Whole

Chapter 4

Masato's POV

I looked at myself in the full-length mirror on the middle door of my wardrobe. My hair freshly cut and dyed, a neat but slightly ruffled mess on my head. No matter what I did with it, it never looked perfectly neat, or slick, but I liked it looking a little out of place.

A sleeveless, black hoodie on my top and black slim fit jeans on my bottom, finished off with white DC sneakers. I must've gone through the majority of my clothing, trying to find the right outfit. After bumping into Katsuko yesterday, seeing her in that suit that hugged her in all the right places, I was more nervous back tonight than before.

We'd be around all my band friends, but she'd still be there, probably looking amazing. There would be drinks, too, and I was curious to see what kind of drunk she was. For me, I was just a little more forward and outgoing on the drink. I wouldn't let myself get too drunk, though, I couldn't risk making a complete idiot of myself.

I had no doubt she didn't think of me of anything other than Ryo's friend and bandmate, but it didn't mean I wanted her to think of me as a drunk fool. I wanted her to like me, even if it would be only as a friend, and not think of me as a drunken mess.

Sugi; Outside, move your ass.

I chuckled as I read the text from Sugi informing me he was outside. I grabbed my keys and wallet from my bedside table, stuffing them into my pockets as I headed out.

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"They made it!" Katsuma exclaimed as Sugi, and I stepped inside Ryo's small, but spacious two-bed modern house. Although, despite being modern, it still retained a traditional Japanese look to it.

"Hey, guys." I smiled, greeting my friends with hi five and hugs.

"I was starting to think you'd bailed." My eyes turned to the door of the kitchen and found Kat standing with a broad smile.

She looked stunning, dressed in a red, low cut tank top that clung to her, and slim-fit denim jeans that hugged her shapely legs. Her dark brown hair left in beach waves and barely any makeup on her face. She was a natural beauty; she didn't need makeup.

"I had to wait for this idiot." I chuckled, pointing my finger at Sugi. "This is Sugi, Sugi; this is Kat, Ryo's cousin."

"It's lovely to meet you, m'lady." Sugi smiled, stepping over to her and instantly pulling her into a hug. Typical Sugi.

"And you. Hey, I was about to kick Ryo's ass on Mario Kart, up for the challenge, Masato? Or don't you fancy getting beat by a girl?" Kat looked at me with a playful glint in her eye as she handed me a cold bottle of beer.

"Oh, Kat, I'm the king of Mario Kart." I retorted, taking the bottle gladly.

"I wouldn't dude, she's too good." Ryo chuckled, "I'd be careful."

"Challenge accepted, bring it, Kitty Kat." I almost instantly regretted the words that came out as she stood there, looking at me with a raised brow.

"Oh little do you know, Masato, this Kitty Kat is far more than just a kitty." She sassed before she strode past me with a raw sense of purpose as she took a seat and picked up a controller. "Show me what you got."

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"No, I'm calling cheat! How the hell did you lap me?!" I groaned in frustration.

We were two hours in, empty beer bottles, almost empty pizza boxes, and Kat was owning me in a 1v1 game after she wiped out the rest of my bandmates.

"I'm just that good." She looked at me and shot a spirited smile.

"No, I refuse, you're cheating, reveal your wicked ways, woman!"

"It's called spending many hours wasted on this game. After my friends back home humiliated me on this game, I practiced and challenged them to a rematch. I won. My best friend didn't talk to me for two days afterward."

"She's just too good, buddy." Sugi laughed, his hand patting Kat's knee that made envy bubble up inside me. He'd been flirting with her all evening, and as much as I loved Sugi, I equally wanted to slap him at the same time. Although, I couldn't exactly blame him for taking a shine to her.

"All right, I think that's enough video games." Ryo chuckled, "I vote we crank this up and head over to Sonic. I want to party."

"Woo! Let's go!" Sugi cheered, standing up and eager to go.

"Sold!" Yoko agreed.

"Kat?" Katsuma looked over to Kat questioningly.

She paused for a moment, before she shrugged her shoulder, "Eh, why not, I've not been to a club for ages. You coming, Masato?"

"Well, someone's got to make sure these assholes don't end up in trouble." I chuckled. I was never one for nightclubs, I liked to party sometimes, but nightclubs weren't my idea of fun. However, it beat hanging back on my own, and it meant I could make sure no sleaze bag tried it on with Kat. Not that I felt the other's wouldn't look after her, I knew Ryo was protective of her, but still, I wanted to keep watch.

"Let's go then!"

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My eyes watched as Kat danced in the middle of the floor with Ryo, Sugi, and Katsuma. Her hips were swaying, her body moving in perfect rhythm with the beat of the music playing too loud over the speakers.

Naturally, Sugi was eating up the chance to get close to her as he pulled her close to him. She was happy, though, a permanent smile on her face as she danced and laughed.

"You know, you should go dancing with her," Yokochi spoke in my ear as his elbow nudged my side.

"Oh, no. I'm nowhere near drunk enough for that." I shook my head, most pits, circle pits, and all of that; I would gladly jump into. However, when it came to dancing, I had to be a good level of drunk, especially if I was going to dance with her.

"Then drink more, or Sugi is gonna move in on her." Yoko looked at me with a knowing look, "Don't think I haven't noticed how you've looked at her all night."

"She's Ryo's cousin, Yoko."

"And? I'm pretty sure Ryo won't give a damn, he knows you're a good guy who wouldn't dream of hurting her. It's just a dance, a bit of fun, go on, hell I'll even jump in if it gets you out there."

I sighed, I guessed Yoko was right, it was just dancing and a bit of fun. I couldn't deny the spark of envy I felt as I watched Sugi take her hips and sway with her back to his chest. Sugi was a good guy, he wouldn't do anything, or try anything, but he'd flirt like a dog in heat, until she told him to fuck off, or Ryo did.

"All right, let's go." I chucked back the rest of my beer and went to join my friends.