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"I can't believe your wearing that..." Takemichi's thoughts slipped past his mouth unbidden.
"Are you that amazed by my dedication to Thousand Winters?" Chifuyu responded. Naturally, he didn't have a clue as to what Takemichi was really thinking.
"Well yeah. You even left your uniform at school." Takemichi said not unkindly. He really was amazed after all.
"It's just the shirt." Chifuyu basked in the praise.
"So why not just leave it unbuttoned?"
"No way. Thousand Winters is my pride. It's the sign of our bond afterall partner."
"You're making this harder than it has to be..." Takemichi had wanted, no, hoped, someone would save him them from having to keep wearing that damn shirt, but so far no luck. Chifuyu had worn the shirt all week, even to school. He only buttoned his shirt when the teacher was around. He went as far as to answer any and all questions about the design, which was entirely his idea, not that he would let anyone forget it
Of course. no one would have anything negative to say when it was the feared and respected Matsuno Chifuyu wearing it. Even his friends from middle school couldn't be trusted to speak on how tacky it actually was once they realized the importance of it to Chifuyu. And these were the people who made fun of any and everything under the sun. But then again they were also the people who let Takemitchy get away with wearing his Outlaw fit, so maybe they couldn't be trusted went it came to clothes.
From then on it was just compliments and encouragment over Chifuyu's bright future in design.
Why did he have to be friends with such good people? Couldn't one of them just be the worst for a change?
Makoto and Yamagishi kept bugging Chifuyu to give them one, and they weren't the only ones who wanted one. Lots of girls were looking forward to seeing them on sale, but Takemichi didn't know if they were actually interested or if they just heard Akkun say he wanted to sell them at his salon when they got older. He was ready to bet it was Chifuyu and Akkun's combined popularity that gained so much interest.
Fortunately for the public, Takemichi was the one force that kept Thousand Winters from getting off the ground. It wouldn't make sense for their gang to sell their uniform, now would it? Unfortunately for him, there was no one to protect him from this. Not even Takuya, who was the most vocal about his like of the shirt and who had somehow fallen in love with Peke J through his image and Chifuyu's stories alone. There was definitely no saving that guy. His childhood friend was as doomed as he was.
"What was that?" Chifuyu must have gained the ability to read thought because Takemichi didn't say anything.
He actually did say something, he just didn't remember it. After all this walking, he was as lost in his thoughts as he was in real life.
(Actually, where were they?)
"H-Hey, isn't that person up there familiar?" Takemichi struggled to come up with something to say otherwise. Besides, no one would actually be there, and Chifuyu would get distracted looking at all the people they didn't know personally.
He didn't count on Chifuyu's sharp eyes actually seeing someone they did know.
"Oh you're right. Hakkai!" He called out and sure enough Hakkai was there, but he wasn't alone.
"Chifuyu? Takemitchy?"
"Matsuno and Hanagaki?" Another, familiar voice spoke up in front of Hakkai. They were on a bike together and he was putting it in park when the two walked up to them.
"Seriously? Inui's here too." Chifuyu said with less enthusiam. Even after all these years, he never really got along with Inui, or if he did, the comradery between them was forgotten about for the sake of the close rivalry they had going on. Being friendly with the guy would be nice, but it was more interesting to test their bond again and again, Chifuyu thought.
Inupi, on the other hand, didn't just didn't consider them to be close at all.
"Huh? What are you two doing all the way out here? Are you guys going to Joyfull too?" Hakkai revealing the location of their intended spot certainly wasn't what Inupi had in mind. He signed to himself, already knowing what was coming out of Matsuno's mouth next.
"Are you treating?" Chifuyu asked without shame.
"You don't see you two together very often." Takemichi had gotten over his inital shock. He almost thought he predicted this, but Inupi and Hakkai weren't any of the people he had on his mind before, so there was no way. He couldn't have summoned them either because he tried to do it again with his thoughts but no one else appeared. Unless he had to say it out loud... he wasn't going to test his new theory, afraid if it worked he wouldn't know what to do with it. It would be convinent, but random.
Takemichi began to daydream about all the powers he could have gotten in he didn't already have time travel and future vision under his belt. He didn't think about it too long, in case that was one of them and he could manifest his own powers. He was impressive enough as it was.
