The Bar
“Two TRRs for now!”
“Got it!”
The bartender opened two tall cans with ornate Red, White, and Blue labels.
“Thanks!”
Rika handed one to Yuki and then took a swig of hers.
“So good.”
Yuki took an even bigger swig.
“That is pretty damn good, what beer is this?”
“Taft’s Red Ribbon, one of my favorite American imports.”
“You don’t pour it in a glass?”
“Half the novelty is the can!”
They both laughed a bit
“Anyways, where were we before the interruption?”
“Hmmm, we were discussing your middle name Miss ‘Rika Victoria Harrison’”
Rika sighed and Yuki laughed.
“It really is quite pretty.”
They both blushed.
“My, my there’s a rather steamy atmosphere in here!”
Kiko had just entered the bar.
“Shochu Highball!”
“Yes ma’am! Flavor?”
“Strawberry!”
“On it’s way!”
Kiko turned her head back to the group.
“So what kind of romantic banter did I miss? Or, interrupt rather?”
Rika chose to overlook her joke-filled prodding.
“On the way here I was telling Yuki about some cultural differences in America.”
“Ohhhhh! That’s fun!”
“I think it’ll help when some slang slips out. What do you think Yuki?”
“Yes! It’s pretty interesting actually!”
“You should hear her when she gets angry, such foul language! You should teach her those Rika!”
“Uhhh, I’ll skip over those.” She said while rubbing the back of her neck.
“What do you mean?”
“There isn’t really anything similar in Japanese, I guess they’re exclamations of anger or meanness. More or less.”
“Ahhh, I see.”
“Honestly, they’re more of a bad habit than anything.”
Kiko nodded.
“She knows one or two things about bad habits.”
Kiko coughed a bit.
“Cigarettes”
Rika stared at her beer, swirling it around in the can.
“Technically, I quit last year.”
“Except for the occasional smoke break.”
“Hey, I get stressed too you know!”
“Yeah, yeah. Hidetake smokes too. Not in the house though. I make sure of that.”
Kiko looked to Yuki
“What about you? Any bad habits?”
“Well, I don’t smoke. Probably sweets, they’re not amazing for the figure. And with summer on the way, swimsuit season and all...”
“Ah! Are you trying to attract the attention of anyone special?”
Kiko winked at Rika, who proceeded to blush.
Yuki hadn’t noticed, but blushed as well as became flustered.
“Um, maybe... Yes, and no. I’m not sure....”
Peeking over to Rika ever so slightly.
“Are either of you? Well Kiko you’re married I guess.”
Kiko scoffed.
“I try to keep my figure in check, not that Takehide would notice; he’s checking out his 2D waifus all day.”
Rika responded bashfully not unlike Yuki.
“I try to watch my figure of course. You never know when someone pops into your life.”
Kiko nodded.
“Very true, seeing as you two are single. That must be on your mind sometimes.”
Rika tried to straighten her face, taking on a more serious tone.
“Well you know, it’s not like it’s the foremost thing on my mind. There’s my career and all.”
“Right, as team leader of our oh-so labor intensive line of work.”
Rika folded her arms and leaned back in her chair, looking at Kiko. Kiko shook her hands
“Not that I dislike what we do. You get my point. Anyways, drinks are getting empty. How about another round, maybe some food too?”
Yuki finished off her beer.
“Sounds good!”
“Same beverage for everyone?”
“Please.”
“Please.”
Yuki looked around.
Do we call someone over?
“No in an American bar you go to the counter. And the food is a little different. I’ll surprise you! Be back in a moment or five. I’ll take my time.”
Kiko winked at Rika and leaned in to whisper in Rika’s ear as she passed, rather smoothly.
“Now’s a good time to make a move.”
Rika blushed and nodded in thanks.
Yuki hadn’t noticed as she attempted to read the English writing on the can.
Kiko walked off to the counter, patting Rika on the shoulder as she left.
/Ganbate/
“Um, Yuki.”
Yuki looked up, from sounding out the syllables.
“Yes?”
“Um, it’s Friday, so the weekend is here. And we don’t have to come in for overtime.”
/Oh my god, I’m a grown woman. I’m getting nervous like a high school girl!/
“Oh! That’s good!”
“Yeah...”
A cold sweat formed on Rika’s back.
“Do you have any plans?”
“Hmm, maybe laundry and some cleaning, probably catch up on shows.”
Rika was blushing
“Would, you like to maybe... hang out?”
/Holy Jesus, that was horribly phrased! At this rate I’m getting friend zoned!/
Yuki tilted her head.
“Hang out?”
/Oh jeez, English./
“Would you like to spend time together on the weekend?”
Yuki suddenly realized what she meant. Her face turned bright red; steam practically rising from her head.
/She’s asking me on a date! Or is she?/
“Um, do you mean casually? Or... in a different way?”
Rika completely misunderstood Yuki’s meaning of “In a different way”. A far more intimate occasion than Yuki was implying.
“No, no, no! Uhhhh, I mean I’m not really like that. But, I mean... Hm, if you are that’s fine. I’ve never really before.”
Yuki obviously misunderstood Rika’s meaning, thinking within the context of her own understanding.
“I mean. I’ve never really before either. Not that I’m not like that, because I am. I know myself and everything.”
“Well, certainly if you would like to meet this weekend. We can take it from there I suppose.”
Yuki had her hands placed in her lap, her face still bright red. Both of theirs were.
“I would very much like that Rika.”
Yuki nodded and smiled widely, her eyes closed as a result. Her twin tails bobbed, with her movements.
Rika smiled in return.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
As this had all transpired, Kiko was sipping a Shochu Highball; resting her head on her hand. Observing the exchange between Rika and Yuki.
“This is both adorable and hilarious.”
“You’re spot on with that statement.”
The bartender chuckled as he responded, she had invited him to observe along with her.
“You’re quite the matchmaker.”
“I’ve had this planned since this morning. Saw it from a mile away.”
What will happen next week? The evening at the bar isn’t over!
