Chapter 4

Kindling

The two days spent in the seclusion of her apartment had proven to be exactly what she had needed to regain her composure. It was now Friday, and the neon-lit streets of the entertainment district were bustling with people. Following her usual route, she arrived at Stray without any surprises along the way. She could not be certain, but it appeared that Majima had taken her warning to heart and had given up on trying to create scenarios to interact with her while she was out and about. It provided her with at least some peace of mind. Whether he still continued to watch her, she could not tell, but his apparent compliance with her request was a good sign. Although he had told her his reasoning — as bizarre as it had been — she still wondered what exactly his endgame was, at this point. Slowly, she was beginning to believe the rumors about his unpredictability. If Aki was right about that part, was it too far-fetched to think that she had been telling the truth about everything else? It was concerning, but it seemed that the only way of knowing for sure was for her to simply wait and see.

The rush hour still relatively far away, the night was peaceful, even for a Friday. With all the orders delivered for the time being, Aki was standing next to her behind the counter, observing the room, and once in a while engaging in light conversation with the patrons closest to them. Tsuki found herself polishing a batch of freshly washed glasses when her friend's groan reached her ears.

"Tch. Here we go again…" she frowned, her eyes trailed on someone near the entrance. "He's all yours this time, boss."

Tsuki knew instantly who the other girl had in mind. Following her gaze, she noticed Majima at the door. That he would turn up, eventually, came as no surprise, at least not to her, but there was one small thing that did not add up.

"What do you mean 'this time'?" She gave Aki a confused look, but the girl had made herself scarce before Tsuki could get an answer out of her.

There was something different about Aki's reaction this time, she thought. She would have expected her to become stressed out to hell and back upon seeing Majima in Stray again after this long of a break, yet she seemed more exasperated than anything else. What in the world had happened over the two days she had been absent?

The answer to that particular question would have to wait, however. Majima strolled up to the counter and sat down in front of her with the same confidence as the other day at Pronto. As if nothing had happened. Tsuki kept her distance and observed him, but said nothing. She wanted to show him that she had not forgotten his recent stint.

"Bad time for me to drop by?" he asked, having noticed her foul mood.

"No. What can I get you?" she replied flatly.

"Whisky. The older, the better."

She poured him his drink without uttering a single word. The fact that she was quieter than usual and avoided eye contact did not escape Majima's notice — it was almost like she was deliberately giving him the cold shoulder.

"Everythin' okay? Ya seem… different today."

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Visibly reluctant to keep up the conversation, she carried on with her work, not paying him much attention. When she returned to wash a few more dirty glasses Aki had brought back, he took the opportunity to try and shift her focus back to him.

"Say… I've been thinkin' — what does a guy need to do 'round here to ask ya out for a drink?"

Mouth agape, she shot him an indignant stare.

"Oh, so first you practically stalk me, and now you're trying to ask me out for a drink? The hell?" she scoffed.

"Ya still angry 'bout that? I already told ya why I did that... 'Sides, I'm done doin' it. So, whaddya say?"

Tsuki was unsure what she felt like doing more — to laugh out loud or to kick him out the door. Never had she imagined that her relationship with him would go from patron and bartender to having something akin to a lost puppy insistent on following her. Granted, he was not overly aggressive about it, which was a plus — from past experience, she could tell when a man's curiosity dipped into the unhealthy, dangerous variety. If, at any point, it became clear to her that he had crossed that line, she would put an end to it instantly, with or without the use of her fists. This, however, felt like a genuine, if quite awkward, attempt at getting to know her better. Nevertheless, she would not give in so easily.

"Are you really that desperate to get punched in the face?"

"By you? Hell yeah."

Her reaction was a single, heavy sigh. No matter what she said, it did not seem like he would budge. From the looks of it, he was really enjoying teasing her.

"Why does it feel like I'm talking to a wall? Is this your idea of hitting on a girl?"

"Is it workin'?" he gave her a toothy grin, but she remained unamused.

"Not at all."

