Chapter 4: Act!, while in delirium (part 2)

—Welcome, a lovely night, isn't it?.— The store clerk says as I enter..

—Good evening, may I use the bathroom?, I'll buy a soda.—

I can already imagine what he must be thinking "ehh?, silly?"..

—Ehh… I'm sorry, but the bathroom is for employees only.—

I haven't seen him before, he must be new. I don't usually shop at small stores, I usually go to big supermarkets, but I don't want to go there with this message..

Surely he won't let me in unless I persuade him.

I approach the cash register where the young man is and put my hands on the counter, staring at him seriously.

—Do you want me to burn the place down with you in it or what?!.— I ask intimidatingly.

—….here's the key… don't hurt me..—

—That's fine, good kid.—

That was quick. I'd prefer not to use a bathroom that isn't mine or someone I don't know, but it's just to get rid of this message on my face..

The kid points with his hand, a little scared, to where the door is.

—Oh, thank goodness, it looks very clean..—

I close the door behind me after a brief inspection of the small bathroom.

The water from the faucet starts running.. and I try to remove the ink with some blue liquid soap..

—…It's not coming off, I figured she'd use permanent ink..—

—Damn Henrietta.— I say looking at my reflection. Moreover she wrote it really huge..

I dab my forehead with a tissue from my pocket, and step out of the bathroom again into the store.

—That's the lady.. threatened to set the place on fire.. she must be crazy!.—

As I leave the bathroom, I see the cashier talking to someone else, a short, elderly man, I'd say he's the supervisor. He reminds me of a classmate I had in high school, "meatball", we called him that affectionately because he was as round as a meatball..

—Good evening.— I say.

—Good evening, please forgive our cashier's lack of courtesy, he's new. Indeed, our bathrooms are for employees only, but we wouldn't deny entry to such a lovely lady... who belongs to Asuka's family..—

—Did you hear that?, that's how you treat a lady, learn from meatball.— I say.

—Eh?, meatball?.— The manager wonders..

—...Do you need anything else apart from the soda?..— The cashier asks.

—That's all.—

—Thank you...come again..—

I pay for my purchase and knowing that I won't be able to go to the supermarket, I just observe how calm it is outside.

—I guess I'll go to some bar...—

As if I know or there are many... I always go to the same one.

***

—IA, good to see you.—

—Asuka!, I missed you..—

I sit in my usual spot, right in front of her, it's reserved for me, the next seat is Henrietta's.

Asuka is a very elegant, refined lady, wearing a dark dress that contrasts with her pink hair.

This bar belongs to her, and she's the bartender.

It is a very nice place, classic, with many imported bottles. Behind the shiny walnut bar, in which I can almost see my reflection, is a very fine glassware.

There is also a frame that says "Asuka and R...", the rest is covered and not readable, it looks very, very old.

—Same here, will it be the usual?.— She asks.

—Yes, a violet lady.— I smile.

What I like about this place is the tranquility; very few people, now empty, I'm at peace, some soft jazz playing in the background, there are some men who worked for her as members of her family playing a soft piece, it must be from the 1930s or 1940s. And I can always talk to Asuka if I want to.

—Classes started today, right?, I saw whole crowds of students marching to that hell they call school this morning.—

—..Don't speak of my job like that.. and there aren't that many students.—

—Haha, here you go.— In a very feminine way, Asuka lets out a small laugh and hands me the drink gently in a glass.

She takes another and continues polishing it. I've always thought "as if she could make it shinier..", haha, maybe she does it to pass the time.

But that's how she always looks, so calm, sweet, unmoving, all night polishing glasses and listening to people's stories as they come to drink. As if that were her purpose, just watch and listen.

She's the leader of her family, controls the mafia in this town, and years ago, she was at war with other families in the country.

I met her just as I set foot in the town. She has such a calm image and can be the most sadistic and lacking in empathy lady on earth... I've seen her kill people with her bare hands without feeling any remorse.

—IA, I don't like girls... I won't accept any indecent proposal, I'm a lady.—

—Hahaha... sorry, I was just looking at you, remembering the old times.—

—The dispute over territories?.— She asks.

—Yeah, do you miss it?.—

—Now I have a peaceful job, my brothers take care of the adjacent cities, and the town is at peace. I can't say if I miss it or not.—

—I hope you didn't do it for me.— I say.

—It's not like that. Sometimes someone suddenly appears in your life and changes everything as you never imagined. It's not your fault, although if you finally get married, I'd be relieved.—

—Haha... I'll give you a kiss on the cheek.— I say.

—Just on the cheek?.—

—Yes.—

I stretch and give her a tender kiss on her cheek.

—Did you hear the radio?, today it was announced that there would be flashes in the sky, a satellite or something.— Asuka says.

—A satellite, mmh?, why is it that every time I go to sleep something strange happens?. But no, I was sleeping and I came walking.—

—Walking?.—

—….Yep… you know, Henrietta..—

—Haha..—Asuka laughs softly.

