Ch. 3 - Friends night out.

Just like always, I was working nonstop, not because I need to earn more money but because I have nothing else to do, I tend to be busy to keep my mind focus and to prevent myself from having memory flashbacks or imagine. Even so, my work pays well so its a win-win condition. However, todays seems to be busier than usual, a huge group of foreigners fill all the seats in the restaurant, and our waiters are having a hard time understanding english, but thank goodness our menu's have pictures in them.

It was so busy, I almost faint from chopping to stirring, from frying to grilling. It was intense. I almost faint and there are alot of times I lost track of what I was doing, we really need more staff.

*6 hours later*

Kazuo : "Pheww~ were alot busier today."

Ryota : "That was alot of work, not gonna lie."

Akagi : "Good work today guys."

I said as I continue to wash some dishes and take care of leftovers. Im still feeling a bit energetic after today's hard work, I dont know why, but it seems whenever I have fun doing something I dont get tired at all.

Chinatsu : "Hey guys, there's a karaoke bar that just opened a few blocks away, wanna try it out?"

Haruna : "Really? guys, wanna test it out?"

I only realized it was that day of the week again, every Saturday, when they dont have to go to class tomorrow, we always go to a different place to relax. Even though I dont go to college and I only work for my whole life, I tend to join and enjoy little things like this. I dont do anything other than work.

Kazuo : "Well the night's still young, so why not?"

Ryota : "Haruna, wanna go?"

Haruna nods.

Chinatsu : "Akagi senpai?"

I continue to wipe the plates and remain silent for a few seconds. "Sure" I replied, I have nothing else to do anyway and were close for dine in customers tomorrow, so why not have some fun.

Chinatsu : "Alright! let's change out of our uniforms and lets go!"

Haruna : "We girls will change first."

Kazuo and Ryota chuckles.

Chinatsu : "Yeah, boys stay the f*ck out."

Kazuo : "Ayo- Chinatsu chill, watch that mouth."

Ryota : "Well wait here, actually I might help Akagi for a minute."

Before he does, I placed the last plates back at the shelves and shunned its door loudy, signaling im done.

Ryota : "Well nevermind."

"I will inform my father about this first and ask of I can come." I simply said.

Kazuo : "Why do you always need to do that? does he limits your actions?"

Ryota : "No offense but, shouldn't you make the decision for yourself now?"

As I stepping up the stairs to my father's office, I look back to them and said.

"It's better he's informed of what im doing." I said with an assertive voice. This left them silent as I continue to walk upstairs.

*Knock knock*

"Father, its me."

I didn't receive any reply, I place my ear near the door and I heard he's taking a call, judging by how formal, polite and detailed he speaks with confident voice, I can tell he had another client for catering again.

I slightly open the door, I can see him sitting in his chair, he notice the door opened and knows im there, he wave his hand signaling me to come inside quietly, im probably needed for this event so he ask me to come inside so I can hear what they're talking about.

I stood there with my hands at my back for a few minutes, he put down the phone, the call must've been over.

"What is it, son?"

He ask calmly.

"Father, my friends ask me to go with them again"

He smiled and chuckles.

"Ah, I know its that day of the week again, I already told you, your old anf responsible enough to decide for yourself."

My father has been nice to me, he doesn't force me to do something or limits my freedom, he always agree on what I want and doesn't hesitate with what I ask. Perhaps this is his way to express his regret for leaving me and he wants to provide what he lacks before.

"Father, they suggested to go to a Karaoke bar."

Even so, this doesn't mean my actions doesn't concern or make him worried.

"Akagi, I will let you go with your friends, but please do be careful. Try not to drink too much, even though I know you resort to this things cause of your dejection and despondency."

That is why I always tend to inform him, so far he's a good father to me, and I shall be an obedient and grateful son in return.

"I know father, I wont."

"And dont resort to more ludicrous things about it."

He wants me to remain strong and not lose hope, he had seen what I've been through, he's always has been anxious and worried about it.

"Of course, anyways, do we have another client?"

I tried to change the topic on order to clear his mind off of it.

"Yes, we have and this is a unique one"

I got immediately curious what it is and ask him.

"A unique one? what is it?"

"They ask if we would like to host a catering in a university in Kawasaki, and I said yes we could."

"A university in Kawasaki? I've never step inside a university before! thats exciting, when is it?"

I dont know why, but hosting a catering in a university feels exciting for me, finally people at my age will eat my cooking. I have never been to college and its been a long time since I was with alot of people in a environment like that.

"Its about next month." My father replied.

"Oh its still a long time from now." I said.

"Time flies quite fast you know, especially if your occupied with something."

"I know father."

After that discussion I left his office, I went downstairs to see my friends already pack up and change clothes.

"Sorry it took longer than expected."

"Did you have to convince your father?" Kazuo ask.

"No, he just had a call from anothet client." I replied.

"Anyways, I will change quickly." I add.

I run to the dressing room and did not talk about it further, I might tell them when we got there.

We all exited the restaurant together, we started walking to the karaoke bar, I stood in the back, like I always do, Chinatsu and Kazuo are leading the way, while Ryota and Haruna are acting lovey-dovey while walking in front of me. It feels immoral and disturbing. They're outside they should mind they're manners. Yes, I am that bitter.

"Akagi senpai, are you doing okay back there?"

I make a fake smile and nod as a gesture of saying im fine. Then I look straight to where im walking.

- Rinko's karaoke bar -

"Good evening sir, ma'am! welcome to Rinko's karaoke bar!"

The receptionist greeted us cheerfully. I look around and saw alot of promoting ads and some discounts for the first customers. I as we walk in further inside, I can smell grilled pork and I can hear some sweet instrumental music. The atmosphere here is not that bad, its feels calming and pleasant.

