Closer To The Stars With You [shuji x reader]

Bonus Chapter 1

A Birthday to Remember

As I strolled through the hallways on the last day of middle school, flashes of my favorite memories played in my mind. Among them, one stood out vividly—my birthday. It was the kind of day that felt like the perfect reminder of how special the people in my life were.

It had been a crisp spring morning, with just a hint of warmth teasing the end of winter. I remembered trudging into school that day, my backpack slung over one shoulder, not expecting much. Birthdays that fell on school days always felt anticlimactic—morning announcements, classes, and a slice of cake waiting at home if I was lucky. But the moment I rounded the corner to my locker, all that changed.

My locker was transformed. A rainbow of sticky notes covered the door, each with a handwritten message from my classmates and friends. Some were funny—like Andy's, which simply said, "You're old now, lol." Others were heartwarming, like Kira's, which read, "You light up our lives, Y/N. Never change!" Each note was a little piece of happiness stuck onto the metal door.

I stood there, staring at it in awe, when Kira appeared behind me, holding a tray of mini cupcakes, each perfectly frosted in bright colors. "Surprise!" she exclaimed, her grin as bright as the decorations. "Happy Birthday, bestie!"

"Kira, did you...?" My voice caught as I gestured to the locker.

"Do all this? Nah," she said with a wink, setting the tray on the bench nearby. "It was a group effort. But I'm the mastermind, obviously."

Before I could respond, Shuji approached. He was carrying a small gift bag, his usual calm confidence tinged with something that almost looked like nerves. His dark hair was slightly messy, the way it always was when he ran his hands through it too much.

"Happy Birthday, Y/N," he said softly, holding out the bag. He avoided my eyes for a moment, then added, "I hope you like it."

I took the bag, feeling my cheeks warm. "Shuji, you didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," he interrupted, his gaze finally meeting mine. There was something about the way he said it that made my heart flutter.

Inside the bag was a delicate silver bracelet, simple but beautiful, with a single charm shaped like a star. It sparkled faintly as I held it up to the light, and for a moment, I forgot how to speak.

"I saw it and thought of you," Shuji explained, his voice quieter now. "It reminded me of how you always talk about loving the stars."

"It's perfect," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Shuji. Really."

His lips curled into a small smile, and he gave a casual shrug. "I'm glad you like it."

The rest of the day was full of little surprises. In the cafeteria, my friends had somehow convinced the lunch staff to swap out my usual dessert with a giant chocolate chip cookie decorated with "Happy Birthday, Y/N!" in frosting. During science class, my teacher, who never tolerated distractions, let the entire class sing "Happy Birthday" to me after Kira passed her a note asking for permission. Even my least favorite class—history—was made bearable when someone managed to sneak a bag of candies onto my desk.

By the time the final bell rang, I couldn't stop smiling. As I packed up my bag to head home, Shuji appeared by my side, walking with me to the front doors.

"Still having a good birthday?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

I glanced at him, smiling. "Good? Shuji, this has been one of the best days of my life."

The Evening Celebration

Later that evening, my friends arrived at my house, arms full of balloons, snacks, and laughter. My mom had helped set up a small party in the living room, complete with fairy lights strung along the walls and a table piled high with my favorite snacks. Music played softly in the background, and the smell of popcorn and cake filled the air.

"Make a wish!" Evan called as everyone gathered around the cake. The flickering candles cast a warm glow on their faces, all of them looking at me expectantly.

I closed my eyes, letting the moment sink in before making my wish. I didn't wish for anything specific—just for moments like this, with these people, to keep coming.

As the party went on, we played games, danced around the living room, and shared stories. Shuji stayed close to me the whole time, and even though we were surrounded by our friends, it felt like we had our own little world.

At one point, as the others debated the rules of a game, Shuji motioned toward the back door. "Want to step outside for a bit?" he asked.

I nodded, following him out onto the porch. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth inside, and the stars had begun to dot the clear sky above.

"Did you really have a good day?" Shuji asked, leaning against the porch railing.

"Are you kidding?" I replied, laughing softly. "This has been the best birthday ever. I didn't think it was possible to feel this... loved."

Shuji glanced at me, his expression thoughtful. "Well, you are. You're pretty amazing, Y/N."

I felt my cheeks warm again, but I smiled. "Thank you. For everything today. The bracelet, the surprises—it all means so much to me."

"You don't have to thank me," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I wanted to make sure today was special for you."

"You did," I said, my voice soft. "You really did."

We stood there in silence for a while, just gazing up at the stars. The sound of laughter drifted from inside, blending with the faint hum of crickets in the yard. For a moment, it felt like time had slowed, as if the universe itself was giving me this quiet, perfect memory to hold onto forever.

Returning to the Present

Back in the present, walking through the school on the last day of middle school, the memory of my birthday made me smile. I absently touched the star charm on the bracelet, which I hadn't taken off since Shuji gave it to me. It was more than a gift—it was a reminder of how lucky I was to have these people in my life, especially him.

As I walked out of the school's front doors and into the summer sunshine, I felt a rush of gratitude. If this year had taught me anything, it was that the people in your life could make any moment—any day—extraordinary. With friends like Kira, Shuji, and the rest of our group, I knew the future would hold plenty more perfect memories like my birthday.