Happy birthday Heizou!
Shinobu sat outside at the bridge as she was leaning over the rail, staring at her reflection. She heard some laughter from behind her and turned around. It was Heizou's birthday so their friends were celebrating at his house. She smiled, glad to hear her friends happy.
But when she turned back to the water, her face sadden. Shinobu spent the whole day leading Heizou on a scavneger hunt which was meant to keep him busy so the gang can prepare the party. And it costed her a chance to do something for him so she was outside, hoping to avoid him. However, she had a feeling that the commission's number one detective would know something was off.
"Shinobu?"
She turned her head around to find the anemo detective himself walking to her. "Hi Heizou. What's up? How come you're not enjoying the party inside?" She asked him as he joined her side, leaning on rail. He stared at her for a minute. Her look seemed upset and her eyes didn't had that shine he loved. His face soften at her, giving her that look that said he sensed her being upset.
"Well, I was watching Itto going against Yae Miko in a noodles eating contest. He looks like he's struggling to be honest" he explained, smiling at seeing his friend looking sick but trying to scarf down the noodles. Shinobu couldn't help but chuckle at Itto's antics with food and competition.
"But now with the direct questioning. Are you alright?" He asked her gently. His face softened at her. Shinobu stared at him, knowing she couldn't get out of this one. Not that she was trying to.
"Not really. I came here to get dome free air. Don't worry about it. Listen. It's your birthday. Don't let my mood ruin it. So just go have fun" she assured him, not wanting her disappointment to affect his birthday. It was his day. She didn't want her failure to ruin that.
"I'm not gonna enjoy my birthday if you're not in it"
The green haired girl glanced back at him, eyes widening in surprise when he said that. Her reaction amused him, making him smile as he tilted his head at her, arms crossed on the rail of the bridge. "What? Does it surprise you that I wanted you in my party?" He teased her and that made Shinobu's face heat up, quickly turning away. Made her wish to keep the mask on before he arrived.
He chuckled, finding that reaction adorable from her. "Listen, Shinobu. Why don't you tell me what's been bugging you all day? Don't think I didn't notice how nervous you looked when you were me on that scavenger hunt" he told her, recalling how worried she looked the whole time.
Shinobu sighed, embarrassed that she didn't try to hide it from him. She should've known that with Heizou, he would figure out something upset her. Might as well let it out. She just hoped it didn't ruin his birthday. "I'm sorry. It's just...I was intending to get you a gift for your birthday but I got stuck with taking you on the scavenger hunt so we can get the party ready.
Heizou's eyebrows rose up, now understanding why she was so nervous. "I couldn't get you a good gift and there was no time so I didn't know how to face you and I just didn't want to ruin your birthday. I'm sorry" she explained to him, leaning on her hand as she felt the guilt tug her heart a bit.
"Shinobu"
Her eyes glanced back to him and saw the warmest smile on his face. "You're so silly you know that?" He told her, making her eyes widen in surprise. "You already give me a gift for my birthday. The best gift I could ask for" he told her, making her stare at him with further confusion.
"You just being here us enough of a gift for me. But I do appreciate the thought of you going far and beyond for me" he said, the last part playful as he brought his hand near his chin with one finger pointing out and his thumb out too with a large smile.
Shinobu smiled at him and giggled, finding this turned out then expected. That shine in her eyes that he was familiar with returned. His smile slowly fell as he was captivated by her beauty at this moment. The shine in her purple eyes. That sweet sound of her giggling in his ears. That cute smile of hers. It made blush as he stared at her.
"What?" She asked, noticing his stunned look. Heizou then just smiled at her fondly. "Now that's a great birthday gift" he told her warmly, making her blush but she smiled at him, glad to see that he was happy. "Happy birthday, Heizou" she told him happily as he leaned off the railing, that voice hers saying that made him want to jump for joy.
"Come on. Let's head back to the party. I bet Itto needs some support after eating too many noodles" he said, taking her hand as they walked back with Shinobu chuckling at that comment. Heizou knew that she gave him the best birthday gift ever: her smile.