Chinatsu and Haruna ordered a room for 5 and some drinks, they both want smoothies.

Then Ryota and Kazuo ordered the same, they then ask me what I want. Knowing they're college students who have limited funds and wants to have fun, I decided to treat them tonight.

"I will order Teriyaki chicken skewers and roasted beef for 5 people."

"Woah! thats so sudden~ but I like it~" Kazuo said.

"Wait, really?! thank you so much senpai!" Chinatsu said.

They all looked and smiled at me, the receptionist also let out a little chuckle. I pulled out my wallet and paid for it.

"As long as you guys dont make me sing anything."

They all laugh and agreed. This is not the first time I treated them. I ended up having too much money for myself and sometimes, I just need to find small happiness in my miserable life. I told them to go on ahead as I need to wait for my change, when they left I talk back to the counter.

"Also, give me some beer."

Then I take my change and followed my friends in our designated room.

* 1 hour later *

Chinatsu : *Sings* "If your gonna treat me right, I'll take you to heaven every night!"

Haruna : "But God forbid if you leave by myself, I'll take you to hell-"

Haruna and Chinatsu : "TAKE YOU TO HELL!"

Kazuo : "You two have been single for an hour now, cant we have the mic?"

Haruna : "Just one more song."

Ryota : "That means they're gonna sing for an additional hour."

Kazuo : "Arrgh...*eats beef*"

While they're having fun and enjoying themselves, I laugh a bit in the back by how much they can appreciate and enjoy the little things. I check my phone while I drink my beer, im just scrolling down through my LikeIT account and check how well my arts are doing. Its getting more and more attention now compared to before, thanks to Airi.

Haruna : "Hoo! My throat is tired, okay here you go boys~"

Kazuo : "Finally."

Haruna and Chinatsu both sit down and started eating, While Kazuo and Ryota starts to sing.

Chinatsu : "Well its a bit colder now."

Haruna : "Its still warm inside and it taste good."

"You should have eaten some...*hic*..a few minutes earlier ..*hic*"

I mumbled while looking at my phone.

Chinatsu : "Senpai, are you drunk?"

She ask worriedly.

"No, im not." I replied. "This beer has low alcohol content, it wont get drunk even if I drink too much."

I add to assure her.

Haruna : "Then, can we have some of your beer?"

It seems they're really curious about how it taste, they're at legal age anyway. So I let each of them have a sip.

Haruna : "Ugh, it taste bad."

Akagi : "It has the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, what do you mean bad?"

Chinatsu : "What kind of description is that? how can you define its taste anyway?"

Akagi : *Heavy drinking noises*

They both look at me suspiciously. I look them in the eye, then I turn around to look in the other direction.

Chinatsu : "Your drunk, are you?"

Akagi : "I told you im not..*hic*"

Haruna : "Proof?"

I put down my beer and looks at the table.

Akagi : "You see that 4 cans of beer over there? A drunk person would see 8."

They look at where im pointing, then they look around the room and looks back at me with visible confusion of their faces.

Chinatsu : "But senpai, there is only 2 cans of beer."

Akagi : *Looks away*

Haruna : "Thats your third beer and your clearly drunk."

Akagi : *Drinking intensifies*

Kazuo : "Ay! That was some nice rhythm!"

Ryota : "Yes, wait, is he drunk again?"

Akagi : "Yeah, why?"

Kazuo smirks.

"Mako kun, did you remember what you said earlier?:

Akagi : "No, why?"

All four of them look at each other and smiled.

Chinatsu : "You said you would sing your favorite song as a closing act."

Akagi : "Oh~ I did? is it my turn now?"

Ryota : "Yes, it is."

Kazuo : " Here's the mic! well set up your song for you."

I stand up and grab the microphone from Kazuo's hand, they all cheered as I cheerfully stood up and ready to sing.

*Music started playing*

Haruna : "Oh~ here it comes!"

Akagi : "...Baka mitai Kodomo na no ne.."

(I've been a fool, and you've been childish.)

Ryota : "YES!"

Chinatsu : "Good luck! you can sing it!"

Akagi : "Kuchibeta de honma ni bukiyou

Na no ni, na no ni doushite

sayonara wa, ieta no."

(Couldn't get it out, always just pulled away

So then why, please won't you tell me why

You could find the words, to say goodbye.)

Kazuo : "wait for it."

Akagi : "....Dame da ne dame yo dame na no yo,

Anta ga suki de sukisugite."

(I'm such a mess, I'm lost, I'm no good at this

I'm in love, still in love, still in love with you.)

Haruna : "Yes!"

Ryota : "He did it! he said it boys!"

Chinatsu : "Woooo! yeah baby! thats what we've been waiting for!"

I may not look like it, but I really am a cheeful and enthusiastic person who wants to have fun. Im not so intimidating or so serious all the time. I wanted to be just like myself everytime, but im too afraid to or not so strongly willed about it. Whenever I get drunk, I can release all of these bottled up emotions inside me and let it all out.

Akagi : "Sing with me!"

Everyone :

"Dame da ne dame yo dame na no yo

Anta ga sukide sukisugite

Dore dake tsuyoi osake demo

Yugamanai omoide ga baka mitai."

(I'm such a mess, I'm lost, I'm no good at this

I'm in love, still in love, still in love with you

Hard as I try, can't even drink this pain away

Memories of you, twisting my view, I've been a fool.)

Original song "Baka mitai" from "Yakuza" game series by "Sega".

I wish I could live my life like I used too. I wish someone can help me, I wish someone will come and

fix my shattered heart.