so! first things first, i used certain symbols to part the story into its pieces.

• • • • • • – this is a perspective change.

\ \ \ – this is a time skip.

.... – this is simply just a momentary pause.

~ – this is a day skip. each one represents a day. the last one has two tildes, meaning two days were skipped that time.

now, unfortunately i must post this eugh ough augh

fanfiction... WARNING there's kinda like megaman.exe/protoman.exe stuff its not intense its just """bros""" hanging out and its pretty much just one part you most likely will survive

but this is specifically based on chauds birthday yes. you would have figured this out immediately why am i still here ANYWAY literally this

Birthdays.

Some are celebrated, some are not.

Either way, it marks the day that someone was born into an unanticipated life.

I've really never celebrated my birthday. I've always had other, more important things to deal with.
Being vice president of one of the biggest gaming companies and a NetSaver isn't easy. There's always something going on.

ProtoMan is in charge of my schedule. He always has been, and he's really great at it. I wouldn't trust another Navi to do what he can. But he, much like Lan and the others, have been insisting that I take time off for my birthday. I've always told them– well, Lan mostly, that I can't stop doing my job just to 'celebrate' some day.
I've always been told it's really just another day anyways. I'm ordered to make use of myself, not waste time. But some people would disagree. A lot would, actually. Most individuals prefer to have time for themselves on their 'special day.' Celebrate you, right? ...Not for me.

Right now I sit at my desk, typing away at this computer, the only things keeping me from falling asleep of tiredness and boredom are the scent of hot coffee and the endless thoughts in my mind.

...Recently i've noticed the absence of ProtoMan. Occasionally now he has been excusing himself to wander the Net for a few hours. That's really all I know. Matter of fact, he just left again a few minutes ago. What has he been up to?
MegaMan might know. But that also means Lan could be involved too and he's most likely not going to tell me. MegaMan probably wouldn't tell me either then...

...I suppose I'll find out eventually. I should focus on what I'm doing anyway.

• • • • • •

I sit alone in the Network of Lan's computer. Eyes closed, quietly idle. Today had been less than fruitful so far. As usual, Papa is at SciLab, Mama is in the kitchen, and... Lan is there too right now. So you may be wondering what exactly am I doing just sitting here? Well... waiting. Waiting for what?
...
"MegaMan!"

Ah, there. I am no longer alone.
The one who called out to me is exactly who I expected to see. The red NetNavi that's been occupying himself here recently.

"ProtoMan!" I greet him with a smile, to which he nods in return. "How long can you stay?"

"...Two hours at max. Chaud is currently busy but I wish to not be away too long."

Ah, so he doesn't raise too much suspicion? Well, okay. "That's fine. We should be almost done with it all anyway..."

"Yes. I've already made contact with Roll, she says Mayl and Yai are almost done as well."
"Perfect! Then we should be ready in time. Now what else do you plan to do?"
The ever-growing smirk on his face at the question is enough to tell me he's thought of something. "Well..."

\ \ \

Needless to say, ProtoMan has secretly been waiting excitedly for this month to come. May 8th is his Operator's birthday! Any Navi would want to do the best they can to help their Operator celebrate, of course. ProtoMan has been thinking of ways to make Chaud's birthday an enjoyable, non-work day for a while now, but he couldn't do it all by himself. So that's where the rest of us come in! I'm helping him plan everything out, set it all up... This, that and the other. You get the point.
ProtoMan decided that he wanted to give Chaud a gift. With the type of gift it is though, we let Roll, Mayl and Yai handle that part. They wanted to help too, and I trust them the most with what they're doing. They're girls, after all! So however they end up with what ProtoMan wants to give to Chaud, I think the result will be perfect.
Lan has been helping out too of course. It was his idea to take Chaud out somewhere, he just doesn't know where is the best place yet. Mama is also contributing to Lan's idea, so maybe they'll find out where together. Anyways.

Our planning had eventually became just hanging out. It's always comfortable to just spend time with him...

That thought may have taken over, because the next thing I know I'm leaning into his hair. Huh...

