Work Text:
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to the food, Shiraishi grabbed an extra yakitori skewer. He glanced around the office to double-check that no one had noticed, then hopped back to his seat, delighted. It was a large gathering, yet a good number of people weren't touching the food the office had ordered; so, what harm could there be in taking a little more than his allotted share? His mother had always told him never to leave anything on his plate, and he never had!
The tables seated twelve people, provided no spots were left empty. Shiraishi had positioned himself in a corner—a strategic spot in case a colleague decided to get too drunk (wasting excellent sake that Shiraishi couldn't afford very often!) and pick a fight.
Old Man Gotō was seated at the head of the table. Shiraishi sighed in disappointment when he realized the old man had already opened the table's second bottle; this meant not only would he spill every piece of gossip he’d experienced or heard over the years, but Shiraishi would also be limited to just three cups of sake! He took his seat and, seizing the moment while the old man was already tipsy, held his guinomi cup up to the man's face, waiting for him to pour. Sure enough, the old man was so drowsy he nearly spilled the sake; luckily, Shiraishi managed to save it, finally taking the bottle from the man's hands and placing it on his own right side—safely away from Gotō.
To celebrate this great achievement, he raised his guinomi and cheerfully shouted "Kanpai!" before downing the sake in one gulp. Gotō joined in with the last of his drink, and Vasily—seated on the other side of the table—silently joined them as well; Shiraishi had only ever heard him speak twice, and his Japanese was so poor that Shiraishi hadn't been able to understand what he was trying to say.
Now satisfied, he grabbed the extra yakitori and popped it into his mouth to savor his double victory, glancing around the table. Kiroranke was gone—perhaps to get a refill or relieve himself; regardless, his seat at the far end of the table was empty. Tanigaki was sitting next to Vasily, checking his phone; likely talking to Inkaramat. Shiraishi had first seen her half a year ago; just when he thought he’d won her over with his stellar performance, Tanigaki had revealed she was his fiancée, what a shame! Oosawa wasn't in his seat next to Tanigaki either, but luckily, Sugimoto was sitting there, just inches away from Shiraishi.
He smiled as he finished his yakitori and moved on to the rest of his meal; Sugimoto was completely absorbed in his own plate, oblivious to everyone else. Shiraishi grabbed the sake bottle and offered it to Sugimoto, who took a moment to notice.
“Sugimoto-kun, let’s toast to the great work we did this year!” he chirped.
Sugimoto, being the great guy he was, wiped his mouth and picked up his guinomi cup, holding it out toward the half-full green sake bottle.
“Yeah, let’s toast to all our hard work!”
Shiraishi filled Sugimoto’s cup, then filled his own to the brim, and they clinked glasses.
“Sugimoto!” Asirpa’s voice distracted him just as he was pouring for Sugimoto again, nearly causing him to spill the sake.
The girl "the little boss," as some in the office called her (a nickname Sugimoto detested) approached the table, holding Ogata’s hand. Shiraishi had almost forgotten about him; he wasn't in his usual seat at the table next to Sugimoto (something Shiraishi was grateful for— whenever those two were together, the atmosphere became awkward for everyone around them; they were constantly bickering!).
Asirpa dragged Ogata over to the table and sat down next to Shiraishi, leaving the seat at the opposite end for Ogata (Asirpa, are you an angel?!).
“Asirpa-san, I didn't think you were coming today,” Sugimoto said.
The girl began explaining that her father hadn't been able to leave her home alone; Shiraishi paid her no mind and turned back to his food, only to realize that the bottle of Hakkaisan sake —which he had barely tasted and couldn't afford to buy more than once a year with his own money— had vanished from where he’d placed it. He looked around and sized up everyone at the table. The prime suspect, old man Gotō, had already passed out on the table; Vasily (who wasn't really a fan of sake) was sketching something on a napkin he’d swiped from the old man; Tanigaki was pouring sake for Ogata; and Ogata was... Tanigaki —the man who had robbed Shiraishi of the chance to be happy with a beautiful woman— had now stolen his sake to serve it to his best friend's worst enemy! And Ogata had the nerve to accept the drink!
There went his second victory of the day! Wasted on that damn lynx from the company!
