Atsutane's relationship with his parents had improved immensely. They tried to understand his sexuality and they began to live under the same roof again. They tried to not pressure him into anything and did their best to just enjoy spending time with one another. Although they were worried about what would happen after their death, that was still a long ways away. Atsutane assured them he'd do his best to be happy in his own way so they wouldn't have to worry.

It got me thinking about my parents. We rarely contacted each other as we still did our own things. They said they were proud of me for finding my calling and opening up my own bar. They've still never visited to this day though. Although it wasn't true that Atsutane's parents didn't love him, I'm afraid it could be true for me. But I try not to let it get to me. I've lived most of my life without them, I don't need them. Not that familial love doesn't sound nice though...

"Nari, could you give this drink to the customer?" Anzai was asking me.

I snapped out of my thoughts and took the drink to the customer out on the sofas. He was sitting with Rikiya and having a good time talking.

"Here's your drink, just ask if you need anything else," I beamed.

"Well if a beauty like you says so, I might have a few requests."

"Oh sorry," Rikiya chimed in," my boss is kinda lame and doesn't do requests. But don't worry, I'll do anything you want as long as you pay."

"I see... In that case, I'll keep requesting you until you get tired of me."

"No way, I never get tired! At least not until your pockets have been emptied."

The customer laughed boisterously. It seemed like he still liked Rikiya despite his blunt tongue... Rikiya waved his hand at me as if telling me to make like a tree. He annoys me sometimes... I went back behind the bar with Anzai.

"Everything alright?" He asked.

"Yeah. Something about Rikiya makes me curious though."

"...curious how?"

"Just his story I guess. We've been working together all these years but I realize I barely know anything about him and his family."

"I see. I think Shukishi is the only one who really knows about him."

"Oh yeah, what's with their senpai and kouhai relationship anyway? I have so many questions left unanswered."

"I'm actually not sure either..."

"Even though you and Shukishi are close?"

"We're not that close."

"You depend on him more than me!"

"...is this about when you were first opening your bar?"

"Yes, I'm still upset about it! So what!"

"I'm sorry. I'll talk to you about my concerns from now on."

"Words are empty..." I dramatically turned away.

"I promise. If something comes up, I'll talk. Put your mind at ease." He put his hand on my head and moved it side to side.

"Fine, you better." I grabbed his wrist to make him stop.

Since I was curious about Rikiya and wanted to get to know him better, I decided to make small talk whenever I could.

"Have you been enjoying working here?" I asked after hours one night. He didn't go to a hotel with anyone this time.

He stared at me with furrowed brows for a moment. I began to sweat, knowing he didn't like me but worked for me regardless. I wasn't sure what I did to gain his ire, but minding my own business all these years still hasn't doused the fire inside of him.

"It's been fine," he finally answered. "Speaking of, can I get paid early?"

"Oh? Sure. Did something happen?"

"That's my business and not yours," he glared at me. Right... What did I expect to happen... He would always hate me...

"How early do you need it?"

"By tomorrow if you can."

"Alright then."

"I'm going home." He pushed away from the bar and stood up.

"Well, get home safe!" I still wanted to talk more with him but he was like a brick wall, I couldn't get past his hard exterior at all.

When he slammed the door behind him, I sighed. Anzai put his hand on my shoulder.

"He's always like that, don't let it get to you."

"He won't let me get even a little bit close to him... But I don't want to give up either! Maybe one day we can be good friends like I managed with Atsutane!"

"Maybe you should try calling Rikiya by a nickname."

I hesitated. "I think...he'd kill me..."

I gave Rikiya his pay early the next day and I tried to make more conversation.

"By the way, how's your family doing? You live with your, uh..." I realized I didn't even know where he lived or who he lived with. I had no idea of his family situation at all. It couldn't be all my fault for not knowing, right?! He never brought it up himself!

He glared at me again. "Why are you so curious about my life so suddenly? You've never asked before."

Unless it is all my fault?! I'm a bad friend and a bad boss!

"I'm sorry... I thought you'd talk about it eventually... But I totally should have asked before now... Please forgive me."

Rikiya waved the check in front of his face like a fan. "It's fine. I didn't have any intentions to talk about it with you anyway. Just worry about yourself and I'll worry about myself."

Yep... He's a brick wall... How can I get past it...?

I gave up on trying that day and decided to ask the one person who probably knew him better than anyone: Shukishi. I sat next to him at the bar after hours, smiling politely. He looked up from his phone, smiling as usual.

"Oh my, am I getting hit on by the Narihira?" He said.

My smile faltered. "What? No! Plus you're straight, what good would it do to flirt with you?!"

"Well I always try flirting with you, it's a bit sad you've never reciprocated. Friends can flirt, you know."

Can they...? Maybe with Anzai... No, no, no, it'd be so awkward and he'd hate it. As if I'd have the guts to try either.

"I came here to talk about Rikiya!" I said.

He pocketed his phone. "Is something wrong?"

"Not really, um... I just felt bad we've never talked much and I'd like to get to know him better if it's not too late."

"Oh, so you want to flirt with Rikiya."

"This has nothing to do with flirting!!"

Anzai chimed in. "Rikiya's not his type anyway," he met my eyes, "right?"

"I mean... Kinda... But still, this has nothing to with whether I'm attracted to him or not–"

"So your type is bigger stronger men," Shukishi said, "and Rikiya is basically the opposite."

"Can we focus on the topic at hand?!" Why did he think that anyway?! Was it that obvious that I like Anzai?! No way, right?!

"Sorry, sorry, this conversation is just so fun. But you want to know more about Rikiya, right?"

"Yes! I never actually heard how you met him? I've been too focused on my bar, haven't I..."

"It's alright, it makes sense. A business is very fragile in its first years. No wonder you couldn't focus on anything else. Now then, shall I regale you with the story of how I met little Rikiya?"

"Oh, this sounds like it'll be interesting!"

"Not really. I met him while commuting to and from university. I would usually mind my own business and ignore someone like him, but seeing him often pricked at my conscience. I decided to talk to him and eventually lent a helping hand. It felt quite out of character for me. Yet knowing I could help keep him and his family safe, it was worth it. He's felt indebted to me since."

"Keep his family safe...? Is he in danger or something?"

"Hm... To be honest, the details are a bit private," he smiled. "I'd rather not talk about it without his permission."

"Right... I understand..." Honestly, I've always gotten the feeling something had happened to him in the past. He always closed himself off to others and seemed to use anger as a way to protect himself whenever someone tried to cross the line.

"But don't worry, I'm sure he'll open up with time. You've just got to give him a chance."

"He hates me though... Do you know why that is?"

"Ah... I can't be totally sure, but I think he's jealous. He's not my only kouhai and seems to dislike that."

I paused, a thought crossing my mind. "Does he...like you...?"

Shukishi paused, smiling and looking off into the distance. "Maybe at one point. Not anymore."

He was straight, so Rikiya's feelings were a tragedy from the start. I guess I could relate to that... I glanced at Anzai who stood behind the bar, quietly listening.

"I guess I'll have to keep talking to him and see if he'll open up... My chances don't look very good," I said.

Shukishi clapped a hand on my shoulder, smiling widely. "I'm sure you'll be able to do it. I know he'll come around. Maybe it'll be faster if you flirt with him."

"I'm not going to flirt with him?!"

"My bad." His smile didn't look sincere at all.

"By the way... Does Rikiya have a nickname...?"