The sun beams through my curtains like a laser, hitting my eyes and forcing me to get up. I fumble around my nightstand, trying to find my glasses. I eventually get them, but not before almost clearing the small table of things. Rubbing the sleep out my eyes, I sit up and put them on. My vision still blurry, my next search is for the clock. After a bit of squinting I realize the numbers read “7:16”. Damn, I'm up pretty early. Oh well, might as well get ready. I grab my clothes and prepare to head in the shower, but realize I forgot to cross off the calender. Trying to find a pen, I remember I threw everything onto the floor and laugh at myself. I look back at the calender and almost smack myself – today is my birthday! Feeling a lot better, my nice shower only exponentiates my happiness. But, like an anvil was dropped on my cake, my joy deflates – I have piles of paperwork to do for the student council. What an awful way to spend my birthday. Oh well, it's not going to do itself. Grabbing my things, I head out for the council room.
        Heading down the halls, I realize I haven't seen Hisao or Misha around. Huh, weird. Maybe they're getting breakfast or something. Shrugging it off, I continue to the council room. I open the door and put my things down, but it's so dark I can barely find the desk.  Stumbling towards the light switch, I flick it. Looking back up, I see a piece of confetti float by. Where did it come from? Turning around, my heart nearly stops- a group of people are assembled under a large banner, on which is emblazoned   in bright blue letters “HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIZUNE!” A quick survey of the crowd surprises me – Misha and Hisao, of course, but also Hideaki, my father, and even Lilly, Akira, and Hanako. Such a ragtag group of individuals, all gathered because of me. Misha and Hisao excitedly sign “Happy Birthday!” at me, and I grin while giving my thanks. I glance to my left and see a large pile of multicolored gifts, all different sizes. It's quite a sight, actually.  After some hugs and hellos, I finally get to Lilly. I see her moving her mouth, and turn to Misha.
        [Hey, there, Shizune. Happy Birthday!] Lilly's formality is certainly only because of the occasion, but I'm grateful for it.
        [Thanks, Lilly. So, what brings you here today?] I tried to sign it with a bit of contempt, but I know Misha will just yell it out, with the sweetness of sugar.
        [Well, your birthday, of course. I mean, it would be rude of me not to attend, seeing as we're cousins, right?] She smiles, almost sarcastically. I notice Hanako hiding behind her, like she usually does.
        [So why's Hanako here?] Hanako shrinks even further behind Lilly, clutching her arm like it's a floatation device.
        [She didn't have anything else to do, so I asked her if she wanted to go.] Hanako nods slightly, so slightly I wouldn't have seen it had her hair not fallen from behind her ear.
        [Ah. Well, enjoy yourselves.] I turn and try to find Hisao. To my surprise, he's chatting up Hideaki, looking quite serious. I can only imagine what he's plotting. I walk up to him and smile.
        [Hey Hisao, what's up?] He gives me a light kiss, catching me off guard.
        [Not much, just talking with Hideaki. How do you like your party so far?] I look around and beam at him.
        [I love it! Who's idea was it? I need to thank them.] I imagine it could only be Misha.
        [Well, uh... I did.] He gives his usual hand-behind-the-head-and-grin routine, and I almost hit him.
        [Of course! How could I be so silly.] I smile and hug him. He smells nice today. It's weird, having people do special things for you. Thinking about this, I look up and kiss him, catching him off guard this time. Pulling away, I notice Hideaki looking a little weirded out. I giggle a bit and then go back to Hisao.
        [Thank you, though. Honestly, I mean it. This is quite nice.] I gesture around the room. [All these people, here because of me. Even my father.] I must look as bad as I felt during that last part, because Hisao suddenly looks worried.
        [I don't think your father would miss your birthday. He can be a bit of an arrogant ass sometimes-] I interrupt him with a sharp look. [Okay, quite an ass, all the time. But still, he loves you, and probably wouldn't miss today for the world.] A smile creeps onto my lips.
        [Thanks, Hisao. It's just, sometimes, it doesn't feel that way... He's always hard on me, and acts as if me rejecting the speech lessons was me rejecting him as a father. And I know you try and defend me to him, but trust me, it's hopeless. He won't listen.] He gives a small frown, looking almost like Mutou, in a way.
        [I know, I know. Let's just forget about that now and enjoy the party, yeah?]  He looks around the room, playfully putting his hand over his eyes. [Say, where'd Misha run of to?] Realizing I haven't seen her in a while, I begin to join his search.
        Off in the corner, a pair of bouncing drills catches my eye. Ah, that's where she ran off to. Suddenly, I notice who she's talking to – Hanako. That's odd, I never figured those stark personality contrasts would meet and form some sort of friendship. I grab Hisao's sleeve to get his attention.
        [Is that really Misha talking to Hanako?] He looks as surprised as I am.
        [Yeah, it is. I wonder what brought that on?] An idea pops into my head.
        [You should try and listen in on them.] I smile devilishly. Hisao rubs his chin, trying to look like he's actually deciding what to do. I already know he'll do it, though, just because I asked.
        [Well, it doesn't seem right, but okay...] We both grow still as he hones his hearing, making quite the face. It contorts this way and that while he strains to hear. Eventually he looks at me.
