All You Need Is Love (MewGulf AU)

🌻Chapter 2

PRESENT
🌻

Standing in front of the bar Kashima brought him to, he fully regretted it.

It was Kashima. If he had given even a moment's thought to the kind of place Kashima would like, he would have easily pictured this bar. But his passing desire had misled all of his judgment.

They were in a narrow alley that swerved off from the main street of Kabuki-cho, standing before an ostentatious bar with dozens of photos of girls looking enticing pasted on the window. If he had to gave it a name, Gulf would have to call it a cabaret, not a very classy place.

The arrogant attitude of the staff, who wore fancy pants and vest, got on his nerves and he was shock at how weak the springs of the sofa they led him to sit.

Then came the crowning moment.

"Good evening! It's been so long since we saw you, Mister Kashima!"

Two women in outrageous make up and teddies that barely covered their underwear came up to their table. One of them was carrying a brandy bottle and a bucket of ice on a tray.

"I know, Mami baby. I've been so busy lately I haven't been able to take any time off for myself."

"But I've been so lonely."

The girl name Mami, her brown hair pulled up, sat down comfortably next to Kashima. She picked up one of the warm hand towels set on the table and handed it to Kashima attentively.

"Here you go."

"Thanks."

The other girl sat down next to Gulf. She looked twenty-one, or twenty-two at the most. The heavy lipstick she had slathered on her lips wasn't flattering.

"And who's this?"

"My boy Gulf, who transferred last April. He's young, but he's a real go-getter. He's really popular at our branch office. Don't you go for those types, Mami?"

"Yeah, he's super cute. How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-six," he answered with his business smile, though all he could think about was his disgust at what kind of a description 'super cute' was supposed to be.

"Wow, he's older than I thought," the woman next to Gulf said in surprise as she put ice in their glasses.

"You're having a double whiskey and water, right, Mister Kashima? And Mister...Gulf, was it? How do you want yours?"

"I'll take water too. And only a single of whiskey."

That did a lot to soothe Gulf. He had imagined that theynwould be going to a nice bar ot a yakitori take out stand to grab a cold beer.

Some simple snacks were brought to the table, but he couldn't find anything to pad his stomach. Gulf was so thirsty he might knock back his whiskey in one shot, and he was pretty sure that would get him drunk.

"Well, cheers, I suppose. Drink up Gulf."

"Thank you sir."

"Bottoms up!" the two girls screeched, raising their own glasses.

The lighting in the bar was very dim, so he couldn't make out the customers at the other tables. Of course Gulf had come to bars like this many times before with associates from work. He was naturally friendly, so he could more or less get by, but the truth was, he just wasn't very comfortable in these sorts of places.

He greatly preferred going out for some cold drinks with laid-back guys at a cheap but good restaurant, then going home. He'd really screwed up today. It would be best to just find an opportunity to leave as quickly as possible.

Completely obluvious to Gulf's mood, Kashima was happily gulping dow nhis drink. He was drinking on an empty stomach, so his face was bright red and he was already slurring his words. He was taking advantage of his drunkenness to put his hand on Mami's thigh again and again, which annoyed Gulf.

He had intended to cut out early, but it looked like it would be better if he stayed with Kashima for the night. He glanced down at his watch. They'd been in the bar a little more than an hour, so if they left now it probably wouldn't offend anyone.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

Gulf stood up, knowing he would have to prepare himself before coming back.

"Hey, I'm still drinking here," Kashima shouted in an unpleasantly loud voice. He must have thought Gulf was trying to go home. Gulf gave him a sidelong glance before escaping from their booth and heading towars the bathroom.

TBC