1440/A Big Birthday

A Big Birthday
Date of Scene:	22 April 2024
Location:	Yumegahama Aquarium and Marine Center
Synopsis:	Coco brings Yuuto to the Yumegahama Aquarium to have his birthday party.
Cast of Characters:	Coco Kiumi, Yuuto Shiraishi

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Coco Kiumi has posed:
It is Yuuto's birthday today, and for the occasion Coco had reserved the Yumegahama aquarium for the occasion, for a duration of three hours. Of course, Yuuto can't really hear the fishes, but all they really have to do is stand in formation like Coco had asked them about. The mermaid is in front of the tank of the clownfish, that have been instructed to arrange themselves in the letters of "Happy Birthday" as soon as they see Yuuto arrive. Next to her, there is a table with a cake and a package wrapped in custom gift paper, alternating white and yellow stripes with the drawing of Yuuto's statue of Coco's mermaid form and an original artwork representing a what if of merman Yuuto following the example of the other statue.

The cake instead is a rectangular alternation of queque and cream, all covered by green sugar paste with a classing running track roughly at the center of it, a 12 cm tall sugar statue of Yuuto in running position inside the circular space in the middle.

Meanwhile, Coco hasn't really told Yuuto where she has gotten off to. Instead, Yuuto will find 2 otters squealing and jumping in front of his dorm room, working on attracting his attention. Once they do, they run off, stopping every once in a while to make sure Yuuto is following them, leading him straight inside the aquarium and where Coco is waiting.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Yuuto really wasn't planning on celebrating his birthday. He hasn't in a few years. Maybe he would have gotten a little extra with his dinner tonight, or buying a small cupcake, but for the most part, his plans were subdubed, maybe seeing if Coco wanted to see a movie or something.

He had sent her a couple of texts, but when the otters arrive at his door with their squeaks and jumping, his first thought is to be concerned. So concerned in fact that he henshins and skates after the otters as they lead him towards the aquarium.

He was really prepared for anything - he would do his best to rescue his fiancee if she were in trouble - but what he gets instead is a small, intimate surprise as he comes to a halt on his skates. "What is this?" he asks, as he gets an eyeful of Coco and all of the planning and decorations, unhenshining as his hands clsp together, eyes wide in confused wonderment. She went all out for him? His cheeks warm with blush as he realizes exactly how much she loves him to do all this. "Oh my gosh, Coco."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Once Yuuto approaches, the clownfish scamper to arrange themselves into formation, not really expecting he would come running, forming that orange "Happy Birthday" right behind Coco, while she smiles widely at Yuuto's arrival, interpreting him being in henshin as the boy being in a hurry to see what she had prepared for him. "Happy birthday, Yuuto", she exclaims before breaking into a song, one he can surely recognise, because it's the one he chose at the karaoke. She took note of it back then, and started practising it, now all his to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjGnIeSpAOM

Once she is done with singing and dancing, she picks up the gift from the table and starts running towards him, throwing her hands and package alike around his back in an embrace that lasts around 5 seconds, before walking back and entrusting the gift to him. "This is all for you, I hope you enjoy it", Coco smiles, waiting for him to open the package. Inside he will find a pair of emerald green recovery boots, chosen of course due to being the same colour as his eyes.

"I hope you stayed light on the food", Coco winks, nodding towards the cake. "Because, that's just for the two of us. And then we get to play with the penguins, and walk leisurely through the aquarium. The whole place is ours for three hours."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
When the clownfish assemble, it takes Yuuto a moment to take his eyes off his fiancee, before it's right back on her as she starts to sing - of course he recognizes the song he sand to her at karaoke - and then she's adding choreography to it and Coco makes it sooo much better than he could ever done it, and the look on the teenager's face says it all. He's smitten with her. Completely.

When she approaches with the gift, he accepts it, but then her arms are around him, and he has to set aside in order to fall into her embrace, holding Coco as tightly as possible for those five seconds and whispering 'Thank you' into her ear.

