Saki's Birthday Party

I walked up to Kishi and asked, “So it went well?”

“It did!” Kishi exclaimed. “I was nervous, but… He thankfully filled any awkward silence with conversation… Saki, I think… I really like him…”

“That’s great. I really hope he’ll return your feelings. But why wouldn’t he? You’re an amazing person.” I smiled.

“Thank you, Saki!” He suddenly hugged me.

“That’s what this was about?” Yuasa asked. “Why couldn’t you have asked him out yourself?”

“He was nervous… I wanted to help him,” I said.

“Whatever. Next time, do it by yourself, Horiuchi-kun. That’ll make more of an impression.”

“I’ll… I’ll do my best…” Kishi looked flustered.

“I’m glad you had a good time with him, Ki-chan. I should probably head home now,” I said.

“Need a ride?” Yuasa asked.

I looked at him but quickly looked away again, what he said earlier still fresh on my mind. “I’m alright… Thanks though.”

“I’ll take the bus with you!” Kishi said.

“I’ll call a car. See you two later,” Yuasa said.

I was thankful that he was calling a car. I need some time away from him… I need to figure out why he would say something like that… I got on a bus with Kishi and we both headed home.

Once I got to my house, I went to my room and laid down on my bed. I closed my eyes and thought about everything that happened. Going to the mall with Yuasa… It was totally like a date… But did he mean for it to seem like that? And what he said on the bus… There’s no way it has any deeper meaning… Right? I’m not sure what he found so “cute” because I’m not sure if that’s the right word to describe me…

I covered my face with my hands. But just the thought of it being a date… Him actually finding me cute somehow… And every charming smile he gives me… It all makes my heart race. It makes my face burn red. I can’t believe it… I’m falling for one of the four hotties who should be way out of my league… I’m also falling for the guy that has annoyed me from day one… Am I crazy or what?

Kishi tried to make an effort to go out with Yorikane more often. He hung out with him and his friends while also gathering the courage to ask him to hang out one-on-one every so often. Yuasa wanted updates so we made a group chat with just the three of us.

Kishi told us that it was going alright but he still wondered if Yorikane thought of him as just a friend. He wanted to make it more obvious that he liked him more than that, preferably without actually saying it. Yuasa gave advice first.

“Some people are just dense. It’s best to spell it out for them.”

“I’m not ready to just admit it like that… I can wait for him to slowly realize…”

“I think physical touch could hint at it. Like touching his arm or something.”

I gave my input as well. I don’t know anything about love or relationships… But I heard somewhere that might help.

“Physical touch, huh?”

Yuasa’s comment seemed strange. Why does it seem like he’s trying to get advice too?

“I can try that!”

Kishi replied. If I want to help him further, I might have to look some stuff up online.

“Shiotani, your birthday is coming up.”

Yuasa suddenly brought that up.

“Your birthday is coming up?!”

Kishi’s reply came in next. I forgot to mention it… I wasn’t really thinking about it though.

“Yep, the 24th. You’re both invited to my house for it.”

“Good, I was waiting for that invitation.”

Yuasa is so annoying…

“I won’t miss it for the world!!”

Kishi’s response was very enthusiastic. I decided to ask them,

“Should I invite Miya-san?”

“It’s your choice. You know my feelings towards him.”

Yuasa is awful…

“If you want to! I don’t mind it just being us three.”

If Kishi is alright with it… I might not invite him. I feel closer to Kishi and Yuasa so I want them to be there. Although Yuasa is being annoying about it…

“Then it’ll just be us three.”

I told father about the plan for my birthday. He said he could order a pizza and a birthday cake for us. He got the day off from work as well.

I waited until the day came. Before the two boys came over, I played with the rose hair clip in my hands, contemplating if I should wear it or not. If Yuasa sees my whole face… Maybe it’ll turn him off… He’ll take back ever calling me cute… And then I’ll see if he meant it or not. I’ll see if there are actually any feelings there. I want to stamp out any possibility before I get too worked up about it. I’m not wearing this clip to look pretty for him… I’m wearing it to prove a point.

Father said the hair clip looked nice and asked where I got it. I vaguely said it was a gift and that I wanted to try wearing it today. Then I continued waiting anxiously for their arrival.

Yuasa was first. I didn’t want him to be, but there he was, right on time. I couldn’t look him in the eye as I welcomed him in.

“It looks nice,” I heard him say. I still couldn't look at him.

He greeted my father while I kept my eyes to the floor. I shouldn’t have worn the hair clip. This was a bad idea. I won’t be able to look up the rest of the day.