"I just wanna talk, y'know," he said, the pitch of his voice falling, the grin now gone from his face.

"And what are we doing right now if not exactly that?"

"Sure, but it's different when you're focused on doin' three things at the same time an' there's always someone 'bout to call for 'nother round," he seemed unimpressed. "Just one casual drink, that's all I'm askin'."

"Sorry to dash your hopes, but I rarely go out drinking, even with friends. Not about to start making exceptions now."

"Alright. How 'bout dinner, then?"

"I prefer eating at home."

"Karaoke?"

"Can't carry a tune to save my life."

"Bullshit. I've heard ya hummin' to yerself an' it didn't sound half bad."

He had her there — she would indeed hum songs that were currently playing every now and then without even realizing it; he must have heard her do it at one such time. It looked like he was beginning to catch on to her little white lies.

"That's still a no, though," she stood her ground.

His shoulders sagged and he lowered his head in an exaggerated display of resignation.

"C'mon, why're ya bein' like this? Aintcha even a bit curious 'bout me? I can see it in yer eyes that you're just dyin' to know more."

She let his words hang in the air for a while, trying to decide whether he was bluffing or her true feelings were actually beginning to show on her face. She shook her head in disbelief at his straightforwardness. As much as it annoyed her, however hard she tried, she was simply unable to stay angry at him.

"You just never give up, do you? Alright, fine, I'll bite," she sighed, placing both her hands on the counter, finally facing him. "But only if you promise you won't start following me around town again."

"Ya got it."

He straightened, grinning. He was enjoying himself entirely too much for what it was, she thought. Why did it feel like she was slowly digging her own grave here?

"Okay, then… I wouldn't exactly say I'm dying from curiosity, but there actually is something I've been wondering about."

"Shoot."

"That eyepatch of yours — is it a fashion statement or is there a real reason you wear it?"

For a split second, her question seemed to have caught him off guard.

"Whaddya think?" He tilted his head expectantly.

Again, a question instead of a simple, honest answer.

"Looking at you, I'd say it could be either or."

"I see," he chuckled. "In that case, I can tell ya I wouldn't be wearin' it just for shits an' giggles. Wouldn't mind still havin' both eyes, too. Had to make do with one longer now than not, in fact."

Hearing this, the look on Tsuki's face turned serious.

"Oh… I'm sorry — that was probably insensitive of me."

"Naw, don't worry 'bout it," he shrugged. Her question did not seem to have bothered him as much as she thought it did. "Should've expected you'd ask 'bout it at some point. It's kinda an obvious target, ain't it?"

"How'd it happen?"

"Eh, let's just say that ain't a story ya wanna hear right now. Maybe one day, if I feel like it."

His evasive answer put a smirk on her face.

"Damn, I see what you did there. To think you'd beat me with my own weapon..."

"At least ya can see what it feels like now," he grinned triumphantly. "Anythin' else ya wanna know?"

"Alright... What's up with the snakeskin blazer, then?"

"That ya can call a statement, if ya want — fashion or whatever."

"So that's a choice, huh? What, are you trying to somehow make flashy blazers popular again, or are you just stuck in the past in that regard — good ol' bubble economy and all that?" she smirked.

"Ain't that rich, comin' from a grown woman who dresses like an eighties yanki herself?" he smiled, lifting his glass to his lips.

His retort made her chuckle.

"You're a real piece of work, you know?" she shook her head. "Does everything just bounce off of you?"

"Naw, not everythin'... But most things do. When the world don't give two shits 'bout ya, why should ya give a shit 'bout it? Might as well wear whatever I want."

"You've got a point there, but… Aren't you ever cold walking around like, well, that?" She pointed to his bare chest.

"Pfft. Naw. If ya can't handle a lil' breeze from time to time, then ya ain't cut out for my kinda life," he chuckled. "'Sides, I got years of experience."

"Years of experience walking around half-naked? Can't say I've heard that one before, but you learn something new every day, I guess."