Finally the embrace breaks and hs moves to unwrap the gift and is impressed. "I'd been saving up for these!" he admits. He knows how much that they cost and what Coco must have spent and his eyes are just wide.

Especially when she lets it be known that they have the aquarium for the next three hours, and he ohs. "A whole three hours with you?" he scuffs his foot, trying to look playfully bashful, but she can see the eagerness in his emerald eyes. "What ever will I do?" he asks her teasingly.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
That look Yuuto has on his face is the best gratification Coco would ask for, her own face brightening up way more than it already was once she sees how much he appreciates what she did, and her efforts paying off so well. Granted, there was a lot that went into this, so she was fairly sure it would have been liked, but it would be more apt to call this a complete success. She gets the gift paper from him, disposing it towards a nearby bin.

"I am glad you like it, and now you can use that money you were saving to treat yourself to something else", Coco claps once, before going behind him to push him towards the cake. "Of course, no birthday is complete without a cake, and here is yours, ordered from one of the best patisserie in Tokyo. The statue is complete sugar, no exception." She cuts a cube of the cake, then transfers it onto a plastic plate and giving it to him, before repeating the process for herself.

"With your skills at track, I really could have chosen nothing else as motif for the cake", the mermaid says, picking up the first piece of her slice, then bringing it into her mouth, savouring the queque and the cream alike. "Part of me thinks I overdid it with the sugar paste, but that's nothing that a good brushing won't solve. And well, the physical exercise is already accounted for."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Just as she was about to take a bite of the cake, Yuuto stops her. "May I?" he asks, as he forks a piece of his cake, and slipping his arm around her arm so that she may offer her the bite from his fork - much as a bride and groom would do when sharing cake on their wedding day. At least, that's how he sees it as he meets Coco's eyes to see if she wants to share in it.

"I'm sure I'll find something nice to get..." like maybe a proper engagement ring for her, or something similar. He'll figure it out. "You did that yourself?" he asks, as he realizes what she's saying. And here he was trying to impress her with his statue skills.. and she's blown him out of the water. "You did an amazing job!" he admits to her, his cheeks flaring red in warmth at the realization.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco's fork stops in midair when Yuuto gets her attention with that question, her face turning towards him with an inquisitive expression, eyes shining with glee once she notices what he intends to do, moving closer to let her mouth close around his fork. "Thank you, that was really cute of you", Coco smiles in appreciation, now intent on giving back her gesture. "It's your turn, Yuuto, open wide", she exclaims, bringing the fork that was already ready towards Yuuto's mouth. His decision has already sealed in Coco's mind how they are going to eat these cakes. They will eat each other's.

"No, I didn't do it", Coco clarifies, since her skills with statues are pretty nonexistent, unlike Yuuto's. "The patissiere that made the cake took care of the statue too. Honestly once I saw what splendid work they did with my instructions, I had made sure to give them a glowing review and a bonus. I am glad you like the cake that much though, I was hoping I picked the right design for it."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
When he feeds her the bit of cake, Yuuto's eyes light up in delight when she accepts and they find themselves close together. "Thanks..." he starts to say, just before he is presented with a bit of cake on her fork presented to him and those loving eyes telling him to open, which he obediently does, mouth coming open with a soft, "Aaaah nomf." which is the noise he makes when he bites into the cake.

And his eyes sparkle at the taste. "That is sooo good! Almost as good as your kisses." he teases her softly, knowing how much she likes to flirt, he takes the first shot. His free hand moves, brushing some of her very long blonde hair over her ear. "This is amazing, Coco. It all looks so great and tastes wonderful... but you're the best gift I could ever ask for." he admits to her quietly. "I love you."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"Don't worry, Yuuto, you can have as much as you want", Coco encourages him to keep eating. After all, this was a private birthday party for just the two of them. Well, and the otters, penguins, clownfish, and more, but they don't eat cake anyway. "What's more, it will be there for you to bring to your room later, just a reminder of this birthday party for as long as the cake lasts", she adds, noticing a bit of cake that got stuck on Yuuto's cheek and taking if off with a kiss. "Just like how I like my cake", she teases, before placing her now empty plate right onto the table.

