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For Harumasa, birthdays were a terrifying thing. Some would think that was strange if they did not understand his way of thinking. For him, birthdays were a constant reminder that he was running out of time. Yet, he never stopped pushing forward. He never stopped living his life.
Growing up, he never spent his birthday with anyone, not after his master had left him. He did not see a need to because they were not worth celebrating to him. What was the point if he was going to die soon? That was what he thought at least.
But then things changed.
After joining Hollow Special Operations Section 6, something unexpected happened. Harumasa found himself growing close to his teammates no matter how much he had tried to avoid it, but he wasn't against it. It made him happy and he enjoyed his time with them. He hadn't expected anything when Yanagi had asked him when his birthday was. He just gave her the answer and went on with his day.
Then the day arrived.
He had gone into the office for work, then to his surprise Miyabi, Yanagi, and Soukaku were there waiting with cake and some gifts. They had caught him by surprise and jumped out in the dark with cheerful shouts. He doesn't know what overcame him in that moment, but he had begun to cry much to everyone's panic. It was the first time he had really celebrated his birthday with anyone since his master had left.
It was strange to him, for he hadn't expected anyone to care enough about him to celebrate. Yet he wasn't against it and wished for more. A warm fuzzy feeling bubbled in his chest whenever he thought about it. He was just happy to have people who cared about him.
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"Hmm...." Miyabi taps her chin.
"Is something wrong, Miyabi?" Yanagi asks.
"I was thinking about what we should do for Harumasa's birthday." Miyabi says.
"Oh. you haven't thought of anything yet?" Yanagi asks.
"Not yet." Miyabi shakes her head. She frowns. "I want to make it special."
"You can go with him somewhere!" Soukaku suggests.
"Go somewhere?" Miyabi tilts her head.
"Mhm! Like a date!" Soukaku says, nodding enthusiastically.
"Like a date..." Miyabi holds her chin. "Do you have ideas?"
She had not thought about going on a date for Harumasa's birthday. It wasn't something that had occurred to her at all. She had only thought of doing something with everyone since that was how they normally celebrated birthdays, and she did not know what kind of date Harumasa would like. He was never too open about the things he liked except for telling her that he liked her.
Yanagi sighs. "Miyabi... you have been dating him for awhile now. You should know him better than us."
"No. You two know him very well too." Miyabi says.
Yanagi looks like she wants to argue, but she shakes her head. "You're right. But I want to avoid the disaster we had last time..."
"Oh. The last time we had a birthday celebration with him, he cried. I do not want that to happen again." Miyabi frowns.
"But he said that he was happy about it." Yanagi points out.
"Harumasa may have said that to make us feel better." Miyabi says.
"I don't think so. He did seem genuine about it." Yanagi says.
"Oh. That is possible. He was happy when we shared the cake with him." Miyabi says.
"Then Harumasa was happy! We should have another party!" Soukaku smiles brightly.
"We could, but... I wonder if Miyabi would like to do something special." Yanagi says.
Something special? That wasn't something Miyabi had considered. She also did not think it would be what Harumasa would want. She frowns as she thinks deeply about it. She was sure that Harumasa would want to spend time with all of them. "I just have no ideas on what to do."
"Why don't we have a celebration together, then you can take him out on a date Miyabi?" Yanagi suggests.
"Hmm... A part sounds like a good idea." Miyabi nods.
"Yay! We are going to have a party!" Soukaku cheers.
"Quiet down everyone. I think Harumasa is coming now." Yanagi says. "Get back to your desks and get to work."
Miyabi sits down in her seat and stares intently at the papers on her desk. She glances up as the door opens, waiting silently.
"Hey everyone!" Harumasa greets everyone.
"Hi Harumasa!" Soukaku waves enthusiastically.
"How was your appointment? Any news?" Yanagi asks.
Harumasa sighs and shakes his head. "It's the same as always. I'll be fine, so don't worry too much, alright?"
"You know we will always worry about you." Yanagi says.
