Birthday?

Saturday seemed really busy for me, not only did I have an early morning shift at my part-time job, but there was a training session scheduled nearly precisely afterward, causing me to have to run to Wakasa's gym while snacking on a sandwich I quickly purchased in the convenience store.

Once I stepped my foot inside the building, the first thing I heard was.

"Here you are, and we thought you wouldn't show up." Being so out of breath caused me to just wave my hand, then I drank some water before arriving at the changing room.

Under the pass, I heard the strangest of things from Benkei right after he asked me to put all my strength into the next singular punch since he wanted to assess me on it.

"Finally I can feel some improvement, although it's maybe only like something as small as 1 percent." I was astonished by hearing this, glancing at my stats I could see how I had 31 points in strength. Unlike before my stats were going to work normally now, but could he really tell the difference of one singular stat raise? If so that was freaking impressive. What kind of power was this?

"Come on stop spacing out, we are not done yet!" I shook away any of the distracting thoughts and continued the training. When the session was over Benkei decided to share his newfound discovery with Wakasa.

"I thought you would never improve as things were standing." It wasn't my fault that previously my stats were in an unmoving state, always seen as average. But my presumption was this man had no hope of me becoming a great fighter. Did they really enjoy projecting their friend into me? But wasn't Shinichiro mostly described as bad in a fight and weak to women? I wasn't, no wait a moment I always tried to somehow pamper the girls and give them compliments every chance I got. Maybe it created some sort of misunderstanding, not that I minded, being a little bit gay for them pretty girls was justifiable.

"I will show you that Senju knows what she's doing." I puffed my chest and went to change my clothes. But shortly after I went in I received a call.

"Michi!" I heard as soon I put the lure to my ear.

"Hello to you too I guess." That was a strange way to start a conversation, no hello just yelling my name.

"Why aren't you here?" Now I was confused, where was here exactly?

"What are you even talking about?" Upon hearing my response she must have realized something.

"Don't tell me no one told you about it." Told me what?

"I'm still not sure what you're talking about, a little explanation would be nice." She proceeded to sigh heavily, her voice sounded disappointed.

"I told the guys to inform you about Mikey's birthday party, which is today mind you, I can't believe everyone suddenly forgot to invite you." I guess in Emma's case she must have been busy with preparations, Keisuke forgot perhaps because he was still angry at me, and the rest must have put their whole trust in Keisuke to do the job in their stead. I heard her yell at someone on the other side, but then she continued our conversation as if nothing happened.

"Listen I know it's a last-minute invitation, but can you come?" I wasn't sure I had the mental capacity to see so many people at once, the part-time job already exhausted me with the human interaction quota for today.

"But I don't really have any birthday presents ready, it sounds kinda crappy to arrive without any." But Emma suggested me an idea.

"How about you just give him his favorite snack? You can buy it on the way." However, I wasn't convinced.

"Wouldn't the other people do the same?" They were after all just teenagers with not much money to spend, wouldn't they already have thought about giving snacks to this boy?

"You're probably right... yeah, he's eating one Dorayaki right now... so.." I really wanted to refuse the invitation but suddenly a mission appeared.

'Would you rather accept Emma Sano's invitation or go out your way to visit Taiju Shiba?' So Mikey's birthday it was.

"I'm coming, I will try to figure something out with the present idea," I mentioned and soon after disconnected the call. But a splendid idea appeared in my mind, didn't the system know everything? Couldn't I just ask for its assistance? I put my hands into prayer and loudly requested.

"Please, tell me where I can buy something for Mikey on short notice." To my astonishment another quest arrived, this time asking me which destination I wanted to go to. I looked at the GPS and chose the closets within the walking distance.

Once I finally changed my clothes I said my goodbyes to the duo and decided to seek out the spot the system was guiding me towards. As soon as I arrived I spotted something acceptable.

"A Tayaki-shaped key-chain? Why not? Looks cute." I said to myself and walked inside, purchasing the item in question. As soon I did the rewards arrived, making me feel like for once the system was on my side. Since this worked itself out, maybe next time I could ask for its assistance once more.

Upon arriving I spotted all the motorcycles gathered outside in one single spot, it just showed how many guests Mikey had for today. Were they planning to drive around the neighborhood with them later I wondered?

Knocking on the door, I heard someone's running steps and suddenly Emma came into my sight.

"Great you're here, the guys were planning to go to Karaoke." I walked inside and was surprised to see not only Senju, and Yuzuha but also Hinata. Were they invited because of the last karaoke trip that took place? Mikey came over and expressed.

"I invited all the girls to lure you in." I started laughing because of how ironic this whole scenario was. So they kept in mind to invite them, but forgot about me?