• • • • • •

Originally I came to the Hikari's Network to assess the rest of our plans. We had been working on making 'just a normal day' into 'Chaud Blaze's Birthday.'
So far, we were almost done. I'm waiting to hear from Roll when they get done with the present... Oh and when Lan actually knows where he wants to take Chaud. I know him the best, so of course I'm helping with that too, but Lan can come up with a good idea on his own when he really tries.

Either way, we're almost done with this excruciatingly boring process. I know it will all go well and be ready before his birthday, but why do I feel so tense? Nevermind.
Like I said, originally I came here for all that. But then MegaMan offered to stay a little longer. I don't think he was fully paying attention, it seemed like he was half there and half spaced out. But as you can tell...

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to just stay a little longer..."

I accepted his offer.
Not long after some quiet chatter and small pauses of comfortable silence was there a brunette leaning on me with his face smothered in my hair.
I don't particularly mind, and this wasn't the first time either. But he is definitely not paying attention.

"...Hub."

"Huh–"
The sudden use of his name caught his attention, and he lifted his head up. "Ah. Sorry."

"Don't be. But are you alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've seemed to have been in a daze for about 15 minutes now."

"Oh."

...Okay...

"Yeah, I'm fine, just... tired, is all."

Hm. "If you say so."

....

"I think I should be going. I don't want to stay gone for too long. In the meantime, if you're really that tired, you should rest."

"But..."

"And don't worry, you've still been a big help."

Out of instinct, I ended up patting his head. He then straightened up from leaning on my shoulder to look at me. "Fine."
"But you better rest later too."

Heh. Predictable response. "I plan to."

"...Good. See you later, ProtoMan."

"See ya." And with that, I jacked out.

\ \ \

Ahh, back into the space of Master's PET. Cozy.

"Oh, ProtoMan. You're back."
Noticed that someone's home, I see.

"That I am."

"Where have you been?"

You'll know in a few days, Chaud...
"The Net...nowhere important. There has been a lack of viruses around our Network recently, so I did not have much to do."

"I see. Well, I suppose that's good then."

"Yes."

I know he wants to ask more. But he's not going to get an answer. Not yet.
He seems to know that.

Well, he shouldn't be surprised when I tell him that there is nothing on our schedule for the eighth day of this month.

~

"Hey, Lan! Get up!"
"LAN!"

"WHA–" ..Ow!
A familiar voice acts as the sound of my alarm clock, waking me up so well that I fell out of my bed once again. "Good morning to you too, MegaMan..."

"Good morning, Lan. Listen, Mayl wants to see you today. Apparently ProtoMan's gift is ready." Oh?

"Already? Sweet!" Looks like I have something to do today then!

"Yeah. We need to hold onto it for him until the day comes, so don't mess around with it!" Hey...

"I got it, I got it! I wouldn't dare mess up something so special!"

"Just making sure." Pft. How nice of you...

"Anyways, Lan, have you figured out where you want to take Chaud yet? There's only two more days you know."

"I know. I talked with ProtoMan... And I think I have a good idea of where now, yes."

"Oh, good! Then I guess all that's really left is to put our plan into action."

"Yeah! That's what I like to hear!!"

"Heheh. What, not a fan of planning things?"

"That's all so boring! I can't believe you and ProtoMan actually sat there and did all of that!"

"I can't believe I still have to help you with your homework." Oh you— Wipe that smirk off of your face you little!

"MegaMan!!!"

"Hehe. Gotcha."

"Any...way... Mayl. Usual spot?"

"Yes, at the park. You can get ready to go now actually. You slept in a bit late."

"Agh... And I'm still tired!!"

"As always. I'll tell Roll that you'll be there shortly."

"Thanks."

\ \ \

"Mayl!"

Right on time for once. At least she wasn't waiting too long!

"Oh, hey Lan! Look!"
Mayl carefully held up what could only be what we're here for.
"Woah! That thing is shiny!"

"Sure is. I think they both will be happy with this." MegaMan chimed in.

"Yeah! Yai and I made sure it would be perfect! It was actually super fun, and I think it looks great!"