“For the end of the work year, Inkarmat is putting together a celebratory dinner, in case anyone wants to keep the party going after work; after all, we’re almost done for the day,” Tanigaki said as he set the bottle of sake down in front of Sugimoto and Ogata— as if the latter had any right to drink it! It was Shiraishi who had snatched the bottle from Gotō’s hands; neither Tanigaki nor Ogata had any claim to that sake!
“I think Kiroranke mentioned meeting up with some old comrades after leaving here,” Sugimoto said, glancing at Vasily, who was still sketching on his napkin. “But I’m sure Shiraishi would be happy to join you guys!”
(Shiraishi was NOT startled when Sugimoto placed a hand on his shoulder— not at all. It’s not as if he’d been too distracted cursing out his ungrateful companions to hear Tanigaki’s offer!)
“Shiraishi?” Tanigaki asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer; he looked at Sugimoto as if the man were hiding something. “What about you?”
“Ah! Haha, well, about that...” Shiraishi didn’t even have a chance to wonder why his friend was blushing like a cherry before someone else interrupted them. Shiraishi nearly choked on his own saliva.
“My, you must be Asirpa. Wilk’s daughter, right? You’ve grown into quite the young lady. How old are you?” That was Hijikata Toshizō! What was the head of the West Zone headquarters doing at a private meeting in the main offices?
Out of the corner of his eye, Shiraishi saw Asirpa shift uncomfortably in her seat. "Thirteen years old."
"You’ve certainly grown into a young lady," the old man crooned as he sat in the empty space next to Tanigaki. Shiraishi frowned, looking for a way to slip away, just as the man placed another bottle of sake on the table.
"I came here to talk business, but since Wilk and I go way back, why don't you and I get better acquainted?" Shiraishi gulped as he watched beads of condensation form on the bottle, nothing beat cold sake!
"Hey—" He heard Sugimoto speak in a tense voice, his gaze boring into Hijikata. It was no secret that the man wanted to hold onto his position in the company and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that, but going so far as to bother a young girl? That was the last straw, especially for someone like Sugimoto, and even more so when the girl was Asirpa! Everyone at work knew those two were like siblings; you couldn't get to Asirpa without going through Sugimoto first.
"The director isn't available for business matters today; I heard the Hinohara Headquarters has been having trouble managing staffing." Ogata interrupted Sugimoto, earning a murderous glare from him and another from Hijikata himself.
"Oh?" The sake in Hijikata’s hands was starting to look less and less appetizing.
“I think I can offer some advice on that,” Ogata smiled— that lopsided grin implying he had already won (or believed he had). Shiraishi had learned long ago that when Ogata smiled like that, it was best to stay out of range. “After all, the Director trusts me enough to handle these kinds of matters.”
Yeah, and Shiraishi still couldn't fathom what kind of sorcery he’d used to pull that off. How had a former employee from Tsurumi’s branch managed to transfer to headquarters and, in less than a year, become one of the top employees and a favorite, too? Shiraishi had been there longer, yet not only was he not the favorite, he was constantly being threatened with the sack!
Old man Hijikata looked like he was about to speak, but Ogata cut him off again— the nerve of the guy!
“The dinner table isn't the place to discuss business,” his eyes black as a moonless, starless night, settled on Shiraishi, “especially not with men like Shiraishi present.” Ogata! “Why don't we find a better place to talk?” The damned lynx asked, rising from his seat and waiting for Hijitaka to do the same; to Shiraishi’s surprise, Hijitaka smiled —a truly horrible smile— and followed Ogata away from the table.
Sugimoto seemed to relax, as did Asirpa. Shiraishi stopped dwelling on what had just happened when he spotted the cold bottle of sake on the table, the old man had forgotten it! All is forgiven, Ogata; there’s nothing a good sake can’t make up for!
While Sugimoto placed some nabo on a clean plate and offered it to Asirpa, Shiraishi stretched as far as he could to reach the sake bottle before Tanigaki could grab it and claim it as his own prize, just as he had done before. Luckily, he managed to reach it and filled his guinomi cup to the brim; he offered some to Vasily, only to realize the man’s seat was empty, when had he left? Shiraishi shrugged; he would simply have to toast alone.
