When Yui returned to her team’s table, she realized that Mizuki had not followed her and was once again working behind the bar. For a moment, she thought about helping out behind the counter until Rika decided to leave for her nightly ritual, leaving the rest of the team to celebrate in peace.


    After several drinks, Rika had loosened up and was feeling rather lively as she navigated through the small bar, which was filled with numerous hunters looking for their next conquest and relaxing. When she spotted her old friend sitting at a booth with a pretty brunette, Rika’s brown eyes lit up. “Ah, new prey,” she muttered to herself, strutting over to the booth with a wicked smile on her face. “Hey.”


    Mika quickly stood and wrapped an arm around her friend. “Rika. Come on. Sit down.” The short-haired adventurer slid her girlfriend over, but Rika decided to slide in on the other side of the booth after another friend vacated her seat next to me.


    Rika nudged me. “How’s it going, sweetie?” The tall girl draped her arm over the back of the booth, making me feel very uncomfortable. “Want a drink?”


    “No, thank you,” I said, scooting closer to Aiko and sitting beside her on her right.


    Rika didn’t wait for an answer before twisting around and yelling across the room. “Jin, another pizza over here. And some soda too.”


    It wasn’t the first time that night that I wished I hadn’t agreed to come to the karaoke bar. I was desperately in need of being saved at that moment. For some reason, I felt compelled to glance around the bar once again, searching for something familiar.


    Rika turned back to her friend. “We’re celebrating our big win.” Then she turned her glassy brown eyes toward me, chewing on some pizza. “I never strike out, not even once. Made a home run and the winning play with…” The first baseman burped, missing a few words before finishing her sentence. “…myself.”


    “All by yourself, huh?” I smiled sweetly as I delivered the cocky, not-so-subtle question.


    Rika was momentarily stunned by my retort, but she snapped out of it when Haruka from her team called for her. “Be back later, doll.” The tall girl gave Mika a high five before leaving.


    Mika climbed out of the booth. “Be right back.” The dark-haired girl with short, wavy hair headed for the restroom.


    Aiko nudged me. “So?”


    “So what?” I knew what was coming.


    “Mika’s friend, Rika. She likes you.” The blonde smiled for the first time since we entered the bar.


    My eyes drifted toward the table where several softball players were celebrating. I studied the tall first baseman for a bit. Not only was she not my type, but Rika’s overpowering ego also grated against me. But I could easily see why Aiko would be taken with her because she liked women who were more assertive. Case in point, Mika. The significant difference between Mika and Rika was in their personalities. While both had outgoing personalities, Mika wasn’t rude. She genuinely had a good sense of humor without any trace of vindictiveness in it, unlike Rika. “Nah, I’m not interested.”


    “The least you can do is give her a chance. I’m gonna get Mika to dance with me when she comes back.” Aiko saw her girlfriend heading back to their booth. She quickly stood up and leaned down toward me. “Go ask her to dance.”


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    Mika wrapped her arm around her girlfriend’s waist and headed out to the small dance floor near the jukebox.


    I was happy for the reprieve but soon found a pitcher of root beer placed in front of me. When I glanced up, I saw warm, gray eyes looking at me. “Konnichawa.”


    Jin studied me for a moment before sliding into the booth next to me. “A pitcher of soda for your thoughts.”


    “I’m not drinking.” I held up my water.


    “Haven’t seen you here before, so let me officially welcome you to Big Sound’s.” The broad grin on Jin’s face invited the newcomer, but he sensed that the young woman wasn’t as comfortable as he wished all his customers to be. He knew some of the regulars could get rowdy at times, but Jin had a sixth sense for trouble and generally managed to avoid it before it escalated.


    “Oh, I was here about six months ago,” I explained to the owner as I steadily looked into his kind eyes. “Just don’t go out much.” I found Jin easy to talk to and started to relax.


    “Don’t tell me you don’t like my place,” Jin winked at me.


    “Nah, well…” My eyes turned away from him. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, yet I didn’t want to lie either.


    “I’m personally gonna make sure that changes tonight.” Jin tapped the table top with the edge of his fist. “What do you want?” He held out his arms wide. “Anything in the bar. It’s yours for the taking.”


