**B.A.F***
The walk took around ten minutes, the noise humming inside with the sound of solemn music. Not the section I'd be working in, though—mine would be the lousy one. This place looked like a station for hotshots, the kind of people who thought they were better than everyone else. I smirked to myself. They'd learn soon enough.
I met the manager inside, Mr. Tanaka. He had that officious look, the kind of man who thrived on authority. He was mildly surprised to see me. "I didn't state in the message you should start today," he said, his tone clipped.
"I just felt like starting now," I replied casually. "I just moved in, couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd spend the remaining hours here."
"Moved in? Shouldn't you be resting, then?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Rest is overrated," I said with a faint smile. "Besides, I'd rather get a head start."
He nodded, though his expression betrayed a hint of unease. "Welcome to the street. Remind me to give you a housewarming gift."
"No problem, sir," I replied, though I thought to myself, *It's impossible.*
He opened the door to the main barroom. My new coworkers were cleaning glasses; it looked like the customers had left for the time being.
"This is going to be your new coworker," he announced energetically. "Introduce yourself."
"Hananoi Tojiko. Nice to meet you all," I said, my voice smooth, almost too polite.
"Well, later, Hananoi-kun. We'll see you around," Mr. Tanaka said before leaving. The door closed, and all eyes were on me.
"I'm Yui Matsumoto," one of them said. "This is Yuya Nagano-san from the main office."
"Main office?" I feigned confusion, moving closer to them.
"Yeah, he's here to help the new branch for three weeks," Yui explained.
"Ah, from the office. That's cool," I said, though I thought, *Maybe not. I'm here to fill his position after he leaves. I'll be the only guy here.*
"If I guess right, Yui-chan…" I trailed off, dropping the honorifics deliberately.
"Oh, dropping honorifics already? That's cool," she said, though her tone was slightly wary.
"Sorry, you look kind of young to me," I replied, my voice laced with false innocence.
"Seriously? I'm just 23," she shot back.
"19 for me," I said, my smile widening.
"Next is Nagano-san, and…" I paused, never knew there was another person. I pointed at her with a fake smile. "It's Fuka Kuwasaki she said"
"Fuka-chan is a college student. She joined last week," Yui explained.
"By the way, you said you were 19?" Yui asked.
"Yeah," I replied.
"University freshman?"
"No."
"High schooler?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Final year, then?"
"No, second year."
They all looked surprised.
"A lot happened," I said dismissively, my tone implying more than I was willing to share.
---
**Laterthatevening…**
No customers swung by, so we all sat down. It looked like a welcoming ceremony, though the atmosphere felt off, like the calm before a storm.
"So, Hananoi-kun," Yui slurred, already drunk. "I have two questions for you."
"Am I free?" I asked, my tone light but my eyes sharp.
"Yeah, you're free," she said, leaning too close. "First, do you have a girlfriend? And second, which high school do you attend?"
"For the school, it's Noriko High," I replied.
"Eh? That Noriko?" Fuka chimed in, pretending to be surprised.
"And for the girlfriend… I've none," I said, my voice low. "Why do you ask?"
"Give me your number. I should introduce you to my sister," Yui said, her words slurring even more.
"Eh, seriously?" I replied, feigning shock. "Sorry, I don't walk around with my phone."
"Who does that these days?" she shot back, clutching herself to me. I could feel the softness of her breast, but I didn't react. I glanced at the others, hoping someone would bail me out, but no one seemed surprised.
"Don't be bothered about it," Nagano-san said. "She said the same thing to me last week."
"I heard she's the first employee here," Fuka added. "About a month ago."
"No problem," I replied, my tone calm but my mind racing.
*A girlfriend would be nice,* I thought. *It's been months since I had one. It's getting boring texting and replying to myself with both of my phones. At least someone to kill time with.*
---
**Later, onthestreet…**
The store closed down, and everyone waved goodbye. Fuka left with a drunk Yui; I heard they lived close to each other.
The street was still busy, the sounds of car horns and train whistles filling the air. I wasn't getting sleepy at all. Maybe I'd go home and text myself again.
As I walked, I collided with a kid. She said sorry, but in sign language. I understood immediately.
"Well, I'm okay," I signed back, my movements fluid.
We talked for a few minutes. She told me she was looking for a pastry shop. I saw one across the street and signed the directions to her.
*Sign language, really?* I thought. *I never thought I'd use it again.*
It took me back two years, when I was still in England. I used to stay at my landlady's cake store in front of the house mom always not at home. She had a son named Phillip. He couldn't speak, so he taught me sign language. He was always clumsy, and if you weren't careful, you might mistake him for a girl. People used to tease me a lot, calling him my girlfriend. I didn't blame them—his mom sometimes dressed him like a girl, with makeup and all sorts of things.
Our relationship ended the day he asked me out. *Me, dating a guy?* It felt wrong somehow. But sometimes, I regret it. That might have been a good opportunity to know how guy-to-guy relationship feels.
*What am I even saying?* I chuckled to myself.
The traffic light turned red for the pedestrian crossing. As I waited, I noticed someone giving me an eerie look.
*Isn't that…?*
"I never knew you were nice, Hananoi-kun," a voice said.
I turned to see Misaki Inoue.
---