Ah, even more comments?! O_O
I'm so happy~!! ^___^ I'm glad to see so many people supporting the fic and are enjoying it too. It gave me just enough courage to start another chapter. This one is a bit longer, but I hope it's at least enjoyable. I have a feeling I'll be able to write chapter 4 very shortly too.
CHAPTER 3
I don't know how it happened, but I've been stuck at this crowded, stinky, hot club for over three hours. I stopped counting after that because if I kept watching the time I'll only end up more frustrated. I suppose I shouldn't be so upset or surprised that Ai-chan didn't stick her promise. That happens often when she's having too much fun or is just too drunk to care about anything anymore.
There was a time when she left me here stranded because she decided to go home with the girl she picked up without telling me. I had to figure out how to get back home and when I did I was not only pissed, but worried because I had no idea what happened to Ai-chan. I don't know what she'll pull tonight and I'm a little worried about that since I'm not alone this time. I'm stuck watching after Koharu and I wouldn't want her to be stuck here like I was.
I don't think she likes this club so much, but she told me she decided to come because she hasn't seen Ai-chan or I for almost her entire senior year. I can understand why she wants to spend time with me to talk and I know she wants to do the same with Ai-chan, but she ran off to get more drinks and find some more people to dance with. I feel kind of bad that Koharu can't spend some time with Ai-chan especially since her mind isn't in the right place right now. I think it's best that we leave. I glance over to Koharu and notice that she has this uncomfortable almost terrifying face on.
“What's wrong?” I shout, over the music
“I think someone is groping me!” Koharu complains, then leans forward towards me to try and get away.
I squint through the fog to try and see if I spot someone next to us then send my fist in front of me to collide with the jerk that decided to touch Koharu. I hear him grunt and then there's a loud thud as he falls to the floor. I put my arm back to my side and glare at him.
Yep, he's out cold. That serves him right! I get a hold of Koharu's wrist and pull her over to where the tables are so we can sit down. When we get near a seat for us to settle on, I feel Koharu try to pull her arm free. I look back at her to see if someone else has bothered her, but instead she just has on this desperate kind of look.
“Can we just leave?” Koharu whines.
I have to agree with her. This place is just getting crazier and I'm tired. I'll have to go to class tomorrow too. I think we've been here long enough. I nod and let go of Koharu's wrist.
“I'll go find Ai-chan.” I announce.
“Let me go with you!” Koharu pleads.
I take a hold of Koharu's hand so that I won't lose her while we wonder the floor. I'll try to avoid the dance floor. That place is like a death trap if we go through there. It'll be difficult to get to the other side and I'm sure there are some stupid guys who would try to dance with us or grope us as we get through.
It's better to just walk around the dance floor for that matter. I take one step and that's when someone came crashing into me, nearly knocking me over. Koharu ends up falling to the ground instead, while I'm left trying to defend myself from the idiot that's clinging on to me as if they're trying to climb a tree.
I know this person is drunk because I can smell it, but because they're making weird noises almost like monkey sounds. What the hell is going on?! I grab the back of this stranger's shirt and pull them off me. What is their problem?!
“Re-Reina it's m-me!” I hear Ai-chan yell.
I try to get a better view of her and don't feel any less annoyed to know it's her. She's completely drunk and it doesn't take that much to tell. Ai-chan is having a difficult time walking and even standing. Her legs are wobbling.
How much did she drink?! I grab Ai-chan by the collar of her shirt to try and get her to focus on me. That's when I get a better view of her face and see that it's completely flushed, not to mention that her breath stinks as bad as garbage left out on a hot summer day! I cringe and let her go.
“Ai-chan, what the hell is wrong with you?! Do you realize we've been here for more than two hours, like you said?!” I complain. “You look like a complete mess and is that...lipstick on your neck?!”
Ai-chan swats my hand away when I try to get a better look. She isn't smiling or laughing anymore she's just very angry. That's also what I don't like about her when she gets drunk. Ai-chan just gets angry too quickly. I don't bother to inspect the rest of her, afraid of what I might find.
“Koharu wants to leave. Come on, I'll drive you both home.” I insist, taking a hold of Ai-chan's wrist.
“I don't wanna leave!” Ai-chan declines.
She starts squirming around, trying to get out of my grip. Why does she always have to make this difficult?! Sometimes, I just want to beat some sense into her when she's like this.
With much effort, I control my temper and urge to punch her in a similar manner I've done to that guy that groped Koharu and glare at her instead. I'll try to be civilized and reasonable just ONE more time.
“Ai-chan, don't you think you've had too much to drink? This is enough fun for tonight, isn't it?” I question, trying to sound as nice as I can.
That seems to work because Ai-chan is quiet, thinking over the questions I've said. That or she's just thrown off from questions in general because the sake probably has her brain wrapped in stupidity at the moment. I'm not sure if I can forgive her, or just hit her upside the head to get some sense into her. It was probably a bad idea to have Koharu tag along with us.
