Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Rikiya (part 2/7)

"Oh? Are we into nicknames now, is that why everyone has been calling you Nari? He doesn't have a specific nickname, but I think we could make one up for him. How does Riki sound?"

"...you don't think he'd kill us if we started calling him that, do you?"

"Hm... Maybe he would."

Right... I shouldn't call him that... No matter how tempting it may sound...

"Sorry, I'll have to take my leave now," Shukishi said as he stood up. "Good luck when you talk to him."

I let out a long sigh as I watched him leave the bar.

"So Rikiya isn't really your type?" Anzai asked.

"Well... He's cute and all... But I'm not sure if we'd mesh well, regardless of if he hated me or not. Why should we entertain the thought of me being interested in him in that way anyway?! Shukishi was just saying nonsense because he likes to annoy me!"

"Right, I was just thinking a relationship could be possible if you were both interested in each other. The idea is quite strange though..."

"Of course it's strange! So let's forget about this and never mention it to Rikiya ever!"

Since the talk with Shukishi, I had tried to check in with Rikiya often to casually show I cared and was interested in him even if I'd neglected my friends and employees over the years–

Is there any way to redeem myself...?

Rikiya stared at me one night at the bar counter while I stood across from him, his expression bored and annoyed. "Why do you keep asking if I'm doing alright? You're like a parrot these days, repeating the same phrase over and over."

"Because I want to get to know you and be closer to you! I know I haven't been the best boss or friend, but I'd like to change that. I promise that if you ever need help or just a friend to talk to, I'll always be here."

"When would I ever need help from you? And if you want to keep asking the same question over and over, just know that my answer will always be that I'm doing just fine on my own. I don't need your help, so just stay out of my business." He started to get out of his seat after he said what he wanted.

"Wait! Can't we just be friends...Riki? This doesn't have to be about helping each other. And...And I'm sorry if you dislike me because of Shukishi... We both know he's straight, so nothing will ever happen between us..."

Rikiya paused, a death glare forming on his face. "What the fuck did you just say? What are you implying?"

Uh oh... I made it worse... I made it so much worse... I didn't know why I tried the nickname either! I panicked since he was leaving!

"I-I mean I was just talking with Shukishi because I wanted to get to know you and–! And he really didn't say much, and maybe you liking him was more of an assumption on my part–!"

Rikiya slammed his hand on the counter, shutting me up. "Don't say another word. Stay the fuck out of my business. I don't want to be friends with you. I don't like you. I'm only working here as a favor and because I get decent pay. I don't ever want to be closer to you than we are now, just boss and employee. Don't talk to me again unless it's about work. Got that?"

I messed up so badly... I might never be able to come back from this... I could only nod obediently. He marched out the front door, slamming it behind him as usual. I hoped it wouldn't break one of these days... I put my face in my hands and groaned at all my failures.

Anzai patted me on the back. "It's alright. Rikiya is satisfied with how things are now and that may never change. We should just respect that and live our own lives."