He raised his guinomi cup toward Vasily’s empty seat; the sudden movement caused a splash of sake to fly toward the vacant spot, wetting the top edge of the napkin his companion had left behind. "Kanpai!" He toasted happily, downing the entire serving in one gulp.
He set the guinomi cup down on the table with a sharp clack as he exhaled.
"Sugimoto." Tanigaki’s voice snapped him back to the present. Right, Sugimoto was his friend; he ought to treat him to some of this delicious cold sake.
"Hey, Sugimoto-kun!" He grabbed the bottle and held it up to his friend, who smiled and held out his guinomi to be refilled.
"So, Sugimoto, are you coming to celebrate with us after all?" Tanigaki interrupted before they could toast again.
"Ah! Right! Sorry, Tanigaki— I won't be able to join you."
"Is it something urgent? Did something happen to your friend?"
"No, Toraji and Umeko are fine! I-it’s nothing like that."
Wait— Sugimoto was blushing again!
"I see."
"Sugimoto, take me with you," Asirpa said, finishing off her nabo.
"I can't take you with me."
The girl turned fully around to face Sugimoto. "Why not? My dad is staying late, and he told me I could go with you."
"And normally I’d walk you home, Asirpa-san, but I can't today."
Asirpa pouted.
"Asirpa-san, I’m not taking you."
"Why not? You’ve done it before!"
Yes, it was strange for Sugimoto to refuse a request from Asirpa.
“Asirpa-san, I don’t have the money to treat both of you, and I’ve already made the reservation.”
Both of you? A reservation? Asirpa quickly rummaged through her pockets; both Tanigaki and Shiraishi were paying close attention to the scene unfolding. Finally, Asirpa found some bills and thrust them right in Sugimoto’s face.
“Then I’ll pay for my own admission! I’m not a little kid who needs someone else to do it for her.”
“No, Asirpa-san, I can’t take your money! And why are you so insistent on tagging along on my date?” Sugimoto pushed Asirpa’s hand aside, refusing the cash.
Wow— did Shiraishi hear that right? A date?
“I’ve been taken along before! It’s fun being with you guys!”
“You just like it when we buy you whatever you want because we can’t agree on anything!”
Asirpa looked away, pouted again, and folded her hands in her lap, still clutching the money tightly. Shiraishi’s mouth moved faster than his brain.
“You know, Asirpa-chan, if Sugimoto can’t treat you, I will! I’ll show you a great place to gamble!”
“No, thanks,” the girl replied, looking displeased.
Suddenly, he felt two murderous glares. Tanigaki, if you aren't going to help, don't judge! It’s not every day the chief’s daughter offers you money just so you’ll let her tag along! Especially not Asirpa!
Wait, that’s suspicious. Why would Asirpa want to go to Sugimoto’s date?... Sugimoto, on a date!
“I see, so you have a partner. Why don’t you both come?” Tanigaki seemed determined to get Sugimoto to his celebration; Shiraishi wondered what would happen if he didn't succeed. Would Inkarmat get angry and accept Shiraishi’s offer to go gamble?
“Well,” Sugimoto was as red as a cherry blossom, “The truth is, I’d already made a reservation at Isagen for today…”
Isagen? Since when did Sugimoto spend so much on a date? Whoever his partner was, Sugimoto was taking this very seriously!
“Isagen? Isn’t it expensive there?”
“Yeah.”
“I see. I’m happy for you, Sugimoto.” Tanigaki moved the sake bottle closer to Sugimoto’s guinomi —wait, when had it been taken away again? No, he had to focus on what mattered: who was this mysterious woman, and why did only Asirpa seem to know about her?
“Thanks.” Sugimoto downed the sake in one gulp, making his face turn even redder —as if that were even possible!
“Then I won’t bother you anymore. I hope your date goes well today.”
“T-thanks.” Sugimoto—were they talking about the same Sugimoto? When had this man gotten a girlfriend? And more importantly, why hadn’t he known anything about it?!
Asirpa placed the bills back in front of Sugimoto and put on her best “just try me” expression; oh, Sugimoto stood no chance against that!
“Asirpa-san, please understand—”
“If I’m not mistaken, reservations there are for groups of five or more, right?”
Asirpa seemed to light up at Tanigaki’s statement; she puffed out her chest and looked down at Sugimoto with an air of superiority, waiting for a denial she knew wouldn’t come. Finally, Sugimoto sighed —just as he always did when he accepted there was nothing more he could do to stop Asirpa.
