recolle | open || ain't no party like a birthday party

Entry tags:

open || ain't no party like a birthday party

WHO: Minako, Sakura, Ragna, and you!
WHERE: One of the arcade bars in the city.
WHEN: March 10th
WHAT: BIRTHDAY PARTY!
WARNINGS: None foreseen! Feel free to threadjack for Minako's Hot Potato Categories game.

[Welcome to the Emporium, an arcade bar that Minako and Sakura have decided to host their joint birthday party at! Come on in and have some fun playing games, eating junk food, and just hanging out with the birthday girls (and guy, if he decides to come).

There are, of course, the numerous arcade games that the place is known for, ranging from the old school 2v2 fighters to the shooting gallery kinds. But there are a smattering of other games as well, like DDR, darts, mini hoops, skeeball, and the pool table, too. There's also a wall of crane games in the back, with plenty of random and mostly cute prizes to win.

Make a stop by the purikura booth if you have time. Make some duck lips at the camera and then take the snaps home! (Or give them to the birthday girls for the memories.)

Oh, and be sure to exchange your money for tokens before you play all these games. The token machine seems kind of finicky, though. Maybe a strong (and hopefully discrete?) kick will help jumpstart it.

Walk to the dining area, and there'll be a feast waiting you! The arcade is providing a ton of pizza and wings, as well as alcohol, if you can show your ID. For dessert, there's the cake that Shuji made for the girls, as well as Minako's lemon tea cakes. Those are limited supply, though, so snag one before everyone eats it up.

Next to the dining area, there's a big sign that says "DUNK TANK OUTSIDE". Maybe take a look? Just be reaaaally sure you want to climb in before you do it, though. The towels provided by the arcade are pretty small.

And finally, if you need a break from the chaos, there's a couple of couches on the second floor. Take a load off and watch from above.]

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[To be honest, Sakura is as surprised by Kei's presence as he is. She'd been kind enough to give him an invitation, all the while assuming a birthday party wouldn't be his style, and so had already absolved the man of guilt had he chosen not to show up.

So finding him settled against the wall with his usual brand of commentary? A delightful find, and a good way to wind down after spending a couple of hours entertaining the guests. Even better is Odasaku currently accompanying her.

Don't underestimate her memory; she still remembers promising to talk him up to her current "guardian", even if it's a title of formality. So with that in mind:]

It's good to see you, Shigaraki-san. Thank you so much for coming. [She gives a subtle bow, Japanese formalities and all, before moving to the side so Kei and Odasaku can see each other.] Oh-- and this is my friend, Sakutarou Oda.

[ the more that odasaku was with sakura, the more that he enjoys the party. it’s just a matter of being forced to come out of his shell enough to play around the arcade. he’s even gotten a medium sized cat stuffed animal.

it’s all going great. he might actually consider this one of the best nights he’s had in a while, including the night that shuji stayed the night at his place.

and that all goes to shit when his gaze falls on kei’s far away figure. he hopes that sakura won’t notice him, maybe, that they can continue their evening absolutely kei-free, but fate has no intentions in fulfilling any of oda’s wishes. intennally feeling like a man going to the gallows, he follows behind sakura. ]

We’ve talked a little. [ no need to talk about how this very same man knocked him down or grabbed him by the shirt or that this very same man talked about destroying himself yesterday. ]

No, thank you for having invited someone like myself.

[ He dips his hand into the pocket of his jacket, giving just a brief glance to Sakura when she first has come up to say hello. Kei notes there is someone behind her, but there are also quite a few people around. In any case, he has a present for her that he does not think should be given to her at the "present table" as it were. ]

I was relieved that Amazon had gotten this to me in time. Consider it a gift that will outlive the-- [ Not realizing he is somewhat talking over her, or perhaps his subconscious realizes what is going on, he lifts his head up at the name. There is a second that he is somewhat at a pause -- holding out a high-priced pocket knife to Sakura and staring at the knife itself for one or two beats. ]

-- to outlive the flowers that I have already given you, Sakura.

[ Kei finishes his thought as he finally shifts his gaze to look at Oda. His head gives a slight tilt -- but he cannot cause his expression to change too much. He supposes that this does only make sense now that he thinks about it. I apologize for being here. I would blame obligation, but that seems like too much of an excuse. ]

Indeed, we have talked a little to one another. [ His senpai would dislike it if he were to make a scene at his daughter's birthday. Sakura is someone that he is attempting to help, as well, and he finds that he does not mind the young woman. There is no reason to pull her into their problem. My problem. Kei corrects himself as he decides to be reasonable and absolve Oda of guilt. For now. ]

I'm sorry that you have to see me give such a gift. I hope that does not ruin your opinion of me. [ Look, Sakura, awkwardly portrayed friendship. ]

[... Oh.