    His generous offer and kind words made me reconsider my initial evaluation of the bar. “Thank you, sir, but I’m fine… really.”


    When one of the customers called for Jin to come and settle an argument, he placed a large hand over mine and said, “Nobody calls me ‘sir’ in here. You can call me Jin. And the offer’s still open. If you see something you like, it’s yours.” He squeezed my hand.


    “Thank you, Jin. Bye.” The genuine smile disappeared from my face when I noticed Shae walking up right after Jin left. I quickly turned my head to avoid eye contact with the tall woman.


    Rika stood there for a long moment, contemplating her recent discussion with Haruka, the pitcher on her team. Rika had bragged to her teammate that she could bag the shy brunette before the night was over. The tall girl leaned down. “Aren’t you just the sweetest little thing in the place?”


    It only took a moment before I made direct eye contact with her. “If you’re looking for a ‘thing,’ you’ve come to the wrong place.”


    “Gonna play hard to get, huh?” Rika sensed the challenge and figured she was up for it. “Come on, just one dance, and I’ll show you some moves you’re never gonna forget.”


    I just glared at the obnoxious girl, annoyed.


    Feeling uncomfortable under the hard look from the shorter girl, Rika finally asked, “What?”


    Without missing a beat, I replied, “Oh, I forgot. Guess it wasn’t that memorable.”


    “Huh?” Rika scratched her head, feeling insulted. “You gonna dance with me or not?”


    “Nope.”


    Seething, Rika stood back up to her full height. “Your loss.” The tall girl turned to leave.


    “And you said you never strike out,” I mocked.


    Rika heard my cutting words but continued to walk away, not wanting to admit that a girl had turned her down. She briskly walked past her teammate’s table, even though Haruka called her name. The tall girl headed to the bar and plopped down on the stool next to an older boy. When she saw Mizuki, she demanded a drink. “Give me a Coke.”


    Sensing something was wrong, Mizuki wiped the bar in front of Rika, offering her two Cokes instead of one. “What’s wrong?”


    “Bitch.” Rika grabbed the can and downed half of it. She looked back in the direction of the booth she had just left and spat. “Tight ass.”


    Mizuki searched the area where Rika was looking and saw the back of a young teen as she walked away. The blonde bartender smiled to herself. For once, you’re right, Rika. She does have a beautiful backside.


    I had decided to go outside and get some fresh air after my minor run-in with the tall girl, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. “Hey. Where are you going?”


    Recognizing my friend’s voice, I turned around. “I sorta wanted…”


    Fanning her face, Aiko was hot from the last two dances with her girlfriend. “I need a drink.”


    I saw that two of Mika’s friends had joined her at their booth, and they were enjoying the pitcher of root beer that was now nearly empty. When I saw Rika leave the bar, I offered, “I’ll get it. Besides, I need another water. Be right back.”


    Aiko followed me as far as our booth and then slid down next to her girlfriend. The blonde knew Mika was nowhere near ready to leave.


    I made my way through the crowd and finally secured a spot at the far end of the bar. My eyes studied the group as I waited to be served.


    Mizuki had just poured two drinks and placed them on the bar top when Yui asked for change from the cash register. “Thought you had to leave early?”


    “We are. In a minute. I wanna play a couple more songs first.” Yui took the change and headed for the jukebox. Having her favorite uncle own the bar had its advantages.


    Leaning her head around but keeping her eyes on her friend leaving, Muzuki asked the waiting customer, “What’ll you have?”


    The music filled the air, and a soft voice gently accosted my ears, bringing a smile to my face as I placed my order. “Bottle of water, please.”


    Mizuki’s world stopped at that moment when she heard the sexy voice mingle with the music playing in the background. Slowly, her eyes found their way to the origin of that mesmerizing voice.


    I turned and caught sight of the bluest eyes I had ever seen. At that moment, time seemed to stand still. A hitch in my breath jump-started the pounding of my heart, and then I felt a full smile bloom on my face.


    Mizuki stood motionless, frozen under the spell of the simple interaction.


    Did she freeze time? Cause it feels like time is slowing and I''m spell struck.