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Mortis had a plan. Okay, half a plan, but she was pretty sure she could figure out the other half! She wanted to do something nice for Mutsumi. There was a small problem: since she and Mutsumi were getting along better now, Mutsumi had been sticking closer to her. Even when Mortis was fronting, Mutsumi wasn't far.
Any other time, Mortis would welcome the company. She did like having Mutsumi around, but it was what brought her to her current issue. How could she plan a surprise for someone who was always with her?
Mortis kept this problem to herself. In the meantime, she was sprawled out on the bed in Nyamu's dorm. Nyamu sat at the desk, working on her computer. Umiri would be over in a little while. For now, Mortis was content to just spend time in the same room as Nyamu.
Nyamu drummed her fingers on the desk. "Ugh, this is taking forever!"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to edit a video from our last performance, but I don't know if that'll happen anytime soon."
"Hm." Mortis was lying on her back with her head hanging off the edge of the bed. Nyamu looked a little silly upsidedown. Mortis chuckled quietly to herself.
Nyamu looked over at her. She put her chin in her hand and propped her arm up on the desk. Her smile was fond. "You're going to get a headache if you stay like that."
"No, I won't."
" Yes, we will," Mutsumi said quietly.
Mortis sat up. Her head pounded a little, but she felt fine otherwise. "See? All good."
Nyamu looked amused. She turned back to her computer screen.
Mortis quietly slipped from Nyamu's room. Mutsumi was seated on a stool in front of the televisions. She looked up at Mortis with a tiny smile on her face. Mutsumi's hands were folded in her lap.
"Hi," Mutsumi greeted.
Mortis waved. "Hi!"
How exactly should she go about this?
Mortis slid up behind Mutsumi and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. "Do you mind giving Nyamu-chan and I a bit of privacy?"
Mutsumi turned her head to look at her a little better. "What for?"
Good question. She needed an excuse that would make Mutsumi sink deeper away from the front.
"Well, you know how things go between girls when they're hanging out in someone's bedroom." Mortis leaned in a little closer to speak into Mutsumi's ear. "Things might escalate ."
There. That should be enough. Mutsumi got embarrassed easily. One quick suggestion should be enough for her to back off. It was a lie, of course. Mortis and Nyamu hadn’t done anything past making out. But maybe things would “escalate” from sitting across the room from each other to holding hands.
Mutsumi flushed. "That's… fine." When Mortis didn't say anything, Mutsumi shifted nervously in her seat. "I don't mind."
"You sure?"
Mutsumi nodded. "Yes. I think… you should be able to do what you want."
That wasn't at all what Mortis wanted to hear, but she accepted it. Well, that was one plan out the window.
"Mortis?"
Nyamu was looking at her. Umiri, who was still taking off her shoes, also gave her a curious look.
Mortis flashed a smile. "Umiri!"
Umiri gave an easy smile. "Mortis," she greeted. "What are you up to today?"
"Hm… I think I could probably reach 155 centimeters if I really tried."
Nyamu let out a snort.
Umiri lined her boots up by the door before joining Mortis on the bed. She flopped down on her back with her head in Mortis's lap.
"Yeah, just make yourself at home," Nyamu said with a roll of her eyes.
Mortis ran a hand through Umiri's hair. She didn’t want to make Mutsumi upset, but there was only one course of action Mortis could think of.
“I was talking with Minami-chan at home—“
The vacant spot Mutsumi left wasn’t much of a feeling, but Mortis knew she wasn’t listening anymore.
“Quick, we don’t have much time,” Mortis whispered urgently.
Umiri and Nyamu looked at her in alarm.
“Oh, it’s nothing bad.” She flashed a grin. “I need your help with something.”
After a certain age, Mutsumi had never cared to celebrate her birthday. Sakiko used to bring her a little slice of cake every year before they got to high school. Now, Mutsumi was content to let her birthday fall into obscurity.
That was why she was so surprised when she saw a text from Nyamu asking her to come by her dorm after school. Did Nyamu know what day it was? Mutsumi considered asking Mortis, but she’d been pretty cagey lately. That was a whole other problem she couldn’t get into.
“You’d better go,” Mortis said. “It’s rude to keep people waiting.”
