"3"
"2"
"1"
"Happy New Year!!"
On the rooftop of the tallest building in Shibuya City, three fifteen-year-old boys gathered, filled with excitement and ready to welcome the New Year as they excitedly shouted together, their voices echoing in the cool night air.
Crackle!
Boom!
As soon as their cheers filled the atmosphere, the dark sky above Shibuya City burst into vibrant colors. Multiple fireworks painted the dark sky of the night, creating a spectacular display of light and joy. Each explosion was like a tiny celebration in the sky.
The boys, sitting on the slightly decorated rooftop adorned with twinkling lights, were caught up in the festive spirit. Haru Fujiwara, with his happy, carefree and relaxed demeanor, was grinning from ear to ear. Akio Kimura, the caring, smart-looking and calm guy, observed the fireworks that reflected on his spectacles. Kuga Yoshida, the rowdy-looking and most excited one, couldn't contain his energy and excitement.
They cheered out loud, toasting with cans of Cola since they were still underage. The fizzy drinks added to the celebration as they laughed, shared stories, and watched the breathtaking fireworks that marked the beginning of a new year.
The rooftop became their own little haven, high above the bustling city, where the trio embraced the joy of the moment and the promise of a fresh start.
As they were busy into food they gathered like cups of Instant Ramen noodles enjoying with their fizzy cold drinks despite the cold night, Akio looked at Haru and said, "I still can't believe how you managed to sneak us up all the way on this roof top."
The building they were on top of wasn't a hotel or any other tourist spot. Instead, it was a commercial building with multiple floors rented out to various companies that established their main branches there. Getting to the top, given the tight security, was no easy feat.
"What? Worried about getting caught?" Kuga laughed and added, "This is the most exciting and thrilling part of the party!"
"I'm not afraid of getting caught because I trust that Haru planned it well." Kuga shook his head, wearing a knowing smile. Then, he teased, "Setting aside the fun, did your dumb-head even think about what might happen if we do get caught? Ending up in prison won't be the least of our worries."
"Haha! Who cares about that!? I'm not scared!" Kuga confidently laughed and then turned toward Haru, nervously asking in a whisper, "Hey... are we really going to end up in prison?"
"You know I can still hear you? Hah... What did I even expect out of you?"
"Shut up!! You four-eyes!!"
"Haha, don't tease him too much, Akio." Seeing them having their own fun, a chuckle leaked from Haru's lips as he said, "Don't worry, I've got it under control. I know the owner of the building since my dad's office is also in the building, and I got his special permission."
"Wait!! Then why did you sneak us inside like we were some robbers?!" Kuga asked, and Akio also looked at him in question.
"Well... why not? I had my own fun seeing you guys being secretive and sneaky while getting on the roof. Well, not just me, I'm sure even the guards in the CCTV room must have laughed at you guys since they were already informed about us." Haru laughed as he spilled the beans of his little play.
"You b**tard!!"
"Damn you, Haru!! Kuga let's spill it all on him!!"
"Yeah!!"
"Wait!! What are you guys doing!! Stop--"
Before Haru could question their motives, Kuga immediately restrained him from behind, and Akio shook the remaining cans of cola and forcefully burst them open onto Haru.
"Wait, guys!! Achoo! It's cold---"
"Nope, not for you!!"
"Damn you guys!!"
"Hahahaha"
Their party continued with Akio bursting cans on Haru, whose pleas fell on deaf ears, and Kuga's laughter. Until someone's phone started ringing.
"Wait! Achoo! I'm getting a call!" Haru suddenly exclaimed as he heard his phone ring while sneezing a little.
Knowing it could be from his father, they left him for the time being and let him answer the call. But the moment Haru saw the caller's ID, his face went a bit pale.
"What's wrong? Who is it?" Seeing the change on his face, Kuga and Akio couldn't help but ask.
"It's Aki..."
"So?" Kuga tilted his head in confusion.
"This is why I call you a dumbhead!" Akio rebuked from the side and added, "Don't you know this is New Year's?"
"I know, but what does it have to do with this!?"
"Hah... I give up." Akio shook his head and turned toward Haru as he asked, "Judging from your expression, I guess you did not inform your secret girlfriend about this party, huh?"
"I originally had plans with her tonight, but since you guys wanted to do something special, I lied to her and said I would be sleeping because of a headache." Haru shrugged his shoulders as he ignored Aki's call and said, "But I guess she must have found out somehow."
"HARU!! My BRO!!" Understanding the sacrifice he made just for his friends, imaginary tears fell off Kuga's face as he hugged his homie from behind.
"Hey, get off me! I don't need a hug from you!!"
"Anyways, how did she even find it out? Your father is in Hokkaido, right?" Akio asked.
"Hmm... Oh right!... It must be those cameras that she secretly installed in my room while I was pretending to sleep. I thought using and covering body pillows with blanket would keep her suspicion low, but I guess she must have install cameras with heat detectors."
"..."
"..."
"What?" Haru asked.
"You don't find anything weird about it?" Akio asked in disbelief.
Even Kuga, who was hugging him, separated and said, "If I didn't know you and about her from you, I would have always believed that she was just a perfect, good-natured high school girl."
Hearing their response, a grin appeared on Haru's face as he said, "You forever singles would not understand it."
"Kuga, restrain him. I think he deserves more Cola on his head."
"Funny how I was thinking the same."
"Hey! Wait!! Time out--"
"DIE!!"
***
It was a pleasant memory or flashback that was still vivid in Haru's mind.
The laughter, the fun they had in those days when everything was normal for him, until in the second year, Kuga stopped talking to him, and Akio got busy with student council duties. Even now, though Haru might not say it, those moments were among the things he cherished the most – the time he had with his friends.
But now, as reality unfolded before him, his back stabbed with a bolt by his very own friend, it shattered those memories like broken glass.
The person he considered a friend, Akio, stood before him with a look that contradicted every shared moment.
The flash of betrayal pierced through Haru's soul as he felt the bolt in his chest, a stark contrast to the warmth of the cherished memory.
"Why... Akio, why!?" Haru shouted with bloodied mouth, his eyes reflecting hurt, confusion, and a deep sense of disbelief—as the once-trusted friend became the one who just stabbed him in the back.
Instead of replying to Haru, whose emotions were running wild, Akio gave a chuckle and spoke as if addressing someone invisible, "Hahaha... Momo, looks like I won our little bet."