pjbooks Chapter 103 A Special Birthday Gift
Chapter 103 A Special Birthday Gift
Chapter 103 A Special Birthday Gift
In late July, Tokyo was filled with sultry, humid air.
After finishing up the miscellaneous tasks related to the wrap-up of filming, Kitahara Shin hurriedly asked his manager for two days off.
He didn't even go back to the company; he took a taxi directly to the port area.
Standing at the familiar apartment door, he straightened his slightly wrinkled shirt collar and rang the doorbell.
"Ding-dong."
About half a minute later, the door opened a crack.
Akina Nakamori only showed half of her face, her hair was casually pinned back with a hair clip, her eyes swept over Shin Kitahara, and her face was expressionless.
"May I ask who you are?"
She asked the question very seriously, as if she were really talking to a stranger salesperson.
Kitahara Shin lifted the somewhat worn paper bag he was carrying and said with a smile, "Hello, I'm a deliveryman from Kochi Prefecture. Here's your package."
"express delivery?"
Akina still showed no sign of opening the door, but her eyebrows were raised even higher. "I haven't bought anything recently."
Besides, who delivers packages this late?
"Because this package is a bit special."
Kitahara Shin looked into those eyes that clearly held a hint of temper, and said in a very soft voice, "It's afraid of the dark, and it's afraid of expiring, so I had to pack myself up and send myself over overnight."
The eye peeking through the crack in the door blinked twice.
That deliberately stiff and cold demeanor couldn't hold up, and the corners of her eyes still curved down.
"Glib-tongued."
Akina muttered something, then unchained the security chain. "Come in, don't let the neighbors think I'm having a midnight rendezvous with a delivery guy."
Kitahara Shin walked into the entryway and changed into slippers.
As soon as I stepped into the living room, a rich aroma wafted towards me.
The table was already full of plates.
Beef stewed in red wine, cream of mushroom soup, pan-fried cod, and a rather exquisite-looking vegetable salad. Each dish was presented with great care, even the napkins were folded into flower shapes.
"You've come at the perfect time."
Akina walked to the dining table, picked up the wine bottle, and said casually, as if she had just remembered, "I just finished making these dishes. If you haven't eaten, you can have some with me. I can't finish them anyway."
Kitahara Shin glanced at the large table of dishes.
It's too much for two people; it's clearly a "two-person serving" specifically prepared.
He didn't expose him, but simply took off his coat, hung it up, and pulled out a chair to sit down.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Try this." Akina ladled him a bowl of soup. "It should be alright."
Kitahara Shin took a sip.
The flavor is rich and full-bodied; the umami of the mushrooms and the cream blend perfectly, making it a top-tier Western restaurant.
"How is it?" Akina asked, holding a fork in her hand and glancing in their direction.
"It's delicious."
Kitahara Shin put down his spoon and gave a very fair assessment: "The taste is perfect, and the cooking time is just right. It's just like what you get in high-end restaurants."
Upon hearing the words "just like a restaurant," Akina's hand trembled slightly.
She awkwardly raised her hand to touch the stray hairs by her ear, her gaze drifting towards the floor-to-ceiling window beside her.
"Ahem—of course, I followed the recipe exactly."
Actually, apart from the salad which she mixed herself, the rest of the dishes were all takeout from the French restaurant in Akasaka that she frequents; she just rearranged them on plates when she got back.
She had originally wanted to show off her skills and domestic side to Kitahara Shin, but the last birthday cake almost blew up the kitchen, so she really didn't dare to take the risk this time.
Kitahara Shin watched her slightly guilty little gesture, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
He picked up his fork, forked another piece of beef, and put it in his mouth, chewing it with relish.
This little thought is actually quite cute.
"Oh, right."
Seeing that he was eating happily, Akina felt relieved and started to make conversation, "How's your work going? I read in the newspaper that people aren't very optimistic about the movie you're going to make called 'Ocean Waves,' saying that you only took on the role to promote that young girl."
"Nothing went wrong."
Kitahara Shin cut the cod with a calm expression. "Whether the outside world is optimistic or not is their business. I'm just responsible for acting."
If I think it's worth it, then no one can say anything.
Akina looked at his nonchalant demeanor and gave a meaningful snort.
"You've really changed a lot."
She swirled the wine in her glass, her eyes slightly unfocused. "Back when I met you in that corridor, you were just a nobody actress who was bullied and didn't dare to say a word. Now you're so arrogant."
"That's all thanks to you."
Kitahara Shin put down his knife and fork, looked into Akina's eyes, and said in a sincere tone, "If I hadn't met you back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."
That's absolutely true.
Akina paused for a moment, and her cheeks instantly flushed red.
"What nonsense are you spouting—"
She lowered her head in a fluster, stabbing the broccoli on her plate with her fork. "Eat quickly, the food is getting cold."
