As she walked through the door she sees Daisuke retrieving something from under his pillow. Hikari closes the door behind her and Daisuke turns on the small lamp in the corner of the room.
"Hikari, I wanted to give you this alone." He held out a small box in front of him and opened the lid. There lay a pure silver ring with pink heart shaped sapphires encrusted in. Hikari gasped at the magnificent gift held out in front of her. It was truly the best gift of all. She was more than just speechless, she didn't know how to react. "He got this for me? Me? It's beautiful, too beautiful." She kept thinking over and over.
Daisuke picked up the small ring and took Hikari's left hand. He gently slid the silver piece on her middle finger. "Maybe someday, another ring could sit on the finger next to this one." He softly whispered and looked into Hikari's eyes. "I love you, Hikari."
Daisuke put his hand onto Hikari's face and began stroking her soft blushed cheek. He leant in and gently kissed her on the lips. They both closed their eyes as they wrapped their arms around each others bodies. Daisuke dropped the ring box and held the gentle girl in a tight embrace, with Hikari squeezing back. She paused for a moment, and placed her head on his chest. "I-I love you too. I love you so much. Thank you... for everything." Tears of happiness began streaming down her face as she looked up.
"Stay with me tonight, Hikari. I can't be without you any longer."
Chapter 7 coming soon!