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Birthdays weren’t really anything special to Rinne. Sure, they were a special once-a-year time to celebrate the joy of one’s existence, but besides free stuff, special sales, and a homemade cake from Niki, they weren’t really any different compared to other days.
Rinne never really had any expectations. He did like the nice treatment, and the cakes Niki would make were always good (like everything the chef made), but he never really expected anyone else to really celebrate his existence.
Usually he’d spend most of his birthday alone and at either the game center or the pachinko, staring at the bright lights spinning, the loud noises, trying to find some semblance of excitement while Niki was away at work.
It never really worked, but it was good enough to get his mind off things.
Case in point, Rinne never thought anyone truly cared that he existed. Even after he and Niki became idols, even after Niki dropped out, even after he dragged both of them back into the bright and colorful world of Ensemble Square.
Especially after everything that happened that one summer, the brother he had long left seeking and finding him.
He didn’t blame people for not thinking about him. In all honesty, wasn’t that what he wanted? He successfully established his persona of a wild and untamable man, and many of the idols had developed strong opinions about him.
He was surprised though, and always was, every year he’d walk into the office to find streamers up, a party just for him. His unit mates eating cake in the corner with other idols, chatting easily.
All gathered for him. All happy for him.
It wasn’t wrong to say that this new development touched his heart, to see people celebrating his life.
Sure, it was a party that the beloved producer of ES would throw for each and everyone of the idols, but she never cut corners for anyone, a benevolent and kind soul that cared for all the idols.
So when Rinne woke up one year to a message from everyone in his unit coming up with some excuse to skip practice, he could only smile in anticipation. Those guys weren’t fooling him at all.
“Good morning Rinne-Senpai! It is a very ii Hiyori, isn’t it? Happy birthday!”
Hiyori waved from the couch, Bloody Mary in his hands.
“Good “morning” Chief-san~ Happy “birthday”~” Kanata drawled out, voice still laced with sleep, also sitting on the couch with a stuffed shark held in his arms.
Rinne yawned and shuffled out of his bed, stretching. “Thanks Hiyori-chan! Kanacchi!” He grinned, running a hand through his hair to get the tangles out.
After changing out of his sleepwear and waking more up, Rinne rummaged through his pockets, frowning.
“Hiyori-chan, Kanacchi, have you guys seen a small yellow wallet? It has the pattern of eggs on it and was in my jacket pocket last night.”
Hiyori smirked, tipping his head. “Oh, I think I might’ve seen it. Your Niki’s wallet, right? Actually, he was here earlier to take it back.”
Kanata nodded sleepily, eyes half closed.
Rinne gasped. “Niki~kyun was here and no one woke me up?! How could you…my roommates have failed me…”
Hiyori laughed, eyes twinkling with the knowledge of something Rinne didn’t know. “He asked us not to wake you~ Rinne-senpai slept like the dead.” He set Mary down on the couch and got up.
“I was told to give you this, though. Ah, Jun-kun really should learn from your Niki~”
Hiyori walked over to Rinne, handing him a single red carnation. He also handed him a small box, a little bow on it.
“This one’s from me~ It’s the shampoo I was talking to you about several weeks ago, it makes your hair so soft and smells like cinnamon~”
Rinne took the gift and the flower, staring down at them. He laughed. “Thanks Hiyori-chan!”
“ “Me” too~ Chief-san, take this “flower” and have some tickets to the “aquarium”. Bring your “loved” ones~” Kanata sleepily shuffled over, one arm hugging the shark plushie still while the other handed over another red carnation and some tickets.
“Kanacchi! Thank you so much~”
“Now, don’t let us keep you here! Off, off you go!” Hiyori shooed him out of the room, moving to close the door after pushing him out.
“Huh? Where am I supposed to go? My dumb unit mates all decided to “ditch” practice today.” Rinne huffed, interested in all that has developed. “It definitely seems like you might have the answer.”
Hiyori shrugged, closing the door. “You’ll figure it out, aren’t you smart, Rinne-senpai?”
Rinne stared at the now-closed door, thinking. He pocketed the small box and tickets, rolling the stems of the carnations between his fingers.
Niki was here, took his wallet back, and left Kanacchi and Hiyori-chan with flowers…for me~
Rinne smirked.
Wonder what you’re up to, Niki~kyun. If it’s a game you’re playing, I’ll play it~ All for my beloved Niki~ Maybe the game ends once I catch you~
Motivated and full of energy, Rinne moved on to begin his search.
