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Kotoko sighed in frustration.
It was Masaru's birthday, and she'd worked really hard so she and Nagito could go get him a present.
But now she's to nervous to even bring the thing out of her room!
Nagisa sighed, "Just give him the present." He said, rolling his eyes, "It isn't that hard."
"Yeah!" Monaca piped up, "Monaca thinks Masaru-kun will love it!"
"But what if he hates it?!" Kotoko cried, tugging at a strand of her hair, "I'd be the worst friend in the world!"
"Y-you're t-thinking...t-to m-much i-into this..." Jataro said, shaking his head.
"You really are Koto." Yuta said, shaking his head as well.
"I'm...I'm nervous!" Kotoko whined, pulling at her hair harder.
"Don't pull at your hair. Nagito took his time on that as he did the rest of us." Nagisa crossed his arms.
He wasn't wrong either.
Nagito had pulled Kotoko's hair into twin ponytails and put hair clips in on her bangs.
He also brushed Monaca's hair and pulled it back into a braid.
Nagisa had argued on what to do with Jataro and his weird mask thing.
Turns out Jataro was happy to take his mask off, his hair was brushed out and a few clips from Kotoko and Monaca collectivly dotted around his hair.
Nagito didn't do much to Nagisa's hair, but he did agree to match with the others for Masaru's day.
Kotoko wore a pink and white outfit, complete with a pink skirt, pink and white stokings and a pin that read "Happy birthday!" On it.
Monaca wore a green variation of Kotoko's outfit, pin included.
Nagisa wore a white shirt with blue accents, though he didn't like the outfit choice, Jataro and Yuta were quite happy to wear it though.
Jataro begged for his shirt to have longer sleeves, Nagito and Hajime couldn't say no to the kid and bought him a white shirt with brown accents on the ends of the sleeves. Sleeves that hung over his hands.
Back to the original topic.
Kotoko honestly had no reason to panic, Masaru had told her he didn't mind if he got a present as long as it was something from her.
Still, Kotoko wanted the gift to be special, she'd picked it out, spent hours writing the perfect birthday card and even wrapped it delicatly!
She'd poured her heart into the gift, but couldn't bring herself to bring it out of the confines if her room.
"Kyaaaaaaaa!" Cried a voice outside the door, "Daimon-kun stop! Put the worm down! Thats gross! Eek! Don't chase me with itttt!"
Followed by Nagito's familiar voice, "Masaru! Don't chase Kiibo's sister with that worm! She's going to fry a circut!"
A loud laugh was heard as Masaru was probably chasing after the robotic girl, "Kiraaaaa! Don't tell me you're scared of a teenie worrrrrm!"
"Eek! Kiibo! Kiibo! Kiibo! Kiibo! Big brotherrr!" Kira's fraile voice cried as she probably sped up, most likely running to find her big brother, "Get him to stop! Kyaaaaaaaaa!"
Yuta snorted. "I'll go help Lil Keebs," He said taking his hands from his pockets and walking to the door, "Koto I'm pretty sure Mas would treasure almost anything 𝘺𝘰𝘶 give him."
With that the younger Asahina left the room, "Masaru Daimon! Put that worm back outside!"
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Masaru frowned, "Where's everyone else?"
His real question was, 'Where's Kotoko?' He wouldn't directly ask that though.
Thats just plain weakness and Masaru Daimon is not weak!
Kira shrugged, "Komaeda-senpai says they're just finishing getting ready!" She smiled, the blue eyed robot wore a white shirt, a blue skirt, blue and white stockings and a pair of white heels.
Despite Kira being fairly, well not even fairly, just innocent, Kiibo had chosen to preserve said innocence.
He'd pulled Kira's hair back into a braid and being the older brother he was, he matched with her.
Masaru sighed, "Is that another excuse that Cloudy's using?"
Kira shook her head, "I don't think Komaeda-senpai would lie to anyone! Especially you! Its your big day!"
Masaru's mood brightened a little.
"Thanks Kiki." He said, putting his hands in his pockets, "Oh by the way! Did my big brother get back to Cloudy about being here or...?"
Kira nodded happily, "Leon said he wouldn't miss this day for the world!"
Masaru brightened further, just knowing Leon had taken time away from baseball for his birthday made him happy.
He could get to spend his day with his two favorite people there!
He smiled, "Thanks for telling me," He said, patting Kira's head.
Kira smiled brightly, "I'm happy to help!"
A quiet knock sounded, "Oh!" Kiibo exclaimed, "Shuichi and the cake are here!"
The robot opened the door, "I'm not late am I?" Shuichi asked quietly.
"Nope! We're just finishing the snack tables." Kiibo carefully took the cake box from him and kissed Shuichi's cheek, "Thank you for bringing the cake."
Shuichi flushed and nodded, "Y-yeah."
