“He did what?!” Rio banged her hand once on the table, making the poor innocent Amu almost jump in surprise. The younger girl then placed her index finger on her lips and gestured her friend to lower her tone down. They’re in the middle of the library and hearing Rio’s outburst, all pairs of eyes are now glaring at them. 

“Shh, Rio-chan! Calm down!” Amu noticed other students’ cold stare. She bowed down slightly and apologised for the older one’s actions. 

“Calm down? I’m gonna kill that Pengu boyfriend of yours. He practically accused you of cheating on him!” Rio tried her best to speak silently but being a hard headed chick, she’s not doing a very good job. Hearing what Rio said, Amu just couldn’t help but to slump her head down the table and reminisce the argument she recently had with Daiki. 

“I don’t like it when you’re alone with Chinen”

“Why do you have to be with him all the time?”

“I’m feeling weird inside whenever I see you together”

Amu fought the urge to cry after hearing those words from her boyfriend. See, over the past few days, Amu and Chinen are spending most of their time together since the squirrel boy asked for her help regarding a present he was planning to give her mother. Chinen and Amu’s parents are friends and he decided to ask Amu’s advice regarding this. However, unaware of Chinen's favour to Amu, Daiki just misunderstood their relationship and confronted his girlfriend about it. 

“So, what did you tell him? Did you get angry?” Rio asked, pretending to flip the pages of her book to look like she’s “studying”. She snapped her finger in front of the young girl who seems to be staring into space. She succeeded after seeing her blink a couple times, straightening her back as she spoke. 

“Hmm… I told him not to talk to me until he grows up” Amu sulked, remembering her conversation with her lover. It’s indeed the first time she said something harsh to the boy. Sure, they argued before but usually, their fights never lasted for more than an hour - tops. Amu became uneasy not being able to speak with her boyfriend for more than 24 hours now. 

“What the heck is that guy thinking picking a fight just a day before your birthday?” Rio pointed out after noticing her best friend sigh for the nth time. Usually, around this time of the year, the AmuDai couple spend their time together the day before Amu’s actual birthday. However, this year, it’s different - everything is somehow sad and empty. This was not gone unnoticed by Rio who just cannot let her friend sulk a day before her special day - never. “Geez. Stop sulking! Let’s go out tonight! I’ll cancel my plans with Ryosuke and go to a nice restaurant to celebrate your birthday…” Immediately, Rio fished out her phone from her skirt pocket and reserved a table for two in her favourite restaurant. “Now you’re going on a date with ME!”

—

-Meanwhile-

“Why don’t you just call her if you’re gonna pout like that the whole day?” Annoyed, Ryosuke pulled his best friend’s cheek, making him wince in pain. After his argument with Amu, Daiki immediately sought comfort from Ryosuke who is still busy working on his script for his new drama. “You do know I’m a busy man, right?”

“Come on, Ryo! I’m depressed” Daiki threw himself on the pile of paper on Ryosuke’s desk, obvious that he’s seeking the younger one’s attention. Yamada, in turn, just rolled his eyes on how immature his friend can be at times. “I miss her…”

“I feel so bad arguing with her knowing her birthday is tomorrow”

“Then why the heck did you pick a fight in the first place?” Ryosuke replied - sarcasm evident on his tone. He then pushed his friend away from his desk, making the poor boy pout even more. 

“I saw her with Chinen yesterday and it just made me crazy. I know they’re childhood friends but something inside me is—“ 

“… jealous?” Daiki paused for a second before hearing his friend cut him off and finish his sentence. “You’re too obvious” 

“But I can’t call her… She said speak to her when I grow up, but every time I think about it, I’m not sure if I’m mature enough to date Amu - it's like, I’m unworthy to be with her” Daiki crossed his arms on Ryosuke’s table and used them as a pillow to rest his head on. His best friend just gave off a big sigh and couldn’t help but think how hopeless he can be when it comes to Amu. 

"I can't really protest since I agree that you have a mental capacity of a 6 year-old" The younger one teased, earning a cold glare from his best friend. Ryosuke just chuckled at his friend's reaction and had the urge to even more. However, it's long when he felt his phone vibrating against his skin, making him involuntarily pick up after seeing his girlfriend’s name as the caller. He couldn’t even speak, the girl just spoke but it seems like she’s addressing someone else. 

“Is this Ritz restaurant? Uhm, yeah… I would like to book a table for two, please. It’s my friend’s birthday today so please make it super special! We’ll be there at 8pm tonight” Rio spoke as if she’s booking a table