At this point, she could barely stop herself from laughing out loud. With no clue anymore where their conversation was going, it was starting to seem like they were spouting nonsense for lack of a better subject. She did not mind it — it was actually much easier this way. However, the look on his face now suggested there was something he wanted to say, but was hesitant to.

"What is it? Feels like you're about to burn a hole in me with that stare," she casually threw the question at him.

"So, 'bout that drink…"

"Oh, come on, not this again," she groaned. "I already told you I'm not going to do it."

Just as she was beginning to drop her guard, too. She had thought she had made it abundantly clear that she would not agree to it, but it seemed that had not been enough to get him to relent. His persistence was as admirable as it was odd. She could not help but wonder when he would finally lose interest, like she was certain he would, eventually.

"The only way I'm having a drink with you is when you're the only patron that comes around while the bar is still open and I'm all by myself," she dropped an off-the-cuff remark.

Contrary to her expectations, it seemed to have made the gears start spinning in his head.

"Alright. Challenge accepted," he grinned.

"Wait — what?"

She stared at him as she would at a madman. She had not meant it as a challenge, but as something to stop him from badgering her further. Instead of serving as a deterrent, however, her words seemed to have had the opposite effect. Comically overexcited, he clapped his hands together and rubbed them.

"Can't wait to see the look on yer face when I hit the jackpot!" he giggled.

Once again, he was making her doubt her actions. She was certain that the condition she had set was nigh impossible for him to fulfill any time soon, given that business was good and it did not seem like that was going to change in the near future, but, seeing his excitement and sensing that he was already scheming something, she was not so sure anymore.

"I'm guessin' it won't count if I'm the only one left 'cause of stayin' till ya close up?"

"Uh… No. It's got to be just you and me from the start."

"Alright — then I better get strategizin'!"

His glass empty, he pulled out his wallet and paid for the drink. His eagerness to take up her challenge was quickly making her regret having said anything more on the matter than a simple 'no.' Again, she was starting to wonder if he really was as bored as he seemed, being who he supposedly was.

"Sure, you do you, I guess. Good luck."

Watching him leave in a hurry, she made note of the spring in his step. Removing his glass from the counter to wash, she shook her head, but was grinning all the same. It was ridiculous, and yet, she could not deny that it amused her.

Little did she know that Aki had been secretly watching her and Majima from a distance. She approached her boss once he had disappeared up the stairs.

"What does he still want with us?..." Aki breathed out a heavy sigh, giving voice to what was on her mind.

"Are you trying to say you'd prefer new customers to never visit again?" Tsuki smiled, taking the tray the girl had brought with her off her hands.

"No, that's not it…" After a few moments during which she appeared to have been mulling something over in her head, Aki gasped, making Tsuki look at her with concern. "Wait — it can't be... Oh, I should've known. This is worse than I thought."

"What is it this time?" Tsuki sighed when the other girl suddenly fixed her gaze on her.

"What if you're the reason?"

"Me? And what gave you that idea?" She feigned ignorance.

"He was here yesterday, too, you know."

The day before had been one of her two days off. Under normal circumstances, any given week Aki and she would have two days off — hers happened to be Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Aki's were Sundays and Mondays. Majima dropping by Stray on a day when Aki had been tending the bar alone finally made the meaning behind her earlier remark clear to Tsuki.

"How did you survive on your own with him, I wonder?" she laughed.

"Very funny," Aki grimaced. "I knew it could happen, but I was still nervous as all hell. I was afraid I'd have to talk to him, but when he asked about you and I told him it was your day off, he just ordered a drink and sat there in silence. Then, he was out the door the moment he finished it."

"You actually poured him a drink? I'd call that progress."

"That's not what's important here, Tsuki! Can't you see? He obviously came by to see you, and not me or just to get a drink."

"Maybe he was just busy and couldn't stay longer?"

"Not a chance. Look — when you're in, he can sit here for hours, but the moment he realizes you're not, he's gone in a flash? I can tell what's happening, and I don't like it."

