🎉 if i celebrate, i want to offer my heartfelt and honest congratulations

[nortonnnn]

Who: Norton Campbell, Nagito Komaeda, and open to anyone who'd be willing to offer Komaeda birthday wishes of their own volition
When: April 28, after class
What: 3rd floor, music room

---

Arriving

( so, it's like this: nobody likes komaeda.

well, it seems that way a lot of the time, from what norton's observing, and the unfortunate fact of the matter? no matter how absolutely off-his-rocker insane he's been acting, he... well, real or not, he didn't seem to be a bad guy in those memories norton has of him. try as he might, he can't simply act as though they don't exist either. so instead, with a sigh of defeat and an important date that he'd learned in those strange memories in mind, he'll go about collecting those who seem to be... more tolerant (even if that's a generous way to express it) of komaeda lately.

he's already arranged for the most reliable chef he's yet to meet in this school to help by preparing a birthday cake, (and learned quite a bit in the process, actually,) and he's let the others know where they should gather. so, when norton decides it's about time to drag komaeda to the survival club's meeting room for some kind of survival club-related excuse of a reason, there should hopefully already be at least a couple of people there and waiting for them—including one boy holding a white cat who may or may not look a little out of his element.

his voice is soft, but as the cake and the small collection of people he's managed to gather come into view, norton offers a smile. )

Happy birthday.

---

01.) ♡

( so... how will you greet the birthday boy? tag-ins will be assumed to be for komaeda, unless otherwise indicated! )

Comments

[commences]

( how dare he too be aware? you know, dealing with people in the room is a lot for komaeda, despite the way he smiles is a little dishonest here and there. if roku~n has known komaeda for as long as he says he has, then he may be able to see one or two genuine smiles, even though komaeda himself can't tell that they are. with a slice of cake in his hand, he notices a familiar face towards the door that seems like they're walking in, and oh...

quickly, komaeda rushes over, looking at the other with interest as he digs his fork into the cake, raising it up and holding for the other to take a bite. )

Did you forget? I said I'd look for you.

( look for him? for what? you guessed it, there's no need for him to realize what today is even though he knows himself. though, there is something he wants from roku~n so let's see if he's got the supply that komaeda demands! taking a step back, he's already trying to lure the student out the room with the cake which may look silly, but at least he's trying. )

[commences]

( where natsume lacks in feelings, komaeda manages to make up for it in his annoying way — he may not be too thrilled to be near the ultimate, but that doesn't mean he feels the same. or rather, komaeda's feelings are complicated as he's one who's unable to understand another person's, and perhaps that's why he's able to bother natsume without how he feels getting in the way. what he's slowly learning from this get together is that... he didn't expect certain people to show up.

actually, he didn't expect natsume if he was honest. sure, keeping an eye on nene and stephanie is a given, and one that komaeda mutually understands (from his despair days). though, seeing the other do this (while chit chatting idly with what girls are here) reminds him that the other can be soft at times, so it's why that resting bitchface he normally has the moment they lock eyes that he truly believes his thoughts.

of course, komaeda isn't easy either as he walks over with a wide smile on his face. ) Sakasaki-kun! ( unsurprisingly, he sounds exciting to see him. ) It's a shame you came all the way here, but it's also your lucky day.

( isn't this actually komaeda's day? well, it's because he spoke first so he's here to cause problems as fast as he can. )

[commences]

( it wouldn't be a party if there wasn't any party games, so with his eyes covered by a blindfold, there's a leash in his hands as he tries to collar the.... donkey. you make do with what you have. think about it, had izumi not taken away komaeda's gun then he would be able to play russian roulette like every other normal person, but nothing's that easy. just because he doesn't care for his birthday doesn't mean he's against the party games like some sort of scrooge, but he's able to enjoy himself with the others to play around. besides, a few of the people were lucky in snapping it around komaeda's neck when it was their turn —

anyway, the thing about this is that komaeda's lucky, and other times, he isn't lucky at all — so how will his luck swing? well, towards ouma obviously.

he misses a few times when trying to collar someone, so with every step it brings him towards the ultimate — it's not like he's paying any mind to that. as much as he senses hope, despair and talent, he seems to be enjoying himself that he can't really tell. it's why while he can't see that he comes even closer towards ouma, and with the collar open.. will he try and snap it around the youth's neck! now it's time to rng whether komaeda's successful or ouma's going to cuss him the fuck out because... yeah.

komaeda's going for it! )

make me !

[nortonnnn]

It's actually my forte—I'm surprised you didn't know that about me.

