under the ice and snow

Chapter 34 - Best birthday

Some few weeks later

Ichika POV

We're all in Las Vegas and it's the night of the party only those with invites are allowed inside the special hall, Zaniri has been planning this for weeks as a super surprise, she has also been teaching me how to gamble and I'm now familiar with more than just the rules, "I hope you aren't over doing it with the makeup?" I asked with my eyes closed, "what of course not, I'm thr best at this just trust me" Zaniri bragged, I could feel the countless brushes she used on my face, "she looks pretty" I  heard Mana comment in the background, "shh don't spoil it" I heard Nanami say.

"Are you ready?" Zaniri asked which I nodded in response, "then open your eyes!" She exlaimed, and I did, "wow I look beautiful" I said breathlessly as I stared into the mirror, "well it was easy since you already have a pretty face" Zaniri laughed, "guys it's time for her entrance" Emma said walking in with Hinata and Sumi, "you look really good" Hinata complimented me while the other girls just gave me a thumbs up.

Everyone was beautifully dressed in different styles and colors as we made our way to the main hall, "I'm the hostess I'll go announce your entrance don't go out untill I say so" Zaniri directed as she made her way to the main stage to kickoff the party.
"Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the birthday bash of the year" she said confidently as a applause followed, "today we are gathered to celebrate my best friend, my brothers girlfriend and the Miss COE herself, Ichika Ruyo" she said signaling me to come out.
Once I stepped onto the stage I could feel tears form in my eyes as all my closest friends and family were all gathered here to celebrate me, "are you alright?" Zaniri whispered to me, "yes I'm fine" I whispered back, "good now take the mic" Zaniri said pushing the mic into my hands without warning, "well um thank you all for making time to attend this party honestly I didn't think it was going to be this big honestly, but Zaniri planned it so what else to expect right" I said as the crowd laughed and Zaniri faked being offended
"but truly I'm grateful for everything, I ended up here by chance and seemingly unconventional reasons but I'm glad I did, I've made so many friends, memories and I have the greatest boyfriend" I said genuinely as the other girls began to fake cough, "y'all hear something" I ignored them
"but honestly thos means the world to me, thank you" I said happily before giving the microphone back to Zaniri" who had tears forming in her eyes, "honestly I'm crying right now, your such a sweetheart and you deserve the world" Zaniri said between sniffles before hugging me, the crowd cheered as we finally broke the hug, "you know that was a really good way to start the night, except for the part where you said my brother is the best boyfriend but I'll let it slide because it's your birthday" Zaniri said as the crowd laughed, "whatever let's not waste to much time here, I declare the party open" Zaniri announced.

"Alright time for the couple dance " Emma announced out of nowhere, "someone tell my brother to stop lurking" Zaniri commented, as Shinichiro and Mikey dragged Izana from the bar to the middle of the dance floor while Nanami and Akane dragged me from one of the stage "was this part of the plan?" Izana asked me slowly taking my hand "I don't know" I answered putting my other hand on his shoulder, "go guys" Sumi, Nanami and Mana cheered.

Me and Izana had the first dance before others joined us, but after a bit of dancing I finally saw my sister, "excuse me" I said to Shinichiro who I was currently dancing with.
"Chitouse?!" I called out, "oh hi Ichika happy birthday, I got you these, I know it isn't much but..." she started before trailing of, the present was a  golden set of bangles, "wow their so lovely" I said admiring how they shined in the light, "I bought them on my trip to India" she explained, "oh wow, I can tell" I said happily before we went into an awkward silence, "well this is awkward" she laughed nervously, "well it should be" Zaniri commented from behind me, "where did you come from?" I asked, "doesn't matter, listen I still don't trust you but for Ichika I'll let you stay so don't mess it up" Zaniri warned before walking away, "I guess I deserve that" Chitouse said in a guilty tone, "it's alright we can start a new our parents have no control over us, so let's not be held back by our past" I said taking her hand as we both smiled at each other, "cake cutting time" Sumi announced from the stage, "c'mon I'll give you a slice" I smiled pulling Chitouse along with me.

"Woah that's a cake" I asked Sumi after seeing the giant desert, "that things bigger than me" Takeomi commented as we all laughed, "whatever let's cut it, turn off the lights" Senju ordered.
As the lights turned off the candles on the cake and the big twenty seven lit up, "woah" everyone explaimed "that's awesome" Luna exlaimed, I blow out the candles and the lights cam back on so I cut the cake as everyone clapped and cheered, "alright let's play a game" Sanzu suggested, "what game?" Ran asked, "it's simple Ichika just has to give the first five slices of cake to the most important people in her life presently" he explained, "that's not actually bad" Senju smiled.

"Alright the first slice goes to Izana" Ichika said handing him a slice, "as expected" Izana bragged, "next to Zaniri" Ichika said cutting a slice "ha in ya faces" Zaniri laughed loudly, "then to Emma" Ichika smiled, "thanks" Emma smiled back, "then to brother Shinichiro" and everyone cheered, "thank you and happy birthday and many more" Shinichiro wished her gently patting her head, "and the last one to Chitouse my only blood sister" Ichika announced, "this is an honor" Chitouse beemed, "an honor way bigger than you" Zaniri scoffed.

"Zaniri please calm down, excuse her" Rindou said trying to lessen the tension "no do not excuse me let me say my mind" Zaniri hissed, "Zaniri it's okay" Ichika said, "listen I don't care about anything but I don't trust her at all, I'll let her be for now but don't expect me to be all buddy buddy with her because I was shot thanks to her, if I was hit in the chest, head or stomach and maybe died, would she still be here? I don't think so" Zaniri vented, "I know I don't deserve to be here especially after all the things I've done but I'll try to be a good person" Chitouse explained, "whatever" Zaniri rolled her eyes.

"Alright let's get back to the party" Mikey said after everything had calmed down, "for the first time I can't even disagree with her" Izana shrugged.

      Somebody come get her she's dancing like a stripper
Somebody come tip her she's drinking all the liquor.

"Shouldn't you stop her?" Ran asked his younger brother, "nah she's taken way to much alcohol just let her passout" Rindou shrugged as he watched Zaniri do a pole dance.
The party continued until late into the night, and eventually ended early in the morning.

"That was the best party ever" Ichika slurred on top of Izana as he carried her to their room, "I'm glad you enjoyed it" he responded with a smile.