Today is what many people would consider an ordinary day. There was school, extracurricular stuff, and homework to do. Evenings at home were just as mundane. However, something about today stands out to you, and those who were close to you. Today is your birthday. And, you have plans with your girlfriend, Kotori Minami. You couldn't see Kotori until after school, since you attended Kamisato High, an all-boys school. You constantly wished Otonikozaka and Kamisato would merge and become coed. It is especially hard for you to pay attention in class today. Lunch time with your friends and your school idol fan club even passed in a blur. When the final bell rang for the day, you bolted out of the school door and never looked back. You got home just to see your parents weren't there. You heard something crunch underneath your foot. A letter with your name on it was laying on the floor by the door. Your name was written in cursive with a heart at the end. It was unmistakably Kotori's handwriting. You opened it and it read as follows:
Y/N,
I feel so sad writing this, but I don't think I can see you today! I have to be with μ's to do a last minute live show. You're more than welcome to watch us around 7 at the Arataki Hall! I made some of your favourite beef stroganoff along with a yummy birthday cake for you! Your parents put them in the fridge for me. I'm so, so, so very sorry that I can't spend time with you today! I promise that I'll make it up to you this weekend! I'll do anything and everything to make you the happiest boy you can be!
Love,
(^8^)
Kotori xoxo
You felt your heart sink into the pit of your stomach. It's your first birthday after you started going out with Kotori. "I guess it can't be helped," you sighed as you slid the note into your school bag. It was obvious how important Kotori's school idol group was to her. By extension, μ's was important to you too. Even if it was your birthday, obligations are obligations, right? Yet you couldn't help but feel a little selfish. It was *your* day, after all. Your loved ones' lives would naturally revolve around you for one day of the year. You trudged to the fridge to search for the food Kotori mentioned. It's been six hours since you last ate, so you could at least try to stomach something. You heated up the stroganoff before sampling it. The sauce practically melted in your mouth, leaving a sweet aftertaste. The meatballs were tender and savoury. In other words, Kotori's cooking was as impressive as always. However, the pit in your stomach felt too huge to leave much room for food. You sat there for a while trying to force some food into you. Before long, it was 6:30 - a half hour before Kotori's live show. "Well, seeing Kotori perform should cheer me up, even though we couldn't spend time together," you mumbled as you stood up and put your plate back into the fridge. You called a taxi and got ready to leave. —— The taxi dropped you off in front of the Arataki Hall at around five to. You ran through the revolving door and headed towards the auditorium. Your heart was racing at the thought of seeing Kotori perform, just like it always does. Your feelings of wonder towards you girlfriend and her idol group never went away with time. However, there was no one there. The stage curtains remained closed. Only a few lights were on, casting a faint shadow of your body along the floor. An eerie silence permeated the air. "Hello? Is there anyone here?" You called. You were answered by your own voice echoing off the walls. This wasn't right. There was no way that an auditorium before a μ's live show would be empty. They had too many loyal fans for a turn out like this. You were wracking your mind over the situation. Then, a sudden, loud click snapped you out of your reverie. All of the lights in the hall turned off except for the stage lights. The curtains were pulled back to show scenery of a birthday celebration in a lush vegetable garden. A few seconds later, Kotori appeared on the stage in a costume that matched the scenery.
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Kotori briefly made eye contact with you, eliciting a blush from both you and her. She closed her eyes, adjusted her microphone, and began to sing.
https://youtu.be/HBoMt6Evq-Q
You stood there, transfixed by your girlfriend's every move. She sang the song with such innocent passion. Feelings of sheer love welled up inside of you as soon as she sang the first note. It didn't take to long for your emotions to overflow. A couple of tears were escaping your eyes by the time she finished singing. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Y/N!" She shouted. You clapped profusely. "Encore, encore!" Was all you managed to say. Your emotions rendered you speechless. Kotori hopped down from the stage after her encore. "So, did you like your surprise, Y/N?" You embraced her and looked into her eyes. Yours were brimming with adoration, and her eyes reflected your emotions back to you. "I-I'm speechless. I love you so much, Kotori. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you," you replied as you peppered her cheeks with kisses. "I love you too, Y/N. Happy birthday," she smiled before kissing your lips. You gladly kissed her back. You felt as though you were the luckiest guy alive because you had such a kindhearted, talented girlfriend. Heck, Kotori was complete and utter perfection as far as you were concerned. "Where are the rest of μ's?" You asked. "They helped me set everything up, but they left after that. They understood how important our time together is today." You smiled. "I have to thank them, too. I'm so glad to have μ's in my life, but especially you, Kotori." "I feel the same way about you too." She gave the tip of your nose a little peck. Needless to say, any feelings of dejection from earlier have long since passed. This was your best birthday ever. However, you were sure that Kotori would never cease to amaze you and make each birthday better than the last. It would be difficult to top your current birthday. But, you believed Kotori would be able to outdo herself next year. And, hopefully, many more years to come.
