"Draken?" You greet in confusion, opening the door to see the tall boy.

"You and Emma are friends, right?" He asks, scratching his neck and averting his eyes. You've never seen Draken look nervous. You nod and ask why he came all the way to your place to ask that. "Emma's birthday is soon," he informs, "And uh, I don't know what to give her..."

Locking your door, the two of you head down, exiting the building. Draken told you Emma's birthday was on the 25th. He tried to ask Mikey for any ideas, but the boy laughed at him, making fun of how serious he looked. You told Draken that you and Emma aren't that close, but you had an idea of what he could get her.

You both walked into the arcade, he seemed confused about why would pick this place. "There!" You point at one of the claw machines. They were filled with pink teddy bears.

Draken crouches down, looking at the bears closely. "It's kinda ugly," he blurts out.

"No, it's not!" You disagree strongly. He puts in his coin and tries to get one. You looked around the claw machines. Walking to the Sanrio one, you went up to the glass, squinting to see if you could find it.

They must've taken it out since it was ripped, you thought. Thinking back about the My Melody plush Mikey ripped trying to yank it out. You giggle to yourself thinking about it.

"Do all girls like pink things?" He asks, and you quickly turn. Embarrassed he might've heard you laugh to yourself. "No... but girls like cute things," you answer. You noticed he had the plush in his hands already. "Woah! Did you get that first try?" You asked amazed and the boy nodded.

As the two of you walked out, you couldn't help but notice that he looked awkward holding onto it. You held your hand out, "I can hold onto it for you," you offer. Draken lends you the bear.

"You can pick it up whenever," you tell him. Draken thanks you for helping him out. Waving, he smiles at you and greets you goodbye.

You think about how lucky Emma was to be getting a full plush. You didn't even get to keep the ear Mikey ripped since he took it back. Setting the bear down, you wonder if you should give Emma a present as well.

-

November 25th, 2005.

"Hello? Oh, sorry I'm out right now, but I have the bear with me. Meet me at the beauty shop."

You hang up. You had the bear hidden in a gift bag, in case you ran into her. You continued to look at all the makeup products, unsure of what to pick out. You had a tight budget, so you would only be able to get one item. Your phone rings.

"Hello?"

"I'm outside."

"Well, come in."

"No."

You look out the glass windows and spot him with his back facing the store. He was wearing a longer, warmer version of his usual top. Most likely due to the autumn cold.

"Oh, man up, I need your help deciding anyway."

"Does it look like I wear makeup?"

"Just come in."

The bell on top of the door chimes and you watch him walk up to you with his head down. You sigh, seeing this as not much of a big deal. He looks around, "This store smells funny."

You point out that it's because you two were around the fragrance aisle. You continue to walk around the store and he follows from behind. "Why do you need my help again?" Draken asks, slightly irritated. You couldn't help but laugh at how embarrassed he sounded. "What do you think Emma would look pretty in?" You ask back. You watch him look around the store.

"Everything."

Good answer, but not exactly what you were hoping for. You pick up a sheer lipstick, blush and a quad eyeshadow palette. All natural-looking tones.

"Pick," you say, holding the product up for him to observe. Draken looked like he was making the hardest decision of his life. He points at the lipstick. You felt relieved, you didn't care which product he chose but you were glad it was the cheapest one.

You both walk out. You drop the lipstick in the bag and pocket the receipt. "There's a cafe up ahead," you tell Draken, "We could get her sweets too."

-

"Let's not, Hina! This is Mikey we're talking about!" Takemichi frantically calls out.

"But I feel bad for Draken and [Y/N]!" Hina stubbornly continues, stomping over.

You and Draken overheard. "You feel bad for who, now?" You both said in unison as you approached Takemichi. The boy looked like he saw a ghost and was on the verge of tears. You watched where Hina was walking to. It was the cafe you were already headed to. The one you went with Mikey.

As you walked closer, Mikey and Emma were seated, seemingly already finished with their dessert. Hina slams onto their table, "You two are the worst!"

Emma looked at the pink-haired girl in confusion. You couldn't help but facepalm. "Emma and Mikey?" Draken rhetorically asks, not expecting to bump into them.

"It's not what it looks like Draken!!" Takemichi shouts, tears streaming down his face. You already caught on to what they were speculating.

"Draken?!" Emma exclaims right after Takemichi mentioned his name. Hina turns in shock. Mikey turns his head away. "Pfft-" Draken begins to laugh, "You took your little sister out for her birthday, Mikey?!"

"Shut up," Mikey says, still not making eye contact with his friend. Draken continues to laugh, you assume it was payback for Mikey laughing at him for worrying about a present.

Takemichi, Hina and Yamagishi (who was surprisingly there) exclaim their confusion. Uninformed that Mikey and Emma are half-siblings. Takemichi looks at the two again and comments, realizing they had some sort of resemblance.

"I thought I told Hina that already," Emma says, thinking if she did or not. Hina was distracted by the display of sweets near the entrance of the cafe. You take the lipstick out of the bag and hid it behind you, giving the bag to Draken.

Draken takes out the stuffed bear and places it on her head, catching her attention. She picks it up and stares at it. "Happy birthday," he says, smiling at the girl. Emma's face gradually turns redder.

You take the lipstick from behind you, "I got you something too," you smile, "Happy birthday!" Emma takes it and thanks you.

"That's all, I'm outta here," Draken says, greeting everyone goodbye before exiting. You hear the boys exclaim how cool they thought Draken was. Emma hugs the bear happily.

Hina walks up to you, "I didn't know it was Emma's birthday," she says, slightly guilty. You pat her on the back. "I only found out 'cause Draken asked me to help him pick a gift," you say quietly. Hina tugs on your sweater to follow her. Going back to the display of desserts, "These look so yummy!"

"I'm surprised Mikey knows about a cafe like this," she comments. You contemplate telling her you took Mikey here. Knowing Hina, she might cause a small scene hearing you went on a date with him again.

As Hina continues to look at the sweets, you turn to Takemichi. He notices you and you cock your head. Pointing at Hina. He continues to stand and watch and you become more aggressive, your head starting to hurt from moving it rapidly.

"My god, Takemitchy, take a hint!" Emma says your thoughts out loud. Loud enough to startle Hina a bit. Takemichi checks his pockets frantically and walks up to the display. "Which one did you want?" He asks and Hina points at the strawberry parfait. His expression immediately switches after reading the price.

Takemichi turns and counts his change. You could tell after he slumped his shoulders that it wasn't enough. "The strawberry one, right?" You ask Hina and she nods.

You walk out with exactly that. Takemichi looked like he was defeated. Hina perks up, "You bought it for me?" She smiles and you nod.

"You'd make a great boyfriend, you know," she says, making you laugh. "Wouldn't I?" you say, looking at Takemichi and smirking. "Yeah, she paid for our parfait when we went here before," Mikey chimes in.

Everyone stops and begins shifting their heads at the two of you. "I better get going," you hurriedly say. Checking your wrist as if there was a watch there, hiding your flushed face. You quickly look at Mikey, who was wearing a smug grin.

You say happy birthday to Emma one last time and greet everyone goodbye before exiting.

Chapter nineteen, end.