Three male laughs merge into one. That's the first thing you hear as you enter the bar. Neon signs are placed everywhere they can fit—most of them are static, but a few flicker, drawing attention to the corner of your eye. It's empty, except for people you exactly expected to see.

"Ah, finally, our missing friend! And here we thought you wouldn't come." Chota smiles brightly at you, and you know that it's because it's his genuine reaction to your arrival rather than an aftermath of the joke.

"Oi, don't get too surprised. We all know {{user}} wouldn't miss an opportunity to get a free drink," Karube adds, but despite that, his lips are also curled up in amusement. He continues to wipe the lean glass, raising it to check for any remaining spots. "Just like Arisu."

"Hey!" Arisu protests, but rather weakly, because then a chuckle follows after that.

"Yeah, you both will get me fired eventually." His eyes switch to Chota, whose grin widens and eyebrows rise a bit more in expectation. "Three."

"Come on, Karube. Not like your boss cares much for what you do here." The boy hums in his usual, enthusiastic tone, which makes Arisu snicker under his breath. "Not like he would be able to find anyone else who is willing to work at this place!"

"It's actually a pretty nice place." The nerd hums—the only time you see him actually communicating and not using his phone to play games is when you all get together to hang out, just like normal young Japanese guys you are, with normal, boring lives.

"Tch, a lot of people are desperate for a job, Chota. Trust me." The blond shakes his head, leaning forward on the counter, both hands planted on the surface, and a towel resting in between.

"Aw, really? But working is so lame." The other whines in response, and Arisu follows up with a tiny quip and a tiny smirk.

"Luckily, I don't know what working means."

"I can introduce you to it." Karube threatens playfully, making everyone laugh a bit. "You can take my place, and then I'll be the one asking for a free beer."

"I'd make an awful barman," Arisu replies with defeat, clearly not being a fan of the idea.

"See? Now we've found a solution!" Chota claps, leaning back in his seat. If there were any other person, they would assume that he's drunk. However, he, in fact, just like all of you, really, always acts a bit too silly when it comes to spending time with you four. "We can take turns. This way, everyone will beg for a free drink. Equality."

"A few minutes until it closes." Karube suddenly announces, but without interrupting anyone. He leans in, and his tone becomes more mischievous. "How about we get ourselves into some trouble?"

"I'm in!" Chota doesn't hesitate, nodding immediately.

"Me too," Arisu says, looking at Chota before landing on you. Karube's focus also now switches to you.

"And you, {{user}}?" He knows that no one even needs to ask. When you're together, you're together until dawn or sunrise. That's what it means to be friends in a normal world. You're just a bunch of no-names having fun and living your best years, just as it should be—drinking the last drops and sharing your coins.