“Yes! First, I’ll have to go home and change into something suitable for the occasion.”
“Well, I won't be able to go with you; I need to get to the restaurant a bit early to confirm the headcount,” Sugimoto said, standing up. “I’m going to grab some onigiri to finish off.”
“Shouldn't you save some room for dinner?” Tanigaki asked.
Sugimoto smiled. “That’s no problem at all!”
Shiraishi shook his head and sighed in disappointment; his friend really was a glutton.
“Asirpa-san, do you need to get something to eat?” asked Tanigaki, who hadn't really eaten much himself.
“I already ate before meeting up with you guys. Besides, I’m going to need room to eat as many dishes as I can at the restaurant!”
Tanigaki nodded. Shiraishi glanced at his own completely empty plate. Who could this mysterious partner of Sugimoto’s be? Did they know her? How long had they been together?
The seat across from them was occupied once more when Vasily reappeared. The man looked at his sketch on the napkin and his eyes went wide when he saw the water stain on it; Shiraishi quickly looked away before Vasily could spot him.
Tanigaki, on the other hand, turned around when Vasily tapped him on the shoulder and nodded in understanding of the man's gestures. (Shiraishi fully understood that, being a foreigner himself, the director had no prejudice against hiring foreigners —but come on, the least they could do was speak the language!)
“I see. Yes, it was Shiraishi.” Tanigaki pointed him out as the culprit.
Shiraishi jumped to his feet before Vasily could do anything. “I’m going to grab some onigiri too!” As he hurried away from the table, he heard Asirpa asking about Vasily’s drawing —could everyone just stop making such a big deal out of it?!
He ran into Sugimoto at the dining table; he quickly stepped up beside him and grabbed some onigiri.
The silence wasn't awkward, but he couldn't keep quiet given the new information he had!
They soon returned to the table with their portions. On the way, he caught a glimpse of Kiroranke chatting with someone else at another table near the window, though he couldn't spot Oosawa. Back at their table, they resumed their seats on either side of Asirpa; Sugimoto handed an onigiri to the girl. Shiraishi settled into his spot; across from him, Vasily was staring at him as if he were an animal and Vasily were the hunter.
“How long have you two been together?”
“Huh?” Sugimoto asked, his mouth full of rice.
“You and your partner,” Tanigaki clarified.
“Oh,” he swallowed what was in his mouth while raising a hand to fiddle with his hair. “Well—”
“Two years,” Asirpa said, popping the onigiri into her mouth.
“Two years?!” Shiraishi shouted indignantly. “Sugimoto, I can't believe you kept something like that from me!”
“Huh?” Sugimoto asked, looking as if he didn't understand the betrayal— and looking at him as if he didn't even owe him an explanation!
“I think what Shiraishi meant,” Tanigaki said, “is that we didn't know you had a partner —let alone that it was serious.” The man refilled Sugimoto’s guinomi cup.
“Yeah, about that… I didn’t know how to tell you” and wasn't that sweet? Ah, Shiraishi couldn't stay mad at Sugimoto.
“Well, in that case, it's a good thing Asirpa is going with you.”
The girl smiled, her mouth full, pleased with her feat. Yeah, yeah, it wasn't that big a deal; everyone knew Sugimoto couldn't hide anything from Asirpa if she asked him directly. Which meant she’d known for ages that Sugimoto was seeing someone and hadn't told Shiraishi!
Ogata appeared from behind Tanigaki and sat at the head of the group next to Sugimoto, looking quite pleased with himself.
“Everything okay?” Asirpa asked.
Ogata nodded as he smoothed back a stray lock of hair. Even with all that hair gel, he always had rebellious strands.
“Yeah, in the end, all it took was a little civility instead of coming to blows, don't you think, Sugimoto?” Seriously— couldn't they just NOT provoke each other for five minutes?!
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ogata lifted his chin, looking down his nose at Sugimoto. “You can't even figure that out?”
Just as Shiraishi watched the two of them looking ready to throw punches, Asirpa stepped in.
“We were talking about Sugimoto’s partner, and how I’m going to tag along on their date today.” Asirpa! Sometimes you’re the only voice of reason! But why did you have to talk about Sugimoto’s secret partner with his nemesis?!