( about the harassment, that is; really, if there's anything that paying proper attention to people can give him, it's the ability to terrorize them. it's just, you know, not always recommended to actually do that. not something he has the chance to do, you know? with komaeda, though... yeah, he deserves it. just a little bit. and that warm smile of norton's looks more like a shit-eating grin from this angle, not gonna lie. )

Well, anyway, I'd prefer if you'd make things easy just this once, but I guess if it has to be that way...

( he has to resist the urge to roll his eyes. )

Since it's my day, I've decided that we're going to be celebrating you anyway. You've already given up your right to decide, so you're just going to have to accept it.

i will ill kill you

[commences]

Campbell-san, you're really heartless aren't you.

( the immediate shock passes as he sighs, looking off to the side, and while he doesn't mind celebrating — he doesn't want to be the topic. it's unfair, if you ask him, why does he have to do something he has no recollection of enjoying in the past? despite having to accept what's been done, komaeda finally looks back to the other as he looks him over from the expression he wears to his build. )

Mmn, not like that's a bad thing. Aren't I lucky to have someone like you...

( his expression softens, but for how long until it changes? well, he better accept it for now until it disappears. ) How did you manage to get so many people here? Last time I checked, they're pretty sick of me... I'm surprised they can stomach being around me, oh, the same goes for you. I'm sure I make you uncomfortable as well.

[unsurely]

[ There's... almost nowhere to even start with how many things in those statements are wrong. In the first place, the person who even caught the cat had been Norton, and Shuichi only has her because the other couldn't hold her and go get Komaeda at the same time... so to say that his talent has any relation to the matter at all is a stretch. I mean, sure, Saihara's got a history of looking for people's pets and lost items around the school, but... That's not the case in this instance. And secondly: it's a cat. He's pretty sure she doesn't even start to understand a complex human concept like hope.

But anyway. He seems to have gotten more used to just ignoring Komaeda's rambles, because... he doesn't even feel like sighing. ]

No... there isn't really a reason I'd be put off. Since I didn't come here as the Ultimate Detective in the first place, you know?

[ That's the only point he'll challenge, in a gentle voice and with the slightest trace of touch with one finger against his chin as he thinks. He snaps out of it soon though, and looks from the cat perched on Komaeda's shoulder to a chair nearby. No one's sitting in it right now, and so... Saihara turns it, setting it closer as quietly as he can. ]

And... even if you tell me to treat this like just a normal day, isn't the truth of the matter it isn't one? None of us gathered here with that in mind.

[ You don't go to celebrate someone's birthday, no matter who they are, with the intent to have a forgettable time that's just gonna blend into the monotony of the rest of the year. That's the point of doing something to mark the occasion in the first place. As he's making his point, Saihara moves to settle behind the chair, a single hand resting down at the top of the backrest. ]

Sorry, but... do you mind sitting down?

[trialbyliar]

[It's a doomed effort from the start. Not only had Kokichi come largely to keep an eye on the weirdo, but he'd chosen this particular spot to sit because it game him a good view of the whole room (and...y'know, easy access to cake). He's been watching this whole nonsense from the start, even if he's been subtle about it.

So when Komaeda starts coming his way during this degenerate collar game, Kokichi just arches an eyebrow. And then when it becomes clear what's about to happen here, he makes a face and slumps down and back away from Komaeda's blind attempt to snag him, his half-eaten cake precariously balanced while he dodges.

And just to be extra safe, he lifts a leg and plants his foot in the center of Komaeda's chest to hold him at bay.

But because this is Kokichi, it cannot possibly be as simple as just pushing the weirdo away. So instead he adopts a panicked, distraught expression, free hand curled against his chest as if in terror.]

Help! S-someone get this creep away from me!!

[commences]

( he notices it, the way he specifies his title, or actually, how he separates himself from it — what he knows is that it's not true. as ultimates, all they have going for them are their talents, and they are many symbols of hope for that reason alone. the talented are different from those who lack it, so to hear saihara speak like he's simple like the others brings komaeda to look to the side briefly, before returning his gaze back. one can't just say they don't come as an ultimate for it's what they are, and the concept of being one or the other isn't doesn't fit into place with how his mind works. so the answer to that question is no, komaeda doesn't know, so he'll put that into words. )

The talent I have is useless, pretty disappointing really... So I understand how I don't compare to yours, there's nothing intimidating about it.

( you know, the reason why he wouldn't be put off coming as he is, and he doesn't have to soften the blow of saying what komaeda's already aware — ow, there goes the white cat smacking her tail into komaeda's nose. it ends his little explanation rather quickly, and if his breathing wasn't already a sign that he should stop talking already. his eyes dart to the side to look at "lily may," and in return the feline is looking in another direction that isn't him, but she remains in place without a care. though her meddling isn't enough to stop komaeda in his tracks because he is attentive to what the other ultimate says, and that's because saihara's more thoughtful than some of the others, and so it's worth the time. )

You all came because you heard about it from someone else.