Okay, Mortis definitely had something to do with this. Still, Mutsumi wouldn’t figure out anything by just staring at her phone. She set off toward Nyamu’s house.
The moment she stepped through the door, Mutsumi noticed the lights were off.
"Nyamu?"
The lights clicked on as people jumped out from behind various pieces of furniture.
"Happy birthday!" everyone cheered loudly.
Mortis clapped her hands. "Yay! Happy birthday, Mutsumi-chan!" She blinked. She looked down at herself. "What? Mutsumi-chan! Don't be scared! It's just a surprise party."
Of course Mutsumi would get scared. She'd never had a surprise party before.
Mutsumi looked around the room to see her band members with colorful party hats on their heads. Even more surprisingly, Mutsumi spotted the members of Tomori’s band.
Nyamu wrapped Mutsumi up in a tight hug. “Happy birthday!” She started to duck down to give Mutsumi a kiss on the forehead before thinking better of it. Nyamu released Mutsumi and let her take in her surroundings.
“Did you all plan this?” Mutsumi asked, looking around in wonder at the balloons and streamers decorating Nyamu’s dorm.
“It was Mortis’s idea,” Umiri explained. “She wanted to throw you a birthday party.”
“But when did you…?”
Sakiko took Mutsumi’s hands in hers. She looked happier than Mutsumi had seen her in what felt like ages. “I know things haven't always been easy, but I’m glad to celebrate another year together.”
"Saki," Mutsumi said. She could feel tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"No!" Taki shouted. She grabbed Raana by the back of her shirt and tugged her away from a table with a cake set on it. "You can't eat that!"
Mutsumi smiled. Before now, she hadn't realized just how many people cared about her. The irrefutable proof was staring back at her in the form of a pile of presents and nine people.
" Ten!" Mortis corrected.
More than that, though. Mutsumi had countless fragments of herself in her mind supporting her. If it wasn't for them—for everyone who had ever loved her—Mutsumi didn't know where she'd be.
"Mutsumi?" Umiri said, a little alarmed. "Are you crying?"
Mutsumi sniffled. She touched her cheeks and found that her fingers came away wet. "I guess so."
Sakiko dabbed at her cheek with a tissue. She had a hand on Mutsumi's shoulder. "You don't like it?" Her brow furrowed. The serious expression on her face didn't fit the rainbow party hat on her head. "I'm sorry. I told them it sounded like a good idea. I take full responsibility for their actions."
"No, it's not that." Mutsumi let out a choked little laugh. "I like it."
Soyo stepped forward. She had a kind smile. "They're happy tears."
Mutsumi nodded. She let Sakiko fuss over her until her tears stopped falling.
"I said no! It's not yours!" Taki said to Raana. She was still struggling to pull her away from the cake.
Anon laughed. She clapped Mutsumi on the shoulder. "Looks like you should cut the cake before Raana-chan gets to it!"
Raana gave Mutsumi a wink. Trust her to know how to diffuse the situation. There was a strange sort of comfort Raana brought people… even if she was licking frosting from Mutsumi's birthday cake off her fingers.
The cake on the table had white frosting all over. Rainbow sprinkles decorated the top, along with an unlit candle. Down near the bottom on one side, someone had swiped their finger through the frosting. Mutsumi was directed to a chair by Sakiko, who lingered at her side.
"Allow me," Umiri said, producing a lighter from her pocket. She leaned over the back of Mutsumi's chair to light the candle. Her hair fell against Mutsumi's cheek for just a moment before she pulled back. Mutsumi found herself missing the contact almost immediately.
"Shall we sing?" Sakiko asked, looking around the room. Her hand was still on Mutsumi's shoulder.
As the song started up, Mutsumi kept her eyes trained on the candle in the center of the cake. For nine girls in bands, their voices didn’t mesh together very well. Soyo and Sakiko had calm, quiet voices while Anon and Nyamu were louder and more enthusiastic. The other girls fell somewhere in the middle. Together, it sounded unharmonious and unpracticed, but wasn’t that what made it so meaningful?
"Make a wish!" Anon said when the song ended.
