-3- [Phone/Action, backdated to the 30th] Happy birthday, Chie!

[counterstrikes]

[Phone--Yosuke Hanamura, Souji Seta, Rise Kujikawa, Kanji Tatsumi]

Well...it looks like nothing happened. Looks like Yosuke's just got bad luck. Well...if anyone wants to do something, I guess today's the day to do it.

[Phone--Public]So, about those packages that this town sends you...whatever they're called. I've got a question. Has anyone ever

Comments

[ Action ] - 338 Brady

[inababanchou]

[ And whenever Chie returns she'll see Souji loitering around in her front yard. He has a filled burlap sack that stands at least knee-high next to him... ]

Re: [ Action ] - 338 Brady

[counterstrikes]

Chief!

[She sees him while she's still a good distance away, so she runs over to him after shouting his...well, that's as good as a name.]

I didn't know you'd be coming by. I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?

[ Action ] - 338 Brady

[inababanchou]

[ Actually Souji wasn't expecting on Chie not being around when he showed up, so he's been loitering for a good hour. But that isn't something he wants to bring up. Instead he smiles warmly when Chie calls out to him. ]

Happy Birthday Chie.

[counterstrikes]

[Chie looks down at the sack, and then up Souji. She was kind of vague on the phone, she didn't think anyone other than Yosuke knew.]

So...Yosuke told you, huh? Thanks, haha...it seems kind of silly, but July 30th still feels like my birthday, you know? Even here.

[inababanchou]

... Yosuke told me?

[ Souji blinks. ]

July 30th is July 30th, whether we're here, or home, or on the Moon.

[ He smiles, bending over and pulling the bag closer. He seems a little eager to show her what's in the bag... ]

I actually meant to give this to you sooner.

[counterstrikes]

You mean...you knew? I thought only Yukiko knew...I had no idea everyone else did. Or maybe it's just you and Yosuke?

...But thanks, Chief.

[You feel Chie's grateful to you...but she has a feeling she knows what it is.]

Well? Go ahead and open it. Oh, and I have something for you, too.

[inababanchou]

Nnn... I asked Yukiko for your birthday. I'm sorry if you were trying to keep it quiet.

[ He blinks. ]

Something for me too? Well...

[ Souji undoes the rope at the top of the bag, pulling it down. He reveals a pair of metal greaves with several vicious short blades protruding from the knee and below. It's not a full pair of boots but it covers the foot as well as the shin, and it looks like Chie can wear any kind of shoe underneath... Getting kicked with this seems like it would be an incredibly bad idea... ]

... It's not a stuffed animal, sorry...

[counterstrikes]

It's fine, it's...fine. These are absolutely perfect! Thanks, Chief! I'd rather have these than a stuffed animal any day!

[Chie would hug Souji...but she's going to try them on first. He better not upset her while she's wearing them.]

W-woah! These are perfect!

[She goes into her battle stance, moving back and forth a few times before doing a few practice kicks.]

They're a bit heavy...but that's because it's been so long since I've worn some. Alright! Starting tomorrow, I'm tripling the training regimen.

[She's grinning from ear to ear. Before she forgets, she hands a small bag to Souji. It's a paper bag, really, like one would use for lunch.]

I baked some cookies earlier today. I thought you might like some.

[inababanchou]

[ He watches Chie practice a bit, glad that he's not on the receiving end of her punishment. ]

Oh...

[ Souji accepts the paper bag and smiles thoughtfully... Hopefully Chie won't ask him to eat one now... ]

I'm sure I would.

[counterstrikes]

They were my gift from Yukiko. Well, not our Yukiko, but...

I just couldn't eat them all myself.

[inababanchou]

[ From... Yukiko. The droned one... ]

Thanks.

[ He smiles. ]

I'm sure she'll bounce back sooner or later with a cheesy joke.

[counterstrikes]

I'll keep waiting, of course. It better be a good joke, not one of her bad ones.

[She sighs.]

So...what are you going to do now? I think Yosuke's coming over later if you want to stick around.

[inababanchou]

Nnn.

[ Souji shakes his head softly. ]

I'm going to help make dinner for my family... Stop by sometime, Chie. I'll make you something good.

[ He wanted to be with her since it is her birthday, but he did promise his not!brother he'd help out at home a bit. Souji elects to give Chie a big hard hug, not really romantic. He ruffles her head though. ]

Again, happy birthday, Chie.

[counterstrikes]

[Chie hugs back, of course. These greaves are still just about the best present ever.]

I understand. Next time, okay? And I'm already looking forward to it.

Thanks, Souji.