"Hey, good to see you here," Mimi said.
"Yeah. Same," Izzy gulped.
"I guess you could just put your bag down there for now," Mimi opened the coat closet.
"Thanks," Izzy nodded. "So... I thought you were going to Los Angeles for the week."
"Nope. Got cancelled last minute, so I'm here," Mimi sucked her teeth.
"Oh. Sorry to hear that," Izzy said.
"It's okay. It's nice that you came. Imagine you came here and I was away, how funny would that be? Go make yourself comfortable! I'll be back," Mimi lightly tapped Izzy on the arm and walked over to the kitchen area.
"So, how's it going?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Why can't he stay with Tai?" Mimi huffed.
"Because we have a futon and Tai has nothing," Sora said.
"Ugh...," Mimi groaned.
"Well, you definitely proved us! He's here now, so deal with it," Sora said.
"But how?" Mimi whined.
"I don't know...just I guess pretend it never happened for everyone's sake? I bet he feels bad enough about everything, the last thing he wants is you acting funny after making the trip here. Can you try being a little accomodating?" Sora asked.
"I guess you're right," Mimi sighed.
"Come on, he's probably gonna be suspicious if we're hanging out here too long," Sora said.
"Okay," Mimi said.
"Is everything okay? If you want, I can get a hotel instead, I-uh-"
"Calm down, Izzy! We were just planning what to do for tonight! And don't be silly! We wouldn't let you stay at a hotel!" Sora laughed.
"Oh, sorry. I just don't want to feel like a bother," Izzy said.
"You're fine," Mimi said.
"Anyways, we were thinking of hitting up Koreatown! There's a club there that I've been wanting to check out. Heard it was trendy," Sora said.
"I don't know if I'd be up for that...," Izzy winced.
"Come on! You know there's no fighting it, because we're dragging you anyways!" Sora teased.
"I figured as much," Izzy sighed.
"So what's new with you? We haven't seen you in such a long time! We can only imagine something other than work is keeping you busy?" Sora winked.
"Fine, you've got me there...do you have anything to drink?" Izzy asked.
"Water?" Mimi smirked.
"She's joking. You want beer or vodka? That's all we have," Sora said.
"I'll stick with beer, please," Izzy nodded.
"Here you go," Sora opened a bottle and handed it to Izzy. "So what have you been up to?"
"Just work...and I've just started seeing someone," Izzy sipped from his beer bottle.
"You have?" Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"Like I said, we've only just started so we spent a lot of time the first couple of weeks getting to know each other," Izzy shrugged.
"So I guess that explains your several-week hiatus then," Sora drank from her beer.
"You know what, I think I'm breaking out the vodka after all," Mimi placed a bottle of cranberry juice and vodka on the table.
"Remember, we're going out later," Sora raised an eyebrow.
"It's not like I'm gonna do shots, oh my God!" Mimi gasped.
"It's okay. Just sit back, I know how you like it," Izzy handed Mimi a glass.
"Thanks. It's perfect," Mimi sipped at her drink.
"So tell me more about this girl! What's her name? Where'd you guys meet? What's she look like?" Sora asked.
"So, her name's Stella. We met at a bookstore when we were both reaching for the only copy of the same book. We had a good little laugh about that, and then spent the rest of the night conversating about a lot of our other favorite things. It turns out we have a lot in common," Izzy said.
"That's nice," Mimi nodded.
"Do you have a picture of the girl? We have to see what she looks like!" Sora said.
"Uh...well, there's this one," Izzy pulled out his phone.
"Oh, isn't she cute. She looks like a Barbie doll," Sora gushed.
"I see you guys did a chocolate fondue. I didn't think you'd be into that," Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"Her idea, not mine. But I had a nice time," Izzy shrugged.
"Good, so you definitely shouldn't have any reservations about Koreatown, especially when I tell you what we have in store," Sora grinned evilly.
"Oh no...," Izzy's face fell.
"That's right! And Tai's all in too, so he can't bail you out!" Sora grinned.
"I really don't like where this is heading now," Izzy chugged the rest of his beer.
"Hey Mimi, you've been pretty quiet since Izzy's gotten here," Sora said.
"What?! No! No I haven't!" Mimi turned red.
"Actually, come to think of it, you have," Izzy said.
"I don't know! There's nothing for me to say, I guess?" Mimi shrugged.
"That's a new one," Sora remarked.
