Happy Birthday, Niko

The squeaking of a bright red marker squeals out against the glossy numbered paper. Two thick lines cross to create an ‘X’ over a particular box, marking the date on the calendar. The day is March twenty-ninth, which just so happens to be Niko Fukumoto’s seventeenth birthday. For a while now, the officers have been looking forward to this particular day: to celebrate their friend’s day of birth, as well as a good excuse to get drunk.

“It’s finally here!” Kagome cheers as she caps the red marker she used to cross off the date, “Happy birthday, Niko!” Twirling out of the kitchen, Kagome exudes happiness. A wide toothy grin spreads across her cheeks, and a weightlessness surrounds her as she glides through the apartment. Still in her pajamas, Kagome’s bed head bounces with her steps.

“He’s not even here yet,” A grumpy Jiro interjects from his seat at the kitchen table, where he hunches over his portion of miso soup, “So there’s no need to be that excited this early in the morning.” Going back to his soup, Jiro enjoys a spoonful as he draws his eyes away from the energy-fueled scene in front of him.

Stopping in her tracks, Kagome looks to Jiro with disdain and annoyance. “Don’t be such a downer, Jiro,” She criticizes the crabby man, “You better not act like this when Niko gets here. Today is all about him, so get the stick out of your ass and help me get everything ready!”

Kagome stomps into her bedroom to fetch some birthday supplies she has shocked away for this particular occasion. Jiro rolls his eyes at the childish antics, before deserting his miso soup and following the commanding woman to help her with the birthday preparations.

Meanwhile, a similarly excited Junko thinks about the night ahead as she waters some budding white Hyacinths. A small smile subconsciously drifts over her features as she watches the soft droplets of water float down into the rich soil below. The dampened particles turn a deep brown as the earthy dust becomes saturated.

‘Kagome’s probably so excited that she's dancing around,’ Junko thinks to herself as she pulls the watering can back to halt the flow of the water, ‘What drinks should I get for tonight? Do I have enough money on me? When should I start heading back to the apartment to help Kagome?’

A multitude of questions surface in Junko’s mind: some important, most meaningless. Despite the value of the questions, the quantity of them all takes Junko out of her reality as she zones out from the greenhouse encapsulating her. 

Her mind spaces out as she thinks of what awaits her in the night ahead. In doing so, she is completely vulnerable and unaware of the reality around her. So, when a blonde-haired man comes strolling into the greenhouse, Junko is oblivious to his entrance.

A playfully mischievous smile takes over his features as he lays eyes on the dazed Junko. Ever so quietly, the curious man shuts the door to the greenhouse after he makes his entrance. Looking at his surroundings, he is captivated by the beautiful greenery that encompasses the glass room. Despite there being a lack of blooming flora and color, the vivacious and verdant plantation around him enriches his senses, and truly impresses him.

Pulling his gaze back to the drifting, white-haired girl centered in the room, he takes in her appearance. The sun glistens down upon her thick, white and black hair that illuminates her silhouette. The airy, pink capris she sported were dirtied with compost and vegetation residuals. 

Her white sneakers, too, were nearing a complete brown color from the soil she constantly waltzes through. An appearance that normally makes the average person grimace, made the blonde-haired man all the more intrigued in the woman in front of him. Thus, he decides to speak up.

“Hello.”

Junko jumps out of her daze and nearly out of her body - dropping the watering can onto her innocent foot. The heaviness from the metal and water colliding with her fragile bones causes a shriek to escape her lips, and Junko instantly bends down to aid her injured foot. “I’m sorry!” The man apologizes, “I didn’t mean to scare you!”

Sighing a breath of embarrassment, Junko turns her head towards the intruder, “You’re fine,” She assures with a neutral smile, “I was just in my own little world, is all.” The man smiles at the sentiment, and reverts back to admiring the nearly budding plants surrounding the two adults.

“I mean, how could you not get lost in thought here?” The blondie compliments, taking in the environment, “It’s truly a beautiful sight. Are you a part of a club that cares for these plants? If so, you’re all doing such a great job.” The man’s softly clenched fists find his hips as his broad chest opens wide in admiration.

