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“Okay, so a left at the next light,” Ainosuke chimed up from the backseat. But as Tadashi shifted lanes, his master added, “Sorry, no. The one after this one.”
Tadashi felt a slight pounding in his head as he signaled to return to his previous lane, briefly glancing at the man in the rear view mirror.
“You could just give me the address and I could get us there without this hassle,” he pointed out as he merged back into traffic and pulled into the next left turn lane. But the other man shook his head emphatically.
“That would ruin the surprise!”
Which Tadashi would have preferred. Surprises had a habit of ruining the carefully planned schedules that he had prepared. Even though there was no pressing business for either of them for the rest of the evening, that didn’t mean they couldn’t get a head start on other work. Ainosuke hadn’t told him anything about where they were going, simply ordering him into the car while he took up his usual position in the backseat and was apparently just now learning the directions on his own phone.
“Are you meeting someone? I don’t want you to be late,” Tadashi suggested, glancing at the clock on the dash as it ticked over to 9 PM. He didn't know who his master could be meeting at this time of the night, and especially with such secrecy, but there wasn't much reason for Ainosuke to be wandering around the streets this late at all. And he couldn't help feeling slightly irritated: less with the inadequate directions coming from the backseat and more with the thought that Ainosuke felt he couldn't trust Tadashi enough to let him know about this in advance so he could plan accordingly.
"Don't worry. They'll wait. Keep going along this street. You'll have a right turn next: I'll let you know when."
With a sigh, Tadashi obeyed, continuing to follow Ainosuke's directions until the other man announced, "We're here!"
Frowning, Tadashi peered out the window, trying to figure out Ainosuke's destination. There weren't any businesses of particular note that he could see: shops and restaurants, for the most part, and some apartments.
"Park the car somewhere nearby, will you?" Ainosuke instructed. Still bemused, Tadashi pulled into a small lot before automatically stepping out of the car and opening Ainosuke's door for him. But after the other man also got out, he shut the door and caught Tadashi's hand in his own, leading him back to the street. They passed several buildings before Ainosuke led him into a karaoke, beaming at the receptionist.
"I believe the rest of our party is already here? Under the name Kikuchi."
The young woman blushed furiously as she checked the sign-in sheets before nodding.
"Room five, sir!"
"Many thanks." Ainosuke threw her a wink before tugging Tadashi deeper into the building, checking the number above each of the doors until they stopped in front of the one marked with a 5. And then he turned to Tadashi, his eyes sparkling with unconcealed excitement.
"Go ahead!"
There was no point in asking for an explanation when he'd learn the answer soon enough, so Tadashi carefully pulled the door open, freezing at the sound of several small explosions before he was covered in confetti and glitter.
"Happy birthday, Tadashi!"
Ainosuke's words were echoed by everyone in the karaoke room, and Tadashi looked over the familiar faces: Nanjo, Sakurayashiki, Higa, Hasegawa, Kyan, and even Chinen. They were all staring at him expectantly, but he wasn't sure what to say.
"Thank you," he finally decided. The air was still slightly awkward, but Ainosuke slapped him on the back, pushing him toward the room.
"Well now, let's get the party started, why don't we? I want the mic first!" he declared, closing the door behind him when everyone was inside again. As he'd threatened, he grabbed one of the mics and began searching for a song. Unsure of what to do, Tadashi took a seat on the couch, accepting a drink from Nanjo as Ainosuke began to sing.
"This isn't really your scene, huh?" Nanjo asked, sitting next to him while resting his outstretched arms on the back of the cushions. "It's more Adam's thing, really, right? I hope this isn't too uncomfortable for you."
"I'm alright," Tadashi replied quietly, taking a sip of his juice. His companion had hit the nail on the head, though: it had entirely slipped his mind that today was his birthday, but if he'd been given the chance to give input on what sort of celebration he would have wanted, it would have been something quiet… or nothing at all. He'd never been interested in being the center of attention, unlike his master. The others seemed to be enjoying themselves, though—and Ainosuke in particular—so it was okay, then. And Ainosuke undoubtedly had good intentions, though his execution needed improvement… as usual.
"So you've known Adam for a while, right?" Nanjo continued conversationally, taking a swig of his own drink. "Longer than Kaoru and me, even. What was he like as a kid?"
Talking about Ainosuke was easier than talking about himself, and Tadashi smiled slightly as he thought back to their childhood.
"He wasn't that much different than he is now," he replied quietly, glancing at Sakurayashiki as the man sat down on his other side, clearly interested as well. "Vibrant, charismatic, and full of life. He's always been able to draw others to him and make them comfortable. But he was also sweeter back then. The kind of kid who'd go out of his way to help others if he saw they were in trouble."
At least until that habit had been beaten out of him. After all, a Shindo never did anything that didn't benefit them: it was a waste of time to help someone who would be of no use to them, unless there were other people watching.
"But he was lonely, too. So it meant a lot to him when you guys became his friends. He'd never hung out with others like that before, really."