( it's because he doesn't remember telling any of them everything, and he follows with a disappointing sigh. ) I could say "today isn't my day," but that means nothing to you... ah, understandable, listening to someone as worthless as me... why would you? ( that's mostly said to himself with a warm smile — he must believe that, yes, komaeda does actually. once he notices how saihara migrates from one spot to another, and his final destination leads him to a chair where he stands. )

With you right there? I think that's too close...

[commences]

( to be stepped on, ah, a dream. unfortunately, komaeda doesn't know that as he feels something flat against his chest pushing at him. he may be tall as hell, but he should be able to lean forward and collar the ultimate if he works hard enough. though, isn't touching against the rules? to be honest, what are the rules to the game? well, it's what anyone would expect — it goes for anything in the room, so he doesn't understand why someone would be stopping him. )

Oh! ( this voice he knows particularly well, very well in fact that komaeda reaches out with his mechanical hand to touch what's pressed against him. his fingers press against the tip, slow and curious, and then slide against the texture of the shoe's toebox as it glides along the black surface. his fingers turn alone the curve, index and middle brushing along the width of the purple heel while sizing up the length of the entire shoe. he still hasn't figured out what it is just yet, but those two fingers are adventurous as they slowly draw up, fumbling over the entrance lining until cold steel touches warm skin, and it's a shame komaeda's unable to register that.

his hand slithers up to his calf, stopping as komaeda lifts his pulls the hand that's holding the collar back so that ouma can.. feel safe? probably not as safe with a hand on his leg, but knowing that it's the ultimate lucky student that's holding him down, he has no reason to be worried. while he doesn't care about much around him, he does care — well, if you call this caring — about the ultimate that's before him, and with slight concern in his voice. )

What's wrong, Ouma-kun? You can have a turn after.

( while he's not complaining about a turn, he says this just in case. )

[crystallomancy]

( unsurprisingly, natsume's nose scrunches at how excited komaeda is to see him; he expected this, but still... and because he's expected it, the way to reply comes naturally to him: an inaudible sigh, followed by a small shake of his head. )

I have to be here; I'd hardly consider it luckY. ( he doesn't have to be here, except by his own personal code, but - he has to be here. but anyway - ) Rather, it's your lucky day to have a magician such as myself attend your parTY...

( "lucky," for whatever luck is worth given their. last conversation about it. speaking of: )

...Happy birthDAY. One of my roommates' back home has a birthday the day before YOURS, so you could say it'd feel as if something is remiss if I didn't attend some kind of celebraTION.

( not to mention makoto's is on the 30th... look at all these taurus c: as a taurus i understand why komaeda is one but it does not make me happy i'll tell you what )

I didn't bring you a preSENT, seeing as this was on short noTICE, but I am a magiCIAN. As long as your request isn't too absurd or over-the-TOP, I'll see if I can indulge IT.

( :/ )

they could get hurt falling u idiot

[contrarily]

Pfft... first of ALL! ( and she jabs her free hand's finger straight into his chest, accusatory. ) If you want to hire an idol like me to sing at your birthday party, you better pay up! Up front, too!

( all your merits, yip yip yap... )

Second of all, idols can't perform without a suitable stage. Obviously you guys didn't set one up so that's an automatic no. ( you think an idol of her CALIBER would just... dance and sing on the floor? think again, bucko.

she huffs, and swallows more cake, already planning to take another piece. leaving some for the rest of them? yeah, as if. if they wanted to eat, they should just go straight for the cake like her, instead of beating around the bush. )

There's no music in the background, either... this isn't a place where an idol can shine.

[commences]

Yeah, this place didn't need you at all.

( he says this like fact as he crosses his arms, eyes glancing off to the side as he sighs softly. in all honesty, he shouldn't speak to natsume when he decided to bring himself here to watch over others, and komaeda doesn't really see what's the problem with his phrasing, especially when he continues. )

Because having to be around someone like me... your company would be cherished elsewhere. ( it's creepy the way he's able to keep himself smiling despite his words, but slowly his expression dies and his lips purse into a straight line. he doesn't seem against it, almost as if he's thinking of how to respond, and every time those words are starting to become less an dless foreign — probably because so many people say it in the day, that's the only reason why. it won't have a lasting effect on him he thinks, so after coming to this decision, he smiles once more. )

This party may not be lucky, but if it can remind you of someone back home... that's your hope growing. Haha, isn't that great. ( wait until you play his game and have to sit there and be like "same komaeda" or "mood komaeda" and then think about what your life is now knowing ooc and ic.... komaeda's right.. not only that, the offer of having his very on magician is a little confusing to him — to be honest, he's never had one play for him in person. as excited as he appear to be, his words are just as lost as the lights are off in his head. ) I've never seen a jester perform, but doing something for free doesn't sit right with me...

