French Cup: A Neighborhood Story

Chapter 66: -Kazuya- Needing You

"I wonder what Gyeong-Wan's drag name is going to be. He's going to be with us for drag bingo, right? Kazu, did he talk to you about it?" Nikki was leaned over the counter drinking a latte. 

"Wait, Gyeong-Wan in drag? Excuse me, what?" Miyuki stopped eating her chocolate dipped madeleine immediately, ready for the gossip. 

"Yup. I have pictures, look. My sister took them." 

Nikki whipped out his phone and they crowded around it, their treats and me forgotten. 

"Whoaa," Miyuki grinned, her hand going over her mouth. "He looks terrible! Who thought that wig was right?! Is he wearing- oh my god, what's on his feet?!"

"He can't walk in heels yet. I don't think he ever has. Plus, Hanako doesn't wear his size." Nikki made like he was blowing up the image, his fingers touching the screen.

"Wait, oh this is Hanako's drag. You're right. That dress. Ohhh." Miyuki got closer to the screen, really analyzing it. "Wait a minute. Are you all at your sister's preschool in this?! When did this happen?! I need to hang out with you more. I've been drowning in New Year's orders. Absolutely everybody wants to wear vintage to their soirees this year. I think it's becoming a trend, and if so then I'm going to be swimming in orders."

"You should hire an assistant." They were scrolling through pictures now.

"Where would I find one? I need someone who specializes in bridal due to the fabrics and techniques that I use. Talk about a needle in a haystack."

"Poke around the universities. Maybe Yash can help. Don't reject it until you try it."

"Oh yeah, a student is just what I need. I'm better off doing it myself."

The conversation turned boring to me, so I stopped paying attention. French Cup was pretty empty today since it was so cloudy out. some regulars were here staying and staying. If I didn't co-own this place, I would be, too. Who wanted to go out in that? It was near freezing. But, I could think of one person who would.

I checked the clock on the wall again. Almost four o'clock. Where was Gyeong-Wan? Was he very busy at the hotel today? Did he have to take a double shift? 

"Nikki, make me a mint chocolate cocoa," Miyuki whined.

"Christmas is over."

"Whaaat? Make it for me!" She stomped her vintage Chanel slingbacked foot on our tile, making a clicking sound. Her slightly puffed up cheeks in frustration at him caused me to smile, making me realize I hadn't had a very pleasant expression on my face this whole time. More sad than I realized that Gyeong-Wan wasn't here yet.

"Mint chocolate cocoa is too fattening. How many madeleines have you had, by the way? They're six hundred yen each."

"Bitch." She stuck out her bottom lip and then put another madeleine in her mouth, holding it there tauntingly.

"You're the bitch." Nikki looked like he was about to laugh.

Miyuki rolled her dramatically made up eyes hugely, taking a bite of her madeleine. "You can't say that to a girl."

"What, and saying it to a guy is fine? In what universe?"

"This one. It's only an insult to a girl, because it's a derogatory term for women. I can call a man a bitch all I want, because it isn't meant for..."

As I went into the kitchen to get my coat, I didn't hear any more. All I heard was them asking where I was going when I left French Cup and went out into the miserable cold.

As I walked along, I peered up at the sky. It looked heavy and foreboding. Every cat in the neighborhood must be seeking shelter now. At least, I hoped so. The wind was strong, trying to pick up my coat from my body from underneath. Curling wind. It blustered my hair, telling me of a vision yet to come. My weather app had told me that it would be a bad one tonight, lots of snow. I'd wanted snow all season, but now if it meant I couldn't see Gyeong-Wan... We were only a street apart, but what if it got too bad?