When The Timer Hits Zero. ~Iwaoi~

~Part Twenty Eight~

The realization hits me as soon as I open my eyes: today is July 20th. Both my favourite and least favourite day of the year.

I groan, turn around once more, but know that I won't be able to sleep again. The excitement is already rushing through my veins.

After all, isn't one's birthday the best? I'm sure it would be for me, if it didn't get ruined by the whole timer thing that started on this exact day, ten years ago.

I mean, it wasn't a coincidence. Whatever or whoever caused this must have picked my twelfth birthday for a curse disguised as a blessing. To me, the two are kind of connected. It always weighs on my mind, of course. Just extra heavily on this date.

Though I know Iwaizumi is already gone, I still stretch out my arms as widely as possible, secretly hoping to find him. That stupid boss of his doesn't allow him to do anything. And she even asked him to come in earlier today! How rude.

Waking up all alone on your birthday is a bit sad. But it's even worse when you are used to having someone next to you. A bit moody already, I open my eyes. Looks like today will be a bad day.

After letting out another groan, I push myself up. It's fine, Tooru, just think of all the attention and love you'll be getting today! And all the gifts. And cake. And...

Looking at my phone immediately ruins those thoughts. One hundred and seventy-five messages. Is that even normal? How am I supposed to react to all of them? Especially since most of them come from girls that somehow think they've got a chance with me. So annoying...

And as if that isn't bad enough, it seems I slept in a bit too late. In little under an hour, I have to be at the café I'll be meeting my friends at. How am I ever going to prepare for that and answer to all those messages?

I almost allow myself to fall back in bed. I want today to be over already. Who cares if everybody thinks I'm an asshole? I don't want to react to anything, nor do I want to go outside.

The only thing that keeps me sitting up is the fact that I care, actually. My social image is my life. I'll just have to push through it for now. Today won't last forever, after all; it'll be fine!

Though I try my hardest to lift my spirits, I can't help but be in a bad mood. First things first, I need to take a shower. After that, I will come up with a way to send 'thank you' to all one hundred and seventy-five people at once without it sounding fake.

With a deep breath as my final mental preparation for today, I throw the blankets off of myself. The shower is just one door away, I just washed, dried and put away the towels yesterday, and it will help me relax. Come on, Tooru, go.

I love hot showers every now and then, but I can't risk coming out looking like a lobster when I have somewhere to be. So I decide to take a quick, lukewarm shower. And, since today is my birthday, I decide to treat myself by using Iwa's extremely expensive body wash and shampoo. The smell reminds me of him, and calms me down.

After about ten minutes, I jump out, knowing that my hair will take at least another fifteen. I have to dry it with a towel first, then use a hairdryer, then brush it, and then use my hair cream... It's not an easy process.

After that is done, I send a quick "Thank you~! 💖" to everyone that messaged me. 30 minutes to dress myself and walk to the café. That should be enough...

Now knowing that I don't have to hurry anymore, I calmly put on my clothes. Despite it being July, it will be pretty coldish today, thanks to the clouds that have hidden the sun for the past few days.

I take one final look in the mirror.