As evening descended, Kaito, Ren, Hiroshi, and Riku gathered for their long-awaited dinner, each visibly worn out from the endless lectures and assignments that filled their day at the university. They slid into their seats, the ambiance of the Japanese restaurant warm and inviting, glowing softly under delicate lanterns.
"Alright, alright, what's everyone in the mood for?" Hiroshi asked, his eyes gleaming as he flipped open the menu. Just as they were browsing, a waiter appeared by their table.
Kaito quickly decided, his eyes lighting up, "I'll have some karaage, tempura, and miso soup, please." He closed his menu with a satisfied nod, ready to dive into his favorites.
Ren chimed in, "I'll go for a bit of sashimi, unagi don, and edamame."
Riku followed suit, grinning as he ordered, "For me, let's get yakitori, takoyaki, and a big bowl of ramen."
Hiroshi thoughtfully selected his choices, "I'll have some gyoza, okonomiyaki, and a plate of sushi."
As they waited, the restaurant's cozy atmosphere surrounded them, filled with soft traditional music and the aroma of fresh ingredients cooking in the kitchen.
"This place is amazing!" Kaito remarked, admiring the warm decor around them. "And look at these salt shakers!" He held up a tiny, cat-shaped bottle with an adorable "meow~" sound, mimicking its expression.
Riku joined in, adding an enthusiastic, "Meow meow~!"
Kaito joined him, mimicking a cat's meow before pausing, catching the way Ren was looking at him.
"Uh… Ren, is something wrong?" Kaito asked, puzzled.
Ren smirked, shaking his head as he teased, "You're such a cute cat, Kaito."
Kaito's cheeks flushed as he whined in protest, but his friends only burst out laughing, the easy camaraderie filling the table. Once the laughter settled, Riku looked around and suggested, "Should we order some drinks?"
Ren and Hiroshi quickly nodded. Kaito, on the other hand, hesitated, fidgeting slightly. "Um, I've never had alcohol before," he admitted shyly.
Ren grinned, nudging him encouragingly. "Then it's the perfect time to try! Let's get some beer."
Meanwhile, in the VIP section of the restaurant, Kento and Haruki had also arrived for a quiet dinner. They were served dishes of the highest quality: beautifully plated omakase sushi, Wagyu steak cooked to perfection, and sea urchin fresh from the sea.
As Kento took in the ambiance and savored his food, he sighed, "Rika should've joined us."
Haruki glanced at him, chewing thoughtfully before replying, "She's busy with the welcome ceremony for the business major students."
Kento chuckled and shrugged, "Well, at least I have you." He looked over at Haruki, only to see his friend's sharp gaze fixing him with a cold, knowing glare.
"...Yeah, a jerk," Kento muttered under his breath, faking a laugh to break the sudden tension, which Haruki didn't seem to appreciate.
Haruki raised a brow, eyeing him with a mix of skepticism and amusement. "Keep eating," he said, and Kento obediently took another bite, albeit with a forced smile.
Noticing Kento grinning absently while lost in thought, Haruki frowned. "You're making that creepy face again," he commented.
Startled, Kento whipped out his phone, checking his reflection. "Huh? Is there something on my face?"
Haruki's lips quirked into a smirk. "No, just that smile. You look like a madman."
Kento laughed, cheeks tinged pink. "Oh, that's because…" He hesitated, then quickly typed something on his phone, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Are you going to spill or what?" Haruki asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I… I met this guy today," Kento admitted, his voice barely above a whisper as his blush deepened. "In the university café. He's a freshman in the science major—wears glasses and has this cute mole on his nose… Ajjj…"
Haruki rolled his eyes, smirking, "You're seriously a creep, you know that?"
Kento brushed it off, still dreamy-eyed. "He's adorable! I think I… like him."
Haruki shrugged, unfazed. "And?"
Kento frowned, playfully pouting. "You could at least congratulate me."
Haruki simply picked up his chopsticks. "Eat," he replied curtly, turning his attention back to his meal, but Kento only grinned, unbothered, thinking back to the cute guy he couldn't wait to see again.
_______________________________________
The group of friends sat around the dinner table, the hum of conversation filling the air as they laughed, ate, and exchanged stories from their day. The clinking of glasses and chopsticks added a lively background to their gathering. As Hiroshi finished another bite, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, a smile tugging at his lips as he typed out a quick reply before setting his phone down again.
