recolle | I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Fai's house! Since she lives with him now.
WHEN: April 1st, early afternoon
WHAT: Sakura's friends are invited to a party for her birthday.
WARNINGS: None?

[Maybe some arrived earlier, to help get the food ready or set up any decorations. Most of it is ready, though some preparation might be more last minute in that morning once she has opened presents from her family - after dealing with an initial prank from her brother, given the date and all.

She hadn't anticipated anything too huge or fancy. Though that might end up debatable given how Fai tends to spoil her at the best of times. Still, the house should hopefully be big enough. She hopes. Sakura fusses a little with her dress, her hair, before coming to try offer to help with any last minute decorations or anything. Once people do start arriving, everyone is free to mingle and enjoy the food and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Sakura tries to get around to say hi to everyone, sometimes but not always managing to be the one to answer the door. She seems to be enjoying herself, glad of the chance to catch up with everyone in person, even if some might not stay all day. And given the weekend, given the holidays, she isn't so worried on staying up late either. She joins in with mingling, and might be easier to corner and get some one on one time later in the afternoon/evening, once others might have already gone home.

She doesn't have a traditional cake, but a number of cupcakes for everyone instead, with those and the rest of the snacks provided being made by Fai. With Xiaolang's help, and maybe Sakura managing to somewhere in the process of making it all.]

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[Derek saw Iwai coming and waved.]

Hey

[Derek pops a pretzel in his mouth.]

So, how did you end up at this party? You know Sakura?

"I live here. Her dad is my boyfriend."

Simple as that really. Then again, why would it need to be more complicated?

[Derek gives Iwai a blank stare. Clearly Derek is not informed on Sakura's living situation.]

Her dad? I thought she lived with a guardian, which I thought was Fai. She also has a dad?

"Like I said, her dad is my boyfriend. Fai adopted her."

And he lived here. Iwai felt that was pretty self-explanatory. He was dating her dad and that person was Fai. Yep.

[Derek has to process about this for a bit. Fai isn't just her guardian, he's Sakura's adopted dad. Iwai's boyfriend is Fai. Iwai's boyfriend's kid is Sakura. Bloody hell, how did he not make the connection? Well, Sakura never mentioned her guardian having a boyfriend and Iwai never mentioned his boyfriend name. Once it finally clicks in Derek's head, he nods.]

I see. I never made the connection until now. Sorry, it just surprised me for a second. I met Sakura back when I first got the app, but I wasn't very aware of her home life. I didn't think it was really any of my business. I knew she had an older brother and a guardian, that was about it.

"Yeah Fai adopted her and her brother so they're living here now. His ward, Noah, lives here too. I moved in back in December."

Just a big ol' happy family here. Though mostly he was the boyfriend living with the family but he was okay with that. He could chip in when he could. Generally by helping out with heavy lifting kind of things. Sure Fai could technically bench press him but that wasn't the point obviously.

So the family just keeps growing eh? That's good. Big families are fun if I do say so myself.

[Don't forget Iwai, Derek has six siblings!]

"Just having one is nice honestly. It wasn't something I had much of before."

And he was really grateful for it. Even if he was still getting used to it sometimes. It just wasn't something he was used to yet, even if he really enjoyed having people that were so close to him all the time. Because there was something comforting about that.

[Derek pats Iwai on the shoulder.]

Well I'm glad you found one mate. Having a family creates a sense of... belonging that you can't find anywhere else.

He knew. It was why he'd turned to a life of crime honestly. But no. He wasn't going to talk about that here and now. Sakura didn't know about that part of his past and he didn't really want her to know either.

"It's been good for the others too. I can tell it really makes Fai happy."

It was just sort of reflex to guide the conversation off himself and to someone else really. Mostly to dodge that he was probably feeling a little flustered.

That's good. You know, I think I met him before today. I think he came to by birthday part back in September. I never made the connection that he was your boyfriend. Small world eh?

"Well I wasn't dating him in September so you probably wouldn't have made that connection honestly." He shrugged. Mainly because it wasn't that big of a deal really. Just yeah. He'd still been single back in September.

Yup, that would definitely be why. How's the shop doing by the way? I'm probably going to head over there by the end of the month to get some more ammo.

[There's the date with Lillian and the game with James. Then there are the times he just goes to play paintball with random people. A guys gonna need to restock eventually.]

It's starting to pick up more now that it's warming up again. Pretty much what happens every year honestly. People just like the heat for outdoor activities.

[It's logical so like hell if he's going to complain about that.]

You got some games planned with people?

Well I'm thinking of doing a paintball date with a young woman. She seems to like more active activities. And then I have a game coming up with a teenager I meet back in February. I don't know if you know James?

Edited (Wrong party! LOL!) 2018-04-13 06:03 (UTC)

Never heard of him. But hey if they like that stuff send 'em to my shop.

[Because business is business you know?]

Oh most definitely. If either of them show any promise, I'll absolutely tell them about your shop. I mean, where else will they buy their own gear for the best price?

[Derek will always be loyal to your shop Iwai!]

Edited 2018-04-14 05:35 (UTC)

You know you only get the best deals around because I like ya, right?

[Not that he's complaining mind you...]

Are you saying you don't have the best quality merch for the best price in town anyway?

Best merch? Definitely. Not likely to rip you off? Sure. But the best deals go to those that I like the best.

[Derek chuckles.]

And I'm on the short list I suppose? I feel so blessed.

Probably should. Takes some work to get on and stay on my good side.

[Derek still doesn't get how exactly he got on Iwai's good side. But, he'll roll with it. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth you know?]

So does Fai ever go paint balling with you?

With me? Nah. I rarely ever even go myself. Usually too busy at the shop or with other stuff.

[He...doesn't get out much.]

Then what kind of dates do you go on if he's not into paintball?

[In Derek's mind, having common interests is important in a relationship. If Fai doesn't like paintball, then what does he like that Iwai also likes?]

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