Work Text:
"Congratulations, sis!" Cheers from Dowon and Khane echoed as they released smashingly loud party poppers.
Nao chuckled lightheartedly. "You guys are so kind, but I don't understand why you're doing this all for me. It's only been a month."
"Only a month??" Khane looked at her in shock. "Come on, a month of college completed is a big celebration. Post-secondary education is a world vastly different from anything you ever do in school. This is a milestone!"
Dowon smirks. "She knows what she's talking about. Khane was practically failing by that point."
Khane whips her head around in playful disgust. "As if!"
The three laughed joyfully.
"It's kind of a splendid coincidence that this day also falls on my birthday!" Nao grinned.
"That's right! That's also part of this! So now, do you want to eat?" Dowon declared, her hand raised, and Khane brought out the cake she had baked for the occasion. Setting it carefully down on the table, Nao's eyes glittered.
"Wow! It's so pretty!" Nao breathed. "This- this is fine art!"
"It seems there's at least one artist out there with good taste," Khane huffed proudly, putting her hands on her hips.
The cake was perfectly round and neatly covered with pink icing. Fancy white lettering reading "Happy 19th Birthday" and candles decorated the top surface. At first glance it appeared simple, but the skill was apparent.
"Keep your thoughts to yourself until you actually taste it," Dowon said, ruffling Khane's hair.
"You can cut it, you're old enough now," Khane said, motioning to the knife she brought as well.
"Ah, no! I couldn't. Not after… last time ."
"Tch, tch. Small potatoes, sis. You won't mess up again." Khane said, waggling her finger. "Just take it slow. Here, I'll make a guideline." She slashed the top of the cake so that a thin line in the icing running right down the middle was made. "Just cut straight down on that line."
Nao hesitantly raised the knife in her hand, and pressed the blade to the smooth surface. She easily drew the knife through the cake, but as she backed away, the wonkiness of the angle became clear.
"Oof, guess you're gonna need some lessons, huh?" Dowon mused.
"I'm sorry," Nao said sheepishly.
"Don't be," Dowon said, taking the knife from her. "I'll cut the rest."
Soon all three girls had a warped slice and fork in front of them, when they heard a knock on the door.
"Oh, that must be Touko!" Nao sang excitedly and rushed to the door.
"Touko?"
Opening the door revealed an attractive young woman with long, blonde hair. She carried a pink wrapped present in her hands.
"Hi, come on in!" Nao motioned into the house.
"Who's this?" Khane asked.
"She's pretty," Dowon added.
"Ah, hello. I'm Touko," the girl said.
"I forgot to tell you she was coming over today. She's my girlfriend."
Khane looked shocked. "You have a girlfriend? Damn… that was quick."
"We were friends before we got into college," Nao said quickly, her cheeks going red.
"We met in art class in high school and just so happened to get into the same program for college." Touko explained. Then she added to Nao, "Here, this is for you," and handed her the gift she brought.
"Aw, thank you. I'll open it soon."
The four all sat back down only a moment before a knock came from the door again.
"Who is that now?" Khane pondered.
Nao took the duty of doorman again and welcomed a large, burly man with spiky black hair. She called back into the kitchen, "Dowon! Cha's here!"
Dowon stood up rapidly. "Already? I wasn't expecting this… come sit down!" she said, flustered.
"Might as well join us for cake," Nao offered.
Cha grabbed a chair and Dowon delivered a slice of cake to him and Touko.
"Right, it's your anniversary today, isn't it, Dowon?" Nao conversed.
"That's correct! It's been 4 years now!" Dowon rubbed her hands together. "Although I thought Cha was going to come by a bit later."
"I got excited," he shrugged.
"Congratulations," Touko said.
"Thank you," Dowon said as she wrapped her slender arms around Cha's bulky one.
Nao mirrored her sister, clinging to Touko.
"Ah-" she said, slightly surprised.
"We match now, Dowon," Nao giggled.