“Oh, I didn't know you could afford something like that.” Both Ogata and Sugimoto narrowed their eyes.
“Of course I can. Can you?” Sugimoto smiled that sinister smile of his —the one only Ogata could elicit.
“I’ve been able to afford pricier places.”
Pricier? Wait— did Ogata know Sugimoto had a date? Did his best friend’s nemesis know Sugimoto was seeing someone before Shiraishi himself did?!
“Oh, Ogata.” Asirpa, oblivious to the atmosphere, turned to Ogata, distracting him from his favorite pastime: pestering Sugimoto until he smashes my face in. “Could you tell Yuusaku he was right? Daichi absolutely loved the catnip ball!” Ogata didn’t bother to reply, he simply nodded, but that seemed to be enough for Asirpa.
Shiraishi took a moment to process this: were Ogata and his half-brother still in touch? The last Shiraishi had heard, Yuusaku had quit his job at the company on his father's orders, and —or so people said— the half-brothers didn't exactly have the best relationship.
Ogata glanced at his watch and then at the rest of the office; people were already starting to leave. "It's getting late."
Tanigaki checked the time on his phone. "Yeah, it's past six."
The upside of having a foreigner like Wilk as a boss was that he didn't make them work more than ten hours straight —especially not on the last day of the work year.
Shiraishi popped the onigiri into his mouth to enjoy the snack, while Ogata —who likely hadn't touched the food— rose from his seat, followed by a seemingly hurried Sugimoto.
"Asirpa, we need to get going quickly to confirm our reservation at Isagen." He held out his hand for the girl to join him.
Asirpa took it, but before they could even take a step, Ogata spoke up again. Couldn't he just leave Sugimoto alone?
"I wonder if the great Sugimoto has his things packed and ready to go, or if he's only just starting to put them away."
Sugimoto frowned for a second before realizing he hadn't actually packed up his things; he let go of Asirpa’s hand and headed toward the office area where his cubicle was, shouting, "Wait for me at the entrance, okay?" Asirpa and Ogata sighed almost in unison, giving Shiraishi a horrible feeling.
"Asirpa-san," he whispered to the girl, careful not to let Ogata hear; she heard him and stepped a little closer, only to pull away again with a look of disgust. Shiraishi likely reeked of alcohol and food —a combination she detested, especially the smell of booze. "Don't hang around Ogata so much; you're starting to look like him. It's creepy."
Asirpa looked at him as if he were an idiot. Oh no— it was already too late!
Ogata started walking toward the exit (the man had surely stowed his briefcase in his car before the gathering began!), followed by Asirpa, who quickly took his hand so he could guide her.
A short while later, Sugimoto walked out the same door, and less than ten minutes after that, only old man Gotō, Tanigaki, and Shiraishi remained at the table.
Tanigaki glanced at his phone one last time, a small smile playing on his lips, he was undoubtedly talking to Inkarmat. Then he looked at Gotō and finally at Shiraishi.
"Dinner is cancelled. Help me get a taxi for Gotō."
"Huh?”
☜ᕙ✧•♡•✧ᕗ☞
“Do you see him?” Shiraishi asked; Inkarmat, who was peeking out, silenced him with a wave of her hand.
Shiraishi isn’t a gossip, okay? He’s just making sure his best friend’s partner is a good person—period! After all, someone like Sugimoto really deserves a good companion.
“Inkarmat, are you sure about this?” Tanigaki asked her.
But come on— this was the first time Inkarmat had done something like this on her own initiative! Usually, she just went along with things while Shiraishi made sure she had a good time; this time, she was the mastermind behind the plan.
It wasn’t as if they hadn’t spied on their comrades before! Though this time was different, because they were genuinely interested in what would happen next.
Inkarmat finally returned to Tanigaki’s side.
“Well?” Shiraishi asked.
“Nothing yet,” she said, smiling, a smile that highlighted her dark lipstick and made her eyes, reminiscent of an ancient painting, narrow even further as she tilted her head. “But, Shiraishi-san... let’s make a bet.”
“A bet? You and me?” Shiraishi was visibly delighted by the proposal. Tanigaki, on the other hand, stepped closer to Inkarmat and started to say her name, but she simply raised a hand to silence him and widened her eyes slightly to tease Shiraishi.