( digging into his pocket, he pulls out a bag with little to few cat treats, and he pulls out one (1) to hand out for natsume. he may not understand how this is currency, but komaeda follows up sure that this will be enough. ) It's special, Lily May — ( oh, maybe he doesn't know. ) ...the white cat might do something special. You're smart, Sakasaki-kun.

[closewithnewintown]

... Y'know, one of my friends back home is so greedy, you need to wrestle his birthday gift to you out of his arms, every time. Trixie chipped a baby tooth last year... But, it's okay to be a little selfish on your birthday. It's a day all for you, right?

... I'm gonna give you one more gift. One you'll have to keep all for yourself.

[she's been pretty good at curbing her natural tendency and actually asking people first, not just assuming they'd be okay with it, like they always were back home. but, sometimes, you can't give people the chance to say no, so she simply steps forward and throws her arms around him in a tight hug.]

[crystallomancy]

( ...there's really no other word for the way komaeda speaks and looks other than "off-putting," but in the way that irritates him rather than makes him want to avoid him - the way that frustrated him when tsumugi bemoaned what fine had done, as if it didn't involve him at all, as if it hadn't really hurt anyone despite the casualties.

it makes him not want to say a smart remark at all, which is even worse. his tone doesn't soften exactly, but there's less bite to it when next he speaks. )

You shouldn't take my gifts so lightLY, Komaeda-san. ( extremely regretful that he has to be polite. ) Though I'll rescind the offer if you refer to me as a jester one more TIME. That title is reserved for one person and one person aLONE.

( ...

still.

he takes the treat, glancing at the white cat shuichi's got before he returns his gaze to komaeda. )

What can I do for YOU?

because u told me tooooo!

[mermaidcursed]

( given that he's still eating it, she's preeeeeeetty sure he's just whining to whine. but also. what if he's not. even though he's frankly not the intended recipient, she can't help but worry. )

Oh, did I really use too much sugar...?

( did she just open herself up to more teasing? yes.


fuck. )

nms i care you so much

[mermaidcursed]

We have our ways!

( ominous! or it would be if she wasn't all but literally going >:3c right now, and he hadn't seen her tear up in concern of a complete stranger before. the implications of the dream-like memories go over her head, but it is rather curious that norton and komaeda are friends... but she thinks it's a good thing, too. )

It is though. It's made specially for you.

Oh you! /laugh track

[hatesdeerstalkers]

[Well. This - isn't surprising, of course. He'd get up to chaos if unwatched, and that seems to be the case - though as his eyes rove over the room, he can't help but notice it seems to be some sort of party...?

Regardless, he smiles and walks towards the stool, looking up at what Komaeda's doing with a placid expression.]

Piano wire, hm? Such a shame - I'd hoped to play a piece today, but it seems I shall have to do without.

[The most disappointed sigh in the world....Anyway.]

Still, surely it isn't such a bad thing I'm here, is it? Unless you wish for me to leave - and even in the midst of a party! Still, ah...I suppose I can take a hint...

[He seems to visibly droop, and turns around on his heel while looking so sad. He's so sad, Komaeda, look at what you've done.]

i'm sorry nene agdjsjd

[trialbyliar]

[Ah. Should have guessed Nene was somehow responsible for this. A normal person would feel bad at this point, but Kokichi just grins.]

Obviously! Jeez, don't you taste-test your own cooking?

[He waves his fork idly as he talks, but then stabs it into his slice of cake and breaks off a piece before holding it out to her on the end of the fork. C'mon, try it...]

i thought i PRESSED TEH WRONG BUTTON LOOKS AWAY

[englisch]

[ She is so excited to show him all of her WORK AND EFFORT!! It was extremely - extremely important, because Diona was watching Edgar and she learned this thing called 'layering.' The girl was so excited to learn this in doing art that she tried hard to make a very cool picture for Komaeda and his birthday. To which she were aware of because they were friends from their high school life.

After waiting til he was free- the girl scampers up to him and holds the painting out infront of the others face. ]

Happy Birthday! Komeowda!!!!

kokichi like "i could give in to the nene beams but i wont"

[mermaidcursed]

Of course I do! ( pouts!!! ) I even had Norton there with me while I was working on it.

