route_1065 | happy birthday from all of us to you

Entry tags:

happy birthday from all of us to you

Who: All the Dangans + Parker!
Where: Violet City
When: 8/31, evening
Summary: It's Ishimaru's birthday and his classmates are throwing him a surprise party. This can't end badly.
Rating: PG-13 for language. I'll update this if there are any changes!
Log:
Never again. Mondo is never planning a party this big ever again. Of course the original plan didn't take into account the arrival of five classmates, so originally this would have been easy enough to handle. Now, though? He'd practically run himself ragged making sure that everyone was here and everything was ready.

The hotel was kind enough to lend them the Conference Room for the occasion, and it was quite a large room that should easily fit all of the Hope's Peak classmates and Alice. All the food is spread out on a table by the wall (it's entirely vegetarian, since that's what Ishimaru likes) and the tables are situated nearby so that the guests can actually sit and eat. There's plenty of open space in case anyone wants to dance to the music that's been set up (though Mondo doubts Ishimaru will set foot on the dance floor, it's mostly to entertain the other guests). The gifts are all piled in the back corner and there's even a large TV for the guests to watch. All in all, it seems like the perfect place to hold a party.

All that's left is for Fujisaki to bring Ishimaru to the location, so Mondo fires off a quick text to his friend, letting Fujisaki know that everyone's ready and in position. This is gonna be awesome.

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[Even Leon's SHSL Baseball skills aren't good enough to avoid the giant hug Ishimaru landed on him.

Having nipped out to the bathroom to clean himself up a little because geez Ishimaru gross sobbing much, he returns to the ballroom tears and snot-free. Everyone else seems to have gotten into the swing of the party, so hopefully no one will notice if he walks over to where Ishimaru is with a hastily-wrapped box in his hands. If he can get this over with fast enough then he can rest his conscience, grab some food and then leave.]

Hey. I got'cha somethin'.

[And of course he was going to hug you, Kuwata; really, he hasn't been in contact with you or Hagakure since the 20th and he's just glad to see that you're both here and, most importantly, in one piece.

He'd noticed that message on the voicemail...thing being altered, though he still isn't skilled enough with social things to really read between the lines and understand whether or not that implies Kuwata would be open to communication or not - Ishimaru gets that at least he's less angry, but the idea that he might actually be receptive to being called didn't really connect. At the same time, he at least was able to catch that the apology he'd sent was likely received and taken at least halfway decently, and he'd decided that that was enough.

He's a bit surprised at being approached now, though he's not displeased by it; just a bit caught off-guard and not...too sure what to do with his face, um.]

Ah, Kuwata-kun - you didn't have to...!

[...to...what, exactly? Do that? Show up at all? He's grateful, of course he is, but he can't exactly understand why...

Wow, okay, let's not get choked up about this.]

I-It's good to see you.

H-hey, don't start the waterworks again! I already had to clean up once, thanks.

[Don't be tsun Leon, be nice to the birthday boy. With a sigh, he places the box down on the table and takes a seat; he probably should've asked, but manners aren't his thing.]

Man, what time do you normally sleep huh? I had to chuck my Gear at the bottom of my bag! Next time you wanna call someone? Call'em at normal hours, they'd probably be happier to pick up in the afternoon then fucking five in the morning.

...but yeah. I got your messages.

...thanks.

[It takes him a moment to discern the meaning behind all that, given that he's already ridiculously emotional and that's making it a bit harder to process than usual and suddenly Kuwata's joining him despite the words implying that he'd really rather do otherwise and then suddenly everything seems to click at once. It's fine, it's just...similar to that thing Oowada does when Ishimaru's managed to say something that Oowada's pleased with and his response is him to shut up without meaning it; it's a bit weird hearing it come from someone he's not particularly close to, but whatever was troubling him about it seems to fade from his thoughts quickly.]

I'll keep that in mind, Kuwata-kun, though hopefully I won't need the advice - I would prefer not fighting in the first place!

[...]

Ah, but...it's fine. It was only right to apologize once I realized.

[...oh, but that's...one of those weirdly sterile comments, isn't it? One of those things his brother is always telling him isn't exactly okay for some reason.]

...and besides, I wanted to.

[#nailed it]

[You do Mondo proud Ishimaru.]

Yeah yeah, I know that. You're always tryin' to be the leader and tryin' to make sure we get along and stuff. S'not a bad thing. Sometimes it's annoying because man, it's like you can't leave us alone! But it's not bad.

...I shouldn't have said what I said too. About you...understanding what it felt like to die. So, I'm sorry.

Edited 2013-09-01 01:42 (UTC)

N-No, it's...

[Oh god, what does he do with this...

Apparently, he seems to decide that weird, obviously forced laughing and avoiding eye contact is the way to go. Clearly.]

I appreciate the apology, Kuwata-kun! But we shouldn't dwell on things like that now - as I said, I'm just glad that you're here!

[Don't worry Ishimaru, he's doing it too.

Unfortunately for Leon, it's not so simple for him to forsake the past.

While Ishimaru's avoiding eye contact, Leon briefly considers if he should let Ishimaru in on his 'problem'. Hagakure had nailed half of his damning prophecy, already, hadn't he? "Something he once enjoyed will cause him great fear". And now Leon couldn't even look at a ball flying his way without being paralysed with fear. Not to mention the occasional nightmares he gets at night about what happened.

If the SHSL Fortune Teller had been right about his fear, then obviously Leon should do exactly as Hagakure advised him to; seek help from friends.

