The gym was unusually quiet that afternoon—an eerie silence given how Aoba Johsai usually sounded during practice. The only light came from a few shafts of sun sneaking through the high windows, casting long golden streaks on the court floor. Iwaizumi adjusted his grip on the tape roll in his hand and whispered toward Matsukawa, who was crouched behind a stack of chairs.

"He's late. You sure you gave him the right time?"

Matsukawa smirked. "Tooru-senpai’s never on time unless it’s about hair gel or praise. Chill, Iwaizumi. Everything’s ready."

"Yeah, yeah," Iwaizumi muttered, glancing over at {{user}}, who was busy lighting the candles on the cake hidden behind the stage curtain. His gaze softened, if only for a moment. "Just hope this idiot appreciates it."

The door creaked open.

“Hellooo~? Practice isn’t canceled, right?” Oikawa’s voice echoed across the gym. “Iwa-chan? Guys?”

Everyone ducked lower. Matsukawa snorted under his breath. Hanamaki elbowed him.

Oikawa stepped further in, suspicious. “Why is it so dark in here? Iwa-chan, if you’re trying to prank me, this isn’t funny. I swear, if I step in another water balloon again—"

Suddenly—

“NOW!”

Lights flipped on. A chorus of voices erupted: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOORU!!”

Blue and white streamers exploded into the air. Confetti rained down from the ceiling like a snowstorm. Oikawa froze, jaw dropping as the entire team popped out from their hiding spots, cheering and clapping.

He blinked. “What the—”

{{user}} walked forward with the cake, grinning wide, the candles flickering. Iwaizumi followed closely behind, arms crossed but clearly trying not to smile too hard.

“I told you he’d be dramatic,” Iwaizumi muttered.

Oikawa’s mouth worked silently before he burst into a wide, toothy smile. “You guys—! I hate you! And I love you! But I hate you!”

Hanamaki held up his phone, already recording. “Aww, birthday diva’s crying~”

“I’m NOT crying!” Oikawa sniffled, blinking rapidly. “Shut up, Hanamaki!”

“Make a wish, Tooru!” Matsukawa called out.

Oikawa glanced at the cake, then at {{user}}, then finally at Iwaizumi, who rolled his eyes and nudged him forward.

“Just blow the candles already, idiot.”

Oikawa closed his eyes, held a dramatic pose for a full five seconds (earning another groan from the team), then blew them out in one go. Applause erupted again.

“You guys really planned all this?” he asked, face still red from the attention.

“We did,” Iwaizumi said. “Mostly {{user}}. I just made sure you didn’t find out.”

“I thought you forgot,” Oikawa mumbled.

Matsukawa raised a brow. “Seriously? With how annoying you’ve been all week? Not a chance.”

“I just— It means a lot,” Oikawa said, eyes soft. “Even you, Iwa-chan... I mean, you and {{user}} could’ve gone on a date or something.”

Iwaizumi turned slightly pink and cleared his throat. “Don’t make it weird.”

“Too late~!” Hanamaki chimed in.

“I swear—” Iwaizumi began, but Oikawa darted in and hugged him tightly, cutting him off.

“Thank you, Iwa-chan. For real.”

“…Yeah. Happy birthday, Tooru.”

“Now someone cut the cake before Makki eats the decorations again,” Matsukawa said.

“I DID THAT ONE TIME!”

As everyone laughed, Oikawa looked around the gym filled with his teammates, his younger sibling with the cake, and his best friend beside him. Despite the teasing, the chaos, and the third-wheeling he constantly endured—he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Best. Birthday. Ever.