Late Night Gathering. Part 2

“Happy birthday, Master Hiroshi.” Yuta said as the clock struck midnight.

We sat on the floor of our room; Misako was placed on my bed. We had decided to watch some tv while we waited to celebrate Hiroshi’s coming of age. I stood up, grabbing a pack of beers and handing a can to Hiroshi.

“You can drink now.” I told Hiroshi.

“Finally.” He responded.

“You want one?” I asked Misako as she observed me.

“I’ll have one.” She replied.

I had found out from her that our birthday was but a few days apart, another coincidence that was all too unexpected. Handing her a can, I could feel Yuta tug my shirt.

“If Master drinks, I drink.” Yuta said.

“S-sure, let me get you a special drink.” I replied.

I remembered I purchased a fizzy drink that was supposed to taste like alcohol but had no real alcohol in it. I gave it to Yuta, hoping he would not notice my ruse.

“Thanks, peasant.” He thanked me.

The four of us held our cans high, in celebration of Hiroshi’s big day.

“Thanks for being my friend.” I said to Hiroshi.

I was surprised, he had no funny quips or comeback for me, he was tame. Yuta wanted to play some more videogames, so we had formed a competitive bracket to compete against one another. The competition ended with Misako emerging as the obvious winner. It was nearing one o’ clock when Yuta had fallen asleep on the floor. Hiroshi took it upon himself to place Yuta next to Misako on my bed, letting the child rest with her. The three of us continued to watch a movie that seemed low budget, but it was the perfect white noise as we spoke to one another. I had found out that Hiroshi was more than just a loud, idiot guy.

“I never had friends.” Hiroshi said out of the blue.

“But you were so popular in your school life, did you not have a single friend?” Misako asked.

“I was more of a clown, I tried making friends, but they never wanted to hang out with me.”

“Even clowns and class fools have friends.” I said to him.

“I know, I just never had any. Until I met you.” Hiroshi said looking at me.

I could tell he was grateful.

“Me neither.” I spoke.

“What?”

“My dad said I was a quiet kid, I never wanted to speak to people my age. Even after my accident, it seemed like my classmates were afraid to speak to me.”

Hiroshi nodded.

“So, we’re the same in that aspect.” Hiroshi added.

I finished a can of beer, I felt the urge to drink more, so I did. Misako was quiet as she listened to Hiroshi and I converse.

“Misako, what about you?” I asked her.

“Me?” She asked.

“Did you have friends?”

She took more than a moment to respond. In fact, she did not respond. She laid flat on my bed, refusing to speak. I thought I had asked an inappropriate question once again. Looking at Hiroshi, I could see him want to speak up.

“She did.” Hiroshi spoke.

“Ah, I see. At least you had a friend.” I said looking at Misako.

“She was my best friend.” Misako said as she continued to lay flat on her face.

“…was?” I asked.

“She passed away.” Misako finished.

‘Me and my curious nature, always asking the wrong things at the wrong time.’ I thought.

“I shouldn’t have brought it up, I’m sorry, Misako.”

“It’s okay.” She replied.

Hiroshi finished a can and spoke as he opened another.

“I remember her, she was a nice girl.” Hiroshi stated.

“Hey…can I ask you guys a favour?” Misako asked, lifting her head up to look at us.

We nodded, listening attentively to Misako. She patted Yuta’s head, caressing his hair as he slept.

“Don’t mention my friend around Yuta.” She began.

“Why?” I asked.

“My best friend was Yuta’s big sister.”

“What?” We both asked, we could not comprehend what we’d heard.

“Yuta’s not my brother. He just calls me sis, and I call him little brother. I’ve been his big sis for as long as he can remember.”

It had begun to make sense to me, Yuta looked nothing like Misako. They did not live with one another even though Yuta lived close to the shared house. I was attaining more and more information about Misako. It was wrong of me to think, but I was happy to know more about her. I wanted to know everything about Misako, from the good, to the bad, to the downright horrible. I did not know why, but I wanted to know her.

“Of course, Misako. We won’t say a thing. Yuta is still your little brother, even if you aren’t related.” I promised.

“Thanks, David.” She said with a sigh of relief.

I could see her relax her shoulders, that a weight was lifted off of her. Hiroshi handed Misako another beer.

“Drink.” Hiroshi said.

“I just wanted one drink.” She rejected him.

“Then let me ask you two a question.” He began, sitting down and opening another can.

“What is it?” We asked.

Hiroshi twirled his can, admiring his third drink. You wouldn’t think was his first time drinking, he looked like a pro.

“So, you call each other by your first names now? Are you guys dating?” He asked.

I spat my drink out. Misako threw an empty can of beer at my forehead.

“N-No. Just friends.” She replied.

“Yes, exactly, friends.” I agreed.

“Suuuure. And your date the other day?” Hiroshi giggled, turning back to the television.

“It wasn’t a date…” I trailed off.

“Yuta and I heard you say the exact word: ‘date’.” Hiroshi interjected.

I looked at Misako, we both were red as a tomato. She then giggled softly to herself. And I smiled in return.

“Extwerminate…all the monsters…master….” Yuta grumbled in his sleep.