"Come on, Akehoshi. Just come with me today..."

I wa just passing by 2-A when I noticed Subaru and Hokuto still in their class. It seems everyone else has gone back already. I heard today is Subaru's birthday, so I wanted to deliver my gift to him.

"But Hokke, I wanna follow Ukki and Sally~ who knows, maybe they need my help in whatever they're doing?" Subaru negotiated.

Hokuto shook his head. "No, no. Today, you're coming with me. We can't bother them" he took Subaru's hand and dragged him out of class. We bumped with each other at the door.

"Oh? (L/N), why are you here?" Hokuto asked, eyeing the box I'm holding suspiciously. "Oh, I'm just here to give Akehoshi his-"

Before I could finish, Hokuto covered my mouth with his other hand. "Gift, right? I'm sorry, but not now" he whispered. "Huh, why?" I lifted an eyebrow.

Hokuto sighed and looked at Subaru who is pouting with his body turned against us. He doesn't seem to notice me and Hokuto's conversation.

"Hey, Akehoshi, if you could stay here and not go anywhere, I'll give you 10¥" he spoke. Subaru immediately turned towards us with sparkling eyes. "Really? Where is it? I'll obey anything you say, Hokke~" he beamed excitedly.

Hokuto didn't say anything and handed Subaru the coin. Subaru happily sat down on the floor, admiring it.

I watched awkwardly when Hokuto suddenly pulled my hand. He took me a little further from Subaru. "So, why?" I asked again.

"Well, let me explain. You know today is Akehoshi's birthday, right? Me, Yuuki and Isara planned to do a surprise party for him here at school. But, as you can see, he wants to follow Yuuki and Isara. They're currently preparing the party, and I'm left here to distract him" Hokuto explained.

I wasn't satisfied, however. "So, why shouldn't I give him his present? That has nothing to do with your party, right?" I crossed my arms.

Hokuto sighed. "The thing is, he doesn't remember today's his birthday. So, by not reminding him, it's easier for me to keep him distracted" he answered.

My mouth formed an 'o' shape a I nodded slowly. "But he can't stay here. I'm gonna take him to the shopping street" he continued.

"Okay. Then, should I help Isara and Yuuki?" I thought. Hokuto bit his lip. "Actually, I'd like you to come with me. It's much easier to deal with that idiot when I have someone with me" he requested.

I'm actually not in the mood to go out today. Seeing my expression, Hokuto must've guessed my answer.

He suddenly pulled out a small bag of konpeito candy and showed it to my face. "Please? If you follow me, I'll give you this" he shook the bag.

I chuckled. "Fine, fine. Seeing you this desperate, I'll go"

Hokuto smiled and handed me the bag as promised. Mission: Distract Subaru - Start!

✩

And here we are, eating ice cream at the shopping street. Hokuto is checking his phone for updates from the other two. He frowned and put his phone in his pocket. He turned towards me and Subaru behind him.

"I haven't received any updates from them. They're taking longer than expected" he whispered to me. I nodded. "Ooh! Hokke, (Y/N), I'll go in there first!" Subaru interrupted, suddenly dashing towards a gift shop.

Me and Hokuto decided to just wait for him outside. A few minutes later, he came out, with someone who looks oddly familiar. "Yaho yaho~! Look who I met in the shop!" Subaru waved. Hokuto lifted his head from his phone screen and almost dropped it in shock. I looked back at the man Subaru is with.

Thinking back, he looks like....

"Hey there! You must be (L/N), right? My little Hocchan talks about you a lot!" the man came to me and took my hand. I smiled. "He did? By the way... You're...."

The man chuckled. "Indeed! I am Hidaka Seiya, Hocchan's father!" he announced. Hidaka Seiya? I know him! He's the legendary solo idol!

I happily shook his hand. "Wow, it's such a pleasure to meet you! I didn't know you were Hidaka's father!" I exclaimed.

"Yep, yep! He's coincidentally here, too!" Subaru interrupted. I turned to Hokuto who's face is pale. "Hocchan! Come hug your papa here~✩" Mr. Seiya released my hand and hugged Hokuto tightly.

"Ah! Too tight..." Hokuto gasped. Mr. Seiya released him with a smile. "What a small world! I can't believe I would bump into you here, Hocchan!"

