Chapter 2: And so the birthday party begins
Apparently, the Goose Place is a buffet restaurant. As we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the sounds of discussion and dining. The sound of clattering glasses and utensils filled the air. People were walking back and forth from dining tables to the buffet. It looks like everyone was enjoying themselves, that's good, after all, you people did pay for an all you can eat meal, right? From the outside, Goose place did look spacious, but inside it felt like that space was doubled. It seemed bigger in the inside, if you catch my drift. Not only that but there were also stairs leading to another floor above! Damn, this place must be huge!
"Excuse me, would you and your girlfriend like a table?" said the lady attendant by the door. Lady, do you have your own version of Stealth Hikki? Because I didn't notice you until you spoke. This lady had shoulder length blue hair and blue eyes. She wore a black collar shirt and knee long skirt. Her name tag read Rikka. Honestly, why do I need to know more about this lady, I'll forget her soon enough, once her Stealth Rikka refreshes from cooldown she'll be gone.
"Excuse me, sorry sir. Um… Would you like a table? You'll have to wait 30 minutes but if you queue in now that would save you and your girlfriend plenty of time." she smiles sweetly.
I jolt back to my senses. Crap, why am I dazing off all the time now? Did she say something about a girlfriend? My brain begins to process my answer. Just before I manage to reply Orimoto speaks up "We're actually with a Yuigahama?" Ah, good catch Orimoto, but still, I could have done that myself. Rikka the attendant checks her clipboard for a while and then stares at Orimoto and says "Ah, yes ma'am. Before that, sir, would you like to deposit your bags first? We have a station for storage here at the Goose Place." Oh, thank you! Now I don't have to carry these bags everywhere! Before I can even open my mouth Orimoto chides in again, "Great! You can take the bags from him. Hikigaya, give her our bags." Damn, I can't even rely on myself to speak. Rikka takes the bags from me and hands it to the guard, he walks away, probably to check out what Orimoto bought. I'm telling you girl, there better be no damn underwear in there! After the guard gets out of sight Rikka turns to us. "Follow me, your party is on the second floor. She begins to walk through the crowds and the tables, ushering us to follow her.
"Hey, Hikigaya, are you sure you're alright? It's not like you to daze off like that." asks a slightly concerned Orimoto as we wade through the crowds, keeping an eye on Rikka the attendant. "I'm fine, there just been some things on my mind lately" I reply shorty. We climb up the red carpet marble stairs lined with flowers. Honestly, this is all so posh. "What exactly are those things that are bothering you?" Orimoto asks. I stay silent, I don't plan on replying to this. "Is it something about your clubmates?" Geez, just drop it will you? You never cared about me in junior high so why are you acting like you do now? Buzz off. Orimoto and I continue walking up the stairs behind Rikka. Before Orimoto is able to shoot off another question we reach our party area. It's not much, just two 6 person booths side-by-side separated by the aisle. Orimoto still looks curious but she doesn't pursue me.
I see a pink-haired girl bounce up from her seat. "Hikki! You're here! I thought you wouldn't show up! Is that Orimoto with you?" exclaimed Yuigahama. Yes, Yuigahama, I am a loner but at the bribe of free food you can get my to do many things, like show up at this party. We arrive at the aisle between the seats and Rikka leaves us there. Rikka leaves us to our group, looks like that's the last time I'll see her. After all, Stealth Rikka should be reactivating any moment now. I wonder if she was a loner like me when she was in high school, maybe she's just hard to notice. A lot of people are like that… "Hikki, don't ignore me on my birthday!" whines Yuigahama. Damn, I dazed off again. It appears she has been trying to get my attention.
"Ah sorry, sorry." Hopefully she accepts my apology. I look around us and examine our medium sized group. In the booth to my left are Totsuka, Kawasaki, and Ebina. the bench in front of them was empty except for the little annoying kouhai sitting in it. To the bench to my right are Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, and an empty space between them. In the bench in front of them are Hayama, Miura, and Tobe. Poor Tobe, you weren't able to sit beside Ebina, were you? Better luck next time.