"It sure does, Mayl.. thank you for helping!"

"No problem, Lan! Anything to help our friends!"
I was handed the new prized possession of the week – I was to keep this safe until I can give it to ProtoMan. Because, well... ProtoMan has to actually be here to give it to Chaud.

The rest of the day wasn't that exciting, I had ProtoMan make a reservation at one of the places I decided we should go to in a few days, since he has control over more money than me... And when he mentions BlazeQuest, the vice president no less, of course he can always get better things. Anyway. I hung out with my friends, did some NetBattling... the usual. That is until MegaMan brought up finishing the last bit of homework that I hadn't touched yet. Well, it's definitely not exciting. And I do feel like I do it every day... Jeez what am I even saying?

"Ahh!! But I'm tired!"

"Look, I'll be helping you with this, like always. You gotta focus for once! If you do it now then there's nothing to do tomorrow! So you can relax before his birthday!"

Deep dramatic sigh. Yes, these are words I think of every time homework is brought up.

"...Alright, fine, I'll do it."

"Good!"

And so the day continued, and eventually I finished my homework with a headache. Yeowch.
I'm just glad that time moves on...

~~

A sunny morning once again.
Today is May 8th. Chaud's birthday. It's time to do this.
I'm still tense, for some reason, but not as much as before. At least watching the sun rise is relaxing in a way.
But first things first, what good is his day of birth's celebration if he only stays a sleeping beauty?

I mean this in both ways.
He's adorable when he's sleeping.
But we can't do anything while he's still in bed.

In a few minutes he will be awake, however. It is routine. Just as the clock turns six‐thirty...

"Mmgghhh...."

Yep. There's that tired voice.

"ProtoMan?"

"Yes, sir?" I already know what you want to hear...

"What time is it..?"

Mhm.

"Six-thirty on the dot. Good morning, sir."

"...Good morning, Proto..."

Just like I said, routine.

\ \ \

"So we really have nothing on our schedule today?"

"Yes. There is nothing to do."

"That's weird. There's usually always something to do around this time..." No, not this time. I'm making sure of it.

"Sir?"

"...Hu– Oh. Hm?" Why is everyone spacing out now?

"...Is the CopyBot charged, sir?" It should be. He doesn't leave it with a dead battery.

"Err... yes. It is." Good.

"I wish to use it."

"...Okay.."

In a few minutes was I to be where I wanted. Outside of the PET. As comfortable it may be, I can't do anything here.
Speaking of comfortable, it feels nice to not be wearing a helmet, the times that I do take it off. Like now.
One red helmet dissappears into a data stream as I stand waiting.

"There."

Here we go.

A NetNavi can become part of the physical world once they inhabit a CopyBot. While it is only temporary, I don't mind in this case.

....

So here I stand in Master's bedroom once more.
I have something to do, however. I already told MegaMan, so now I need to see Lan.

"If you don't mind, sir, I would like to step out for a little while."

"That's fine."

"Thank you."

Progress. Only way is forward now.

\ \ \

As airheaded as he is, Lan is still... intelligent. I'm grateful for his help in this.

Unsurprisingly, I made it there first. It's just like a Hikari to be running late.
Well, Lan I should say.

Surprisingly, he wasn't actually that late. Just a little bit after I got there was unmistakably the skittering sound of rollerskates on the ground.
But you don't need that to know that Lan is present in your immediate vicinity. Anything else will do.

"Hey! ProtoMan!!"

Looks like he's been forced to be extra careful to keep it safe. Good.

"Lan."

"Hey!!"

Sometimes I wonder how MegaMan deals with him. He's like a dog sometimes.
I mean this now because he felt the need to lean into what would have been my personal space just to say hi.
Such a handful... it's amusing, actually.

"Hi, Lan. Is that...?"

"Sure is! Here ya go!"

I didn't expect it to be so...

"...It's perfect. I think this is better than what I imagined."

This wasn't even Lan's part in helping and his excitement makes it look like it was.

"Great! Mayl and Yai are gonna be so happy!"

