I stared at her and then at Akira whose face turned impassive. He squeezed my hand before he said, "Can't it wait? My girlfriend's freezing and my hand can only do so much."
Megumi's smile stiffened as the others sniggered and began walking, dragging her along with them. Akira smiled at me before we followed them.
"Your hand became warm." I sidled up and pressed closer to his arm.
We stepped inside the lobby, grinning ear to ear. Loud pop music, bright light, and warm air greeted us. Tanimura-kun sauntered towards us with another guy in tow.
"What took so long, Aki?" he asked.
"They arrived." Akira nodded towards the group ahead of us who went to the registration table at the side.
"You've met his ex?" Tanimura-kun gaped at me.
Akira turned to me. "I'll pay for us. Wait here with Kei and Juri."
I nodded and reluctantly let go of his hand, glancing at the other friend. He was tanned, short, and had a warm smile. Breathing in, I watched Akira line up and chat with the others before I faced Tanimura-kun and the stranger.
"Hi! I'm Matsumoto Reiko." I held out a hand. "You must be Sakaguchi-kun."
He peeped at Tanimura-kun before he took my hand and smiled. "I am. You're Aki's girlfriend. Kei told me about you."
"I heard there's one more of you." I looked past them. "Mayama-kun's still not here?"
"You've met Satoshi?" Sakaguchi-kun blinked.
"She did," Tanimura-kun replied. "There is one more, but Masa's not here yet."
"I heard he's bringing his girlfriend too." Sakaguchi-kun put his hands on his pockets.
"Is he the writer?" I asked.
"You also know about that?" Tanimura-kun grinned.
"He goes to Yokohoma too. Along with me and Kei." Sakaguchi-kun craned his neck. "There's Masa."
"Uh-oh. Looks like there's been a problem." Tanimura-kun walked towards the sullen-looking guy.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked Sakaguchi-kun.
"He came without his girlfriend," he said as if that was enough explanation. "Why don't you go to Aki? Masa can be ruthless to strangers when he's in this mood."
I eyed the newcomer and the line where Akira was. There were still four more persons before him. His ex-girlfriend was on the side, talking with the others. I glanced at the scowling guy who brushed off Tanimura-kun. He seemed the better choice than the ex and the strangers in the line. But then the one they called Masa spotted me with his friend. He halted, frown deepening. He turned to Tanimura-kun, and they talked, pointing towards me. When Masa blew out a breath and rubbed his temple, I finally got it.
I was still an outsider. Airing out his issue in front of me would be uncomfortable. With a gesture, I headed towards Akira. Several heads turned as I approached the line. One of them belonged to Akira whose smile became fuller.
Seeing him like that lit up my insides. My grin came easily. Gods, I like this simple happiness yet it also scares the hell out of me. I'd never want to lose this. But the fear blended in the background as Akira strode to meet me, shining in every single way.
"Our minds are connected." He took my hand.
I beamed. "Why? You called via telepathy?"
"Do you want a beer? They're offering unlimited beer as long as you present an ID." He led me back to his line, introducing me to the people around as his girlfriend.
Smiling at others, I gave him my ID. When it was our turn, Akira's friends rounded the table.
"Oooh, free beer." Mayama-kun nudged me in the shoulders. "I'm glad you could make it. Do you think you could get us one as well?"
"Are you guys legal?" I glanced at them. The sullen guy still looked standoffish, but he lifted his head and met my gaze.
"Does it matter?" Mayama-kun shrugged at the same time Kiritani-kun/Masa handed me his ID.
"It does." I stood straighter.
Mayama-kun raised his hands in defeat and shook his head while Tanimura-kun who now wore a frown moved away.
"Where's your date?" Akira asked.
"Fighting with Juri." Mayama-kun handed him money and followed Tanimura-kun.
"He brought Chie?" Akira did a double-take before he craned his neck to search for his missing friend. He then stared at his grumpy friend. "Where's Ueno-san?"
My eyes widened. I gaped at Akira and elbowed him as Kiritani-kun's expression turned stormier. Akira blinked his eyes at me, raising his eyebrows. I shook my head.
"At work." Kiritani-kun clenched his jaw.
The mood worsened as we entered the hall with dim lights and blasting music. None of Akira's friends spoke to each other. Akira was unhelpful as well with his cluelessness. When Sakaguchi-kun along with a bubbly girl joined us, the air lightened. I was glad for a girl companion because it was hard with all of the testosterone these guys were emitting.
The beer improved things further. Kiritani-kun began to be more amiable while Mayama-kun begged him for one sip because I wouldn't let him. Akira's girlfriend really became a thing of the past because her crowd was far from our table.
After my two glasses of beer, I went to the comfort room and found Akira waiting for me outside. I came to him, extending my arms towards him. His eyes disappeared as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.
"Did you wait for a long time?" I asked, rubbing his side with my palm.
"No." He closed the gap between us. His hand slid to my waist.
My head rested on his shoulder. I closed my eyes and inhaled. His now-familiar scent filled my lungs.
"Thank you for coming," he whispered, and then he straightened. "Oh, by the way, I forgot. Here's your ID."
Akira pulled out his wallet from his back pocket. I saw something white when he took out my ID, but the clicking of shoes against the tiles caught my attention. I looked up and saw Megumi round the corner. Her brows knitted when she recognized us, though Akira nodded at her when she passed us.
Without another word, Akira and I walked back to the hall. But a nagging feeling remained with me, prickling with every step until I could no longer ignore it. I told Akira I forgot something and turned back. My eyes were on the floor, searching for that something white, spotting it just as someone picked it up.
I increased my pace, but I was too late. Megumi unfolded the familiar paper and began reading it. Her eyes were wide when she glanced up. She eyed the paper and stared at me. I came in front of her and confirmed my nightmare.
In her hands was the contract Akira and I made.