The pocket knife, she-- Sakura nearly gasps at it, and unaware of any looks that might be exchanged between Kei and Oda, takes the offered gift with a careful hand. It's a good quality, she can tell that at a glance. Opening and closing the knife is easy and natural, the sharpness of it seeming to cut the air itself. Beautiful, she thinks, and a good match for the one she received from John.

-- Though of course, receiving a knife as a birthday gift does tend to raise questions. She snaps back to the present, eyes bouncing between the two men before she interjects on Kei's behalf.]

I-it's okay! I, um... I asked him to get me this, in a way... [Which is not quite the truth, but neither is a complete lie. Kei knows very well the type of woman Sakura wishes to be. In her eyes, he chose well.

Turning back to her "guardian":]

Thank you very much, I'll be sure to treasure it. [And use it well, her smile seems to say]

[ well, at least kei didn’t say anything strange. at the very least, the awkward portrayal of actually getting along makes odasaku feel like he’s walking on egg shells, each one a piece of sakura’s feelings.

for her sake, and for her sake only, he hasn’t turned around and walked away already.

as he watches kei gift the knife to sakura, he can’t help but feel a tinge of concern— simple paranoia. still, it’s a simple gift, and sakura defends him he realizes that there’s nothing that needs to be said. his friend’s happiness is paramount over everything else. so he shakes hisnhead, dismissing both kei’s and sakura’s worries—well, mostly sakura’s. ]

Everyone has their own hobbies. If she likes it, then that’s that, right. It is pretty.

I'm only relieved that it is well-received. There are some that would say giving a knife would be an unreasonable gift.

[ Kei offers his own smile that he understands what she means. And the person that would say giving a knife for a present would probably be her father. But there is no reason to really muse about that thought among all others that are happening.

However, he does give a very brief pause as he looks back toward Oda. He chuckles to himself, and it does not quite sound like a nice laugh. But it is brief -- there and gone in a second. ]

But certainly is not as pretty as both of you look.

[ He clicks his tongue. ] Very rude. Not as pretty as Sakura looks, nor as handsome as Oda appears. [ A slight tilt of his head as he seems momentarily amused as he continues: ] I continue to feel as though I should have dressed up more. But in any case, I suppose I would still have paled in comparison. The only good thing about me is my height. [ Ha-ha, completely true statement. ]

[Oda brushes off Sakura's concerns with a few choice words and she visibly relaxes, not even realizing how much stock she'd been putting into his approval. She offers him a smile, too -- a little "thank you" for his troubles -- before her attention zooms back on Kei's response]

Hehe, thank you. Odasaku-san does look nice, yes. [She agrees because she hadn't had a chance to let him know how dashing he looks, so this seems the perfect time. Though please, Kei, she's not letting you off the hook, either.] You look fine, Shigaraki-san! I didn't dress up either, and I'm a little flattered anyone thought to do so for an arcade party.

[Seriously, there could have been a parade of torn-up jeans and sweat shirts, and she would've accepted it.]

You look fine, sir.

[ he does try to ignore the way that his ears turn red over sakura’s compliment. he’s unused to dressing this formally for anything that isn’t work related, and now he feels like he’s much closer to the center of attention than he would like. that’s why he ignores the comment, prefering much more to comment on kei’s appearance.

there’s nothing all that special about the man’s appearance, in sakutarou’s opinion that is, other than the height. not that he feels intimidated by it, but he definitely doesn’t feel assured by it.

ah, well. ]

It was Shuji’s idea to dress me up like this. But I think Sakura definitely looks amazing... although that’s normal.

[ His eyes drift to Sakura and how the nervous energy fades as soon as Oda eases her concerns. He looks to the side without saying anything, at first, but smiles to himself. The smile all but lasts for a second as he hears the "sir." If not for Sakura being there, he would have actually physically pulled back away. ]

Ah, well, if both people say so, it would be foolish of me to continue to lament. [ A beat. ] I don't think it is for an arcade party. I believe that it is because it is Minako and you, Sakura. The idea of wanting to look extra nice for friends... I think it is okay to be more than flattered.

[ An added pause as he allows his gaze to unfocus and settle. ] That's normal, hm? Then you always think that she looks amazing? [ His gaze refocuses. Careful. I'm too tired to start anything. ] I feel the same way. You may not have dressed up, Sakura, but you are glowing and that is far lovelier. [ Because there is something pretty in-- -- too tired. Try again tomorrow, please. ]

[Good lord, the both of ya.

It's charming at first, these string of compliments meant to stroke her ego, though it very quickly turns into stifled air and an uncomfortable heat on her cheeks. They're uh, not holding back with the flattery, are they, and soon enough Sakura finds she's unable to meet their eyes or reply with anything stronger than a shy "Thank you".]

I-- it's... um.

