French Cup: A Neighborhood Story

Chapter 114: -Gyeong-Wan- What's Archaeology?

"THEY WANT TO HOLD A DANCE THIS FRIDAY?!"

Both Nikki and Miyuki had yelled similar things as I'd told them this with a beer in my hand. The music was loud in Nikki's apartment, but everyone had heard this over it. Hearing this incredible thing, everyone came rushing toward us. 

"Excuse me, what?" Chidori asked, the yakitori in her hand completely forgotten now. She sat down at the counter and Hanako sat next to her. 

"Um. Yes, they're calling it a 'gay prom'. Well, that's what my kitchen manager- I mean, the kitchen manager is calling it now-"

"Gay prom. Well, I'll be. Alright. Let's think about this." Miyuki's pointer finger was on her forehead as the wheels were clearly turning. "I know all about proms. I've studied those dresses. What the heck is everybody going to wear?"

"Of course that's the first thing you'd think about," Nikki said. He looked troubled, though. "Isn't that term offensive? 'Gay prom'. What is that supposed to mean?"

"No, I don't think it's offensive," Miyuki defended. "That's what it is, isn't it? If it's for us. Well, LGBTQ prom, more like. Do I know any straight people who'd come? Oh wait. Oh my god, do I know any straight people?!"

Laughter erupted about this. 

"You do know at least one." Kazuya was sitting next to me, his foot secretly on top of mine hidden from view from everyone. We couldn't stop touching each other, and I didn't want to stop. 

"Who is it? For real, I can't imagine a single one." More laughter.

"Yuko."

Calmed voices. Sentimental noises. But, there were still smiles. I squeezed Kazuya's hand, sharing this acknowledgment with him. Thinking about her suddenly. Missing her. Knowing he was missing her, too. 

Hanako went to grab another yakitori from the pile in the box before us. Spread out, there was so much food here. Really, there'd been nothing to worry about in that regard. He began eating, but speaking through it. It was unlike him, because he was usually so polite. I was slightly taken aback.

"I want to sing at gay prom," he said, no question about it. 

Chidori's hand went straight up in the air. "I want to play music at gay prom, too. Hey, we have lots of friends who are musicians. We can ask them. I wonder who's available."

"Hmm. Let's call right now. There's no time to waste."

"Okay!"

They both got up and rushed away to the bedroom, the door closing in no time. Calling their friends in private. It seemed like maybe the music should be shut off if there were serious conversations going on, but everyone started chattering at once. There wasn't any time for that.

"What am I going to wear, though? What am I going to wear?!" Miyuki panicked in a burst of air. Her hands made claw-like motions on the counter. "What's the theme?! All proms have themes! I have to dress to the theme!"

"Screw clothes and themes! Who am I going to go with?!" Nikki practically cried out. "I don't have a date!"

He and Miyuki let out panicked noises together at the same time. "I claim Minoru!" Miyuki called out. "Oh fuck, I'm going to call him right now. I don't care if he's sleeping." She got out her phone and shot up from her stool, gravitating towards the living room as she tapped on her phone rapidly.

Nikki got up after her immediately. "NO FAIR! OH MY GOD, YOU CAN'T DO THAT! WHAT OTHER SINGLE GUYS DO WE KNOW?!" 

"I DON'T KNOW! NOT MY PROBLEM! OH MY GOD- MINORU! MINORUUU! WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR- YES I KNOW IT'S 2AM!"