Chapter 4: New neighbor and the izekaya mixer disaster

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I live next door," Maiko nonchalantly states.

"How can she just mention that like it’s not a big deal? How long has she lived here?"

"Maiko, how the hell do you forget to mention you live next door?"

"Well, it’s not like I forgot, but more importantly, how do you not know I live next door? You don’t even know who your neighbor is."

"No, I never left the house."

"Well, then that’s your fault, isn’t it?"

"Maiko, that's definitely not my fault. How do you forget to mention you live next door, idiot?"

"Don’t worry, it’s a good thing because you can’t escape your NEET rehabilitation."

"You know, Maiko, I could always just not open the door."

"Well, Kazu, lucky for you, I know how to pick locks."

"Pick locks? What kind of criminal are you?"

"Maiko: the cute kind, and well, maybe I am. You don’t know everything about me."

"Kazu: I’m sure you just watched some YouTube video about how to pick locks and left it at that."

"Maiko: a true master never reveals their secrets easily."

"Kazu: Maiko, how long have you lived next door for?"

"Maiko: It’s only been about a year."

"Kazu: Yeah! A whole year, and wait, how didn’t I notice this? I don’t understand."

"Maiko: I do understand. You need to definitely get out of the house more and get more involved in your community."

"Kazu: Get more involved? You completely avoided saying you lived next door, dude."

"Maiko: Well, then, are you ready to make your first friend?"

"Kazu: Don't just ignore me! We'll need to talk about this later. And where do you plan on me making my first friend?"

"Maiko: Well, I thought of maybe going to a mixer and meeting new people and starting up a conversation."

"Maiko keeps speaking, but her voice starts to fade in the background as I start to remember the terrible time I've had with mixers in the past and how awkward I've been. It all comes back to a mixer I went to when I was in high school. My crush was there, and I ate some bad food or something. I don't remember what it was, but I threw up on her. And not only that, the other kids were jocks from my school, so I got throw-up on them too. Then, I got thrown in the dumpster, and from there, on that year, I was known as the throw-up boy and got bullied the entire year. I don't know how I'll get through this one."

"Maiko: Kazu, alright, you ready for the plan? Let’s go."

"Kazu: Huh, what? Yeah, what's going on?"

"Maiko: Are you serious? Did you really zone out like that?"

"Kazu: Sorry, I was just coming back to some pretty dark memories. Um, I don't think I can go to the mixer. Let's do something else, okay?"

"The words come out of my mouth in a nervous tone as I start to notice sweat starting to pour down my face. I can't tell if this is the heat of the day or the anxiety of what could go wrong at this mixer Maiko is planning."

"Maiko: What do you mean, let's do something? It would really help me help you if you could open up."

"Kazu: Well, I had a really bad experience at my high school mixer where I ended up getting bullied and embarrassed in front of my crush."

"Maiko: That's it! Listen, we're going to this mixer. It's different this time around because you have me with you, and I already know you're an embarrassment as it is, so I'll protect you and tell off anyone that might bring any trauma."

"Kazu: Hey, you're the one bringing the trauma, idiot."

"Maiko: What did you say, you NEET loser? Did you—"

"Kazu: But thank you."

"Maiko: Huh?"

"Kazu: Thank you for having my back and being my friend. No matter what, I'll have your back as well."

"Maiko: Dude, are you blus…"

"My face hits the floor as Maiko delivers a deadly right hook to my face before I could finish the sentence and forget what I was even going to say that caused this. The punch was as if she'd been trained in professional boxing for years and retired as a world champion here to take care of a NEET."

"Kazu: Was that really necessary?"

"Maiko: Well, are you ready? Let’s get going."

"As we walk through filled streets, we pass by many shops and restaurants. I start to enjoy just walking with Maiko. It’s nice to not be alone all the time. The birds are chirping, and the weather is not too warm or too hot."

"You know, Maiko, I and Lulu probably look like a couple with their dog walking together. Not that I'd ever date her, or would I?"

"We arrived at this izakaya, and I start to prepare myself for battle. I’m a bit nervous and sweating. My palms are wet from sweat, and I feel it dripping down my forehead."

"Maiko looks at me in confusion and distress before she utters words of comfort to help me through it."

"Hey, Kazu, I know you’re anxious, but just remember this isn’t the past, and you’re not alone. You have me and Lulu."

"Woof."

"We walk into the izakaya, and as I take my shoes off, I am overwhelmed with the wonderful smell of karaage, one of my favorite foods—the fried potato with cheese or ham inside are to die for."

"Hey, idiot, why is your mouth drooling?" Maiko remarks in confusion.

"I think I see the mixer group, Kazu. Let’s head over there and stay behind me."

"As I’m walking past the crowd of regular workers and different high school kids or college kids enjoying their social life, it kind of makes me sick. I start to think that maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea. Right as my turning stomach starts to settle, and I see two faces at the mixer, my whole stomach drops, and the anxiety that once was there now came back ten times stronger as I see the faces of the kids from my past mixer there as adults. It was as if my past had come right back in front of me, and I was going through it all over again. I can feel the sweat drip from my forehead and my palms as I realize the fun mixer prepared by Maiko has turned into a repeat ordeal."

"Hey, I guess we’re not the first ones here after all, huh, Kazu?" Maiko uttered before realizing how sweaty and nervous I looked. It was a wreck.

Maiko pulls me to the side in a rush, and panic sets in as she starts to realize I’m a nervous wreck. I wonder what could’ve given it away? Was it my jaw dropping, or maybe the fact that I started to shower in my own sweat? Regardless...