"Because Harumasa is important to us!" Soukaku smiles.
"Thanks guys. It makes me happy to hear that." Harumasa laughs.
Miyabi listens quietly while Harumasa chats with Soukaku about something. He seemed more cheerful than normal today which meant that the appointment must have gone well. Miyabi was relieved about that. She could only hope that it meant that there was good news. After all, she wanted Harumasa to live long and stay by her side.
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A fluffy paw tapping his face constantly was what stirred him from his sleep. He hears a loud meow and instantly knows what it had been that was bothering this early. His cat, Yumi, is sitting by his face with one paw touching his cheek as a way to wake him up. Harumasa yawns as he sits up, scooping Yumi up in his arms, scratching her under the chin. "Good morning Yumi."
"Mrrow!" The cat meows.
"Did you want food already?" He sets the cat down and walks to the kitchen. "I'll prepare something for you."
He reaches into the cabinet and grabs a can of cat food, putting it into Yumi's bowl. The cat does not move to the bowl right away. After a quick sniff, Yumi begins eating. Once she is finished, she meows to let him know she is done.
"You're done already? That's good." Harumasa smiles. He jumps when he feels a hand tap his shoulder. "Huh?!"
"Oh. Did I scare you?" Miyabi tilts her head.
"How long have you been here?" Harumasa questions in a panic. "Wait... Actually, how did you get in?!"
"I have been here for an hour now. And I used the spare key you had." Miyabi says nonchalantly.
"Miyabi, you can't just take my spare key." Harumasa sighs, rubbing his forehead.
"You said I could take it the last time I came to visit." Miyabi frowns.
"I... I did?" Harumasa asks.
"I came over when you were not feeling well. You said I could take the key for emergencies." Miyabi says.
Harumasa frowns as he thinks over it. He does remember saying that, but he does not remember when he had handed the key over to Miyabi. He knows Yanagi had a spare key to his apartment too, but that was only because she demanded he gave her one after he had passed out at work. He was beginning to wonder if he should just move in with someone so that everyone would stop worrying.
But that was something to think about for another time.
"What brings you here today?" Harumasa asks.
"It is your birthday." Miyabi says plainly.
"Huh?" For a moment, his mind had gone blank. Then he checks his phone. "Oh! I forgot!"
"You forgot? That is not good." Miyabi tilts her head. Then she grabs his arm. "Come. I want to take you somewhere."
"Wait! I haven't had breakfast yet!" Harumasa cries out.
"I made food for you. You can eat that." Miyabi says, tugging him to the door. She side steps when Yumi launches herself at her. "Bad demon."
"Mrrow!" Yumi meows angrily.
Harumasa manages to grab the keys before Miyabi drags him outside. "Where are we going?"
"It is a surprise." Miyabi leads him to the car.
"A surprise? Aren't we just going to the office?" Harumasa asks. "Tsukishiro and Soukaku sent you as a distraction, didn't they?"
"That is not it. You are misunderstanding. We are going on a date." Miyabi frowns, looking back at him.
"A date?" Had he heard that right? Harumasa had never thought this day would come so soon. He knew it could happen eventually, but now? That was certainly something he did not expect. Then again, haven't they gone on dates before? Why was he so surprised?
"Get in the car." Miyabi commands.
"Alright alright!" Harumasa sighs, climbing in. He jumps slightly when his vision suddenly goes completely dark and he feels a cloth over his eyes. "Miyabi! Is this really necessary?! I don't think I need a blindfold. My eyesight is already bad."
"Hmmm... It is a precaution." Miyabi says. "Now stay still."
"It's not like there is much I can do in a moving car." Harumasa mutters.
"Shush. Let me drive." Miyabi says.
Harumasa sighs and just sits quietly. There was nothing much he could do to argue against Miyabi. She always found a way to beat him somehow, or maybe he gave in too easily. It was either one but it did not really matter. He did not mind letting Miyabi win if it made her happy. He was happy if she was happy, and that was enough for him.