Masaru poked his tongue, "Ewwwwwwww!" He joked, gently pushing the two to the back porch where Rantaro, Korekiyo, Hajime, Nagito, Aoi and Kiibo had set up most of the decorations and tables.
"Oh Kira, listen for three knocks, that'll be Kokichi, Kazuichi, Gundham, Kaito and Angie with the drinks okay?" Kiibo asked.
Kira nodded, her eyes sparkling, "I'm on it!" She smiled.
Kiibo smiled greatfully, "You're an amazing little sister! Thanks a ton Baby Bot!"
Kira nodded, "Go on! Go on! We'll be starting soon!"
Masaru's shoulders slumped, "Uh, Kira?"
"Hm?"
"Is..well uh..are Kotoko and Leon actually going to show?" He asked, "They're both so busy with modeling and baseball...I..well.."
"Hey!" Kira gave him a gentle shove, "They'd never go back on their word! Leon would rather get rat poisoning before missing this! And Kotoko would rather miss an entire week of modeling than miss out on your special day!"
Masaru looked at the floor, "Are you sure?" He asked, still worried the two would miss it, "Kotoko has to fly back to Russia and Leon has a game soon..."
Kira frowned, flicking Masaru on the shoulder, "Like I said, they would never miss this! Remember last year? Kotoko almost fired her manager for trying to make her stay in Austria during the week of your birthday!"
Masaru smiled at the memory, he could hear the two arguring over the phone, as weird as it was, he was happy she'd made it to his birthday then.
"And that time Leon left mid-game just to come surprise you?" Kira smiled brightly, "You know those two wouldn't miss it. Not even for the world!"
Masaru looked at Kira and smiled, "Thats really nice of you Kira..." He paused, "Thanks."
Kira nodded, "Now c'mon birthday boy! Lets play tag until the others get here!"
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Kotoko picked up the wrapped gift box she'd gotten for Masaru.
"Alright I've decided." She announced.
Monaca slumped, "Finallyyyyyyyy!" The green-haired girl whined.
"Someone distract Masaru so I can sneak this outside to the present table." Kotoko held the gift gently.
Monaca smiled, "Monaca will! Monaca will!"
The girl skipped from the room, "Masaruuuuu! Kiraaaa! C'mon! Lets play!"
"Masaru's it! Monaca-chan run!" Kira giggled.
Kotoko peeked out, seeing Kira's hair turn a corner, most likely into the living room, which meant Masaru was away from the back door.
She carefully brought the gift outside, nearly bumping into Rantaro as she watched to make sure the three weren't coming her way.
"Gah! Sorry Rantaro." Kotoko let out a long exhale, "I was sneaking Masaru's gift out here and didn't see you."
Rantaro chuckled warmly, his bracklets rattling as he brought his perfectly polished hand up to try and hide his laughter.
"No worries Kiddo," The man smiled a bit, "I was actually going to see if the cake pops were done."
Kotoko set the gift on the table to her right with the others.
"Oh," She said, "by the way, is Enoshima-chan coming or just Ikusaba-sama?"
"Both of them, along with the Tanaka twins, and Sonia, Nagito's twin-"
"We brought the drinks~!" Angie sang cheerfully.
"I brought the liquor for us older ones though." Kaito said, setting a box to the side.
"And we brought a Leon!" Kazuichi piped up.
"I stopped and picked these up, it took a while cause they weren't done getting frosted," Leon handed a box of custom made cookies to Nagito, "Good thing they were done before the party started though."
Hajime and Izuru began setting the drinks on the snack table, "Thanks a ton for coming all this way Kuwata." Nagito said, a bright smile gracing his face.
"You kidding? Like I'd miss my lil bro's big day!" Leon smiled, Kotoko smiled a bit at that.
She knew Masaru would be happy to see his big brother.
Leon seemed to finally notice Kotoko, who was partially hidden by Yuta and Aoi.
"Woah! Kotoko? Ya were able to come?" He asked.
Kotoko nodded, "I convinced my manager to let me come back and to pospone my photoshoot to the end of the month, so I'll be going back to Russia in two weeks."
"Oh nice! Saru'll love that!" Leon smiled.
Kotoko smiled as well, "Yeah.."
'I hope so..' Kotoko thought to herself.
"I'm hereeeee~!" Sonia sang, tackle-hugging Nagito.
Nagito caught his sister and laughed, "I'm glad you could make it, sorry to cut your honeymoon short.."
Sonia shook her head, "Are you kidding? Chiaki and I had so much fun! We even booked that trip again for a few months from now!"
Nagito smiled, "Well I'm glad you had fun Soni."
Sonia giggled at the nickname, "I set his present on the table by the way! Its from me and Chia!"
Gundham and Kazuichi walked over, the taller male hugging Kazuichi around the waist.
"The drinks are set up, thanks to the Hinata twins." Kazuichi said, "Kokichi and Kaito are finishing the snack table, Gundy and I got em to stop flirting to set the stuff out."