Even Tadashi didn't count. After all, they'd befriended each other only because there had been nobody else. Outside of school and Ainosuke's other classes, where he was otherwise occupied, anyways, Tadashi was the only person he saw around his age. Like many of Ainosuke's other relationships, it was simply one of convenience, though it had eventually become something more. But Nanjo and Sakurayashiki were people he'd chosen, himself.
"He talked about the two of you a lot," Tadashi added. At least before he was sent to America, though he was starting to talk about them again. He'd joined them for a few meals at Sia la Luce, as well. It probably wasn't the same as when they were younger, but Tadashi was glad that he was getting the chance to reconnect with his old friends.
"Well, he never really talked about you," Sakurayashiki pointed out, and Tadashi shrugged. Why would he? He had only been a servant's child. And he'd been aware of that too, so even if he hadn't been busy as Aiichiro's secretary, he would have still turned down Ainosuke's invitations for him to join them.
"Either way, it's nice to actually meet you, Tadashi," Joe interjected, offering him a small, slim box tied with a ribbon. "This is from us."
"Thank you." Tadashi accepted it, unsure of what to do. The two men were watching him expectantly, though, so he tugged on the ribbon, folding it neatly after it unraveled, before removing the lid of the box. A beautifully lettered card sat inside, and he picked it up by the edges to get a closer look. Once he was done, he set it back down along with the ribbon, replacing the lid before looking up at the two men.
"Thank you," he repeated. It had been a gift card to Sia la Luce, and given the quality of the cardstock and the calligraphy, he assumed that Sakurayashiki had written it.
"Yeah. So swing by sometime, okay? Bring Adam, too, or something," Nanjo said, clapping him on the shoulder. Maybe Ainosuke heard his name, because he looked over at them as he finished his song, beaming while the others clapped politely.
“Tadashi, would you be a dear and order us some more drinks? And maybe some snacks?” he called out. Nodding, Tadashi made to stand up, only to find Nanjo’s arm in his way.
“Seriously, Adam? It’s his birthday. You can at least manage that much by yourself, can’t you?” he called back. But Ainosuke twisted his lips into a pout.
“But I’m the spoiled young master, right, ‘jiro? I’ve never lifted anything heavier than a teacup, right?” he whined. They’d clearly had some sort of conversation along those lines before, and Nanjo sighed heavily.
“Fine, fine. I’ll do it. ‘Cause I’m the big, dumb brute, right? Tadashi, just stay here and relax,” he ordered, getting up and heading to the phone.
“If we’re putting things on Adam’s tab, then we might as well order the luxury fruit platter,” Sakurayashiki added as he followed the larger man. “And more french fries. Langa’s already finished the last plate.”
Tadashi’s eyes flicked to the young man who was watching Ainosuke sing with a slightly vacant expression as he sucked up the last of some neon blue drink with a straw. But his line of sight was blocked when someone walked into it, holding a bunch of daffodils. And Tadashi looked up at Higa, who was rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Uh. I’m sorry about the fireworks,” he apologized, and it took Tadashi a moment to figure out what he was talking about. The preliminaries of the White Eden Wedding Beef. But he shook his head while accepting the flowers.
“It’s all part of the game there, right?” he pointed out. Besides, there was an argument to be made that the things Ainosuke had done were worse. An argument, though if Tadashi were to pick a side, he’d pick his master’s. Ainosuke could at least keep control of most of the situations he incited with his superior skills, but Higa relinquished that control and relied on his opponents’ abilities to keep them from getting badly hurt. But as the de facto organizer of “S,” Tadashi had gotten a headache from both of their antics: all it took was one serious accident and an investigation to bring the police down on them, bribes or no.
But after what he’d done to Ainosuke, he didn’t have the ability or the right to deny him his escape at Crazy Rock, so Tadashi had just done his best to keep things from going badly. And for the most part, he managed it fairly well.
“Yeah. That’s right!” Higa’s expression brightened. “But if there’s anything you need help with, just let me know, okay? And our shop has really good flowers, some of the freshest in the area, so keep that in mind too!”
“You’re in the way.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
Higa took a step back, letting Chinen squeeze by and toss something into Tadashi’s lap.
“Happy birthday or something. I’m heading out, though. I’ve got a competition tomorrow,” the boy commented, waving a hand in brief farewell as he headed to the door. It opened before he reached it though, and the receptionist from the front desk came in, carrying a laden tray.
“Oh! Excuse me,” she apologized, barely avoiding colliding with Chinen, though Tadashi noticed that some of the drinks she was carrying slopped out of their containers. “I’ve brought your orders. A pitcher of orange juice and oolong tea, the luxury fruit platter, a large french fries, two orders of takoyaki, and a special birthday parfait. Whose birthday is it?”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Tadashi, who felt slightly embarrassed by all the attention, but the woman just beamed as she walked over to him, setting a too-large parfait stuffed with pocky, marshmallow hearts, fruit, and ice cream in front of him.
“Happy birthday, sir!” she chirped before setting everything else on the table, her eyes flicking toward Ainosuke again as she stood up. “Please feel free to call us if you need anything else!”
She bobbed a quick bow before leaving, and Chinen waved to everyone again.
“Bye, nerds.”
