Another Day in the Life of Sae part 2

1
>Sigh
>Welp
>Another goddamn day at work
>Some wacko down at the docks threatened to slit his own throat unless the Prime Minister himself came down there to talk about fishing rights or some shit
>Guess who never showed up?
>Well Whatever
>The guy was threatening to to do it with a butter knife so he didn't exactly get far before he was subdued
>Still gotta fill out paperwork on it though
>It's always more paperwork
>It just keeps piling up
>It never ends
>God_Fucking_Damnit.rar
>You can't deal with this shit
>You've already got enough on your plate
>The past couple days since that dinner have been absolute hell
>you haven't slept well in almost a week
>of course, you've never slept well
>but this has been worse
>way worse
>whatever happened between you and Akira in that kitchen has got you all hot and bothered
>you managed to convince yourself that you were just imagining things back there
>I mean, you were pretty drunk
>Nevertheless
>That doesn't stop your mind from racing about it all
>You are now more aware of the fact that you are almost thirty and still single than you have ever been
>You haven't had a solid relationship since college
>You've had sex maybe twice in the past two years
>Your heart is aching
>Your crotch is burning
>Your fucking biological clock is ticking
>If you want that husband and kids that you dreamed of, you're gonna have to start working for it
>working HARD
>but how?
>where the fuck do you start?
2
>Everyone at your work is either old and gross or already taken
>And you don't really know anyone outside of work
>You don't really have any friends who can hook you up
>You don't really have any friends at all...
>...
>There is one thing
>You overheard this one lady on the subway talking about a Bar in... Shinjuku?
>It's apparently pretty popular
>You've never really been to that side of town
>It's kinda, well... seedy
>Ya know a lot of fags live there
>But
>There could be potential
>You could meet a really cute guy who sweeps you off your feet
>Yeah!
>It could work
>Makoto's hanging out at Akira's place tonight so you don't gotta worry about her
>You just need to go home
>Shower
>Gussy up a lil bit
>Put on something nice
>And Head out...
>...
>...Maybe it'll be fun!
>You feel your heart beating in your chest
>This is the first time you been genuinely excited about something in a while
>It feels... kinda good
>You smile to yourself contentedly
>You feel a few of the other subway riders' eyes on you
>you're the only one who doesn't look totally miserable
>whatever
>you can't wait for tonight
3
>Get there
>"Crossroads Bar"
>Looks... dirty
>Oh god
>Do people really do this?
>Go to bars and just hook up with random people?
>It sounds so soulless
>Sure, you did that shit back in college but
>You were young
>You were just trying to have fun
>You weren't looking for an actual relationship
>Shouldn't love be something that develops in a more... professional setting?
>Goddamnit
>What the fuck are you doing here Sae?
>Why did you waste your evening getting all gussied up to go to some shady ass bar in the middle of Shinjuku?
>For fucks sake you put on your nice dress and everything
>You haven't worn this thing in over a year
>It's about two sizes too small
>You thought maybe it'd ""enhance"" your curves but you just look kinda out of shape
>too much Big Bang Burger you guess
>you consider turning back
>...
>What are you doing Sae?
>You want a relationship don't you?
>You're not gonna find it just sitting around at home
>The man of your dreams isn't just gonna fall into your lap
>You need to do something or else you're just gonna grow old and be Makoto's spinster Wine Aunt
>Oh god
>How Pathetic!
>...
>Well
>You're already here
>Might as well try to make the best of it...
4
>get in
>it's empty
>what the fuck?
>where is everybody?
>the only person here's the fucking barkee-
>"Welcome to Crossroads, sweetie, you new here?"
>Oh no
>The barkeep's some weird tranny
>She's a man in drag with a deep voice wearing makeup
>Oh no
>Oh no no no no
>You ask why the bar's empty
>"Oh, Most of our regulars don't get here for another half hour or so"
>Great
>"You want me to get you started with a couple of drinks?"
>Sigh
>Might as well
>You order a couple martinis
>You're tempted to just get wasted right there
>Just stick it out Sae
>The guy of your dreams could walk right through that door any minute and-
>You get a phone call
>It's Akira
>Fuck
5
>You'd rather not take this in front in front of the Tranny Barkeep
>Go to the women's room
>Pick up
>"Hello Sae-San"
>Hey Akira
>You talk for a bit
>He called to ask where some medicine was
>Apparently Makoto isn't feeling well
>She ate a little too much curry or some shit
>Great
>He says he took her home, and that he's sticking around until she feels better
>How considerate
>You tell him there's some stomach stuff in one in one of the kitchen cabinets
>You tell him to make sure he mixes it with some Alka Seltzer and some other shit, but to dillute a little bit with water so it's not too strong
>You also tell him add a little sugar, and some peppermint so it tastes sweet
>It's a little recipe you made when Makoto was little
>She hated taking her medicine when she was sick so you'd always add a little candy so she'd eat it
>It always made her feel better
6
>"That's sweet, Sae. Makoto's lucky to have an older sister like you"
>Oh
>Uh
>"T-Thanks" you stutter
>...