"It's really shiny... huh..."

I think I'm falling victim to spacing out now too. Maybe that's because I like particularly shiny things? Who knows.
But I'll be honest, this really is better than what I imagined.
No, you don't get to know what this is yet. Patience is excruciating but a virtue and also very important when it comes to battle. Trust me.

"Thank you, Lan. If you see them before I do, please tell them I said thanks as well."

"Got it!"

Now, time should be working in our favor...

And everything will fall into place.

Now it's time I make my way back.

\ \ \

"Master Chaud, I have returned."

"Oh, hey ProtoMan."
"Hey, can you help me with a few things for a moment?"

"I'd be delighted to."

A few trivial tasks never hurt anyone. I in particular like helping. Plus, I need to waste some time anyways.

Even though I have scheduled today free, it's just like him to still be doing things on that computer...

At least he looks like he's in a good mood.

"...Chaud. Lan and MegaMan wish to visit."

"Today?"

"Yes. At twelve, if that is okay."

"Yeah... Yeah, that's alright."

"I'll let him know."

\ \ \

I'll tell you first– that was not 'a moment.' But it worked out nicely.
Somehow, some way, gracefully enough time was spent in doing small things for there to be enough time left for what we needed.
Things really are falling into place, aren't they? I feel moderately less tense now.

"ProtoMan, would you mind grabbing me another coffee?"

"No problem, sir. One moment."

As much as I know he's tired, he should really stop drinking that stuff. It's not gonna help him...

Either way, I left to get Chaud some coffee.

Eventually the more-so quiet space became crowded with new presence. Once again, anything will suffice to tell you that you are definitely near a Hikari.
Right now, we have two. But one is always more obnoxious than the other. All I need is one certain voice to tell me that Lan has made his entrance.

• • • • • •

Today is already starting out odd.
Well, maybe not. I guess I should expect this. It is my birthday.
I know they're up to something, I just don't know what.
Maybe that suspense is all that they need.

It's not unusual for Lan to be visiting, especially for my birthday. Countless times has he tried to get me to relax for once, or just persistently keep telling me "Happy Birthday, Chaud!"
I said a few days ago, didn't I? I really am not one to celebrate it.
But like Lan said one time...
I'm stuck with them, no matter what. Whether I like it or not, they're my friends.

And honestly... it's not so bad.
I suppose the fact that they keep trying is proof that they care.

Their antics have even gotten to ProtoMan, it seems. I know he's been busy with things he'd never tell me at the time. Not like he hasn't always been trying to get me to take it easy...

...He should be back with that coffee soon.

But anyway. Lan is here.

....

"Chaud!!! Happy birthday!!"

Energetic as ever.
However I don't have much time to actually think that since as soon as I open the door of my bedroom I'm being tackled into a hug from none other than this dork.

"You say that like it's your birthday."

"Oh c'mon! Nobody ever died from being happy!"

"Maybe we can make that a thing?" Surely not but hey.

That actually made him let me go...

"No! I'd... rather not. There can only be one Lan and he's staying alive!"

"Oh boy, good to know. Anyway.. thank you."

"Huh? Oh. No problemo!"

This guy...
"I fear that your scatterbrained condition is contagious, Hikari."

"Hey! That was your fault anyway!"

"I know."
If I stare at him with a smirk long enough do you think I can focus his unfocus? Hocus-pocus Lan Hikari is atrocious. Sorry, what? Oh.
That was a joke. But now I'm unfocused. Maybe the Lan Disease IS contagious...

"Anyways, uh.. come sit down or something. I just got finished with some stupid documents, so now I have nothing left to do."

Back in my room we go.

And of course the first thing he does is dive straight into my bed.

"SHO SAWFT!!"

...And smother his face into the pillows.

• • • • • •

Now that it was finally time we could go do fun stuff, I crashed into Chaud's place. Well, more like crashed into his bed.
Why can't my bed be so soft!?

After one unnecessary inhale of nothing as I asphyxiate into his pillows, I end up in a coughing fit.

COUGH!! COUGH!!