“But I can't leave! I-I'm waiting f-for a friend.” Ai-chan protest.
I scowl at her. “Ai-chan, Koharu and I are your only friends here!!” I correct.
Did she just somehow forget about us and our friendship with her? Ai-chan obviously has had too much. It's time all three of us leave now. I reach out to grab Ai-chan's arm again. I don't care if she throws a fit! I'll pull her out of this club if I have to.
“Ai-chan!”
I have no idea who's calling her name, but I only hope it isn't some guy who's trying to get into her pants because I swear I will introduce him to my fist, in a very painful way! I know how guys seem to never really get the hint when a girl is trying to ditch them or show no interest in them. It must be a ego kind of thing.
I turn around, preparing myself to knock this guy's lights out if I have to, but I'm not ready when I see this person is a girl. At least, I think that's a girl. She's very tall and seems quite strong just by looking over her physic. Ai-chan runs over to her and pulls her into a hug as if that's some friend she's known for years.
“Why did you run off? I thought we were going to find your friends together?” The taller girl questions.
She sounds concerned. She eventually looks over to Koharu and I, probably feeling that people are staring at her and I know I'm not looking at her in the nicest way. She waves at us and smiles.
I let out a scoff in disgust. Koharu just remains silent, judging that it's just best to not say a word. I wouldn't blame her. I'm extremely pissed and in no mood for anymore annoying games.
“Hi, I'm Junjun.” The towering young lady introduces.
“Yeah, uh huh, come on Ai-chan. We're leaving now.” I demand, getting a grip of Ai-chan's forearm.
“Reina stop it!” Ai-chan whines.
I groan. I also forgot to mention that when she's drunk she can also get into a childish mood. Ai-chan is also more likely to cry. I hate both effects of too much alcohol consumption, but I have no choice and I have to deal with it.
“T-There ain't no way I'm leavin w-without Junjun!” Ai-chan slurs.
“Did you talk in your Fukui dialect?” I ask, finding it difficult to understand her.
She shakes her head and looks at me like a kid that's afraid to admit their mistake out of fear of getting punished. Whatever, I don't have time for this crap. I'm going home and I'm sleeping! I know though that Ai-chan is stubborn and will fight to stay here unless I don't listen to her. Damn it Ai-chan, sometimes I really hate you!!
“Find! She can come with us just come with me so I can drop you off at home.” I agree.
Ai-chan smiles and claps excitingly to her victory. She latches on to Junjun's hand and leads her to the exit.
“Hey, slow down!” I warn.
Junjun looks back at me. “Don't worry, I'll take care of her.” She promises, then gets lost in the crowd.
I sigh. I hate this night. I hate this day! It was crappy enough and now this. I wonder if I should just stay over Ai-chan's house and watch after her until she passes out on her couch.
I don't know when that will be. Maybe, I can just hit a bottle over her head and knock her out that way. That's a very tempting thought, but I really don't want to be left with the mess after. I groan. When did she become so careless?
“Tanaka-san?” Koharu interrupts.
“Why are you calling me Tanaka-san again?!” I question. “I know we haven't seen each other in a long time, but nothing has changed between us. We're still friends, right?”
“I-I'm sorry!” Koharu stutters.
I put a hand on her to comfort her. Is she worried I'll knock her out instead?
“I'm sorry Koharu I'm just...in a very bad mood right now. Let's just all go home.” I suggest.
Koharu agrees and walks in front of me as we make our way out the club and into the parking lot. From a distance, I can see Ai-chan and Junjun already standing by the car waiting for me to show up. They don't seem that bothered because they're talking to one another inventively, smiling at each other and and laughing. Is this going to be Ai-chan play toy for tonight? I notice them tuck away their cellphones just as I reach the car and look at me.
“Alright, let's go.” I order, unlocking the driver seat lock.
The other locks to the car open after then everyone gets inside. It took me a while to drive a car again after the accident I've been in with Eri. I managed to get through that with some help from my uncle and Eri at the time. I was surprised when Eri said she trusted me while driving a car again. I guess I had a bit of a phobia from it when I ended up hospitalized.
I wouldn't have thought of such a thing unless my uncle didn't point it out. That's when I wanted to get over my fear and drive again. He didn't obliged, but encouraged me to start again too. I smile at the sad memory. I owe so much to my uncle.
I'm lost without him. I mean look at me! I probably have a bunch of bags and scary dark circles around my eyes that I've become close friends with make up! I have so much stress that there are some days where I just want to ram my head through a wall repeatedly.
I barely cook, so instant food is common in my diet. Why did he have to die? Why did a bunch of crap have to happen to me after his death? I probably won't trust trains for a while.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I stick the key into the ignition and start up the engine. I picked the wrong time to sulk. Once I get home I can just practice my common ritual of depression. That's some sort of comfort...I suppose.
