Huis, Amberlee, and Hajime strolled into the Starside Bar, the chatter and laughter of the ongoing party greeting them as they arrived. Amberlee waved them off, heading straight into the crowd to mingle, her cool detachment unmistakable. Huis watched her disappear into the smattering of guests and staff androids, then nudged Hajime, his casual smirk belying his eagerness to stir the pot.
"Shall we grab a drink?" Huis suggested, motioning to the bar. Mike Azmat, who had been trailing behind them since they’d entered the area, made a face.
"I'd love to, but I gotta pee," he muttered.
"Guy, you always gotta pee," Huis chuckled, throwing an arm over Mike’s shoulder. "C'mon, one quick drink before you go relieve yourself. Might as well at this point, if you think about it."
With a resigned sigh, Mike followed them to the bar, where the mix of neon lights and holograms gave the place a surreal, futuristic vibe. Hajime slid onto a stool and perused the menu, her expression soft and curious.
“What’re you having, princess?” Huis teased, leaning against the bar.
Hajime smiled. “Please, don’t call me that.”
She held up the menu, pointing at something cute and utterly innocent. “I’ll take a Pretty Pink Cosmos, please.”
When the bartender Martina set down the pastel-colored drink, complete with a tiny paper umbrella and a sprinkle of candy hearts and stars, Huis couldn’t resist laughing. “You really went for the pinkest thing on the menu, huh?”
Hajime mimicked a delicate sip, then, without warning, flipped into her “kawaii mode,” her eyes going wide, her voice squeaking adorably. “Sugoi!” She clasped her hands under her chin, batting her eyes.
Huis nearly choked on his own laughter. “Oh man, that’s gold. Absolute gold for the show. I’m so glad we caught that.” Huis paid particular notice to how Hajime hadn’t actually sipped any of the beverage.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Mike, however, wasn’t paying attention. He was shifting on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “Can I skip the drink? I really need to—”
“I haven’t gone to the bathroom in ten years,” Hajime interrupted, matter-of-factly, still holding her cute expression.
Huis raised an eyebrow, a grin playing on his lips. “Maybe that explains some things about you, huh? A little backed up with personality?”
Hajime laughed softly, completely unfazed by the joke. Mike, on the other hand, groaned. "Seriously, though. I gotta go."
Huis waved him off. “Alright, alright, go pee, man. We don’t need you bouncing up and down all night.”
“I’ve been trying to ask you where the bathroom is here.”
Huis answered him by pointing to a corner across the chamber as he took down a shot of whiskey.
Mike was just about to dart away when Emily’s British accent cut through the bar noise, causing Hajime to start looking around the floor curiously.
“Mike! Duck!”
He didn’t.
The dinner roll hit him square in the side of the head, bounced off him, and landed on the bar behind him. Darnell and God Love Omega burst into laughter from across the room, clearly pleased with themselves. Even Shephatiah, perched on the lap of a studly Martin android, threw her head back and laughed cruelly.
Mike rubbed his head, wincing, but couldn’t help but laugh along, too. “I didn’t even order dinner yet.”
Huis grinned, glancing between his two companions. “Welcome to the Starside Bar, where nobody’s dignity is safe. Drinks and dinner rolls—what more could you want?”
The party was in full swing now, with the whole crew mixing and mingling in their own chaotic ways. But the night was just beginning, and Huis could feel it—the real drama was still yet to come.
Mike rubbed his head, wincing as he looked over to where the dinner roll had come from. “That was a great shot!”
Hajime blinked twice, tilting her head. “When I heard her say there was a duck, I was like, ‘Awww, Where?’”
Huis burst out laughing, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “Girl, you’re too much.”
Even Mike couldn’t help but laugh. He took a bite out of the dinner roll. “Dang, this is good.”