“If the person Sugimoto is waiting for turns out to be a beautiful woman, I’ll give you a thousand yen.” Shiraishi grinned; this was the easiest money he’d ever make. “But if someone else shows up instead, you have to give me fifteen hundred yen!”
Tanigaki looked at Inkarmat as if he couldn't understand what she was saying; Shiraishi simply saw it as the easiest money he’d ever made. So, like a true gambler, he did what he did best: "I accept!"
Inkarmat closed her eyes again and curled the corners of her lips into a V-shaped smile. Shiraishi, now more excited than ever, peeked out from behind the wall and stared at the restaurant; it was a three-story building with a traditional finish that gave it an air of quiet elegance —and expense. Not to mention it took up the entire block— a fact that stirred up long-buried feelings of jealousy. How had Sugimoto managed to scrape together enough money to afford a place like this?
Shiraishi barely had enough cash for rent and a decent meal (let alone horse racing bets, okay?), yet there was Sugimoto, with enough money to cover a reservation for —at the very least— five people. And his friend had never once thought to treat Shiraishi to a place like this; what an insult!
Sugimoto was standing outside the entrance, checking his phone —likely waiting for his lover to arrive. A lover Shiraishi hadn't known about, though he certainly wasn't going to hold it against him, seeing as it meant easy money! Shiraishi was a great friend; he was certain that if it were anyone else, they wouldn't be so forgiving.
Less than a minute later, Sugimoto looked up —straight toward Shiraishi’s hiding spot. Like a seasoned pro, Shiraishi ducked his head back into the alley and pressed his body against the wall, as if trying to merge with it. He was smiling, already savoring the sweet taste of victory, when he found himself face-to-face with none other than Ogata.
"Huh?" Shiraishi blurted out. Ogata Hyakunosuke was standing right in front of him, fixing him with that familiar, bored expression and those hollow, black eyes. Perhaps the only difference was the raised eyebrow on his face. Shiraishi didn't have time to tell him to get out of Sugimoto's line of sight so he wouldn't spot them before he saw Asirpa holding hands with Ogata. Asirpa—what the hell? What was she doing with him right now?
“Shiraishi Yoshitake, Tanigaki Genjiro, and his fiancée.” Ogata’s voice sounded as monotonous as ever. “I didn't think the three of you would be so bad at spying on people.” He smirked smugly.
“Ogata, what are you doing here?” Shiraishi asked. “And with Asirpa!”
Ogata tilted his head as if Shiraishi were the fool. “I thought you’d know by now.” The only one who laughed at the joke was Asirpa, who was now wearing a long purple dress; Ogata, on the other hand, was in his work suit.
Perhaps Sugimoto had run into another snag and asked Ogata to look after Asirpa while his partner got dressed for the occasion...
“Ogata, I see you’ve arrived.” Inkarmat approached the two newcomers.
“I have.”
“Ogata,” Tanigaki’s voice sounded strained. “Are you really—?”
“Surprised?” He flashed that smug smile again. Shiraishi felt like he was missing something, but what?
“Wait, wait. Ogata, what are you supposed to be doing here? Did you come to bring Asirpa?”
Inkarmat laughed beside him, Tanigaki shook his head, and Asirpa laughed openly; Ogata returned to his usual, unperturbed expression. He glanced at his watch and then toward the restaurant behind Shiraishi.
“I don't have time for this” he said, taking a step forward as Asirpa prepared to follow him.
"Wait a moment, please." Inkarmat, don't speak so nicely to someone like Ogata!
When the group arrived in front of the restaurant, Sugimoto seemed surprised to find them all together. Well, that’s the least he deserved for hiding the fact that he had a partner from Shiraishi!
“Asirpa-san, Ogata— what is this all about?”
“Why don't you ask them? Apparently, they were spying on you from across the street.” Ogata! Why do you have to be such a snitch?
“Spying?” Shiraishi wasn't sure if the person standing before him was his good friend Sugimoto or a wild animal about to pounce on them.
Inkarmat chuckled. “I really just came here to verify something; now that I have, I can collect my money,” she said, turning toward Shiraishi.
“Wait, hey. This isn't over yet —a beautiful woman hasn't arrived yet!”