But Leon is a creature of stubborn pride, and when said pride is already wounded and bleeding on the floor there's little to no chance of him coughing up something that he regards as an extremely shameful secret.

No, he wouldn't share this with his classmates. Not with the entire gang of Super High School Level geniuses, because without his SHSL Baseball Player title...could he even claim to be their classmate?

So then, it's small talk time.]

Well, thanks.

So, umm...Oowada really planned a great party, huh? You enjoying yourself?

Edited 2013-09-01 02:02 (UTC)

[That...is a good question and stupidly enough not one he's really considered. He's never really been one for parties; it takes him a moment to answer.]

Ah...yes, he definitely did a good job, didn't he? It's not something I was expecting, but it's nice.

["Nice." He's been throwing that word around so much tonight.]

I'm really just glad to have everyone here - everything is second to that, I think. Not that I'm not grateful! But it's...yes. Yes, everything is very good.

Yeah, he threw a really great party! I was kinda worried about all of us being in the same room, but he really pulled it off without a hitch. You tried any of the cake yet? I wonder what kinda icing he used; ya think it's butter icing?

[LEON]

[Thank god Ishimaru has not been through the second trial yet.]

I wouldn't know - I'm...

[He hesitates for a moment, as though not sure he should really say what he's about to say, but he just sort of plows on ahead with it anyway.]

I'm actually not very fond of cake - I mean, I appreciate that he went to so much trouble! But it's...not really anything I actually like, at least not nearly that much...

[He laughs a bit, the sound more than slightly sheepish.]

So if you're going to have any, go right ahead.

[...]

Please.

Hey it's ok. You can like whatever you like! Though you should probably.take a slice at least.

...actually what do you like?

What...do you mean...?

[I mean that's sort of a broad question there, Kuwata-kun...like, just in general or what...]

Like...what do you like to do, or to eat! So that next time when your birthday comes round, Oowada can make somethin' that's more your style for you.

Ah. Well, I'm usually not very picky, and he's handled it well for the most part! I've just never been too keen on sweet things; I'm not used to having them. Once in a while, yes, but not very often.

OK ok, you don't really like sweet things! That's not the point of my question Ishimaru! Whaddaya like? I bet a rules guy like you must like healthy stuff like vegetables and fruits right?

[...Kuwata, you had best be prepared for most conversations with him to generally go...uh, not much better than this, really. Lead the target, lead the target, he'll get there eventually...]

Well, yes, of course! Our bodies are a gift and all, and we've only been blessed with one of them - they should be respected as such!

[...that...wasn't weird at all...]

Ah...umm, not gonna lie but that sounded a bit...weird Ishimaru.

So...ok! You like fruits and vegetables. Which types do you like?

[This is not a hard question Ishimaru. Help him please he is trying to be nice and patient.]

Well, it's true, isn't it?!

[...Leon

Leon bro

now is about when you should pause and try to re-examine your life choices

because how badly do you want him to start yelling about your body in public

because he will do it

he will]

And again, like I said, I'm not very picky! As long as it isn't entirely made of preservatives, it's fine!

Yeah it's true but you don't have to say it that way. Normal people don't talk like a textbook, ya know? Just say something like, "Yeah, we should take good care of our health!", it's the same thing but at least you don't sound like a walking ad for MEXT.

But that just means that you can eat the stuff! Isn't there a fruit you like better than all the others? And not just for all that health crap, but just because you like how it tastes?

[There's no turning back Ishimaru.]

I don't sound like a -

[...wow, you can practically hear the thoughts screeching to a halt inside his head. While it's true that Kuwata's more than a bit of a livewire and he's nowhere near as...well, normal as Naegi, he's at least sort of charismatic, right, in his own way? And judging from something Naegi had said, he'd been friends with Oowada and Fujisaki, back before everything had gone so strangely in the school...

Hm.]

[Mnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngh.]

Strawberries are good.

[There, is that better?]

...Do I really sound that abnormal?

See, that wasn't so tough huh? Now Oowada can make you a strawberry something next year and skip the chocolate and vanilla! Everyone wins! Though strawberries are a bit girly but their still ok I guess. I never figured you for a strawberry guy, I thought you'd be all over watermelons, 'cause that's a traditional Japanese fruit but hey! Good to know you're not just the poster boy for the ideal Japanese kid!

Hate to break it to ya Ishimaru but...yeah, you do. Stuff like eating vegetables 'cause it's healthy for you, or even just gettin' up on time for school...well, everyone knows it already! It's like, normal stuff for all of us. So talkin' about somethin' that's so basic and actin' like it's the most important thing we should be talkin' about, well...

[He rubs the back of his neck, why is he the one having to tell Ishimaru this?]

...yeah, it's just weird.

[Well, if it makes him feel any better, he's technically not the first, though he hasn't had it explained in quite that way before.]

The problem isn't that others don't know these things, as I would hope they do by now! However, things like that often aren't prioritized as much as they should be - normal or not, most don't adhere to it properly!

But not in normal conversations. I mean if you were trying to give me advice or something then that'd be ok, but we're talking about what kinda food you like to eat Ishimaru. This ain't a PE class! There's no right or wrong answer, there's just you and what you like to eat, not what we should be eating to respect our bodies or whatever the hell you just said.

[...excuse him while he just kind of stares at you like you have come bearing divine revelation from God, Kuwata.]

Because it's not necessary. Right?

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