The following morning brought a return to Minato's more public life, a stark contrast to the covert operations of the previous night. He sat at the breakfast table, the television softly playing the morning news. The headlines spoke of a fire accident in Osaka, prominently featuring images of charred buildings. The reporter's voice confirmed, "No loss of life reported, only property damage." Minato allowed a small, internal sigh of relief. His efforts to prevent widespread disaster, to subtly nudge the timeline, continued to bear fruit. The news quickly shifted to other, mundane local stories.
He spooned cereal into his bowl, the everyday ritual a grounding anchor after the night's intensity. "Mom," he began, looking at Akane, who was preparing bentos for the day. "Tomorrow afternoon, my friends and I are planning a surprise birthday party for Toga. We were hoping we could use the house for it?"
Akane paused, a warm smile spreading across her face. "A surprise party for Himiko? That's wonderful, dear! Of course you can use the house. Just make sure to clean up afterward, alright?"
"We will, Mom, promise!" Minato grinned, knowing his parents' easygoing nature was a huge advantage.
Later, as he headed to his room, Minato pulled out his phone. He typed a quick message to his group chat, which included Mina, Kirishima, and a few others.
Minato: "Good news! Got permission for the party tomorrow afternoon. We can start getting everything ready!"
He knew the messages would spark an immediate flurry of excited replies. As he thought about the upcoming party, his mind drifted to Himiko. It had been six years since he'd intervened with her parents. Their abusive words had stopped almost immediately after his "Kakuzu" visit. Her parents, terrified into submission by the unknown threat, had simply started leaving her alone, retreating into a quiet, almost fearful distance.
This shift, however traumatic it might have initially been, had opened up space for Himiko to grow. Without the constant berating and suppression, her personality had begun to bloom. She was now much more expressive, more outgoing, less guarded. She still had her unique quirks – a certain fascination with blood remained, though it was channeled into artistic and slightly macabre interests rather than any harmful impulses. She'd found a surprising passion for drawing and even took self-defense classes, channeling her intensity into something constructive. She was still Himiko, but a Himiko who felt safer to be herself, a little less stifled, a lot more open to the world and her friends. And tomorrow, they would celebrate her.
The next day dawned bright and clear. For Minato, it was a day of carefully orchestrated secrecy. Around mid-morning, he made a call to Himiko Toga.
Himiko's heart gave a hopeful flutter when she got a call from Minato. A small smile touched her lips, convinced he was about to wish her a happy birthday.
"Hey, Toga," he said, his voice deliberately casual, giving nothing away. "Can you come over to my place this afternoon? Around... let's say, 2 PM?"
When Toga heard what Minato asked,
"Sure, Minato-kun! I'll be there!" she answered back. But then, the call ended. Minato hadn't wished her anything. No "Happy Birthday." No "hope you have a good day." Nothing.
Himiko slowly lowered her phone. Her bright smile faltered, replaced by sadness. She had woken up this morning with a quiet excitement, hoping for texts, calls, anything. But the day had been silent. Not Minato, not Mina, not Kirishima, not a single classmate had remembered. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. Nobody remembered, she thought, her eyes clouding over. The initial spark of hope Minato's call had given her fizzled out, leaving a dull ache of disappointment.
Meanwhile, Minato, having successfully played his part in the deception, immediately called Mina Ashido.
"Hey, Mina! Did you call everyone from our class and Toga's class for the party?" Minato asked, his voice low and conspiratorial.
"Yup! Sent out the messages last night and got RSVPs from almost everyone!" Mina's voice, as always, was bubbling with excitement. "Are the decorations ready? How are preparations going on your end?"
"Everything's going well," Minato confirmed, glancing around his living room, which was already buzzing with quiet activity as a few early birds began setting up. "Kirishima's bringing the cake, right?"
"Confirmed!" Mina practically squealed. "He said it's gonna be super manly!"
Minato chuckled. "Alright. Just make sure everyone's here by 12 PM. We want to be ready when Toga gets here at two."
"Got it, boss!" Mina chirped before Minato cut the call. The plan was in motion. The birthday girl would have no idea what was coming.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows as Himiko Toga made her way to Minato's villa. The earlier sting of forgotten hopes still lingered, a quiet ache in her chest. She approached the grand door, a faint sense of disappointment clinging to her despite Minato's invitation. She lifted her hand and pressed the doorbell, the chime echoing in the quiet afternoon.
Almost instantly, the door swung open. Minato stood there, a neutral expression on his face. "Hey, Toga," he said, stepping aside. "Come on in."