Mutsumi looked around at the girls surrounding her. She put her hand over her best friend's hand and looked up. Sakiko gave her an encouraging smile.
"I already have everything I want," Mutsumi said.
Mortis grinned. " I'll make a wish." She closed her eyes.
"I wish that everything can stay just like this forever."
It was a shared wish between the two of them. Inhaling deeply, Mutsumi let out a puff of air and blew out the candle. Everyone clapped, a few people cheered.
"Allow me," Sakiko said, stepping forward to grab the serving knife. She carefully cut a slice and placed it on a paper plate. "Mutsumi."
Mutsumi accepted it, along with a plastic fork. The cake was a little too sweet for her tastes. She hadn't even taken a second bite before a gift bag was placed down in front of her.
"For whenever you're ready!" Anon said with a grin.
Soyo looked at her disapprovingly. "Aren't you a little too eager?"
"Geez, let the birthday girl eat her cake first," Taki jumped in.
While Anon and Taki started bickering, Mutsumi set her cake aside and reached for the bag. She lifted up the pink tissue paper on top and peered into the bottom of the bag. Mutsumi pulled a t-shirt out and unfolded it.
A cat with sunglasses stared back at her. Mutsumi stared at it for a moment before looking up at Anon.
Nyamu suppressed a gag.
"Raana-chan said you like cats. Then, I saw this! Isn't it sooo cute?"
Mutsumi looked back down at the shirt. "It's cute," she said finally.
Nyamu looked at her incredulously, to which Mortis giggled quietly. Mutsumi knew then that Mortis would be wearing this shirt the next time they went out with Nyamu.
Anon hugged Mutsumi tight. "I knew you'd think so! Happy birthday, Mutsumi-chan!"
It seemed everyone else was following Anon's lead because one by one, each person gave Mutsumi her present. Taki was next. She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly as she held out a carefully wrapped present.
"Here."
Mutsumi unwrapped it. Inside was a panda plushie.
"Oh! It's so cute!" Mortis said.
Taki looked away. Her cheeks were flushed. "I didn't know what to get you, so… I mean, I saw those stuffed animals on your bed when I went to your house…"
Mutsumi hugged it close to her chest. "Thank you."
“ Mr. Panda won’t be lonely. Just wait until all the other plushies meet him!”
Soyo’s present had shiny green wrapping paper and a fancy bow tied around it. It was small and perfectly rectangular. Mutsumi untied the ribbon and unwrapped the present.
The box she was greeted with had a lot of text on it. Soyo reached over to point at something on it.
“These are essential oils. They help with relaxation and sleep.”
That did appear to be what the box claimed.
Mutsumi nodded. She'd have to look up more information later. "Thank you."
Soyo hesitated before wrapping one arm around Mutsumi's shoulders in a side hug. "Happy birthday, Mutsumi-chan."
Tomori started to shuffle over, but Raana beat her there.
"Present," Raana said, holding out a plastic shopping bag.
Mutsumi peered inside. She pulled out a pack of matcha candy.
"It's good," Raana said, nodding sagely. “The best one from my tests.”
“Is this why you keep making me buy you candy?!” Taki said, stunned.
Although it looked like Raana had just picked it up from the nearest convenience store, it was clear she'd put thought into getting the best candy for Mutsumi.
"Thank you," Mutsumi said.
"Share with Mortis."
"I will."
"Thank you!" Mortis said. She beamed at Raana.
Raana smiled. She patted Mortis on the head before stepping back.
Tomori shuffled forward. "Mutsumi-chan…" She held out a gift box.
Mutsumi lifted the lid. Nestled inside a cushioned lining was a decently sized seashell. Mutsumi picked it up and inspected it.
"Shells like this sometimes have hermit crabs in them. B—but don't worry! This one doesn't."
Tomori started to list off a few facts about the shell and where it had come from while Mutsumi listened. She liked the way Tomori worked herself up into an excited babble. Her voice was soothing.
"Okay," Soyo said, setting her hands on Tomori's shoulder. "You can tell Mutsumi-chan the rest later."
"Happy birthday," Tomori said as she was gently directed away.
Next up were Mutsumi's band members.
Nyamu gave her an expensive looking gift box. Inside was a dainty gold chain with an amethyst pendant.