"Even if you're right, he's not the first guy like that and probably not the last," Tsuki shrugged, pretending to be aloof, at the same time trying to ignore the fact that the butterflies in her stomach were back. "He can keep coming to see me as long as he keeps buying drinks — more income for us, after all. I, for one, don't mind."

"See, the fact that you don't seem to mind more than usual is precisely what concerns me."

"Huh? I don't think I follow."

Aki paused, as though she was gathering her thoughts.

"Can't believe I'm saying this, but it looks to me like you need to get a grip far more than I do," Aki frowned.

She seemed to have caught Tsuki off guard.

"What do you mean?"

"You think I haven't noticed?" Aki gave her a worried look. "A bare-chested bad boy shows up one day and, suddenly, your make-up and clothes start being impeccable every day, not to mention the spring in your step."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Tsuki grimaced. "My make-up and clothes are always impeccable."

"Uh-huh. And since when do you wear so much perfume to work?"

"I-I just really like how this one smells, that's all…"

"You can't fool me, Tsuki. I've known you far too long now for that bullshit to work on me. I'm just worried, you know."

True to her words, Aki's eyes were full of genuine concern. She wasn't saying these things to spite her, contrary to what Tsuki had been expecting.

"Worried? What about?"

"You, dummy. You think I don't know what's up?" Aki said, taking one of the freshly-washed glasses to polish. "I'm worried you're seeing only what you want to see in him. Sure, he's ripped and easy enough on the eye when you take a good look, I'll give you that. And I can tell you've been lonely. But he's a yakuza, and a notorious one at that. You really want to get tangled up in shit like that after what you've been through?"

Biting her lip, Tsuki lowered her eyes, guilt written all over her face. She had been naive to hope that someone who knew her as well as Aki would not notice what was happening with her.

"I get that I may seem like a hypocrite saying this, but… There's something different about him compared to all the shady guys I knew in the past."

Aki emphatically put the glass and cloth down on the counter. Crossing her arms, she turned to face her boss.

"I knew it. I have another question for you, then. What if he's just leading you on? What if, once you're hooked, he'll show his true colors? What will you do then? Has that even crossed your mind?"

"It has, actually," Tsuki was quick to rebuff her. "I've been observing him, trying to figure out what makes him tick, pushing some buttons I normally wouldn't, even. You know I'm good at reading people, and he seems more genuine than most, to be honest."

"Doesn't matter how good you might think you are, you can't be sure what's really going through his head. What if he's just that good? It takes a lot to build the kind of rep he has, you know?"

"I'll run the hell away at the first sign that something's seriously off, okay?"

Aki let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"You're hopeless. It's like I'm talking to a wall."

"Well, what do you want me to do? Suddenly start blowing him off, treating him like a stranger? Don't forget he's been good business for us, if nothing else. And, to tell you the truth… For the first time in ages, I'm actually enjoying myself. So cut me some slack and let me have my fun, at least for a while."

"Listen, as far as I'm concerned, you can have all the fun you want. But can't it be with someone more… normal?"

"Aren't you the one who always says normal is boring?" Tsuki was quick to call her friend out.

"Tch. Touchė. This is different, though. He's, like, as far from normal as you can get, and this time that's not a good thing. Why can't you accept that some things just aren't worth it in the long run?"

"Let me be the judge of that, okay? It's not like I'm getting married to the guy."

"I sure hope not — don't even wanna imagine what that'd be like," Aki scoffed. "Jokes aside… I can't help worrying, whether you like it or not. I don't want you to end up regretting trusting someone like this again. So don't hold it against me when I refuse to simply sit idly by without saying anything."

"I appreciate it, Aki — I really do. But I'm not the naive girl I once was. And if this thing ends up going sideways, you know I'll be the first one to admit you were right."

"Yeah, well, assuming it isn't too late by that point. But fine — I'll trust you, for now. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I will be. Now, enough chatting — we've got work to do."

