[he knew who it was from the moment he laid his eyes on it. no one else here would know his birthday, he wasn't about to publicly announce it or anything, so that left only orihime. he didn't particularly care for parties, or for people, so he hadn't wanted anything for it, really. however, receiving a gift like this from orihime was definitely the best present he could have got.
he read the note, smiled to himself, before bringing the present inside.
once he was settled he picked up his device to call her.]
Thank you so much for the present, Inoue-san. [was what he said once she picked up.]
[She really didn't think anyone would steal a cake box left at someone's door, but who knows? There might be a roaming cake lover just waiting for that kind of golden opportunity.]
I hope chocolate and mint is okay! If it isn't, I can make you a different kind.
[...Probably not the reaction he was expecting, but come on. She's dense about this sort of thing, he'll learn that eventually.]
Cake freezes really well, so if you want to save it for later, just wrap it up in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. Then you can thaw it out when you're ready for more!
[There's a loud banging sound in the background. She's...probably still in the bakery, let's be real.]
If you didn't do anything fun as a kid, then you should do twice as many fun things now to make up for it! You only get one birthday a year! One chance to do everything you've ever wanted without worrying about the consequences or the bills! If you don't do it now, you don't do it ever, so you have to make it amazing. Life's too short, Ishida-kun!
[And that's not just a trite phrase for her; knowing that their lives do end, sometimes abruptly and soon, is a big part of what drives her to live so vividly.]
[ishida has to hold his device away from him when she starts to clash around. he sighs. wow this girl...]
Is that so? [he still doesn't think of his birthday as a big deal.]
I was usually by myself on my birthdays so I don't think of it as something that needs to be celebrated fully. Can't we just eat some cake together and that's good enough?
[oh. OH! he said, oh wow, he said it. ishida immediately felt himself redden at that, waiting for her answer.]
[No reaction to the dramatic and completely intentional dropping of a muffin tin to showcase her shock for comedic effect? She needs to work harder on her prop humor. Still, she's surprised to find that his needs are so simple.]
That's really all you want?
[He could ask for anything and she'd give it to him without hesitation, especially on his birthday of all days. At least he expressed himself plainly enough that even she can't mistake it for something else.]
is what he wished he could say. instead he just remained silent as he listened to her sort out his words. at her question he tapped the counter in front of him.]
Why don't I pick something up on my way over, then? I can eat cake on an empty stomach and be satisfied, but I've had years of training. You'll probably want something more substantial!
[From 12 on up, there wasn't really anyone there to tell her that she shouldn't eat cake or sweet bean paste on bread for a meal. Even if they did, why shouldn't she do it anyway? But for most other people, she knows it might make them pretty sick, and that's not what she wants for him.]
[okay well it appeared as though everything was working in his favor. bonus! ishida smiled to himself, despite feeling overly embarrassed for blurting out his true desires.]
Whatever you- [wait no, she would pick up something really weird. he cleared his throat.]
Ha ha! I guess even you know about my cooking habits.. Text me a list of your favorites, the store isn't too far from the bakery. Eeto...I'll need soy sauce and mirin, and eggs... Do you have a pot yet?
Okay, I'll trust that part to you. Let me finish my prep batches and I'll be right over in about an hour!
[It turns out to be a little longer since she went upstairs to wash her face and change her clothes before setting out, but she does eventually show up on his doorstep with a bag of groceries. She didn't just go for what's on sale, either, her new job pays so much more money than she's used to having. Plus her 'rent' is part of the bakery itself! Orihime can afford to splurge on good beef and tofu for the pot, especially for the one friend from home she has in this place. She knocks.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
he read the note, smiled to himself, before bringing the present inside.
once he was settled he picked up his device to call her.]
Thank you so much for the present, Inoue-san. [was what he said once she picked up.]
voice;
[She really didn't think anyone would steal a cake box left at someone's door, but who knows? There might be a roaming cake lover just waiting for that kind of golden opportunity.]
I hope chocolate and mint is okay! If it isn't, I can make you a different kind.
voice;
[hrm.... there really wasn't anyone he wanted to spend his birthday with, except for orihime.]
I can't eat this all on my own so... did you want some?
voice;
[...Probably not the reaction he was expecting, but come on. She's dense about this sort of thing, he'll learn that eventually.]
Cake freezes really well, so if you want to save it for later, just wrap it up in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. Then you can thaw it out when you're ready for more!
voice; 1/2
voice;
[okay. he's about to accept defeat here.]
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
voice;
You're welcome!
[He sounds a little flustered. She wonders why. Maybe she'll figure it out if she keeps talking to him.]
Did you do anything fun to treat yourself?
voice;
[he says this as he quietly cuts himself a piece of the cake.]
voice;
[Is it a scolding? It kind of feels like one. But she's pretty sure he doesn't mean anything harsh by it.]
Not even a special birthday dinner with your favorite food?
voice;
[oh my god this is going horribly.]
I've never really done anything like that.
voice;
[There's a loud banging sound in the background. She's...probably still in the bakery, let's be real.]
If you didn't do anything fun as a kid, then you should do twice as many fun things now to make up for it! You only get one birthday a year! One chance to do everything you've ever wanted without worrying about the consequences or the bills! If you don't do it now, you don't do it ever, so you have to make it amazing. Life's too short, Ishida-kun!
[And that's not just a trite phrase for her; knowing that their lives do end, sometimes abruptly and soon, is a big part of what drives her to live so vividly.]
voice;
Is that so? [he still doesn't think of his birthday as a big deal.]
I was usually by myself on my birthdays so I don't think of it as something that needs to be celebrated fully. Can't we just eat some cake together and that's good enough?
[oh. OH! he said, oh wow, he said it. ishida immediately felt himself redden at that, waiting for her answer.]
voice;
That's really all you want?
[He could ask for anything and she'd give it to him without hesitation, especially on his birthday of all days. At least he expressed himself plainly enough that even she can't mistake it for something else.]
Well...did you already eat dinner?
voice;
is what he wished he could say. instead he just remained silent as he listened to her sort out his words. at her question he tapped the counter in front of him.]
Not yet.
voice;
[From 12 on up, there wasn't really anyone there to tell her that she shouldn't eat cake or sweet bean paste on bread for a meal. Even if they did, why shouldn't she do it anyway? But for most other people, she knows it might make them pretty sick, and that's not what she wants for him.]
What do you want to eat?
voice;
Whatever you- [wait no, she would pick up something really weird. he cleared his throat.]
Something easy. Sukiyaki, maybe?
voice;
That sounds good! I haven't had sukiyaki in a long time. Should I get it from a restaurant, or do you want ingredients to make it ourselves?
voice;
[yes, this sounds nice! what a lovely birthday for him.]
And please Inoue-san, pick up regular ingredients. [pls]
voice;
voice;
[don't worry orihime he's very prepared.]
voice;
[It turns out to be a little longer since she went upstairs to wash her face and change her clothes before setting out, but she does eventually show up on his doorstep with a bag of groceries. She didn't just go for what's on sale, either, her new job pays so much more money than she's used to having. Plus her 'rent' is part of the bakery itself! Orihime can afford to splurge on good beef and tofu for the pot, especially for the one friend from home she has in this place. She knocks.]
[OOC: Unless you wanted to handwave this part!]