The meal took about half an hour, and almost half of the dishes on the table were gone.
"I'll go get the cake."
Akina stood up and walked towards the refrigerator in the kitchen.
Taking advantage of the moment, Kitahara Shin pulled the small box containing the brooch from his pocket.
He didn't take it out directly, but hid it behind his back.
"that----"
Akina came out carrying a white cake box and saw Kitahara Shin standing by the table like a wooden stake, staring at her. Her heart started pounding.
This guy's eyes are way too direct.
"Why are you just standing there like an idiot?" she said, feigning composure as she placed the cake on the table. "Aren't you going to come and help?"
"They're here."
Kitahara Shin went over and helped her take out the cake and put on the candles.
"Smack."
Akina turned off the main light in the living room.
Only a few thin candles flickered in the darkness, their dim yellow light reflecting on the two people's faces.
The two people stood facing each other, with a cake between them.
"I'm truly honored."
Kitahara Shin looked at Akina in the candlelight, his eyes even brighter than usual, "I can hear the nation's diva sing me a birthday song here."
"Dream on."
Akina pouted. "Shouldn't you be singing for me? Today is a belated birthday celebration for me."
"And I'm a bad singer."
Kitahara Shin shrugged helplessly. "I have no intention of becoming a two-way entertainer. For me, being able to focus on and do acting well is already very good enough."
"Tch, excuse."
Akina rolled her eyes at him, and was just about to start singing that somewhat awkward "Happy Birthday to Me" when she heard a deep male voice coming from the other side.
"Happy birthday to you————"
Kitahara Shin's voice wasn't the kind of perfectly skillful voice; it was even a bit deep and hoarse. But he sang very seriously, enunciating each note clearly.
Akina looked at him.
The candlelight danced on his eyelashes.
Although the singing was just average, the sincerity it conveyed seeped into my heart little by little through the song.
She felt a slight soreness in the tip of her nose.
Finished a song.
"Make a wish," Kitahara Shin said.
Akina closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and blew out the candle in one breath.
"Smack."
The lights came on.
The sudden light made them both squint.
Akina picked up a knife, cut the largest piece of cake, and handed it to Kitahara Shin.
"Here, this biggest piece is for you."
Kitahara Shin took the cake plate and casually handed over the small box he had hidden behind his back.
"What is this?" Akina was taken aback.
"Birthday present."
Kitahara Shin pointed to the beautifully packaged box. "It's a few days late, but I think you'll like it. Want to open it and see?"
Akina put down the knife in her hand and took the box somewhat cautiously.
She untied the ribbon and opened the lid.
A deep red coral brooch lay quietly on black velvet.
That shade of red was so rich and intense, like a drop of congealed blood, or a rose blooming in the deep sea. Even someone unfamiliar with the craft could tell it was of the highest quality.
Akina's eyes widened instantly.
"So beautiful————"
She couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the cool surface with her fingertips.
"This is a specialty of Kochi, the Aka coral," Kitahara Shin explained. "The moment I saw it there, I knew it belonged to you."
Akina looked up, her eyes filled with surprise, yet also with a hint of professional scrutiny.
"Can I wear it now?"
"certainly."
Akina picked up the brooch and carefully pinned it to the collar of her beige loungewear.
The originally plain clothes came alive instantly because of this intense red. The red didn't seem out of place; instead, it made her skin look even whiter, and gave her an unusual sharpness and nobility.
She walked to the mirror next to her, looked at herself from left to right, and even touched herself with her hand.
"How is it?"
She turned around, looking at Kitahara Shin with some anticipation. "Is it suitable for me?"
Kitahara Shin looked at her.
The system's evaluation was indeed correct.
Only a soul like hers, which has experienced being broken and rebuilt, could suppress this breathtaking red.
"It suits you very well."
Kitahara Shin nodded, his tone firm. "It's a perfect fit."
Akina looked at herself in the mirror, then at Kitahara Shin standing there.
She suddenly smiled.
That smile seemed to dispel all the fatigue and grievances of the past few days.
She slowly walked forward, stretched out her hands, wrapped them around Kitahara Shin's waist, and pressed her face against his chest.
"Thank you."
The voice was very soft, with a slight nasal tone.
Kitahara Shinya reached out and gently hugged her.
"You're welcome."
The two of them just held each other quietly.
There was no excessive passion, nor any of those blush-inducing or heart-pounding transgressions.
In the busy, restless entertainment industry where everyone is chasing fame and fortune, this embrace is like two small boats sailing in a storm finally finding a harbor where they can dock.
Only the sounds of two heartbeats slowly merged together in the quiet living room.
After a while, the two separated.
Akina awkwardly tossed her hair: "It's time to eat cake."
1
"Um."
"Eat."