"Ahhhhhh! I can't sleep… I need to rant to someone." The interview is tomorrow. Even though I'll be behind the scenes, I'm nervous—or more like scared.
"Haiko! Your human needs a cuddle session." I tapped my lap, and Haiko snuggled up against me.
Mind you, I don't have friends—only Haiko. It's not that I can't make friends; it's more that I don't feel like investing my energy. Even with Aomi, I can't say we were friends—the bond we shared was something… special. Ugh, I hate these labels. I have acquaintances, sure, but none I could confide in. Except… there is someone.
"I should text her. What do you say, Haiko?"
"Meow." Haiko blinked lazily at me, half-asleep.
"Nya… Nya." I responded, picked up my phone, opened LINE, and sent a message that was more of an order than a text. Then I tucked Haiko into bed.
"I'll be back soon," I whispered, leaving the house.
The night air was crisp, so I pulled my jacket tighter and headed to my usual place—a small, cozy, girls-friendly bar where I met her whenever I needed to talk.
"Welcome. What would you like to order?"
The waitress greeted me.
"I'll order in a few minutes," I said.
"Understood." She smiled and walked away.
Huff… huff… huff…
I jumped as someone I knew grabbed me from behind, wrapping her arms around my neck as if trying to choke me.
"Timeout! Timeout!" I tapped her arms. She released me and gave a playful slap to the back of my head.
"Rumi! I swear, someday your antics will get my hands really dirty," she warned, waving my phone at me. It displayed the message I'd sent: "Come to our usual place. I'll wait five minutes, or we're over!"
"Tsubaki! That's my love for you. I knew you'd come, sugar mommy!" I grinned.
"Huh? Sugar mommy? Don't give me weird names," Tsubaki frowned.
"Call me onee-chan, idiot Rumi. I'm older than you."
"Onee-chan? Blegh."
"Tsubaki is my sugar mommy who always pays the bills. I love my sugar mama, Tsubaki," I replied, mockingly.
Tsubaki Nanase is my first cousin, my uncle's only daughter, and my brother's rival. She's older than me, but I refuse to call her onee-chan. Teasing is my love language with her. She's the only person in Tokyo I can talk to about anything.
"Okay, sugar mommy is ready to get drunk," Tsubaki said cheerfully, calling the waitress over.
The bar has two seating options: a polished counter to chat with the bartender or tucked-away corners for privacy. Today, we chose a corner, hidden and cozy.
"We'll have a beer set with yakitori and edamame," Tsubaki ordered.
"Coming right away. Thank you for ordering," the waitress replied.
I pulled a rubber band from my pocket and tied my hair up.
"So! What happened? It's been a long time since your 'threat' message," she asked, shrugging off her coat.
"Threat? That was my love for you, o-n-e-e-c-h-a-n!" I said jokingly.
"Yeah, yeah. Onee-chan literally ran here from the hospital to hear your rant. So spill the tea, Rumi," she said, mimicking my voice perfectly. Well, this lady is actually a doctor aiming to become the director of Nanase Hospital, though.
"Well… there's a chance someone will come back into my life, and I'm nervous," I admitted.
"And that someone is…?"
"I don't know. Figure it out." I frowned.
"I'm a psychiatrist resident, not a psychic, stingy Rumi," she squawked.
"Someone I left behind… selfishly… someone I want to get back together with," I mumbled, feeling my stomach tighten.
"Still hung up on that person? Let me guess… Aomi?" Her curiosity was sharp, piercing.
"Correct. You just won the lottery… set to hell," I replied, forcing a small laugh.
"Such a brat," she muttered.
I quickly explained the situation to her.
"You should be happy. So why the long face? Didn't you say you'd never let go if fate brought you back together?" she asked.
Our order arrived: steaming yakitori and lightly salted edamame. I took a sip of beer and noticed a small note with a cat doodle: "Onee-san wants a second round with you."
I looked toward the waitress, who pointed behind us. Two women were there. One blonde blew me a kiss and winked. I immediately turned around.
