Happy Birthday

Time Skip

It's been a few months
since the two succesfully
concealed their relationship in secrecy.

Now, Lily and Quartet Night is preparing
a surprise party for Ai's birthday this March 01.

"Hey, hey, what do you think would be
  good for Ai-Ai's celebration?~"
Reiji cheerfully asked.

"Hmm.. marine jellies?"
Lily suggested.

"That'd be great!"
Reiji said happily.

"Hmmm~ Lily-chan seem to
  know a lot about Ai-chan.
  Are you two going out?"
Ringo winked as he moved
his faced closer and asked.

"Eh? U-Uh.. n-no.. we're n-not.."
Lily shyly denied.

"Denial! Ohh don't deny already,
  I know it.. I can sense it!"
Ringo insisted and kept asking.

"We can't just hide it forever, can we?"
Camus sighed as he spoke.

"There's no point to hide it from Ringo-sensei."
Ranmaru commented as he crossed his arms.

"Ah well I guess I have to agree! D:"
Reiji said as he whimpered in the corner.

"Weeeeeeell?"
Ringo asked again.

"Y-Yeah... yes, you're right, Ringo-sensei.
  Ai-kun and I are together now.."
Lily blushed as she admitted.

"YATTA~! I KNEW IT! You guys are
  perfect for each other!"
Ringo clapped his hands as
he happily hugged Lily.

"Really? We are? Well...
  I'm glad to hear that :')"
Lily smiled so happily.

Everyone smiled warmly as they
felt Lily's joy through her smiles.

And so... everyone else prepared for Ai's birthday.
Each bought a special gift for Ai as a mark of friendship.
Whie Lily prepared a gift that Ai would definitely love.

March 01

Ai-kun wakes up and looks around.
the curtains are covering the windows.
Blocking the light and making the place dark.

"Lily? Why is the house so..dark..?"
Ai asked while stretching his arms.

"Meoooow~"
The cat Lily stroked its
body against Ai's leg.

"Ohayou, Lily-chan. Where is
  Lily? Did you see her?"
Ai smiled as he bent down
and stroked Lily's back.

The cat ran to the living room..
and Ai decided to follow her.

By the time he entered the living room..

"...Lily...?"

The lights suddenly went on and
everyone popped out from their hiding places.

"Happy Birthday!!!"

Everyone cheerfully greeted him.
Ai just stood there, feeling frozen.
His eyes widened, realizing that..
He has forgotten about his birthday.

"Ai-chan, omedetou!!"
Ringo happily greeted him.

"Omedetou, Ai-Ai!!!"
Reiji greeted him as he walked up to him.

"Happy birthday, Mikaze."
Camus greeted him as he
and Ranmaru handed over their gifts.

"Everyone... thank you."
Ai thanked them with a smile.

"Ai-kun, happy birthday!"
Lily walked up to him, kissed
him on the cheek and hugged him.

"Awww, how sweet!!"
Ringo said as he kept
bothering Ryuuya that
he also dragged along.

"Alright, alright..! Damn..
  now I have to keep this
  as a secret too..."
Ryuuya said in a jokingly angry voice.

"Ahehehe.. gomenosai, Ryuuya-sensei!"
Reiji placed his hand on the back of his head
and bowed as he apologized.

"Lily... I'm... I... I don't know what to say.
  Compared to all my birthdays last year...
  This is the most memorable and happy one.
  I'm really very happy. My friends are here.."
Ai said as he hugged Lily back.

As they heard those words, they smiled.

"And most of all... you are here."
Ai said as he looked into Lily's eyes.

They all smiled happily..
and began to celebrate his birthday.

The professor remains quiet in a corner.

"He forgets his birthday, huh?
  I hope that's not a bad thing."
He said in a low tone of voice.

After that little yet happy party,
they clean up and leave.

So now... Ai and Lily are all alone.

"Ai-kun!"
Lily called out to him.

"Hey, Lily! Thanks for today.
  I really appreciate it. so much.."
Ai said with a smile.

"I'm glad you liked it! That makes
  me very happy too. Your happiness..
  They share mine. So... I did my best."
Lily said and hugged Ai again.

"You're way more sweeter to me
  than before. Did anything happen?"
Ai teased Lily as they walked in the living room.

"I'm always like this to you! And only for you..
  No other guy can take me away from you."
Lily answered playfully with Ai.

"Oh? That's great, because you are only mine."
Ai smiled as he began tickling her.

Laughing and enjoying the day..
The two kept teasing each other. Playing.
He tickles her and she falls to the sofa,
and eventually lies down...

He stops tickling her...
and they both lock their
eyes... to each other's..

As they stared deeply into their eyes,
Ai moves closer to her face.. and kisses her.

"Thank you."
Ai whispered as he kissed her.

"I love you, Ai-kun."
Lily smiles as he thanked her.

Chapter 20 -
Happy Birthday