If only one of his supposed powers could get rid of Thousand WInter's logo.
"We meet up every once in a while. I don't plan on paying for anyone else. Besides, don't you have a job Chifuyu Matsuno?" Inupi adressed Chifuyu by his full name sometimes. Chifuyu saw it as a sign of respect and acknowledgement of their past together. He also just thought it was cool, something an antagonist would say to the main character, which was obviously him and Takemichi. He wanted to do it back to Inupi but, he didn't actually know his first name and felt it was kind of late to ask that.
Seishuu, oblivious to all that, called Chifuyu by his full name sometimes just because he could. It had nothing to do with the look in Matsuno's eyes when he did so, excited and awake. It was only to make sure he had his attention. That was it.
It didn't make him feel happy to put a smile on a kid's face.
"I quit to pursue my calling!" Chifuyu said proudly. A little too proudly, if you asked Takemichi.
"And what's that?" Inui asked, despite having some idea. He was like a parent asking their child what they did at school that day, despite already being aware of their schedule because they asked them everyday. Inupi wasn't prone to asking Chifuyu many things, but he already knew about Thousand Winters popularity due to Hakkai's school reports. Hakkai did like to tell him things Inui had no buisness knowing about. It wasn't his fault his pesky being catologued the information.
"Design of course." Chifuyu rubbed at his nose. It was how you knew he was being smug about it, and even he knew it.
"I wish I could afford to be as carefree as you." Inupi said flippantly. Chifuyu barely noticed. His mind was on the order of shirts he had coming in soon, in another week or so.
"Is it really alright if we join you? We'll pay for ourselves, of course." Takemichi asked Hakkai since Inupi and Chifuyu were currently busy with their stand off, or banter depending how you looked at it.
Inupi, who had been paying attention to Hanagaki only now that he was done with Matsuno, answered for him. "It's no problem with me. Hakkai?"
"We'll be seated faster in a group?" He asked more than confirmed. It was just a feeling he got, but still wasn't sure of. Hakkai was more indecisive than he let on.
"Individuals actually get served faster." Inupi spoke surely. It was something Akane might have said to him once when they took him out to eat and he complained about not being able to sit at a table with his sister. Besides, sitting at a stool wasn't all bad as an adult. He just hadn't liked it as a kid because his feet couldn't reach the floor.
"But we're together?"
"They'd just put us side by side."
"Maybe we'll still get to sit like that!" Hakkai spoke more positively. Clearly, he'd never had the same problems with his height that Inupi had. For as long as he'd known him Hakkai had always been so tall, despite being eleven years old at the time Hakkai had to have been at least 5'10 because he'd been the same height as Inupi then. Then he had to go and get taller, the jerk.
"You just want to be able to steal from my dish." If they did put them side by side he was eating some of Hakkai's order, no question. He deserved it as karma, or something.
They were seated as soon as they walked in, which was convenient. Unfortunately, they weren't paying enough attention to realize how they were sat down because it only took one look to realize something was wrong.
Chifuyu and Inupi were sat together in one booth and Takemichi and Hakkai shared the other.
No one said anything, but they all felt something was wrong with the arrangement. Specifically Inui and Chifuyu, who had never sat this close before and didn't really want to get this close again. The closest they'd even been other wise was when they were fighting.
Takemichi and Hakkai, who had gone to dinner with Smiley before, exchanged silent vows to keep the conversation with their respective partners safe from argument, in case a fight broke out. Personally, Hakkai didn't think he had to worry about Inupi making a scene, but the thing about Inupi was that he was truly unpredictable. Besides, he hadn't just been to dinner with Smiley before. He'd also had one memorable late night emergency stop at McDonalds with Baji and Chifuyu. Hakkai didn't go to McDonalds anymore.
"I forgot to mention, we only came for the dessert." Inupi broke the silence. the dessert menu. of which there was only one of for the four of them to share, was released from his grasp. The remaining three at the table all looked at it where Inupi left it on the table.
"Wow! Look there's matcha." Takemichi was okay with the idea of just getting dessert. What he wasn't okay with was Chifuyu's choice in ice cream. Matcha ice cream? Seriously?
Takemichi had better things to focus on then his best friends poor taste. It was all he thought about lately. Besides, he only caught one familiar flavor on that list aside from the basic vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, and it was the best flavor.
