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Hiroki's Birthday - Part 4

Nowaki was still disappointed that Hiro-san had gone to work. Since Nowaki had never really known when his actual birthday was, he preferred to spend it with his Hiro-san on his special day - making it their special day. He thought that should mean twice the incentive, and twice the reason to celebrate that day in particular extravagantly. Yet, his Hiro-san put up twice the amount of protest on this day too. Nowaki couldn't even fault his lover for that as he himself loved persuading Hiro-san otherwise. Although his lover probably wouldn't agree with his means of persuasion either.

In truth, Nowaki had been planning this day a month in advance. He had, of course, envisioned it differently at the time, with him and Hiro-san feeding each other delicious breakfast, that Nowaki had cooked lovingly and with extreme care. Then, spending the day doing the list of lovey-dovey things that he had thought of. He had also made a list of places that they could visit, in which Hiro-san would shyly hold his hand and Nowaki would kiss the daylights out of Hiroki (not that Hiroki would ever hold hands during daylight, anyway). Really, he had all these "plans", yet just running at least a small part of it was as difficult as ever, Nowaki bemoaned.

He still had to pick up his present for Hiro-san, he remembered. He was quite anxious and excited about it and thought it to be a wonderful surprise for his lover. Needless to say, he had agonised over it (almost from last year) in his efforts.

After an hour more of birthday preparations - in which Nowaki contemplated making a bento lunch and surprising his lover by dropping it off, cleaned their apartment fully so it shined spotlessly, and finally just deciding to make a large buffet of food, in case his Hiro-san thought it too over the top - Nowaki headed out.

Twirling his apartment keys around his finger, Nowaki almost whistled a merry tune in his excitement. He descended the steps, cheerfully giving a nod to a lady coming up them opposite him, whose hair somewhat reminded him of Hiro-san's, and smiled blindingly at anyone merely glancing at him before they did a double-take in response.

Nowaki was looking through the various designs of gift-wrap for his second present (he didn't deem his lover worthy of only receiving one) and was finishing up the last of his intended tasks around an hour later. He quickly headed home and wondered again whether to drop by his lover's workplace. It was some time before noon then - so he would be just in time.

As he rounded the corner after climbing up the steps to his apartment, Nowaki was surprised to see the same lady he had nodded to earlier standing at the end of the hall, leaning against the railings. Now that he was closer and actually paying attention, Nowaki could easily see that the woman was maybe in her fifties. Her hair neatly in a bun, and dressed in a kimono, she seemed homely and welcoming, with an aura of refined dignity. Nowaki's eyes kept on focussing on her hair though.

He gave a polite smile and headed towards his apartment door, which was incidentally in the same direction as the woman. She returned his smile, but watched him.

Nowaki felt a tingling sensation course through him and couldn't resist staring back at the lady, flickering his glance to his door alternately. The lady followed his gaze and frowned briefly. Nowaki could see the moment comprehension hit her as she suddenly straightened up, heading towards him. And only then did he notice the luggage that the lady was trailing behind her.

Nowaki faltered in unease but continued at the still open expression on the woman's face. He suddenly felt like a storm was brewing and he was feeling the first of its winds.

"Ah, is Hiroki Kamijou your room-mate?"

"Err...yes," Nowaki had to swallow before replying. "And you are...?"

"Oh! I'm Hiroki-kun's mother, Sayomi Kamijou."

Nowaki's first thought was that no wonder she reminded him of his Hiro-san.

Hiroki flopped into a chair and sighed, loosening his tie. It was some time before noon and he still had 45 minutes before his lunch break and the rest of his afternoon. Right now he was waiting for his supervisor – of course, it was too much to ask for him to be on time. Digging his hand into his hair, and using the desk to support his elbows, Hiroki became flagged with thoughts of his mother.

"Kamijou~ My sweet darling~~"

Hiroki's head jerked and banged against the table. He slowly rose and faced his superior, emitting a rather impressive demonic aura and growled, "Miyagi-kyoujyu."

Miyagi Yoh hadn't even fully entered their shared office yet before he froze, wisely considering retreat instead of treading into the Demon Kamijou's den. But of course, that was not an option, Miyagi thought. He had stirred the monster so it was up to him to calm it down, lest its wrath fall upon someone else. As Hiroki's glare somehow grew in strength and became almost as sharp as daggers, Miyagi's thoughts of valiant heroism crumbled and he had to admit to himself that he was not one for martyrdom.

Giving off a weak laugh, his mouth twitching, Miyagi edged discreetly towards his seat. He thought having his desk as a barrier between him and Hiroki might do him some good in the precarious situation he had gotten himself into. Never straying his vision from his co-worker, Miyagi sat down cautiously in his rolly chair (yes, he called it his 'rolly' chair) and sought to re-direct Hiroki's attention to much more … pleasant matters.

"Kamijou-kun, now what did I say about frowns, wrinkles, and that lovely forehead?"

No! That's not what he meant to say! Miyagi closed his mouth back with a snap as Hiroki's frown only deepened. He was digging his own grave it seemed … and quite successfully too. Miyagi was sweating again.

"Ah, I know just the thing that will make you feel better!" Miyagi attempted again, and this time, managed a happy but sincere tone. "Here's your present! I spent a whole month trying to get it shipped in time for your birthday."

Hiroki's frown, as expected, lessened and he turned to regard his present curiously. Swiftly unwrapping the package, he held within his hands three neatly bound books: rare editions of Matsui Basho. A rueful smile replaced the frown on his face as Hiroki's earlier exasperation and irritation evaporated at the items he knew his superior had given him with much pride.

Hiroki was just about to utter a word of thanks, when Miyagi interrupted and handed over another gift-wrapped item. "Oh! And this is for that brat of yours."

"What! Why?" Hiroki asked, surprised.

"Oh...just a little something...that I thought I should give him …" Hiroki eyed his superior suspiciously.

As Hiroki opened his mouth to repeat his word of thanks, he was once again interrupted as his cellphone chose that moment to ring. Nowaki's name flashed across its screen. Hiroki hesitated a moment before picking it up and muttered, "Moshi moshi."

"Hiroki-kun -"

Hiroki's phone slipped as his hand went slack for a brief instant in surprise, and he fumbled with it for a few moments before getting back into order and holding it up to his ear briskly.

"Mother!"

TBC

A/N: Suspense suspense! Any comments or thoughts? Tell me please. Thanks!

Happy Valentine's Day!