As their bond grew closer, Sayoko became more relaxed around him. Tetsu Fuyukawa chuckled, playfully flexing his left hand like a dragon's claw, ignoring the envious glance from a guy nearby. He led the trio to a table near the central stage.
Unlike those music restaurants that falsely advertise live performances while blasting music through speakers, this place actually hosted small touring bands every night. Right now, a group of long-haired rockers was on stage, gripping microphones and guitars, belting out wild shouts.
To be honest, their outfits were a bit too over-the-top for Tetsu's taste, even for rock musicians. He wasn't impressed but didn't judge the young performers either as he grabbed the menu to order. In Japan, the most exceptional entertainment—whether novels, movies, music, or games—often stems from raw, intense emotions. But that creativity thrives only in an open, accepting environment, which is why Japan has become the world's second-most influential cultural powerhouse.
There's little room here for narrow-minded takes like, "If I don't like it, it shouldn't exist," or "What I don't like is tasteless," or "This stuff is beneath my refined taste—only unsophisticated folks would enjoy it." That kind of nonsense doesn't fly.
After ordering, Tetsu sipped his beer, listening to the music. Sayoko, meanwhile, carefully steered clear of sensitive topics, chatting with the two younger girls about funny behind-the-scenes stories from their theater crew. Himawari Izumi's mood lightened, but Tetsu just rolled his eyes.
Work had been stressful for him lately, and Sayoko was under just as much pressure. Yet here she was, still taking the time to cheer up Himawari.
"What a silly woman," Tetsu muttered under his breath.
Feeling a bit annoyed, he scooted closer to Sayoko. With his left hand, he raised his beer for a sip, while his right hand slipped into the gap between Sayoko's curves and the sofa.
"Eek!" Sayoko jumped, startled by the sneak attack. She shot Tetsu a shy glance. Their table, flanked by two sofas and tucked against the wall in dim lighting, offered just enough privacy. She subtly adjusted her position, her floral dress shifting slightly, and gave Tetsu a playful glare before resuming her chat with the girls.
Tetsu had little interest in their girl talk. He just kept sipping his beer, casually kneading the "peach" beside him, and watching the long-haired rockers scream on stage. It was a carefree moment. Soon, the waiter brought their hotpot bases.
Himawari and her best friend, Yumi Konno, each got small pots, while Tetsu and Sayoko shared a large yin-yang hotpot. Honestly, though, the yin-yang pot was kind of pointless. The Sichuan-style spicy broth had a unique charm. After tasting a piece of tofu soaked in the fiery broth, Sayoko abandoned the milder three-delicacy pot. She fanned her mouth, gasping for air, and asked Tetsu to pour her some water while she eagerly dunked more tripe into the spicy side.
But, as anyone who's eaten spicy food knows, drinking hot water afterward only makes it worse.
Realizing this, Sayoko gave up on the water and grabbed Tetsu's beer, chugging it down in two big gulps. Yumi, sitting across from them, looked on in awe. The consequence? Sayoko's lips soon swelled into little sausages. Sweating and flushed, she tied her dark hair up, stood, and handed her bag to Tetsu. "Watch my bag for me. I'm heading to the restroom. Himawari, want to come?"
"No, I'm good. I didn't drink much," Himawari replied.
"Alright. Tetsu, toss some pig's blood into the spicy pot for me."
"Got it, you greedy little pig," Tetsu teased.
"Hmph!" Sayoko huffed, swaying her hips as she headed to the restroom.
As Tetsu sipped his beer and listened to the music, the table grew quiet without Sayoko's lively presence. I'm only twenty, and I'm already playing dad? Tough life, Tetsu thought, glancing at Himawari, whose expression still carried a hint of gloom. With a wry smile, he slid a beer toward her. "Want a sip?"
Japan's an interesting place. You can get married at eighteen, but you're not supposed to drink or smoke until twenty. Rules like that exist everywhere, but they're rarely enforced. In a smoky, lively place like this, as long as you don't look blatantly underage, no one cares if you have a drink or a cigarette.
Himawari didn't respond, just giving Tetsu a skeptical look. Yumi, clutching her juice, chimed in with a grin, "Hey, uncle, you're up to no good! Sayoko-auntie's barely gone, and you're already trying to get Himawari drunk? Too bad for you—she never drinks."
Tetsu shrugged, unfazed by the cheeky teen. He took a big swig of his beer, let out a satisfied "ahh," and looked at Himawari with a casual smile. "I just think it's not worth letting small stuff ruin your day."
