It's like a scene from a low-rated teen flick.
The high-charisma leads, their bond tested, sit side by side on a bench. A subtle gap between them, the crowd's clamor ahead, wrapped in meaningful silence.
Will they part in tears, one fleeing abroad to heal, or drop their guards for an embrace and kiss?
…No clue!
"You here for Nakajima-senpai's invite too?" Takizawa coughed lightly.
"Yeah, got it my second time at the office. Pretty flattered, since I'm a total rookie," Uchida said, hands on her knees.
"Nervous?"
"Of course."
"It's off-work fun. Just let loose," Takizawa said.
"I know. But formal recordings make me more nervous…"
"Worried you'll mess up?"
"Yeah, especially with no experience. I might make obvious mistakes. On set, everyone's on a tight schedule, right? Each slot has planned tasks. Slowing things down would be awful," Uchida fretted.
"Everyone starts there," Takizawa reassured.
"Speaking of, you're past that phase, huh?" Uchida paused, tilting her head. "Senpai, share some wisdom!"
"I'm still stumbling along. If anything, just ask when you're lost," Takizawa said breezily, waving a hand.
"What if I don't get too much?"
"Keep asking."
"Won't that annoy the sound director?" Uchida shook her head. "They're busy. Asking basic questions could hurt my rep."
"Actually, the opposite. Newbies often grind in silence, then deliver subpar work. Asked why, they say they're not skilled enough. Asked why not seek help from vets, they say they didn't want to bother anyone."
Takizawa sighed.
"That 'consideration' means vets clean up, work gets redone, your skills are deemed lacking, and you take the blame. Repeat that, and you're out. Ask the boss or lead instead. Even if it flops, they share some responsibility."
"Sounds like being a burden," Uchida said weakly.
"If you nail it first try, stunning the client, are you even a newbie?" Takizawa snorted. "Plus, asking gets you noticed by senpais, better than fading into the background."
"What if they hate me? Scold me to 'handle small stuff yourself'?"
"Hit the road, see you later. Jump ship. But now your resume says 'work experience,'" Takizawa concluded grandly.
"That's useless!"
"It's hard-earned wisdom."
"Takizawa-kun, you never joined clubs, did you?" Uchida got serious.
"Why bring that up?"
"Freshmen in clubs do grunt work. In competitive sports clubs, it's cutthroat. If you're not quietly fetching balls or cleaning but trying to join the inner circle, asking questions, senpais will shoo you off," Uchida said.
"School's not work," Takizawa countered.
"Work's colder. My dad, starting out, asked for advice but got labeled a 'slacker.' Colleagues turned distant. Job-hopping's tough—new places assume you left for incompetence," Uchida said slowly.
"So what's the move?" Takizawa paused.
"That's why I'm asking a veteran," Uchida said humbly.
"Ask if you don't know."
"That's already shot down."
"Then what's the move?"
"I just want a veteran's take."
"…"
An eternal loop, achieved unwittingly.
"You get it, right, Takizawa-kun? The monster called 'vibes' in this society," Uchida said, self-deprecatingly. "Stand against the crowd, even if you're right, you're helpless. The unspoken rule is 'don't make trouble.' Etiquette looks orderly but feels frigid."
This island nation had its quirks.
"Seeing you escape that 'vibes' quagmire," Uchida smiled faintly, eyes clear, "I'm genuinely happy."
It felt like a warm thread tied them together, Takizawa thought.
"Want a drink? I'll grab one," He offered gallantly.
"Let's go together," Uchida stood, smiling.
The park had countless stalls, the nearest selling cotton candy.
Oddly, that greedy little girl still lingered there.
No way she's scamming kind passersby with her cute act?
Tokyo women are terrifying!
Takizawa approached cautiously. "Hey, kid, why aren't you playing with your folks?"
The lone girl, clutching a licked-clean stick, looked up, eyes reddening, tears falling. Takizawa raised his hands, signaling innocence.
"Oh, are you hurt?" Uchida knelt, concerned.
The girl tugged Uchida's sleeve, sobbing, "Wah, Mommy!"
"What! Your kid?!" Takizawa gaped.
"No way," Uchida said, exasperated.
"'Mom' and 'Dad' sound similar worldwide. Can't mistake it," Takizawa sighed. "Didn't expect you to be a young mom, Uchida. Tough life."
"Stop it. I don't even have a boyfriend."
"What… a single mom? Sorry, didn't mean to hit a sore spot," Takizawa bowed, ashamed.
Before Uchida could retort, the girl turned, wailing, "Wah, Daddy!"
Now Uchida, holding her, shot him a suspicious look.
