"Seriously, Buki-senpai — was the intimidation act really necessary?"
Sebas shoveled takoyaki into his mouth while side-eyeing the mountain of muscle across the counter. The roses he'd arrived with sat in a vase beside the register, their romantic flair utterly wasted on a dive bar.
"Intimidation?" Buki paused mid-polish, genuinely perplexed. "When did I—?"
"Never mind! My bad!" Sebas waved his chopsticks dismissively. He felt a pang of guilt for mentally casting this surprisingly decent guy as an NTR villain just because of the blond hair and terrifying physique.
Note to self: not all jacked blondes are girlfriend-stealing antagonists. Probably.
He was about to stuff a fried shrimp in his mouth when —
"Oi, Sebas." Buki leaned across the counter, suddenly serious. "As a freshman, what are your goals for university?"
Sebas chewed slowly. "…Get the diploma?"
"THAT'S THE WEAKEST AMBITION I'VE EVER HEARD!"
Glasses rattled as Buki's fist hit the counter. Before Sebas could react, he found himself hoisted into the air by his armpits — his lack of shirt denying Buki a proper collar grab.
"GYAAAAH! WHAT TRIGGERED YOU THIS TIME?!"
"Such wasted potential!" Buki shook him like a malfunctioning vending machine. "Then answer me this — which club are you joining?!"
Sebas' legs bicycled helplessly. "The… sleep-and-go-home-early club?"
Buki's eye developed a dangerous twitch. He lifted Sebas higher until they were nose to nose.
"LISTEN WELL, KOUHAI! I AM THE VICE-CAPTAIN OF PEEK-A-BOO DIVING CLUB!"
Then, without warning, his tone shifted to something disturbingly serene.
"…Do you like… scuba diving?"
This is the least subtle recruitment since cults invented free yoga classes.
Sebas' soul quietly left his body. His only real goal was surviving Angel's ridiculous mission — but Buki's grip was tightening ominously.
"That… Peek-a-Boo place sounds… super educational?" Sebas squeaked. "Maybe I'll… stop by during club fair week…?"
Buki's murderous expression dissolved instantly. He set Sebas back on his feet with surprising gentleness, handling him like a fragile doll.
"Peek-a-Boo Diving Club," he corrected warmly. "Don't get the name wrong next time~" He gave Sebas a playful pat on the shoulder.
"Hahaha…" Sebas laughed along while screaming internally. This guy is unhinged. One night, then I'm out.
"Oh — last train!" Buki suddenly checked his watch. "Sorry for keeping you! The employee dorm's behind that door. Make yourself at home."
Perfect. I'll bolt at dawn.
Buki was already heading for the entrance when he turned back.
"Ah — almost forgot. I left a specially brewed oolong tea on the counter. Mind finishing it for me? Thanks!"
"Yeah, sure," Sebas agreed, barely listening.
The door clicked shut.
Sebas slumped against the counter.
"Who leaves a stranger alone in their bar?!"
He wandered behind the counter and stared at the suspiciously pristine glass of "oolong tea."
Since when does oolong need brewing?
The amber liquid glistened. His throat felt dry.
Well… he did say to handle it.
He grabbed the glass and retreated to the dorm — a cramped but tidy room with a bed, a nightstand, and a clothing rack.
"Not bad for free lodging."
He cleaned up as best he could — minimal repayment for crashing here — then flopped onto the bed. Exhaustion hit him like a truck.
Today had been a lot.
He set the glass on the nightstand. His eyelids grew heavy. As a final act of the evening, he picked it up and drank.
GLUG.
"Ahhh, refre — GAHHHHK —"
Fire exploded down his throat. His vision whited out. The glass slipped from his fingers, and his body hit the mattress —
— and from somewhere beyond consciousness, a triumphant voice echoed:
"WELCOME TO PEEK-A-BOO!!"