Inkarmat looked him straight in the eye. “Exactly.”
“Huh?” Shiraishi looked at her as if trying to solve a puzzle, then glanced between Sugimoto and Asirpa; the girl was holding Ogata’s hand, and now she was holding Sugimoto’s hand too... No. This couldn't be possible—no!
“Oh, absolutely not— I refuse to believe it!” he shouted, perhaps a bit too loudly and in too high a pitch.
A man stepped out of the restaurant to ask for quiet and inquire whether they had a reservation or if they were just hanging around outside.
“Yes, we have a reservation. Under the name Sugimoto Saichi,” Inkarmat said before anyone else could speak.
Sugimoto glared at her; she simply smiled back.
☜ᕙ✧•♡•✧ᕗ☞
If anyone had asked Shiraishi if he expected to spend the last day of his work rotation dining at Isagen —a high-end restaurant where, he was certain, the minimum spend to book a private room (just as his best friend, Sugimoto Saichi, had done) was 12,000 yen—in the company of Asirpa (his boss’s daughter) and amidst the revelation that his friend —his best friend, a man who was equally the gentlest and the most terrifying person he knew— was dating his own nemesis, Ogata Hyakunosuke... well, he would have laughed and mocked whoever dared to ask such a thing.
Yet, now he knew the truth: the relationship between Ogata and Sugimoto was real. Not only that, but they had been together for two years, and going on dates at the most luxurious restaurants imaginable!
Shiraishi held a bottle of sake in his hand but hadn't dared to take a single sip yet. After all, what if this was just a hallucination brought on by having had too much sake at work? That was a very plausible conclusion— far more likely than the possibility that Sugimoto and that damn Ogata were actually together... Right?
“This is a dream, isn't it? This can't be real.”
“It seems very real to me, as real as the fact that you owe me fifteen hundred yen,” Inkarmat said with a smile from beside him.
Across from them, occupying the three chairs on the other side of the table, sat Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Ogata, chatting as always, teasing each other as always. And obviously, those two couldn't possibly be a couple.
“Did you know?” Tanigaki’s voice reached him from the other side of Inkarmat.
“I suspected it,” Inkarmat said, smiling at her fiancé. “Asirpa’s father and my parents are friends, so I visit them from time to time.” She smiled affectionately at the girl across from her, who paid her no mind; instead, the child simply inserted herself into the conversation between the two adults seated on either side of her, smiling smugly whenever she managed to get something out of them as they vied to show off what they could give her— ranging from praise to ordering off-menu dishes. “She never told me their names, but she wouldn't stop talking about how funny ‘those two lovesick fools’ were.” Inkarmat smiled, covering her mouth.
Tanigaki nodded while Shiraishi continued to refuse to accept the impossible.
“And when did you put the pieces together?” Tanigaki asked before shoveling noodles into his mouth.
“Well, whenever you invited me out with your friends, Sugimoto wouldn't stop talking about Asirpa, and I realized his stories were the same ones Asirpa used to tell... Plus, in your group of friends, Ogata is the only one who enjoys teasing Sugimoto; I didn't have to dig very deep.” She shrugged and went back to eating.
Shiraishi finally poured himself some sake before resuming his meal. Fine. If this was a dream, none of it would have happened when he woke up tomorrow, and he wouldn't have lost fifteen hundred yen— simple as that.
… And if, by some spell, it was real? Well, he could just tell Kiroranke and Oosawa a secret about Sugimoto for a tidy sum— maybe even Vasily!
Yes, Shiraishi was a genius! And that way, his best friend would understand that keeping secrets wasn't right!
Two birds with one stone!
“Ah,” Ogata glanced at his phone screen.
“What is it?” Sugimoto asked.
“It’s Usami; apparently, he’s still mad at me.”
Yes, without a doubt, tomorrow he would wake up and simply start a new work year —April 1, 2001— at his office job at Enzos Group, alongside his best friend Sugimoto Saichi, who was definitely not dating Ogata Hyakunosuke.
“Yeah, sure,” he repeated aloud to himself while searching his wallet for the —entirely imaginary— fifteen hundred yen to pay off the —non-existent— bet he had definitely not lost to Inkarmat, Tanigaki’s very real fiancée.