"Oh, the best gift, am I?", she beams with joy. "Well, I will have to make sure to stay close to you so you can enjoy your gift properly", Coco resolves, linking her arm to his and clinging to his side. "So, next we can walk around checking the whole place, or we can go pet the penguins. What do you choose?"

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
"As much as I want, huh?" For a moment, Yuuto probably isn't thinking about cake on that when Coco brings it up, and then when she leans up to clean off his cheek, his cheeks and entire face turns red, before he gets an idea snd dips his finger into the frosting, and daps her lips with it before kissing it off of her in return. "If I eat all this, I'll get so fat I'll never be able to run again." he points out teasingly.

Though he sets down his plate just before Coco cleaves to his side, and he reaches to press his hand to hers. "Let's go touring about, and you can take me where you want me to go." Even if they have done the aquarium tour before, he's happy to do it again with her - and will probably never tell her no.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco catches on right away when Yuuto recovers quickly from his embarassament and covers her lips with frosting, kissing him and letting him taste the two layer of sweetness. "You enjoyed that one, didn't you?", she says before focusing on his other remark. "Just eat it over the weeks, Yuuto, and if you want, you can always visit my home in case you are struggling to come up with ways to burn what you ate", she invites him. That place is always open for him, all the more now that he is one of those with the white pearl.

Yuuto, sweet summer child, expecting this to be just like the other time. Of course not. This time Coco had the time to visit each tank and let the fish there hold a formation of her own. Coco smiles with satisfaction as she thinks of what awaits him, just now that that they are about to approach the tanks with starfish in it, that suddenly starts forming spheres, rotating and expanding and contracting in a precise rhythm, holding this dance for the two of them as they pass by.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
"I did. I think you did too." Yuuto points out as he blushes hard at one of her remarks, but manages to settle down as he lets Coco show him around, and he's noticing how the animals behave when Coco exerts her presence as Princess around them. "You didn't have to do all this for me." he admits to her quietly as they walk. "I'd been happy with a cupcake and cuddling on the couch. But this is amazing, and I'm not sure if I'll ever match it."

"But at least I have a few months to prepare." he says to her plafully, watching in wonder as the starfish dance and perform at her request, his hand squeezing hers lightly as they continue on.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
One of the formations is soon made clear when Yuuto and Coco pass by the tank of the pufferfishes, as they soon enlarge themselves and start moving through various patterns modeled after constellations, the second round of this sort of acquatic spectacle that they had agreed to prepare for Yuuto once Coco had asked them, their spiny larger form sort of intending to give the impression that stars are circling around in that fashion. "All the fish here are really friendly", Coco mentions to Yuuto. "They didn't hesitate once in agreeing to do me a favour. And some of them are really good at conversation too, I wish you would be able to hear them, it's really quite amazing."

"Don't say that, please, and please don't think about having to match it", Coco says with an inflexible tone as soon as Yuuto suggests she didn't have to. "I am happy to do things for you, and this is your birthday. It deserves to be celebrated, because you are important, Yuuto, and this day is yours to party on", Coco says, moving around to hug him. "Cuddling is always something we can do later, but now this is your moment, so focus on enjoying it", Coco adds, giving a caress to Yuuto's cheek as motivation. When they are about to leave the zone, the pufferfishes form the silhouette of Coco and Yuuto in front of each other.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
"Maybe someday." Yuuto says, looking thoughtful as he watches the aquatic life carry out the requests of the Princess, delighting in it almost as much as he does in the company he has with him in the form of his fiancee. He considers the white pearl he carries with him - almost at all times now, and how it furthered his connection to her - before suddenly she addresses his concerns.

