Aka-no-Joo

Filler 1

November 7th.

I woke up to the neverending buzzing of my phone. I groan and turn over and put the pillow over my head. It was my day off, and I'd like to sleep in a bit before going off to train Hana with Inari. Buzz. Buzz. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzzz. 

I turn to my phone and see that no one was calling me, it was a reminder. I check my phone for the time, and saw that it was only 6:00AM. I lay back in bed-- Before shooting upright and staring at my phone's lock screen of me and Saruhiko leaning close to each other. Saruhiko's scowl and my happy smile. He was enjoying it deep down inside, don't let the grumpy face fool you. Today is the 7th: Saruhiko's birthday. I warm feeling was over my heart as I climb out of bed. I had nearly forgotten my boyfriend's birthday. It's been close to a year since we've started dating, and I almost forgot his birthday. How could I do that to him?! What kind of girlfriend am I to almost forget him on his special day?!

I wonder if he's awake. I put my phone to my ear and listen to it ring. No matter how many ties he's called me just to wake me up, I can't seem to call him without feeling knots tighten in my stomach and a lump stuck in my throat. 

There was a click, followed by a groggy yet sleepy tone: "Fushimi desu,"

"Ohayo...Saruhiko," I managed to let out. Pulling my hair back from my face. "Did I wake you? I can call back some other time if I did."

There was a yawn and then he clicks his tongue. "What the hell are you doing up this early?"

"I don't really know." I say, "I just wanted to be the first to say Happy Birthday before Munakata does."

Saru must be smirking. "I completely forgot about my birthday," He says. I frown at the sound of his cold and empty tone in his voice. "I just thought it was a regular Saturday for me."

"Well it's not," I say matter of factly. "In fact, I have plans for us today after work."

"Oya?" He asks. " This should be interesting to see."

"I even have a present," 

"I don't want a present," He simply declines. "To be honest, I won't need it."

"But...I want to show you how much--"

"It's enough to have you remember this day," He says. "It's fine if it's just you and I tonight."

I sigh. "Fine, we can watch a movie and I'll cook dinner and make a cake."

He heaves. "You're unbelievably annoying, you know?"

"But you love me.~" 

It was a dry laugh, but it was still sexy. "I do...unfortunately."

"Just text me what you'd want, and I'll go grocery shopping today."

I say before telling him I love him and hanging up.  I kinda figured that Saru would forget his own birthday, he'd still have hallucinations. He'd try to act cool around me, but it's not working. He still thinks of his father. I wish I can do more for him, and I'm trying to figure out how exactly to help him without hurting him. He's not his father at all. He's much kinder. He has to see that himself.

Saru texts me about his cake and requested that we just order pizza instead of me making it. So Hana and I had went to the store to buy the ingredients we need for the chocolate cake. While we were in the baking aisle, I noticed a girl watching us from the other section. I turn my head back towards Hana and we walk to the next aisle and found the oil we needed. Hana looks farther behind me and narrows her eyes. "Someone's following us..." Hana points out. I look over my shoulder at the girl, who's mauve eyes widen. She has light brown hair and had this cocky look about her.