Hell Bound | Tokyo Ghoul [Cancelled]

Chapter Five | Yoshio

"Tatsuya."

"Yoshio."

"Why are we here?"

"To get drunk."

"Have you actually forgotten what happened the last time I was under the influence of heavy alcohol?"

"I'm here to get drunk, then," Tatsuya relented, flashing Yoshio his patented pretty-boy smile (which looked six kinds of ridiculous on his pushing-forty partner). To the bluenette's unimpressed brow raise, he added, "Look, cut me some slack, will ya? I got passed over on a job for that newbie girl; I wanna drown my sorrows. I mean, she's gotta be sleeping with a higher-up, right? I am ten times the investigator she is!"

"You're almost twice her age; does that count for something?"

"...I'd tell you to go home, but I know that's what you want, Yoshio, so - get in there!"

Tatsuya dramatically flung open the bar's door and shepherded Yoshio inside, both hands pressing into his back as though the man was planning to run the first chance he got. Admittedly, it wasn't the furthest thing from his mind; Yoshio only ever went to bars when he was forced to (such as right now), or if he was meeting someone there. But he didn't fight Tatsuya, because - like with so many of his co-workers - it was simply easier to let them play out their desired scenarios.

However, Yoshio found himself stopping before he reached the bar, his eyes zeroing in on a certain pink-haired patron.

"...What a coincidence."

From the looks of things, he'd caught Naoki mid-rant - the bartender currently suffering the host's complaints leaned back slightly from the bar, the glass he'd been cleaning clinking as it settled on the varnished wood. Surprise flickered across the Naoki's features before he smoothed away the expression, painting on a smile that marginally resembled the one he'd been so carefree with during their time together at the club.

"Oh! It's you," Naoki replied.

    "Another of your companions?" the bartender questioned untactfully.

    "Like hell," Koji dismissed easily. "A guy from the club. Came with a bunch of regulars."

    That said, he focused on Yoshio again, cocking his head thoughtfully.

    "Thought you said you didn't hold your drink well, Yoshio-kun. What're you doing in this place?"

    Yoshio glanced pointedly at Tatsuya, who'd already seated himself at the bar, right next to a young woman with admittedly admirable assets. His friend - co-worker - snuck him a smug smile before clinking glasses (Yoshio wasn't sure how he'd ordered so fast) with his new companion, looking very much over his disgruntlement from earlier.

    Seeing no better option, Yoshio pulled out the seat beside Naoki - or, wait. Host's used fake names, didn't they? He looked curiously at the man next to him, head cocked.

    "I didn't have much of a choice," he said in response to the man's question. "More importantly, what's your name?"

    "My name?" Naoki echoed, furrowing his brow. "Ah, right, the club."

    He sat in silence for a moment, appearing to consider the question. Perhaps he wasn't one to associate with his clients outside of the club, and that made him wary about giving out his real name? Yoshio wasn't going to pry if that was the case. He wasn't planning on prying in any case, truth be told. If the host didn't want to reveal himself, it wasn't any of Yoshio's concern. He cared more about biding his time until Tatsuya was sufficiently plastered, thereby giving Yoshio the excuse to take him home and get home himself.