"Umm...well, you look very nice, Izzy. Is that a new jacket?" Mimi asked.
"Thanks. Stella helped me pick it out," Izzy blushed.
"Oh. Well, she has good taste," Mimi sipped from her drink.
"I'll let her know she has the Mimi seal of approval," Izzy said.
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKITY KNOCK KNOCK!"
"Oh Jesus...guess who," Sora made a face and got up to open the door.
"Alright guys, who's ready to part-hey! You guys didn't tell me we were gonna pregame before we go out!" Tai whined.
"Because we're not pregaming. We were just waiting for you. Let's get a move on," Sora said.
"Waaaait! Really?" Mimi whined.
"What?" Sora said.
"I need to change up. I look like a dump. I promise, 15 minutes tops," Mimi said.
"Cool! That should give me enough time to catch up to you guys! What are we at now? Two beers?" Tai asked.
"No. We each only had one drink," Sora sternly said.
"Fine. Just one...to even the plane field," Tai popped the cap of his beer bottle open and guzzled away. "So good, so good!"
"Soooo Tai, guess what's going on with Izzy," Sora smirked.
"Sora, already?" Izzy groaned.
"Oooh, what?" Tai put his beer down.
"He's seeing a girl. And they look so cute together. Show him the picture, Izzy!" Sora gushed.
"Sora, I think you might be more embarrassing than my parents sometimes," Izzy showed Tai his phone.
"Would you look at that," Tai nodded. "So is that why you haven't been showing your face around here lately?"
"You got me there," Izzy turned red.
"How do I look?" Mimi came out of her room with a different outfit on.
"You look ready, now let's go!" Tai said.
"You're gorgeous, as always," Sora assured her.
"Okay," Mimi said.
"No! No! Absolutely NOT!" Izzy yelled.
"What?" Tai grinned evilly.
"I bet if your girlfriend were here, you'd give it a shot," Mimi snidely said.
"No! Not to this!" Izzy shook his head.
"It's okay. You don't have to participate, but you'll just end up being the odd one out," Sora shrugged.
"I can live with that," Izzy nodded.
"Never likes to have fun," Tai sucked his teeth.
"Of course I do. It's called drinking," Izzy said.
"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. Just a rule for tonight, let's try not to drink so much that we can't find our way back home!" Sora said.
"Or get kicked out of the bar," Mimi mischievously smirked.
"And don't you dare try to get yourself kicked out of here in purpose, you hear that?" Sora asked.
"Okay, I don't like karaoke...but you guys said I didn't have to participate, so I guess I don't have to go to that extreme. You have nothing to worry about from my end," Izzy smirked.
"Spoilsport," Sora sighed.
"Hello, welcome to the Mitsukuni Music Bar," a girl in a Chinese-style dress bowed to them.
"Thanks?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"Come inside, where you can enjoy many traditional Korean food like Ramune, fortune cookies, sushi, dumplings, noodles, and much more. Moshi mocha," the girl said in a tranquil voice.
"Ummm, thank you," Sora nodded awkwardly.
"Okay, is it me, or does this place feel kind of racist to you?" Izzy asked.
"I don't think they mean to do it on purpose," Mimi bit her lip.
"But nothing here is Korean," Izzy said.
"Those TVs are Korean... Samsung still is a Korean company, right?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"Izzy's right. We're already here though, but I don't think we should come back next time," Sora winced.
"Agreed," Tai nodded.
"I think this place feels more Japanese than Japan does," Mimi said.
"Maybe if we drink a little bit, it might help us ignore the fact that this place is pretty much a bunch of stereotypes thrown together into a theme bar. Because to Americans, all Asians are the same," Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"And maybe if we get some liquor in your system, it'll get you to loosen up and do karaoke with us too," Sora smirked.
"No thank you. I don't ever think I'll be that drunk," Izzy shook his head.
"You just want to find any excuse to drink, don't you? Alright, girls- you find a karaoke station while me and Fire Crotch grab the drinks," Tai rested his arm around Izzy's shoulders.
"Seriously?" Izzy turned red.
"Okay ladies, what are we getting?" Tai ignored him.
"Sex on the beach," Sora said.
"We can try for later tonight, but I'm not sure if you really wanna do it at Coney Island," Tai jeered.
"Tai!" Sora snapped.
"Just kidding!" Tai laughed.
"I'll have...lemme get a Shirley Temple with vodka please!" Mimi said.
