Chapter Text
Loud noise of university students, and office workers dancing into the music fills the bar like the usual. For the most part, it was drunk office workers being louder. Shiina Taki had gotten used to this setting having been a part timer at this bar for almost 3 years now since she started university. It doesn’t come as a surprise to her seeing some of her schoolmates get wasted along the working adults spending happy hours. What came to her as a surprise and just started getting used to it after a few months, was her high school friend becoming a regular customer, and a regular at getting wasted.
Maybe, saying Yahata Umiri is wasted on a regular basis is an overstatement. But there is no denying that her friend must have made drinking too much that she could barely stand a part of her monthly routine.
“I can handle myself,” Umiri always says when Taki warns her.
The girl not once listened to her. The only way she could help, other than constantly warning her, was to call the only other friend she knows Umiri has. She went to the staff’s room to make the call and ensure they would hear each other properly. It took a few rings before the other line finally connected.
“Yutenji-san…”
Yutenji Nyamu, Umiri’s friend at the university. She only knows that they’ve become friends ever since university started. They have different majors but they stay at the university’s dormitory. She also knows that Nyamu is some kind of a celebrity. She is fairly popular that even for her who doesn’t pay much attention to the latest trends knew that about Nyamu. All other details that she knows about the purple-haired girl are things she heard from Umiri. They’ve also met a few times before Umiri started frequently getting drunk that it also became part of the routine to call her for help.
“Taki, if this is about—”
Taki sensed a forming annoyance from Nyamu but decided to ignore it and make the urgency apparent.
“Yes, this is about Umiri again. Come pick her up before she gets to a point that you’ll have to carry her on your back.”
Half a minute of silence passed by before the other line responded. “Did she…” Nyamu trailed off as if hesitating to finish her question, which Taki could guess anyway. “—got dumped by her girlfriend again?”
“As always,” she answered dryly as this was already the nth time for the last eight months. She stopped bothering to count since the 4th time.
“Okay, I will be there. Please continue to watch over her for a while. I’m on my way.”
“Come quick. Thank you.”
She heard a sigh before the call got disconnected. Taki also did. They do not know what’s going on with their friend. Well, she more or less has an idea, but she hasn’t been able to properly confront Umiri about it.
Clicking her tongue upon thinking on it, she just went back at the bar counter only to see her coworker already trying to swoon the drunk bassist.
Why is she such a girl magnet?
“How about we meet up tomorrow for a coffee?”
Before Umiri could answer her coworker, Taki cut in. Taki cleared her throat making her presence known. “I’m back. Thank you for looking after her. I will take over now until our friend arrives.”
“O-Okay.”
“Aww,” was her little protest with a frown. Shen then left, not before waving goodbye to Umiri with a wink.
“She was kind. I think we’re friends now.” Umiri said while waving back, then let her head drop on the table as soon as the coworker was out of sight. “Ugh. My head hurts.”
“And now you complain.”
“Because it hurts. What am I supposed to do?”
“Stop drinking too much, for starters.”
Taki poured her a glass of water, and put it beside her head. “Here. I suppose you have some painkillers with you at least?”
“Beer please.”
“No.”
“Then, Nyamuko.”
“She’s coming.”
Nyamuko? It was the first time Taki heard her refer to Nyamu that way. Not that she was surprised to know if they have nicknames for each other. But at least she knew Nyamu called her Umiko.
“What?!”
Umiri lift her head all of sudden, her expression filled with shock. Even Taki was shocked by her sudden movement that the glass she was putting away almost slipped off her hand.
“Why did you call her again?”
“What’s the problem? Who else am I supposed to call then? I can’t just let you keep drinking here until my shift ends.”
“I don’t want to bother— ugh my head—her.” She grunted in pain, one hand pressing on the temple of her head.
They may have been at the bar counter, far away from other people, but the place is still loud enough with music, making her headache worse.
“If you don’t want to bother me, then stop yourself from becoming an alcoholic.”
Nyamu arrived giving Umiri a hand chop in the head the first thing as she got closer from behind. Her voice was muffled by the face mask she was wearing, yet Taki could easily recognize her even with a beanie on her head. The strands of her purple hair were enough, other than her voice, for Taki to know.
“You really came quick.” Taki said, handing her a glass of water.
Nyamu shook her head, mouthing an it’s ok then she added, “I happen to be around the area.”
She always happens to be around the area.
“Please, do not hit my head,” Umiri complained, putting both of her hands to the top of her head as if to guard them from Nyamu. “What are you doing here, Yutenji-san? You didn’t have to come whenever Taki-san calls you.”
Taki noted how the annoyance grew apparent on Nyamu’s face upon hearing that. It may not have been a good time to ask that question. Nyamu went out of her way to come for her as fast as she could. And it wasn’t even the first time. But, all the time.
But also, where’s the Nyamuko? Does she only call her that when it’s the two of them? Or only when she is drunk? Hallucinating?