"They also have mint!" Takemitchy said more to himself than he did the table. It was his turn to hold the menu and while he listed what add ons he wanted with his dessert for the waitress to write down, the rest of the table silently judged him for his own choice.
None more harshly than Chifuyu, who visibly gagged at the mention of mint ice cream. He thought Takemichi was insane for liking what was virtually just toothpaste flavored ice cream.
Inupi thought the same thing, though with less judgement. He thought it was toothpaste too, but he was more accepting of the flavor. He knew Koko liked it. He also knew you could just buy a carton of the stuff and eat it in private.
(Not that it was neccasary to mention, but Inupi also thought Matcha was an acceptable flavor.)
While Hakkai didn't have strong feelings for mint or matcha as flavors, he did think they were pretty random things to want and wondered silently about what freaks he had for friends.
"Carefree, the both of them." Inupi made conversation with Hakkai while Chifuyu and Takemichi began a debate about each other's flavor not worth mentioning.
"I want chocolate this time." Hakkai was truly carefree because he didn't even look at the menu, he just decided off the top of his head. He'd been here before and knew the chocolate was good. Still he pointed out his chosen parfait to the waitress, shockingly female. He didn't make eye contact at all, only tapped the picture of his choice in a very obvious way. He was still speaking to Inupi making intense eye contact when he asked. "Are you getting your usual?"
"Of course." Hakkai began tapping Inupi's usual order instead, silently hoping the waitress also understood. Inupi, who could speak to woman and look at the perfectly fine for himself, made apologetic eye contact with the waitress. She seemed to be more amused than she was annoyed thought, so he secretly thought it was fine.
"Even if you have to pay for it yourself?" Hakkai teased. He was obviously refering to Koko, or maybe even Draken. They both had the tendency to cover the bill in full. The idea wasn't lost on Inupi, who chose to roll his eyes rather than respond.
"What's Inui-kun's usual?" Takemichi asked. He was more interested in this than he was in Chifuyu yelling at him for liking mint. He didn't even use mint flavor toothpaste! He could admit that was bad. Takemichi actually liked bubblegum toothpaste, and still used that kind, even though it was meant for kids. He didn't care when he was an adult. He even went ahead and asked his mom to switch him back to the same brand he used in elementary school as early as when he first realized he was really staying in the past. She didn't ask any questions, she was just happy he was brushing his teeth at all.
"You'll see." Hakkai said cryptically. Whatever it was, Takemichi thought to himself, it had better be worth the suspense.
Inupi, who didn't have the sense or patience for these things, simply picked up the discarded and forgotten the menu and pointed to it.
"It's huge!" Chifuyu said in awe, despite knowing he wouldn't get to try any of it. He wasn't going to give Inupi and of his own dessert so he wasn't expecting him to
(Unbeknownst to him, Inupi was thinking of asking for a trade to try the matcha, but ultimately decided it was too much of a hassel to ask.)
"It also costs a lot!" Takemichi said, eyes on the menu's showy advertisement. It was bigger than the others, obviously meant to hide the price tag.
"Does it?" The advertising clearly knew what they were doing if they could get pasted Inupi, Takemitchy thought privately.
"You didn't know that before ordering?" He said anyways.
"He never orders himself. It's why he brings me along." Hakkai spoke this time. Chifuyu wondered if that meant he paid for Inupi a lot. Maybe Inui forced him to do it, extorting his junior for money. Than again, maybe he just asked and Hakkai said yes. Both scenarious were just as likey to happen.
"But you still can't talk to women so the most you do is talk at me and point at the menu." Inupi said, repeating the events of not even half an hour ago. Both Takemichi and Chifuyu had wondered about that. They just hadn't felt comfortorable asking about it. Hakkai and Inupi, they thought, were two kinds of awkward.
"It's better than taking the chance of you pissing off the wrong server!" Hakkai asked. He apparently had a lot of bad dining experiences.
"That was when I was younger. I've learned from my mistakes. Especially since I now know the joys of working customer service." Inupi signed for what was neither the first time or the last time today. This sigh however, had a certain weight about it. The weight of capitalism.
"Have you thought about looking for extra help? You could always hire Chifuyu." Hakkai suggested.