"Oh Mimi, we have to introduce to better drinks," Tai said. "But baby steps! Come on, Izzy!"
"Coming," Izzy said.
"Hey, I don't know if the girls notice, but I see what you're doing and I don't really agree with it," Tai pulled Izzy to the bar.
"What are you talking about?" Izzy gulped.
"The way you were just looking at Mimi right there. You kinda looked like how a wolf looks at a piece of steak or something, you seriously gotta knock it off. I don't think your girl back home would appreciate-"
"I don't have a girl, okay?" Izzy groaned.
"What? Did you guys break up already? What did you do to mess this up?" Tai huffed.
"What?! Why do you think I would mess something up?" Izzy gasped.
"Well...cause it's you. Okay then, if you don't have a girl, then who's the chick in the picture? Oh my God, Izzy! Don't tell me she's a hooker!" Tai gasped.
"No!" Izzy yelled.
"Nooo...you didn't! You photoshopped her, didn't you?" Tai clutched onto his chest.
"No, knock it off. She is very much real. I just panicked when they asked me if I was up to anything. She just happens to be someone I hired to help me out with organizing my apartment, but then she wanted to take things further and-"
"Dude...," Tai shook his head disapprovingly.
"It's not as bad as it sounds. Apparently she's more than an interior designer and apartment organizer. She's also a life coach and yoga instructor-"
"Duuuuude," Tai huffed.
"What?" Izzy put his hands on his hips.
"You're spending time with a girl who's organized and flexible for a living! I love Mimi and all, but you're definitely wasting your time on her when you have Sarah!" Tai
"Stella. And no, I don't 'have' Stella. She's helping me broaden my horizons so I can look less repulsive to Mimi. She's not even charging me for it, she said she thought I was fun to be around and to think of it as friends hanging out," Izzy sighed.
"Duuuuude, I want to smack the crap out of you right now! If you ask me, Stella actually wants to bone you. She's not even charging you to spend time with you, because she actually wants to spend time with you! Mimi on the other hand... I could probably count the amount of sentences she's said on one hand since you got here, and Mimi's not a quiet person," Tai raised an eyebrow.
"You're right," Izzy sighed.
"Look, I'll just put it out there. You're wasting your time on Mimi and you need to move on. I dunno if you remember what you did the last time you came over, but she said that you kissed her at that boring library party last month and she wasn't feeling it," Tai shook his head.
"Oh...," Izzy turned red.
"Yeah...by the way, don't tell her I told you that. I just thought to give you a heads up. Also, mostly because I don't want you to throw away a really great opportunity for something that just ain't gonna happen. Like ever," Tai said.
"Right," Izzy nodded. "Just don't tell the girls I said any of this, okay? I'm embarrassed as it is..."
"You got it," Tai said.
"Hatsune Mikeru, what can I get you to drink?" a bartender in a paddy hat smiled at the boys.
"Can I get a sex on the beach, a Heineken, and Shirley Temple with a shot of Hennessy?" Tai asked.
"Okay! And how about you?" the bartender asked Izzy.
"I'll have scotch on the rocks. Make it a double please," Izzy said.
"Coming right up," the bartender wiped his hands off his silk vest and started to prepare the drinks.
"Ugh, let's not come here ever again," Tai whispered.
"Deal," Izzy grimaced.
"About time you guys got back! For a second, I thought you might have ditched us!" Sora smirked.
"We were only gone for two seconds! Here are your drinks, girls!" Tai said.
"Hits the spot," Sora said.
"Tell me about it," Izzy sighed.
"Mimi... what's wrong?" Tai laughed.
"I don't like it," she made a face.
"Of course not! That's your own fault," Tai smirked.
"Are you sure this is vodka?" Mimi winced.
"Uh... It's whatever the bartender put in!" Tai nervously said. "I'll choose the next drink and I think you'll like it! How's that? But you have to finish that first!"
"Okay," Mimi pouted.
"Who wants to do the first song?" Sora grinned.
"Since you're holding the microphone, why don't you go first?" Izzy smirked.
"Funny...keep it up and we'll make you sing in the main lobby for everyone to see," Sora said.
"Kidding," Izzy took a sip from his drink.
"But I guess I can get the ball rolling," Sora scrolled through the screens.
"Yellow diamonds in the light, we were standing side by side, as your shadow crosses mine, what it takes to come aliveee! It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny, but I've gotta let it go!"