[Yep. She's out of words]

[ ah. he’s gone too far again.

a quick glance towards sakura is enough to tell him that, and he can’t bring himself to see her embarrassed expression for any longer than a second before looking away with one of his own. even his cheeks have a light flush on them, and he coughs in order to clear his throat.

when will this conversation end? ]

That’s enough of that. We shouldn’t embarrass her. [ he scratches the back of his neck, meek and apologetic. ] Sorry ‘bout that.

[ Turning his back to them, he lifts his hand up -- pressing his chin into his palm as he chuckles into his hand. The sound, itself, is muffled at the very least. His head lightly shaking before he realizes exactly what is making him laugh. ]

[ His hand slides up over his eyes as he pinches his eyebrows together.

No. ]

I went too far, Sakura. I only thought that it would be nice to tease you a little. [ His expression returns to something more neutral. ] But I didn't mean anything malicious about it. [ Kei didn't start out meaning anything malicious about it, anyway. ]

I apologize, Oda-kun. I pulled you into my little game without thinking of your feelings. That was hardly polite of me. [ His head turns as he closes his eyes, an attempt to apologize is made, at least. ] But since neither one of us were lying and honestly think the best of you... I suppose we need only alter how we express it, hm?

Edited 2018-03-17 01:00 (UTC)

[She's a girl more attuned to emotions than logic, but that's not to say she's stupid either, or unaware of how the air is turning a little thick with their shared discomfort. In fact, once she notices, her thoughts narrow in with cruel efficiency until that's all she can focus on.

This isn't going as she planned, and she can't help but worry at her miscalculations]

Both of you, please. It's okay. [She laughs a little, a tiny, pleading bell that they not make this harder than it needs to be as she picks at her skirt] I'm just not used to compliments -- or birthday parties, really. [Another smile, more aimed at Oda this time, in the hopes she might reach him quicker] This is my first in a long time, so I'm probably lacking in basic manners...

[See? Just blame the fallout on her and brush away the excess. This can work.]

Um -- Odasaku-san mentioned that he found a cat near your shop, Shigaraki-san?

No, no, it’s not your fault.

[ he shakes his head, not liking the idea of sakura blaming herself at all. this is all his fault, after all, having fallen so easily for kei’s taunt. this shouldn’t be happening. he wants to leave. but for her sake, he’ll stay put. ]

Yeah, I did. He wanted to call animal control on her.

[ because yes, he’s still a little hurt about that—but he says it like it’s the most normal first meeting in the world. ]

Everyone is having a good time, Sakura. Don't worry. You're not doing anything wrong.

[ He watches the two of them carefully; he doesn't blink through the exchange, but does when Sakura asks her question. You're backing yourself into a corner, Sakura. But it's your decision to do that -- if you wanted, you could have blamed us both. I certainly am willing to feel shame about the situation, as is Oda. There is an exhaustion that he feels about himself.

Kei lifts his chin just a little in a small "hm?" fashion. ]

I didn't want to call animal control. [ A smile. ] I only said that I did. Oda-kun clearly wanted to have the cat but needed incentive as to keep her. He seems like the type that would allow what he cares about to be safe unless there is reason. [ A pointed stare at him. ] So I decided to play the villain.

If it didn't work out, I was going to give her to Howard. But it did and now Oda-kun has a pet to keep him company. [ His hands slide into his pockets, as he tilts his head, pleased as a cat that caught the canary. ] Pets can do a lot to enrich the lives of their owner's.

[ And smiles his little half-smile to Sakura. ] Though, I believe our mutual acquaintance would find it remiss if I did not say that cats do the best job at enriching the lives of others any other creature in existence.

Edited 2018-03-17 17:10 (UTC)

[Her eyebrows arch at first when Oda none too subtly throws Kei under the bus, but the expression smooths once Kei comes forward to defend himself.

And she's a simple creature -- she hears Kei drop Howard's man, a man she knows her guardian is fond of, and Sakura's response is to nod in satisfaction, a smile reflected back at Kei.] Oh yes, Howard-san is that fond of cats.

... Though I am glad you have someone to keep you company now, Odasaku-san. [She rocks a little on her heels, hands folded behind her. No, she does not tell Oda that he should thank Kei, but her tone considers the matter settled anyway. ] I need to drop by with the toys I promised.

[ there’s... something wrong here.

it’s a feeling in the base of his stomach that’s been festering for a while and only now he’s been able to identify it as dread. deep down, ever since his and kei’s first conversation, he always had this fear that his friends would be unable to notice the unsettling behavior of kei. it hadn’t come true with shuji, so he had grown overconfident that it would not happen with sakura.

by the tone of her voice and her gestures, he had been horribly wrong.

so much for honesty, huh?

feeling as if he’s being dragged underwater, it’s difficult for odasaku to keep his attention and act like he’s not hurt by this turn of events. it takes a while for him to realize that sakura’s even talking, much less does he understand what she says. ]

Mhm. I’m... suddenly feeling a bit sick. Headache and stuff. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna head outside for some fresh air.

