here's part 3 of the party prep. hope you enjoy it.

It was another day until Kenichi's party, and everyone was working hard. Kensei and Akisame worked on the cake at Natsu's place, promising to clean up afterward. He consented since he did promise they could do it. And he heard a series of pops.

"Seriously, you guys are martial arts masters able to knock down a freakin' wall with your fingers, and you can't even blow up a balloon right? How many of these have you gone through?"

"Uh, a whole bunch of packs?"

"And you destroyed all of them?" They were embarrassed causing Natsu to sigh. "Okay, look, you don't have to inflate them to the max in one go." He showed what he meant by letting out small breaths, inflating it bit by bit for two minutes. "Once you've got it to a good size, about this big, you pinch the entrance, and stretch it a bit. Then, tie it like you're tying a knot."

"You're pretty good... at that."

"Yeah, well, just something I did for my sister before she passed. You can also save time by getting a pump. Actually, if you get a helium pump, they'll float better. Also saves you on oxygen and putting your mouth on rubber."

"That's some good advice, hood kid," Sakaki said.

"Hood kid? My name is Natsu Tanimoto, not Hood Kid!"

"Right, sorry. Anyway, thanks again for letting us do this."

"After losing to that giant, I had no choice. I gave my word. So how much longer are you going to be here?"

"Oh, my, it's almost time for Miu and Kenichi to get home from school," Kensei said. "Would you guys mind covering for me?"

"Sure, no prob," Sakaki said.

"Better leave it to me," Akisame said.

So, four of the masters left as just Kensei and Natsu remained.

"Going to all this trouble for one guy. Tch, it's nuts."

"But you understand why, yes? After all, you two have crossed fists twice, and you understand the kind of person he is."

"Speaking from personal experience, he should learn how to tell lies from truth. He may not be totally gullible, but he can be naive."

"Agreed, but then again it's that naivety that's managed to touch many hearts."

"Yeah, yeah."

Although Natsu didn't realize it, he was putting in some work for Kenichi, blowing up some of the other balloons so he had a good time.

-the next day, two days until the party-

Miu sighed as she thought about what was in store. Kensei had asked for her help and Nijima's for a present to give to Kenichi. She covertly entered the Shinpaku Alliance meeting room(currently in the computer lab).

"Nijima, how's it coming?"

"Oh, perfect timing Miu. I'm really surprised by those pictures the old geezer sent me, asking me to work in those backgrounds."

"Still some of those were really weird."

"Less weird when you see this."

Miu was shocked by what she saw.

"This is Kensei's present to Kenichi?" She flipped through the item. "At least the backgrounds are in good taste, and you didn't do anything weird to the costumes."

"Yeah, I was tempted, but I know it'd send me on a week-long trip to the hospital. Besides, this is for my best friend and mightiest general, so I'm happy to go along with it."

"You might be weird, but you really are a good friend at the end of the day."

"I have my moments."

-after school in the shopping district-

"You think he'll like this?" Ukita asked, holding up a video game.

"Maybe, you never know," Takeda said. As he said this he noticed a woman with big boobs wearing a chinese dress with bells in her hair. "Hey, Renka, are you looking for a present for Kenichi's birthday too?"

"Oh, no, I've already got him the perfect gift. He's gonna love it. What are you doin?"

"Well, we're thinking of getting him a video game. Something to destress at night, you know? Of course, we don't know what kind of genres he's into, so we're covering our bases."

"Good idea. But I'm sure he'll love mine the best. Don't forget the console."

About a minute after Renka left... they freaked out.

"I can't believe we forgot about the console!"

"Yeah, what's the point in having the games if you don't have a console?!"

"We're gonna have to reevaluate our plan."

"Yeah."

-the next day, as Miu and Kenichi walk to school-

"Hey, Miu?"

"Hmm? What is it, Kenichi?"

"Do you ever feel like you're forgetting something? Like there's something you're supposed to remember but you can't put your finger on it."

'Wait, hold on. Is he talking about...? Could it be that...?'

Miu's assumption was correct of course. Between all the fights, training, and concussions from fighting and training, Kenichi's sense of time was a little off, and he didn't realize his birthday was right around the corner.

"I know there's something, but I'm having trouble figuring out what it is."

"Well, if it's super important, it'll come to you." 'Let's hope it's after we yell surprise.'

-meanwhile at Natsu Tanimoto's house-

"I gotta admit, I was worried there for a bit, but I'd say we did pretty good," Sakaki said.

They managed to blow up all the balloons. Of course, they were still a ways off from being perfect.

"It does... look nice."

"Apachai is so happy he blew them up the right way!"

"And the cake turned out pretty good too," Kensei said.

Everyone looked in awe at the masterpiece.

"Indeed. I hope everyone managed to get him something."

"I've never had to shop for a kid before, so it wasn't easy, but I think I did okay," Sakaki said.

"Yeah, me... too."

"Apachai hopes Kenichi loves Apachai's present too."

"Well, no matter what we all got him, I'm sure Kenichi will be happy."

"Tomorrow's the big day. After Honoka gets out of school, we'll put the plan into motion, right?"

"Yes, that's... right."

-the next day, as Honoka leaves for school-

"I'm heading out! You guys remember where it is, right?"

"Of course, Honoka. And I hope your father will be on his best behavior and not bring anything inappropriate."

"Of course, Saori. I promise."

"Great. Now hand it over."

He grimaced as Honoka left.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was-" Honoka's words got stuck in her throat as she screamed.

-after school at Honoka's school-

"Hmm. Apachai wondering where Honoka is."

"Are you looking for Honoka?" Apachai looked down to see a small boy.

"Yes, do you know where she is?"

"She never came to school today, and it's her brother's birthday. She's been working on a present for him every day."

"Apachai has a bad feeling about this."

-in an undisclosed location-

"You dummies are so going to pay for this! When my brother gets here, he's gonna kick your butts."

"No, he's going to stand right there and let his butt get kicked. That is, if he wants his sister to see tomorrow."

"Kenichi..."

Three figures laughed as many more joined, planning something horrible, not knowing the horror they unleashed.

just when you thought things were going great, things go like this. it wouldn't be a Kenichi story if there wasn't something like this, would it? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. wait until next time to see what happens