Bars… I knew I wouldn’t like it in a place like this… But I really don’t like it in a place like this. The light is just poor, the music is too everywhere… And it’s too small with too many people. “Are you okay?” Claire asks me, a hand on my arm, she has to raise her voice over the ambient noise “Yah, it's just… umm in here.” She hums and nods in agreement. “I don’t want to linger longer than we have to either. Let's mingle and get it over with.” She pulls me further into the bar, we have to squeeze past people too often, and I am bumping into too many people here. Ugh, this sucks. There is already someone trying to talk to her, she is caught off guard at first but she quickly recovers. With practiced ease she slips into a conversation with what I assume are other students but I don’t really recognize anyone here. My only hope is I might see Misha; or at least Yu, at some point. Wait, is that another person talking to her now? At least she seems in her element, I can’t even hear anything being said right now. Just… zone out Rei. I can do that. Just detach yourself from this body, time is a social construct. It’s already eight now right? Right phone? 6:49 PM How could you betray me phone? At least Claire looks like she is managing okay, she laughs and looks my way for a second. She flashes a quick smile and returns back to the conversation at hand. She seems good at this all things considered, I can’t really hear the specifics of what they are saying, but it looks like they are laughing. At least I don’t need to do anything. I’m just here as an emotional support. Moral support. Rei Oohashi, emotional support girlfriend. Hmph, I’m going to be the best fucking emotional support girlfriend possible. I think. I am helping… right? 6:57 PM Oh just fucking kill me now. Oh Claire is moving back to me, I hope that went we- “Claire-Chan!... and Oohashi-san… So glad you could make it” Fuck that made me jump, oh it’s one of Claire’s lackeys, the pink haired one. “Pepi-Chan, Loretta-Chan!” Claire moves in and gives the two a quick hug, oh, I’m in the conversation circle now…. “We missed seeing you at these, Claire-chan.” Aaaand there's the other lackey. She’s tall aint she? “Sorry Loretta-chan, I don’t really think I’m meant for these anymore.” The second lackey gives me a stink eye. Ha whatever, she kissed me jock . “But… umm how will you keep up with everybody then?” Claire just shrugs, and leans into me…. oooooOOOOHHHhhhh fuck. The lackeys look like they want to kill me. “It’s not really that important in the long run is it? And I like the way things are now…” I can just catch her smirk from the corner of my eye. “We can make time for other get togethers.” Everyone is staring… I can’t help the stray thought… god I can’t help it, I'm trying to scan around and I'm just just overreacting… I think. It’s dark and crowded and everyone is in their own conversations… And I just want to enjoy being with her… that’s okay right? Pink lackey breathes in through her nose, “I guess seeing is believing…” She gives me one more appraisal, she’s not impressed, “At least you made her look reasonable for tonight.” “ Very reasonable if you ask me, but it’s not really that hard if you ask me.” Oh boy, dark, crowded and hot in here. “Riiight, well no one is catching on, as long as you don't shove your hand down further.” Oh fuck please… Claire hums. Pink lackey shakes her head, “I’m getting a drink, do you want your usual Claire-chan?” I can feel her stiffens, “Oooh, sure, Thanks Pepi-chan.” Claire has no idea what she just agreed to drink does she? “Do you want something?” She asks me, oh god no, I shake my head and then she turns to the other lackey. They share a few words, the second one nods and then pinkie leaves, making her way to the bar. “Sooo.” Claire says at the Lackey left behind. “Yes?” “Pepi-chan is looking quite lovely tonight isn’t she?” Huh? She quirks a brow, and then looks at me. “Huh?, I thought you were… I… what?” “Noooo, I just meant don’t you think she looks lovely Loretta-chan?” “Ummm…?” “You should tell her she looks great when she comes back, I’m sure she would love it.” What… is… she doing? “I… I guess? Pepi-chan’s dress does look good.” “Yes! I bet she thinks you look good too, the shirt and slacks really suit you. Quite handsome, I’m sure she thinks so too.” The lackey blushes brightly, “Aaaaa… thank you Claire-chan….” It’s almost impossible to hear as her voice implodes. It is funny to see someone else have a gay panic over Claire. “Pepi-chan is quite cute isn’t she?” Noooo, is