A Calm Night Hangout

We ran as fast as we could, away from the mall.

"Hey, Noboru! What was that explosion?!"

Masato spoke through the emergency device.

"Oh, Ko and I just solved the puzzle."

"Already?! You're fast!"

"Say, did you go to the flower shop?"

"No! I was close to it when I heard an explosion! They're evacuating the entire mall right now."

"Phew, good thing we ran away immediately."

"Can you tell me what the puzzle was about, at least?"

"It involved a truck with low fuel tank and torn tires, with a can of argon."

"What did you do with that?"

"Since there was no door, except for the garage door, I thought about everything. It wasn't until Ko found the can of argon that I knew what to do."

"Hehe, I'm helpful!"

Ko giggled.

"I told her to find a second fuel cap, and when she found it, I thought that my theory was correct."

"And what's with the second fuel cap?"

"It was the hole for the canister, which was inside the truck."

"Ah! But you could've just opened the back of the truck to confirm."

"I couldn't. There was a lock. So, I got in, let Ko insert the can, and pulled the hand break down, before I jumped off and took cover."

"Not bad! Hearing that now, it doesn't sound that difficult."

"Yeah, yeah."

I quickly checked the time on my handphone.

"It's 18:00 PM now. Maybe we should call it a day."

"Probably."

An idea formed in my head.

"Hey, would you like if all of us had a sleepover at my place tonight?"

"Yeah, I'll gladly accept your invitation."

"What about you, Ko?"

"Sure! But we must clean your house first!"

"Why?"

"I can't bear the smell!"

"...fine."

I ended the call with Masato.

It took us 5 minutes to get to my house through transportation points. As soon as I entered, Ko had to put a mask on her face and get the tools out of the closet.

"We should start cleaning, now!"

"Why already? We're tired and I'm injured."

"Oh, yeah..."

"Actually, I feel a bit better... Still, I will go see a doctor in the morning."

"You better should! Now, I will let you go this time, but the next time I see your house as gross as it is now, I'll make you clean it all."

"Alright... Seems fair."

With that, she started dumping trash into the trash bag.

15 minutes passed, before Masato and Masami arrived.

"Hey! We're back!"

"Hello."

"You two are acting like you left a long time ago and just came back."

"It was a long time ago, Noboru!"

"Masato, we were split apart for 3 hours. That's not long."

"Hey, you're hurting your friend's emotions!"

"Yeah, sorry..."

"What are you doing, Ko?"

"Cleaning, Masato. I'm cleaning the house of a lazy boy."

"I could help if you want to?"

"Thanks, help is gladly appreciated."

With that, Masato and Ko were cleaning my house.

"Why aren't you helping Noboru?! This is your home!"

"Don't you remember that I fell and probably broke something in that abandoned school, Masato? I would have helped if I could."

"Oh, sorry then!"

I shake my head at him, while smiling.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, Masami, you could say that I'm alright."

"Good, I thought that something really bad happened."

"Don't worry about me. Just relax a bit."

"I will, but I have to keep an eye on you."

A sad smile was on her face, as she watched the other two bicker.

A good idea popped up in my head.

"Hey guys, could Masami give you a hand?"

Masami looked at me, surprised.

The other two that were bickering stopped, and smiled.

"Of course! Grab a piece of cloth and start cleaning!"

"There, now you can join in on their mischiefs."

"But-"

"I'll stay here with you all. Enjoy having friends."

She smiled with sincerity before hugging me.

"Who would have thought that my targets could become friends?"

"Hehe, only us!"

"Maybe you're right."

After everything was said and done, I sat down onto the couch as the other three were cleaning my house, while chatting amongst each other.

"Hey, Noboru?"

"What is it, Ko?"

"Did you get your report card?"

"Now that you mention it, I didn't."

"That's weird... They usually came on 25th of December..."

"How did you do this year?"

"Um, fine, I have all passing grades."

"Look at Ms. Ko go! From failing everything possible to passing everything."

"Shut up, Masato! You failed in mechanics!"

"How do you know that?!"

"I saw and heard the teacher speaking to you after the test. 0 out of a 100."

Ko had a smug smile.

"Hey! You little devil! What about that time that YOU got all the questions wrong on the English exam?"

"Please! Everything but that!"

"Okay, you two, enough of bickering amongst each other."

"Yes, sir. We'll clean up the whole mansion for free! You just enjoy yourself."

"Look, I'm sorry, Masato. I didn't mean to fall through the stairs!"

After 30 minutes, they all finished, and we got into our clothes for sleeping.

"Hey, what do you all think about playing "Moneypolo: 100th Deluxe Edition"?"

"You have Moneypolo, Noboru?!"

"Yes, Ko! My parents used to play it with me. It is a board game with holographic figures and a built-in number generator between 1 and 18 on the board."

"Ah, I didn't play it as much when I was a kid, so I'll give it a try."

We all sat around the table and started the game. We were not much interested in the beginning, but when the first half of the game passed, everyone grew more invested.

"Haha, pay up!"

"Ah! Dammit! Why did you build so many houses on the most expensive ones, Noboru?! That's not fair!"

"All is fair in love and war, Masato!"

"Me next!"

Ko "rolled" the dice.

"5. 1, 2, 3, 4..."

"Haha, Ko! Give me that sweet, sweet cash!"

"You don't know how to respect ladies, you scumbag!"

We all laughed.