Touko and Cha looked at each other. Both were comfortable, but felt a bit awkward having never met until now. Then everyone's attention was brought rapidly to a steaming Khane.
"You guys are so lovey-dovey! It's so lame!" she said, clenching her fists.
"You're just envious, aren't you?" Dowon teased. "Don't worry, you'll get there someday."
Khane frowned at her. "Sorry, I know it's not my special day, but I really just want a girlfriend, which I have wanted for quite some time, and seeing you guys makes me-" Khane was interrupted by rapping on the door. "Again? Seriously, who is it this time?"
Detaching herself from Touko, Nao went to the door once more. A dark haired woman with dark clothes was standing there, a grin on her face and a party bag by her side.
"Reko? What are you doing here?" Nao exclaimed.
"Reko?" Touko repeated, a smile creeping on her face as she stretched to look at the front door.
Nao continued. "I thought you had a concert today."
"Was supposed to, but my band mates got food poisoning and couldn't play."
"You're okay, right?"
Reko thumped her belly. "Cast-iron stomach."
At this point, everyone was watching the two chat.
"Anyway," Reko said, hesitantly peering inside. "Is it out of place for me to just drop by since I haven't been here before? I hope you're not in the middle of anything."
"No, you're absolutely welcome here! Come on in! We've gathered quite the party," Nao ushered Reko inside.
"About time," Khane said flatly. "So you gonna tell us who this is?"
"I'm Reko Yabusame," she said politely.
"She's also my girlfriend."
Khane gaped. "You have two?!" She slinked into her chair in defeat. "What luck…" she muttered.
Dowon gripped Nao's hands and beamed. I'm so proud of you! You're so popular! If only you could rub a little bit of that charm off on Khane."
"CAN YOU STOP BULLYING ME?!" Khane shouted.
"Here, eat some cake," Nao said as she shoved a forkful in Khane's mouth. "You too, Reko," and she served her a slice.
Finally everyone sat down and actually ate the food properly. Nao looked over at Cha, who had pretty much been silent this entire time, mowing down on the lemon-flavoured treat.
"This cake is really good," Reko commented.
"You're welcome," Khane said.
"Oh! You made it?" Reko grinned broadly and gave a big thumbs up.
"So," Dowon started. "Can those two pretty ladies tell us how they met our lovely sister?"
Touko blushed a little and didn't say anything at first. Reko was unfazed, however, and immediately jumped into the story.
"So I was by myself at first. I became a senior this year so I had to help some of the first years in my department get settled. I'm in the music department and so is Touko, so I got stuck with her."
At the words "stuck with her" Touko let out a stifled laugh. "Aw, don't say it like that. It makes it sound like I'm awful!" She had not spoken much yet, but that made Nao think her voice sounded even lovelier.
"Yeah, well, at first I thought I didn't wanna have to deal with some silly freshmen, but that changed, I guess. Anyway, even though Nao's in the art department, she tagged along with us because Touko was her girlfriend, and eventually I joined their pair."
Dowon wiped a tear from her eye. Although, she probably wasn't actually crying. "That's such a cute story. Makes me think of my first meeting with Cha…." She trailed off and looked lovingly into his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, you love to tell me that story." Khane said irritatedly.
Man , Nao thought, Khane was really bothered by her having two lovers .
"How long have you been dating Reko?" Khane asked.
"We just started like, a couple days ago." Nao paused. "I'm sorry you're bothered by me,"
Khane chuckled. "It's not your fault. I'm just letting my emotions get the better of me."
"You can date Reko too if you want," Nao suggested.
"Wha-- No! I'm fine! I don't need your sympathy!"
"Do you even have a crush?" Dowon asked.
"Y-yes…" Khane suddenly seemed very embarrassed.
"Then ask her out!"
"I can't do that!"
"Just go for it," Reko said. "When you're ready of course. Just remember not to waste the opportunity."
"Nggh… I'll try…" Khane said weakly.
Finding the conversation to be over, Dowon clapped her hands.
"Wanna open presents, Nao?"