"Anyway I had no clue today was your birthday no one told me, but I was walking over here I saw this, so here you go." I handed him the key chain I previously purchased.

"Thanks," he said holding it in his hand, but then he turned to Keisuke.

"How come you forgot to tell her about the party?" And this escalated into some sort of fight because apparently, it was his responsibility? I looked around wondering if someone would stop those two, but I think I noticed Mitsuya smirking?

"He probably forgot after spending so much time with Michi in the countryside." He conveyed, causing Keisuke to try to start a fight with him next. What was with all this drama coming from every direction?

"Just ignore them Michi, boys will be boys," Emma said causing me to nod my head.

"Anyway, we should go now, remember you wanted to hit the Karaoke." Some of the guys cheered and they started to move. Keisuke now was totally ok with talking with me, talk about a fast change of mood.

"You should go with me." So they were taking the bikes. I saw Yuzuha going with her brother, Emma joined Draken, Mikey took Takemichi and Hinata was with Mitusya, meanwhile, Chifuyu took Senju. What was going on, these two were sticking to each other like glue recently. Did I need to pressure Senju to tell me what was going on?

We arrived at the place and I was not really comfortable with having Sanzu around, yet he was here lurking around, veins popping on his forehead every time I even glanced his way, what was his problem? Like dude relax? It didn't help that Mikey told me.

"Michi sit here," he asked me to sit right beside him, while Takemichi was supposed to sit on his other side, I dragged Senju with me, Sanzu probably wouldn't dare to send a glance my way if she was right next to me, right? So when everyone else was singing I ordered a ton of food.

"Will you really be eating this much food?" Senju questioned as I nodded.

"Yes, I only ate breakfast and a sandwich since I rose from the bed." I thought I could eat in peace, but Mikey was asking me to feed him. Since he was the birthday child I couldn't refuse him. So when I went to the bathroom hold and behold shit went down. As I was about to enter back into the room Sanzu blocked my path.

"Stop fawning over Mikey." I was so perplexed I couldn't utter a single word. But then I used up all my courage and literally pinched his cheeks to his surprise.

"Listen here you little shit, I'm not fawning over Mikey, it's his birthday for goodness sake, why wouldn't I pamper him with food? Is your brain infested with worms or something? Do you need brain surgery? If so I can use some of my money to cure you of your stupidity." He didn't hit me in fact but returned the gesture of pinching my cheeks.

"You probably just saying it, but deep inside you trying to aim your shots at Mikey." I couldn't with this guy, why was he so persistent in his nonsensical beliefs?

"Why the hell would I? I have a type you know." He then argued.

"And your type is the strongest delinquent." Where the hell did he get this script from?

"Like hell it is!" but then I added.

"If you're so invested in my love life, why don't you find a boyfriend for me huh.. I can't date Mikey if I'm already with someone else?" There would be no way he would consider it right? It was just a suggestion made in the heat of the moment.

"You will just date Mikey with the other guys I'm sure about it." Could I just ask Keisuke to whoop this guy's ass again?

"Guys? Do you know how much maintenance it is? I barely have any time for myself now! I'm too lazy to even have one boyfriend at the moment!" I think the other guests must have been annoyed by our fighting.

"Why is he pinching his girlfriend's cheeks so much, it must hurt." We flipped each other off and walked back inside, getting strange looks from everyone. We just sat on the opposite ends, but Keisuke didn't shy from glaring at Sanzu for bothering me once more. I later saw him dragging him out, probably giving him some kind of lecture with Mucho as supervisor.

Then it came time for paying, some people were struggling in finding any money to cover their share, so I just straight out paid for half the experience.

"Michi you're the best," Mikey said causing me to send a smirk Sanzu's way, he was fuming with anger.

"Want to join our night ride as well?" He asked but I refused.

"I really need to get some sleep, maybe next time." My day ended up with receiving the last mission for today.

'Would you rather ask Haitani brothers to meet you at a park or in a church?' Wouldn't the church be more convincing, because of hunting demon business and stuff? I guess it already went two weeks so I need to establish a meeting place.

I used the unknown number option and gave Rindou a call.

"Who is it?" Rindou asked in the most irritated voice.

"Have you done your part of the deal?" I went straight for business.

"Yes, yes we did!" He suddenly admitted all excited.

"Great, let's meet at the Udagawa Christian Church." That's the location the system wanted me to arrive at. They agreed, and we set the meeting for the evening. And finally, it was time for sleep, but who would have thought that Kazutora would suggest sleeping in the same room today. Of course, I let him, why wouldn't I?