The Best Birthday Surprise

Nakajima expects a normal birthday celebration for his 31st birthday, maybe dinner, a cake, or a quiet night together. But Kikuchi does something completely unexpected.

Throughout the day, Kikuchi keeps dropping hints, mentioning things about their past, their future, and even playfully asking Nakajima what kind of wedding he’d like. Nakajima brushes it off, thinking Kikuchi is just messing with him.

Then, as the day winds down, Nakajima receives a script titled "The Best Birthday Surprise" with his name on it. Confused, he starts reading, only to realize it’s a love confession written in Kikuchi’s point of view, detailing the moment Kikuchi first fell for him, the times he wanted to say something but didn’t, and why today is the day he can’t hold back anymore.

Nakajima stares at the script in his hands, heart hammering. His fingers tremble as he traces the last words. "If you’re ready, turn around."

He's read a lot of scripts in his life, played countless roles, and delivered every kind of dramatic line imaginable. But this? This is real. This is Kikuchi.

Slowly, hesitantly, Nakajima turns.

And there he is.

Kikuchi kneels on one knee, holding a small velvet box. His usual teasing smirk is nowhere to be found. Instead, his face is open, earnest, filled with a nervousness Nakajima has never seen before.

"I know you hate surprises," Kikuchi starts, voice rough with emotion. "And I know you hate being unprepared. But I had to do this in a way you'd never see coming, because you've always seen through me."

Nakajima grips the script tighter, his vision blurring.

"You always say I’m reckless, that I don’t think things through." Kikuchi lets out a soft laugh. "But this? I’ve thought about this for years."

He takes a deep breath. "Nakajima, I don’t know what the future holds. But the one thing I do know is that I want you in it. Not just as my bandmate. Not just as my best friend. Not just as the person who drives me crazy in the best and worst ways."

Kikuchi lifts the ring. "I want you as my partner. My family. My forever."

Nakajima chokes out a laugh, tears slipping down his cheeks. He never cries like this, not over birthdays, not over surprises. But Kikuchi has always been the exception.

"You—" Nakajima tries to speak, but his voice catches. He shakes his head, a watery smile breaking through.

Kikuchi tilts his head. "You gonna leave me hanging, Nakajima?"

That nickname—so familiar, so them. And yet, after today, it will never mean the same thing again.

Nakajima laughs through his tears. Then, without a word, he drops the script, steps forward, and pulls Kikuchi into a crushing embrace.

"Yes," he whispers, burying his face into Kikuchi’s shoulder. "Of course, yes."

The moment Kikuchi slips the ring onto Nakajima’s finger, they barely have time to breathe before—

"CONGRATULATIONS!"

A deafening cheer erupts, followed by a loud pop as confetti rains down on them. Nakajima jolts, turning just in time to see Shori holding an empty party popper with a huge grin. Sou is clapping wildly, and Marius, who somehow managed to make an entrance even though he wasn’t supposed to be in Japan, looks like he’s about to cry.

"Wha— How did you—?!" Nakajima stammers, still reeling from the proposal, let alone the sudden ambush.

Kikuchi grins. "Did you really think I’d propose without our members here?"

Nakajima blinks at them in disbelief. "Wait. You all knew?!"

Shori crosses his arms. "Of course we knew! Fuma-kun was freaking out about this for weeks."

Sou nods eagerly. "He kept pacing around, running scenarios in his head. ‘What if he says no? What if he cries? What if he throws the ring at my face?’"

Marius wipes his eyes. "And now he’s crying! Look at him!"

"I AM NOT CRYING!" Nakajima protests, swiping at his tear-streaked face.

Shori smirks. "Oh, you totally are."

Kikuchi huffs, "Hey, can I get a moment alone with my fiancé before you guys start roasting him?"

Nakajima freezes at the word. Fiancé.

The room erupts into teasing laughter as his face turns bright red.

"Oh my god," he groans, covering his face with both hands. "This is a nightmare."

Kikuchi chuckles, wrapping an arm around Nakajima’s waist. "Too late, Nakajima. You said yes. No backing out now."

Shori, Sou, and Marius exchange a look before launching themselves at the couple, pulling them into a chaotic group hug.

"We’re so happy for you!" Marius exclaims, practically crushing them with his long arms.

"We have to throw an engagement party!" Sou adds excitedly.

Shori leans in close, smirking. "And Kenty, if you ever make Fuma-kun cry, just remember, we're on his side."

Nakajima glares at him. "He’s the one who made me cry!"

Kikuchi just laughs, holding Nakajima even closer. "Happy birthday, Nakajima."

Nakajima sighs dramatically, but his smile is undeniable.

"Yeah, yeah… best birthday ever."

And with his best friends around him, his ring glinting under the lights, and Kikuchi by his side—he really, truly means it.

—

the end.