"Want me to put it on you?" Nyamu asked slyly.
Mutsumi nodded.
She held her hair out of the way as Nyamu fastened the clasp around her neck. Her hand lingered on the back of Mutsumi's neck under the guise of fixing her necklace. Nyamu pulled away much too soon. When all this was over, Mutsumi was looking forward to a very lengthy cuddle session with Umiri and Nyamu. One of those no-talking-allowed silent cuddles where all you did was lay together. The perfect way to recharge her quickly depleting social battery.
"It's very pretty. Thank you," Mutsumi said.
Nyamu ruffled her hair. "Of course! You can think of me whenever you wear it." She winked.
They were toeing the line of what could be considered friendly banter, but Mutsumi didn't mind it.
Uika handed her a generic birthday card with her signature inside. There was a scribble on the inside where it looked like she'd started to sign as Doloris before crossing it out. A gift card was tucked inside.
Nyamu leaned over Mutsumi's shoulder. "Wow. You could probably sell this online for lots of money."
Uika had a pained look on her face. "Please don't."
"Relax! It's just a joke."
"Aw," Anon whined. "Do you think I could get an autograph, too?"
The pained look on Uika's face vanished. She put on the practiced smile only a celebrity could pull off. "Of course!"
Taki glared. "Should you really be doing a meet and greet at someone's birthday party?"
Uika and Anon both froze in place. They looked at each other, both hoping the other would make a move.
"Mutsumi," Sakiko said, drawing everyone's attention. "Would you please open mine next?"
"Okay."
Sakiko's present was in a green gift bag with white tissue paper carefully arranged on top. It was the heaviest gift so far. Mutsumi dug out a box of tea.
"This is a flavor that I think you'll enjoy. I personally chose it for you." Sakiko seemed very proud of this, judging by the way she held her chin high.
Umiri whispered something to Nyamu, who smothered a snort before it could come out.
Next was a candle, which was probably what most of the weight was from. The label said it was lavender thyme, but Mutsumi only smelled lavender. She set it aside for now.
"There's one more item inside," Sakiko informed her.
Mutsumi reached back into the back and pulled out two matching keychains. Both were of a black and white cartoon dog.
"It's Snoopy!" Mortis said with a gasp.
"They're for us," Sakiko said. She lowered her voice a little. "I know I haven't been the greatest friend to you in the past, but you're someone very important to me, Mutsumi."
"It's okay."
"It's not." Sakiko looked around the room. "But today is a happy occasion. Don't let me bring the mood down."
Mutsumi passed Sakiko her keychain. Sakiko held it reverently.
"Happy birthday." Sakiko hugged her. "May you have many more happy days."
Mutsumi hugged her back. "Thank you."
The mood in the room was a little awkward. Most of the girls had looked away to give them a little privacy.
Umiri cleared her throat. "I don't think I can top Togawa-san's gift, especially since mine is still in the mail. So for now…" Umiri pecked Mutsumi on the cheek. "Happy birthday."
Mutsumi stared wide-eyed up at her girlfriend. They'd never been so affectionate in front of Sakiko, much less all of MyGO.
"I knew it!" Anon said, pointing. "Raana-chan was right!"
Uika let out a long sigh. She sank into a chair. Sakiko also sat down. She shook her head in disbelief.
"Umiko!" Nyamu said. She lightly punched the girl's arm. "What did I say before everyone got here? No kissing!"
"Surely we can make a small exception this once? I'm fairly certain everyone here knows about our relationship." Umiri looked at Mutsumi. "Does it bother you?"
Mutsumi looked around. All eyes were on her. She'd been the most hesitant about telling their friends about their relationship. Now, though? There wasn't anyone she trusted more.
"It's fine."
But it wasn't "fine." She wanted them to know.
Mutsumi stood up from her chair. She took Nyamu's arm in one hand and Umiri's in the other. With all the courage she could gather, Mutsumi faced her friends—more of them than she'd ever had before. "The three of us are in a relationship."
The members of MyGO shared a look with each other before looking back at Mutsumi.
"Uh…" Taki started. "We already know that."
Immediately, Umiri and Mutsumi side-eyed Nyamu.