"Whoo!" Mimi squealed.
"Get up with here with me!" Sora reached her hand out.
"Okay!" Mimi got up and started singing along.
"They look like they're having fun," Tai smiled. "Even if they can't sing."
"No comment," Izzy said.
*Buzz buzz buzz*
"Who could be calling me?" Izzy pulled his phone out.
"Hey, it's your 'girl'. Go answer it," Tai smirked.
"Yeah, I don't want to leave her hanging," Izzy said and left the room.
"How were we?" Mimi squealed.
"You were fun to watch!" Tai grinned.
"I don't know how to take that," Sora frowned.
"Don't worry, it's all good!" Tai smirked.
"Where did Izzy go?" Mimi asked.
"It was just his girl calling him. I guess she's just trying to keep tabs on him making sure he's not getting into any trouble," Tai smirked.
"Oh," Mimi said.
"Even though I never met her, can I still be offended? He's in good hands with us! She's got nothing to worry about!" Tai mockingly said.
"Knock it off. It's a new relationship. Of course she's probably gonna be a little uneasy," Sora said.
"Were you like that with me when we finaaally got together?" Tai asked.
"Sorry about that. It was just Stella. She just wanted to know how I was doing," Izzy said.
"That's nice! You know, you should take her down here next time you come over too! We'd love to meet her too!" Sora gushed.
"Yeah, I'll talk to her about it when I get back. Can we just not mention this place though?" Izzy said.
"Definitely. My turn though!" Tai picked up the microphone. "Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go! They're forming in straight line, they're going through a tight wind, the kids are losing their minds, the blitzkrieg bop!"
"Finished," Mimi burped.
"Nice...," Sora looked unamused.
"You know what, it wasn't that bad! I could go for another one!" Mimi said at a louder volume than normal.
"Okay, no more singing for me! I told you I'd pick your next drink and that's what I'm doing! Come on, Izzy!" Tai said.
"Why are you taking Izzy with you?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Because I just finished my drink too," Izzy shook his empty glass.
"Oh," Sora pursed her lips.
"Let's go," Tai motioned Izzy over.
"Coming," Izzy nodded.
"We'll be back," Tai winked.
"Hmm... I don't know, but I don't think I like what those guys are up to," Sora frowned.
"Why don't you just ask Tai later? Don't you guys tell each other like everything?" Mimi hiccuped.
"I gue-what are you doing?" Sora gasped.
"I saw something peeking out from Izzy's jacket and it was bothering me," Mimi innocently said.
"So you take it out?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"It's that Stella girl's number. I guess she's so fancy she has her own business cards," Mimi rolled her eyes.
"Whoa, what's your deal?" Sora said.
"Nothing," Mimi pouted.
"Stella Johnson, interior decorator, life coach, yoga instructor. She's got an Instagram page too," Sora read the business card.
"Really? Let me see," Mimi pulled out her phone and went on Instagram. "Oh look at me, I'm so cool because I'm blonde and can bend in all these positions. I'm probably all sexual...," she said in a funny voice.
"Mimi, are you sure you're okay?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, totally. I just think something funny is going on. This just doesn't add up. How does Izzy go after someone like that? And how did they end up together? I didn't think she'd be his type, you know?" Mimi made a face.
"I don't know, I think they'd be a good match," Sora took the business card and put it back in Izzy's jacket pocket.
"You're joking, right?" Mimi scoffed.
"What? She seems like a successful, hard-working, smart girl, and is it really against the law for Izzy to date someone attractive? He's not bad-looking and he's a nice guy. I think he deserves someone who's the whole package too," Sora shrugged.
"But she puts 'deep' quotes for captions underneath her yoga pictures. Like yeah, right. Enlightenment my ass, you just want people to check you out," Mimi rolled her eyes.
"Meems, you need to stop drinking the haterade and let these people be happy," Sora shrugged.
"Whose side are you on?" Mimi gasped.
"What sides are there? Mimi, you of all people should be happy! He's moved on! Now you should do the same," Sora said.
"I totally moved on. Seriously," Mimi shrugged.
"Alright, we're back! And here you go Meems!" Tai handed her a pink drink.
"Thanks, it looks so pretty," Mimi said.
"And it better taste good too!" Tai heckled. "Now, who's next? Izzy?"
"No!" Izzy said.
"Alright...Mimi, get your butt over here!" Tai said.
