[Harajuku Gyoza Lou]
(6 Chome-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001)
HOSHI: Shibuya's very pretty, isn't it?
FAE: Yeah, I've never been to...enjoy Japan like this because well...you know?
HOSHI: Yes, yes...uh, do you like to eat dumplings? Because here we are.
They stopped at a rather small dumpling restaurant. It was black on the outside, and on the inside, illumined by orange light. The space looks rather crowded, and it was quite famous perhaps, Fae thought.
HARRY: Hmm...where would you sit then?
HOSHI: I...you know, waiting is not that bad. Give it five minutes.
HARRY: Okay, fine.
Hoshi then gives a devilish giggle as he secretly creates a black smoke from his hands, something that devils are all capable of doing. (Probably the only thing Hoshi likes about being a demon.) It gives off a foul smell, that could either smell like heavily polluted smoke, a clogged sewage, or a rotting corpse, sometimes all at once, that could really make the victim feel uneasy, and easier to manipulate and take advantage of.
The group of men eating on one side suddenly smelled it, and overwhelmed by it, quickly finished up their food and left, commenting on why it smells horrible all of a sudden.
Hoshi laughs, as Harry and Fae were talking to each other, unaware of the demon's doing. Hoshi then turned around, proud of his work and slowly pokes Fae's shoulder.
HOSHI: Princess, there's a free seat now.
He said cheerfully, making the gray reaper blush.
FAE: Wow, that was quick!
Harry felt suspicious though, since he's very observant in body language and scent. He thought that somehow, his smile and the way his eyes look could mean something.
Or maybe he just despise his cocky grin?
HARRY: You sure not playing dirty?
HOSHI: No, why would I?
HARRY: And why won't you?
FAE: Stop it guys, and let's hurry too. We don't want that seats to be taken, do we?
HOSHI: The lady's right.
Hoshi gave a smug smile.
HOSHI: We don't want that seat taken, right?
Suddenly, a familiar scent caught Harry and Hoshi's nose.
HOSHI: It smells like Murasaki.
HARRY: And it smells like Gabby!
They turned around and were both in fact shocked to got their thoughts confirmed. Hoshi was a bit less shocked though since he asked MJ for good restaurants and he made a list. What's shocking for him was that they both chose the same place, at the same time too.
While Harry was just not expecting to see her immediately. He noticed Gabby looks nervous and uneasy, her gloved hands playing with her fingers in such a tensed fashion. What could have been the reason? Was she scared that he found out so fast?
HOSHI: Yo, how did...how..?
HARRY: Wait...
HARRY: You're...here too?
MURASAKI: I...am equally surprised as you are.
HARRY: So...you're dating him now?
Harry couldn't hide the fact that he felt upset. Red was the most loyal person ever. And gave everything up for her. Even his voice gave the impression that he did not expect Gabby to do this, and it was quickly after Red left to.
Gabby couldn't explain, and her eyes were sad as well. Murasaki understood the situation, and although wanted everyone to know that his longtime crush had finally agreed to date him, chose to humble himself to avoid hurting the girl he deeply cares about.
MURASAKI: Nah, you're mistaken. It's not a date. I just took her out so she can smile and enjoy herself. She loves Red deeply. And she's loyal too, don't jump into conclusions.
It felt painful saying those, but what choice does he have? Between his happiness and hers, hers seems more important. He crumpled his fists, hiding the pain in his chest.
Harry believed him, or perhaps chose to believe him. Even though he dislike the fact that Humility and Red seems to be paying more attention and thought to their lovers than their friendship, he dislikes it more when both of them are unhappy. It felt heavily unfair for Red, Harry thought, since his friend was willing to risk his all for her.
They all sat down. And there was even a seat left vacant.
Thanks to Hoshi for that.
HARRY: So...you're really not dating?
MURASAKI: We're not. Chill.
FAE: (Now this even got more awkward. Three chaperone for us???)
HOSHI: (This definitely, isn't part of the deal. F*ck those reapers.)
MURASAKI: So, uh...demons like dumplings, huh?
People around them looked at him suspiciously, and quite confused. Although all english, the words he used were common, and those who understood translated it to their friends, causing gossips and bad glares at their group.
Hoshi smacked his face, while Fae remaines seated still, not sure how to save the atmosphere.
He felt embarrassed, forgetting that they were around normal humans, and Gabby quickly acted to save her dear friend from judgement.