"But what if I want to do something nice for your birthday?" he asks her, before she presses against him. "There's nothing more important to me than you." he admits to her as she caresses him, and before she can pull away, his arms come around her to pull the mermaid into an affectionate and loving kiss, deep and expressive before he pulls back. "I meant what I said, Coco. I love you."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"What if you want to do something nice for my birthday?", Coco asks back to him, the underlying message that she wants Yuuto to get is that this is this and that is that, two completely seperate events that don't influence each other with their respective effort. "Really, are you suggesting that I am going to hold some sort of meter and then I am going to be disappointed if the two don't actually compare well with each other by some mysterious criteria? Because that's not something that you should concern yourself with, and if anybody suggests otherwise, please send them to me, and I they are going to get a dissertation on how much they are actually wrong."

When Yuuto adds to this whole remark that he loves her, after hearing what he thinks to her remark above, the mermaid decides this requires a change of plans. There are really lots of other fishes that have agreed to follow a specific coreography for Yuuto's birthday, but the mermaid throws the program to the wind, wanting to do something unique that conveys her love for him by her own hand. "Wait here", she says, running away from Yuuto, soon disappearing in the hallways and leaving Yuuto to wait in the low light of the aquarium. It doesn't take long for a splash to be heard through the glass, when Coco has accessed the other side of the glass from the opening on above and lowered herself in, the resplendent yellow light of her pearl granting the water a golden hue like dawn, as she lets herself be on showcase for Yuuto, her long hair flowing behind him.

Yuuto is already accostumed to this sight by now, but she hopes that the novelty of the location and the atmospheric use of her pearl is enough of a change that becomes a good enough reply to his love declaration.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
"It isn't a contest, I was just saying that..." and before he gets the rest of it out, Coco is fleeing and Yuuto is left to sigh for a moment, rubbing his hand over his face, wondering how he he keeps seeming to say the wrong thing sometimes.

He was about to run after her, but she told him to wait. Why? Was she leaving. Part of him worries thst he's messed up again. A breath is blown out, until he hears the splash and when he turns, he sees her in all of her mermaid glory, floating in the water, radiating her emotions, he places his hand on the glass and looks confused. "You know, you could have just said how you felt!" he calls out to her, a small sigh, but he's smiling warmly at her, "You look amazing. But you always do."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Once Yuuto has had time to check this improvised part of his birthday celebration, Coco starts following the usual procedure to get back out, then walking towards Yuuto proudly of the fact her plan B has succeeded. "It did what I meant it to do", Coco softly replies, looking towards the exhibition of the pufferfishes that have by now dispersed. "Because it not being a contest is exactly my point, Yuuto. There is no measure to love, so you don't have to worry about doing something that will compare to my gift for you today."

Giving him an assured grin she playfully boops his nose. "I know that when my birthday comes around, anything you do will be enough to make me ecstatic. So cheer up, and once more, focus on enjoying your birthday, rather than worrying about measuring up."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Waiting for her to return, Yuuto sighs as she makes her statement and boops his nose. "If you'd waited, I'd said that, but added that I want you to feel the same about of care and know that I tried my best as well, is all." he manages finally as he slips his hand into hers again. "But you're right. I don't want to ruin today, because you did a magnificent job."

And with that, he relents to allow her to lead him further into the aquarium so that they may enjoy the time they have together, seeing the sights and petting the penguins and making sure the otters get fed.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Does insecurity really fills him that much? Coco still smiles, injecting as much positivity as she can into the situation. "Yuuto, you don't have to prove to me you tried your best. I already know that, so just focus on being your brilliant and determined self, the same as you have always been, because I want you to know that I know what you do is excellent. No need to try any harder than what you are already doing."

With that said, she takes his hand, and starts leading him to the penguins, the last part of her gift. The animals don't waste any time in assembling around them, and Coco starts them off, her hand caressing one on its head. "They really are friendly, aren't they? They are fine with us doing this."

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Yuuto is still getting used to the fact that a girl... much less a princess, is so devoted to him. When Coco comes back to him again, he sighs and offers her a smile. "I'm a work in progress, Coco." he points out to her as he walks along, his hand settled into hers again. "You knew that when you met me. And I can't be magically fixed so quickly. I'm learning, or at least trying to. You're just going to need to be patient and realize it may take me a while to feel as openly as you do." he admits quietly. "Maybe a lifetime." So she knows he's committed, at least.

