sincerity.

Birthdays were always big days to Haibara. They are special days, important days, and when it is for someone like Nanami, that makes it all of the above. His baking skills might have been something to be desired with his lack of finesse but lots of flavor, yet watching Nanami over the years had taught him enough to make a simple vanilla cake with buttercream frosting, beautifully topped with strawberries and kiwi. And for added flavor and nostalgia, he had stuck a few banana pocky in the top.

It had been hard to keep it a secret all day. Acting nonchalant, running away when he saw Nanami walking down the hall, or nearly making Ijichi have a car crash when they were supposed to pick Nanami up after a mission. WITH ALL HIS EFFORTS, HIS OWN MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

“I know I’ve been kinda weird today,” he admits, taking Nanami’s hand as they were walking back to the school and giving it a timid squeeze. “But I’m been trying really hard to be good! And keep your birthday present a surprise.” Just when he opens the door and guides Nanami into the closest room, he doesn’t yell or let out a loud “Surprise!”, but rather he pulls out a chair at a table and gestures to his homemade cake and the wrapped gift, looking away to hide the color rising to his cheeks. Once Nanami opened it, he would find a nice set of slippers and a bathrobe. Both perfect for relaxing. Or a deserved vacation.

“Happy birthday, Kento. I hope you’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted today. Someone like you… you really deserve it.” (FROM HAIBARA!)

      HAIBARA KNEW NANAMI WELL, BUT that was a given considering how long they had known one another. One could certainly go above and beyond for him, but really, simplicity was always key with him in many things. Nanami had gone about his day as usual without changing his normal routine aside from picking himself up something from one of his favorite bakeries to take home. There was a particular sandwich that he always liked to enjoy on his birthday, a habit that had arisen over the years that he hadn’t even noticed had become habit in the first place. Had he been home, his mother and father would have prepared something for him – an ornate omelet in the morning and then later on that evening, a large meal made with all the things he liked to eat waiting as soon as he returned from school. It was just that he had not gone to visit his family in quite some time, preferring to keep them separate from the chaos that was his life for their own safety.

     Digging his pocket, he pulled out his watch to see what time it was as he had made his way back to that usual long path towards the school before slipping it back. Huh, Ijichi sure had driven rather quickly today, hadn’t he? Normally he knew all the ways around traffic and what backroads to take, but today he seemed like a man on a mission – more so than he usually was. As soon as he made it up that final step to the school, it was then that Haibara quickly approached – eyes gleaming with enthusiasm and that smile brighter than usual. ❝You are in a good mood today.❞ Though, really, Haibara often was most days. ‘What’s the occasion?’ he nearly asked, but those words never had a chance to pass his lips before his hand was taken in theirs and Nanami was gently tugged along. ❝Wait, what? Is that why you were so elusive?❞ He had thought it weird that Haibara had been fairly avoidant. At first he had taken it as them being busy since they were either quick to wave and make their way past him, or they round a corner just a little too fast.

     It all made sense now.

     Truthfully, thinking on it more, Nanami should have known what was going on. Chuckling softly, he returned that gentle squeeze of their hand with his own, amusement present within his gaze, even if it was partially obscured. The slight change in his tone should have said more than enough. ❝You know, you didn’t need to do all this for me.❞ But was there a point in saying that to the other? Haibara never let birthdays skirt by without some kind of celebration. Such was simply his nature. As soon as they reach the room in question, Nanami was greeted by a delicious looking cake and a carefully wrapped gift sitting right beside it. Brows rose a bit with surprise, his hand slipping out of the other’s. Had Haibara made that cake? It was doubtful that he had bought it knowing him, and so this had to have been homemade today…

     Which further explained the secrecy.