...Smells like Chaud. Bleh.

I guess I'll sit up for now then...

"What's the matter, Lan? Allergic to elegance?" Elegance my–

"Shaddap, I choked on air."

"Maybe for future reference don't rapidly inhale."

"You can't stop me!"

"Then you may have no choice but to suffocate." Darn.

"Okay, fine."

I should have MegaMan teach me how to be a more logical thinker. One day I'm gonna have a better way to deal with his unfortunately logically true remarks.
That's for a way later time though.

I didn't even notice he wasn't here until he was back, but ProtoMan came in with a cup of coffee and a glass of water. Huh, he must have already knew I was here...

"Hey ProtoMan!"

"Hello, Lan."

At least now I have something to ease the sting in my throat! All that coughing hurts.

"Here you go, sir. And Lan.."

"Thank you."
"Thanks!"

"No problem."

"So Lan..."

The sudden interruption of Chaud's voice makes me perk my head up. "Mm?"

"Is there any important reason as to why you're here?" Uh.

"Is saying happy birthday not important enough? What if I just wanted to see ya?"

"I know you have to have at least some reason, right?" Can he not question me for once– whatever, this works out anyways.

"Wellll..."
"You said you didn't have anything going on now, right? Today is all free?"

"...Yeah?"

"That's because you're gonna be subject to a good time today!"

"What do you–"

"Master, you work too much. So much that you didn't even realize exactly when I started shifting our schedule."

"Is that what you've been doing all this time?"

"...More or less."

A silent chuckle from MegaMan was enough to remind me that he was here too. Eavesdrop much? Anyway. I suppose he decided to not directly interrupt...

"Yeah Chaud, you work too much! That's gonna change for today!"

"Must you keep the 'how' of that a secret, though?"

"Right, right... well! Chaud! You have places that you'd wish you could go but can't go to, right?"

"Yes..? I believe everyone probably does. Why– Oh."
"ProtoMan, did you...?"

"Yes, I did. You no longer have to just wish."

Yeah!!

"I... don't know what to say? Thank you."

"Come on, you can say that you're excited!"

"I– I certainly am not as excited as you."

"Of course, of course."

Well, one good thing about celebrating someone else's birthday is that you still get to be part of the fun too, obviously!

I believe Chaud was about to say something rude. But then ProtoMan did one of those silence-breaking fake coughs.

"You are dearly welcome, Master."
"I would imagine that you would prefer to be starting early?"

"If possible, sure."

"Then you may want to be prepared now. I'm sure Lan can abruptly come up with more ways to steal your time." Wait huh?

"..Ah... Right. In that case, you'll have to excuse me then Lan."

Wow. Okay?

"That's... that's fine, if we're going so soon then I'll need some time too."

We're actually doing this now.

So we're gonna go places, we're gonna have fun, and it's gonna be a really good time and a really good birthday. I can't wait!
I think the waiting I've already done is making me melt...

\ \ \

Later on we met with Mayl and Yai, who are coming with us! I got to dress in anything other than my normal outfit for a change, and I sure tell ya... wearing normal shoes after riding on rollerskates feels weird.

MegaMan got to use our CopyBot too. It's surprising just how much the Navi Customization can do regarding looks. And it's definitely an interesting sight to see ProtoMan with his hair up in a ponytail... I think MegaMan might have frozen all of his systems if he wasn't already expecting to see something like that.

But we really did go places... we did a lot of cool stuff! And we went to the arcade! Everyone loves the arcade. I remember Chaud had a lot of fun here with Anetta.
Too bad she couldn't be here right now...
Anyway, Chaud is amazingly good at quite the handful of the games which is almost scary. So is ProtoMan. Maybe the fact that ProtoMan has actually raced before means that the racing games would be easier? I don't know. Either way, they're both really good.

• • • • • •

So far it was going great, and it was pretty fun. We went to the arcade, some of Chaud's favorite places, did some sightseeing at places that I've already forgotten the names of, walked around just hanging out in between... now it was time for one of the final acts.
Any fancy restaurant, per usual, has a special room for special people.
That means privacy. One thing that there can never be too much of, if you ask me.