“Oh, um...Reina, is it? Can you drive me home, please? I feel I've taken up enough of your time by coming along.” Junjun ask, staring at me through the rear view mirror.
I never noticed, but she has a weird accent when she speaks. As if her name isn't odd enough. She's definitely a foreigner.
I nod at her, not trusting my mouth to say something nice in return. That fact that she called me Reina and not Takana-san already has me in a bad mood with her. How the hell did she even know my name? I focus in front of me and steer the car into the road. I make sure to drop off Koharu first since I know she's dying to get out of here.
I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't want to hang out with Ai-chan ever again after this night. I'll have to give Ai-chan a long and torturing lecture tomorrow. Then I carefully drive my way into Junjun's neighborhood. It's some creepy thug kind of place.
It's obviously not the best spot to stay at, but I assume she probably doesn't have much money to live in a nice house. Just before she closes the door, she looks back at me to say goodbye and gives me this weird smile. What is up with her? The door is closed after then I'm back to driving one more time.
I've decided to just crash at Ai-chan's place again. I'm too tired to continue driving one more time. I park the car next to the side walk and take a glance at Ai-chan who looks like she's about to pass out in the back seat. I get out and pull her out of the back, while at the same time trying to remain on my own two feet to walk.
“Damn it Ai-chan! Why the hell are you so heavy?” I complain. “Did you gain a few pounds?”
I let out a series of grunts and curses as I make my way into the apartment and waiting for the elevator is even worse, but it beats walking up a bunch of stairs. How the hell can she even remain sleeping from me dragging her?! What feels like hours, I finally make it to her apartment and unlock the door.
I hobble over to the couch and just throw her on there. She only seems to bounce off and roll to the floor. There's a loud thump when her body smacks the floor and she snorts.
“Huh?!” Ai-chan yells, now awake again. “W-Where am I?!”
I take off my shoes then go over to help Ai-chan take off hers. Through half open eyes, she lazily watches me then rests her head against the edge of the couch. I take the pair of shoes to the door entrance and bend down to pick her up again.
“Ai-chan, I need you to try and walk a little.” I whisper, hovering her arm over my shoulder.
It's a good thing her bedroom is on one floor because I wouldn't want to face a set of stairs right now. As I walk, Ai-chan's head flops over to the right side of her and I try to move it over towards me, but end up having her head hit me hard against the nose. I close my eyes as I feel tears starting to come and push my way through the hallway.
What the hell is her head made of?! That hurt. I drop her again on to the bed, but she doesn't fall and just lays there face down while I go to inspect my nose. There's no blood. I then start to go through Ai-chan's draw to collect some clothes for us.
I make sure to get a matching set and just as I've decided on the outfit I want to wear I see Ai-chan roll on to her back and starts gasping for air. I let out a small laugh at her reaction. She's just so helpless when drunk. I walk over to her and start to untie her top. When I get around to removing her pants she starts to move and frowns.
“It's too cold.” Ai-chan whimpers, her eyes still closed.
I quicken my pace and completely focus on getting on her outfit. She starts stirring again when I go to put on her T-shirt. When her head goes through the hole I see that her eyes are now open and watching me. She lets out a big yawn.
“R-Reina...” Ai-chan mumbles.
I slip on a pair of socks for her and rest my pajamas beside her to dress myself now. Ai-chan takes a hold of my hand before I can do anything else. Then I'm yanked down to the bed. The bed starts to move and before I know it I'm on my back staring at the ceiling.
How the hell did this happen so quick? I can feel Ai-chan on top of me, moving around to get more comfortable and eventually tucks her head under my chin. I remain still, fixed on the clear white ceiling. I hate when she gets like this too, way too needy and dying for affection. I guess that's what happens when she's by herself a lot since I'm way more busy than her.
“You smell good.” Ai-chan comments.
I chuckle. “Well your sense of smell must be shot because I smell like nothing but cigarettes and beer.” I correct.
There's a small pause between us and I take this as my time to try and move again. I need to get some cleaner clothes on! I feel gross dressed like this. Ai-chan fights against me so that I can lay down.
“Stay here...” Ai-chan slurs.
“Ai-chan, I have to...”
“Sleepy...rest now.” Ai-chan groggily explains. “G-Goodnight Rei-chan.”
I frown at the odd nickname. That's the first time I've heard that. She must be wanting a lot of affection than usual. I shrug off the new new and try to sleep too.
I'm too tired to give up more of a fight. I hear Ai-chan give one quick hiccup before there's nothing else heard from her. She's completely asleep. I close my eyes doing the same thing.
I can just forget about today and start new. I sigh, relieved by the idea. Ai-chan will be back to her normal self and I won't have to watch after her. I put my arm over Ai-chan's shoulder and gently drift into a comfortable sleep myself.