"That was amazing, like magic! How did you do it?" Sakurako looked at him in astonishment.
"Why don't you pick a card? Remember it, and don't let me see it."
Sakurako selected a card from the spread, carefully glanced at it, and placed it back. Then, she shuffled the deck.
"Are you done?"
Sakurako nodded.
Masashi placed the deck on the back of his hand and said to Sakurako, "The deck is all mixed up, so finding that card again would be impossible. I'll need your help. Now, please extend your right hand and focus on that card, concentrating all your thoughts on your right hand."
Sakurako obediently stretched out her right hand, closed her eyes, and focused intently.
The atmosphere turned mysterious as everyone watched Masashi and Sakurako with rapt attention.
"Okay, open your eyes and gently tap your right hand on the deck on my hand."
As Sakurako tapped his hand, a single card floated down from Masashi's hand, face-up. It was the King of Hearts.
"That's it! Amazing!" Sakurako cried out and grabbed Masashi's hand, trying to figure out how the card had emerged.
Everyone clapped enthusiastically, except for one guy who glared darkly at Masashi.
When everyone moved to the dance floor, Masashi turned to Kazumi with a smile. "Would you dance with me, lovely lady?"
"I don't know how to dance," Kazumi said shyly.
"It's easy. I'll show you." He pulled her to the dance floor.
After a few stumbles, Kazumi started to dance somewhat competently, though her movements were still stiff.
"See, it's simple."
"Brother, I'm sorry—did it hurt?" Kazumi asked apologetically, glancing at his feet.
"Silly, don't you know what kind of guy your brother is? Tough as nails!" Masashi laughed.
Kazumi laughed too and leaned against his chest.
"By the way, Kazumi, have I changed a lot? All my old classmates seem to say I look different."
"Don't you ever look in the mirror?"
Masashi thought for a moment and replied, "I guess I don't."
Kazumi smiled at his feigned seriousness, hugging him gently. "Brother, please let me stay by your side forever."
"As long as you don't mind having me around."
Kazumi's eyes sparkled mischievously as she said, "Then, I'll be the one to annoy you."
After they finished dancing, they returned to their seats to rest.
"Want anything? No coffee here, but how about orange juice?"
Kazumi nodded.
When Masashi went to get drinks, a girl approached him—the same one in the white skirt standing beside Sakurako earlier.
"What a sweet big brother. Could you buy me a drink too?" she asked coquettishly.
"One juice for this young lady as well, please," Masashi said to the bartender.
"Just juice?" She teased.
"Two cubes of ice, then."
The bartender smirked.
"Have you never had a drink with a girl before?" the girl laughed.
"Juice is fine for kids. No one says you have to drink alcohol at a bar," Masashi said coolly.
Her expression shifted. "Do you think you're so great? Who are you calling a kid?"
"Nothing wrong with being young. Just don't be surprised if, a few years from now, you try to look young, and everyone sees through it."
"You…" she seethed.
"Listen, acting like an adult doesn't change a thing if you don't respect yourself. Just a little advice. Now, if you'll excuse me." Masashi took the drinks and walked away, leaving her fuming.
"Sorry for the wait; here's your orange juice," he said, returning to Kazumi.
"That girl was pretty. Why didn't you talk to her longer?"
Masashi took a sip of his beer. "I'm not interested in socialites."
Kazumi chuckled, "That's harsh. She's just a popular girl. Knowing a few guys isn't unusual."
"Nothing wrong with that. Just that self-respect is a must."
"You sound like an old man," Kazumi laughed.
"Still early. Want to dance again?"
"I'm done for now. You should invite someone else—you'd have no problem finding a partner."
"I'm fine; I'm a little tired too. Let's sit here."
Kazumi was touched, knowing he was staying with her to keep her company. She blinked quickly to hide the sudden tears, looking down and pretending to drink.
As they chatted, several people approached them. Leading the group were the two guys from before, followed by Sakurako and the girl in the white skirt.
"This must be a misunderstanding. Masashi wouldn't do something like that—don't start anything," Sakurako pleaded with the two guys.
"Can I help you with something?" Masashi looked up calmly as the two guys stopped in front of him.
"You think you're hot stuff? Flirting with my girl?" said one of the guys in a black jacket.
Masashi chuckled. It seemed like the influence of Hong Kong gangster movies had reached Japan; they even knew the classic lines.
Seeing Masashi's casual demeanor, the guy couldn't hold back and reached for his collar. Just as he was about to grab him, Masashi effortlessly deflected his hand.
"Maybe sort out the situation before starting a fight? Which girl is yours?"
"Shizuko! He was the one harassing you, right?" the guy asked the girl in the white skirt.
"It's him! He offered me a drink and then tried to touch me," she said, glaring at Masashi.
"Oh, did I? How about I find a witness? The bartender would've seen everything, so if I tip him, I'm sure he'd be happy to clarify the whole truth," Masashi replied, looking right into Shizuko's eyes.
Unable to meet his gaze, Shizuko clung to the guy's arm. "I don't care, teach him a lesson, or we're done."
"Shizuko, how can you say that? You're going too far," Sakurako finally couldn't help but interject.
"Sakurako, stay out of this. No need to be polite to this guy," said the other guy, who had been holding a grudge since Masashi's earlier trick humiliated him.
Masashi sighed. "Kazumi, you were right—this is a waste of time. Maybe we shouldn't have come. Let's go."
"Alright." Kazumi grabbed her coat and stood up.
"Trying to run?" Shizuko's boyfriend reached for Masashi's throat.
Suddenly, Masashi grabbed his wrist, sending a sharp pain through his hand, making him yelp.
"Don't mess with me, or you'll regret it," Masashi said coolly, releasing his hand and walking away with Kazumi.
"You're just going to let him leave? Why didn't you do something?" Shizuko demanded, furious.
Her boyfriend stayed silent, staring at the five distinct bruises Masashi left on his hand, remembering the chilling look in his eyes as he walked away. A shiver ran down his spine.
As they exited the club, a chilly breeze hit them, and Kazumi instinctively hunched her shoulders.
"It's still early. Let's grab a bowl of noodles," Masashi said, adjusting the scarf around her neck.
"Yes, it's been a while since I had ramen," Kazumi replied eagerly.
"Know where to get some?"
"I'm not sure, but there must be somewhere nearby. Let's just walk and see." Holding tightly onto his arm, she felt completely warm.