Karaoke

Yuasa and I left the library together. I wasn’t sure where to go from here.

“Is Horiuchi-kun still hanging out with that guy?” Yuasa asked.

“Oh… I think he sent me a text earlier.” I pulled out my phone to see what Kishi said. “It sounds like they finished bowling and went to karaoke.”

“There’s still time in the day. Should we join them?”

“You want to join them…?”

“Not really. But I don’t have anything else going on today.”

“Right… Should we…?” It’s not like I have anything else going on either. I’m a little worried, but it’s a group hangout so maybe it’ll be fine.

After texting Kishi about our decision, he welcomed us to join him and sent us the address. We took the bus there. Yorikane happily welcomed us when we got there. Yuasa looked annoyed. Why did he come if he doesn’t like Yorikane…?

“I’m really glad you’re joining us, Shiotani-san!” Yorikane said to me. “You’re welcome to hang out with me and my friends any time you want. No pressure of course!” I think he learned something from Rose…

“Thanks…” I replied.

“Saki, did you finish your homework?” Kishi asked. We took a seat on the couch together, Yuasa on my other side.

“Yeah but it wasn’t so bad. I’m sure you can get yours done quickly too.”

“You’re right… I will definitely go home and finish it after this!”

Yorikane told us to add any songs we wanted to sing and showed us a menu if we wanted to order any drinks or snacks. I feel a bit embarrassed to sing in front of all of these people… But I decided to order a sundae as a snack. When it was Yuasa’s turn to add a song, he surprisingly chose one. Is he really going to sing…?

“I’m not tone-deaf, you know,” he said after he caught me staring.

“I…I didn’t think you were…”

“Sure you did. I’ll only be singing one song so listen closely.”

“Fine…”

Kishi leaned in close to me. “What do you think about Miya-san now…?”

“Huh?”

“You were upset at him before…”

“Oh yeah. I’m alright with him now. Why do you ask?”

“I was just curious… He’s really nice and has been treating me well today… I want to be good friends with him. And I want us all to hang out often too.”

“I’m glad he’s treating you well. I guess I wouldn’t mind hanging out with him sometimes.”

“I’m really glad!” He beamed.

Yorikane and his friends sang some songs. My sundae arrived. I dug into it and Yuasa handed me a napkin. Does he think I look like a pig…? Well it’s not like I’m trying to look good for anyone here… Kishi had a duet with Yorikane. It could have been the lighting, but it looked like his cute face was red the whole time they sang together.

Eventually it was Yuasa’s turn. He told me to listen closely so I gave him my undivided attention. I was also curious about how well he was going to sing. Once the song began, I was surprised. He sang it so well that he got a score of 100 at the end. I guess he’s good at everything… And his voice matches his handsome features…

“Wow!” Yorikane exclaimed. “Amazing job, Kitahashi-san!” He gave him a round of applause.

Yuasa just quietly sat back down next to me. The next song began to play.

“You’re really good…” I told him.

“I told you,” he replied. He just told me he wasn’t tone-deaf, not that he was that good…

It was later in the day and our hangout came to an end. I had some fun though, despite not singing like you're supposed to do at karaoke. The sundae was delicious as well.

“It’s dark now. I’ll call a car and take you two home,” Yuasa told me and Kishi.

“Really…? Thank you!” Kishi said. I nodded to agree with him.

His car soon came. Kishi’s house was closer so he was dropped off first. Then mine was next.

“Contact me if you have any plans that I can join. I’ll see if I'm free,” Yuasa said.

“Okay, I will. See you later.”

He waved goodbye. I left the car and went inside my house. I went straight to my room and pulled out the hair clip. I still can’t believe he gave me something so pretty… While staring at it in my hand, I wanted to try it out. I went to the bathroom mirror.

I carefully pulled my bangs back and put the clip in my hair. I stared at myself in the mirror. The pink… really does match my eyes… I watch as my face turns red. His smile flashes through my mind. Seriously… What is that boy trying to do to me…?

I had mentioned to Kishi that Yuasa found out my identity as Rose. He seemed a bit glad but felt bad if I didn’t want that. I guess it was inevitable that he would find out one day… But since that was cleared up, Kishi made a group chat with us so we could all talk together. He told us that he was too tired last night but would definitely finish his homework today. We wished him good luck.

I spent a quiet day at home. Summer break doesn’t need to be all action.

“Can I add Miya-san to this group chat? Is it alright if he knows you’re Rose, Saki…?”

Kishi asked the next day. Right… Maybe it’s time to clear up that misunderstanding… I’m a little concerned about how Yorikane would react though. Would he hate to find out that I’m Rose…?

“Sure, go ahead.”

Even if he does hate it, we don’t have to be close friends.

“Great! I just had something to tell you all. I’m adding him now!”

Kishi added Yorikane and greeted him.

“Miya-san! I had something I wanted to tell all of my friends and that means you guys. My birthday is next week! I wanted to invite you all to my house so we could celebrate. Will you guys be free?”

“Give us the exact date.”

Yuasa chimed in. I had no idea his birthday was coming up… I’ll definitely have to remember when it is now.

“It’s the 13th! July 13th!”

“I see. I should be free on that day.”

“Happy early birthday, Horiuchi-kun! I’ll definitely be there! By the way… Rose-chan? I wasn’t expecting you to be here. Not that it’s a bad thing!”

I was waiting for Yorikane to bring it up… I guess I should give him my reply.

“Hello Miya-san. I know I was hiding my identity from you before. I had a reason for that that I’d rather not get into right now. But I’m actually Saki Shiotani. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

“No way… Shiotani-san?! That doesn’t bother me at all, I’m just seriously shocked! You could have talked to me in person, you know. But I’m glad I know who you are now. I hear you’ve been a great friend to Horiuchi-kun!”

“Yeah, I’m glad too.”

Seems like he took it well. I hope it’s not awkward when we meet again…

“Rose-chan, or should I say Shiotani-chan, have you forgiven me now…?”

“Yeah, we’re alright now. As long as you respect my boundaries from now on.”

“Of course! I don’t want to lose your trust again!”

I’ll believe him for now.

“You can come to my birthday party too, right, Saki?”

I realized I hadn’t replied to Kishi yet.

“Yep, I’d love to come to your birthday party.”

“Now I’m really excited! I’ll tell you guys more details later, okay?”

“Sounds good.”

After our conversation finished, I soon got a private message from Yuasa.

“You and Miya-kun had a fight, huh?”

“Kinda… Do you remember when he shouted ‘Rose’ in the library?”

“Vaguely.”

“He went against my wishes and came to find me in the library. I didn’t want to talk to him after that.”

“And yet now you’re talking to him.”

“I don’t feel as bad about it anymore. I guess Kishi helped with that…”

“Are you sure you two aren’t dating?”

“No. We’re just friends. Why do you care anyway?”

“I’m just saying. You two are very close. But I’ll accept that you’re just friends.”

“By the way, I’m surprised you want to go to Kishi’s party.”

“He considers me one of his friends. It’d break his heart if I didn’t go.”

“Right…”

“Since we’re on the topic, when is your birthday?”

“August 24th. And yours?”

“October 25th. Don’t forget to invite me to your birthday party.”

“Sure…”

I haven’t had a party for my birthday in a while. I used to hang out with my old friends but of course I don’t do that anymore. I’ve just been doing something small with my father. But having Kishi over and Yuasa… Maybe Yorikane… It could be fun. We’ll see how Kishi’s birthday party goes first.