she…? Lackey seems to be at a loss for words, and from the looks of it now is stuck in her own head. I can feel Claire sway, somewhat in beat with the music. “Umm, how are you liking this Claire-chan?” I ask her. “Not really that pleasant if I am being honest. This is not like any social gathering I or we ever attended. It’s… oppressive. Thank you for coming with me, are you okay? You seem to be a bit on edge.” “Nooooo… well maybe a little. This really isn’t my thing.” “I know.” She says, and I can feel her hand wrap around mine, “We don’t have to stay too long.” A cough causes us both to startle a little, oh it’s her lackey back, carrying a few drinks, “Here Claire-chan.” It's a tall glass of a reddish drink, a fair bit of ice, staw, and a lemon slice on the side. Claire hesitantly takes it, and her lackey passes a drink to the other one. She looks at her as she takes the drink, a slow glance up and down the pink one, and turns away. “Thanks Pepi…chan.” Oh god, she is blushing again. And Misha gives me grief… I lean into Claire, “Do they….” “Whatever could you be implying…,?” Oh they totally do, she can’t even keep a straight face, she is totally trying to kick it off too. “You are a bad liar.” “Oh hush.” She gives me a playful bump with her shoulder, and then she carefully examines her drink some more. “Do you know what this is?” “You’re asking me?” She gives a hesitant smell, and considers for a second before taking a sip, “Ooooh, that’s sweet.” She gives it one more sip. “Hmm, that is strong.” “You going to be okay?” “I think so, as long as I ration it, I should be fine.” Okay… “So what did those people talk to you about before?” “Oh, it was mostly just your typical pleasantries, honestly I think they were just trying to schmooze but it was polite enough I suppose. I might be bad at straight up lying but I am very good at telling people what they want to hear.” She chuckles. “Did you-” “Oh look who we have here!” Shit. Claire is also startled and we both turn as Yu-san’s older brother weaves his way into our circle. It practically forces the lackeys out. Almost felt bad for them, almost. “Oh Claire-sama, how kind of you to grace us with your presence.” God he isn’t really that loud, but he feels so loud. “Oh Rod-san, it’s good to see you… in one piece.” She is definitely staring at his right arm, what’s so interesting about his arm… did- “And who might you be?” Oh… he is staring right at me, why is he grinning like that? “Umm, Oohashi-san. I’m friends with Francois-san.” He glances curiously at Claire, before snapping back to me. His eyes run up and down… “That sounds familiar, you wouldn’t happen to know my baby brother would you, Yu?” “Yes… I’m friends with him and Misha Jur, we were in the same highschool.” “Oh that’s great. I knew you seemed familiar! What are you doing with Francois-san here?” He asks all conspiratorially, like she isn’t even there. “Do you want to talk for a bit?” What the actual fuck? Clare huffs up, but grits her teeth. “She is also MY dear friend Rod-San.” “If you are looking for Thane, he isn’t going to be here.” He deadpans, and tries to shift his focus back to me. Claire looks hot… I mean pissed. She takes a deep drink, “Well I’m not looking for him!” He sighs and gives an eyeroll, “Sure, I guess you finally took a hint.” “Excuse you? I talked to Thane, maybe if you actually talked to him you would know, it was mutual, and Rei is not interested!” Ughh… That gets him to turn back fully to her, he doesn’t look too impressed. “Uh Huh, and you don’t sound upset or jealous, that's why I want to talk to your friend over you.” Fuck “Oh god, young Rod.” Claire mumbles and then takes another drink, oh that’s going away quickly… “I have someone, and it’s not You or Thane.” She moves slightly between me and him, making a bit of a barrier. “Then how about you go bug them, and let me talk to your friend.” She wickedly cackles, like the perfect villainess catching the hero in a perfect trap. “You think she wants to talk to You ?” Oh god she is perfect. He looks a bit taken aback, but decides to ignore her once again, now focusing right on me. “Oohashi-san, would you like to exchange nu-” “No.” … Oh shit, that just slipped out, wait fuck, he was asking for my number? REAlly? He really was trying to pick me up, oh god please no… I feel Claire lean into me and she weaves her arms around mine, very possessively and if it weren’t for all the eyes I can feel on us I might just die happy right now. “See?” She says very triumphantly, “She is Mine. ” She