Making the promise was the easy part, Tsuki felt — keeping it, on the other hand, could prove to be a different beast altogether. It was still too early to say with any amount of certainty whether what she was doing was right or wrong. Only time would tell — but if there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that her days had already become much more interesting. With how unpredictable her newest acquaintance seemed to be, she expected their future encounters would continue to keep her on her toes.

The following Sunday night had been an exceptionally quiet one, and all the customers had already cleared out by the time three a.m. rolled around. It did not appear that anyone else was going to visit at this hour, so she decided to start cleaning up in order to close early. She would need to take a cab to get home this time, what with the first trains not starting until well past four a.m, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

With the evening as calm as it had been, she was done with the clean-up in no time flat. Just as she was about to go into the back room to grab her jacket and bag, however, she heard footsteps echoing down the stairs.

No freaking way.

Flabbergasted, she watched Majima nonchalantly descend the stairs and emerge from the door. He was the last person she had thought to see at Stray at such a late hour — and yet, a part of her was unsurprised. Propping herself on the counter on straightened arms, she observed him when he stopped in the middle of the empty room, visibly confused.

"Slow day today or somethin'?"

"You could say that."

He glanced around the venue as though searching for something.

"Oh? Is Aki-chan not feelin' well again?"

"Aki? No, today and tomorrow are just her usual days off. Knowing her, she's probably out partying somewhere."

Looking at him, Tsuki could see the gears begin to spin in his head.

"So what you're sayin' is... it's just ya an' me here?"

Seeing his building excitement, she knew exactly where this was going.

"Yeah, it would appear so," she said, bracing herself for what was to come. "I was actually thinking of closing earlier tonight before you showed up. Didn't think anyone else would show up at this hour."

"This is perfect!" he grinned. "Looks like I win. Didn't think it'd be this easy, but seems my hunch was on point once again!"

The expression on Tsuki's face could only be described as sour. It had been an unusually slow evening; keeping the usual intervals between his visits in mind, however, she had been fairly certain he would not turn up that day. The events unfolding how they had, she preferred to consider it a perfect storm rather than suspect he had had something to do with it, but the thought did cross her mind.

In the meantime, Majima took a seat directly in front of her, positively ecstatic.

"It bein' empty like this means we can have that drink I've been askin' ya for. An' before ya try to weasel yerself outta it — even ingorin' the fact I beat yer challenge, ya technically haven't closed up yet, an' I'm a patron, so ya can't turn me down if I wanna buy a drink, can ya?"

"That much is true," she regarded him with suspicion. "Tell me one thing, though — did you plan this? Did you actually scare away my patrons just for this?"

"Haw?..." For a split-second, he appeared stumped. "Ya wound me. I'd never stoop that low," he frowned, visibly stung.

Tsuki studied his face for any sign that could cast his words into doubt. To her relief and dismay both, his reaction seemed genuine. The universe had a wicked sense of humor, after all.

"C'mon, give it up already. I got ya beat fair an' square, an' ya know it."

Seeing his smug smile now, she finally relented.

"Okay, fine — you win," she sighed, but then a timid smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "If the universe wants me to have a drink with you, then let's get it over with. Just one, though — I'm not doing overtime."

"One was all I asked for, wasn't it? Wouldn't be right for me to look a gift horse in the mouth."

"Same as usual, then? Or are you feeling adventurous?"

"As temptin' as that sounds, let's keep it simple," he eyed her curiously.

"Also, if you're to drink with the owner, take a seat on the couch," she pointed to the other side of the room. "I'll join you in a bit."

Before pouring the drinks, she climbed the stairs leading outside. Having turned off the light on the sign next to the entrance, she shut the door so that it was clear the bar was now closed for the night. Not long after, she brought two glasses of whisky over to where Majima had seated himself. She sat down next to him, making sure to leave a meaningful amount of space between them. He did not seem to mind.

"Ain't whisky more of a men's drink?" he asked, eyeing the golden liquid and ice in her glass.

"What, you expected me to make myself a cocktail? You wanted to keep it simple, and I can handle the stronger stuff just fine."