As the penguins queue up to get pets, Yuuto laughs, "I thought penguins would be less inclined to listen because they are more avian than oceanic, though I suppose it makes sense. You are really powerful and special, Coco." he says to her, touching a penguin on the top of it's head to feel the unique feathers. He just hopes that he remains special to her as well.

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco has really nothing to say to Yuuto's declaration, since that was her cheering him up, not her rushing him about opening up. For her part, everytime this will come up in the future, she will keep saying he doesn't really have to try so hard as she has just done, no matter if the one belittling Yuuto is one of his parents or Yuuto himself, because if there is one thing she knows for sure, is his talent is egregious. Instead she just stays by his side, as always, because she won't abandon him ever, and walks alongside him as they reach the penguins.

"Less inclined to listen to me?" Coco repeats with confusion in her eyes. "Yuuto, this is not a power or a specialty of mine. They are friends, not servants. All I really do is speak to them in a way we both understand, you know? They willingly choose do the rest", Coco smiles, picking one up and bringing the penguin for Yuuto to hold. "I am really lucky they choose to be so friendly towards me, and besides they like being pet and pampered. Go on, try it", she encourages him.

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
Yuuto lets out a little sigh. "Sometimes, I think I've made an art form out of misunderstanding you, Coco." he admits quietly to her, "Compliments get misconstrued, flirts are mistranslated." Is it any little wonder that he's trying, but continously feeling like he's failing? Accepting the pneguin to hold onto it for a moment, he draws in a breath. "I was trying to compliment you. And show you that I... I was happy with you. And it's little wonder they're friendly. Everyone you meet becomes friends with you for the most part."

"I just happen to be the one you chose to give your heart to, and that was better than any birthday present you could have given me." he finally tells her. "I didn't need a big production, as much as I appreciate it. Just... being here. With you. Now. That's what makes this the best birthday ever. Everything else is just a bonus that's a bit overwhelming."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"Being told that I am friendly is a compliment", Coco replies back with a loving kiss. "It's perfectly ok to just say things like that. Do you know what I actually care about? That sometimes you give so much importance to me being a princess that it overrides everything else and makes you think you aren't worthy of me. Because I can see that you worry about our difference in station, much like the divide you didn't mean to place between me and these penguins. But they are actually a perfect example. Me being a princess doesn't mean they can't be my equals, and the same applies to you. That's what I want you to know. You are my equal, Yuuto", she specifies, hugging him tightly.

Coco nods when Yuuto mentions that he felt overwhelmed by the abundance of gifts. She will definitely cut it down next year. "I am glad you told me what makes you uncomfortable. Next year, we can just have a cake, a gift, and a walk in the park", she reassures him that they are going to do things on a much much smaller scale next time, so he will actually be able to enjoy it. "Do you want to walk back to school right now then?"

Yuuto Shiraishi has posed:
"We're not the same though." Yuuto points out. "You are a Princess and royalty. I am just a presumptive Prince Consort and your boyfriend. I just want to be the best that I can when you present me to your world." Yuuto shrugs a little. "Sorry." he adds finally as he just lets it go as she presses back to him again.

"As long as going back home means you stay with me and we settle in to cuddle for a bit?" he asks her hopefully as he moves to set down the penguin so it can run along back to his family. "I'm not ready for you to leave yet."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco doesn't know what to say. Is this an insurmontable divide between the two of them? She can't just relinquish her royal status to someone else, that's not how her magic works, so she is at a loss over what to do. "You already are the best", she murmurs.

"Yes, I will come with you", Coco confirms, running back to put the cake back in its package and picking up Yuuto's birthday gift, as well as the paper it was wrapped in. "Let's go then", she gestures towards the entrance of the aquarium, where the fresh spring air awaits them.