He followed her out, and Tadashi took a moment to see what Chinen had given him—a handkerchief with a cat pattern—before another voice interrupted him.
“That looks good.”
Hasegawa had moved closer to him on the couch and was staring at the parfait. Smiling slightly, Tadashi pushed it toward the young man.
“Please feel free to have some,” he encouraged the boy. “I can’t finish it myself.”
It was the truth, after all. Tadashi had a fairly small appetite as it was, and he preferred salty snacks. Hasegawa seemed more than happy to pick up the spoon and scoop some ice cream into his mouth, but he was interrupted by a small shove on his other side.
“Langa! At least give him his gift first!” Kyan hissed, and Hasegawa looked slightly surprised as he glanced at his friend.
“Oh. Yeah.”
He accepted a box from the redhead before offering it to Tadashi.
“Happy birthday. From us.”
“Thank you,” Tadashi replied politely. This one had been wrapped in glossy paper, so he turned it over, feeling something heavy shift inside, to unstick the tape and unfold the paper. That, too, he folded neatly into a small square while Kyan spoke, somewhat nervously.
“We weren’t sure what to get you, so we thought maybe something you could use? But it’s not all that expensive or high quality. Maybe what you already have is better. Like, I never really got a good look at your board, either,” he rambled as Tadashi opened the box to reveal a new set of wheels. He took one out to examine it: true, it wasn’t top of the line, but it wasn’t like the two of them were making money, either. And they would be good enough for him to use for a while, especially since he didn’t abuse his board as badly as, say, Ainosuke or Hasegawa.
“These are nice. Thank you,” he told them, looking up.
“Ah, right? Like, you have a pretty normal style of skating, so I figured you didn’t need any special wheels,” Kyan explained enthusiastically while Hasegawa kept eating ice cream. “But it’s really amazing that you can keep up with Adam like that! Cherry said that you even beat his time in the qualifiers, did you know that?”
“I did.” It didn’t really mean that much, though, since Ainosuke hadn’t really been taking it seriously: the only person who he had to compete with in his qualifying group was Chinen, and two people moved on from each group, anyways. Even though the young skater was the most promising of his age in the whole of Japan and on the short list for the national team, he wasn’t at that level yet. Rather, other than Hasegawa and Tadashi himself, there probably wasn’t anyone who could seriously challenge Ainosuke.
But that didn’t matter anymore, either. Ainosuke had changed after that last race with Hasegawa, and he could enjoy himself when he was up against other skaters now. While he still kept his flamboyance, he was laying off the more dangerous tricks—the Love Hug, in particular—and simply enjoying himself. But Kyan was beaming at him, and Tadashi returned the gaze questioningly.
“Is there something else?”
“Yeah. You’re glad you kept skating, right?”
Tadashi thought back to the last time they’d really spoken. Not when he was delivering Ainosuke’s challenge, but a little while before that.He'd said some pretty self-satisfactory things back then, and it was a little embarrassing to remember them. He'd tried to force on Kyan just what he had on Ainosuke rather than understanding either of them. Or any other skaters, really.
"Yes," he agreed softly, and the boy grinned.
"It's fun, isn't it?"
"It is."
"Oh, what are you talking about?"
Tadashi saw Kyan grimace right before Ainosuke plopped down on the couch beside his assistant, grabbing his glass of juice.
"Ah, Ainosuke-sama. That's mine. I'll get you a fresh glass." Tadashi reached out to take it away, but Ainosuke batted his hand away before draining it.
"You're not sick, are you?"—and Tadashi shook his head—"Then what does it matter? Anyways, it looked like you guys were having fun without me! What were you talking about?"
"Skating," Tadashi answered, and Ainosuke grinned.
"Of course you were. Show me what gifts you got, Tadashi."
Obediently, Tadashi offered them to his master, watching him sift through them while seeming more excited about them than Tadashi himself was. And then he dropped them onto the table before grabbing Tadashi's hand and dragging him to his feet and to the front of the room.
"It's your turn now!" he declared, shoving a mic into his hand. And Tadashi stared at him blankly.
"I can't sing, Ainosuke-sama."
"Don't be like that! Everyone can sing," Ainosuke insisted, flipping through the songbook. "So tell me, do you recognize any of these songs?"
In the end, Tadashi ended up singing a children's song to the applause of the others before beating a hasty retreat back to his seat in the corner. But they stayed for another hour or so, mostly chatting unless Ainosuke or Kyan was in the mood to sing, before winding down.
By then, Tadashi's head was throbbing, but he politely bid farewell to the others and thanked them again while he tidied up the mess they'd made and collected his gifts. And then he headed back to the car with his master.
As they drove home, Ainosuke hummed to himself in the backseat, and Tadashi simply listened, until the younger man abruptly stopped.
"Did you enjoy yourself tonight, Tadashi?" he asked, and Tadashi glanced into the rearview mirror to see Ainosuke's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I mean, I know you don't really like these sorts of things, but it's your birthday! We had to do something special, right?"
"It was nice. Thank you," Tadashi reassured the man, watching his expression change to a smile.
"Of course! Happy birthday!"
"Thank you," Tadashi repeated for the umpteenth time that night. But he meant it.