I exchange greetings with everyone, then I take in the sight of our party. There are two booths, each booth has two benches that seat three people. Therefore there are a total of twelve seats. Of these twelve, nine are occupied. Three vacant seats. One for me, the other two for whom? I pipe up "Uh who else is still missing?" "Apart from Zaimokuza going to the comfort room, the group is complete." replies Hayama pleasantly. Yeah, whatever Hayama. "Ooka and Yamato couldn't come for some reason…" adds a rather dejected looking Tobe. Gee, I wonder why that is?
"Nevermind that, Hikigaya-kun. You invited Orimoto to Yuigahama's birthday?" says Yukinoshita with a hint of ice in her voice. Suddenly I felt the room temperature drop. Crap, I completely forgot about Orimoto. The group stares at me waiting for my response. Okay, Hikigaya, no time to be dazing off now. Just tell them what happened outside, okay? "Uh well, I didn't actually invite her? We just met outside and she wanted to greet Yuigahama a happy birthday and give her a gift." I reply slowly. Honestly, relax, it's not like she'll stay for long. "Eh!? Is that true Orimoto?" yelps Yuigahama. "Yep, that's right! Happy Birthday, Yuigahama! Here's my gift, sorry it's not wrapped." says Orimoto, while handing Yuigahama the pink Pan-san. In the corner of my eye I can see Yukinoshita's eyes widen. Yeah, I bet you'd want one of those, huh? Ah, who am I kidding, you already have one don't you!
"Oh my gosh, thank you so much Orimoto!" exclaims Yuigahama while giving her a tight embrace. "It's no problem, Yuigahama. I just love birthdays, oh and that's also a thank you for being Hikigaya's friend." says Orimoto nonchalantly. Suddenly, things get awkward again. Damn it, Orimoto. I mean, I've never officially recognized my relationship with Yuigahama as friendship! I mean, come on, the very essence of friendship is hard to grasp, especially for a loner like me! "Eheheh, right. Thanks Orimoto." replies Yuigahama awkwardly while gazing at me every once in awhile.
Before the situation could get any worse I pipe up, "Anyways, Orimoto's business here is done. I'll accompany her to the taxi station outside. " I say as I begin to walk back towards the stairs. "Hikki! Wait! We can't do that! Orimoto did all this for me!" whines Yuigahama. "Well, what do you suggest then?" I ask. "She has to join the party, of course!" says Yuigahama. Yeah, okay, fi- Wait, what!? "We have a free seat. The food tickets have already been payed for. It would be a waste if no one were to use that one ticket right?" begins Yuigahama. Yuigahama looks at Orimoto and finishes "Orimoto, would you like to join us celebrate my birthday?" I look back and forth between Orimoto and Yuigahama. What are you thinking Yuigahama?! She was already about to leave! Yuigahama tentatively waits for Orimoto's reply, I could feel everyone's eyes on Orimoto. There is absolutely only one way all of this could go and it'll make the night so much longer and more agonizing for a certain loner. Orimoto responds "Well, if you don't mind then I'd be happy to join you."
Ah… Well there's that.
Hello! Veltus here! I'm not sure how these Author Notes are actually done so I'm doing it my way. Anyways, thank you for reading my fanfiction "Shiori-san to Hikigaya-kun" It's a working title which I got from a special manga. :)
This is my first fanfiction and my first work of fiction so I'm pretty sure there's a LOT of room for improvement. I'd be happy to receive reviews about my writing and the story and how I can improve. I want to be a better writer and to give you, my readers, the best experience I can give. I'll do my best to reply to all your messages.
I'm sorry if the appearance of our heroine is being delayed but this is all part of the story. I'll try my best to get her into the story faster but it may still take a while since I don't want to rush the story and her character design. Rest assured she will appear as soon as possible!
That's all for this Author's Note, again, thank you for reading my story.
This is Veltus, signing off.
P.S. Was that a little too cliche? I hope it wasn't because I plan to do it on all of my Author Notes. :P