You sweet angel thank you for your flattering words, seriously
I’m so happy that you enjoy my work so much. Thank you for being SO PATIENT. I have
NO IDEA why it took me so long but I really hope this hits the mark of what you
were looking for.
Kise sighs, a slightly melancholy look on his face as he
stares out the window. You watch him for a moment before making your
presence known. When he turns to look at you, his bright smile is plastered on
his face but it doesn’t reach his golden eyes.
“_____-cchi, I didn’t hear you come in,” he says rising up.
Gathering you in his arms, he takes another deep breath, inhaling your scent.
“Ryouta,” you say softly, pulling back to look in his eyes. “What’s
wrong? If anything I’d expect you to be extra happy, it is your birthday after
all.”
He shrugs noncommittedly, smile dropping a few degrees. “I
don’t know, I just feel…”
His response is cut off by a knock at the door. Not
expecting anyone but you today, he frowns as he moves to answer it. At the door
stands a delivery man, a warm smile on his face as he asks, “Kise Ryouta?”
“That’s me,” answers your boyfriend.
“Sign here please,” replies the man. Kise does so and is
handed a brown box with small holes poked in the top.
“Who’s it from?” you ask trying to read the return address.
“I don’t know recognize the sender, looks like it came
directly from a distribution center,” he answers sitting at the kitchen table
once more. He grabs a knife and slits the tape to open the package. From within
he draws out a plastic container holding two goldfish. Next comes a pretty
glass bowl and a bag of bright blue and yellow shiny pebbles.
“What an odd thing to send someone!” you exclaim. “Is there
a note or anything?” Kise shakes his head but he’s already distracted by the
pretty fish swimming around in their makeshift home. “Well,” you go on, “why
don’t you get them set up while I fix us some lunch, hmmm?”
Kise nods, moving to the sink to fill the bowl with water
before taking it to the living room and placing it on the coffee table. You hum
to yourself as you prepare the ingredients for onion gratin soup. Soon the
scent of simmering onions and butter fills the room. You’re working on chopping
vegetables when the doorbell rings.
You see Kise get up from the couch and open the door, surprised
to find another delivery person, this one female, standing in the threshold.
You chuckle under your breath at her expression; Kise is rather overwhelmingly
gorgeous and if you’re not expecting it, he’ll catch you off guard. After a
moment of silence you hear him say, “Yes, can I help you?”
“Sorry!” she exclaims and you almost laugh out loud. “Delivery
for Mr. Kise, is that you?”
He nods and she gains his signature before proffering
another box, this one white with a blue ribbon and local bakery insignia on it.
He thanks her and shuts the door turning to look at you. “Did you order this?”
“Nope, looks like it’s another surprise. See if this one has
a name attached to it.”
He looks over the box but there’s no clue as to who the
sender is. Setting it on the counter, he opens the lid and finds a decidedly large
and decadent looking chocolate cake nestled within. “Another mystery, huh?” you
ask and he nods as he locks eyes with you.
“Did you do something?” he questions suddenly.
“Me? The only thing I’m doing is making my boyfriend his
favorite meal for lunch on his birthday.” You shrug returning your attention to
the simmering liquid in the pot. “Maybe your more determined fans are
sending you birthday gifts now.”
“If that’s true, I’ll have to move,” he mumbles under his
breath. It wouldn’t be the first time some crazies got a hold of his private
information. While he loves being a full-time model now, it does come with some
undesirable side effects.
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Ryouta,” you comment taking a
taste test and adding more salt. “It’s probably your family and they just
forgot to put a card in or something.”
He pouts a bit but doesn’t argue with you further. The soup
is almost done so you turn off the burner and set the broiler temperature to
heat up the bread and melt the cheese. Five minutes later, you and Ryouta take
seats to enjoy the soup of your labor.
“This is always so good, _____-cchi,” he says taking a
spoonful.
“I’m glad you enjoy it,” you hum.
Lunch finished, you glance at the clock; your present should
be here any minute now.
“______-cchi, I was thinking for today we could-“
Again Kise’s sentence is cut off by a knock at the door.
“Oh what is it now?” he asks flinging open the door only to
choke on his breath. Standing together before him are Kuroko, Aomine, Akashi,
Midorima, and Murasakibara, all clad in shorts, t-shirts and sport shoes.
“Wha…how…you…” Kise stammers.
“Oi, get a move on!” shouts a voice Kise recognizes as
Kagami’s. Kise’s five former teammates make their way inside, each offering him
a happy birthday. As Kagami comes into view, Kise is further startled to see
Kasamatsu, Nakamura, Hayakawa, Moriyama and Kobori. His apartment, while rather
lavish, still feels tight with all his former teammates in it.
Turning around, Kise’s tear brimmed eyes lock with yours and
you nod once. He rushes forward, gathering you into his arms in a fiercely
tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispers into your ear.
“I knew how much you were missing everyone even if you try
to hide it so I called Akashi-san to see if he could help me,” you admit.
Kise looks at his former junior high captain who shrugs but
his face holds a surprisingly warm smile. “What’s the good of having a private
jet if I never use it for my own pleasure?”
“So,” you go on drawing Kise’s attention back to you. “The lot of you are going to go to the court in downtown
and play ball. Then, when you’re done, we’ll all meet at the hotel they’re
staying at to get cleaned up and ready to go out to dinner.“
Kise smiles widely but a look of confusion floods his face. Turning around he considers for a moment then points to Midorima and Murasakibara. “If you guys were already planning on being here, why did you send those gifts ahead of time?”
“What on earth is he talking about?” Midorima asks looking at
Mura who shrugs.
“The…the fish! Aren’t they my lucky item Midorimacchi? And the cake! Who else but
Murasakibaracchi
would send such a huge dessert?”
“Your sisters,” you answer stepping up to his side to show a
text message conversation between you and the two other most important women in
his life. “Both of them did send cards but they were lost in the transit.”
Kise flushes in embarrassment but you kiss his cheek and
encourage him to go get ready. He hurries off to his room while the rest of the
gang say their official hellos to you. You give Akashi a particularly long hug.
“Thank you so much for your help, you really should let me pay you back or at
least pay a portion for the hotel.”
“Nonsense, ______-chan,” he says evenly, “It’s no trouble at
all. Please don’t worry about it.”
Kise is back quickly, eager to get going. The twelve men
clamor down the stairs and flood into the street, the sound of ribbing,
teasing, arguing and just generally catching up flooding through the open
window. You look out of it, watching as they go pleased at sight of the biggest
and brightest smile you think you’ve ever seen on Kise’s face.
With a sigh, you flop onto the couch, immensely glad your
surprise came off so well.

