Ambiguous night shadows flowed through the city.
The warm lighting in the izakaya blocked out the darkness, halting its entry.
It was 9:00 PM—typically a peak hour for izakayas and bars in Japan.
Japanese n rarely return ho imdiately after work. Instead, they usually go out for drinks with colleagues or superiors.
For salaryn, drinking parties are seen as part of their job. It's considered a sign of competence.
If no one invites you to drink, it likely ans your job isn't important.
In Japan, a husband returning ho on ti might be seen by his wife as lacking ambition.
That's why many n delay going ho by stopping at a bar or sushi joint for a few drinks.
Even at peak hour, Takashi's izakaya only had two occupied tables. Business was grim.
But the elderly couple running the place didn't seem to mind. After serving the dishes, they returned behind the counter and went about their own tasks.
"Co to think of it, this is my first ti in a place like this," Hoshino Ai said, eating just a little before stopping.
She was afraid of gaining weight.
As an idol, she always had to manage her figure carefully.
Unable to eat more, Hoshino Ai's big, bright eyes began darting around, curiously observing the other custors.
At the other table sat both n and won, most wearing suits—clearly working adults out for post-shift drinks.
"I've never been to a place like this either. Especially not this late!" said Honami excitedly.
"Sa here," added Arisu, taking a sip of complintary barley tea before turning to Takashi.
"What about you, Kitahara-kun?"
Takashi picked up his strawberry milk liqueur and sipped. "I co fairly often."
He didn't visit izakayas much, but back in college, he and his roommates often went to street stalls. Close enough.
"What about you, Yukino-san, Kotonoha-san?"
At that mont, Yukino was entirely focused on the little white cat on Takashi's lap, thinking about how to win its affection.
She answered absentmindedly, "I wouldn't usually show up at a place like this at night."
If not for Takashi, she wouldn't be here at all.
Kotonoha gently wiped the beer foam from Takashi's lips before replying sweetly to Hoshino Ai's question: "It's also my first ti here, and only because I ca with Takashi."
She would have never imagined coming to a place like this with a boy before.
Honami watched Kotonoha's gesture with dimd eyes.
"Kitahara-kun, can I ask you a question?"
Arisu had been carefully observing everyone's expressions.
After brief interaction, she had a rough idea of everyone's personalities at the table.
Kotonoha was clearly the obedient type—the model student adults loved, who did whatever she was told.
Hoshino Ai ca off a bit scatterbrained—carefree and a bit dense on the surface—but Arisu noticed she was very good at hiding her real thoughts.
When it ca ti to flatter soone, she didn't even need to think.
Even if she wasn't happy, she'd still act cheerful to please the group. She was the kind of person who'd abandon herself to fit in.
Yukino and Hoshino Ai were total opposites.
Yukino wouldn't flatter others like Ai. Even if isolated, she stuck to her principles.
Of course, people like her were often terrible at socializing—clearly soone who didn't have many friends and wasn't popular in clubs.
As for Takashi…
To be honest, Arisu couldn't read him.
The first ti she t him was on the playing field.
On the field, he was confident and brash—arrogant and rebellious.
But now, in this casual setting, she found him laid-back and easygoing.
While he gave off a playboy vibe, he was completely different from how he was on the field.
Arisu figured his public persona was carefully crafted—just like celebrities who build images to attract specific fanbases.
But Takashi didn't feel like he was faking it.
She had a sense that both the arrogant athlete and the chill off-field version were equally real.
That just made Takashi even harder to figure out.
Takashi, anwhile, was typing a ssage to Hayasaka Ai on his phone: Don't ask. Just know—it was love once!
Arisu had grown used to Takashi's nonsense. She smiled. "I just wanted to ask, why did you choose Aoba and not co to Advanced Nurturing High?"
As soon as she said that, Honami looked toward Takashi, and even Yukino, who had been distracted by the cat, quietly perked up her ears.
She wanted to know why he chose Aoba too.
"If Kitahara-kun had joined Advanced Nurturing, we wouldn't have to work this hard in this year's Koshien."
"Without Kitahara, Aoba is no match for us."
"Sounds arrogant, but individually, we're the strongest across all positions."
"Neither Aoba, Shuwa, nor Sobu High can match Advanced Nurturing. Even Kitahara-kun and Coach Yukinoshita have to admit that."
Yukino finally raised her head.
Her eyes showed discontent, but she didn't argue.
She had studied Advanced Nurturing.
That team had no concept of teamwork. Everyone played solo, like a Real Madrid lineup packed with superstars but with zero cohesion.
"There's no coordination at all," she had once concluded.
"If you had the chance, Sakayanagi, who would you want to beco?" Takashi suddenly asked without lifting his eyelids.
"What does that have to do with my question?" Arisu chuckled.
"I don't want to be anyone else. I'm happy being ."
So want to be Hikigaya Hachiman. Others dream of becoming Shirogane Miyuki. So long to replace Aki Tomoya.
But Takashi was different.
He didn't want to be anyone else either.
"What does joining Advanced Nurturing have to do with being yourself?" Arisu asked, confused.
"A lot. To join Advanced Nurturing, I'd have to play by your rules."
Takashi took a sip of beer to wet his throat and continued, "And why should I have to play by your rules?"
"Don't you think your school's rules are kind of bizarre?"
He found the school's sealed, isolated nature inexplicable.
And their mind gas—more ridiculous still.
A bunch of high schoolers spending every day scheming instead of studying—was this a school or a political drama?
He was here to study, not act in a palace intrigue show.
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