"No! I want another one!" Mimi held up her empty glass.
"I swear to God, I just gave that to you three seconds ago!"
"MORE!" Mimi yelled.
"Alright, sheesh," Tai shook his head.
"Why don't you sing while he gets your drink?" Sora suggested.
"I'm back, I'm back!" Tai yelled.
"Wow, that was really quick...," Sora narrowed her eyes.
"What can I say? I got really lucky this time. I didn't have to wait!" Tai said.
"Yay!" Mimi grabbed the drink and sipped it all in one shot.
"Damn...," Izzy breathed out.
"Hey, watch it," Tai smirked.
"Alright! So I'm gonna sing a song! And it's a song that is so cool!" Mimi hiccuped.
"Cool?" Sora clapped her hands.
"I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world, life in plastic, it's fantastic! You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere, imagination, life is your creati-oh...," Mimi made a face.
"No! Not that face!" Tai yelled.
"Yeah, it's what you think," Sora covered her face.
"Ugh...," Mimi threw up and started to cry.
"Uh... let's go before we get kicked out," Izzy said.
"Good call. Let's consider this is banning ourselves from the club. It's not like we're planning on coming back, like ever anyways," Sora bit her lip.
"I'm so embarrassed," Mimi bawled.
"It's okay...maybe we shouldn't have let you drink that much. I'm sorry," Tai put his arms around her.
"I can't believe it," Mimi wailed.
"It's okay. Why don't we just head home?" Sora asked.
"Sounds like a good idea," Izzy exhaled.
"Izzy, do you know how to get back to our place?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, why?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"Would you mind taking Mimi home? We kinda want to spend the night together, you know?" Sora hinted.
"Say no more," Izzy shook his head.
"Here's the keys. Thank you," Sora handed Izzy her keys.
"No problem. I'll make sure she just goes to bed," Izzy held Mimi up. "Goodnight guys."
"Oh, we will have a good night," Tai nuzzled Sora's neck.
"Again, say no more. We're heading out now," Izzy said.
"See ya!" Tai grinned.
"That's nice. At least Izzy will be able to watch out for her in case of anything. I was worried whether I should let those two alone at first, after the whole kissing incident, but now that Izzy has a girlfriend-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What?!" Tai interrupted her.
"Shit, I talked too much!" Sora huffed.
"It's okay, because Mimi told me too. You're lucky," Tai said.
"That's a relief," Sora sighed.
"Buuuut...even though I told Izzy I wouldn't tell you girls, I'll tell you. But if you tell Mimi, I swear to God, I'll break up with you. That's how serious it is," Tai said.
"Oh my God, what is it?" Sora said.
"Yeah, Izzy doesn't have a girlfriend," Tai shook his head.
"But then- who is this Stella girl?" Sora asked.
"She seems to just be playing a wingman for him. I don't know why. If you ask me, he should be focusing on dating her instead. I think he's wasting his time on Mimi but whatever," Tai shrugged.
"I'm not sure about that anymore," Sora pursed her lips.
"Why do you say that?" Tai raised an eyebrow.
"She looked the girl up on social media and boy, she was picking her apart. Maybe she's a bit jealous," Sora whistled.
"Or maybe she only likes what she can't have," Tai raised an eyebrow. "Either way, Mimi's drunk and they're both alone in that apartment. I hope they don't do anything they might regret. We don't need a repeat of last month, cause this is bullshit."
"Yeah...," Sora frowned.
"Are we there yet?" Mimi mumbled.
"We're right in front of your door, so I'd say yes," Izzy hoisted Mimi up and unlocked the door. "Home sweet home."
"Finally!" Mimi stumbled inside and kicked her shoes off. "Hey, come here! I gotta tell you something!"
"What is it?" Izzy hung up his jacket and walked towards her.
"I gotta secret that I'll tell you but you gotta come closer," Mimi giggled.
"What is it?" Izzy turned red.
"You're not my type, no. Not at all," she pulled him close and kissed him.
"Yeah, I don't think that's a secret," Izzy broke from the kiss and pulled her away. "Why don't we just get you to bed? Which one is your room?"
"That one," Mimi pointed to a door.
"I'll get you some water. You just rest," Izzy said.
"Fine," Mimi sighed.
"Here you go. Good night," Izzy handed her a water bottle and then sat on the futon couch. He wasn't sure what to think, if he just missed destiny or just dodged a trap.