Room 143.

Seems like almost everyone has came!" Sakiko exclaimed, pointing at a group of 4-5 people standing in front of the Karaoke, some scrolling on their phones.

"Who are these people?" Kanako asked, seeing the group of male and females, most of them unknown to him, looking from a distance.

"Oh," she muttered. "I forgot to tell you. Those are the people I have invited today. Those are Haruto, Eiji and Katsuo from the left to the right. As gor the girls..."

Sakiko didn't need to mention the girls' name. Because Kanako recognised them when he saw their face. It was the ones who bullied Ayane before, the ones who made her cry. They were Miyako, Hanabi and Fuyubi. He felt a repulsion from them, looking at their faces.

"I know... I know those girls." Kanako's mood saddened. Because, though they have made Ayane cry at first, they might've changed now. Who knows? And still he was somehow holding a grudge. But the most important factor is, he knows that now, the one who is making Ayane cry is undoubtedly him...

"Why such a long face?" Sakiko asked, getting closer to Kanako's face. "Do you know them? Should I not have invited them?"

Kanako stood in silence for a bit, trying to organise his thoughts. Such trivial matters is not important. Today he has some work to do. "I don't mind. But where is Ayane's cousin? I don't see her anywhere."

Sakiko looked at her phone for a brief moment. "Seems like she would take some more time."

"I see..."

When they arrived and met with the group, they boys instantly circled around Sakiko and Kanako.

"Hey Sakiko, you didn't tell me you got yourself someone new!" Haruto exclaimed, his face with a distorted smile. Kanako felt wrong, being here, he felt like an outsider.

"Oh come on guys!" Sakiko blushed. "It's not like that!"

Kanako eyed the three girls, judging their expression. They looked away and aloof from everything right now, as if they didn't even know who Kanako is. It's as if they are guilty of something.

"Hey Kanako-kun!" Sakiko whispered, wrapping around Kanako's hand tightly, trying to bring him back to the conversation. "Don't you think we should make the reservation and wait for Ayane-chan's cousin inside? It feels wrong to just stand here..."

What she said was true. They have been standing there in front of the Karaoke for some time now. If Ayane's cousin were running late, then its wise to go and make the reservations first.

"I guess we should do that." Kanako replied.

Sakiko pulled him along inside the Karaoke to the receptionist, booking one room, while the boys were flirting with Hanabi, Miyako and Fuyubi, trying to hit on them. This feels like too much pressure on Kanako, and his uneasy feeling is growing by the minute.

"Your Karaoke reservation is complete! Its room 143!" The receptionist said, handing them a key. Kanako, Sakiko and the boys went ahead, going to locate the room.

"We are going to bring some food and drinks!" Hanabi said, taking away the rest two to bring the snacks.