>Suddenly you hear Makoto retching over the phone
>"Gotta go, Makoto-chan needs me. Bye Sae-san!"
>B-Bye
>He hangs up
>You're left alone...
>...
>You shake your head
>Just don't think about Sae
>Just don't
>think about it
>Breathe in
>Breathe out
>...
>Alright you're ready
7
>Leave the restroom
>Accidentally bump into someone
>Oh sorry pal
>Wait
>What the hell
>The bar's suddenly crowded as fuck
>Where'd all these people come from?
>You go to get your drink
>it's still there
>Thank God
>You find a nice corner where not too many people are at
>You scan the room
>Most of the guys here are Salarymen who just got off of work
>The rest are just kinda boring
>No one really catches your ey-
>Wait
>That guy over there
>The one hanging out near the bar with his buddies
>He looks cute
>Nice Hair
>Nice Smile
>Relatively Young
>Don't see a wedding ring
>Yeah, He could work
7.5
>See a chair open next to him
>This_is_your_chance.gif
>Try to navigate through the crowd
>Have to squeeze between sweaty drunks
>Almost trip 5 time
>Fuckin heels
>Finally wade through Sea of People
>Seat's still open
>Yes!
>Sit down
>...
>Wait
>Now what?
>How the fuck are you gonna get this guy's attention?
>Right now he's just talkin with his buddies
>What do you do?
>Just butt in?
>That'd be rude, wouldn't it?
>You can't just barge into someone else's conversation
>You don't even know the fuckin guy!
>Damnit Sae
>A normal person would know what to do in this situation
>Why don't you?
>Are you fucking Autistic?
>Why can't you jus-
>Hold on
>His friends are leaving
>They're heading home
>It's just the two of you
8
>Right now he's just sitting there
>He doesn't even register your presence
>Okay Sae, this is it
>This is your chance
>Don't blow this
>Just strike up a conversation
>Uh
>What do Salarymen like to talk about?
>The News?
>Sports?
>Politics?
>How about food?
>Yeah, everybody likes food
>You'll talk about that new Sushi restaurant that opened up downtown
>Maybe Segway that into a dinner date or something
>'Hey, ya ever had the Fatty Tuna at Monk's in Downtown?'
>Yeah, that's good
>You exhale
>Don't fuck this up Sae
>This could be the only guy you talk to tonight
>Just act natural
>Don't make a fool out of yourself
>This is a natural thing
>People do it all the time
>You just gotta be cool about it
>Just finish your drink and-
>you cough
>Oh no
>You cough harder
>You accidentally chugged it down the wrong pipe you fucking Idiot!
>You start coughing HARD
>it must've been some strong shit
>You can hardly breath
>Someone shakes your shoulder
>You can't acknowledge them
>You're a coughing fit
>You sound like you've got fucking Tuberculosis
>The whole Bar can probably hear you
9
>It finally passes
>You can breathe again
>Thank God
>Someone taps you'd shoulder again
>"Hey, you okay Lady?" They ask
>You turn to face them
>It's the guy
>Oh shit!
>There goes your plan!
>You blush
>"U-Uh yeah, I'm f-fine!" You say, trying to put on a smile
>"Are you sure? You were coughing pretty hard there"
>Fuck
>Just play it off Sae
>Play it off
>"O-Oh, that was- I just-"
>Fuckfuckfuck
>"I-I just kinda... swallowed my drink the wrong way a-and it, uh... *ahem*..."
>God
>Damnit
>Sae
>"Oh, well that sucks. Do you want me buy you another?"
>Wait
>Is he... offering to buy you a drink?
>Holy shit
>"YES!"
>Oh
>Uh
>"I mean, y-yeah, sure!"
10
>He orders you two a round of martinis
>"So, I, uh, never caught your name" he says, passing you your drink
>You blink
>You can still barely believe this is happening
>"Sae! N-Niijima Sae!" you blurt out
>He smiles
>"Well it'a nice to meet you Niijima-San. I'm Takahiro Shichi"
>Shichi Takahiro
>got it
>...
>He's not saying anything
>He's just looking at you
>Fuck, Sae, keep the conversation going
>Uh
>"S-So Takahiro-San, do you like... food?"
>"Hm?"
>"I-I mean what do you do for a living?"