“And I just said I happen to be around. So, I could come. There won’t be a next time.”
And so, she said… It was the same thing she said last time too.
“Thank you for coming. Please take her away. Keep your wife chained next time.”
Taki decided it was about time she interjected or else that two would start exchanging banter in front of her until the end of her shift. She was being sarcastic about the wife part, but it didn’t seem to come off that way for the two. Umiri glared at her, before grunting in pain again as Nyamu helped her up. Meanwhile, she could almost see Nyamu frown at her beneath the mask, unamused. Or maybe not? Taki noticed a glint of red on her ears.
“What about the bill?”
“She already paid in advance with loads of cash when she came. I will give her the change tomorrow, if she has any.”
“Okay. Thanks, Taki.”
They bowed at each other before Nyamu dragged Umiri out of the bar. Taki released a sigh of relief at the sight. She could be relieved enough knowing Umiri has Nyamu to put up with her.
***
Being dragged out of the bar was the last thing Umiri remembers. One arm on Nyamu’s shoulder, the other was trying to hold on to anything as they walk. She tried her best to at least reach the car before passing out.
She woke up to a familiar ceiling, and the smell of toasted bread. Not allowing herself to succumb to the comfort of the bed she was lying on, Umiri got up and noticed the glass of water on the bedside table, along with a medicine over a note.
“Take the painkillers or no breakfast,” was written on the note when she checked it.
Her lips curved into a smile, almost finding the note funny, but she was still more appreciative by how caring her friend is. What a threat, she thought.
When she graduated high school, Umiri prepared herself to continue playing as a support bassist to different bands to support herself to finish her studies. That was how she has been doing it since high school after all. She didn’t think she needs to socialize with other people unless it was necessary for an activity or a requirement on her lecture. She was never a sociable person in the first place.
Taki has been her only close friend since high school, and that was enough. Nothing has changed between them despite going to different universities. While she was content with all that, she didn’t expect to become close friends with someone like Nyamu, a popular vlogger, and an uprising actress.
It was during the welcome party at their dormitory when they first met. The seniors arranged the party for all the freshmen who are going to stay at the dorm. They even got a live band to play the music for everyone. The said live band were composed of students from their university too.
And then, everyone recognized her and Nyamu and pulled them to play with the band for one song. Her, because she plays as a support bassist to various bands that a good percent of the students recognized her. Nyamu, because she does drum covers as a content for her channel too. Umiri agreed, just wanting to get it over with as quick as possible. Meanwhile, she saw that Nyamu was reluctant but was trying to hide it. In the end, she agreed which Umiri found out later on was because Nyamu did not want to disappoint the audience, and her fans who recognized her.
They were given the scores. It was a popular and simple song so they wouldn’t have to worry too much about jamming with everyone. “Just have fun!” the vocalist told them.
Umiri has experience playing with different bands so she’s used to adjusting to different people’s paly style. She was more worried about Nyamu. She knew her beforehand too because of her drum covers. But it was exactly because of that, that she was worried. She may be good but she doesn’t know if Nyamu has ever played with other people before.
But then, her worry was wiped away when their eyes met as they play. They were properly paying attention at each other, and switches as needed to look at the other members. They were both listening carefully to the sounds and keeping the rhythm steady. Before she realized it herself, she was already enjoying their jamming session. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun. The vocalist gave them both a wide smile as they finished the song.
“That was good for an impromptu session! Thank you both!” said the vocalist, approaching them just before they got off the stage. “We were right to ask you both to play with us. I hope we get another chance someday to jam again!”
“The pleasure is mine! It was a fun experience!” Nyamu replied cheerfully.
Umiri noted of the celebrity smile Nyamu gave them.
“If the band needs help, I can provide support, as long as you notify me in advance.” Umiri said, just like how she talks with the bands she plays with.
“Good! Well then, as thanks to you two, here, have this.”
The vocalist handed the both of them a piece of paper, and added, “I believe you two would get along, just like how you played earlier. So, try to go there together. I recommend any of their coffee.”
“Wow, I have been planning to go to this café! Thank you senpai!” Nyamu said, after checking what was on the paper.
Umiri looked at it as well and saw that it was a discount coupon for any kind of drink from the menu of a nearby café by the dormitory. “Thank you, senpai.”
She and Nyamu bowed to them before finally getting off the stage. They both moved away from the crowd and sat at an unoccupied bench,
“Wait here.” She told Nyamu, just moments after they sat down.
Umiri came back with two bottled waters. She handed one of them to Nyamu as she sat down. “I was thirsty and thought that maybe you are too,” she said not waiting for her to ask.
“Thanks,” was Nyamu’s amused response.
They spent the rest of the night talking about bands, and their experiences. At the end of the party, they both exchanged contact numbers, and an agreement to go together to the café their senior recommended.
