"hajime-kun, happy birthday!" and she comes out of nowhere to wrap her arms around him, hugging him tight. after letting him go, she presents him with a gift, poorly wrapped but she clearly tried! inside is a grouping of small picture frames, all connected, filled with photos she's scrounged up. the two of them, the two of them + izuru, and some of just komaeda (because she had none of him and komaeda together). "i hope you like it."
“Oof– Thank you–!”
Honestly, he wasn’t expecting much. A birthday on the first day of the year means everyone is too busy with temple visits, family gatherings, new year postcards— there’s always the new year’s cash from family ( which hey, is not little ), but that’s as far as it goes.
Except when it comes to his first and best friend, which he is now hugging back just as tightly.
Being so close for so long means that each year, she has something to give– so does he, when the time comes– and it’s always received as gratefully as the first time.
Someone so dear putting thought into something for him is… beyond nice a feeling. That’s something that doesn’t change not matter how much time goes by.
This year’s gift seems to be a bit out of the ordinary. When she lets go, he unwraps it carefully despite the wrapping being, as always, very Chiaki-like.
And… … the content is met with wide eyes and an open mouth that isn’t so sure what to say. A thumb goes over the pictures, a good few seconds going by before his gaze lifts to look back at his friend. There’s a very genuine smile when it does– one that reaches his eyes.
“Thank you, Chiaki… I love it.”
And because he really can’t help himself, there goes another hug.