"Right on. To new acquaintances, then," he raised his glass, waiting for her to join in.

She regarded him cautiously, eventually clinking her glass against his. In truth, it had been some time since she had last indulged in such strong alcohol, so the first sip burned her mouth and throat like liquid fire.

"Real talk now." She cleared her throat, hoping he had not noticed her wince there for a moment. "What's the deal with you?"

"Aw, I was hopin' to ask ya the same thing first."

"Well, too bad. So? Why are you so fixated on me?"

The ambiguous smile he gave her made her wonder if the answer he would give her would even be true. If he decided to give her an answer at all, that is.

"Goin' straight for the throat, huh? Alright," he smirked, giving her a long look. "I like ya. An' I like this place, too."

"That's it?"

"What, that ain't enough of a reason for ya?"

It seemed much too simple. She had never met anyone who would go out of their way so much and do the things he did merely out of fondness.

"No, that's not it. It's just that… In the past, I had to deal with people who behaved in a similar way and, in the end, it always turned out they had pretty unhealthy ulterior motives."

"If that's what you're worried 'bout, then don't be. Nothin' unhealthy 'bout it."

"Taking your word for it would require me to trust you. Which I don't, yet."

"'Cause I'm a yakuza?"

"Because I don't know you well enough. Trust takes time, you know."

"Sure, but… Did I ever say or do anythin' to make ya think I'd lie 'bout somethin' like that to ya?"

"Well… You did follow me around town, which was kind of a red flag. Do you do that to everyone you like?"

"Naw, only some," he chuckled. "Couldn't help myself. I just find ya interestin'."

"Interesting how?"

"Let's see… You're not afraid of me at all, even now that ya know who I am — more or less, at least. I can put up my most menacin' scowl an' all that does is annoy you, at best. Been a while since I last met someone like that. You've got balls, lemme tell ya."

"I'll take that as a compliment, I guess."

"An' this bar of yers," he went on, taking a look around the room. "Feels nice to have a place where nobody gives a shit 'bout who ya are. It's actually one of the few places that lets me forget 'bout the world an' all its bullshit. Like a hideaway."

"Does that mean I should be worried about the police breaking down my doors one of these days for harboring a criminal?" she said in jest.

"Naw, don't be silly," he waved his hand, picking up on the humor in her voice. "Yakuza drink at bars all the time an' the cops know that. They don't bust the owners' asses over it. 'Course, if the owner willingly pays 'em protection money or lets 'em do shady shit under their roof, then that's a different story. Lookin' at ya, both of those seem very unlikely to happen."

She took a sip of her whisky, using the brief moment to process what he had told her.

"So that's all there is to it? You like me and enjoy spending time at my bar, no strings attached?"

"No strings attached. Although," he smirked. "If you wanna have some more fun, I'm open to suggestions."

"Think I'll pass," Tsuki scoffed, pushing the thoughts of what those words might imply away as fast as possible. The answers he had given her were probably the best she could have hoped for — and yet, she could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. She did not know what she had been expecting, but she now felt very embarrassed with herself. "Just know that if you're lying to me after all, I'll beat the crap out of you at the first sign that something's off."

He giggled, probably picturing the concept in his mind.

"As much as I'd love to see ya try, I don't think that'll be necessary."

The air cleared a little, they sat there in silence for a spell. It almost seemed like they were both hesitating to give voice to what was on their minds.

"What made ya open a bar here, by the way?" Majima was the first to speak up. "A cute girl like you could find a steady, well-payin' job pretty much anywhere. Why a bar, an' in Kamurocho, of all places?"

She considered the answer to his question for longer than seemed necessary.

"I've been living in the vicinity for close to twenty years now. I'd worked at bars for a couple of years and somewhere along the way opening a bar of my own kind of became my dream. Now that that dream's come true, I love what I do. Can't imagine doing anything else at the moment. Lots of people around, so the money's decent, too."