Luckily Kishi arrived soon after so I could focus on him. I could at least look at him. He hugged me and beamed. He pointed to my hair and said,

“It’s pretty!” Somehow I believe his words more than Yuasa’s…

Father took my presents and put them aside along with his for later. We ate together first. We had the cake too. The number seventeen was on top of it. Then I opened my presents. Kishi’s was a drawing pad and father’s was a purple shirt I wanted. Yuasa’s turned out to be a necklace with a small rose hanging from it.

“Let me put it on you,” he said.

I quietly let him do so. Another accessory… What does it mean? I dared to look up at him after he sat back down. He was smiling. He can still smile at me like that… I don’t think I’m ready for this.

“It’s pretty on you!” Kishi said.

Father nodded.

“It suits you,” Yuasa added.

My face felt a bit warm. I wanted to move on from this…

“I had a movie I wanted to watch so we can all watch it together now if you want.” I stood up to escape.

Father nodded again. “I’ll set it up.”

I followed him to the living room. I saw the couch. Yuasa always sits next to me… But I don’t think I can handle that right now. I grabbed Kishi and insisted that he sit next to me with the arm of the couch on my other side. It worked since Yuasa was left to sit next to him. Father joined us in an armchair. Everyone became focused on the movie which I was grateful for.

After the movie, it was time for the boys to leave. I thanked them for the gifts and coming over as they left. Yuasa paused in the door. I had to look away from his face.

“Shiotani… Do I make you uncomfortable?”

That made me have to meet his eyes. Cool blue eyes. I remember when they scared me. But now they look honest and clear.

“...you make me nervous,” I admitted. I’m really nervous. Nervous that he actually likes me, which I didn’t think was possible. Nervous that his feelings could change at the drop of a hat. Nervous that I shouldn’t feel like this because it can’t last.

“Well, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or nervous. I want us to become more comfortable with each other. I want to learn more about you and I hope you feel the same way towards me. Happy birthday, Shiotani. I hope we can get along in this year of your life.”

He left after giving me a smile. I slowly closed the door. I’m not sure what to do if his feelings are genuine… But he’s not really one to lie to me… Can I find love just like Kishi is trying to do?

My father looked like he had a question for me when I came back to the living room.

“How long did you say you knew that boy, Kitahashi-kun, was it?”

“Um… Almost since the beginning of the school year.”

“Maybe since four months ago, hm. You’re my only daughter so I worry about you. But if you want to pursue something with him, just be safe.”

“Pursue something with him…?”

“He gave you that hair clip and necklace. It seems like he likes you.”

Likes me… Even father can see it… No way…

“...are you sure?” I just can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t understand the reason why.

Father paused. “I think so. Do you not like him? That’s alright if you don’t.”

“I…I don’t know… I don’t know!” I ran away to my room.

He likes me, he likes me, he likes me… But why? How? When did it start? What does he see in me? Didn’t we hate each other? I can’t believe it… I really can’t…

Since summer vacation was coming to an end, Yorikane, Kishi, Yuasa, and I got together one last time with others. We went to the arcade and browsed inside some stores and did whatever we could to fill the day up with activities. It was kinda exhausting. I felt uncomfortable with Yuasa so I stuck with Kishi, even linking our arms to make sure he stayed with me. He didn’t seem to mind.

When the day came to an end, everyone was sad because it meant we had to go back to school soon. They hugged each other and complained. Then they eventually began to go their separate ways home.

“It was nice hanging out with you guys this summer!” Yorikane exclaimed. “When we’re back at school, don’t be a stranger! Especially you, Shiotani-chan,” he winked.

“Okay…” I replied. We’re in the same class so we’re still going to see each other often… I guess I have to say hello every day.

“Well, I should head home now. See you guys at school!” Before he left, Yorikane rubbed Kishi’s head with a smile and then walked away. Kishi looked stunned.

I nudged Kishi. “That looks like progress.”

He blushed. “Really…?”

“Who knows,” Yuasa said. “Do you guys need a ride?”

“Sure!” Kishi said before I could say anything.

I’d rather not be alone with him in a car… But it’s too late now. At least Kishi will be there until his stop.

His stop came too quickly and then I was alone. I stared out the window.

“Shiotani,” I heard Yuasa say. “If you have a problem with me, you should talk to me about it.”

“...it’s just a problem with me,” I replied.

“We can still talk about it.”

I glanced at him in the passenger seat. He was looking ahead at the road.

“...maybe when I’ve gathered the courage to talk about it,” I said.

“Very well.”

My stop arrived and I got out of the car. I glanced back one more time before heading inside the house. I still need to figure out my feelings… If I want to accept Yuasa’s feelings… If he really has any. I wasn’t prepared for a possible romantic relationship in my second year of high school.