The Birthday Surprise

“Happy Birthday!” We screamed at the top of our lungs.

We stood inside Misako’s room at the onsen. We woke her up with a mighty yell that startled her. She set her glasses on her face as she struggled to wake up.

“It’s eight in the morning…” She grumbled.

“We are going out to the park today for lunch, wake up sis!” Yuki said.

“There are enemies at the park, we need to extwerminate them.” Yuta added.

We prepared ourselves for the day head, the plans were set in motion. Before we left, I saw Misako had my promise ring on her left hand. I was embarrassed to see it, though I wore the one she’d given to me as well.

“You guys are married now?” Yuki asked her sister.

“No! It’s just a ring.” Misako replied.

We left the onsen, heading out for Akihabara. We decided to take Misako sightseeing, to visit as many temples as we could before lunchtime. The temples were a sight to behold, large-pillar buildings exuded tradition and the old-life within them. We spent as much time as we could inside the buildings.

“Ah, sorry I have a phone call.” Hiroshi lied to Misako.

He winked at me, and left without another word.

“Where did he go?” Misako asked.

“I dunno, he’ll catch up with us when he can.” I lied to Misako.

I felt terrible lying to her, but I had to. We left prayers for the final shrine before we left. I kept silent, wishing to the gods. I saw Misako stare me down as I finished my prayers.

“What did you wish for?” She asked.

“It’s a secret.” I replied, teasing her.

I informed Misako that I booked a picnic basket order for us to eat lunch at the park. I’d spent the last of my birthday money for today, I did not mind at all. I would spend my coins if it meant seeing Misako happy. I hailed a taxi as we picked up the picnic basket: a beautiful assortment of snacks and foods that the five of us could devour.

“Take us to the nearest park.” I told the taxi driver.

“Sure.” The driver said in a fake-manly voice.

I looked to Misako to see if she noticed, but she did not. She was too focused on me holding her as I placed her in the back of the car. I’d informed Yuki and Yuta not to say a word to Misako, and they obeyed, they snickered as we drove through town.

“Where is Hiroshi? We just left him.” Misako asked.

I could hear the front driver scoff, clearing his throat. I had to think of an excuse to soothe her worries.

“H-He’s got girlfriend issues.” I lied.

“Girlfriend? That ape has a girlfriend?” Misako enquired.

I could see the driver of the taxi cry silently to himself. We finally arrived at the park, though it was still the winter season, the weather was surprisingly mild. There weren’t any strong winds or snow, the perfect day. I picked up Misako as we disembarked the taxi. Then, the plan was about to kick into high-gear.

“See yall!” The taxi driver said, speeding off.

“Oh, no.” I trailed off.

“What is it?” Misako asked me.

“The taxi has your wheelchair, sis!” Yuta yelled.

Misako yelled:

“NOT AGAIN! COME BACK!”

I had to hold in my laugh, I couldn’t let my plan slip out.

“Did any of you see the name of the car?” I asked Yuki and Yuta.

“I think so?” Yuki replied.

“David, get a hold of Hiroshi.” Misako asked me.

“He’s busy, we will have to try phoning the taxi company.” I replied.

I could feel Misako squeeze my neck. Her arm applied immense pressure on my neck.

“Call him, now.” She commanded.

I couldn’t concede to her demands, my plan were going to be in shambles if I listened to Misako. I decided to ignore her. I handed the picnic basket to Yuki and nodded at the both of them.

“No can do!” I yelled.

“W-What are you doing, David?!” Misako asked, but it was too late.

I sped off with a mighty force. I ran like a superhero with speed abilities, zipping through the park entrance. Yuta and Yuki trailed behind me as I sprinted like I’d never done before.

“David! Why are you running!?” She asked me.

Her hands held round my neck for dear life. Other people looked at us as I jumped through and over them. I’d even leapt over a smooching couple that laid on the grass together.

“This is embarrassing!” She exclaimed.

“We are nearly there! Hold on!” I said to her.

And we made it. We were in the centre of the park. I slowed down to a halt to let Misako see.

“Why did you run, Davi-” Misako trailed off.

She saw Hiroshi, in the taxi driver outfit in front of her. Hiroshi held a wheelchair in front of him. But not Misako’s old wheelchair. A new one.

“What is this?” She asked us.

“Happy Birthday, Misako. I love you.” I exclaimed to her.

“Yeah mission compwete!” Yuta yelled as he and Yuki arrived behind us.

“Happy Birthday sis! Look! We got you a new wheelchair!” Yuki added.

“F-For…me?” She asked.

“Of course, it’s from all of us.” Hiroshi explained.

Misako could not talk further. She looked at it in silence. I walked closer to the wheelchair – it was a motorised wheelchair that could hold groceries and go over rough terrain as well. We had all contributed to the purchasing of it – though Hiroshi was the biggest contributor.

“Try it out.” I said to Misako, seating her in the chair.

She sat in it comfortably. She looked at the controls of the chair, its functions and bits and bobs. She still did not comment.

“I wanted you to have some independence, to be able to go out on your own without needing the help of others. I want you to be free, to have control of your life. This new chair will be a step into that independence.” I spoke to her.

“It even has cool stickers!” Yuta added.

Misako still…did not speak. Then…

She cried, letting a waterfall of tears fall from her face.

“You…You all…You didn’t have to…” She cried, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“We didn’t have to, we wanted to.” Hiroshi spoke.

“You are an amazing person. You deserve this.” I finalised.

Misako opened her arms for us, and gestured for us to come to her.

“I-I love you all. So so so so so much.” She cried.

The four of us hugged Misako. After some time, we begun the celebrations of my girlfriend’s birthday. The real celebration. It was a successful scheme I’d hatched.