Night had deepened, and the crowds in Shibuya had receded, leaving only flashing neon lights and empty streets.
A few office workers stood in twos and threes at the entrance of the izakaya, smoking and chatting while occasionally bursting into laughter, their nerves fully relaxed as they immersed themselves in the evening breeze.
A cool night breeze swept over them, and Wei Shuyu’s buzz had mostly faded. She hadn’t drunk much to begin with, far from getting drunk—just a light, floaty feeling that made her bolder than usual.
The moonlight was bright, hanging high in the night sky, casting its glow equally on everyone.
“What do you usually do when I’m not around?”
Jin Yizhu walked beside her, her steps a bit faster than usual. Wei Shuyu struggled to keep up and simply grabbed her sleeve, forcing her to stop as she tossed out a random topic.
“Jin Yizhu, you’re walking so fast.”
She walked with a bit of fatigue, her voice dragging along with it. Jin Yizhu inexplicably caught a hint of coquettishness in it and slowed down accordingly.
“Work, socializing, sometimes dinner with friends,” Jin Yizhu replied. “Am I walking that fast?”
Her wrist brushed Wei Shuyu’s fingertips, the skin warm. On a whim, Jin Yizhu took her hand, their fingers interlocking tightly, completely unaware of how intimate the gesture was.
She shook Wei Shuyu’s hand and suddenly leaned in close to her face. “Why are you so concerned about me?”
Wei Shuyu nearly wanted to step back.
Jin Yizhu was too close—close enough to see her eyelashes clearly, close enough to smell the fragrance on her clearly, close enough that a little nearer and their lips would meet.
“I like you, so I’m concerned, that’s all.”
Wei Shuyu’s heart pounded wildly, nearly leaping out of her chest. Even her fingertips broke out in a light sheen of sweat. The remnants of her buzz hadn’t fully dissipated, and this proximity stirred it into something ambiguously flirtatious, making her words come out half-serious, half-teasing.
“Can’t I be?”
“Of course you can,” Under the dazzling lights, Jin Yizhu’s eyes sparkled brighter than the stars. “How about caring a little more?”
Wei Shuyu fell silent. Her heart beat even faster. Damn it, did Jin Yizhu know what she was saying? Did she know what she herself had said? Or did she think all these words were just words, not really meaning anything?
“Fine, fine, I’ll care a little more. When are you heading home?”
She steadied her breathing but didn’t pull her hand from Jin Yizhu’s palm.
Jin Yizhu’s palm was very warm, dry and soft. The moment their delicate skins touched made her heart go all mushy.
“You just said you like me, and now you’re asking when I’m going home? How could you?”
Jin Yizhu shrugged nonchalantly and replied,
“I don’t have a home.”
“…” Wei Shuyu glanced at her helplessly and corrected her. “Back to the hotel.”
“Let’s hang out a bit more.” Jin Yizhu’s breath brushed past her ear as she pulled her hand forward. “It’s still early.”
“Don’t tell me you want to continue the drinking at another izakaya,” Wei Shuyu muttered. “If you do, take a cab to send me back tonight—I’ll miss the last train.”
She had no classes tomorrow, so she had time to fool around with Jin Yizhu. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to go drinking tonight.
“Of course,” Jin Yizhu looked at her in surprise. “If you need it, Uncle He can pick you up in the future.”
“No way, that wouldn’t be appropriate,” Wei Shuyu shook her head. “Uncle He would think it’s weird.”
“There’s no appropriate or not. If you need it, that’s fine.”
Jin Yizhu seemed about to say something more, her lips moving, but in the end, she held back.
“If it’s too late tonight, you can sleep at my place.”
“That wouldn’t be appropriate…” Wei Shuyu refused instinctively.
“It’s really fine. I have a suite in Minato Ward,” Jin Yizhu sensed her attitude softening and added, “It’s not safe for us to take separate cabs back, right? We’re both girls—wouldn’t it be better to go together?”
Wei Shuyu recalled how she had just brushed off Uncle He with an excuse about Tokyo not being safe. Now it was unsafe for one girl to cab alone. She couldn’t help but want to laugh.
She changed so quickly, but it was so cute.
“I prepared a gift for you,” Jin Yizhu saw she hadn’t refused and guessed she had concerns but wasn’t dead set on leaving, so she continued. “I forgot to give it to you in the car earlier. Come back with me later and see it, okay?”
“…You can give it to me next time.” Wei Shuyu said.
“It’s not a bag,” Jin Yizhu smiled, her peach blossom eyes curving into a sly arc. “Ah, you must think this person is so annoying, always giving bags. I don’t even like bags. That’s what you’re thinking, right? I didn’t buy a bag—it’s something you like.”
“I didn’t,” Wei Shuyu shook her head. She wasn’t really into bags, but she wouldn’t disdain someone else’s gift like that—it was too rude. “What did you prepare?”
She grew a bit curious. Something she liked? Did Jin Yizhu know what she liked?
“Take me to the izakaya, and I’ll tell you.”
Jin Yizhu turned and pointed excitedly at a nearby alley.
“There’s one right there.”
“Just so you know, izakayas might not be what you imagine,” Wei Shuyu caught up to her steps. “They don’t have the kind of drinks you like.”
“I know, izakayas are all about beer,” Jin Yizhu said. “And skewers, boiled edamame. Does this one do grilled meat?”