"Small stuff?!" Yumi piped up, indignant. "Uncle, you may be handsome, and we're grateful you're treating Himawari for her birthday, but do you even know what the light music club means to her—"
Before Yumi could finish, Himawari, to everyone's shock, grabbed a glass, filled it to the brim from the beer tap, and chugged half of it in one go! This was only her second time drinking, and such a huge gulp at that.
The alcohol hit her stomach, her eyes turning slightly bloodshot. She slammed the glass down on the table.
Yumi froze, stunned. Himawari, known for her cool, aloof demeanor, drinking so boldly? Unbelievable. After a moment, Himawari let out a loud "hic," completely breaking her composed image.
Yumi burst into laughter, and Himawari's face flushed—whether from embarrassment or the alcohol, it was hard to tell. Catching the faint amusement in Tetsu's eyes, she fell silent. After a moment's hesitation, she met his slightly tipsy gaze and asked, "Is life always this painful? Or is it just like this when you're young?"
A classic line.
Tetsu hadn't expected such a question. He thought for a moment, took a big gulp of beer, and looked into Himawari's clear eyes. With a shrug, he said, "For someone like you, probably always."
"Why? What do you mean it'll always be painful for Himawari?" Yumi jumped in, bristling. "Hey, uncle, you're really—"
Himawari stopped her, tugging her arm, and turned back to Tetsu. "You're saying personality shapes destiny, right? If I keep acting on my impulsive whims, I'll keep running into pain. Is that it?"
"Yes and no," Tetsu said with a grin, shrugging again. "Personality does shape destiny, but no one can completely change who they are. Unless you're a born villain or a natural hero, for most people raised with standard morals—especially soft-hearted ones like you—it's a paradox.
If you force yourself to become a cold, self-serving person, sure, you might avoid some losses. You might even get a 'happy ending.' But in doing so, you'll take on a different kind of pain. You'll be doing things you hate, and in the end, you'll still lie awake at night, hurting, questioning if life even has meaning."
He met her gaze again. "Pain in the process or pain in the outcome—as an ordinary person, you've got to pick one. It just depends on which matters more to you."
Both paths seemed like dead ends.
Himawari's fists clenched unconsciously, her eyes dimming. Then, suddenly, her gaze widened, staring ahead in shock. Yumi, mid-bite of a shrimp, froze too, her eyes wide.
"Saki? Why are they here?!" Yumi gasped. "Didn't they say they were going to a nightclub?"
Tetsu, his arm draped over the sofa, turned to look. The girls they'd seen at the school gate that afternoon were now on stage, instruments in hand, greeted by cheers and applause from the crowd.
"Isn't that Tokiwadai's light music club? The high school girl band?" someone nearby said.
"Yeah, I heard them at a nightclub once. Their lead singer is insane—such powerful vocals, thick and steady high notes that give you chills!"
"And let's be real, they're gorgeous. Those pleated skirts, long legs in thigh-high socks—pure, top-tier beauty. First time I've seen girls like that!"
"No kidding, you're into legs too? Bro, we're brothers now! Wait… did they change the lead singer?"
"Yeah, looks like it. But her legs are pretty great too!"
After two years of hard work, the light music club had built a decent reputation. The switch in lead singer sparked some curious murmurs, but as an unsigned high school band, they didn't exactly have a loyal fanbase. Most people just asked a question or two and then clapped for the girls on stage.
How could this be…
Himawari stared in disbelief. The same crowd that had just been talking about her was now cheering for the stage. Her former friends, singing happily up there—something in her clear eyes seemed to crumble.
The spotlight faded.
Her clenched fists slowly loosened, and she slumped back in her seat, drained. At that moment, Tetsu pulled an envelope from Sayoko's bag, took out a sheet of music, and handed it to her.
"What's this…?" Himawari asked, looking up blankly.
Tetsu smiled. "You know, what I said earlier wasn't entirely right. The world doesn't run on cause-and-effect logic. In relationships, the ones who give the most, who suffer the most, often end up with the loneliest endings.
A painful process doesn't guarantee a happy outcome, and a joyful process doesn't guarantee a painful one. But a joyful process is happiness you can actually hold onto. So… don't get lost in doubting life. Just do what you want to do right now."
He shifted slightly, giving her a clear view of the stage. "Don't forget the past, but don't reject it either. That's pointless—your memories are always there, whether you like it or not.
All you can do is carry your past and move forward bravely. Go on, show them who the real ace of Tokiwadai is. Let them see exactly who they left behind!"