scissorfucker69.

           did shintaro actually expect him to mercifully let such an opportunity slip by ignored? this guy is just a bundle of surprises! how hopeful can he get, when it comes to him? there has to be a limit, really! it’ll be an image forever etched in his mind: dear shintaro-kun, exuding an air of suaveness, while coolly proclaiming himself as a NEET…

        ❛  nooooope~! when it comes to making fun of you, there’s no such thing as a wasted effort, kukuku! really though, calling yourself a NEET so boldly like that, a declaration so desperately begging to be laughed at — i didn’t know you were so masochistic, shintaro-kun! is ene-chan around? did she record that~?  ❜

          and yet another surprise: the other is rather steadfast on his offer, despite the onslaught of teasing. actually, if he’s being truthful, it’s not very shocking at all! the boy he faces now is quite faithful to his promises, unlike the one of the past. however, as he puts on a comical expression of deep contemplation, a different dilemma stands in his way: to accept or not to accept? admittedly, he was the one who asked, albeit jokingly, but is that really something he wants? for shintaro, of all people, to do his hair?

          it’s only with the mild threat of having his hair defiled by the younger kisaragi’s accessories that he solidifies his decision, accompanied with an appropriate look of distress. no doubt momo would eager jump on the suggestion, holding up pins between each finger and viciously coming for him… aah, he can just imagine the nightmare. not a bad rebuttal, he admits.   ❛  ah, ha, ha, actually, i think you’d be the perfect choice! your grueling experience as a NEET has no doubt helped shape you to be the best barber in existence, and i have absolutely no worries that you’ll do just fine… ~  ❜

   now, that’s a little amusing.

   however brief, their positions flip. instead of shintaro suffering the teasing and expressing his distaste, kano falters at his threat of bringing momo to solve his minuscule dilemma instead. and while it’s spoken with such a fleeting tone, they are both well aware of how… enthusiastic momo can get over such a thing. she’s missed out on a lot, fun times with friends and ‘makeovers’ being one of them, he supposes. she’s sacrificed a lot – so as her older brother, you can label him glad that she has friends to participate in such things with her now.    and while kano has nice features, shintaro is certain the younger doesn’t wish to participate in that any time soon.    he tries his best to hide his amusement at how quick kano is to agree because of it, a shoulder hitching up lightly as he pivots towards the bathroom.   “  you can sit in one of the chairs in the kitchen then ; i’ll get a comb and scissors from the bathroom.  ”   with that, he’s gone without waiting for a response, disappearing down the hall towards his destination.

   the door is left open vacantly, and the teen presses his palm against the side of the wall to blindly find the lightswitch, switching it up and allowing the light to flicker on. on the sink, it’s a tad messy. a brush he can tell right away is marry’s ; a collection of colorful hair-ties that momo wears ; a rarely used lipgloss of kido’s, for underneath everything, she is still very much a girl.

   shintaro dares not touch any of it, instead kneeling down to open the cupboard underneath the sink. there’s a see through case with hair cutting supplies that he grabs. scissors, a comb, buzz cutters -- not that he needs those. the door is closed, and the raven leaves everything behind as he returns to the kitchen, all the while unzipping the bag to grasp the familiar shape of scissors.

   ... it’s been a while.

kano's words do not come as a surprise to him. the younger is always joking, playful, though this time something in his response actually sounds genuine. ( shintaro wonders if that means he's starting to learn more about the younger's patterns. if he were, it'd make things easier - but he's never been the hopeful type either. )

and it's because the words sound so genuine, he gives no snarky comment as he usually would. dull gaze lingers where fingers had previously tucked hair behind an ear before he shifts it away. "... well, if that's what you want." shintaro doesn't know why he's offering, but he feels wasting the opportunity and this rare bout of sincerity would be something akin to an insult -- and he's done enough of that.

   it’s clear what she has wrapped up as a present -- they both know that. however, that sort of embarrassing crudeness is like her and one of her charming points, he thinks... not that he’ll voice it to her personally. even though he may not be the greatest brother, even though they may argue and fight, the two of them can still care about each other.  ( family isn’t always picture perfect, anyway. )

   he tries not to laugh or break the smile that pulls at his lips as he accepts the gift offered to him, a hand lifting to pat at her head affectionately. he’s grateful, he truly is.

             it’s with a mischievous wink that he reaches behind the table, out of the other’s sight, and pulls out a neatly wrapped package, vibrant paper smoothly covering the surface. the eager smile masking features and playful flourish with which he presents the gift all too clearly depict puerile excitement; a boy long awaiting the reaction upon revelation: inside rests a red, red scarf.   ❛  well, open it and you’ll see! i put a looot of thought into this~ but i hope you like it!  ❜

   it is for the sheer purpose such generosity is found RARE in the younger boy that shintaro can find some curiosity in what sort of gift he prepared for his birthday.  ( the mere fact he knew or remembered the date, too, is something admirable. )  what is it that lurks behind the paper, a secret only kano knows? for once, he wants to belive it’s something genuine.