"Yeah, hire me!" Chifuyu perked up at the prospects of a job. Sure it was working for Inupi, but they were friendly enough right? It wasn't working with cute and adorable animals. but it was something. A step up from nothing.
"No. He knows nothing about bikes and would just mess with the designs in some way." Inupi hissed. He didn't like the idea at all, he didn't even entertain the idea of getting to boss around Matsuno all day. It wasn't worth it.
"I wouldn't! I'm only interested in clothing!" Chifuyu said carelessly. Inupi's frown somehow deepened. Despite the deep look of disgust he wore, he still maintained his beauty and the rest of the table all silently resented him for it in some way. Takemichi thought it was impressive. Chiduyu and Hakkai were secretely jealous.
"Then what good are you in my shop?" Inupi opened his mouth and the illusion of beauty was broken. He was still beautiful, but his words were all he needed to take away from that.
"I know plenty about bikes anyways! I maintain my own most of the time!" Chifuyu attempted to argue. He wasn't being honest in the least, he could name a lot of bikes on sight, but he always took his bike to Draken when he even thought he heard a weird noise. He did maintain his bike otherwise, at first for appearences, then because Baji judged him harshly for not doing more. He loved his bike. He just didn't know if he could love other people's bikes the same. That had to be a requirement for working with them right? Like caring for animals? The jobs couldn't be that different.
If Inupi could hear other people's thoughts, Chifuyu's thoughts specifically, then he would have slammed his head into the table by now to stop that line of thinking. As it was he only said "Then I can't afford it. Anyways it's too soon."
They all immediately thought of Draken, and grew silent. Each lost in their own memories. Before someone could bring him up, most likely Takemichi, the server reappeared with a tray of parfaits.
There were only three there. Inupi's was still missing, but he didn't seem to care too much. His thoughts were still with Draken.
"Here you are boys! Could I get you anything else?"
"Some water for the table please?" Takemichi asked politley.
"You got it! I'll be right back with some glasses." Their server was clearly used to their job because they didn't stick around.
"Thank you." Hakkai sighed with relief. "I really didn't want to say anything, but I'm seriously thirsty. I didn't know if they did that thing where they give you water or not." It sounded ridiculous when he said it out loud, but they all understood what he meant.
"I think all restraunts do it. Or maybe she forgot?"
"She probably wanted one of us to ask, to make sure we weren't just like, super rude."
"Oh me and Inupi must seem like real jerks then."
"No, you smiled at her. Not directly since your eyes were closed, but I'm sure it seemed nice enough."
"I'd think I was a jerk for that...I'd better leave a good tip."
"Definitely, and don't be stingy either."
While the others were talking about restraunt etiquette, Takemichi had overlooked his dessert for the dessert of the person next to him.
Takemichi thought it wouldn't hurt to sample Hakkai's dessert right? He wouldn't even notice. He'd be sneaky about it too, like a ninja. The old Mikey would think so if he saw him, and he's agree it'd be a shame not to. Hakkai was making it so easy, only focusing on talking to Inui.
Before he could do anything, Inupi's usual was finally brought out on a seperate tray from the three of their orders. It was much taller, and more fruitier in person. Once he saw it his mouth began to water.
The strawberries were so red, Takemichi almost forgot who's dessert it was he wanted.
"The strawberries look so good! Can I have one?" Hakkai asked before Takemitchy could, so he tooke the opportunity that presented itself and reached across the table, spoon in hand.
"Only if you promise to go up to your brother and punch him." The words came out of nowhere Inui conciously thought of. His concious was watching Hanagaki smile to himself as he pulled his spoon away from Hakkai's dessert with a generous helping of the whipped cream.
Though Hakkai could usually role with the punches Inupi gave out as thoughtless responses, this one was a little too thoughtless for him and he was entirely put out by it.
"...I don't want one after all." He said with less enthusiam than he had the whole trip.
Without a word between them, Inupi scooped up the single whole strawberry on top of his parfait and guided it with his spoon directly into Hakkai's still open mouth, as quick as ever. It was like he didn't move at all. He went right on back to digging into his dessert.
Hakkai, while not expecting it, did not choke. He was quick to bite down on it instead, already savoring the sweet flavor. He was used to shoving food into his own mouth to protect from both of his siblings picking at his meals. It wasn't so different having food shoved into his mouth by someone else, even if that person was Inui. He quickly got over it.