Ren noticed the grin that lingered on Hiroshi's face and slung an arm around his neck, squeezing playfully. "Who's got you smiling ear to ear?" he teased, looking over Hiroshi's shoulder.
Hiroshi's face flushed a little. "It's... it's nothing," he muttered, averting his gaze. But his friends weren't so easily convinced.
Riku shot him an annoyed look, crossing his arms with an exaggerated huff. "Seriously, if you can't share with us, what's the point of having a group dinner?"
"If you're not comfortable, then never mind," said Kaito, who figured Hiroshi might be holding back because they hadn't known each other that long yet.
N-No, it's not like that," Hiroshi said quickly, realizing he was coming off as secretive. After a quick breath, he picked up his phone and showed them the screen.
"'Did you eat yet?' – Kento Senpai," Ren read aloud, raising an eyebrow.
Yes, I'm eating. What about you, Senpai?' – Hiroshi," Riku followed up, reading the text with mock solemnity.
"Who's this Senpai?" asked Kaito, now genuinely curious.
"Oh, Hiroshi's crush or senior boyfriend," Riku replied with a smirk, stuffing his mouth with food. Hiroshi choked mid-bite and started coughing, and Kaito immediately handed him a glass of water, patting his back.
Are you out of your mind?" Ren said to Riku, shaking his head. He turned to Hiroshi with a raised eyebrow. "That Senpai is not your crush or boyfriend... right, Hiroshi?"
Hiroshi nodded fervently, his face growing redder by the second. "He's... he's my Senpai!" he stammered.
Ren chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Hiroshi's hair. "Your husband, right?" he teased with a wink.
Hiroshi froze, then quickly shook his head.
"Yet," Ren added, waggling his eyebrows
"No, no! I just met him today! He's not my husband, he's... he's just a nice guy I ran into at the café. I was working on an assignment, and he sat down nearby. He's a business major, a third-year. That's all!
the beers arrived, cutting the teasing with a cheerful clink of glasses. Everyone cheered, tapping their drinks together.Hiroshi noticed Kaito was a little hesitant with his glass, glancing down at the cold, frothy drink with some uncertainty.
"Kaito, if you're not ready, that's totally fine—" Hiroshi began, but Kaito shook his head, lifting his glass bravely.
"No, I'm an adult! I should at least try it," he replied, bringing it to his lips. The beer was cold and a bit bitter, but surprisingly refreshing. As the night continued, everyone ordered a second round, and soon enough, Kaito's bready cheeks had turned a bright, cherry red. His eyes were slightly hooded, and his speech started to slur.
"Kaito, you okay?" Riku asked, concern in his voice as Kaito struggled to stay upright.
Kaito nodded, then shook his head, murmuring, "Yes, no... yes." Riku exchanged a glance with Ren.
"He's drunk," Ren declared with a laugh.
Kaito whined, "I wanna go to the washroom!" and tried to stand up, swaying slightly.
"Come on, I'll help you," Hiroshi offered, wrapping an arm around Kaito's shoulders as they made their way to the washroom.
Meanwhile, in another part of the restaurant, Kento was leaving his table with Haruki. "The food was great, don't you think?" Kento asked as they stepped toward the exit.
"Yeah, not bad," Haruki replied while walking with him
Hang on—I need to use the washroom," Kento said, excusing himself as Haruki groaned. "I'll be quick, I promise!"
After finishing his business Kento exited the washroom, he suddenly bumped into someone. He opened his mouth, ready to say something sharp, but his words stopped when he recognized Hiroshi.
"Oh! Hey, Hiroshi!" Kento greeted warmly, his irritation vanishing.
"Oh, hi, Senpai! Sorry, we didn't see you," Hiroshi said with a bow, gently nudging Kaito, who barely managed to bow as well. "This is my friend, Kaito. He's a bit... well, tipsy."
Kento chuckled, glancing at Kaito, who was still swaying slightly. "Your friend's had a good time, I see!"
While Kaito was in the washroom, Hiroshi and Kento continued chatting in the Hallway they didn't notice,when Kaito stumbled back out of the washroom, muttering to himself as he walked away in the wrong direction.
"Yes, dad I won't forget about it" said Haruki
Haruki was still on the phone, his focus split between the call and waiting impatiently for Kento. Distracted, he didn't notice when Kaito stumbled into him, causing his phone to clatter to the floor.
