At the bar

"Kampai!" three glasses of beer made a *caching* sound. The table was covered in empty plates and glasses. They have been drinking for a while it seems.

"Mm, I hate this beer!" Sora looked at her big glass after taking a sip.

"Why did you order it then?" Sobue looked at her, laughing.

"I mean, I ordered the same as you. I am not a fan of these types of beer anyway. I should have just bought Asahi..." Disappointed she glanced at Mel, pleading eyes.

"Okay, I will finish this one for you, go buy yourself another one!" Mel took the glass, pushing Sora away from the table.

"Thank you, Mel!" She ran off.

"This girl," Mel sighed, "will she ever find a normal partner? I told her a million times, that she should forget about the guys, and just focus on the girls, you know? Who likes men, anyway?"

Sobue pursed his lips. "Sure, Mel. But not everybody is like you. She clearly likes this guy for some reason, even though she saw him like two times?"

"That's Sora for you, she is hopeful, as always, hoping for the best. I really hope he is not another creep."

When Sora returned with a bottle in her hand, they sat in silence, each thinking about something.

"Yay, what's up guys, what's with the faces?"

"Nuh, just drinking," Sobue smirked, "watcha bought in the manga shop?"

"Oh, I missed the special edition, so I just bought a new volume of One Piece."

"There is one? I missed it I think."

"Yes, I think it's been some time. It's just I was reading other things. Also, I can not watch it once a week now, it's just too hard for me, so I'll just read all the new developments ASAP."

"Oh imagine what would be the feeling after it's complete?"

"Don't even say it, I am so lost. My entire winter last year was based on One Piece and stuff. I can not imagine living without it. And, actually learning what it is - hell no."

Sobue made a "huh" noise, saying sarcastically "Yea, I guess it's good for you there is a live-action and a new anime adaptation you can re-watch again and again..."

"Stop, Sobue-kun, as if you do not understand! Your sarcasm is not appreciated here!" Mel made a face.

"Sure, sure, I know you both are crazy about it. I just prefer newer stuff."

"Yea, preferably with funny boob physics!" Sora was bitter.

"Got ya, Yasunobu!" Mel showed Sobue a tongue.

He waved his hand, "Whatever, you just don't understand!"

"Sure, freakin boys, I am not even surprised, only one thing interests you!" Mel was getting fired up with the alcohol rising in her blood.

"You can not bully me, if I prefer watching girls on the screen, instead of two boys making out!"

"Now you are talking as if One Piece was a yaoi! LOL imagine, Mel?" Sora quickly turned to her, eyes beaming with ideas.

"Oh, not again..." Sobue rolled his eyes, finishing his beer in one gulp. He regretted raising this topic now since drunk Mel and Sora were unstoppable.

"I am going to buy a new one, " he showed them an empty glass, but they were already talking excitedly, fully ignoring him, "of course," he mumbled and left the table.

He went to the bar and ordered another beer. Waiting, his glance fell back at the girls. They seemed happy, talking like this. Sora was throwing her hands around, as she was describing something vividly. He smiled. Mel nodded and added something. They seemed very invested in it, he thought. He felt a bit alienated, even though he had gotten used to it by now. Himari was not here, she would have supported him in his annoyance with these two. He wondered if she was okay, as they did not talk to each other for several days now.

He heard "Your beer, sir". Nodding, he took the glass and slowly went back.

"...and then, Zoro would be pushing him to the wall, looking at him, asking something menacing, so that Mihawk would be lost!" Sora was genuinely describing a scene.

«Oh a classic kabe-don scenario, sounds inspiring!» Mel clapped her hands.

Sobue lost it, "Please stop, I can not listen to this!"

"Okay, sorry, Sobue-kun, we will stop. But it has to be said, that you were the one who started it!" Sora winked, sitting down.

He put the glass down.

"Where is Himari, Mel?"

Mel looked uncomfortable. "I think she might be working at his hour... I am not sure. We have not spoken today..."

"What?" Sora jumped up, "Are you serious, Mel? Why?"

"I told you, Sora, it's a bit complicated right now!"

"Well, that's surprising..." Sobue said quietly.

"Yes, Sobue-kun, it is! Mel, why are you torturing yourself so? You need to communicate to maintain proper relationships. You know it the best, your thesis is about relationship quality!!" Sora was red, reinforced by the alcohol in her blood, she was louder than usual.

"Hey, hey, "Sobue intervened when he saw people turning their heads at them, "Sora, be more reserved, please! We are in a public space after all."

She sat down, calming herself, "Yes, I forgot for a second. But Mel, really, what are you thinking?"

"You know what I am thinking, I am avoiding the conversation, because I am afraid of what I might hear from it."

"You have to stop overanalyzing so much," Sobue said confidently.

"I know," she looked at her hands, "I know I should..."

"Okay then, text her now!" Sora started looking for the phone, but because she was already tipsy her movements were a touch slower than usual, which looked comedic.

Sobue noticed, smiling. Mel took out her phone, "Here, stop looking for it, Sora. I will, I will, okay?"

"Okay! Good!" Sora showed a thumbs up.

"Mel, you maybe should just talk in person, when you come home? Wouldn't it be better?" Sobue was the most sober one.

"Shut it, Sobue-kun! We know what we are doing, " Sora threw a hand at him, "and we are texting Himari-chan that we love her, and that we miss her, got it, Mel?"

Mel was typing, nodding.

"Wait a second, give me the phone," Sobue squinted his eyes. He was right to be suspicious because the text said exactly what Sora had said, with no change in words. He looked up, his eyes full of judgment, "I will re-write it if you allow?"

"Sure, Yasunobu-kun, you can..." Mel replied, defeated.

"Wait, Mel, do you trust him? He might write something stupid about boobs, and such." Sora squinted her wows, she was drunk.

"Sora, stop it, you know well that I am serious when it comes to serious situations. Mel, I am not changing the meaning, just the presentation, okay?"

She nodded, while Sora folded her hands theatrically.

"Sure, he knows better than I do."

"Don't be a child, Sora." Sobue typed fast, giving the phone back, so Mel could see before sending the text. Mel looked up, nodding in thanks, clicking send.

"Wait, Mel, you actually sent what he had proposed?"

"Sora," Mel touched her head, "it was a team effort, okay? You did good too!"

"Sure I did, I am the best!"

Mel laughed. "Sure you are. Maybe it's best we go home now?" She looked at Sobue, nodding to him.

"Yes, let's go, Sora, I will take you home." He started collecting their things.

"But we just started talking! I don't want to go!"

"Okay, stop this nonsense, we have work tomorrow!"

"Yep, Sora, come, stand up!" Mel pulled her up. "We need to sleep too and I need to talk to Himari, remember?"

"Oh, of course," as if realizing something, Sora smiled, " Himari... then we should hurry home!"

"Yes, we should, let's go." Sobue took her under the elbow, Mel walking behind them.

"Hey, Yasunobu, I will go then, take care of her, please!"

He nodded, "Yep, will do. You too, be careful in the subway!"

Mel waved goodbye to drunk Sora.

"Meeeell, seeee youuuu". She waved back in slow motion.

Mel ran off. Sobue, sighing, took a better hold of Sora, as they stepped out of the bar.