The same could not be said for the two at the other end of the table.
'What just happened?' was the general consensus between the two.
Takemichi watched the exchange curiously, only a little surprised by what happened. It wasn't as out of character for him to see Inui being nice to someone else, though it was only himself who got that kind of treatment. He was more surprised to see both of them be okay with eating from the same spoon. They didn't even take the time to wipe it off with a napkin at least.
Besides, he was more focused on stealing from Hakkai's parfait again to care.
Chifuyu, on the other hand, was working himself up over it. The scene before him was like something out of a shojo manga. He definitely wasn't expecting anything like that between Inui and Hakkai. Between Inui and anyone, except maybe Kokonoi, but they hadn't seen that guy in a long time. Was this a sign of Inui moving on from Kokonoi?
"It's good! GIve me another." Hakkai asked without thinking. He was already past being polite, Chifuyu thought. He definitely couldn't get past talking to Inui like that. Not only was the guy older than them, but he was also a real pain in the ass. Chifuyu had also thought Hakkai was a pain in the ass too though and still did, so maybe it was okay. They were already bonded anyways, Chifuyu concluded, because Inui had been close to Taiju, who was Hakkai's older brother. Maybe they were also like brothers.
But then Hakkai was also close to Mitsuya, who was even more like an older brother to Hakkai, and Hakkai also liked him. Chifuyu didn't know what to think.
"Two punches then?" Seishuu was more focused on eating than sharing. He was also keeping an eye on Hanagaki, attempting once more to steal from Hakkai's parfait. If he wanted to steal so bad, he should just take from Matsuno, who while still stuffing his face, looked far out while staring at the menu from a certain angle. Seishuu didn't know if he was actually reading the specials or just admiring the pictures, but he certainly wasn't tuned into what was happening around him.
"You weren't kidding...but wait, you gave it to me!" Hakkai said more seriously. He began to wonder if maybe he crossed a line with Inupi, who already went out of his way to give him his best strawberry and feed him from the same spoon. He was used to being spoiled by the guy. It went all the way back to the early days of the tenth genenerations of Black Dragons, back when Taiju became president and demanded all his subordinates look after him younger siblings. Inupi had always been attentive then, up until the point Taiju realised Hakkai was being spoiled and demanded they no longer interact. But it was to late to stop Hakkai from being used to pampering, and besides, Inupi didn't always follow orders.
He also never stopped threatening to throttle both him and Yuzuha if they got too familiar with him, so Hakkai began to worry that threat was still on the table.
"You took it." was all Inupi had to say on the matter. Hakkai gave up on eating anymore of Inupi's dessert and decided it was time to dig into his own. A flash of silver left his periphral faster than he could register it. He looked down at the sorry state his treat was in.
"Eh? Did my whip cream disolve?" It wasn't just the whipped cream, though that was the most obviously missing. There was barely any left, and what was left lay flat and used to cover up the missing ice cream. Takemichi had done a lot more than just sampling.
"I don't think so." Chifuyu spoke up. Even while his mind was preoccupied, he had to be an idiot not to see Takemichi stealing scoopfuls of Hakkai's parfait directly in front of him. They exchanged looks that only Takemichi and Chifuyu could translate to words.
"Stop that"
"But it's so good Chifuyu"
"You have your own!"
"I didn't order chocolate
"No you ordered shitty mint"
"Hey it's better than matcha"
"Baji-san also loved matcha!
"You're so full of it!"
"At least I'm not a child!"
"At least I'm not an old man!"
"I'm also missing a cookie...what's happening?" He was missing two cookies acutally, but the wafers were the best part, Takemichi thought to himself.
"Do you want two?" Inupi was quick to offer up as a distraction.
"Yes! Wait, do I still have to punch Taiju?" Hakkai wanted to be extra sure before accepting. Though if he was being honest he would accept anyways, then lie about it or hope Inupi would forget. They were really good strawberries.
"No. I'll cancel that if you forgive the cookie."
"So you took it? I would have given it to you if you asked, Inupi." Hakkai pouted, his big eyes seemed even bigger when he did that. Inui did his best not to look at Hanagaki, afraid that by doing so he would give him away with even a single glance, but by the way things were going he doubted Hakkai would pick up on that too. Besides, he only needed to hand another of his strawberries over to fix things. He did that.