"Oh, someone's getting hit," Tsubaki grinned.
"Shut up! I'm not interested. My brain is overloaded," I muttered.
"Rumi! Relax and speak your mind, don't worry about them," she said gently, giving them a warning glare.
"Tsubaki… I'm scared. What if she doesn't recognize me? Five years… What if she got amnesia? My introvert side is kicking in, and these negative thoughts…" I sighed, taking another sip.
"Eh, amnesia? I don't think so. She remembers you! Applying to the same lab is already a gamble, in my opinion," she said, rolling up her sleeves.
"Well, it's normal to doubt someone who once held a special place in your heart. Your thoughts are valid. Just don't overthink it: 'What if she doesn't recognize me?' Replace it with, 'What if she does?'" Tsubaki said while practically chugging her beer.
"She's still special, though," I said softly. My thoughts were trivial—I needed to focus on the brighter side of this upcoming encounter.
"Sorry, sorry, Rumi-sama. Also, she needs to pass the interview for this encounter to happen," Tsubaki added, a small smirk on her flushed face.
"You've waited desperately for this fateful encounter. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just do it. Ask her out. Hand her a ring with a kiss. You have my blessings," she said, laughing.
"You're enjoying yourself, huh?" My cheeks flushed, unsure if it was the beer or her words. But she was right. I'd waited for this moment, and I wouldn't let it slip away. Even if rejected, I'd make sure to properly label our relationship this time.
"Looks like someone's imagining a white gown and chapel. Don't forget to toss the bouquet to onee-chan," she teased.
"Yeah, yeah. Sponsor my wedding, sugar mama Tsubaki," I said gloomily.
"Hahaha! Smile, Rumi baby, smile. Mama will give you anything… or maybe a diamond ring?" she said, patting my head.
I smacked her hand and took another sip. Tsubaki didn't exactly answer my worries, but she always eased my mind.
"That note lady is still watching us. Rumi, go and have an eventful night. Tag me along too; she's cute and totes my type," she said playfully.
"Tsubaki!" I glared.
"Stingy brat," she muttered.
"Rumi, no matter what happens, onee-chan will support you—even if the world ends. Even if I die without having a lover. Nee-chan will be by your side," she said dramatically, smiling.
It made me want to puke.
"Die? By my side as a ghost, Tsubaki, right?" I asked, and she laughed.
She continued teasing me, asking random things.
"By the way, aren't you getting late? Haiko-chan must be waiting," she said, flushed and clearly drunk.
I sighed. She must be exhausted from the hospital, yet she maintained her perfect heiress image, working tirelessly. No one else sees this side of her—the playful, reliable, and relaxed side.
"Rumi, one more round at your place," she slurred. She's not a heavy drinker.
I paid the bill. The note lady approached us.
"You're quite the caring type. This nee-san also needs your handsome face and body," she whispered.
I stepped back. Tsubaki grabbed her hand.
"Rumi baby only needs one sugar mama. Back off, you pervert." Tsubaki's soul was clearly in a 6th dimension of drunk heaven.
"So that's your type. Hahaha." She laughed hysterically. Dressed like a CEO, less graceful than Tsubaki, but more flirtatious. Her moles were attractive, but my eyes were on only one person. Demon Rumi keep your erotic fantasies shut, I said in my mind.
"Rumi baby, I can become your next sugar mama. Let me know when you need me," she said, handing me her card. I slipped it into my pocket without looking.
Then she stepped forward, reaching for my helix earring.
"That's off-limits," I said, stopping her hand. We left while she looked at us in shock.
On the way home with Tsubaki, I gently touched my helix earring, replaying memories like a video on my phone. I let out a quiet sigh.
"I hope you pick out a new one for me… again," I muttered silently, praying for tomorrow.
"Good night!" Tsubaki said, half-asleep.
"Good night, Tsubaki Nee-chan," I mumbled, shutting my brain off to finally get some sleep.