Gundham visibly hugged him tighter, "Mhm.." He mumbled.
Kazuichi reached up and patted his boyfriends head, running his fingers through Gundham's dark hair—
"Hey!" Kotoko cried, "Kazzy let me see your left hand!" She jumped up.
Kazuichi took his hand from Gundham's hair and held it up from the girl to see.
Kotoko and Sonia gasped, "Is that a wedding ring?!" Kotoko's eyes glittered.
Kazuichi nodded, "Yep." A bright smile taking over his features, "This giant teddy bear proposed last week."
Gundham nodded with a smile, "I did indeed. But that is a story for another day! Its Masaru's day to shine not ours."
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Masaru ran outside, nearly stumbling over air as he saw Kotoko and Leon both.
His jaw dropped..
Masaru's body was working on auto pilot, he didn't even know they were here! He couldn't help it.
His feet felt as if they weren't hitting the floor.
He could hear someone telling him to slow down, but Masaru wasn't listening.
He practically tackled Kotoko into a bush when he hugged her.
The girl let out a squeal, "What in the-"
"Koto!" Masaru hugged her tighter.
"M-Masaru..?" Kotoko's eyes widened and filled with tears, "Saru!"
Being away from Kotoko for nearly a whole year wasn't fun for Masaru at all.
He couldn't help the little tears brimming in his eyes.
Kotoko hugging him tightly, burying her face into Masaru's shoulder.
"God you pink loving idiot...I missed you.." Masaru murmured hoping Kotoko couldn't hear it.
Kotoko sniffled, her fingers digging into the back of Masaru's shirt.
"I missed you too you demonic ginger.."
Masaru reluctantly released her from the hug and smiled.
Kotoko smiled tearfully, wiping her eyes.
Leon leaned down, "Am I interrupting orrrrrr?"
Masaru gave him a fist bump, "Not at all!" His smile grew brighter.
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Nagito smiled to himself, "I like seeing him that happy." He whispered to Hajime, hugging his husband around the waist and putting his head on his shoulder.
"I do too Dear." Hajime ran his fingers through Nagito's hair, "I love you Ko."
"I love you too Haji."
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Masaru's birthday party was much more fun with Kotoko and Leon around.
Kotoko was even nice enough to give him a gift!
He had waited to open it. Secretly keeping that gift for last.
She walked over and smiled at Masaru.
"Are you having fun Saru?" She asked, a small lollipop in between her fingers.
"I am!" Masaru smiled brightly, "Its a ton of fun!"
'Its more fun with you here.' He wanted to say, though he kept his mouth shut.
Kotoko smiled, "Thats good."
"Mhm."
"Hey Saru?"
"Yeah Koto?"
"Why are you clutching that gift box? And which gift is it?"
"Huh?"
Masaru looked down, he was clutching onto the gift Kotoko had gotten.
His face heated, "Uhm...I'm just really excited to open this one..so I'm keeping it away from Kahari and Aria!"
While not entirly a lie, Kahari Ouma and Aria Amami were only toddlers.
The girls were nosy in a sense but not enough to open someone elses gift.
"Ohhhh.." Kotoko nodded, "I can understand that."
She sat down beside him. "Well anyway!" She said, "Kahari handed this to me."
Kotoko handed Masaru a card, "Kokichi says its from him and Kaito's gift."
"Oh, I must've dropped it."
"Hey?"
"Hm?"
"All of your other gifts are open?"
"Yeah, I guess they are.."
"How long are you planning to keep that gift wrapped?"
'I'm saving it because its from you..." Masaru wanted to say.
"Well until midnight..Y'know? When we fire off the confetti and stuff." He said instead.
"Ohhhh!" Kotoko giggled, "You always save one present for that moment huh?"
"Ahah yeah.."
'I always save the presents you give me for that moment...it makes them special..' Masaru thought.
"Masaru! Kotoko! Come on! We're gonna fire the confetti in a sec!" Monaca sang.
Kotoko stood, holding her hand out for Masaru to take, "Well c'mon birthday boy! These are custom made confetti peices this time."
Masaru gripped the present in one hand and took Kotoko's in the other.
The two walked to the others and smiled.
3.....
Masaru's hand slipped out of Kotoko's.
2....
He grabbed a part of the presents wrapping paper.
1...
The paper tore easily, revealing bits of the present beneath.
POP! The confetti fired. Glittery red and orange confetti fired into the sky, showering down onto everyone below.
Masaru's present from Kotoko was a drone.
Something he'd told her he wanted in the past.
Looking back, it was childish of him to ask for the toy, but now..
Right in that moment..
He didn't care.
He set the drone down.
Walking over to Kotoko as confetti continued to fire off and rain down on the party guests.
He didn't say anything as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Masaru I-"
He cut her off, hugging her tighter and kissing Kotoko's forehead.
Kotoko buried her face into Masaru's shoulder.
If this was a birthday present....
Masaru wanted a present like this..
Every year.