Anyway, around this time is when I had planned to give Chaud his present. Honestly, it's really not much. But I think he'll like it.

So we got situated, talked about things...
I excused myself for a little while, that tense feeling creeping back up on me. I went outside for a moment and waited.
And I finally decided to make it time, as I walked back.

You may not know, but I'm fond of unexpected entrances.
In this case it's less than what I would normally do, but... Chaud still wasn't expecting me to run over and jump on the table just enough for it to be a new chair. He looked, quite surprised.

Remember kids, use your imagination. Take advantage of your tables. It can even be a bed if you really want it to be.

• • • • • •

I expected to eventually be confronted with their not exactly secret plan.
What I didn't expect was just how much fun it would be. I really was grateful for everything they had done already. I hadn't gotten to do anything like this in a while....
What I also didn't expect was for ProtoMan to reappear so suddenly, energetically dashing up to the table we were seated at.
It was amusing to see the way he abruptly just came and jumped up to the table, but what had my attention more was what he was holding in his hands.
A gift?

It was particularly small, but knowing him, he's got something interesting.

"Happy birthday, Master Chaud!!"

Ah, so he says it now. I was wondering when he would do that.
Those words usually feel different when he says them. But in a good way.
He handed me the small box with a smile on his face.

Size is something you should never underestimate. Bombs can be small. Where do you think the Minibomb battlechip got it's name from? Literally.
Anyway. Open the box, and...

...I never would have thought.

"ProtoMan.."

But he did.

"This is– This is amazing! Thank you, I–"

I think my reaction was pleasing to everyone. Maybe I was smiling too much, but I don't care. My Navi just got me one of the best gifts I could even think of.

"How? How was this made? What even–"

I'm definitely smiling too much. ProtoMan's laughter cut me off, and he's very, very happy.

"It's a... badge of sorts. As far as the making process, I wouldn't know. We entrusted that to dear Yai and Mayl."

I look over to said girls who are definitely never forgetting this moment.
I don't think I mind too much.

"You know, NetOp's usually have some sort of accessory, of their Navi's crest. It links their bond, their strengths, even their weaknesses..."
"You never had mine. So I decided to change that."
"Chaud, I wouldn't prefer any other Operator. I'll serve you until I'm reluctantly deleted, which is just about the hardest thing to do. And even then, I'll find my way back to you."

"What was it that I promised you when you were so very young? It may be childish to think now, but I still stand true to it."

"Chaud, I will be your NetNavi forever."

...I don't think I've ever hugged anyone so tight before.
But he hugs me back the same way.
He's right... we're inseparable.

"And I'd never wish for a different NetNavi, ProtoMan... We're a team, through and through."

I think I might start crying. I can't, I–

"Thank you... thank you. All of you. I'm... overjoyed. Thank you, Yai, Mayl... thank you for helping ProtoMan with this."

"You're so welcome, Chaud! That's what friends are for!" Mayl is too sweet...

"Oh, please! It was super fun to begin with! I'm glad you enjoy it." Of course, Yai... It's more than just enjoyed, though. I will never lose sight of this.

"Exactly! What they said! We're always here for you! So I'm really, really happy that you had fun today." Yeah, me too, Lan.

"Ahah! I think I may just cry. This was no problem, Chaud. We're all obviously happy to make your day better, birthday or not."

"Thank you, MegaMan, everyone..."

"And thank you again, ProtoMan. This is really special. I suppose I should have had something like this sooner, huh? But at the same time... I don't think I'd prefer to receive it any other way."

"Hah. Agreed."

And with that, we spent the rest of our time dining, and enjoying the rest of the day.

"Happy birthday, Chaud!!"

"Happy birthday, my Master."

I'm glad they did this. But celebrating itself isn't the important part.

It's who I celebrated with.

Birthdays.

Some birthdays are celebrated, some are not.

Apparently, I was meant to have possibly the best day of my life today.

It happened to be my birthday, which I celebrated.

I celebrated with my friends.