𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒; 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢

04. PANCAKES

THE BIRTHDAY.

Isagi Yoichi began to stir from his sleep. As he's usually done on the weekends, he turned off his alarm the night before and allowed himself to sleep in a bit. Times like these, he relied on the rays of sun peeking through his window to become his indicator to start the day.

He slowly got up, rubbing his eyes slowly while being overcome by a weary yawn. Isagi glanced to his left and saw the shirt he was wearing last night- he must have gotten hot and taken it off. He drew the shirt back over his head and dragged the hem down and across his stomach.

Isagi then shuffled from his bed to the bathroom across the hallway, where he slowly brushed his teeth and washed his sleepy face with cold water and a rag. That kind of thing usually woke him up.

"Where did you go, Angelina?" ♪

Isagi perked up at the music. He tilted his head slightly, listening to the light tune of guitar and piano play with the voice in the distance. He's heard this song a few times before- but why was it playing so early in the morning? He remembered that his mother and father mentioned they'd be gone until lunchtime.

He stepped out of the bathroom and ran a hand through his hair, walking to the staircase to descend to the first floor of his home. The music only got louder, and to his surprise, Isagi started to smell... pancakes? The small clinks and clanks of dishes were evident that someone was home.

"Why did you take my foolish heart?" ♪

Isagi turned the corner and he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it wasn't his mom making breakfast.

You were humming along to the beat, shuffling the pan over the stove to properly cook the mixture the right amount. Isagi remained quiet and leaned on the doorway and just stared at you. You wore one of the many hoodies you've stolen from him over the years- one that read "JAPAN" on the back that was much too oversized on you. Your hair was up in a claw clip, so he could see the determined expression on your face as you were about to flip your third pancake.

"I should call the police." Isagi joked, startling you. You almost dropped the pan if not for your death grip on it.

"Yoichi! What the hell!" You exclaimed, setting down the pan. Your balled fist almost appeared like you were about to wind up and hit him. You always heated being surprised. But all of a sudden, your frazzled demeanor switched and a bright smile dawned your face. "Happy eighteenth birthday you dummy!"

You skipped over to Isagi and gave him a classic, Y/n-fashioned hug. You squeezed the hell out of him with your arms over his shoulders and his around your waist. He took a deep breath, memorizing your smell mixed with his own cologne on his zip-up you were wearing. It was almost intoxicating; he hated how you made him feel and yearned for it simultaneously.

He couldn't believe it. This was probably the best gift Isagi could ever receive- and you were totally oblivious.

"So let me get this straight." He paused, holding you by your hips as you left go of the hug. "You snuck into my home-"

"I used the passcode! I didn't sneak!"

"-You forcefully broke into my home," He teased and you laughed harder, "And you made me pancakes for breakfast?"

"That sums it up!" You smiled.

"Why?"

You rolled your eyes. "Because it's your birthday, you love pancakes, and I'd do just about anything for you."

Before Isagi could reply to that statement, you butted in: "Oh, I did use all your butter... don't tell Miss Isagi?"

"She loves you- if you murdered me, she'd defend your innocence." He remarked. "I doubt she'll care about the butter... and, thank you."

"I'll keep that in mind!" You teased. "And, you don't have to thank me, Yoichi. You'd do the same for me. Come on, the pancakes will get cold."

Isagi didn't know how he got this lucky. Genuinely. What better way to spend his birthday morning than with you at his kitchen table, eating homemade fluffy pancakes that you baked yourself while talking about who knows what.

Speaking of, the pancakes were phenomenal. He didn't know what you put in them, and he didn't care to ask. They were so rich and sweet and real; Isagi was sure you had figured out a way to bake "love" into this dish.

You were talking about the dilemma at the bakery, where they had somehow ran out of the special kind of flour you wanted to use for the pancakes, so you had to travel all the way to the next town over to grab some. Although so trivial and otherwise boring, you made it seem like the end of the world.

It was moments like these that made Isagi's heart ache the absolute most. These cozy, domestic scenes that he could experience all the time if they were dating. An entirely possible reality. If only Isagi had the balls to ask you out... if only you saw him the same way, this would mean so much more.

"Oh! Before I forget." You giggled, bending over to your side to pick out a palm-sized box that was hidden beneath your seat. It was small, black in color, with a blue ribbon that held it together. "For you, from my parents."

"Uh oh, I think Mr and Mrs L/n are starting to like me more than you." Isagi snorted. You simply smiled and shook your head.

Isagi carefully untied the bow and removed the cover of the box, eyes widening as he saw the piece of jewelry that lay in the middle. It was a dainty silver chain necklace.

'How expensive was this?!'

"What... Y/n-"

"Before you reject the gift, read the inscription." You dismissed him, basically shaking with anticipation.

Isagi held up the box and twisted the side of the chain. He squinted to read the fine print.

For memories to come...

"And for memories to pass." You grinned, using your thumb to pick out the matching silver chain you wore. "I hope it's not too cheesy. It was my parents idea, since we're going to college soon. Also, no give-backs. I threw away the receipts."

Isagi's breath was caught in his chest.

Just friends. Just friends. Just. Friends. You can't kiss her.

"Y/n, this is perfect. Thank you."