Not finding anything in the dorms except several other idols handing him small presents, each one curiously also handing him a red carnation (Niki was definitely here!), Rinne expanded his search towards all of Ensemble Square, a bag full of presents in one hand, a growing fistful of red carnations in the other.
It was weird, even the idols that he’s sure had grudges, had been wronged by him in some way in the past, or just disapproved of his antics had greeted him, wished him a happy birthday, and walked away with his carnation bouquet being one-flower-fuller.
How Niki managed to get even the snake-like Saegusa Ibara to hand him a flower completely blew his mind.
He walked into the crazy:B practice room to find Kohaku sitting on the floor, eating dango and staring down at a computer. “Kohaku-chan~”
Kohaku looked up and glared.
“Hey, is that any way to be treating me~ What are you, Merumeru, and Niki~kyun up to? Just so you know, “Love-han needed help with something urgent” really isn’t a good excuse because all of Alkaloid is off-site for a job this week-”
Rinne found himself reeling back as something round and plush was thrown at his face. It dropped to the floor at his feet.
“Happy birthday Rinne-han. Now leave me alone- I actually am helping Love-han with something. He entrusted me with winning an auction for him.”
Rinne snorted. “Wow, he’s in deep. Okay, well do you know where I can find Merumeru or Niki?”
He leaned over to pick up the object that was the cause of the slight stinging sensation on his face, finding a cute and round plush bee with a messily tied small pink ribbon. He smiled, setting it gently into his bag of presents.
Kohaku typed some things, and then looked up. He got up from his spot and walked over, handing Rinne a red carnation.
“Himeru-han was here helping me out with this website, but he left saying that he was going to get a drink. I don’t know where Niki-han is, though.”
Rinne hummed, threading the new carnation into his bouquet. “You don’t know where Niki is, hmm?~”
Kohaku walked back to his computer, barely giving Rinne another glance.
“Maybe I do but because I’m a good person, I wouldn’t want to ruin Niki-han’s plans.”
Rinne laughed. “Fair, fair~ I’ll go see Merumeru then~”
Rinne found Himeru in cafe Cinnamon , Anzu with him surprisingly.
He whistled, and the two turned towards him, interrupting their conversation. Anzu smiled while Himeru stared at him, Rinne unable to determine his mood.
“What an unlikely pair~ Nee-san and Merumeru~”
“Hello Amagi-san, happy birthday,” Anzu smiled, setting her drink down.
“Happy birthday, Amagi. Just for today, Himeru will tolerate your frivolous behavior.” Himeru bent over, rummaging under his seat.
“Merumeru so cruel~ I’m always on my best behavior! Aren’t I right, Nee-san?”
Anzu lifted a hand and giggled a little. “I politely decline to answer and will maintain a neutral stance on this issue. Anyways, Amagi-san, I have something for you.”
She pulled out something small from her bag cupped in her hands. Rinne set his bag of presents and bouquet down on an empty seat and walked forward.
His eyes widened when Anzu opened her hands, dropping a small plush Niki into his.
“Here, I tried my best. Shiina-san did say you were devastated because you accidentally left your Shiina-san nui in the washer and it got destroyed. Luckily, I’ve lately been into making custom nuis.”
She also handed him a red carnation, smiling.
Rinne grinned. “Thanks Nee-san! I will cherish him with my life! And a flower also from Nee-san? Gosh, Nee-san, we’re in public, what will people say-”
He flinched as he felt Himeru hit him swiftly on the head with something hard.
“Himeru’s point has been proven. Here, Amagi. Himeru thinks you’ll gain from reading this.”
Himeru handed him a book, a light blue ribbon stuck onto a hardcover book with a blue cover, the title saying How to be a Decent Person . A red carnation was poking up out of its pages.
“Wow Merumeru, I’m so honored to receive a gift from you, even if it’s useless. I can almost cry tears of joy.”
Himeru ignored him, going back to his coffee.
“Ah, Amagi-san. Before you leave, I was instructed to also give this to you!” Anzu clapped her hands together, rummaging through her bag to pull out a small white envelope.
Rinne took it and flipped it over, seeing a giant Nii-san written in proud and bold letters on the back.
“Hmm? Ototo-kun left me something~ Thanks Nee-san~”
He walked out of Cinnamon , his items all in hand. Stopping by a bench, he put everything down and sat down. He took the letter out and opened it, pulling out 3 papers covered in writing.
One of the papers was a letter from his dad, along with several other members of his village. Deciding to leave nostalgia for later, he quickly folded it after skimming it.