"Wha—! Don't look at me! I barely know these girls!"
"I told Taki," Umiri admitted, "but she wouldn't reveal her best friend's secret, would she?"
Taki's face flushed. "Who said you're my best friend, anyway?!"
"I told Soyo," Mutsumi said. "But I think Mortis told Raana."
"Saki-chan told me," Tomori said. Her gaze was fixed on the floor. "I wanted to make sure Mutsumi-chan was happy…"
Sakiko coughed awkwardly and averted her gaze.
Anon's mouth fell open. "All of you knew?! You told me I was making things up!"
"Because half the city would know if you knew," Soyo said, glaring.
“So everyone knows?” Nyamu shrugged. “Guess I’m the only one here capable of keeping a secret.”
Mutsumi knew that Nyamu would bring this up again the next time she and Umiri started bickering. She could practically hear it.
“You’re mad at me? Remind me again who told everyone that we’re in a relationship?”
Mortis would laugh, at least.
“Because it’s funny!” Mortis said
“I guess if everyone knows, there’s no sense in trying to keep it a secret,” Umiri said.
There was a quiet grumble of agreement, along with a few nods. None of them were eager to start being affectionate now, though. With a brief, lingering touch to Mutsumi’s inner wrist, Nyamu walked over to grab another slice of cake. Umiri stayed close, but kept her hands to herself.
The party went on for a while longer. It was good to see everyone chatting amongst each other. Mutsumi felt quite a bit more comfortable now that all the attention wasn’t on her. The sun had just started to set when people started to leave. MyGO went first, all in a cluster. They each bid their farewells. Mutsumi spotted Sakiko and Tomori speaking to each other in quiet sentences before parting ways, each with a smile.
Raana shuffled over. “Bye.” She leaned forward to peck a kiss to her cheek. “Happy birthday.”
Mutsumi’s eyes widened. She touched the spot, already feeling her cheeks flushing. “But I’m not…”
“For Mutsumi,” Raana clarified.
She didn’t wait around for Mutsumi to respond. Instead, she followed the rest of her bandmates out the door.
Mutsumi watched her leave, stunned by the sudden display of affection. She knew she’d gotten closer with Raana, but she hadn’t realized to what extent.
”So now you’re dating her too?” Nyamu asked.
Mutsumi had no idea how to respond to that. Luckily, Sakiko provided the perfect distraction.
”I think Uika and I will also be leaving. I’m sure the three of you would like—“ Sakiko cringed. “—alone time.” It was clear it pained her to say that.
Mutsumi nervously shuffled forward. “Saki… Thank you for…”
For being Mutsumi’s friend even through everything. For never leaving her side ( “except for that one time”). For always looking out for her.
”Thank you for everything,” Mutsumi finally decided on.
Sakiko looked briefly alarmed. “Mutsumi, I’m not going anywhere. We’ll have many more years together.”
Mutsumi shrank back. She got the feeling that she’d said something wrong.
Sakiko must have realized what she meant, though, because relief came over her features. “Sorry, it’s just—“ Sakiko shook her head. “It’s nothing.” She wrapped Mutsumi in a hug. “Happy birthday. I hope your next year is better than this one.”
Uika waved. “Happy birthday! Bye!”
“See you on Sunday,” Umiri called after them.
With everyone else gone, Mutsumi felt all the energy drain out of her. She let her shoulders sag. She had a brief moment of peace before she felt her feet leave the ground.
Nyamu had picked her up. She spun Mutsumi around once before falling into bed together. She squeezed Mutsumi tight.
”Happy birthday!”
Mutsumi had heard those words more times today than the rest of her life combined. She relaxed into Nyamu’s hold.
Umiri sat down next to them. She busied herself playing with Mutsumi’s hair. “Did you get everything you wanted?”
“I didn’t want anything,” Mutsumi said.
Nyamu gasped. “No presents? We could never be so cruel. Except Umiko.”
”It’s not my fault it got stuck in shipping.”
”But you seriously didn’t want anything?”
Mutsumi shook her head. She smiled up at Umiri, then Nyamu. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”
A chorus of aw’s filled the room before Mutsumi was smothered in affection on all sides.