Chapter 16

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TL: Single TL Translations

Chapter 16

Even at the next host club, we also talked about work, daily things, our types, dirty jokes, we kept talking about things one after another after drinking a bit and I started to have fun. I stop being reserved after drinking alcohol. Right now, I’m asking most of the hosts things I’m thinking about on the spot.

“Hey, onii-san*, are you seriously not gay even though you’re that thin?”

*onii-san – used when calling an older brother (siblings), but is also used when calling an older male person (more casual though).

“I get told that so much. Do I really look that gay?”

The host this time was a thin, visual type host who laughed and asked me. The city is filled with guys who look like this, they only look gay to me, but I wonder if I’m the only one who thinks so.

“You do, right, Ayumi?”

“Yeah. I’m sure you’re popular with those kinds of people. You have the cute thing going on, I think you’d be attacked by guys.”

“I was actually hit on by a guy once. It was really scary.”

“Ahaha, I can imagine it.”

We talked about random things and by the time we finished drinking at the third place, we were already pretty much done. Though that’s no wonder since we had already drunk all the bottles of shochu, plus it was as if we both drank all three bottles ourselves. The shop must’ve been surprised as well.

All of them were more or less the same, talking and drinking with a guy we didn’t know, but I was able to drink so I was pretty satisfied.

“Ahh, you know I always think this but, host clubs are a cheap place to drink but they’re not much fun, right?”

“Uhh, well, I guess? But well, while it was my first time it was surprisingly fun, and it’s always fun when you’re there Ayumi, so I didn’t really mind.”

“Oh, you! You really like me, don’t you? Great great. I’ll have you drink some more!!”

After we left the shop, I was a little unsteady on my feet whereas Ayumi who was doing well, poked me on the cheek and put her arm around my shoulders. I do wish she wouldn’t shake me. It seems like Ayumi hasn’t had enough drinks.

“It’s almost the last train, you know?”

“There’s still some time! Only 30 more minutes! Let’s have a quick drink while walking! Then we’ll reflect on today’s host clubs and then go home?”

“Uhh, good. Okay.”

Since she probably won’t let me go home, I reluctantly nodded and headed towards a standing bar I said I recently wanted to go to and toasted her with a highball. This really does taste different after you’ve already drank. Ayumi was groaning a little as she seemed to enjoy the taste.

“I liked the second shop with Ryouta-kun! Wasn’t he the best one? His face was really my type.”

“Ahh, the one where you seemed to be oddly excited. Hmm, everyone had the same face to me. But I did think he was your type.”

“I’ve been exposed! Well, my favorite is Ryuu-sama though! The manga from the other day was amazing, but he was also so handsome in the anime that I died because my heart skipped a beat. Haaa, I wonder why there’s a difference in dimensions. I want to be able to support Ryuu-sama in real life, really.”

We drank alcohol, ate some appetizers, and drank again. Ayumi really likes anime. I hear that she often pours her money towards goods, but it’s better than pouring it towards some strange guy.

“The one you talked about before, huh, it’s cheaper than drinking and walking around, but don’t pour too much money into it. You’ll ruin yourself.”

“It’s fine since I’m already worn out anyways. Rather, the person named Takumi from the third place was really ugly, wasn’t he? He was said to have a fish type face, but it was so true that it made me tremble, like is he a deep-sea fish or something.”

“Rather than trembling, you were laughing so hard, weren’t you? I shivered from that. While it was a fish type face, you laughed so hard Ayumi that I couldn’t laugh much, I really wanted you to stop.”

As I said it, I recalled when Ayumi laughed so hard while drinking.

“Okay! Stop it already! I’ve already forgotten about that old story! Anyways, let’s drink!”

“What? What the hell’s wrong with you, really.”

In this way, we finished the host club’s reflection meeting that was livelier than I thought it would be, maybe even more fun than the host clubs themselves. We talked about the host clubs and anime from start to finish and dispersed after exactly thirty minutes. Ayumi was still in good spirits and didn’t seem to be finished talking, but I promised her to go out and drink next time.

I really don’t think we drank the same amount. While it’s not at the level feeling nauseous, my heart is beating quickly, my thoughts are sluggish, and my face is quite flushed whereas she’s the same as usual. I’m impressed by her.

Even though she drank two glasses, Ayumi dashingly went home with steady steps. I got on the train with unsteady steps and started nodding off until I reached the nearest station home, getting off the train in a fluster.

I’m glad I didn’t oversleep. While I was relieved, my head was still dizzy. It seems like the last standing bar had taken its toll on me. I wasn’t able to walk straight, but I managed to walk slowly all the way home.

I absentmindedly wondered if I would have a hangover tomorrow and was somewhat amused by my first time going to the host clubs today.

I don’t think I’ll ever get hooked to it, but the fact that I can drink and talk to various people made it relatively fun. I have to thank Ayumi. I guess I’ll contact her later to thank her.

Just when I thought I was almost home, I tripped and fell loudly. My hand was chafed, and my knee ached. My bag also fell over.

“That hurt.”