GABBY:( It's just a term we use as friends. Sorry for the...misunderstanding. )
She explained in Japanese.
They looked away after that, back to their own chattering.
Gabby smiles at Murasaki, then bursted out laughing. Murasaki didn't feel offended however, rather mesmerized that his own stupidity made her happy. If that was the case, he wouldn't mind committing silly acts for her.
It melted his heart on spot.
HOSHI: Simp.
Hoshi whispers, and Murasaki glared at him.
MURASAKI: You're the simp! You literally agreed to cooperate and get crushed by a snake to have a date with her!
HOSHI: Shut up!
FAE: Aww, how cute.
HOSHI: I mean, yeah. I'd do that for her.
HARRY: Cringe.
HOSHI: Stop frowning like that and get some milk. It's not our fault you didn't bring a female company.
HARRY: I DON'T NEED ONE! I'M FINE BY MYSELF AND MY BROS!
GABBY: Stop teasing Harry, guys. Humility and Red won't be happy if they find out.
HARRY: Yeah! Listen to Gabby! And by the way...I totally forgot!
GABBY: Forgot?
HARRY: Red just took time to write these letters. They're 20 by the way. Hahah, so guess...guess he's the biggest simp of all.
Hoshi laughs, but Murasaki stayed stiff. Looking at the girl he loves smile even brighter at the mentioning of his love rival's name. Despite being there with her, she seems so far away from reach.
Gabby took the letters from Harry's hands one by one, as the yellow reaper grabs them from his small bag usually carried around by him to carry jars of souls.
GABBY: Ah, really? That's so sweet. I wish I could have written him anything back. Just...uh, give him this.
Gabby fished out her small notebook, containing his daily doodles.
Harry looked curious and was contemplating on whether to open it or not.
GABBY: You can open it too.
The reaper looked excited and even moved seats. He moved to Gabby's side and suddenly, Hoshi felt more comfortable that he can flirt with Fae with less awkwardness. While Fae was equally curious of what could be the notebook's content. Murasaki on the other hand, was really upset, having a glimpse of the pages. Most of them were Red's face, fighting, smiling or cooking.
Gabby thinks about him a lot, huh?
Soon enough their orders arrived.
They laughed and all, having Hoshi tell the jokes, and Harry even forgot he was mad at him.
Fae had a great time, more so with the food. She never had been able to taste them since the day she died. And it felt nostalgic.
Gabby was just glad and excited she recieved Red's letters. And couldn't wait to open them at home.
Hoshi though, was simply glad that Fae was having a good time, even though he lost his chances to flirt or compliment her at that point. Actually, seeing her cute personality, he don't feel like she deserves being a replacement. He felt bad that he felt that way at first and wanted to know more about her.
Winter, not really into dates lied when he said that he wouldn't come and would rather be yelled at by Humility than go to some boring date. Disguised as one of the costumers, he felt quite jealous that they were all having fun.
Suddenly, he remembers Vixen, and quickly gritted his teeth in anger.
WINTER: (Stupid brain, why would I think of her at a time like this? I don't even like her.)
It was a lie. The total opposite.
Since then, he had liked the red reaper, and knowing that he could act weird when close to her, he had been ignoring her for decades. Not even mentioning her name or talking to her once. But having a glimpse at her would send his heart flying in his ribs, bashful whenever she would ever catch him look at him.
Believing that it would ruin his image, having them on the same frame was more than rare.
And now failing to hold his bashfulness, he stuffs the dumplings to his mouth quickly, wanting to distract himself from the thought of her.
WINTER: (Why do we even need to feel like this? This is nothing but weakness!)
He spoke to his mind, not aware that the unsually loud tinkering of his utensils gave away his cover. Gabby and Murasaki laughed to themselves as Hoshi, Harry and Fae were confused but found it funny otherwise.
HOSHI: So aggresive.
HARRY: I know! Hahahhah!
FAE: What's wrong with Mister Winter?
HARRY: Eh, doesn't matter what. He's always been the mysterious one. Let the man eat his dumplings. And don't tell him that we saw him, he hates being found out behaving like this.
Harry whispers, as the others took note.
GABBY: Guess he still minds being yelled at by Humility.
Then the crowd continued laughing until Winter becomes insecure that they might be doing so because of him. He hesitated on whether to look at them to confirm, but felt afraid they might recognize him and call him a liar.
In the end, he stayed there, completely still, trying his best to look cool although the perfect image he was hoping for himself had already shattered five minutes ago.