Haruhi's Birthday

Chapter 22

That Monday at school, all was quiet. As if the party never happened. On the club website, there were pictures and video clips and AMVs, so Kyon was sure that it happened. All loose ends had been tied up somehow or another. That surprised him because somehow he had felt something crazy would pop up, but nope. All was quiet. Kyon was so bored he began to doodle during class.

Until after school. At the clubroom, Haruhi had the presents. "Kyon! LATE!"

"Nice to see you too," he answered.

"Pray tell me why there's no present from you on this table?"

"Mine is super special!" He said sarcastically.

Haruhi's expression changed for a second, but it returned to angry. "It had better be!" She turned to her presents. "I'll open Mikuru's first. If it's not good Mikuru, then I'll find an ugly outfit for you."

Mikuru whimpered as she served tea in her maid outfit. Haruhi opened the present. "An ipad?"

"I-i-it's a d-di-digital picture frame," Mikuru whimpered.

"It had better have pictures in it." Haruhi stated. She turned it on, and to Mikuru's surprise, there was pictures on it. Mikuru let out sigh of relief.

Haruhi laughed. "These are photos of our vacation! Oh! There goes Kyon's sister! She's so cute! Yuki, you need to be cute like her. So yours is next." Haruhi opened Yuki's present. "Is this a bracelet?"

"Yes," Yuki replied.

"That's sweet. Sterling silver?"

"Pure."

"Wonderful. A plus. Itsuki, you're next." She attacked the present. "Another picture frame?"

"It's an Ipad," Itsuki replied.

"Oh! Woah! A plus plus!"

Kyon jumped in, "Why did you ask about each of the presents? You have eyes don't you?"

"And where's yours Mr. Sarcasm?"

Up your… He thought. He reached into his backpack. "Here."

"What is it?"

"A picture."

"You drew this for me?"

"Yeah. If you don't like it, too bad. Between planning that impromptu party—"

"Quinceñera," Haruhi interrupted.

"Whatever the hell it was," Kyon continued. "And putting up with you, I didn't have enough time to make it wonderful. So enjoy."

The rest of the members gave him a look, except for Yuki. She stared at him blankly.

But Haruhi actually smiled. "You know, I expected you to get me nothing. This is wonderful." She hugged him. "But you owe me a dance."

Did she really fall for that? I drew that in class… Kyon thought as he hugged her back.

After a moment, Haruhi blushed and let go. "SO! Next on our agenda is Halloween!"

Kyon frowned. "No." He said firmly.

"What? Who wouldn't wanna see Mikuru in a new costume? I never put her in that other costume I bought! And what about…"

Kyon tuned her out as he thought. Well I guess it's back to normal… She looks cute when she's excited. Haruhi noticed him staring and fussed at him. Kyon couldn't help but laugh.

And from that day, in the SOS Brigade clubroom, Haruhi kept that doodle in a picture frame on her computer desk.