The morning of October 1st, Hairu wakes Ui with a shower of confetti. “Look!”

“Huh?” he asks groggily.

“It’s exactly two days after my birthday and two days before yours.” Hairu pokes him. “It’s Uihai day!”

“Is that what we’re calling it,” he teases.

“Yes. Get up. I made breakfast plans.” Hairu tosses her hair. She fiddles with the framed portrait of Squad Zero Ui gave her two days ago. 

“Okay, okay.”

When they enter CCG, caffeinated and happily full, Ihei Shio runs up. “Happy Uihai Day!”

“You did not convince them this was a holiday.” Ui sounds suspicious. 

“I 100% did!” 

“We wanted it to be a holiday. We like you.” Arima Yusa is perturbed. “Why don’t you like us liking you?”

“I do, I do!” Ui squawks, waving his arms like a demented bird.

“We made you something.” Rikai smiles shyly as she holds out a box. “Well, really, we bought them. But still.”

“We custom-ordered,” sings Shio. 

Hairu giggles with delight as they open the package together. Ui laughs when he sees a pair of kokeshi dolls, one with black hair and the other with pink. 

“Just like you described,” he says.

Hairu embraces the kids. “How did you know?”

“Arima told us. We may have used his credit card,” Yusa admits. 

“They’re perfect.” Hairu kisses Ui on the cheek. 

“Almost as perfect as you.” Ui winks.