He liked being around her, and he wished he could spend more time with her. Of course, things may not always go that way. He knew that with how unpredictable the hollows were, he could lose his life sooner than expected. Despite not wanting to die, he was still willing to dive into the hollows to make sure other people could live another day.
"We are here." Miyabi says suddenly. She removes the blindfold and helps him out of the car.
"This is Fantasy Resort." Harumasa says.
"Yes. It is." Miyabi hums. She hrabs a bag from the trunk before grabbing his hand and leading him down to the beach. "I wanted to go somewhere nice. It was Soukaku and Yanagi's idea to come here. It sounded like fun, so I agreed. They will be meeting us here later. Soukaku would be disappointed if she did not get to celebrate your birthday."
"They are coming here? What about work?" Harumasa asks.
"Everyone is taking the day off today." Miyabi answers.
"Huh? Is that really okay? What if there is an emergency?" Harumasa frowns.
"If there is, we will go while you stay here." Miyabi says. She shoves the bag into his hands. "Go get changed."
"Uh..." Harumasa takes the bag, deciding to just do as Miyabi says.
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He was relieved that Miyabi hadn't picked anything that would expose his scars too easily. It covered his neck and back, so he did not need to worry about anyone seeing anything. Once he had changed, he finds Miyabi on the beach making a sandcastle. Surprisingly, she had already changed to a simple black two piece swimsuit.
"Oh. You are back. I started the training of building a sandcastle." Miyabi says, looking up at him. Her eyes scan over him and she hums in approval. "I was right. It really does suit you."
"Thanks." Harumasa looks away, feeling his face heat up.
Miyabi stands up, grabbing his hand. She leads him down to the water. "Lets go for a swim, or we can just play around in the water."
Harumasa thinks over it for a moment before splashing Miyabi. He laughs when he sees the surprised look on her face. "That's a funny expression you are making Miyabi."
Miyabi is silent for a long moment before she splashes him. "I see. You wish to do a splash fight. I will not lose then."
"Haha! It's not that serious, Miyabi!" Harumasa laughs splashing her back.
"No. This is a battle now. I cannot lose." Miyabi says.
"Try and catch me first." Harumasa says before running from her.
Miyabi gives chase, running at his heels. "You will not get away."
The water splashes around them as they run on the edge of the beach. Harumasa wonders if this was something people would normally do. It wasn't like he got to go to the beach too often. As he listens to his surroundings, he could hear some families playing around the beach.
What was that like? That wasn't something he got to experience. He does not get long to think about it because he suddenly finds himself falling into the water. He pushes himself up and looks up at Miyabi with a frown.
"I caught you." Miyabi smiles. "You should not get distracted while running away."
Harumasa huffs before grabbing Miyabi's arm and yanking her down. The void hunter crashes into the water with a splash.
"Why?" Miyabi glares at him.
"Don't let yourself get distracted, Miyabi.~" Harumasa grins.
"Fine. You win." Miyabi pouts.
Harumasa sighs and pulls Miyabi into a hug. "Sorry for doing that."
"It's fine." Miyabi leans against his shoulder.
"And thank you for this." Harumasa says.
"Hm? Why are you saying thank you?" Miyabi asks.
"Because you are willing to spend my birthday with me." Harumasa answers. Miyabi's silence is enough for him to know she was confused, so he continues. "I never really celebrated my birthday with anyone before joining Section 6. I usually spent them alone because..."
"Because what?" Miyabi shifts closer.
"For someone like me, birthdays were a terrifying thing. They are like a sword hanging over my head. A constant reminder that I am running out of time, so I had always dreaded them. But I think I see things differently now." Harumasa closes his eyes.
"You can't see very well now." Miyabi says bluntly.
"I meant figuratively..." Harumasa mutters.
"Oh. I see. You can continue now." Miyabi hums.
"With you, I think I can look forward to my birthdays now. You give me a reason to keep going because I want to live. I want to live so I can spend the rest of my life with you." Harumasa says.
"Then I will make sure you can do that." Miyabi holds his face in her hands.