Highballs and Saku-chan's Determination [Short Story]

My name is Shiori Takato.This article is where I, the poor woman who discovered her favorite man was cheating on her with four other women, was featured.

Oh, don't worry. I've already bounced back, so I'm totally fine. My current dream is to live in a Roppongi tower mansion someday and get back at that four-timing guy. If I live even one floor higher than his other women, I win. Hmph.

"What kind of stupid competition is that? Stop saying such pathetic things and just forget about him already."
The one who spoke to me with an exasperated look was my middle school classmate, Saku-chan. Today, as always, I was at 'Yozuki,' the cafe bar that Saku-chan owns.

"It's not that I can't forget. I'm just frustrated. I want to make him regret it!"
"Yeah, yeah. For now, just drink this. I'll leave some snacks for you too."
A highball and a small plate of kaki-pi (persimmon seed crackers and peanuts) were placed in front of me. Today's highball was made a bit stronger than usual.

"Wait, hold on. Why kaki-pi? It was mixed nuts until recently, right?"
"I'm already giving you snacks on the house, so don't be so pushy. My shop is being hit by the wave of rising prices, too. You should be grateful you're even getting kaki-pi."

Saku-chan's eyes narrowed just a little. Deciding that this topic was dangerous, I didn't reply and popped the few peanuts buried in the kaki-pi into my mouth.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Come to think of it, I got a call from my parents yesterday. They told me to show my face at home once in a while."
Changing from her previous look, Saku-chan began to speak with a slightly lonely expression.

"...You still haven't told them?"
When I asked in a hushed voice, Saku-chan gave a slight, bitter smile and clinked the ice in her glass. Saku-chan, who never drinks alcohol while the shop is open, was unusually drinking a highball today.

"Yeah. Well, it's not that I can't say it... I just feel like they wouldn't understand... and honestly, I'm scared. Scared of being rejected."
"But you told me 10 years ago, didn't you?"

Saku-chan's expression softened suddenly.
"That's true. I wonder why I decided to tell you back then. Maybe you looked like you wouldn't mind whatever I said because you seemed like a bit of an airhead."
"Hey! That's mean, isn't it?"
"Oh, I'm actually complimenting you. I felt like you were the type who would accept anything I said."

I'm not sure if that's really a compliment or not. At the time, I was genuinely happy that Saku-chan had confided in me. Although Saku-chan is biologically male, her words and actions overflowed with the desire to live as a woman. It was also clear that she was trying to hide that.

There were classmates who would say, "That guy is gross," without a second thought, but I didn't feel that way. Or rather, it didn't matter to me whether Saku-chan was a man or a woman. I just enjoyed being with her.

The only thing that changed after she "came out" to me was how I addressed her. Her name is Sakuya, so I call her Saku-chan. Since Saku-chan is a sharp-tongued girl, honestly, she doesn't really fit the "-chan" image, but I'll let that slide for now.

I knew that Saku-chan hadn't been able to tell her parents. I also knew that because of that, she couldn't easily visit her parents' home. There are things you can't say precisely because you are close and because they are important to you. I think that is a kind of "emotional growth."

"But you know, I have a feeling that Saku-chan's parents are waiting for you to tell them."
"...I wonder. I think they might have a vague idea... no, they probably realized it a long time ago."
"Then that makes it even more likely. If they intended to reject you, they wouldn't invite their own child to come home, would they?"
"...Is that how it works?"
"That's how it works."
We both picked up our glasses at almost the same time and took a sip of our highballs. The alcohol was absorbed into our bodies, feeling pleasant.

I brought up the topic on behalf of Saku-chan, who seemed to want to say something but couldn't find the right words.

"Saku-chan, do you regret telling me that day 10 years ago?"
"No."
It was an immediate answer without a second of hesitation.
"It'll be the same, I'm sure."
"I see."
"Just try telling them. You'll know the answer in another 10 years."
"I can't wait 10 years. I might look like this, but I'm impatient."
"You say 'might look like this,' but you're clearly short-tempered no matter how you look at it."
"How rude! Where am I short-tempered?"
"See? You're getting angry right now."
"Fine, whatever. I was going to give you some mixed nuts as a special treat, but never mind. You can eat kaki-pi for the rest of your life."
The empty plate was refilled with more kaki-pi. There were even fewer peanuts than before.

"Oh, by the way, I'll be temporarily closed next week. Don't come by mistake."
"Eh, why?"
"I'm going home."
"I see. In that case, I'll forgive you."
"And anyway, stop hanging out here every week just because you got dumped by a guy."
"Why? It's fine. I'm contributing to the sales of 'Yozuki,' which has downgraded from mixed nuts to kaki-pi, so you should be grateful."
Saku-chan snorted. Despite everything, she wants to see me too. She's just not being honest.

Just as I was starting to pack up to leave, I realized something important.
“Oh! I forgot to give you this!”
I took “Yasumaru Dashi” out of my bag and handed it to Saku-chan.
“What’s this? Yasumaru Dashi??”
“It’s this thing I got from someone at work. Mr.Urban legend expert Akio SekiYouTubehighly recommended it on his channel, apparently. I brought it thinking you could make something delicious with it, Saku-chan, but I completely forgot.”
“………You really forced that urban legend in there, didn't you.”
“Hm? What?”
“No, it’s nothing. I was just speaking for the readers.”
“Saku-chan, what are you talking about? Well, whatever. I’ll leave this dashi with you, so make something with it sometime! See ya! Good luck next week!”
Leaving those words behind, I left 'Yozuki'. I felt Saku-chan’s cold gaze piercing my back. (Did I do something weird?)

(The End)

#ThursdayIsThreeStoryDay

▼ This article was written following Yasu-san's three-topic story project.

▼ Click here for the story about Shiori getting dumped by a guy (Previous three-topic story)