words | akaashi keiji

surprises.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
Kenneth Grahame

Now, Sho at twenty-six was much different from eighteen-year-old Sho.

He grew tired of social interaction much more quickly than he used to. He didn't find nearly as much joy in bothering those around him as he used to. But, as an adult, he enjoyed parties much more than his younger self did.

And because of this, he decided he would throw Akaashi a surprise birthday party. Even though it was completely against his wishes, and he knew old-man Akaashi would want to escape from work and probably curl up in bed with a book rather than face all of his friends screaming "happy birthday" in his face, Sho decided to go along with it anyway.

Well, as luck would have it, Akaashi's birthday fell on a Saturday. Which simultaneously meant that everyone could go all out during the party without the risk of missing their alarms for work the next day, while also having the beginning of the day to rest and prepare rather than rot at work.

Sho really hated to work.

"Buddy, buddy!" Sho cheered annoyingly, his phone pressed against his cheek as he stood in the center of the birthday decorations aisle of the shop on his street corner.

"Please don't do what I think you're about to do."

"It is December 5th, is it not?"

"No, it is not."

"Happy birthday!" Sho yelled loudly, ignoring the stares and glares of the passing customers as he used his middle finger to flick at one of the balloons next to him. "Allow me to serenade you with my beautiful voice–"

"Sho, please do not."

Sho had become a professional at ignoring what he didn't like of Akaashi over the years, and refusing to listen to him sing on his birthday was one of them.

"Happy birthday, dear Akaashi! Happy birthday to you," he finished with a smile, using his jaw to hold his phone against his shoulder as he gave himself a round of applause.

As soon as he settled down, he heard an exasperated sigh sound from the other end of the phone, making him sigh back.

"Thank you for that." Akaashi's sarcasm practically dripped through the small holes of Sho's phone speakers. "It was exactly what I wanted to hear at the break of dawn."

"It's only 9 AM, jeez. You and Mei are so dramatic."

"Not dramatic, just value the concept of a peaceful morning."

"Sure, whatever." Sho dismissed him immediately, finally hooking his finger around a plastic bag full of sixty navy blue balloons. "Anyway, I know your parents are probably gonna hold you hostage for brunch, but come around my place for dinner."

Akaashi groaned on the other end of the call, and Sho laughed to himself as he heard Akaashi throw his blanket off of himself.

"What time?"

"Whatever time works for you, birthday boy."

"Around 8 PM then." Akaashi muttered, barely audible.

"Can't wait." Sho smiled, ending the call before throwing the packet of balloons into his basket, watching as it landed next to the obnoxiously large birthday banner he had placed in there first.

He scrolled through his contacts quickly, his eyes zero-ing in on Hyodo's name as his thumb circled around the call button for a moment.

"Hello, it's Hyodo."