KOF Extras

Shingo's Spring Birthday

1st April
Benimaru called Kyo and Iori in for a meeting, together with Daimon. He waited at his favourite Sundeer Cafe, a freshly brewed cup of cappuccino in front of him. He slid his finger into the handle, adequately raising his pinky as he took a sip of the hot drink. He closed his eyes and let the warm beverage slide down his throat.
The bell at the door jingled, signalling that someone had just entered. Benimaru put the cup down and turned around to see his big friend walk in. He waved, signalling him to come over. Daimon smiled and sat on the chair in front of him.
"Where's Kyo?" Benimaru asked, taking another sip of the hot beverage. "He should've been here ages ago!"
"Must be on his way," the big man said with a slight chuckle. "Anyway, what's this actually about?"
"Let Kyo come first," Benimaru said before calling for a waiter. "Goro, what do you want to have?"
Goro ordered a chocolate sundae when the waiter arrived. The cafe door opened again, and a familiar redhead came in. Benimaru was slightly dismayed that he didn't bring his sister with him. He still called him over anyways.
"Alright, why am I here again?" Iori asked as soon as he sat down next to the blond man. "Beni?"
"Where's Kyo?" Benimaru asked, ignoring the question.
"How should I know?" Iori said with a shrug. "Beni, I live in Shibuya, not Shinjuku. He's probably watching the performances at Kabukicho..."
"That makes sense," Goro said with a chuckle. "I remember how he went crazy when he brought us there during the Ghost Festival."
"He said his father always brought him there when he was a kid," Benimaru said with a chuckle. Then he tapped his fingers against the wooden table, impatient. "Ugh... where is he?"
They heard the sound of a motorcycle, followed by the cafe door swinging open. A grinning Kyo walked in, swinging his motorcycle keys with a finger and a black biking helmet under his arm.
"There's your answer," Iori said, pointing at the tardy man with his hand, his other arm hanging limply from the chair. "What took you so long?"
"Careful, don't burn your keys," Benimaru joked, giving him a solemn look. "Or else you can't take Yuki out on rides anymore."
Kyo frowned and sat himself next to Goro, putting his helmet down next to his feet. The waiter was still there, too stunned to move after seeing four of the most famous fighters in Japan in one table.
"Hey, are you gonna take my order, or are you just gonna stand there?" Iori asked when the poor waiter didn't respond to his call. He looked at his name tag and saw that his name was Kenji. "Kenji? Are you there? Kenji!"
The young man just stood there, staring at them, his mouth agape.
"He's too stunned..." Benimaru said with a chuckle. He wanted to give him an electric shock, but luckily he responded when Goro waved his large hand in front of his face.
"I'm very sorry, sir," Kenji said, turning to Goro. "So you said you wanted a chocolate sundae?"
"Yes," Goro said. "As you can see, our two other friends haven't ordered yet..."
Kenji apologised and took their orders. He hurried away to get them done.
"Alright, what is this about?" Kyo asked, putting both of his palms on the table. "Ben?"
"Wait, first thing's first," Iori interrupted. "Since when are you wearing a helmet while riding?"
"Since the time I got in trouble for riding without it," Kyo spat back. "Got a traffic summon because of it..."
Iori started laughing loudly. Benimaru rolled his eyes.
"Can we talk about the reason why I called you guys here?" Benimaru said, sounding slightly annoyed. The three other men fell silent and turned to him, waiting for an answer. "Alright... it's about Shingo's birthday."
"What?!" Kyo exclaimed in shock. "How come no one told me?!"
"Dude, he's your student," Iori said, rolling his eyes. "How can you not know?"
"That's what I'm wondering too," Benimaru said, giving his friend a meaningful glance. "Kyo? Do you at least know when it is?"
"Uh... in a few days' time?" Kyo said with a shrug.
"No, it was yesterday," Iori deadpanned, much to his dismay. "You missed it."
Kyo groaned, took his helmet and got up, walking away. Benimaru facepalmed and asked Goro to stop him. The big man gladly carried him back and put him back on the chair as if Kyo was child.
"What do you want?" Kyo asked, annoyed. "It's over, isn't it? Why am I here, then?"
"Was I the one who said that?" Benimaru asked, eyeing the grinning red-haired man next to him. "Seriously, Yagami..."
"What? It was a joke!" Iori said, smirking. "I can't believe he actually fell for it!"
"Fine, then when is it?" Kyo asked placing his helmet on his lap.
"Next year," Iori answered again.
"Yagami..." Benimaru said, shaking his head. "Will you quiet down for a bit?"
Iori shrugged and raised his hands in mock surrender. Benimaru shook his head and continued.
"It's in next week," Benimaru said. "What do you think we should do for him?"
"We should host a Kusanagi-Style party for him!" Iori chimed in. "And then we set the place on fire!"
"Yagami!" The three men called in unison.
"Are you drunk or something?" Kyo said, slightly annoyed with the redhead. "What's gotten into you?" He turned back to his blond friend. "Maybe we can take him out for a treat?"
"I feel like that's a little too... little..." Goro said thoughtfully. "After what he went through with us, I think he deserves a lot more."
Iori nodded while pointing at him.
"He's got a point," Iori said thoughtfully. "Kyo?"
Kyo shrugged in return and pointed to Benimaru.
"What should we do?" Benimaru asked. "Should we hire an event planner?"
"That better not be Ralf," Kyo said firmly. "I've suffered enough as it is..."
Iori burst into laughter, and so did Benimaru.
"Okay, never mind..." Kyo said, slightly annoyed. "You know, I was really freaked out?"
"Who wouldn't be?" Benimaru said with a shrug. "If someone kidnapped my Aiko, I would react the same way!"
Iori started glowering at him. Benimaru moved his chair slightly to the right, away from him. Iori was inwardly laughing at him, but somehow maintained a straight face.
"I can't believe you're fearing Yagami," Kyo said with a smirk. "Next time I need to intimidate you, I'm bringing Yagami with me! How 'bout that, Goro?"
Goro nodded with a smirk. Benimaru rolled his eyes again.
"Now for Shingo," Benimaru said pushing his half-empty cup of cappuccino forward to put his elbows on his table, putting his fingers together in a serious manner. Iori smothered a laugh when he realised that Benimaru was trying to remain professional. "What shall we do?"
"I thought you wanted to hire an event planner?" Iori said with a shrug. "How about that lady you hired for my birthday?"
"Yeah, we can split the payment," Kyo offered. "Where shall it be?"
"Wait... I have a question..." Iori chimed in suddenly. "Is that dude still at school?"
The others took a sharp intake of breath.
"Yagami, Shingo is nineteen..." Benimaru informed. "You think he'd still be at high school?"
Iori shrugged. "I dunno, a certain someone else only graduated at twenty. How 'bout that?"
Kyo shook his head. The waiter suddenly returned with a tray of whatever they ordered. He shakily put a glass of chocolate sundae in front of Goro, a tall glass of lemon tea in front of Kyo, and a cold glass of pink strawberry milk in front of Iori. The others started laughing. Iori frowned and silently stirred his drink with the straw, making the ice clink against the walls of the glass.
"Stop that..." Iori said, sounding annoyed. "I like strawberries, okay?!"
So in the end, it was settled. They planned to host his birthday in Ueno Park. It was spring, and that was one of the best places to watch the sakuras bloom.