I Want to be at Home, Writing

Once I joined the others in the Karaoke room I found my spot next to Akimoto. Whale— while the other three were deeply locked into song choice, the elegant Akimoto was dialed into snack selection.

“Kiyotaka-kun, come here, come here.”

She waved me over with a cheeky smirk plastered on her face.

Once I sat down she shifted closer to me, holding a menu between us. She probably wasn’t aware of it but our legs pressed up against each other and I might’ve felt something soft against my arm. I mean really, like I said previously my foremost concern is writing so why would I be worried about this or better yet even have it on my radar because it’s just not something to like think about she’s not worried about it clearly she’s like me a writer so we’re both in the same boat so honestly there’s no reason to stress.

“Kiyotaka…kun?”

“Hm, what? Oh right, the menu…”

“Focus, this is important. What I’m thinkin’ is we get two orders of fries, one pizza, then another if you guys want anything, uhm— fried chicken, probably two orders… Then oo! The salads here look good, so one of those for me… And I’m worried the sushi is just going to be like convenience store sushi, ya’ know? But I’ll get some regardless.”

Any possible previous concerns in my head that didn’t exist were now dead and burried. My foremost concern was Akimoto’s waistline and bank account—both were going to suffer today.

“Hahaha… That sounds good… As long as you have the money.”

“Hm? We’re splitting the bill of course.”

Don’t say that so casually! Are you serious!? You’re ordering almost twenty-thousand yen worth of food! I’m planning to have none and I have to split it!?

I took too long quietly complaining to myself and staring off into space! Akimoto already had the room’s phone in her hand and was yapping away at the clerk.

I slouched into a half lay-sit, letting out a deep sigh.

“There! All ordered!” Akimoto cheerfully announced.

“Wonderful…”

Though Sato was acting a bit strange earlier, the three of them ended up really getting into the karaoke. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that Sato’s eyes were fixed on Yoshika more often than not… Did he like her or something? The way he looked at her didn’t exactly seem like a “crush.”

It was more of a glare.

Despite that, the atmosphere was lively—or maybe more cozy. All I know is that I actually was beginning to relax because it seemed I wouldn’t have to sing. I most likely have an incredible singing voice though. It would sorta feel like showing everyone up, no?

Being a writer and good at singing? Come on, not everyone can compete.

Akimoto had made a fair—sizable—massive—most. Most of the food was gone. She sang a couple songs, namely Dress Down… For the life of me I can’t remember who it’s by though…

Her voice despite sounding grating and hurtful when directed at me was genuinely pretty, she really could sing.

Yoshika sat back down on the booth near Sato, leaving Takechi as the only one up by the screen.

“And now…” Takechi over-dramaticized a fist clench. “For my solo tonight, I’ll be performing Telephone Number by the beautiful Junko Ohashi.”

What’s up with all these old songs? I don’t know any of them…? Are they back in style?

I glanced around the room, there was eaten food, the air was warm and filled with the scent of it. Sato and Yoshika were clapping along to Takechi’s singing.

I don’t get it… They seem so connected to the moment, but all I can feel is distant. Why am I sad? I didn’t want to be here in the first place anyway.

Akimoto sat next to me with a content smile, lightly shaking maracas. As I peeked at her face she turned to me slightly and maintained the same expression.

I tried to muster one back. I think I— I’m fairly confident I did.

Akimoto looks disconnected from the other three, but there’s not a doubt in my mind she doesn’t feel this way at all… How come?

“Are you just gonna sit there quietly the whole time?” Akimoto poked me with a maraca and a small laugh.

“Ah— M-maybe…”

“Here— Take these. You gotta get into it.”

She offered me the maracas, and when I didn’t accept them, she gently—but firmly—placed them in my hands.

“Now you shake them to the beat, Kiyotaka-kun.”

My hands refused to move. It’s not that I didn’t want to, they just wouldn’t move.

After a moment more, Akimoto placed her soft hands on mine and began shaking them right to left. We both looked up simultaneously and locked eyes. While I could feel my face growing hotter, Akimoto gave me that kind of smile again.

“Everything alright?”

“...”

“Kiyotaka-kun…?”

“And that was Telephone Number, by Junko Ohashi! Thank you everyone! Thank you!” Takechi bowed.

Light applause came from his two fans.

I’d assume Akimoto would’ve applauded too but one of her hands was occupied resting on my lower thigh.

“Kiyotaka-kun…?”

“Ah— I— I’m gonna leave early. Sorry.”

As quickly as I could without looking awkward I bolted up and made for the door with my bag.

I think the clerk tried to wish me a good day, but I was in such a hurry I wasn’t sure.

There, yes there.

“Haaaaahhhh~”

The fresh air. The salty aroma of the food was getting too much for me, anyone would probably do the same, right? All hot and kinda greasy, it’s no good.
I looked right then left down the street—we came from the left if I remember correctly… Even if it wasn’t that’s the direction I chose. I’ll make it home eventually, and when I do, I can finally get back to writing.

Ten minutes. Ten minutes was the time it took me to make it from the Karaoke place to the road following the river. I only mention this because it felt as if the sky had transitioned from day to late twilight by the time I reached it.

I always wonder how Kagoshima looks from the water. I've never been out there personally so to me I’ve never seen it. I know photo’s exist but they’re just not the same.

“H—Hey—”

An out-of-breath voice spoke from behind me.

What?

I turned to face the speaker. Akimoto. She was bent forward with her hands on her knees.

“Running fast after eating all that food is a bit difficult. Hehe…”

“W-what’re you doing here? W-why are you here?”

“You left so abruptly, I was confused.”

“Ah… Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“You never answered me back there, are you doing alright? You didn’t sing at all.”

Akimoto stood side-by-side with me, the natural next move for both of us apparently was to start walking, as that’s what we did.

“I’m doing good. I was just overheating a bit, ya’ know?”

No response was offered from her and our walk continued in silence.

We finally came to the turn off from the riverside-road. The station Akimoto had to get on was up ahead so naturally we’d part.

“I had a song in mind for you.” Akimoto said to my back.

“Like for us to sing together?”

“No, I was gonna suggest it for your solo.”

I turned towards her. “A solo?”

“Mhm. We all did one except you.”

There it is.

“What song was it?” I asked.

“I was thinking, Twilight Bay City.”

“...”

“...”

“Ha—”

I took in a sharp breath, it was as if my body was ready to say something even though my mind had no clue what.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the club, alright?” Akimoto interrupted the silence.

“Right…”

For the first time in my life it was like I couldn’t break eye contact. I’m usually never able to hold it!

“See ya, Kiyotaka-kun.”

“Y-yeah. See ya.”

Even though the atmosphere was more awkward than first-day introductions for me, Akimoto still punctuated her good-bye with a smile.