The MSBY Black Jackals had been secretly planning this day for months. Every glance, every whispered joke, every small effort had been meticulously designed to make their owl, Kōtarō Bokuto, feel celebrated. But the key to making it perfect, they decided, was a classic prank: pretend they completely forgot.
“Practice’s over,” Miya Atsumu said casually, wiping sweat from his brow as he tossed the volleyball aside. “Nice game, everyone.”
Bokuto, still buzzing from the drills, grinned. “HEY-HEY! Did you see that spike? THAT’S how you hit like an ace!”
Kiyoomi Sakusa raised an eyebrow, expression unreadable. “Yeah… good.” The others suppressed smiles, glancing at each other knowingly.
Shūgo Meian, who had been quietly observing, leaned toward Atsumu. “Remember, no one mentions it. Not even once. He’ll sulk a bit, but then—”
“Then he explodes, right?” Hinata whispered, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “This is gonna be hilarious.”
Bokuto tilted his head, sensing the strange energy. “Hey, why is everyone so… quiet? Did I miss something? Something’s fishy…!”
“You’re imagining things,” Atsumu said smoothly. “It’s… just practice.”
Bokuto frowned, cheerful grin faltering. “Wait… is it… today?” His voice cracked slightly—the first hint of emo mode creeping in.
“Uh… today? I dunno, Bokuto-san,” Sakusa said, trying to maintain a poker face. “We’ve been busy.”
“Busy?! Busy?! You all forgot?!” Bokuto’s voice grew sharp, intensity flashing in his eyes. “MY BIRTHDAY… IS TODAY… AND YOU ALL FORGOT?! HUH?!”
Hinata quickly covered his mouth, stifling laughter, while Meian smirked behind his mask. Bokuto’s metaphorical owl wings flapped in distress. The emo mode was fully activated.
“I can’t believe this… my honeybunch sugarplum baby honey…” Bokuto muttered under his breath, eyes darting to where {{user}} stood innocently, part of the plan. “Even you didn’t tell me… Huh… HMPH!”
{{user}} offered a soft, encouraging smile, quietly standing beside him. Silent support—the only balm for his wounded pride.
Sakusa sighed. “Bokuto, relax. Seriously. It’s just practice. That’s all.”
“JUST PRACTICE?! I AM THE OWL AND THIS… THIS… THIS IS MY DAY, AND YOU’RE ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS HAPPENING?!” Bokuto stomped dramatically, making everyone step back.
Atsumu leaned to Meian. “It’s working perfectly.”
“Shh,” Meian whispered. “Don’t ruin it.”
Bokuto slumped onto a bench, emo energy radiating like a storm. “I… can’t… I… I… thought… everyone… everyone forgot… My birthday…” His voice trailed into a dramatic sigh.
“Not everyone, Bokuto-san,” {{user}} said gently.
He looked up, the emo expression softened slightly. “You… you remembered… HMPH…” He poked {{user}}’s shoulder. “You’re the only one who cares today… huh.”
Hinata, barely containing laughter, whispered, “Almost time…”
Practice ended, and the Black Jackals subtly guided their sulking captain toward the locker room. Bokuto’s sulk persisted, but {{user}} stayed close, a quiet anchor amid his emo storm.
Once changed, Sakusa led the way. “All right. Let’s go. Private ride’s waiting.”
Bokuto perked up slightly. “Ride? Where?”
“Out,” Atsumu replied casually. “Just… come on. Don’t sulk forever.”
The van ride was tense. Bokuto alternated between dramatic sighs and emo mutters. “Everyone… everyone forgot… except {{user}}… my poor, poor owl heart…”
As the van pulled up to the Tokyo restaurant, the atmosphere shifted. Sakusa and Meian exchanged knowing glances. “Ready?”
Bokuto squinted at the building. “Huh…? Why here? We just came from practice.”
A door opened. A warm voice called out: “Welcome! We’ve been expecting you. Right this way.”
The private room burst into color and cheer. A banner reading “A Hey-Hey Birthday Bokuto-san!” stretched across the wall, balloons, streamers, and confetti everywhere.
“W-what…?!” Bokuto’s eyes widened, spinning toward the Black Jackals. “YOU… ALL… REMEMBERED?!”
“Of course,” Meian said smoothly. “Just wanted to make sure you appreciated the surprise.”
Hinata bounced. “Surprise, Bokuto-san! Happy Birthday!”