>He explains that he work at a big tech company, and that he's here tonight because he got a big promotion
>"What about you Niijima-San? What do you do?"
>You tell him you're a public prosecutor
>"Oh..."
>He takes a sip of his drink
>Oh no
>Did you say something wrong?
>"What is it?" you ask
>He shifts in his seat
>"Well its just that... I didn't think a woman could really handle a position like that and..."
>And what?
>He coughs nervously
>"...a-and still maintain her beauty! Heh.."
>Oh
>Oh!
>You blush and start laughing
>He looks relieved
>The two of you start laughing together
>He orders you two some more drinks
11
>Time passes
>Things are going pretty well
>You and Shichi have been conversing for what feels like hours
>He's a pretty great guy
>He's handsome
>Funny
>He keeps paying for your drinks
>You feel like you're in college again
>You're way less tense than you were earlier
>You're actually having... fun
>He gets up
>He says he's gotta go to the bathroom
>He leaves
>You get a phone call
>It's Akira again
>He called to say that Makoto was feeling better and that he was heading home
>Well that's good
>Before he hangs up he mentions that while you were out you got a call from your boss
>He said that he'd been trying to reach you all night
>?
>You check your phone
>5 missed calls from the SIU Director
>You grimace
>Eh... whatever
>It'll be fine
>You'll just deal with it tomorrow
>Right now, nothing can ruin your night
>...
>What was that?
>"...And I was saying..."
>What is that?
>"...I mean I'm really not supposed to be here..."
>Who's that talking?
>"...But if you say it's okay, then..."
>Why's that voice sound so familiar?
>You turn around
>Oh no
>No
>No it can't be
>It's fucking Akechi
12
>He's here with a bunch of guys from work
>They just walked in
>Shit
>Shitshitshit
>You can't let them see you here
>Fuckfuckfuck
>Uh
>Maybe you could wait till they sit down and then bolt
>Yeah
>You'll wait till they get settled and then you'll-
>Wait
>What about Shichi?
>You can't just bounce on the guy
>He'll think you were just stringing him along for free drinks
>Maybe you could leave your phone number?
>You don't really have a pen with you
>You spot one over the bar
>The barkeep's distracted
>Maybe if you reached you could get it
>You look around
>No one's looking
>You go for it
>You lean over the bar
>It's just out of reach
>You lean further
>Come on come on come on
>You grab it
>Yes!
>You quickly scribble down your phone number on a napkin
>Alright, now you just gotta-
>Oh shit someone's coming
>You stuff the pen in your dress
>Just act natural Sae
13
>They get to the bar
>You do your best to obscure your face
>"Pardon me, miss" he says, trying to get the barkeep over
>You look over
>Ah shit it's Akechi himself
>Just keep calm, don't draw attention to yourself
>He finally gets her attention
>"Ain't you a little too young for this place kid?" she says
>Goro laughs and says all he wants is an order of fried pickles
>She sighs and tells him they'll be out in a few minutes
>"I'll just wait here"
>fuck
>Okay this is fine, just keep cool
>Just stay calm
>Everything's going to be jus-
>"Niijima-San?"
>Fuck
>"Niijima-San is that you?"
>Guess you can't just ignore him
>Sigh
>"...Hey Akechi"
14
>He smiles at you
>"I didn't know you were here Niijima-San! Do you come to this bar often?"
>No, this is... *sigh* this is your first time here
>"Well it's certainly quite lively, isn't it?"
>Yeah Akechi, it really is
>Pleasefuckingleave.png
>You ask him what the hell he's doing here in the first place
>"Oh, Hakamichi-San and Fujiyama-San thought they'd take me out to celebrate that case I solved"
>Of course
>"I won't be drinking, of course, but I thought I'd humor them and come along anyway"
>Ah-huh
>Please leave
>"If you like, you could join us"
>Oh, uh, n-no thanks Akechi
>Your'e sort of uh...
>"Hm?"
>He notices Shichi's drink
>"Oh... Oh you're here with someone!"
>Yep
>"Well I didn't mean to intrude, I'll leave if you like"
>Please do
15
>"Im sorry if I seem so surprised, it's just, and I don't mean this to be rude, but I never figured you were the dating type"
>What?
>What the hell's that supposed to mean?
>"From what I heard from everyone else, and from our own interactions, it seemed to me like you were more married to your job than anything else"
>Excuse me?
>"In fact, and I really shouldn't be telling you this, but I've heard some refer to you as a, well, 'Lonely Spinster Christmas Cake'"
>A fucking what?
>A Christmas Cake?
>A fucking Cake?!
>What, just because your not 19 anymore?!
>A Spinster?
>Fucking seriously?
>That's what people think of you as?!