[ and without waiting for permission or a response, odasaku’s gone at a brisk pace. ]

[ That's a poor lie.

There is a warm, almost excited feeling in his chest. His eyes widen as he already knows the source and looks away. Kei realizes that he should have given a polite "hello" and found means to walk away first. He thinks his hand is almost trembling as he realizes just how bad it is to have met Oda this night. If it had been any other, he wonders if it would have ended the same. Either way, the feeling fades -- washes away and choked to death with guilt and shame. ]

I'm sorry, Sakura. [ His head dips in apology. ] Regardless of how frustrated I was in seeing him want to take home the cat, I should have let him make that decision on his own. It is not like I had met him before that day, and so he couldn't possibly understand my true intentions. [ A beat. ] No, that's untrue. I spoke with him on the network more than once. But either way, I'm afraid I left a rather poor impression of myself.

[ There is no need to get deeply into his feelings and so he absolves Oda of all wrong-doing as best as he can, as well as ease Sakura's possibly hurt feelings. ]

I played too good of a villain, and meddled a bit more than what I should have. In any case, please don't blame Oda-kun for anything. He's only caught up in a villain's plan.

Edited 2018-03-19 03:28 (UTC)

[That is a very poor lie, and Sakura seizes in place like she's been smacked by it, helpless to do anything besides watch Oda march off without a backwards glance.

And Kei's response... it helps, if only a little bit, to paint a more thorough picture, to put actual fact to the uncomfortable atmosphere she'd been feeling. It isn't enough to stave off the swell of guilt, however -- because what she's being told is she thoughtlessly put Kei and Oda in an inescapable position.

God, she's so blind sometimes]

I'm not angry with him. [Her gaze finds the floor, voice tired and injured] ... I'm not angry at you, either. [Because she thinks she hears remorse within Kei, and his logic checks clean. There's no reason to bear her teeth at him]

... Please forgive my lack of awareness. I should've picked up that everyone was uncomfortable.

You didn't do anything wrong. I do believe I said so before.

[ He feels his mind actually cooling and not realizing that he was on such high-alert -- no, adrenaline? Kei regardless comes back to himself as he frowns at seeing her distressed expression at her own birthday party. A familiar guilt slides around to wrap its fingers around his neck. You should just stay there. But he knows it sometimes loosens its grip without warning. ]

Besides, I believe both of us want to attempt to get along with each other. We like you, after all. Neither one of us would wish for whatever misunderstandings are between us to affect your enjoyment and happiness. [ His gaze darkens just for a second, but he shakes it off a little easier than before. ]

Still we should have simply had our talk outright instead of stepped around it. A moment of uncomfortableness between us is better than having you feel as though you've done anything wrong. [ His head lightly shakes. ] Though, it is difficult to fight against the misconceptions a person has about another one. But, I think that since we both now know that you're friends with us... it'll make things easier.

You wouldn't be friends with anyone untoward, and so... you've actually helped things along. I'm certain that we'll be able to reach a proper conclusion. [ A beat, with a wry smile. ] It was just a matter of a lot of circumstances coming together and no one realizing what to do until it's already happened. So, please don't feel bad at all. [ He lifts his hands and lightly waves them in front of her like he is physically dismissing her sadness. ]

You allowed me an in with Oda-kun so that we can continue talking, since really... he has no reason to speak to a man who threatened him, right? So, I'll do what I can to make this right.

[It's like velvet, how quickly Kei's words melt over her. No doubt it would be a lie to suggest her guilt is gone, but some of the weight lightens from her chest as she nods quietly to the cadence of his suggestions.

A "proper conclusion" can only mean that they'll find common ground, right? Might even one day get along. Call it a selfish wish that's not based in reality, but it's one she holds suddenly, unable to erase the image of Oda striding off in his bid for escape. More than anything, she doesn't want him upset.]

... Okay. I'll -- [talk to him, set this right, make sure he's okay] -- I'll give him some space for now.

[And allow Kei the freedom to fix the situation as he sees fit]

Me too.

[ He tilts his head with a smile. ] I think if I messaged him now he might end up breaking his phone. [ Kei chuckles to himself before silencing his laughter. ] I'm sorry. I shouldn't make jokes so soon. It'll be easier to make jokes later.

[ Looking away, he decides that he should attempt to lighten the atmosphere. His shoulders immediately drops as he realizes that every time he attempts to do that he just plunges them further into the abyss. I need only use my common sense rather than logic. That will ensure things should end well. ]

But even I can tell that you are greatly cared about, Sakura. Everyone dressed up and wanted to do their best for your day. One can really feel the love in the air. Speaking of, I wonder where May is. I'm certain that she got you something quite amazing for your birthday. [ A beat. ] Am I wrong?

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