( she taught a man how to frost properly and everything, it was an experience.

and then he holds out a piece of cake on a fork like he's offering a bite. ... but what if he really did find something wrong with his slice. fine, fine, she'll try it... leaning over to take the fork, the one sensible part of her mind wants to sigh. )

NOOO UR RIGHT i dont want them to hurt their madula oblangata :(

[commences]

An idol asking for all of that...

( rika may be swallowing down the cake without thinking of her well-being, but it's fine, don't worry because komaeda will do instead. she's requesting for a lot to work with, and while none of this was made by him, he can't help but look around to see what the problem actually is. she needs to be paid, which he can understand considering he doesn't want anything for free — there's a reason he works hard for results anyway, but as she continues... it's absurd. enough that komaeda's eyes fall upon rika, and he can't hold back the laughter that slips past his lips. )

That makes you a disappointing idol, doesn't it? I didn't expect you to be as talented as the Ultimate Idol herself, but I thought you'd at least be able to make do —

( he sighs, not too bothered, but figuring this would be the best time to set that out there, rather. if he doesn't say it, who will? the worst part, komaeda's not even being mean, more so he's stating the facts as he doesn't have energy to be upset about her lack of capability — sometimes the untalented have it hard, and this is why he only thinks of their hope. the fact she won't even try with what she has... it's dulling, and that's a shame. ) Has this placed crushed your will already? If this is as far as your hope goes, I believe your career died a long time ago.

( he nods, with a smile. )

Next time, don't tell anyone you're an idol to avoid the embarrassment, Kawai-san!

( there's danger at the party, but as long as the rat kick push, kick push, he'll come to the party and coasssssst —

there seems to be a bit of tile debris fluttering down between rika and komaeda, hm. )

[dokkans]

[ She'll have to talk to someone about it later. Right now, Bonnie's focused on the cake and... oh! ]

Oh gosh, just what I wanted! Thank you!

[ She sure accepts it! She's glad for sure that so far everyone here's been nice and willing to share like this. It makes her feel warm and fuzzy, and happy to know that it'll be easy for her to get what she needs as time goes on. This guy she ran into handing out cake seems like a good fella, so why not take advantage to have some cake?

...Although, also. ]

By the way... who's birthday are we celebrating?

[ That's probably important. ]

[adsum]

You did not. [ Gently, like he's talking to his grandmother with a two minute memory span, but he reaches for the fork to take and feed himself before ??? Komaeda trips him and stabs him in the back of the throat or something, not that he thinks Komaeda would, but things tend to just happen around this guy and it's best to keep on your toes. ] This is good. [ He glances around the room, attention off Komaeda for a moment as he follows before looking back at him. ] It's pretty lively, too, so I didn't think you'd actually be here.

[commences]

You have all sorts of people to care for, don't you, Stephanie-san?

( his head cants to the side as he thinks about what lesson she's trying to teach him out of this. it's hard between the greed, and then someone chipped a tooth.. and then the act of being selfish. she's not wrong, he is selfish when it comes to one thing. )

When you talk like that, after everything you've been through... your hope still remains, and that's why I'm excited for what's coming next.

( that's him praising her, it's not everyday komaeda says something nice, you know? without being weird, despite not having context about what she's been through. a lot has happened within the school, and there's things that's changing, but everyone is moving forward which is what he wanted. he's waiting though for her to climb his back so that he can pick her up, but what he's gifted with instead causes his breath to hitch in confusion. her hugging him was the last thing he expected, especially from the scene he threw awhile ago, so even stephanie managed to get past that.

a breathy chuckle follows afterwards, and it's hard to tell with komaeda if he's genuine or not, but it's with ease he's able to wrap his arms back around her, albeit hesitant at first. slowly he begins to apply pressure, but enough to fulfil the requirement of a hug. ) I have pretty bad luck so I don't know how long this will stick with me. ( it seems like komaeda is trying, or is he saying this to say this? ) So can I be allowed one of these every day.

[commences]

( the white cat is already here, but she is looking in their direction. do not feed her that treat because komaeda will not give another......! he only has like, seven more of them left. )

A magician, sorry, you're right.

( they're all the same to him, but he did want to see how natsume's hope played into his performances. it's just hard considering he's never been around one before, or even exposed to one properly until now (and the other times he's ran into natsume, but he was mean and wouldn't do anything!). so give him a moment to think on it, and once an idea comes to him. )

You really can't look into luck can you... ( but he knows something else exciting. ) But you can make bombs, I want to learn that skill from you.