   ‘ you did ? well, then i’m sure it’s a great gift -- ... ’

   there’s a flicker of a smile on his features as he accepts it, pulling away the paper with a satisfying crinkling sound as mischievous, cat-like eyes watch him with anticipation. the paper falls to his feet ----- and so does his heart, sinking with such a suddenness, he feels nausea claiming him, crawling up his back and forcing its way down his throat.

   it’s red, red, red.

   red like hers, red like the burning sunset in the sky that day, red like blood that needn’t be spilled; that could’ve been saved if he had done something.

   his hands shake, eyes wide, trying to search for the words to say -- but nothing comes, there’s merely an endless mantra in his head, saying words he’s told himself for years: even today, you’re not allowed to forget. DON’T THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT, ROTTEN BOY!!

   ( a present concocted from spite, an embodiment, a reminder of his failures.        kano doesn’t want to celebrate this day, nor to allow him to -- isn’t that it? )

Perhaps he got himself too worked up over birthdays, what should he get them? Would it be enough? Would they like it? So many questions and more filter through his brain every time the next member’s birthday came around, but they had done something for him… so that meant he had to do the same and celebrate theirs! “H-hey, over here!” He calls out to the elder, shoving a brightly colored back into his grasp. Below the equally colorful paper is a brand new jersey in white and red. He seemed to like those things, right? And his current one was getting pretty old so… it couldn’t hurt (oh, and there was cake of course). “Um… Happy birthday Shintaro… Hope you like it.”

   the puerile voice successfully catches his attention from where he walks into the room, immediately turning his head to focus on the shorter boy who makes his way over to him. it seemed as if he was carrying something in his hands...? the paper was rather colorful and eyecatching, taking his attention immediately away from the person who spoke to him.

   bearing an expectant look as the other closed the distance, there was a moment’s startle when the wrapped present was shoved in his direction -- and he accepted it without hesitation in surprise. oh -- for his birthday? he thought the cake was all, but...

   still, he finds himself opening it with a bit of childish excitement, blinking in surprise at the present hidden under the paper. a new jacket, huh? it makes him laugh  ( a genuine act, for once, and not to be mean. )  and bring a hand to his mouth, as if to try and muffle it.

“Eep! Of course! I’ve a job, after all,” she chants, cheekily, massaging her forehead. “What flavor do you want? You’re the birthday boy! Oops, I guess, birthday man?”

Nostalgia hits her and she quickly pushes it away, feeling silly over something so minor and unchangeable — what kind of friend is she? Stoic shoulders in a jersey that used to cover his wobbly legs aren’t anymore, it’s too easy to make her forget she’s still a teenager and he’s a young adult. A sense of sadness, of mellow bitterness bits her and she feels pathetic. Before she didn’t have to look that up to meet his gaze.

Now? Her shoulders fall down, a soft sigh escaping her lips as a small, timid smile appears. What a coward, never showing what she truly feels. “I guess, you really grew up. I’m happy for you, Shintaro.”

   ‘ i’ll decide when we get there -- i’ve never been really picky about sweets, but i’ll give in for a change of pace for today. ’  

   a change of pace is good, he tells himself, and perhaps it means something when it’s on his birthday of all things. the very word leaves him contemplative just as it does with her.  ( she’s always been the type to show sentimental things like love, care, and nostalgia so transparently. she’s always cared for others more than herself. )

             ❛  eeeh?  ❜   the innocently taunting grin only widens at the suggestion, but is it an  ‘ oh no, you caught me ’  smile? is it a  ‘ that’s such a funny idea ‘  smile? that’s up to him to decide, for the unwavering gaze that meets his eyes does little to reveal even a single thought.   ❛  how cruel, to accuse me of such a thing~! aah, i had such a heartfelt present too~ maybe i shouldn’t give it to you anymore~  ❜