Brothas

Boys' Night and Epic Showdowns

Kebo: Kasuga, I want you to meet my college friend, Mike.

Kasuga: Nice to meet you!

Kebo: Mike, this is Ichiban Kasuga, who came all the way from Japan.

Mike: Hi!

Aaron (voice over): In the last chapter of "Brothers..."

Mike: I heard about a guy from Kamurocho who got into some trouble and ended up in prison... You consider him a friend? It can't be the same person.

Kebo: What are you talking about? He's a great guy. We just see things in different ways.

Kasuga: Do you think he might want to get to know me better?

Kebo: What do you mean?

Kasuga: When I greeted him, he looked at me strangely, like he knew me.

Kebo: Don't worry. He'll come around.

Mike: Since you showed up with that ex-con who served 18 years, no one has seen him.

Aaron: Hey man, it's A-Dog. Want to hang out and grab a drink tonight?

Kasuga: What's happening tonight?

Kebo: We're meeting up with the crew, getting ready, and then heading to the club.

Kasuga: Awesome! Let's party!

(Now)

[Salem, Illinois, 9:15 P.M.]

[Location: Aaron's complex apartment]

From Aaron's point of view, preparing to head out with his friends:

Later that evening, Aaron was getting ready for a night out with the guys. As he freshened up and dressed, his phone began ringing nonstop.

He was wrapped in his robe, drying his hair with a towel after a long, hot shower, when the phone on the coffee table rang insistently.

It was Mike, who had been trying to reach him for hours. Aaron quickly grabbed the phone and answered.

"Hold on, hold on, I'm on my way... Yo, what's up, man?" Aaron said, recognizing Mike's number.

"Yo, A-Dog, what's going on?" Mike asked, curious about Aaron's plans.

"Just finishing up here, waiting for you guys to come by. How about you?" Aaron replied, excited for the night ahead.

"I'm only a few blocks away, stuck in this damn traffic," Mike grumbled, annoyed by the slow drive.

"Damn, that sucks, man," Aaron said, teasing but sympathetic.

"By the way, did you talk to Kebo?" Mike asked, still frustrated with the traffic.

"No, not yet. We've been swamped. Why?" Aaron wondered.

"Well, instead of getting my ass kicked at work, I showed Kebo the new place he'd been applying for so he could check it out himself," Mike explained.

Aaron listened closely as Mike continued, "Then, while I was showing him around, Kebo brought along that scruffy guy, Ichiban Kasuga, or whatever his name is. I told Kebo I didn't like him, but he wouldn't listen."

"Who is Ichiban Kasuga?" Aaron asked, curious about the person Mike had mentioned.

"How should I know? He's one of Kebo's new friends from across the country and also his roommate," Mike replied, defending himself against what he thought was a silly question.

"Look, it doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks. If Kebo wants to make more friends, that's his choice. It's none of your business," Aaron said, trying to reason with Mike over the phone.