The day before Akane's birthday, the two of them were walking down the school hallway after class. Akane gathered her courage, turning to Zenkichi with a slightly shy expression.
"Hey, Zenkichi," she began, trying to keep her voice casual. "So… I'm having a birthday party tomorrow night. You're invited, obviously."
Zenkichi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You're inviting me? Are you sure that's a good idea? You know I'm a professional at ruining parties."
Akane rolled her eyes, giving him a playful shove. "Yeah, right. Just show up and don't embarrass me, okay?"
He laughed, hands in his pockets. "Fine, fine. I'll bring my best behavior. Maybe I'll even bring you a gift if I'm feeling generous."
Akane tried to hide a smile, shrugging nonchalantly. "Suit yourself. I wouldn't expect anything fancy from you anyway."
They exchanged their usual banter, but as they parted ways, Akane felt an unexpected flutter of excitement. She was looking forward to seeing Zenkichi at her party, even if he'd be his usual, annoying self.
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The next evening, Akane's home was filled with the sounds of laughter and celebration. Her friends had gathered, the party in full swing, but as the hours ticked by, Akane found herself glancing at the door, waiting for Zenkichi to appear. Everyone had come to celebrate her birthday, but he was nowhere to be seen. She told herself not to feel disappointed, but a small ache settled in her heart.
The night drew to a close, and one by one, her friends began saying their goodbyes. The celebration that had felt so exciting earlier now felt a little empty. Akane sat alone in the quiet house, thinking back to Zenkichi's promise. She tried to convince herself that he must've had a good reason, but disappointment lingered.
Just then, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She answered it, not recognizing the number, but her breath caught when the caller introduced themselves as a nurse from the hospital.
"Excuse me, are you a friend of Zenkichi? He's been admitted to the hospital, and your contact was listed as an emergency."
Akane's heart dropped, and without wasting a second, she hurried to the hospital. Her mind raced as she imagined what could have happened. Had he been hurt? What had kept him from her party?
She was directed to his room, and there he was, lying in a hospital bed with bruises on his face and bandages on his arms. Despite his state, he managed a small smile when he saw her.
"Zenkichi!" Akane cried, rushing to his bedside. "What happened?"
He chuckled weakly. "Hey, Akane… Sorry for missing your party."
Akane shook her head, her voice filled with concern. "Don't apologize. Just tell me what happened!"
He sighed, looking down. "Remember those bullies from before? They… caught me on my way to your party. Guess they didn't forget. They came at me in a group, and, well… I didn't stand much of a chance."
Akane's chest tightened as a mixture of guilt and gratitude filled her heart. "Zenkichi, you didn't have to go through that. Why didn't you just ask for help or avoid them?"
He looked at her, his eyes soft. "I was on my way to see you, Akane. I wasn't about to let a few guys ruin that."
Akane was struck silent, realizing that despite everything, he'd been determined to be there for her. The boy who often teased her, who she couldn't help but spar with, had taken all of this on himself for her.
"You're an idiot, Zenkichi," she murmured, her voice trembling. "Why didn't you just take a safer route?"
He laughed lightly, wincing slightly. "Maybe I'm just stubborn. Or maybe I didn't want you to think I was… afraid."
Akane held his hand, squeezing it gently. "You're not afraid. You're brave, even if you're a little reckless."
Just then, a nurse entered the room with a small cake on a tray and a gentle smile on her face. She set it down by Zenkichi's bedside, then looked at him and said, "Your cake, sir, that you ordered."
Akane's eyes widened, and she looked over at Zenkichi. He flashed her a sheepish grin. "Guess we're celebrating after all, huh?"
They shared a quiet laugh as they both leaned toward the cake. Zenkichi picked up a single rose from the table beside him and handed it to her, his gaze softened. "Happy birthday, Akane."
A warmth spread through her chest as she accepted the rose. Their rivalry, their endless teasing—it was all part of a bond that went deeper than she'd realized. She leaned forward, blowing out the candle on the cake, grateful to be celebrating her special day with Zenkichi by her side, even if it was in the most unexpected way.