>You're not old!
>You're not even out your 20s!
>So what if you've been a bit more... focused on your career lately?
>So what if you're love life has been... slow?
>You're trying!
>That's why you're here!
>Who the hell do the guys at work think they are trying to pass on Judgement on you?!
>You're still attractive
>You're still desirable!
>You've got a guy right now whose in the bathroom who can't wait t-
>Oh god
>He's been in there a long time
>What if he left?
>There's windows in those bathrooms
>What if he was just stringing you along just to be nice?
>What if he just bolted and left you with his tab?
>What if this whole thing was just a pity-date?
>Oh god!
16
>Akechi's pickles arrive
>"Ah, thank you. Well anyway I should be going. Best of luck to you on your date Niijima-San!"
>Thanks Akechi
>Fucking cunt
>You're left alone
>You check your watch
>He's been in there for 15 minutes
>What if he really did leave?
>Oh god
>Just when you thought you were making a real connection with someone they leave
>Why does this always happen to you?
>Why do you always-
>You hear the bathroom door open
>It's Shichi!
>Fuck, act natural
>Were you crying?
>A little bit
>Not enough to ruin your make up
>You clean yourself up with a napkin
>He gets there
>"Sorry Sae-San, I had to take a call from work. You know how it is"
>Oh yes, you do...
17
>...Maybe you should just go
>You can't really converse with him now that Akechi and the gang are here
>The Magic of the moment's gone
>Can't exactly go home with him
>If they see you leave together then that's opening up a whole new can of worms
>fucking hell
>Well, at least you met him
>At least you can give him your phone number and see him again some time
>maybe
>"Uh hey, I gotta go. I had a lot of fun tonight! Uh, here's my phone number. Hope we ca-"
>"Pardon me"
>Akechi's back at the bar
>"It seems I forgot to pay"
>Apparently he forgot to pay for his pickles
>Well anyway-
>"Hey wait! Are you... are you Goro Akechi? The one that was on the news recently?!"
>What?
>"Yes, that's me"
>Why's Shichi so interested in Akechi all of a sudden?
>"Oh my gosh, I can't believe it. THE Akechi Goro! My kid sister's crazy about you! Do you mind if I get your autograph for her?"
>"Uh, sure. Do you have napkin or something?"
>Shichi takes the napkin that you wrote your phone number on
>"Hey wait, I wrote my-"
>He's not paying attention
>"Stop, I-"
>They're not listening
>"Hey, is that THE Akechi Goro? The one that was on the News recently?"
18
>A crowd's starting to gather around him
>You can't reach Shichi
>You try to squeeze though
>it's no use
>"I-I just need to get by"
>Someone jostles you out of the way
>You back hits the wall
>You hear something break
>The pen!
>Ink's everywhere!
>Your dress is ruined!
>You yell at the guy
>"Hey! What the hell buddy?!"
>You gesture to your dress
>"Pfft Jeez calm down Grandma, it's just a little stain"
>A little stain?
>Grandma?!
>How fucking dare he!
>It's not your fault your hair started greying 20 years early!
>"Are you gonna pay for this or what Asshole?!" you yell
>He splashes his drink on you
>"Cool off Lady!"
>He starts laughing with his buddies
19
>You stand there, shocked
>Through your runny makeup you can make out Shichi in the crowd
>He's not even paying attention to you
>No one's paying attention to you
>You're just standing there
>Humiliated
>Abandoned
>Alone
>You're an absolute mess
>Both on the inside and on the outside
>There's only one thing left you can do to preserve your dignity
>You angrily grab your things and storm out
20
>You fight tears as you ride the subway home
>You try to hide your face so no one can see
>You can feel a few of their gazes on you
>Everyone's happy having come back from bars and other fun places
>You're the only one who looks absolutely miserable
>You manage to compose yourself by the time you get home
>Open the door
>"Hey sis!"
>Makoto's up
>She's doing some studying or whatever
>Looks like the medicine worked
>"Did you have good time tonight?"
>You walk past her
>"Sis?"
>You tell her you don't wanna talk about it
>You slam the door behind you
>You wait until you get in the shower to start crying
>You sob for a solid 15 minutes as the cold water cascades onto you
>You pray to God Makoto can't hear you
21
>You're still sniffling as you get into bed
>You hear a knock on your door
>"Sis? Sis are you okay?"
>You tell Makoto you're fine
>"Are you sure? You sounded like you were upset earlier"
>You tell her that it's nothing, you just got into a bad argument with someone
>"Well... Okay, just wanted to make sure everything was alright. Good night Sis!"
>Night Makoto
>She leaves
>...
>Sigh
>Well
>Might as well try to get some sleep...