"Mm. They're really the best!" Hakkai said while he was still chewing, and Inupi had to agree with him there.
"Here Hakkai, you can have some of mine too." Takemichi only felt a little guilty hearing Hakkai's response to Inupi before. He was still certain Hakkai's dessert tasted better stolen though.
"Oh thank you." He ate from the same spoon as him and Takemichi felt a little closer to him because of it. Yup. Hakkai would understand the stealing if he admitted it. Not that he was going to. Inui wouldn't either. Chifuyu on the other hand...
Chifuyu rolled his eyes, but accepted that his partner was getting away with this. He wouldn't tell Hakkai if only so he could prove to himself he was the better friend of his. He knew Hakkai for longer, so he obviously knew him better and Hakkai would only be disappointed if he found out Takemichi was a no good sneak on top of being a mint apologist. Besides, Chifuyu was determined to guard his dessert this time. He wouldn't be careless like Hakkai and his past self. Chifuyu was learning Takemichi and Mikey had a lot in common afterall.
"Sorry." Inupi apologized to no one but himself. He was sorry for agreeing to spend time with a bunch of kids when he was promised only the one. This was tiring.
By the time they finished up and began to dig out their wallets, Seishuu spoke up to prevent Hakkai from pulling his out.
"I'll treat you."
"Really?" Hakkai asked, voice full of surprise. Inupi nodded. "You don't have to- I know you ate mine up but Takemitchy gave me half of his already so it's alright-" None of them would comment on the fact Hakkai did in fact know what was going on. They still didn't know if Takemichi actually got away with it or not, but they were all keen to drop the subject.
"It's getting close to September. I'll be busy the day of, so consider this an advance." Inupi said, revealing to Hakkai his true intentions. He was easily touched by this small, but big gesture. It was big in his mind because it was coming from Inupi. Especially since by saying this was an advance Hakkai understood it to mean he had something else in mind for the true event. He was looking forward to that day even more now.
With everything going on he was afraid it would be overlooked by his friends, Yuzuha wouldn't forget of course, but Mitsuya might. Hakkai wouldn't be upset if he did forget. He had his future to think of afterall. In a way, they all did. Hakkai really didn't want to think of his own future, but it was easy enough now that he had something to be happy about.
"Thank you!" Hakkai said loudly with a huge smile on his face, easily drawing the attention of other customers. None of the table minded, too used to causing at least one scene wherever they went. This was small compared to other times They were more focused on themselves anyways.
"Eh Inui-kun is treating us?" Chifuyu decided to test his luck, if Inui had truly decided to turn a new leaf and start being considerate of them, now was the time to prove it.
Inui did not dissapoint in his quick response.
"Not you. I'm alright with Hanagaki and Hakkai, but you can pay for yourself."
"What!? Why?" Chifuyu protested.
"For making me wear an ugly shirt."
"How is it ugly?!"
"The cat's head is way too big and it doesn't belong on our uniforms."
"My cat does not have a big head! I made it to size. Anyway, he gives it personality. It's stylish. You wouldn't understand fashion."
"Your cat has too much personality then. And I doubt you're any more fashionable than me." Inupi wouldn't deny he thought he was lacking in that department. More than half of the clothes that fit him in his closet now came from someone else picking out what to wear for him. First Koko, then Draken. Even a few picks from Hakkai were sprinkled in there, and Mitsuya as well. All the clothes he liked were big on him, more comfortable, with a freer range of movement. He also didn't care about matching colors if they were just ones he liked. EVen when he was a kid his mom told him he could pick out his own clothes, he went ahead and asked Akane to pick them out for him. He really couldn't be bothered.
"You say that, but I know you're wearing it right now!" Chifuyu said as he tugged on what he realised was a really familiar shade of baby blue, his favorite shade.
Inupi really couldn't be bothered to choose his own clothes. But at least he had some idea of what looked good.
"It's still itchy." He argued for arguments sake. He already lost his pride by putting this on.
"You liar! I spared no expense for my brand." Chifuyu defended himself.
"Your brand? I thought it was our team. Besides, my shirt was spit on."
"By you-!"