Another was filled with recipes from their village, various notes and anecdotes written by the sides. Rinne did notice that that one was addressed “To Shiina-sama”. Rinne made a quiet mental note to slip it into Niki’s belongings one day.
The final one was a letter from Hiiro.
Dear Nii-san,
It’s your birthday! Happy birthday Nii-san, from me, Hiiro!! I’m sorry I can’t be there to say it in person this year, Alkaloid got a job offer we couldn’t refuse and knowing you I know you’d want me to take it.
I know we’ve been speaking through HoldHands and the internet, but writing a letter feels more genuine! Like laying out our true feelings on ink and paper. I managed to get Father and a few others to write too, I didn’t read what they said but I hope they wished you well!
Shiina-san also asked me to get him recipes from our hometown when I was talking to Father, so I did! Please pass it on to Shiina-san for me, he’ll be delighted. He obviously is very happy when it comes to you, and the same goes for you back, right? I practically see him like a kind older brother now, I think I’d be fine with him being a part of our family.
Shiina-san just looked down at this letter and read what I was writing. He immediately left the room. I think his face was red.
Go for it, Nii-san!
Rinne huffed, face heating up.
Ah, Hiiro. Ever observant.
He continued to read.
When I first saw you after coming to ES, I only had in my mind the idea that I had to bring you back. Loopholes and all that aside, my goal was to destroy idols.
But you and my friends in Alkaloid showed me that this world of bright lights is beautiful in its own way. I found myself not wanting to stop, wanting to sing and reach for the stars. That was when I realized just how happy you were, how much happier you are now surrounded by friends, fans, and all kinds of people.
I’m glad I wasn’t able to convince you to return without a fight. I’m glad everything went down the way it did.
We may not know each other as well now, but we are slowly learning new things everyday, aren’t we?
I wouldn’t change anything that we have now for the world.
Happy Birthday Nii-san, I’m glad that you were born. That I get to be your one and only little brother.
Rinne covered his mouth, tears welling up. He blinked them away, sniffing.
Oh Shiina-san is back! I think he has a plan… Oh he told me to write that you should go home. I have no idea what that means, our home is miles away. But I think you’ll understand, Nii-san.
P.S. Aira said handmade gifts speak more volume than anything. So I made this bracelet for you! Just like how Mom used to make them, I hope you like it, Nii-san.
-Hiiro
Taped underneath Hiiro’s signature was a small red, blue and white woven bracelet. The craftsmanship wasn’t the best, several threads fraying out from the sides, but it was still recognizable.
Rinne carefully slid the bracelet onto his arm, next to his other beaded one. He wiped his eyes, smiling.
Well of course you don’t know what that means, Ototo-kun. It isn’t your home.
After carefully folding the letter and putting everything back into his bag of presents, Rinne took the bouquet of carnations and his bag back into his hands and started on his way towards his destination.
After a short bus ride and a fifteen minute walk down familiar streets that never failed to make Rinne feel the heat of a summer so long ago, Rinne found himself at the door of the Shiina apartment, a good smell wafting out of the window that was open by a crack.
The door was unlocked and slightly ajar, so Rinne nudged it open and walked in, immediately being hit by an aroma of warmth.
He put his bag and bouquet down on the small coffee table that has definitely seen its days, then walked over to where Niki stood in the small kitchen, busy at the stove.
He shuffled over, taking his rightful spot behind the chef and resting his head on his shoulder. “Niki~kyun~ You’re so cruel~ Making me work on my birthday~ My feet hurt, what will you do to make up for this~” he whined, wrapping his hands around the other.
Niki laughed, reaching a hand up to pat him on the head. “Hello to you too, Rinne-kun~ I don’t know what you mean, all I did was skip practice to get some ingredients~”
Niki lowered his hand back down, to which Rinne now could see him mixing some kind of batter, probably cake batter.
Rinne pinched Niki’s cheek with one hand, pulling. “You came to my room this morning and didn’t wake me up! Don’t you know how betrayed I feel?”
“You took my wallet without letting me know. Isn’t that the same thing~” Niki hummed, mixing the batter.
“No it’s not because Niki~kyun already knows I’m going to take his wallet and never gets mad at me for it because he loves me~”
Niki slightly turned his head, rolling his eyes at Rinne. “You’re awful, you know that? Why do I even put up with you?”
“L-o-v-e~” Rinne teased, tracing out each letter onto Niki’s arm with his finger.