She noticed he was listening to her with a gentle smile on his face. It made her heart skip a beat, and she absolutely hated the fact that she could not prevent it from happening.

"Twenty years, ya said? How in the world had we never met before last month?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I dunno. But don't people pass each other in the streets all the time, not knowing it until they eventually cross paths for one reason or another? If I hadn't called out to you that time, you still probably wouldn't know I exist, even though I was right there."

"I was preoccupied with somethin' else at the time, though," he smiled bitterly. "Well, anyway, back to what ya said… It's refreshin' to see someone who managed to make their dream a reality in this place. Way too much grief 'round here, if ya ask me, so it's good to know that there are people who can find happiness even in a shithole like this."

"I'm guessing you're not a fan?"

"It's a love-hate relationship, if ya catch my drift."

"I never said I unconditionally loved it myself. Working here has its perks, even if you factor in that, lately, there hasn't been a year that something doesn't get blown up or some turf war doesn't break out. But when you manage to find somewhere you feel like you belong, it gets much easier to see it in a better light and look past the bad stuff. For me, that's Stray. I wouldn't have met many good people if I hadn't stuck around, Aki included. It's a glass half-full kind of thing, I guess."

"Am I one of those people, then?"

She raised her eyes to look at him, kept him hanging, before answering.

"Hard to say. I still don't really know you, but at least you're not on my shit list yet, so that's something," she gave him a reserved smile.

"Yeah, I think I get ya." He scratched his head nervously. "Speakin' of which… It's been a while already an'… What with the internet, gossip magazines, all kindsa rumors floatin' 'round, an' shit — ya still ain't done yer research on me? Not even a lil' bit?"

"Funny you should mention that, actually. Some time ago, Aki was adamant that I look up stuff about you on the internet. Supposedly, there's quite a lot of it there."

His eyebrows twitched ever so slightly, a hint of concern appearing in his eye.

"Hmph. I bet there is. So… didya do it?"

"I thought about it," she said, taking another sip from her glass. Hearing this, Majima held his breath. "But I didn't do it, in the end."

"Why not?"

"I already told you why, didn't I? I don't give a shit. That and, as a rule, I don't look up stuff about my patrons."

"What if I'm the worst kinda scum there is an' ya don't know 'bout it?"

"Hmm… I'm not so sure about that. I've met people you would call scum before. The worst of the worst usually don't speak of it like you do — they tend to flaunt it like it's something to be proud of, thinking they're the hottest shit in town. And I don't exactly see you going around waving your dick in front of everyone."

"Tch. Have ya considered that those who do that are just idiots? But alright, different question, then — what if I told ya I've killed people?"

She remained unfazed, looking up at him from above her glass.

"I'd ask why you're not in prison. From what I know, civilians are off-limits to the yakuza, and as for other yakuza… Some would say you did society a favor."

"What if I got locked up for offin' someone an' got out?"

"Wouldn't that mean you got your punishment and were deemed deserving of another chance at life? Otherwise, you'd still be behind bars. Isn't that how the system's supposed to work?"

"An' you'd be willin' to simply look past that?"

"Listen — I prefer to think the past is the past. It can haunt us, but we shouldn't be judged based on it. Too many people form their entire opinions of others based on what they did in the past even when they've never met them." She lowered her eyes and focused on the glass in her hands. "How is someone supposed to make a good use of a second chance if the world doesn't let them?"

"Sounds a bit like you're speakin' from experience, y'know?" Majima frowned. It did not sound like something your run-of-the-mill civilian would say — it seemed personal.

"Hm. Who knows," she scoffed, showing no willingness to elaborate.

He decided not to push her, but it made him wonder.

"So? Out of curiosity, you ever done time for killing someone?"

"Naw."

"I knew it. I've got a good nose for such things," she smiled triumphantly.

"Ya really are weird, y'know?" he laughed in response.

"Takes one to know one."

"Pfft. That's what ya think of me? That I'm weird?"

"Well, you're definitely unique, I can tell you that much."

"That a bad thing?"

