“Everyone here? Alright, then let’s begin planning,” you grinned and threw a fist in the air, earning a chuckle from everyone in the room.

“Oya Oya, someone is excited to plan out Mokuren’s birthday party,” Zakuro sang, setting his left elbow on the restaurant bar and resting his chin atop his knuckles.

“Are you certain you don’t want me to hire a professional to plan the party?” Hari asked, adjusting his glasses with his index finger.

“I am sure! Mokuren will be much happier knowing that we planned their birthday party. So, what should the theme be?” You glanced around the room while tapping the back of a blue pen on your chin. The room went silent as the members exchanged thoughtful glances. You stared into the flames of the white lit candle on your table, running through a list of Mokuren’s favorite things.

“Well, Moku likes food, so what about a food-related theme?” Kasumi smiled.

“That’s a great idea. Mokuren is a foodie, after all. Hm, what to do with food?” You glanced at Qu, Hari, and Zakuro, signaling them for their ideas. The singer shrugged his shoulder, a sly smile never leaving his glistening lips.

“I doubt Moku will care for the theme of the party, so what if we arrange multiple food bars?” Qu suggested and continued to explain when he received blank looks, “Since our leader loves ramen, why not have a make your own ramen bar? We could also have an ice-cream bar.”

“That is an acceptable idea,” Hari gave a firm nod, “should we have multiple courses? From salad to appetizers to dinner, and finally dessert.”

“Don’t forget beverages,” Zakuro chimed in, “coffee, wine, and tea?”

“You guys are geniuses!” You clapped your hands together and nodded at each of their ideas. “But will we be able to handle everything?”

“We could always ask the other members of Starless to help out, namely Kongou,” Kasumi smiled and patted your back.

“Oh, let’s decorate the venue with purple decorations to match Moku’s glowstick color.”

With your final suggestion, the team C members made a few calls to arrange for catering, venue location, and party supplies. Qu visited Kongou in the kitchen and requested his help with the food bars, and the chef happily agreed. Zakuro and Kasumi were responsible for the decorations, Hari handled the caterers, Kongou helped with the dessert and drink bars, and Qu supervised everyone. You were assigned the most difficult task to keep Mokuren distracted on their birthday until the party started.

—-

On the day of their birthday, you decided to play a little prank on Mokuren. The team leader thought you called them to your favorite park to wish them a happy birthday, but much to their shock, you simply greeted them and said it was a great day. 

“Is there anything else you would like to tell me?” Moku asked in a slightly hopeful tone. 

“Huh? Oh, right! I’m starving, let’s go eat,” you giggled, knowing well what they were trying to hint. You held onto their arm and tried to pull them away from there, but Moku freed their hand from your grasp and turned their back to you. 

“Moku? Is something wrong?” You asked while trying to hold back your urge to laugh at them sulking. Before Mokuren could do or say anything, you got a text from Qu informing you that everything was set. 

“Ah, Moku, stop sulking! Come on.” You interlaced your fingers in theirs and started walking in the direction of the party location. “Your team members want to discuss something regarding Team C’s next show. Qu asked me to bring you here.” 

As soon as the two of you walk into the building, the Team C members yell a loud “Happy Birthday, Mokuren”. 

“So, you do remember?” They chuckled and rested their hand on your back. Mokuren had a sudden realization as they scanned around the hall, their eyes growing in size. 

“Is something wrong?” Kasumi asked, looking around the venue and back at their team leader. 

“Where is the food?” 

“We were supposed to get food?” Zakuro asked, teasingly. 

“There is…no food?” Mokuren nearly pouted, earning a chuckle from you. 

“Like we would forget your beloved food,” you led them through another set of doors into the main party hall where the other Starless members were waiting. 

“Happy birthday, Mokuren!” The cast members chorused. 

Mokuren’s eyes sparkled when they saw the five food bars set for them: a drink bar with coffee, wine, and tea, an appetizer bar with a collection of hors d’oeuvre from around the world, a make your own ramen bar, a make your own ice-cream bar, and a second dessert bar with a variety of donuts, cakes, cupcakes, pies, and pastries. 

“Happy Birthday, Moku,” you whispered, watching them examining the food stalls. 

“You…planned all this? Thank you.” Their facial features softened as a smile spread across their lips. 

“Your teammates helped a lot.” 

“I see. Thank you, everyone,” Mokuren smiled, “but this does not mean I will go easy on any of you during rehearsals.”

“Ara Ara, seems like our efforts were for naught.” 

Mokuren playfully glared at Zakuro before turning their attention to you. “What about my present?” 

“Your present? Let’s see.” You leaned closer to their face and pressed your lips on theirs. Most of the Starless members cheered your action, but some of the younger members yelled, “YUCK! Go get a room!”