It hurt so much and that my voice leaked out unconsciously. I couldn’t instantly move because of the pain. It’s pathetic to fall at this age, but it’s something that happens to drunks quite often. My knees are probably bruised, and blood was oozing out of my palm. Even though I was having fun, what bad luck. I grabbed my bag, rubbed my sore knees and stood up. And then I was surprised by the person who appeared in front of me before I knew it. I was too drunk to notice their presence.

“Eh? A-Aoi? Why are you here…”

Aoi was standing in front of me, wearing glasses with her hair tied, just as she been that day.

From my startle, she started holding her own arms awkwardly.

“Um… I’m sorry for suddenly showing up out of the blue. I tried contacting you, but you didn’t see it, did you? I should’ve contacted you sooner but… I ran out of battery and didn’t realize.”

“Oh, you contacted me. I’m sorry, I didn’t see it. I was just out drinking with my friend. Why don’t you come inside my house for now? There aren’t any more trains, so why don’t you stay over? Ah, although I don’t know if you have any plans or not; is that fine?”

She was surprised by my invitation, but I couldn’t let her go home this late at night, it’s dangerous.

“I-Is that okay? I don’t have any plans, but… you don’t… mind?”

“Not at all. I can’t let you go home this late at night. It’s dangerous. Come on, let’s quickly go? I made you wait for a while, didn’t I? Sorry.”

“Thank you. I didn’t wait that long, don’t worry. Rather than that, is your hand… okay?”

When I tried to lead the way, she gently grabbed my hand and looked at me worriedly. She apparently saw what just happened. If a grown adult falls, then of course it’ll make a loud sound, and that sound is probably what brought her here. Plus, Aoi came from the direction of my house. I laughed a little from embarrassment.

“Yeah, well, it hurts but it was my fault anyway. It happens often, I’m fine. It’ll get better if you leave it alone.”

“You can’t do that! You need to disinfect it and put a bandage on it later. I’ll do it for you. Do you have any other injuries?”

I flinched at her genuinely concerned tone. This made her seem older than me.

“Then show me your knees later, okay? You really shouldn’t be drinking too much, okay? I’m glad that it was only a scrape… I mean, it’s not good, since I’ll worry about you.”

She must really think so, her complexion is that of worry. Well, it’s true that our first encounter was also caused because of drinking too much. Plus, she did tell me to be more careful multiple times. I felt guilty and honestly apologized to Aoi.

“Ahh, yeah. I try not to drink to the extent that I’ll lose my memory, but… sorry. I’ll reflect.”

“Then it’s fine, but do it in moderation, okay?”

“Yeah, I know. Come on, let’s go.”

I think I’m managing to speak quite well. I was a little relieved while leading Aoi. I haven’t talked to her about the main subject, but I’m able to talk to her the same as before. When I arrived home, I unlocked the door and invited Aoi in. I turned on the lights, put down my bag, and laid down on my bed. I feel somewhat tired.

“Ahh, I drank so much and now I’m tired.”

“Yuki, I bought some things at the convenience store just now, so I’ll put them in the fridge, okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. Thanks.”

I’m thankful for her thoughtfulness. As I was lying on my back and closing my eyes because of the bright lights, I felt Aoi come to the side of the bed.

“Yuki, do you want to drink some water?”

I opened my eyes to find her holding a bottle of water and looking at me worriedly. I lifted my body up, thanked her and took a sip. After I drank the water, Aoi took the bottle and put it on the desk. Then, she sat down on the bed in a reserved manner.

“How are you feeling? Do you feel sick?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I drank, but it’s settled down. Don’t worry.”

“Then, that’s good.”

The conversation stopped after that. Even so, Aoi still lowered her gaze and opened her mouth several times. She called and then came the very next day, so I’m sure Aoi also wanted to talk, but just doesn’t know what to say. Her expression that seemed to be thinking of various things was full of anxiousness.

I have to properly talk to her first. The alcohol has dulled my thinking, but on the contrary, it seems like the alcohol will help me talk frankly about various things.

“Aoi, I’m sorry. About the things I said on the phone the other day. I’m really sorry.”

She finally looked up at me when she heard my apology, but her anxious expression didn’t change.

“Yeah… I’m fine. I was a little sad, but… it’s okay now.”

This girl’s unchanging kindness didn’t irritate me like it did that day; I felt really guilty.

“Sorry. Thank you. I think I may have felt a little jealous of you. Aoi, since you’re a celebrity, I thought you’re successful in everything and can get everything you want. So, I wondered why you care so much about me. Compared to Aoi, I kept thinking ‘why someone like me,’ lowering my self-esteem causing me to feel so confused and later saying something like that, but I’m really just an ordinary person and don’t have anything. That, it’s not like I’m smart nor am I a very good person, it’s not like I can give you anything either, so I was wondering if it was really okay for me to be with you. Plus, even though you have everything, I was wondering what exactly you wanted from me, becoming jealous and irritated. I’m really sorry.

I told her what was hidden in my unattractive heart. I didn’t want to say it, but I felt like I had too. Otherwise, it seemed like we would never be able to back to the way we were before, and so I apologized with all my sincerity.

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