***

—..And then I said... I paid for this chair so I can do whatever I want... And since he didn't understand, I punched him until he ended up in the hospital... Hey, give me back my glass!..—

—No, IA, you've had too much to drink, you're all red.—

—I'm not red!, my hair is white..whiiiiiiteee!..—

—You can't even understand me, I'm talking about your face, you've drunk a dangerous amount of alcohol.—

—..The only dangerous amount is none!..—

—Yes, I've seen that episode too..— Asuka says.

—..Besides, you let me drink!, you probably... want to take advantage of me and do strange things, right?..—

—Of course not, silly..—

—Silly?, Henrietta wrote that!. She might be your best girl handling a weapon... and all that... but she's silly, not me!. I'm a genius, a genius!, did you hear me?!..—

—No need to shout, IA, and I'm right here... that's a lamp..—

—....I knew that..—

—Hahah, sure. I'll take you, just wait for me to close up.—

—No, no, it's fine... it's healthy to exercise..—

—And drinking two full bottles is healthy?..—

—It's...a life insurance!, if some pervert bothers me on the street, I'll kill him, and blame it on the alcohol... and get away with it... a life insurance!!..—

—That makes sense.—

—Of course, like I said, I'm a... genius..—

—IA, the lamp again... I'm here..—

—....I don't pay attention to details.—

—What are you looking at?!..eeh?!, are you looking for a fight?!!.— IA asks the musicians at the end of the bar rolling up her shirt sleeves...

—Haha... are you sure you don't want me to take you?.—

—Sure... sure, here you go... the money. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow... maybe not...— She gives me a suspicious wink...

IA leaves the money on the counter and heads to the door, staggering a bit...

—Ouch!..—

She bumps into the wall..

—It's the other way, IA..—

—I knew that...—

I accepted her going alone because I know this place, and many people know her, knowing which family she belongs to.

It's a town where nothing ever happens, but still, many of my old subordinates take care of the town at night just in case.

—See you later!..— IA says, waving her hand before leaving through the door.

—Take care, IA.— I smile softly.

I guess I'll close up, the other customers have left.

I'm glad I saw her, I'll leave early today.

***

—..I've always said.. a cake is the best way to fix a problem, and if you make it yourself, even better.—

I walk through the empty and silent streets of the town.

—Eehhhh… was my house that way?, or that way?. I have to pass by the park and then..—

The park is in front of me... dark, not very well lit, some lampposts must have broken down these days..

—Ahhh.. what did I have to do in the park?, I'll sit for a moment, I'm a bit dizzy... I should have accepted Asuka's help..—

..At night, there's nobody here, during the day, all those kids... running and playing... so peaceful..

—And what are you staring at?!, do you want me to beat you up?!.. eh?!..— I say..

Being dark and the lampposts' light not helping, I can't see who's approaching me..

—Razar?..— A few steps away, I see his face, his unmistakable hair.

—Alcoholic and aggressive..— He says..

—I'm not an alcoholic!...—

—It's strange to see you outside, at this hour, alone... and in that state..— He says..

Razar sits next to me on the wooden bench, seeming more confident than at school..

—I could say the same about you, besides, I'm an adult now, I can sleep right here if I want!..—

—I don't think it's comfortable to sleep in the park. Do you live nearby?.— He asks.

—Eh?, do you want to take advantage of me?, I'll scream!...—

—Hahah, IA, you're drunk, how much have you drunk?..—

—I'm not drunk... I had one or two drinks, that's all..—

—One or two?, and that's a bush... I'm on this side..—

—.....— I remain in silence..

Again, his face is very close to mine, although this time it was me who got too close, not him…

10 centimeters?...

—Silly.— He says..

—..That was Henrietta... I'm not silly, even if it's written!. I'm a genius in theoretical physics!, I can... create and destroy a world if I want to!!.—

His face is still very close...

—Back off a bit!, respect my personal space!..— I tell him..

—You're the one getting closer each time, how many bottles did you drink?..—

—None..—

—Who would believe that?..—

It's hard for me to stand straight, and I rest my body against his, my face next to his neck.

—I guess you weren't expecting anyone else and you just got lost, right?—

—Shut up….and that's a crime.—

—What's a crime?.—

—Hugging me..—

His arms wrap warmly around me..

—...…— I remain still without saying anything.

—..I have to go now.— I try to form a sentence..

—Where to?.—

—What do you mean, where?, to my house!.— I can't move, I'm paralyzed..

—But you're lost.—

—Well... maybe I am lost..—

If he doesn't go away I will cry...

—If you were at a bar, I'm surprised they let you leave like this.—

..He finally lets go of me... removing his arms from my body... Now that I think about it, I was also hugging him.. why?.

—That's Asuka, she probably wanted something funny to happen to laugh with Henrietta and Nikki..—

—Well, not every day you find someone with "silly" written on their forehead, completely drunk, and mistaking others for a bush... haha.— He says, with a slight laugh.

—...Are you going to join them too?..— I ask.

Razar stands up, stands in front of me, looks into my eyes, and without saying a word, extends his hand.

—...….—

I didn't say anything, just took it, I still wondering... why did I do it?..