She raised her eyes again to meet his gaze. The look he was giving her was so gentle it took her aback. The more she interacted with him, the more his way of being clashed with her idea of what the yakuza in this town were. If he was pretending and this was all just make-believe, then he was frighteningly good at it, she mused.

"No, I guess not," she said, and noticed a ghost of a smile appear in the corners of his mouth. She glanced at the clock on the wall near the bar — it was now just before four a.m. "Anyway, time's up."

"Aww. Right when we were finally gettin' somewhere," he pouted.

"No whining — I held up my side of the deal. Now, finish your drink and bring the glass over before I gather my things or I'll lock the place up with you still inside."

"Fine, fine."

Shortly after she had left, Majima downed what remained of his whisky, and sauntered over to the counter. Having handed her the glass, he reached for his wallet, but Tsuki stopped him with a raised hand.

"Don't be ridiculous. Like you said, I lost fair and square, so the least I can do is cover your tab."

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah."

"Hmph. Have it yer way."

He lingered by the entrance, watching on as she turned the lights off — first those in the room, then the ones illuminating the shelves behind the counter. All that was left were a few dim wall lamps, whose sole purpose was to provide enough light for the staff to get around outside of business hours. Seeing the place so empty and dark was eerie — a stark contrast to how lively it usually was.

Bag on her shoulder and keys in hand, Tsuki joined him soon after.

"You didn't need to wait for me, you know."

"What's a couple of minutes matter?" he shrugged off her remark. "It ain't like I'm in a hurry anywhere."

Without any further comment, a resigned smile on her face, Tsuki took the lead climbing up the stairs, Majima following close behind.

"Was that so bad?" Majima asked in a low voice once they were outside.

"What do you mean?" she responded with a superfluous question, focused on locking up Stray's exterior door.

"Drinkin' together."

Having stashed the keys in her bag, she raised her eyes to look at him.

"No… I guess it wasn't," she said after a short pause.

Her admission put a smile on his face — this time, however, there was nothing smug or mischievous about it. Just a genuine, warm smile.

"We should do it again sometime," he added, his voice unexpectedly soft. "An' with none of that on-the-house bullshit. Next time, we're goin' somewhere an' I'm buyin', whether ya like it or not."

As frustrating as it was, Tsuki felt that every time they met he always ended up adding fresh kindling to the tiny flame that she was trying hard to contain. The collected and reasonable half of her begged her to rethink the path she was choosing to take, while the thrill-seeking, defiant one kept merrily blowing wind into her sails.

"Don't push your luck. I haven't even agreed to a next time yet. You might have beaten me at my own game this time, but that just means I'll have to be more careful about what I say around you from now on." She pulled out her cell phone to check the time. "Anyway, I should be on my way or I'll miss the first train."

"Want me to walk ya?"

"I'll be fine. I've been doing this for a while now, you know."

"Suit yerself," he shrugged. "I'll be seein' ya, then."

"Sure — till next time."

Even with their parting words to each other already spoken, neither of them appeared inclined to move. The short while they stood there in silence seemed to stretch out, now dangerously nearing the point of awkwardness. It was as though each of them was waiting for the other to make a move, reluctant to bring their time together to an end.

Tsuki was the first to break this peculiar stalemate. Waving him goodbye with a raised hand, she turned on her heel and walked away. Her heart was racing now for a reason her mind refused to accept. It was a strange dance they were dancing. That night, it felt like they had drawn a clear line in the sand concerning the nature of their relationship. On the surface, everything appeared clear-cut — something, however, seemed to be seeping through the cracks. She sensed it in the smallest things — be it a slight change in the pitch of his voice, or a barely noticeable glint in his eye when he looked at her; it gave her the impression that he had not told her the whole truth of the matter, after all. As curious as she was to see how their budding friendship would develop, it made her wary. Fully expecting it to sooner or later crash and burn, she decided to give in to the inner chaos and simply enjoy it while it lasted. The only thing she could hope for, at this point, was that she would not end up regretting taking that leap.