*:･ﾟHard To Love ･ﾟ:*

CHAPTER 7 - the way things go

SOUSUKE
—❁—

"This must be the place.. I don't see any other parking anywhere so just pull up to the curb here. I think I have enough for the meter." I say to Kou as I point at the curb, examining the karaoke bar with a soft smile on my face.

I've never been out to karaoke before, so this was completely new to me. I can't help but feel nervous about having to take the mic so hopefully Kou hogs the entire time slot.

"Nah, it's alright. It's my car so it's only right that I pay it. I wanted to come here anyway so really, it's okay." I nod a bit and get out of the car once Kou turns it off, "Are you sure though? I have enough and I don't really care.. it's the least I can do after you drove all this way." Minamoto shakes his head and walks around to where I'm standing, opening the backseat and grabbing my back for me before handing it over to me. I could feel a soft smile grow across my lips as I set my bag up on my shoulder, and I looked up at Kou as he dug around in his pockets. "Don't worry Mitsuba, I have more than enough cash to spare. You being here with me is more than enough to pay me back." He smiles and sticks some loose change he found into the parking meter close to where he parked, pulling the little receipt out and walking it back over to his car so he can display it in his windshield. "Alrighty, I paid for a couple hours in case we decide to walk around town afterwards or go out to eat someplace." I nod and follow Minamoto over to the front door of the karaoke bar, a brightly colored flyer taped to it basically saying that the TSVA Photography Club should meet here today.

Damn, whoever runs this club must be hella rich if they can rent out a place like this just for a club meeting.

"After you." I softly smile up at Minamoto and walk in through the door that he opened for me, looking around the lobby before being greeted by one of the girls in our class, "Oh my gosh, Minamoto-kun! I'm so glad you could make it!" ..or, pushed aside rather.

Now that I think about it, half these girls in the small group standing around was probably waiting for Minamoto to come walking in here just so they could gawk at him outside of school hours. It wouldn't surprise me to be completely honest.

"Hey, this is where the club is meeting right?" Minamoto glances over at the counter before waving his finger around and looking back at the girl who rushed over to him. "Yeah! You're in the right place! Do you already have a karaoke partner?" My eyebrows softly raise as I look up at Mina, then back over at the girl out of pure surprise. "Yeah, I do. Me and my buddy here will be trying our hand at the mic!" He smiles widely, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Oh! Mitsuba-kun.. that's right." I watch her get an envious look on her face before looking back up at Mina and smiling. "You two can go ahead and check in over there at the counter. A room should already be ready if I'm not mistaken." Minamoto nods, keeping his arm around me as he holds a thumbs up to the girl. "Thanks! Maybe you and I can sing together after we're done. I'll give you a holler!" The girl smiles widely, placing her hands together. "I'd love that Minamoto-kun! Don't keep me waiting!" My eyebrows narrow and I glance over at the check in counter, feeling awkward just standing there.

It's getting to the point where when I'm with Minamoto, no one notices that I'm even here. It feels shitty.. but I don't really mind it. I've gotten so used to feeling this way throughout my childhood that it's almost regular.

"Name please?" "Minamoto Kou, there's two of us and we're here for that photography club." I softly brush Minamoto's arm off of my shoulder and cross my arms, watching the employee type something into their computer. "Perfect! You two will be in room 23, which will be down that hallway to your right. Please take a menu in case you'd like to order some food or drinks!" "Awesome, thank you much." Minamoto softly smiles and grabs a menu, then follows me to a wide hallway.