Niki sighed and poured the batter into a mold, careful not to spill any of it. Rinne detached himself for a second to watch Niki put the batter into the oven and set the timer.
“What are you making this time?”
“A cake, obviously.”
Rinne flicked Niki in the face. “Of course I know that, I’ve lived with you for so long. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize a cake? You wound me, Niki~kyun.”
Niki smirked. “Rinne-kun’s kinda dumb at times~ He still can’t tell the difference between a yam or a sweet potato~” He ducked to the side as he dodged a swing from Rinne.
“No normal person would! I bet you if you asked Kohaku-chan or Merumeru they wouldn’t be able to tell!”
“But Kohaku-chan and Himeru-kun haven’t seen me cook as much as you have~”
Rinne managed to catch and grab Niki, pulling him into a gentle headlock. “Niki~kyun it’s my birthday, you're supposed to be nice to me! Boohoo all that’s been happening is me getting bullied, poor, poor, Amagi Rinne…”
“Says the person trying to choke me right now?! Let me go, Rinne-kun!” Niki yelled, trying to squirm out of his grasp.
“Nope! You made it soooo hard for your Rinne-kun to find you and now that I have you I’m not letting you go until you answer my questions, Niki~kyunn~”
Niki stopped squirming and stuck his tongue out, mischief in his eyes. “I was betting for once, Rinne-kun. Aren’t you proud of me? I did what you like to do and took a gamble~”
“Niki~kyun is learning from me, I’m so touched~”
“I betted on you being not smart enough to figure out I was here and instead would be spending the entire day searching ES for me to no avail~”
Rinne scowled. “It’s not every day Niki comes back here. I usually have to drag you here!”
“Yeah~ Which is why I knew you wouldn’t think of coming here unless given a sign. Thankfully, Ototo-kun was there to help~”
Rinne squinted at Niki, removing his arms and moving them to pull at his cheeks again. “Don’t think you’ve beaten me. Maybe I just decided to do it this way because I subconsciously knew Niki had something special planned for me and didn’t want to ruin it.”
Niki rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever you say, birthday boy.” Niki took the opportunity and tried to escape his hold.
Rinne quickly moved his hands back down and tightened his arms around Niki, trapping him. “You still haven’t answered my questions Niki~ Don’t try to escape. What kind of cake are you making?”
“Honey.”
“Yes, dear?” Rinne teased, looking down at Niki who suddenly realized his own words and looked away at anything but Rinne.
“You- You know what I mean! Ugh, it’s because of your whole obsession with bees!” Niki backpedaled, trying to defend himself and hide his quickly reddening face.
Rinne laughed, pulling him closer.
My Niki~kyun really is the cutest~
“I answered your question, now let me go! I need to get the frosting ready!”
“You haven’t answered all of them~”
“Oh god there’s more…”
“Shush. What’s up with all the flowers? Now don’t try and tell me this wasn’t you, Hiyori-chan himself implied that you’re the one that’s been telling everyone to be handing these to me. And literally everyone! Even Snakey Boy!!”
“I’ll tell you if you let me go!” Niki squirmed, trying to wriggle out.
“No!” Rinne tightened his grip again.
Defeated, Niki fell limp. “Ughhh. Rinne-kun, why do you have to make this so hard…Yes it was me and yes, I’m surprised Vice-Prez even agreed. I had your roommate’s help for that. Now let me go so I can give you something! I’ve answered all your questions, haven’t I?”
“Nope~ You still haven’t answered the biggest question.”
“Which is…?”
Rinne lifted one hand, pointing at the bouquet on the table. “Why? What is this supposed to mean, Niki~Kyun. Did you choose red carnations for a reason?”
Niki stared at Rinne. “Carnations? So that’s what they’re called…I dunno, I just went along with what Kohaku-chan, Ai-chan, and Ototo-kun helped me get. We went to a flower shop and I thought they reminded me of your hair.”
Rinne stared at the flowers. “They reminded you of my hair.”
Niki nodded. “You see every one of those flowers? It’s someone that celebrates your existence, Rinne-kun. They’re happy you were born, even if you are awful to them sometimes.” Niki laughed a little at that.
Rinne stayed silent, letting Niki continue for once without interrupting.
“We used to be alone, right? Just you and me, in this small apartment. A single cake with an old reused candle. Isn’t it funny how much has changed? Isn’t it nice?” Niki waved towards Rinne’s bag of various gifts.
Rinne laughed. “Why’s Niki being strangely sentimental?”
