Maid For You (Ai Hayasaka x OC) [Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War AU]

Chapter 8: A Happy Happy Birthday (Pt. 1)

*8:27 AM, 4/2*

The next day, OC notices that Hayasaka continues her usual work as if it wasn't her...special day.

"Good morning to you, too, Haya," OC smiles as he holds the car door open for her, as Kaguya was already seated in the furthest seat.

"Morning," Hayasaka responds, while looking down at the ground. She rubs her eyes and looks into the vehicle. "You go ahead first," she offers.

OC found it strange since usually she'd want to sit in the middle between him and Kaguya. After he gets in the vehicle himself, he watches Hayasaka in disappointment; it was her special day, so why didn't it seem like it?

When they start heading towards the school, OC catches a glimpse of Hayasaka's reflection in the window. Her eyes and nose look red, as if she'd just been crying before they left.

He wants to ask her if she was okay and if something happened, but knows she wouldn't appreciate the sudden attention especially in front of Kaguya. He simply nudges her thigh and gets her attention before she turns away again. He smiles a bit, knowing that Hayasaka would at least manage to be okay today.

Hayasaka had woken up today feeling excited and refreshed. She could almost smell the aroma of fresh-baked cakes around the Estate. She had wanted to skip around after she'd finished her morning routine, finding Kaguya finishing up breakfast and quickly cleaning up after her.

"Good morning, Kaguya-sama," Hayasaka said before clearing the rest of the table.

"Good morning, Hayasaka. You seem very energetic today," Kaguya commented, smiling.

"Is that a bad thing?" Hayasaka asked. Kaguya shook her head no. "Do you anticipate today being a special day as well?"

Kaguya tilted her head to the side, quite confusedly.

"Special day? Why would today, of all days, be a special day? April Fool's Day was yesterday, Hayasaka."

Hayasaka had halted, almost stumbling backwards. She'd watched Kaguya look at her strangely, expecting a response.

"You're right, Kaguya-sama. April Fool's Day was yesterday," Hayasaka cleared her throat.

'And I can't tell if you're joking around about this or not,' she bitterly thought.

Moments had passed when Hayasaka went back to her room and decided to call her mother.

'At least she has to remember, right?'

Hayasaka had quickly dialed her mother's number, waiting patiently to hear her loving voice. She could feel a bit of excitement in her chest knowing her mother would probably be the only one to remember her special day...right?

But no one answered.

She couldn't believe it; was her mother busy? Or did she also forget?

Her heart dropped. It was her birthday and no one had even congratulated her. She felt forgotten and isolated, and it was when she'd shut her door completely where she felt warm tears stream down her cheeks. She'd spent the next few minutes crying, alone.

When they arrive at school, OC keeps a close eye on Hayasaka. He continues putting his head down during his homeroom class, listening to conversations that were held in front of him.

"Hayasaka, why are your eyes so red and swollen?" Subaru asks.

"Yeah, are you okay? What happened?" Mirin chimes in.

Hayasaka simply laughs it off. "Does it really look that bad? Ah, how embarrassing!"

She convinces them she'd just barely gotten any sleep due to her part-time job, but as OC knew it: Hayasaka lies as naturally as she breathes.

Several questions begin rising within his head, old ones lingering and continuing to pop up.

'How does she keep up with this stupid act and personality?'

'Has she not told her friends about her birthday?'

But then again, he knew it made sense as to how important it was for Hayasaka to still keep that kind of information reserved from others.