After Hour

Part 3 - A long time friend

"Ah, isn't that Zuumin?" said Risa as she look forward.

Manaka and Kobayashi directly averted their sight to what Risa saw, they saw Imaizumi was standing in front of the apartment alone.

"Ah! You are right! Zuumin!!" called Kobayashi and she ran to Imaizumi and hugged her.
"Eh! Yuipon! Welcome back!" said Imaizumi as she smiled being hugged.
"Did you wait so long?" asked Kobayashi.
"No, I just arrived here." smiled Imaizumi.
"By the way I bring Manaka and Risa with me." said Kobayashi happily.

Manaka and Risa waved their hand to Imaizumi. Imaizumi smiled to them.
"Yo Zuumin! It has been a while we haven't meet!" greeted Manaka.
"Yes, It has been a year right? Haha." laughed Imaizumi lightly.

Risa just smiled to Imaizumi, she sensed something different from Imaizumi. Imaizumi's character has changed.

"Alright since everyone already gathered let's get in!" said Kobayashi.
"Yay party!" said Imaizumi suddenly happy.

Kobayashi and Imaizumi went inside while Risa pulled Manaka's arm to prevent her to get inside.
"Manaka wait.."

"Hm? What?" asked Manaka confusely.
"Did you notice that?" asked Risa.
"Noticed what?"
"Zuumin.. somehow she is kinda different." said Risa with low voice to Manaka.
"What happened with Zuumin?"
"She is usually bright right? She used to be a cheerful person but now, I see her different. There must be something that happened to her." said Risa worriedly.
"Risa you worried too much. Maybe it just your feelings. Let's get inside." said Manaka.

Manaka and Risa get into Kobayashi's apartment. They take off their shoes and sit on a matt with low table.

"What do you want to have for drink?" asked Kobayashi.
"Anything is fine." smiled Risa.
"Orange juice would be good!" said Manaka.
"Don't mind her request. Just give her a plain water." said Risa as she glanced at Manaka.

Imaizumi giggled as she saw Manaka and Risa. "You two never changed from high school." said Imaizumi.

"Huh never? No you are wrong Zuumin. Risa is more sadist to me." said Manaka as she sighed.
"It is because of you." said Risa.
"Mee?? What did I do?" shocked Manaka.

"Hahaha okay guys just wait here I'm gonna get some drinks" said Kobayashi then she went to kitchen.

"By the way Zuumin, congratulation on your new job! I heard you got accepted in a talent agency right?" said Risa.
"Eh? Un, thank you. From who you know this?" asked Imaizumi.
"Yuipon told us. Wah I'm sure that you will be a super star!" said Manaka as she wrapped her left arm on Imaizumi's shoulder.
"Thank you Manaka. Finally I will get my dream come true." smiled Imaizumi a little.

Risa feel uneasy with Imaizumi's expressions because she feel Imaizumi is hiding something.

Suddenly Kobayashi come back with 4 glasses of orange juice. Kobayashi put it on the table for them.
"Sorry for make you wait."

"Thank you Yuipon." smiled Risa then she took her glass.
"Yay thank you! How about we cheers for Yuipon's new apartment and Zuumin's new job?" suggested Manaka.
"Oh that's good, let's do it!" said Yuipon happily.
"Okay, congratulations for Yuipon who got a new apartment and Zuumin for her new job. Cheers!!" said Manaka.
"Cheers!"

-Clink!-

They clinking their glass each other. As they clinking the glasses, Manaka finally noticed that Zuumin doesn't look so happy. Manaka look at Risa as the sign finally she noticed Imaizumi's changes and Risa nodded lightly.

Everyone drink their drinks but Imaizumi only drink a little. There is something that troubled herself.
"Hey Zuumin, you okay?" asked Manaka.

Hearing Manaka asked that to Imaizumi, Kobayashi started to look at Zuumin.