Himiko stepped across the threshold, her gaze fixed on Minato. She took one step inside, then another, the visiting hall stretching before her. Her eyes scanned the seemingly empty space, a quiet sigh building in her throat.
Suddenly, from every corner, from behind furniture and curtains, a cacophony of voices erupted!
"SURPRISE!"
The shout was deafening, followed by a chorus of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOGA!"
Mina Ashido practically launched herself from behind a sofa, grinning from ear to ear, confetti already clinging to her pink skin. Kirishima Eijiro emerged from behind a wall. Behind them, a dozen familiar faces from their classes, all beaming, emerged into the hall, each clutching streamers, party poppers, or small, wrapped gifts.
Himiko froze, her eyes wide, glistening. The sadness that had shadowed her all day shattered, replaced by a wave of overwhelming shock and then, pure, unadulterated joy. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek, but this one was from happiness. She looked from the excited faces of her friends to Minato, who now sported a knowing, gentle smile. They hadn't forgotten. They had planned this all along.
Himiko Toga stood frozen for a moment, her wide eyes darting from face to familiar face. The initial shock gave way to an overwhelming surge of emotion. A choked sob escaped her, quickly followed by a joyous, slightly wobbly laugh. "You guys!" she squealed, her usual quiet demeanor completely forgotten as she launched herself into a group hug with Mina and Kirishima, who caught her with delighted cheers. Tears streamed down her face, but they were tears of pure, unadulterated happiness. "You didn't forget! You tricked me!"
The living room, now fully revealed, was a vibrant explosion of balloons, streamers, and a banner proclaiming "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIMIKO TOGA!" The air buzzed with excited chatter and the infectious energy of a surprise party.
The celebration kicked into high gear. Kirishima, beaming, carefully set down the cake – a surprisingly intricate creation adorned with little blood-red icing swirls and tiny, edible fangs, clearly made with a "manly" interpretation of Toga's aesthetic.
"Alright, Toga! Make a wish!" Mina urged, practically vibrating with excitement.
Himiko, her eyes shining, stood before the cake. She closed her eyes, a genuine, untroubled smile gracing her lips, and then, with a joyful puff, blew out the candles. A wave of applause and cheers erupted.
"Open presents, Toga!" Shinada, a classmate of Toga yelled, already holding out a brightly wrapped box.
The afternoon was a whirlwind of laughter, teasing, and shared joy. Himiko, usually a bit reserved, blossomed under the attention. She giggled as she opened a quirky set of art supplies, a slightly edgy but stylish scarf, and a surprisingly practical self-defense manual from other classmates.
"This is the best birthday ever!" she exclaimed at one point, her eyes sparkling, confetti still clinging to her hair.
"You deserve it, Toga-chan!" Mina declared, pulling her into another tight hug.
As the party reached its peak, the music pumping through the speakers, Minato subtly made his way to the corner where an electric guitar stood.
Then Minato cut the music. The sudden silence drew everyone's attention. He picked up the electric guitar, settling it comfortably against him. A hush fell over the room as he strummed the opening chords.
The iconic riff of "I'll Be There For You (Theme From Friends)" filled the villa.
Himiko's eyes widened, a softness entering them. As Minato's clear, earnest voice began to sing, the lyrics seemed to speak directly to her.
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
(Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.)
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year,1 but
Minato's gaze found Toga's. His voice was filled with a quiet strength, a warmth that resonated with their shared history. He remembered the frightened, subdued little girl he'd spied on, the one whose parents had tried to crush her spirit. He remembered the quiet anger he felt watching her pain. And now, he saw the joyful, expressive young woman before him, a testament to resilience and the power of genuine friendship.
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
Toga's eyes filled with tears again, but these were the purest kind. She looked at Minato, then around at all her friends, who were now swaying gently. The lyrics were a balm to her soul, a stark contrast to the isolation she had once felt. She remembered the fear, the loneliness, the constant pressure to be someone she wasn't.
You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees that
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah!
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year
And then, she remembered the sudden, inexplicable shift, the way her parents had just... backed off. She didn't know why, but she knew that Minato had always been there, a constant, steady presence, even when she felt most alone. He had seen her, truly seen her, and accepted her for who she was, Quirks and all. This song, coming from him, was a tangible promise, a beautiful articulation of the lifeline he had silently extended to her.
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
I'll be there for you
The song finished, and the applause was warm, heartfelt. Himiko, wiping her eyes, rushed over to Minato and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you, Minato-kun," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for everything."
Minato hugged her back, a genuine, content smile on his face. "Happy birthday, Toga," he murmured. "We're always here for you."