Once shrill throbbing in her toe dies down, Junko stands to her height as she looks to her new guest, “Nope,” She corrects, “It’s just me and the plants.” The remark makes the blonde man’s jaw drop in utter surprise - not having imagined a singular college girl could cultivate all of these plants all by herself. “That’s amazing!” He praises, his eyes opening up genuinely, “You’ve really got a green thumb, huh?”

Feeling bashful, Junko leans down to pick up her previously dropped watering can. In response, Junko shrugs humbly. A wave of awkwardness hits Junko in the stomach after the man’s consistent praise and surge of compliments. Not wanting to face him any longer, Junko turns her back towards the guest as she continues watering some shy buds - hoping he would leave her and her Hyacinths alone.

The blonde man could tell that the girl in front of him did not desire his presence, nor his influx of praise. Despite this, the man still felt drawn to this woman. “I’m Kei Okazaki,” He introduces himself, side-stepping to catch a glimpse of the blushing girl’s face, “I smelled the compost from a mile away, and your hair intrigued me. Are you a student here, or just using the greenhouse?”

Junko glances at the peering man to her right, then flips her eyes back to the plants in front of her. “Junko,” She replies curtly, still feeling the remnants of the awkwardness she previously was brought on by, “I go here, I’m majoring in Botany - that’s why I’m using the greenhouse.” Kei nods his head as he takes in the new information.

“A blue-eyed, white-haired, female college student, huh?” Kei observes as he stares at the bashful Junko - smirking a miniscule smirk at the corner of his mouth. The strange inspection makes Junko confusedly glance at Kei, and she brings the watering can back to her hipside. “I… guess?” She replies, disoriented by his strange impression and physical summary of her.

Kei giggles at the confused girl, and a wide, toothy grin takes his previous smirk’s place. Junko takes this fleeting moment to observe this odd boy. His blonde hair is on the longer side, and his bangs cover most of his forehead. 

It did not appear as if Kei did anything special to his hair - he simply must have rolled out of bed and gotten dressed. A red jacket sits atop a black t-shirt, and his legs were secured by a pair of blue jeans. He looked young, but not someone who would find greenhouses and plants all that interesting. But, Junko knew better than to judge someone based on their appearance.

Kei brings his gaze back to Junko, and a weird glint gets stuck in his eyes. Something must have come to light within Kei’s mind, for his eyes knew something that Junko did not. Shaking the weird feeling off, Junko turns back to her potted plants.

“You want to go talk over a coffee?” Kei queries, his voice curious and straight-forward as he asks Junko out on a date. The casualty of the serious proposal takes her by surprise, but Junko refrains from showing her shocked expression to Kei. Instead, she manages a meek shake of her head in response. “Come on… I’ll pay!”

Junko shakes her head again, not taking the delicious bait, “I can’t, I’m sorry,” She apologizes sincerely, “I have… work.” The hesitance in her excuse makes Kei’s ears perk up in curiosity. “Where do you work, if I may ask?” Junko’s lips draw to a close as her thoughts race around - searching for some sort of reply she could conjure up.

“Retail,” She responds curtly, “I work in retail.” Kei’s hopeful expression slightly drops at the anti-climactic answer, and nods his head at the reply. Looking down to his feet, he shoves his hands into his pockets, where he feels the thinness of a piece of paper and the plastic of a pen. Pulling the two items out, Kei paints a small, mischievous smile onto his mouth.

Using his hand to lean on, he begins writing something down on the small shred of paper - causing Junko to glance over in curiosity. “Well, Miss Junko,” Kei states in a matter-of-fact tone, “If you ever find yourself not working, or not knees deep in compost, give me a call.” He hands the token piece of paper to Junko, where a cell phone number was scribbled onto its face.

Junko looks to the paper, then to Kei - who offers a sincere smile as the paper lays waiting in his out-stretched grasp. Reluctantly, Junko accepts the piece of paper. Stowing it away in her pants pocket, she manages a small smile in thanks to Kei. “Thanks, Mister Kei.” Stifling a chuckle at her playful reply, Kei turns on his heel and makes for the exit of the greenhouse.

Junko finds herself relaxed as she watches the retreating figure of Kei Okazaki leave the glass room. Placing her hand within the back pocket of her pants, her fingers rubbed the smoothness of the white paper between the pads of her fingertips. Sighing an empty breath, Junko turns her back, and returns to her bashful flowers.