“Nope,” Wei Shuyu pushed open the door. “They probably don’t speak English.” She took the menu from the waiter and handed it to Jin Yizhu. “Take a look. They charge 500 yen per person for the appetizer.”
Jin Yizhu had no issue with the table charge and nodded, pointing at a picture on the menu. “This one seems to have cheese—let’s get one… Hmm, cheese at night feels too sinful. I also want the chicken cartilage. Do you eat chicken skin?”
“Yeah,” Wei Shuyu nodded. “Are you on a diet?”
“Not really, but sometimes I have to wear formal dresses, so slimmer looks better,” Jin Yizhu flipped through the entire menu but found nothing else interesting. She hadn’t come to eat anyway—just to find an excuse to keep Wei Shuyu by her side longer. “French fries?”
“Eh, I don’t love fries,” Wei Shuyu replied. “If you want them, get some.”
“Okay, add a serving of fries.”
Jin Yizhu turned to the last page and studied the drinks for a bit before saying,
“Draft beer it is, then. You?”
“Coke for me.” Wei Shuyu smiled and waved the waiter over to order.
After ordering, Jin Yizhu looked left and right, seemingly fascinated by everything in the shop, and asked her,
“Why not draft beer?”
Her tone was casual, as if she truly didn’t care.
Wei Shuyu grinned at her. “Can’t drink anymore, or I’ll really start talking nonsense.”
“Are you actually drunk?” Jin Yizhu stared into those clear eyes, curiosity slowly bubbling up, along with a strange urge.
She wanted to touch Wei Shuyu’s eyes, feel her eyelashes trembling against her palm. She wanted to cover those eyes, make Wei Shuyu flustered and panicked. She wanted to trace down that dainty, refined nose bridge—Wei Shuyu’s lips must be so soft, right?
“You don’t look drunk,” Jin Yizhu startled herself with her own thoughts and guiltily tucked her hand under the table, muttering, “I feel more drunk.”
“Then why’d you order draft beer…”
The food arrived. Wei Shuyu hesitated a moment, took Jin Yizhu’s draft beer, and pushed her Coke over.
“Let’s swap.”
“No,” Jin Yizhu reached out and moved the draft beer back. “I haven’t had a drink in an izakaya yet.”
As she reached for the glass, she touched Wei Shuyu’s hand.
Cool fingertips, carrying a bit of moisture from the condensation on the draft beer.
The skin was so soft, incredibly delicate, like the finest silk.
“Don’t worry, I can hold my liquor.”
“I know you can hold your liquor, but mixing drinks like this…” Wei Shuyu frowned slightly, watching Jin Yizhu’s expression. “You really don’t seem drunk.”
She had never seen Jin Yizhu drunk, but she could tell—Jin Yizhu was perfectly sober now.
Even more sober than usual.
“Then let’s eat fries. They look pretty crispy.”
That last remark had apparently just been a sigh, and Wei Shuyu didn’t want to guess why.
Wei Shuyu picked up a fry and popped it in her mouth. A bit heavy on salt, but perfectly crispy.
Jin Yizhu, imitating people in Japanese dramas, chugged a big gulp of draft beer. The crisp malt flavor rushed into her mouth, overwhelming her taste buds.
The next second, unfamiliar alcohol hit her brain, blanking her mind for an instant.
“No wonder Japanese dramas always have draft beer…” Jin Yizhu sighed. “It really is good.”
“Yeah, that first rush straight to the top of your head is the best,” Wei Shuyu sipped her Coke, feeling it was a bit lackluster. “Ice cold, fizzy, with that malt flavor… Fine, get me one too.”
Jin Yizhu watched her smile. The alcohol content wasn’t high, but that refreshing kick was unforgettable.
“You should’ve said so earlier and gotten one,” Jin Yizhu raised her glass and clinked it against Wei Shuyu’s Coke, regardless. “Guess what your gift is?”
Her eyes held a bright, gleeful laugh, an indescribable smugness—as if she was certain Wei Shuyu would love it, like an excited puppy waiting for praise and head pats.
Wei Shuyu chuckled helplessly but caught the mood. When her own draft beer arrived, she couldn’t resist clinking glasses with her, consequences be damned.
“So mean, clinking without calling me.” Jin Yizhu pouted.
“You didn’t call me either,” Wei Shuyu laughed. “What did you get me, anyway? I’m dying to know.”
“Secret,” Jin Yizhu narrowed her eyes, making her peach blossom eyes smile even more brilliantly. “Guess.”
“Let me guess—not a bag, so perfume?” Wei Shuyu ventured.
Jin Yizhu loved perfume; she always smelled different when she appeared before her. Wei Shuyu used it too—it was a shared interest.
Gifting perfume was common, elegant and pretty.
It fit Jin Yizhu’s style.
“Nope,” Jin Yizhu shook her head and even wagged a finger in front of her. “Guess again.”
You wouldn’t actually be drunk, would you… So cute a gesture. Wei Shuyu grumbled inwardly, tempted to grab that playful finger, but it really wasn’t appropriate, so she suppressed the urge.
“I can’t guess. Tell me.”
She softened her voice, coquettishly pleading with Jin Yizhu.
“Please.”
That soft, drawn-out ending made Jin Yizhu’s heart skip gently.
Fantasy turned real. She grabbed Wei Shuyu’s hand, stroked the soft palm, and clasped her fingers without any particular finesse.
“Come back to the hotel with me, and I’ll show you.”
