He waited for just the right moment, when Taichou was distracted. Akon gently tugged Chiyo into a hidden passage that lead to a small room.
Nothing fancy, just a simple couch and matching chair with a little coffee table. Inviting her to have a seat on the couch.
“I wanted to show you this spot. I use it when I need to destress. Also..”
He picked up the acoustic guitar that was leaning against the wall. Taking a seat in the chair, facing her. Akon closed his eyes and began to sing this.
Once the song ended, his eyes opened and he grinned, giving a single kiss to her cheek.
“Happy birthday, Chiyo.”
She hadn’t quite known what to expect when Akon had lead her away from the labs. Chiyo’s first instinct was that he was tugging her outside to keep him company while he smoked a cigarette; something she never minded doing, of course.
Yet they never even left the barracks. This little spot is one that’s wholly unexpected. In all of her years knowing him, growing up with him, working with him, she never knew something like this existed. Or that──
Icy optics watch as nimble fingers work along the neck of the guitar. His voice, while low & raspy, is truly delightful to hear. & the words to this particular song... She has to stop herself from getting too emotional. From tearing up. But it’s difficult. So she wipes at her eyes with her sleeves & continues to silently listen, committing each note to memory. Who knows when she’ll ever get to experience this again?
Once he’s completed it, pressed his lips to her cheek, & wished her happy birthday, Chiyo breathes out a soft ❝Wow...❞ Her lips turn up into a smile, while she gently pulls that guitar out of his grasp & sets it aside, only so she can hug him tightly. ❝Thank you, Akon.... That was beautiful.❞