From then on, they found some kind of comfort in each other’s company. Umiri found it easy to talk with Nyamu, and she could tell that Nyamu felt the same way too. Going to different cafes became their hangout habit, if not some jamming session when there are instruments on ready, or whenever they feel like it and they’re both available.
It has been two years since then, and Umiri recalls their memories fondly. She likes the friendship they built over time and wants to keep it that way.
“Why are you smiling by yourself there? If you’re already awake, come out and help me set up the table.” Nyamu complained pulling her away from her trip down the memory lane.
She took the medicine into her mouth and drank the water prepared with it before Nyamu could say anything about it.
“Sorry, I was taking mental note of your threat. It was interesting.”
“What do you even mean by that? Just hurry up. The breakfast is ready. You’re lucky I have enough stuff the both of us.”
“Thank you, Yutenji-san. I am indeed lucky to have a friend like you.”
Umiri followed her from behind as they exit the room.
“Shut up. Like I said, if you don’t like bothering me, then stop drinking too much.”
“I am going through a breakup. Please understand.”
“Yeah yeah… Your uuh, 7th(?) Breakup in the last eight months?”
“You’re keeping count?”
They were already setting up the table and Nyamu almost wanted to throw a toasted bread on Umiri’s face. She held back and settled with a glare.
“That’s not the point. Why do you keep dating girls as soon as they confess to you? And why do they even dump you?”
Umiri placed down their cup of coffee on each side of the table. Nyamu mouthed her a thanks before taking a seat. It wasn’t as if she finds it hard to say, but Umiri took a bit of time to think about Nyamu’s question.
“They said,” she began while Nyamu takes a sip on her coffee. “That I do not seem really into it.” She said dryly, proceeding to drink at her coffee. “Or that, they already got bored of me.”
Nyamu did not say anything more. They ate in silence, or at least for the first few minutes until Umiri spoke again.
“Thank you for the breakfast. You even prepared brewed coffee, not to mention even the painkillers. I appreciate it a lot.”
“Just a little more and I would start thinking that you actually enjoy bothering me so you can eat breakfast here,” came Nyamu’s response as she took another toasted bread.
“Who knows, that might actually be the case too.”
While knowing she was just kidding, Nyamu couldn’t help but raise a brow and let out a sigh.
“In the first place I just prepared coffee and toasted some bread. Nothing much. The jams are store-bought.”
“Even so. You could’ve just kicked me out as soon as I woke up. Or maybe even just leave me outside my dorm room.”
“I am not so heartless to do that. Although, if you were still in condition to unlock your room, I would’ve brought you there.”
“Then maybe I should just give you a copy of my key. What do you think?”
Umiri proposed the idea without any hint of hesitation. She said it in a tone of indifference that you can’t blame Nyamu if she wouldn’t think that Umiri was serious.
“Quit joking around.”
“I am being serious.”
“Save it for your next girlfriend.”
“I never gave any of them my key.”
It was not as if Nyamu knows how relationships work. She hasn’t considered it for herself, not wanting her career to be affected by something she finds trivial. She might consider queerbaiting, but not anything more than that at the moment. But for some reason, she thought Umiri would’ve shared to at least some of them her key. Turns out she didn’t.
“Well anyway, the point is, take more care of yourself. We have finals coming up, and I believe you told me you have some reports to turn in before the end of the sem.”
Umiri finishes her toast before responding to her. “I have it under control. There is nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t believe a single word you said.”
“Am I that untrustworthy? I am serious. It will be fine.”
They finished the rest of their coffee and the toasts. Umiri volunteered to cleanup everything by herself allowing Nyamu to start preparing for the day. Nyamu took her up on that offer since she has some commitments to her agency in the morning and needed to leave soon.
“Umiko, I’m going now. Make sure to lock up before you leave,” Nyamu reminded once she was ready to go.
“Who said I’m leaving?”
“Excuse me?” The purple-haired ran back to her from the door.
“I’m just kidding. Of course, I will make sure everything is secured before I leave.”
Nyamu could almost imagine a vein popping out of her head. Even after two years of knowing Umiri, there were still times when Umiri is joking or not. Her usual indifference makes her hard to read.
“Well then, I’m going now.”
“Yes, take care, bye.”
She was already a step outside, when she decided to ask one more thing. “Umiko,” she called out, and waited for the girl to turn her head to her.
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure you’re going to be, okay?” Nyamu asked with genuine concern.
The resting flat expression on Umiri’s face softened for a moment with a small smile. It was a smile and yet, it doesn’t seem like a real one.
“Like I said, it will be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay. If you say so.” Nyamu nodded, and decided to take Umiri for her word. Maybe she was really just fine. Or maybe… She doesn’t know. It was hard to tell, so she just decided to leave it aside again for now.
Just when she was already closing the door, she heard Umiri’s faint voice saying, “-once more. Then I’ll—” She couldn’t catch what was the last thing she said.