Maruki leveled his gaze at the two of them—Morning, still looking a little overwhelmed under the now-askew birthday headband, and Ichinose, who wore her own like it was a puzzle she wasn’t quite sure how to solve.
There was something in their expressions that stung.
Maruki had never been one to leave things unresolved.
“With that,” he declared dramatically, gesturing with both hands, “you two have now been officially crowned. So by royal decree: no one here is a burden. Not even a little. And believe me, I have been racking my brain for days trying to figure out how to make this just right.”
He gave them a sheepish grin, his usual dorkiness shining through as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve planned a birthday party, let alone- this might be the first time I am doing a double one... I had to do research. Hamuko-san’s been a huge help.”
He glanced toward the door still left wide open behind them and quickly moved to shut it, sliding the lock into place with a soft click before turning back toward the room.
“Alright, alright, no more chilly air or nosy neighbors,” he muttered, then raised his voice a bit as he clapped his hands together. “Now! I’ll bring out the snacks. There’s karaage, chips, some matcha cookies, and a really interesting mystery snack box I found online- you can't judge me for it. It's not everyday I get to just have things for free."
"We will open it after we get the cakes sorted- speaking of which get comfortable. This will be a long night- should give us enough time to continue with the dinner and desserts-!"
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There was something in their expressions that stung.
Maruki had never been one to leave things unresolved.
“With that,” he declared dramatically, gesturing with both hands, “you two have now been officially crowned. So by royal decree: no one here is a burden. Not even a little. And believe me, I have been racking my brain for days trying to figure out how to make this just right.”
He gave them a sheepish grin, his usual dorkiness shining through as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve planned a birthday party, let alone- this might be the first time I am doing a double one... I had to do research. Hamuko-san’s been a huge help.”
He glanced toward the door still left wide open behind them and quickly moved to shut it, sliding the lock into place with a soft click before turning back toward the room.
“Alright, alright, no more chilly air or nosy neighbors,” he muttered, then raised his voice a bit as he clapped his hands together. “Now! I’ll bring out the snacks. There’s karaage, chips, some matcha cookies, and a really interesting mystery snack box I found online- you can't judge me for it. It's not everyday I get to just have things for free."
"We will open it after we get the cakes sorted- speaking of which get comfortable. This will be a long night- should give us enough time to continue with the dinner and desserts-!"