“Ren! Niko’s gonna see you the second he walks in! Find a better spot, you idiot!” Kagome whisper-shouts to Ren attempting to crouch behind the sofa next to Yuuto. Being the tallest and brawniest of the bunch, his physique does not allow for him to easily hide behind such a small-framed couch. “The lights are off, dumbass!” Ren retorts back with just as much attitude, “He’s not gonna see anything when he walks in, so why does it matter?!”

A low thud is heard in Kagome’s direction, followed by a crisp grunt. “Who the hell threw the remote at me?!” Kagome screeches in a whisper. “I did, now shut up! They’ll be here any second-”

Jiro is cut off by a clamoring at the metal door. In an instant, the heavy door swings open, and reveals two shadowy figures entering the room. “Why’s it so dark in here, Junko?” Niko asks his sister, with fear lacing his voice. Hiding a laugh from her brother, Junko shakes her head at his innocence.

“How should I know?” Junko pokes at her frightened brother in a joking manner, “Just go turn them on already.” Niko gulps down his nervousness as he staggers further into the looming darkness.

Sliding against the solid wall for support, Niko maneuvers his position towards the light switch. After a few shuffling steps, his outstretched hands finally brush upon the small lever situated on the wall. At the touch, a weight lifts off of his shoulders. Niko instantaneously flips on the light and illuminates his previously shadowed surroundings.

“Surprise!”

Kagome, Jiro, Yuuto, and Ren all jump out from their hidden spots and cheer for the birthday boy. Niko’s friends popping confetti poppers, blowing tiny kazoos, and throwing balloons into the air all encompassed his immediate field of vision. A complete and utter look of shock takes over his formerly terrified expression. Taking him out of his daze, Junko roughly places her hands atop of her brother’s shoulders from behind.

“Happy birthday, Niko,” Junko says warmly to Niko as a bright smile entrances her features. Being surrounded by so much joy and excitement - all directed towards him, and all in celebration of him - made tears start to form in the cracks of Niko’s brown eyes. He brings his hands to his mouth, concealing a shining smile brought on by his considerate friends.

Finally taking in the apartment around him, Niko notices all of the decorations and preparations set up for his arrival. A painted banner - in Ren’s handwriting - cheering ‘Happy Seventeenth!’ is plastered over the kitchen table area. Streamers hang loosely from corner to corner, hovering under the ceiling tiles. Yellow and black balloons - half blown with helium, half loitering atop the floor - scatter over the room.

“You guys did all of this, for me?” Niko asks unsure, for he is still in shock from the surprise that he is yet to comprehend that it is, indeed, all for him. Yuuto throws a chuckle in response to the unnecessary question, “Of course we did, Niko,” Yuuto assures, throwing one hand to his hip, “We’ve been planning this for so long. You deserve more, but this is all we could manage given the amount of assignments we’ve been handed this past month.”

Waving his hands back and forth, Niko shakes his head to Yuuto’s humble excuse for the small get-together. “Are you kidding me?!” Niko asks, his voice high in excitement, “This is all I wanted and more! You guys are the best, I can’t believe you all pulled this off. I love you guys so much!”

Niko jumps towards his encircling friends, and pulls them all into one big hug. Groans from the noncompliance, and giggles from the happy participants ring throughout the apartment as the six individuals take part in a surprisingly pleasant group hug. Jiro is the first to detach himself from the clinging mass - readjusting his clothes that wrinkled from the close contact.

“Junko, you bought the drinks we asked for, right?” He asks his Lieutenant, who takes the opportunity to disperse from the hug herself. Smirking at Jiro, Junko raises her eyebrows at the question. “I bought more than just the ones you guys asked for,” Junko mischievously and vaguely replies, as her brother skeptically eyes her from the side, “Way, way more.”

Jiro smirks at Junko in excitement, and is impressed by the mysterious response. All the while, Ren hops back into the immediate area after running to Kagome’s bedroom to retrieve something. Hiding the object behind his back, Ren smiles a toothy grin. “Niko, open your presents now!”

A while and many, many drinks later, Niko is nearly finished opening all of his birthday presents from his friends. First was an excited Ren, who gifted him an expensive jacket Niko has been wanting for a while. Kagome was next - who gave him a new cologne to ‘help him get a girlfriend, because he needs all the help he can get.’ 