Hokuto didn't have a happy look on his face, though. "Hm? Why, not happy to see me?" Mr. Seiya pouted. Hokuto sighed. "You haven't been back in weeks. And now I met you here, now, of all places?"

"Awhhh did you miss me, Hocchan? Please understand that your papa here is very busy" Mr. Seiya answered, pinching Hokuto's cheeks. "Anyway, there's something you need to know" Hokuto said before whispering something into his father's ear. Mr. Seiya beamed in excitedment. "Really? Happy birthd-"

Before he could hug Subaru, me and Hokuto quickly covered his mouth and held him back. "Mr Seiya, it's better if you don't mention it. It's supposed to be a surprise" I told. Mr Seiya nodded, understanding.

Subaru just stood there innocently, having no idea what we were fussing about. "Umm anyway, look, Hokke, (Y/N)! I bought this cute sparkly star plushy!" he beamed, taking out the said plushy and showing it to our faces. We nodded with an awkward chuckle.

We continued walking around with Mr Seiya, since he didn't seem to want to leave us. "Hehe, Hidaka, your father is really clingy with you, isn't he? He also seems really close with Subaru" I whispered, looking at the two mentioned who are checking out some sweets. Hokuto shot me an unsatisfied look.

"Shut up. I'll give you some more konpeito if you do" he scoffed, handing me another small bag of konpeito. I gleefully accepted it. "I don't mind him wanting to spoil Akehoshi today, I just hope he understands our situation" he mentioned.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He took it out of his pocket and checked the notifications. Its a message from Mao.

Mao: Hokuto, we're done with the preparations. Where are you?

Hokuto: Took you long enough. I'm still at the shopping street with (L/N)

Mao: Hehe, sorry. We're done, so you can bring Subaru here now.

Mao: *sticker*

Hokuto smiled. "Finally. Let's go get them" he kept his phone. I went up to the shop Mr. Seiya and Subaru are in to notify them. We got going as soon as they got out.

"Are you going back to the school? How about I drive you guys there?" Mr. Seiya offered. I nodded, and Hokuto didn't seem to have a problem with it. Subaru nodded as well, except his mouth is still busy chewing on some sweets Mr. Seiya bought for him.

✩

"Right, we're here!" Mr Seiya announced, opening the door for me and Subaru who sat on the passenger seats behind. "Oh? Thanks, Mr Seiya" I got out and bowed. Subaru also bowed along with me.

Hokuto got out of his seat in front. "Thank you for the ride" he thanked, not making eye contact with his father. Mr. Seiya pulled him into a short hug. Hokuto seemed like he wanted to resists, but he didn't.

"Have fun, everyone! By the way...." he turned towards Subaru. "... Happy birthday, Subaru" he smiled, patting Subaru's head. Subaru looked at him, confused. Then, he beamed.

"Wait! Wait!" he grew excited. "Today's my birthday???? Hokke, (Y/N), why didn't you tell me???" he whined, shaking my body in disbelief.

"W-what? I told you not to tell him!" Hokuto looked at his father, shocked. "Hehe! Well then, I'm off!" Mr Seiya  grinned and got back into his car. "Bye bye, Hokke's papa! Thank youuu!!" Subaru exclaimed before Mr Seiya drove off.

"It was actually supposed to be a surprise.." I whispered with a slight smile on my face. ".. But he deserves to know" I smiled at Hokuto and Subaru.

"So, where are we going? Did you guys plan a surprise for me? Thank you, Hokke, (Y/N)!" Subaru excitedly hugged Hokuto. "Ah- who knows? Let's go already..." Hokuto muttered, a slight blush on his face.

Subaru let's go of Hokuto and proceeded to squeeze me into a hug as well. I chuckled and patted his back.

Suddenly, he seemed to have realized something. "Wait-! That's probably what Ukki and Sally are busy with, right? Wahhhh!!! I should give them their hugs too!!" he released me and excitedly ran into the school building.

"W-wait! When did this idiot become so smart??" Hokuto panicked and ran after Subaru. I laughed. "Welp. Might as well catch up!" I sprinted towards the two boys, taking out my gift as I ran.

Mission: Distract Subaru - Success (?)