        [All I can make out is something about “roof” and “wine”. Huh, weird.] A look dashes across his face, as if he had an idea, but it quickly concedes. [Well, we might as well go talk to them. No sense in sitting here, talking only to each other in a room full of people, right?]
        [Yeah, I suppose.] I grab his hand and take the lead, almost jogging over to them, secretly hoping I'll catch them off guard. I look straight at Misha.
        [Hi, Misha!] Her mouth kind of fumbles a bit, as if she didn't realize I was there until I moved, but she quickly recovers.
        [Hey Shizune!~ How do you like your party?~ Me and Hisao worked so hard to put it together, we even did all of your paperwork! Wahaha!~] Her drills bob as she laughs, looking positively bubbly.
        [It's really great, Misha. I can't believe you even convinced my father to come.] A look of confusion overtakes her face.
        [Shizune, your dad came on his own accord. He didn't even tell us he was coming, he just showed up!~] My father came by himself? Maybe what Hisao said was truer then I thought.
        [Huh, wow. That's amazing.] I decide to change the subject before things get too awkward. [So, how did you and Hanako start talking?] She blushes a bit, her cheeks starting to resemble her hair.
        [Oh, uhm...] She doesn't get to finish, as Hisao taps me and points to my father.
        [He wants to talk to you.] Oh boy, here we go. I slowly walk over, Hisao at my side.
        [Hey dad, what's up?] He looks at me the entire time, as if Hisao wasn't actually there. That's one thing I can respect about him, I guess. He pays attention to me and not the translator. I, however, have to look at Hisao while he's speaking, and I feel rude for doing so.
        [Hey there, birthday girl! How's it hanging?] I'm sure that Hisao isn't translating the entirety of the sentence, but I'm sure it's better than hearing all of what my father has to say.
        [Today, pretty good. Having all my friends here is great, and even Lilly came, which was a pleasant surprise.] Which it really was, I didn't expect her to be here.
        [Well, she is your cousin, plus Akira wanted to come, for whatever reason. Anyways, what's your little “council” been doing lately? Nothing, per usual?] Here it comes.
        [We've actually been quite busy, organizing a new festival. I would be doing mounds of paperwork today, but Hisao and Misha finished it all.] I see my father laugh.
        [So, relying on your friends to get everything done for you, huh? Typical.] I feel my anger showing on my face, and calm myself. Before I can say anything else, Misha runs up and practically screams it, probably actually screaming it out loud.
        [CAKE TIIIIIIME!~ WAHAHAH!~] I look at the clock and realize I've been here for two hours already. Strange how time flies when you're with friends. Suddenly, the lights go out. I see the candles, all lit. They put the cake on the desk and motion towards the chair in front of it, obviously asking me to sit. I do, and Hisao and Hanako start signing while the others start singing.
        [~Happy birthday to you~...] I look at the group of people in front of me. With even my enemy here celebrating with my friends, I can't help but smile a bit.
        [~Happy birthday Shizune~...] The warmth of the candles brings me back to real life, and I notice everyone's holding their hands up. They must be singing the last part now. Hisao looks at me.
        [Come on, Shizune, blow out the candles and make a wish!] I begin thinking about what I should wish for. No need for happiness, I've got all of that I could ever wish for. I don't need money. I don't really want... anything. I think I'll just wish for things to stay the same.
        I blow out the candles, and everyone cheers.
        [Happy birthday, Shizune!~] Misha smiles as big as ever, looking more like a happy child than an 18 year old high schooler. I glance over at Hisao, who has his usual grin on. I give him a kiss and look him in the eyes.
        [Once again, thanks Hisao. This is spectacular.] He pats my hand.
        [It's the least I could do for the woman I love, yeah?] The lights come back on and the cake is handed out. Misha scarfs hers down, done almost as soon as she has the plate. She politely waits for everyone to finish getting some before getting another piece. Oh, Misha, you cake-loving girl. I realize the cake is white with buttercream frosting, my favorite. That must have been Misha's doing. Soon, everyone's done, and the presents are laid out on the desk. I open them and thank the appropriate people. I look at the small pile of gifts in front of me – among them, a nice tea light set from Lilly, a copy of Life of Pi from Hanako, the first edition of my father's autobiography form the man himself, a new pair of shoes from Misha, and possibly the best of them all, a beautiful dress from Hisao. When I opened it, I almost exploded with how great it was. Hisao was ecstatic when he saw my reaction, and admitted he had a bit of help picking it out from Akira. Still, I love it.
        All too soon, the festivities are over, and people begin leaving. My father and Hideaki are the first to leave, with Lilly, Hanako, and Akira shortly after. Eventually, it's just me Hisao, sitting in the room. I giggle a little, remembering what happened last time it was just in here this late. I wonder if we'll repeat that tonight?... Hisao breaks my train of thought.
        [So, did you have a good time, Shizune?] I can't hide my happiness.
        [The best, Hisao. There'd only be one way it could be better.] He raises a single eyebrow.
        [And what's that?] I grab him by the collar, obviously startling him, and give him a deep, passionate kiss. He obviously needs no answer, and knows exactly what I mean. After returning the kiss, I feel his hands creep up my thighs.
        Such a perfect day.