Jiro was after her, and his present was a signed album of their shared favorite artist: The VooDoo Dolls. Following Jiro was Yuuto, who gifted him a brand new video game that had recently been released.

Gathered all on the couch and the surrounding area, five drunk friends watch as the sober seventeen year old opens his final birthday present. An obvious disgruntled look glues onto Niko’s features, for being surrounded by five drunk twenty-somethings is tiring, but admittedly a little entertaining.

Niko sits in the middle of the couch with a drunk Junko to his left, and a plastered Ren to his right. On the floor, leaning against the television stand, sits a content Yuuto next to a giggling Kagome. Leaning against the couch, Jiro perches on the floor on the spot just below Junko on the floor.

“I’m last,” Junko declares, her words slurring together. Reaching down to the spot next to Jiro on the floor, Junko hands Niko a neatly wrapped rectangular present. Niko wears a soft smile as he accepts the present from his older sister. Shaking it, he hears no noise emit from inside of the mysterious gift. “Open it, Niko,” Jiro commands, then proceeding to take a long swig from his beer in hand.

Placing a finger at a fold of the paper, Niko begins tearing the red wrapping paper off of the present that lies beneath. He throws the excess paper behind him, and over the back of the couch - to be cleaned up later. Once all of the wrapping is torn off, the present is revealed, and a confused expression lays upon Niko’s face.

“Test prep books,” Junko confirms, pointing towards her present with the beer can she has in hand, “You’ll get some good use out of those, right?” Niko drags his gaze towards his sister, as a neutrally disappointed look plasters on his features. Junko stares wide-eyed at her brother, while trying to suppress a growing smile on her lips. She knows this gift is not something he desires, but it is something that he needs.

Niko nods to Junko’s prior question. “Yeah,” He affirms slowly, “They’ll be good coasters for all of the beers you have yet to finish.” Junko’s expression drops, and her eyebrows scrunch together at his remark. From the floor, Kagome stands up - spilling a good amount of her drink as she rises.

“Let’s go outside!” She drunkenly proclaims, throwing her arms into the air in excitement. Ren nods along - agreeing with the spontaneous plan. Jiro and Yuuto, on the other hand, are apprehensive about the idea. 

Junko stares at Kagome as she ponders the pros and cons of the plan in her mind. However, before any of the surrounding individuals get to pitch their hesitation or their acceptance of the proposal, Kagome sprints for the exit in a flash.

Skipping after the intoxicated woman, Ren takes off in her stead. Niko smirks at the spontaneity, and soon jumps to follow his friends out of the metal exit. Jiro and Yuuto look at one another, shrug simultaneously, then jog after the birthday boy. All alone in the decorated apartment, Junko sighs as she reluctantly hoists herself off of the couch.

Walking towards the open doorway, Junko chugs the remnants of her beer, before tossing it to the clutter of empty cans gathered on the floor. Reaching the door, Junko grabs the metal and shuts the door behind her with a soft smile. Using the handrail for support, Junko skips merrily down the rickety staircase, and bounces through the door leading towards the near empty bar.

Her legs carry her out the door and into the Tokyo streets. It’s pouring rain - a factor none of the six had even considered - and there is not a single car to be seen traveling the illuminated streets this late at night. As she steps further into the night, Junko watches as her friends prance around together in the middle of the wet asphalt.

Kagome holds Yuuto’s hands as they spin in circles together - smiles and laughter surrounding them. Jiro stands with his arms outstretched as he feels every drop of rain bounce off of his skin, and the slick moisture absorbs into his cotton clothing. Niko rides on Ren’s back in a piggy-back fashion, and wide, toothy grins encapsulate their faces.

Junko admires her friends, and memorizes the smiles and laughter emitting from the scene in front of her. Basking in the happy sight for one last moment, Junko sighs a light, airy breath. Then, she takes off for an oblivious Jiro and jumps onto his openly spread back. Nearly tackling him, Jiro grunts in surprise. Once he holds a grip of the situation, Jiro turns his head and smiles at the girl hugging him from behind.

Oblivious and ignorant to the world around them, these six individuals celebrate another year of life Niko has survived. Forgetting about their jobs, forgetting about their commitments and promises, forgetting about their pasts and their futures - they all existed within this moment, together.