"What the fuck" Haruki started angrily, but the words died on his lips as he took in the sight of Kaito. With cherry-red cheeks and sleepy, half-closed eyes, Kaito looked adorably disoriented.
"Are you blind? " Asked Haruki a bit irritated
Kaito shook his head cutely
"Are... are you drunk?" Haruki asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kaito, with an earnest nod and a dopey smile, replied, "No!"—then nodded again. "Yes..." Haruki rolled his eyes.
"What's your name?" Haruki asked, looking around, hoping Kaito's friends weren't too far away.
"M-My name is... Meow Meow," Kaito mumbled.
Haruki blinked, surprised. "Meow Meow?"
"Where are your friends? Or are you alone?" Haruki asked
"I'm...my.. they're eating" said Kaito hiccuping
"So..meow meow you're not alone but still alone" — Haruki
"Yeah," Kaito replied, still looking up at him with big, dazed eyes. Just as Haruki was about to ask where Kaito's friends were, Kaito suddenly lurched forward—and vomited onto Haruki's shirt. Haruki froze, his expression shifting from irritation to sheer shock as he looked down at his ruined clothes.
"You... you did not just..."
Kaito hiccupped, grasping his own ears with both hands. "Meow Meow is so sorry," he said, his voice soft and apologetic
Haruki groaned again he was beyond annoyed
"Just... stay here," Haruki grumbled, heading to the washroom to clean up.
At the same time, Riku and Ren found Kaito, who was now looking around, dazed.
"Kaito! What are you doing here alone?" Riku asked.
Kaito blinked, scratching his head. "I... dunno," he slurred. When Ren asked where Hiroshi was, Kaito looked even more confused.
"Oh! Hiroshi... Hiroshi... who's he?" Kaito murmured, and his friends exchanged a look of exasperation. Ren dialed Hiroshi's number.
Meanwhile Hiroshi and Kento were still busy in talking suddenly his phone buzzed
"Where the hell are you?" Ren asked.
"I'm outside the washroom, waiting for Kaito!" Hiroshi replied, surprised.
"Well, Kaito's here with us now. Come get him!" Ren said, hanging up. Hiroshi quickly wrapped up his chat with Kento and hurried over, nearly colliding with Haruki, who emerged from the washroom in a foul mood, his shirt still damp.
Before Hiroshi can kiss the ground Kento grabbed him by his waist
"You okay?" Asked kento making Hiroshi stand on his feet again
"Yeah, I'm " said Hiroshi and looked at the tall guy who's beyond annoyed his blue shirt was ruined near his chest
"What happened to your shirt " asked Kento to Haruki
"I don't know why people are bumping into me tonight and this.... A drunk meow meow did this" he said groaning and pointing at his shirt
"Meow meow?" Kento became more confused
"Nevermind " said kento shooking his head
Then Haruki looked at Hiroshi with who are you eyes
"That's Hiroshi, the freshman I told you about," Kento explained, and Haruki gave a nod of recognition. With introductions done, Hiroshi bid bye quickly returned to his friends.
"Get out of my way" said Haruki irritated
And Kento followed him inside the washroom
Meanwhile Hiroshi reached the corridor kaito was in Riku and Ren's arm
"I'm sorry " he apologizing profusely as they helped a sleepy Kaito into a cab and headed back to the dorm.
When Haruki and Kento came to the corridor Haruki searched that cute meow meow thinking where he might be ?
Or his friends took him with them?
"What's wrong" asked kento
"Nothing, let's go" —Haruki
They exited the restaurant
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Later at night, Kento lay in bed later, texting Hiroshi goodnight with a soft smile. His dorm room was dimly lit by the gentle glow of his phone, casting a soft, warm hue across the space. The room was modest yet cozy, with two single beds placed against opposite walls, each with a small nightstand. Posters of vintage bands and old travel postcards adorned the walls, giving the room a sense of personality despite its institutional feel. A shared desk with scattered textbooks, empty coffee cups, and a pair of tangled headphones sat between the beds, hinting at late-night study sessions and countless conversations.
Across the room, Haruki was settling into his bed. The faint scent of fabric softener lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of coffee from earlier that evening. He glanced over at Kento with a knowing smirk, the memory of the drunken, adorable "Meow Meow" who had ruined his shirt still fresh. He muttered the nickname under his breath with an amused smile, his gaze softening as he turned to face the wall and drifted off into sleep.
------------------TO BE CONTINUE-------------