Chapter 10 Robo-Kitty
Saki's POV

The Next Monday after school, Youthful/Friends was at practice once again.

"Airi", Ena started while we were taking a break. "It's your birthday soon. Is there anything you want or want to do?"

"It's your birthday soon, Airi-Senpai", I asked excitedly.

"Yep", Airi replied. "It's on Thursday."

"Thursday", I repeated in shock. "That's only a few days to go! How am I gonna get a gift for you in time!"

"You really don't need to worry about getting me a gift", Airi reassured.

"But I absolutely hate to", I exclaimed, before grabbing onto Airi's hands. "You are my bandmate, Airi-Senpai! I must absolutely get you a gift!"

"If you say so", Airi said.

Then, she pulled her hands away from mine and walked to the door.

"I'm gonna go get something from the vending machine in the hallway", she revealed. "I'll be right back."

With that, Airi left. And as soon as she did, I quickly rushed up to Ena.

"Quick, Ena-Senpai", I said. "Tell me what things Airi-Senpai likes!"

"Let me think", Ena started. "She likes traditional Japanese sweets, and she loves cats. But, don't get her anything that involves an actual cat."

"Why not", I asked.

"Because she's allergic to cats", Ena revealed, which made me gasp.

"Airi-Senpai loves cats, but can't actually go near them", I asked. "That's awful!"

After saying this, I clenched my fist in determination.

"Right", I said. "I'm gonna make sure to get Airi-Senpai the best gift ever!"

…

"I'm home", I greeted when I walked through my front door.

Then, I heard a sound coming from inside the house, and it sounded like…meowing?

Wanting to know what was going on, I walked into the living room, where I found my brother with his singing partner.

"Saki", the former greeted happily when he saw me. "Welcome home, my dearest sister."

"Greetings, Saki-San", my brother's partner greeted.

"Hi there, Rui-Kun", I greeted.

Then, I noticed that Rui was working on something.

"What are you working on", I asked. "Is it for your guys' next street performance?"

"You are correct, Saki", Tsukasa replied. "The story of our next performance involves cats."

"Tsukasa-Kun pointed out that it would be tricky to use actual cats", Rui added. "So instead, I'm making some robotic cats that we can use in our performance instead."

"Robotic cats", I repeated.

Then…I got an idea.

"Rui-Kun, would you be able to have one of these robo-cats done by Thursday?"

Airi's POV

The day of my birthday had arrived. Once lunch rolled around, I met up with Saki and Ichika on the school roof.

"Airi-Senpai, Happy birthday", the former greeted when she saw me.

"Happy birthday, Airi-Senpai", Ichika greeted.

"Thanks guys", I said.

Then, Saki held up a box to me.

"Here's your gift", she revealed. "I hope you like it."

With that, I took the box from Saki.

"This thing is kinda heavy", I pointed out. "What did you get me exactly?"

After I asked this…I suddenly heard meowing coming from inside the box!

"Wait a minute", I started. "Is this a…"

When I realised what may be inside the box, I quickly held it away from me.

"Saki, I'm…"

"It's okay", Saki reassured. "Ena-Senpai told me about your allergies, Airi-Senpai. Just open the box and you'll see!"

Deciding to trust Saki, I sat down before opening the box.

As I suspected, there was a moving cat in the box!

"Is that…a cat", Ichika asked in shock.

"It's not an ordinary kitty", Saki revealed. "Airi-Senpai, hold it up and take a close look at it!"

With this, I did as Saki told and picked the kitty up.

"Wait a minute", I said in realisation. "Is this…a toy cat?"

"It is", Ichika said. "But…it's moving and reacting like an actual cat would."

"Tada", Saki exclaimed. "My brother's singing partner is great with robotics. He was making robo-kitties for a performance they were going to do, and I asked him if I could have one to give to you."

"So", I started. "You mean…I finally have a kitty I can actually play with that won't make my allergies flare up?"

When I came to this realisation…my face lit up with joy.

Then, I put the kitty back in its box before rushing up to Saki…and giving her a big hug!

"I love this gift so much", I said happily. "Thank you so much, Saki!"

After I said this, I pulled away from Saki…and saw that her face had lit up as well.

"Was I just hugged by the Momoi Airi", she asked excitedly. "I…I…"

My hug was apparently too much for Saki…because she began falling over! Thankfully, she was caught by Ichika.

…

Because it was my birthday, we decided to skip practice and go out after school instead, which is how we found ourselves at a café.

"Airi, Happy birthday", Ena said as she held up her glass.

"Happy birthday, Airi-Senpai", Ichika said as she did the same.

"Cheers", Saki said as she held up her glass.

"Cheers", we all chimed in before clanking our glasses together.

"You guys", Saki started. "I was thinking that we should do something fun together this weekend as well."

"I'm up for that", Ena said.

"Me too", Ichika added. "Any ideas on what we should, Saki?"

"Since it's Airi-Senpai's birthday week, I was thinking that she should pick what we do this weekend", Saki replied.

"I can pick", I asked. "Thanks, Saki. Also, the timing is perfect, 'cause there was already something I wanted to do this weekend."

"Really", Ena asked. "What is it?"

"Remember that new idol group I told you about", I asked. "They're having their debut event at Tower Records on Saturday, and I was thinking about checking them out."