It was late at night.

The streets of Japan's Red-Light District were lit up with flourescent lights and big sparkly signs. It was packed with stacks of people, wandering into bars or heading to clubs to continue their night. The watches were all blaring the same number, 12:37 am, which if on a work day, would've made waking up tomorrow a doozy.

Your friend had her hand wrapped around hers as she weaved the two of you through a crowd while droning about free drinks in some host club. Newcomers could get an hour of free drinks, which didn't sound like too bad of a deal, even if it was a bustling Saturday.

So you walked through the crowds, stepped through the line to infiltrate the club with plastered, somewhat fake men and the deep smell of alcohol or perfume.

And were seated at a table with an alcoholic beverage resting on it, thickly laminated.

The two of you sat there for a moment, talking about whatever, before a man with streaks of blonde in black locks sat down next to your friend, a smirk coating his handsome face. He gave you a small cheeky look, as if telling you that he was stealing her, and then took your friends attention into his.

You were left alone, allowed to lean back against your seat with your hands crossed in your lap, as if strained at the sudden knowledge of being alone.

Only for another male to sit down, this time next to you. He leaned his chin against his palm, a smile on his exceptionally handsome face, with a certain false innocence attached to his eyes that most people ignored.

". . . Hello, I'm Yugao, what's yours?"

Norio spoke, carefully glancing at the menu as if to hint at the concept of ordering it, but with such subtly that you could almost miss it. A smile lingered on his pale, pink lips, not showing his straight teeth.