"What's in September?" Takemichi had grown tired of the back and forth, entertaing and neccesary as it was if they wanted to get through to Chifuyu. Having Inui do it wasn't the way to getting Chifuyu to understand though. And besided he was honestly curious, September to him was just another month as far as he knew.
Inupi and Chifuyu's conversation stopped immediately. Both were more than ready to reply to their captain. Only Chifuyu was quicker.
Inupi quietly thought he was throwing the dog a bone hear, since he'd been so offended earlier.
"Seriously Takemichi...I know you're forgetful but even I know September is important." He didn't actually know what was happening in September, but that wouldn't stop him from seeming like it. He was still more knowledgable than Takemichi anyways, so he should act it. The only thing he had planned in September was sending Kazutora an extra letter on the 16th, but he doubted that was what they were discussing. Chifuyu got the feeling that even if Inui knew Kazutora, he would seriously dislike him. He was oddly happy with that idea.
"Eh? Then what is it?" Takemichi asked again, his interests piqued.
"Yeah Chifuyu, what is it?" Hakkai added cheekily, already knowing Chifuyu was putting on a front to look impressive. It was his day afterall.
"Geez. Go ahead and tell them Inui-kun." Chifuyu wrongly put his trust in Inupi and was easily thrown under the bus for it.
"I don't have to remind Hakkai of his own birthday. It's you and Hanagaki that need the reminding." Seishuu didn't bother to look up from is wallet, where he was counting out bills. He was a few short to pay for four people.
"Birthday? No way! What day is it?" Takemichi grew excited on Hakkai's behalf. It was the third week of August and September was creeping up fast. He had to hurry and think of a good gift idea if it was really soon.
"The fourth. But don't make a big deal of it okay?" Hakkai mumbled shyly. That was way sooner than Takemichi expected. He would have to get something before the month was up. Maybe Hakkai would like one of his puzzles? They could always do it together if he didn't get it. He'd buy a big one so a lot of them could put it together.
Takemichi was realizing this sounded more and more like a gift for himself, and strived to think of something better. But if he didn't find anything by the end of the month than, it was a nice enough sentiment to fall back on. He did want to get something just for Hakkai though.
"We have to make a huge deal as thousand winters." Chifuyu spoke up, quickly overcoming his previous embarrasment at not knowing Hakkai's birthday was so soon. He didn't have anything planned, but apparently Inupi did and so soon. He usually got gifts at the last minute or not at all. Instead of a gift he focused on the party, but he couldn't remember if they ever threw a party for Hakkai before. The part about not wanting to make a big deal of things stuck with him of course, but anyone who said that at least wanted a little bit of attention right? He wouldn't go overboard, but he did want to celebrate with his friend.
He mentally began preparing a guest list and a place. Obviously they would throw it at Takemichi's house since his mom was okay with most things. Takemichi would be there. Probably not Inui. But the Mizo Mids could be counted on to show up for almost anything and they all really liked Hakkai. He would have to tell them about the birthday too, and they could make it a surprise party on top of things. He also wouldn't tell Takemichi, just prepare his room in advance. Then it was a party.
"Okay, then for my birthday let's not wear these shirts." Hakkai's voice cut through Chifuyu's preparations.
"Sounds good to me. Hanagaki?" Inupi agreed faster than Chifuyu could protest this time. It was all up to Takemichi now. Surely he would put an end to the idea.
Takemichi was still finishing up his parfait as he put in his two cents. He was a bit full afterall. "Hm. As president, I"ve decided we won't wear them at all for the entire week of Hakkai's birthday'" He slammed his fist on the table to signal the decision as final. Both Hakkai and Inupi let out a cheerful shout at the decision of their captain, one more loudly than the other.
"But my hard work-" Chifuyu at least wanted to be heard out before he accpeted.
"We must do it for our friend." Takemichi said responsibly.
"Think of it as punishment for daring to forget the young master's special day." Inui added
"You sound just like Koko!" Hakkai laughed to himself, not seeing Inupi's smile at the mention of his dearest friend. He was thinking of him as he said it afterall.
Chifuyu was too blindsided by the fondness and familiarity there to protest even further. He also failed to realize Inupi had taken care of the entire bill, paid for with his buisness card. This time he spoke to another of his dear friends, hoping the thought would reach him.
'You won't treating your juniors and me, will you Ken?'