Niki hit him softly in the chest. “Shut up~ I can reflect on how much has changed too, can’t I?”
Rinne smiled, bright and warm. “Of course~”
“Anyways, I got everyone to help me with this because I wanted to. Simple as that. To show you that we’ve gone from just the two of us, to a whole bouquet’s worth. It’s not just me or your family that are happy you’re here. It’s the twins, your roommates, your circle members, Nee-san, and even both Himeru-kun and Kohaku-chan. And that’s not all of it, there’s so much more. It’s all of us.”
Rinne felt his eyes start to water. Niki smiled softly, raising a hand to touch him on the cheek.
“Despite everything, despite this face that you always put on that annoys everyone to pieces, especially me, despite how much yen you have taken out of my wallet and never given back, despite your unwillingness to ever let anyone know how you truly feel and hide away behind your personality, we’re happy you’re here. I’m happy you’re here.”
Rinne let go of Niki, covering his face. Try as he might, he couldn’t control the tears that were starting to stream down.
“Rinne-kun~ Don’t hide~ Let me see your face, you big oaf~” Niki laughed, hugging him.
“Don’t think you’ve won just because you’re making me cry. This is a one-time thing,” Rinne mumbled between trying to wipe his tears away.
“Yeah, yeah~ Amagi Rinne-kun doesn’t cry~” Niki hummed, rubbing him reassuringly.
“And I just want to let you know, Niki~kyun. Red carnations symbolize love in the language of flowers. My Niki~kyun really does love me~” Rinne sniffed, smiling through tears.
“Uh- Ah?! Oh umm…is that true? Uhh…Rinne-kun, that's completely coincidental! I really only got them because they were the color of your hair?! Why didn’t anyone tell me?! Ai-chan! Kohaku-Chan! Ototo-kunnnnn!!!!!” Niki’s eyes widened, and now it was him trying to hide his face from Rinne.
Rinne laughed, blinking away his tears.
“Urghh…maybe they set me up. I swear they set me up! Is that why some people were looking at me with weird looks when I asked them to do this?! This isn’t common knowledge, you know?!” Niki cried, shaking his head back and forth.
“Common enough for Rinne-kun to know.”
“Well not enough for me!” Niki huffed, looking away from him with a pout. His eyes landed upon the bag of gifts. “Ah, I almost forgot. I have something else for you.”
“A present for me from Niki~kyun?~ Is it actually something not edible for once?” Rinne teased, watching Niki walk over to a drawer.
“You- Ugh no. I’m not going to let you have the upper hand anymore! You better not be a jerk about this or I’ll immediately take it back!”
“Niki~kyun can give me literal dirt, and I’d still be happy.” He opened his hands as Niki walked over.
Niki dropped a small red velvet box and a piece of paper into his hands.
The paper didn’t say much, just in big, bold letters:
You still owe me 50000 Yen!!!!
Accompanied with the message was a little doodle of Niki’s face with a small angry face, surrounded by hearts.
Rinne stared down at the box, eyes widening, heartbeat quickening.
“You’re so annoying, you know that? We legally can’t get married no matter how much you ask. And I will never be your wife, I’m a man! I have my pride!” Niki stood to his side, one hand on his hip, one last carnation in the other, along with a long red ribbon.
“But I made a promise to always follow you wherever you go, to pull you up when you can’t get back up. Even if you drive me insane, I know how you really are and will never leave you.”
Rinne slowly picked the box up, opening it to find a small silver ring, looped onto a long cord.
Niki raised the hand that was on his hip, pulling out a similar one that was hidden around his own neck, unseen by Rinne. A matching one.
“So let this serve as a physical sign that you’re stuck with me for good, whether you like it or not. And you’d better not lose it! It cost me a lot~ of paychecks for this. And just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean I’m not going to let you get away with taking all the yen out of my wallet yester-”
Rinne didn’t let him finish, pulling him close, lips crashing together, soft, warm. A faint taste of honey. A long-awaited homecoming.
After several moments, Niki pushed him back, face red, sputtering. “W-what about your whole ‘Not before marriage’ spiel!!??”
Rinne laughed, so, so full of joy. So, so full of love. Of love for everyone that was glad of his existence, of love for the man right in front of him that was his home.
“Niki~kyun, you know this is essentially a proposal. I’d say it’s close enough~”
“Y-you! Cutting corners all of a sudden-”
Rinne shut him up, warmth filling the area around them, flooding the small apartment.