KOF Extras

Rock Howard's Birthday

24th June
Rock woke up as usual and headed over to the kitchen to make breakfast as soon as he got dressed.
He made bacon and eggs and soon Terry and Andy came out, fully dressed.
It was a little unusual for Terry to be fully dressed at this hour since Rock was used to seeing him in pyjamas and a bed head. This time was a little different, however.
"Happy Birthday, Rock," Terry grinned as soon as the younger man put his plate of breakfast down on the table. "So you're a major now."
"Yeah, thanks," Rock chuckled. "Anyway, eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
Terry smiled and gave his adopted son a pat on the back.
"I almost forgot that it's your birthday," Andy said sheepishly. "Anyway, Happy Birthday, Rock."
"Thanks," Rock said with a smile. He sat down too and ate this breakfast.
Soon, Rock was on his bike, riding towards his school. He passed a few people he knew, even Yuri, who was out on her morning jog.
"How was Vegas?" Rock asked, slowing down when he rode alongside her.
"Eh it was good," Yuri chuckled. "I'm just glad Dad didn't go to the casino. If he did, we'd be in poverty now!"
Rock chuckled. "Luckily you guys kept him away from it. I really like your barbecue steak."
"Thanks!" Yuri said. "By the way, I heard it's your birthday. So... Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks!" Rock grinned. "Anyway, I have to go. I'm getting late for school!"
Yuri waved at him as he sped past her, heading in the direction of his school.

Rock got the shock of his life when his classmates sang him Happy Birthday as soon as he set foot into the Physics laboratory.
"Happy Birthday BROOOOO!" Scott cheered the loudest. "You've become old!"
"Yeah, thanks a lot, buddy," Rock rolled his eyes at the reminder. He smiled at his classmates and went to his spot next to Scott. "You didn't have to remind me that, ya know?"
"I know," Scott grinned. "Whatever, are we getting a party?"
"Nah..." Rock said, opening his bag to take out his book. "I just wanna chill today."
Scott smirked mischievously.

"Happy Birthday, Rock!" Hotaru cheerfully said, sitting down next to Rock. She dug in her bag and pulled out her little pet marten. "Itokatsu wishes you too!"
The blond animal leapt out of her hands and landed on Rock's lap, much to his surprise. He stroked the marten's blond fur with a smile.
"No fair..." Scott sighed, sitting next to Rock with his lunch. He looked up at Hotaru and frowned. "Hotaru, why does your little pet like Rock and not me?"
"I honestly have no idea," Hotaru shrugged, smiling. "He took time to warm up to me too, but stuck to Rock like glue the instant he saw him!"
"No fair..." Scott sighed again. He tried stroking the little marten's fur, and almost got his finger bitten. "Whoa! Chill! I wasn't trying to kill you or anything."
"I like how you can befriend any animal besides Itokatsu," Rock laughed. "Even spiders."
"And dogs," Scott chuckled. "Remember how Andy threw a fit when I brought in an injured puppy?"
Rock chuckled. "Andy says it's because he was bitten once when he was young. He still stays away from Anton whenever Mary comes over."
"I like Mary," Scott said. "She kinda looks like my mom when she was younger. And alive."
"Sup, Birthday Boy?" Jae grinned, plopping down beside Rock.
"Happy Birthday, Rock!" Maple greeted, joining the group. "So, any surprises so far?"
"Nah," Rock said, slightly annoyed to find that literally everyone knew that it was his birthday. "The only surprise I've had so far was during first period when everyone startled me by singing Happy Birthday. Other than that, it's been pretty chill."
The others exchanged knowing looks.

Rock bid his friends goodbye and started riding home. He parked his bike in the garage and noticed that Terry's bike and Andy's car were missing. He figured the latter must be out on a date with Mai, while Terry was just out, doing... Terry things.
He took his helmet off and put it in the basket before entering the house. Everything was just as it was.
That was until he decided to have lunch outside in the garden. He noticed a parcel waiting for him right next to the doormat.
Puzzled, Rock used his free hand to pick it up and see who it was for.
The name on the label read Wolf's Pedigree. That was what some people called Rock.
'That's strange...' Rock stared at the parcel in surprise.
He went back inside and quickly put his lunch on the table before grabbing his phone to call Terry.
"What's up, Birthday Boy?" Terry teased as soon as he picked up the phone.
"Terry, did you order anything?" Rock asked, sounding urgent.
"No, why?"
"I found a package at our doorstep. It's for someone named Wolf's Pedigree."
"Then it's for you," Terry chuckled. "Just open it, it isn't mine."
Rock grimaced at the box in front of him. "What if it contains something..."
"Something what?"
"I dunno... a bomb?"
"Seriously..."
"Okay okay, I'll open it."
"Tell me what it is as soon as you have. Wait, have you eaten your lunch?"
"Yeah, it's on the table, in front of me."
"Eat first, Rock. That parcel can wait."
"Fine, fine I will."
Rock hung up and ate some of his food before going back to the mysterious package. He tore it open with a box cutter and opened the box to see what was inside.
To his surprise, it was a new pair of black leather driving gloves.
"What...?" Rock muttered, turning the gloves over and over. He was surprised that they didn't come in a pack like they usually do. He put them aside and dug further into the box to see if there was anything else. He ended up finding a note, typewritten the old fashioned way. He read the note in surprise.