"Kazu, what is wrong with you? You look as if you’re having a heart attack out there. Even Lulu's worried. You're not backing out, are you?"

As I prepare myself to tell Maiko the truth, it feels as if it's taking so much hard work just to open my mouth and get the words I need to say out. The most I could muster was a brief sentence and words that shook Maiko and Lulu when I spoke.

"Maiko, those are the same people from my past mixer."

"What? You have to be kidding me! What's up with these guys? Do they just go around random mixers bullying and traumatizing people? Kazu, I'm sorry I put you through this. We don't have to do this. Let's go."

"No, Maiko. Can't you see?" I said, recognizing that maybe this was an opportunity to stop running from my past.

"Maiko, God put these people in front of me because he wanted me to get over my past. And if I run now like I did back then, I'll just keep running for the rest of my life. Can't you see? This all happened because I decided to keep running and never stopped to face what truly happened. I'm not running anymore!"

"Well said, Kazu. And I'm right here to back you up. Plus, you're not like you were back then. You're buff now, so we can both kick their asses if they step out of line."

"Woof!"

"Oh, right, and Luffy's here with us. He might be small, but I'm sure he can bite their ankles or something."

"Woof, woof, grr."

"Umm, excuse us, please," states one of the guys at the izakaya in a very concerning and friendly voice. "We're just here to have a good time. I assure you there won't be any issues."

Although his reassuring voice sounded honest, I truly wanted to know what their plans were. I still had my guard up. I mean, why would they say that? Do they recognize me, or are they just perceptive? But before I could finish my thought, I heard Maiko's loud voice.

"Well, there better not be any issues, 'cause I'm watching you, buddy," said Maiko while intimidating and pushing the guy back. It almost made me feel bad for him, but it made me realize I have Maiko as a good friend there to have my back.

"Haha, I promise there won't," said the guy, as his reassuring and comforting voice turned to a voice you could hear fear from, probably the fear instilled by Maiko.

We head back to the table, trying to proceed with the night as planned. I sit down to the smell of wonderfully smoked food, and for a second, I almost forget that my childhood trauma sits right in front of me.

The nice lady approaches us to take our order. I immediately make sure to order a few drinks since I'll probably need it tonight to open up.

"Ahhhhhhh, this hits just the spot. The beer was extremely cold to the point I could feel the chills as I took a large gulp of my beer. I look over at Maiko, and she has also begun drinking. So have the other people, to which the awkwardness of the silence from just drinking is interrupted.

"So, Kazu, how have you been these past few years?"

The question startled me because I didn’t really know how to respond to that. What do I tell them? That I’m a NEET, a jobless bum, or that I failed in life? How’s my life? Well, what would he know? He was popular in high school, was always good at sports and with grades. They’re the type of people who don’t know how I feel because they’ve been winning always. It’s like they’re picked from the start in this world.

"My life has been alright. I’m just an average Joe. What about you? You must be loving it good right now?"

"Actually, Kazu, I could be better, haha. But believe it or not, there’s not much going on in my life."

"There’s not much going on in my life, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, I bet. This guy just pisses me off from looking at him. Nice, calm smile and smooth talker, could probably make friends with anyone. Also, good-looking, tall, athletic, and well-dressed. Ahhh, I freaking hate dudes like this. Then he’s being modest, acting as if he’s got nothing going on. Psss, pisses me off, honestly."

"I mean, come on, don’t be modest now. What about you? What’s your name again? I—"

"It’s Maiko, and I have more things going on than anyone here, actually. I—"

From then on, I just blocked Maiko out and heard blah, blah, blah, blah, gym, blah, blah, health, blah, blah, studies. Honestly, at this point, I'd rather have the modest, ass face tell his story than Maiko rant.

"That’s good to know. Well, actually, the company where Mizaki and I work just shut down due to a mass scandal. And we were both laid off."

"Wait, I heard about that. The huge charity fund that was started, and the board of directors took billions of yen. And from what I hear, also a lot of employees got to take some of that too. So, don’t tell me you guys—"

"We wouldn't dare!" shouted Mizaki in a rage as she stood up after what Maiko had said.

"Mizaki, sit down. Everyone is looking at us," Natsu said in a very worried tone.

Before I could say a word, Maiko stood up, and I could feel the rage enveloping her before she starts to shout, and I have to make sure I stop her. We've already attracted all the unwanted attention from the other guests at the izakaya, and this could get really bad knowing her.

"Well, well, you must’ve grown a pair, shout—"

"Maiko, sit down," says Kazu in a very direct manner, shutting everyone up.

"Excuse me, who—"

"You're being insensitive. Look, they wouldn't tell us they got laid off if they had taken any money. And even if they had, that isn't our business."

"I don’t really care, Kazu. Who does he think he is to shout at me in any way? I’ll cut him in this izakaya. And not only that, why are you on their side? You’re a traitor."

"I’m not on their side. Just stop giving me a headache and stop being loud, idiot. I told you I hate being the center of attention. But you must honestly love it to death."

"Whatever, we’ll talk about this later. Maybe I’ll just keep Lulu on my side since you found your new best friends."

"I turn back to the table and apologize for Maiko, but they apologize back. One of them says, 'I remember you were like this back in school too, always trying to make peace. Maybe that’s why I picked on you so much. Remember Kazu, you gotta push back sometimes; peace isn’t always a resolution.'"

We decided to end the night after that since it kinda made the mood sour, and as I stepped out of the izakaya, I noticed it had begun to rain. Though the forecast didn’t foresee any rain. Natsu stepped next to me and started to light his cigarette before he said something that stuck with me for the rest of the night.