Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Shukishi (part 1/6)

My bar was thriving as usual. Of course I was happy about it, but it was hard to forget some of the horrible events that had happened here as well. I tried to put it out of my mind whenever I was reminded though. My customers were happy to have the bar open again after a while, although most were disappointed that I cut my hair. I just smiled and played it off like I had always been considering cutting it.

Anzai wanted to visit his mom on one of our days off so I gladly went with him when he asked if I would join him. We had already discussed it before and now was my chance. She lived in a small and quaint house where Anzai had grown up.

"Hello Ms. Imamura," I greeted her with a polite bow when she opened the front door.

"Narihira, it's been so long. I heard you've been busy these past several years." She had dark green hair like Anzai's which was short and curved around her ears. She was very beautiful.

"Yes... Running a business has kept me very busy. It's good to see you again."

We sat in her living room as she brought us tea. Entering this house was like going back in time. It was kind of surprising the first time Anzai had invited me over. When I first met his mom and noticed how timid she seemed, I knew why he felt he had to protect her. He always cared for her so deeply and I wanted to support him in that.

We chatted about jobs and life in general. She listened attentively when I talked about how successful my bar had been all these years. I felt I could tell her anything and she'd listen to it all. I wonder if she'd accept me as her son as well... It's not like my mom ever treated me as her son...

When we left for the day, she hugged Anzai before hugging me.

"You're always welcome here," she told me.

I nodded, feeling teary eyed for some reason. When we left and got in a taxi to go home, I grabbed Anzai's arm.

"I love your mom. I want to come with you to visit more often if that's alright."

He nodded. "I'm sure that'll make her happy."

After the taxi dropped us off, Anzai asked if I wanted to come over to his apartment. I knew something had changed that day he let me stay over. Now he kept inviting me inside and of course there's no way I'd say no. We ate together before sitting on the couch and watching a movie.

"There's a new thriller movie out, I hope it's good!" I said as I put it on.

"Are you going to fall asleep like last time?"

"That was only because it was bad! This one has got to be better, right?"

But before I knew it, I had fallen asleep again. I woke up when Anzai was tucking me into his bed.

"Are you awake?" He asked softly. "I thought the bed would be more comfortable."

"Is the movie over...?"

"Yes, I finished it before moving you."

"Sorry..."

"It's alright. Sleep well."

I closed my eyes again and felt him brush my hair away from my forehead. I wished I was awake when he was carrying me...but this was nice too...

Our usual days didn't stay peaceful for long. Of course something else had to happen. The incident with Togai still lingered over my heart and I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone in detail what happened between me and him. And despite the man getting arrested, Rikiya still looked uneasy about whether the situation had been completely resolved. It seemed like he was right because yet another guest decided to visit the Arukōru Bar.