The soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in Kazuki's room. He woke up, stretching and glancing at the clock on his nightstand. **7:00 AM**. Today wasn't just another ordinary day—today was **Shizuka's birthday**.
Kazuki couldn't help but smile at the thought of her. After all, he had been planning something special to celebrate her day. It had been a while since he had been able to show her just how much she meant to him, so today would be different.
After quickly freshening up and getting dressed, Kazuki made his way downstairs. Aoi was already seated at the table, flipping through her phone. She looked up as Kazuki entered the kitchen.
"Good morning, Kazuki," she greeted, her voice still sleepy but warm. "So, today's Shizuka-nee's birthday, huh?"
Kazuki nodded, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Yeah. I've got a few surprises planned. I want to make her day memorable."
Aoi gave him a teasing smile, eyes glinting with amusement. "Mhm, I bet. I've never seen you so excited about a girl before."
Kazuki rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help the slight flush that crept up his neck. "Stop it, Aoi. It's not like that."
"I'll help however I can," Aoi said with a wink. "You just focus on making sure she feels special today."
Kazuki smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Aoi."
---
A few hours later, Shizuka arrived at Kazuki's house. As usual, she looked effortlessly beautiful, her silver hair cascading around her face in soft waves. She wore a light pink dress, her eyes sparkling as she greeted Kazuki at the door.
"Good morning, Kazuki!" she said cheerfully, giving him a quick hug. "Happy birthday to me, right?"
Kazuki grinned and nodded. "Happy birthday, Shizuka. I've got some things planned for you today."
Shizuka raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Ooh? A surprise?"
Kazuki gave her a playful smile. "Definitely. Let's go."
He led her to the living room, where the room had been decorated with subtle elegance—flowers, balloons, and a few candles flickering gently. On the table, there was a cake, surrounded by a couple of carefully wrapped gifts.
Shizuka's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight. "Kazuki… This is beautiful. You did all of this for me?"
Kazuki smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him as he saw the happiness in her eyes. "Of course. You deserve it."
Shizuka's heart skipped a beat, and she gave him a tight hug. "Kazuki… Thank you. This is more than I expected."
"Of course," Kazuki replied softly. "I wanted today to be perfect for you."
---
As the afternoon passed, Kazuki and Shizuka spent the day together, laughing, playing games, and simply enjoying each other's company. Aoi had taken the opportunity to excuse herself, understanding that today was meant for Kazuki and Shizuka.
The day wore on, and evening came. As the sun began to set, Kazuki took Shizuka to the balcony, where a gentle breeze brushed against them. The sky was painted in shades of pink and orange, setting the perfect mood for the last surprise.
Shizuka, curious but clearly moved by everything so far, turned to Kazuki. "Kazuki, what's the last surprise?"
Kazuki hesitated for a moment, his eyes meeting hers. "I've been thinking about you a lot, Shizuka. And I wanted to give you something meaningful, something special. Something to remind you of today and how much you mean to me."
Shizuka's heart raced, her lips parting as she waited. Kazuki reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a delicate silver necklace with a small star-shaped pendant inside.
"This is for you, Shizuka," Kazuki said softly. "I know it's not much, but I wanted to give you something that represents how important you are to me."
Shizuka's hands trembled as she picked up the necklace. "Kazuki… this is… beautiful. I don't even know what to say…"
Kazuki smiled and reached behind her neck, carefully fastening the necklace. "You don't need to say anything. Just… know that I care about you."
Shizuka's heart swelled with emotion as she gazed up at him, eyes shining. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice soft and filled with affection. "Kazuki, you've already given me so much… but this means the world to me."
Kazuki's breath caught in his throat, and without thinking, he leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Happy birthday, Shizuka. I hope this year brings you everything you deserve."
Shizuka closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of the moment. "Kazuki… I… I'm so happy. You're all I've ever wanted."
They stood there, holding each other in the soft glow of the evening, the city lights twinkling in the distance. For that moment, everything felt perfect. The world felt like it belonged to just the two of them.