"Slandering my honor, ruining my purity?" Takizawa's eyes widened.
"…Lost your parents?" Uchida, staying grounded, wiped the girl's tears with her sleeve, asking gently, "What's your name?"
"Saki," The girl mumbled.
"Take her to staff. They'll broadcast for her parents," Takizawa suggested.
"Let's go find them."
Minutes later, carefree Saki-chan pulled Uchida's sleeve with one hand, Takizawa's with the other, toddling along, occasionally swinging between them.
As a guy who loved trying new things, Takizawa was drawn to novel drinks and dishes. This roasted barley beer tea, murky and swirling, looked like a brew to drag mortals to hell. One sip—complex, overwhelming flavors.
Holding a generic lemon tea, Uchida kept eyeing his odd drink. "You've gotten bolder in some ways…"
"My taste?" Takizawa asked.
"Old Takizawa-kun was a nostalgic, plain 'mineral water' guy."
"Was I? A minimalist. But life's one shot—missing out on indulgence is a loss. Monks train in the world to transcend it. The poor only talk about ignoring money; tycoons treat it like dirt."
"Boys' indulgence? Red-light districts? Clubs? Bars and dance halls?" Uchida scanned him, reassessing. "You're already indulging, Takizawa-kun?"
"Nah, I'm not into dating women," Takizawa said politely.
"When did your preferences change…?"
"Slip of the tongue. I meant not into romance."
"But you've sated those urges at party spots?" Uchida asked cautiously.
His reply rang with fiery conviction.
"Of course! I'm a legal adult—how could I skip adult fun? When night falls, I stride through neon streets, into hormone-charged chaos, shedding manners and pretense, unleashing pent-up stress!" Takizawa clenched his fist, eyes blazing.
"Every night?" Uchida asked, incredulous.
"Not every night, a few times a week," He said, scratching his head shyly.
"Your body can't handle that… Shouldn't you pace yourself?" Uchida whispered.
"Gotta live young! When you're old, you'll regret a bland life with no thrills. Too late then," Takizawa mused, then invited eagerly, "Wanna try, Uchida? I'll take you next time. It's a blast!"
"No, no, that's too much! You need to chill!" Uchida blushed, stammering.
"I've got memberships at four places. Gotta use them," Takizawa said.
"Four?!" Uchida gasped.
"Super worth it. Tons of options. If I'm bored solo, I grab a random stranger to join," Takizawa pitched like a salesman.
"Guys or girls?" Uchida braced herself.
"What kind of question is that? Anyone—they're all chatty and open," Takizawa chuckled.
Shameless!
Uchida's neck flushed, stunned by his audacity.
Hearts corrupt so easily, lost to decadence. His carefree demeanor, bold gaze—no longer timid. Generously, he'd grown resilient; harshly, his innocence was eroded.
Uchida felt a pang of sadness.
"What're you talking about?" Saki-chan blinked, looking up.
"Adult stuff," Takizawa said mysteriously, then grinned. "But I can tell you…"
"What?!" Saki asked.
"Takizawa-kun! Don't tell kids that!" Uchida snapped, upset.
"It's gaming," Takizawa revealed.
"?" Saki.
"?" Uchida.
"In vibrant arcades, with like-minded strangers, diving into the dazzling world of the ninth art! Reflex showdowns, split-second strategies, tests of will, sweaty comebacks! Unmatched!"
Takizawa's passion overflowed, like a swordmaster slicing clouds.
"Becoming a hero in virtual worlds—every boy's stayed up battling tough levels, slaying bosses, saving princesses and worlds. It's essential youth, our romantic haven!"
"Really not up for it? There's chill, non-skill games too," Takizawa pressed.
"You go to arcades weekly?" Uchida stopped walking.
"Yup."
"Memberships at four?"
"Expiring soon, but I can extend by bringing three new customers monthly. Got two already. If you join, I get next month free… Newbies get discounts. Wanna try?" Takizawa rubbed his hands greedily.
Uchida paused, sighed, then sped up.
Saki-chan, losing her sleeve to tug, chased after, leaving the man behind.
"Don't run, you clumsy kid. Wouldn't be shocked if you tripped," Takizawa hurried after.
A flushed, pretty girl.
A goofy little girl trailing.
A cheerful guy chasing them.
Like a wife miffed at her husband's mistake, daughter tagging along, and dad apologizing—then catching up for playful harmony. Normal for a kids' park.
"Huh? Takizawa?"
A voice broke in, watching his friend play horsey with the girl for minutes.
The "family of three" Turned.
Matsuoka, utterly baffled.
"Heh."
And Sakura-chan, arms crossed, smirking coolly.
***
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