laughs again and how does it sound so perfect? “Fine,” he finally looks ready to call it quits, “I… hope you enjoy the party, let me know if you change your mind, Oohashi-san.” And he pushes back into the crowd. Everyone is watching us, like actually watching us now. Claire is still clinging to my arm, and her drink is completely drained. There is a laugh from the side and fuck I am so on edge. “Never thought I would see you here Rei-chan, with Francois-san nonetheless.” It’s Yu, and he has Misha with him too. Unlike me, Yu looks in his element, Misha might be a bit bored. “Yu!” Claire glees, “It’s so good to see you, oh I hardly recognize you!” She gives his arm a pat, and it looks like she is looking for something not there. Do all the Bauers just look wrong to her? Yu definitely looks taken off guard by that, Claire seems to have a way of doing that to people doesn't she, “Is that so…? Might I suggest laying off the drinks then my dear?” He says smoothly, Claire just laughs, a bit too freely. Misha glares at her though and places herself part way in between the two… it's def not jealousy right? “I’m surprised she dragged you here Rei.” Yu comments. “Oh yah, hahaha, Claire-san wanted me to come so…” I can feel Claire tighten up along me, wrapping her arm around mine again… oh god. She just smirks, like it is her victory. Who are you fighting? “Well when did this happen? I heard from Misha that you two have become friends … and I also heard some interesting things from Thane, seems that that ship has finally sailed away.” Yu's enjoying this, the shit. Claire laughs, “Yes I suppose it has, he was rather sweet about it.” “Reaaally?” Claire just smiles, I can feel her warmth seep into me. I’m burning up. Yu laughs, “I would have never guessed.” “It certainly is something .” Misha deadpans, thank god she hasn’t been telling any major secrets to Yu. She is just so much better at this than me. “I am dying to know how this,” He waves between us, a slight grin on his face, “Happened.” Fuck… He def knows, not about Claire’s Isekai but us , of course he knows. He isn’t an idiot, even if Misha said absolutely nothing, he knows I am the gayest lesbian ever. He can put two and two together, he can see that I am blushing and I know Misha has been telling him what an idiot I am for having a crush on Claire. At least my crush is going somewhere, Misha. “Whatever could you mean ?” Claire hums, clearly happy to play along and continue to hang on my arm. “Oh, whatever could I mean ?” Yu gives me a smirk. Fuck. “It’s good to see you here with Misha-chan Yu-chan … would you two…?” She counters, and Yu blushes a little. “ Francois-san …” There is a warning edge to Misha’s voice. Did Claire talk to Misha about something before?, “Did you two-” “We had a talk after she decided to… friend with you Rei. I just hope she remembers to not out people before they are ready? Right Rei?” Misha states, more so than asks me, just glaring at Claire. “Oh… umm…” Claire pouts, “I haven’t said anything about anyone…” “Are… you okay with this Rei?” Yu asks, oddly sincerely. God, am I okay with my crush, the hottest girl I have ever seen, the girl who seems perfectly tailored to my tastes, who is totally into me, who thinks I was her perfect wife in her past life… am I okay with whatever this is. Oh god yes. “yeS.” Squeaks out. Fuck it’s way to warm in here. Claire just tightens gently around me after I say that, I don’t even need to see her face to know she is grinning madly. Yu, looks a little less concerned but he still looks confused, can’t really fault him for that. “Well I guess this will be our little secret…” He leans to Claire’s ear and whispers something I can’t make out. When he pulls back there is a serious look on Claire’s face, “I will never do that, I will always be there for her… and I will be there for you and Misha as well, for whatever that may come.” He was not expecting that, but he just laughs, “Oh, well aren’t you full of surprises ? Well I hope you two enjoy your night. Misha I heard that Tanaka-san was making a fine ass of himself and he is somewhere to be found, shall we?” Misha just rolls her eyes at his glee, “Sure, but don’t complain when it’s not really that interesting.” Yu just laughs and pulls Misha through the crowd, it's wild how easy it is to lose track of people in such a small bar. At least I can’t really lose track of Claire when she is clinging to me… she is putting more weight onto me though isn’t she? “Umm Claire-san?” “Goodness, I feel just a touch dizzy. I think that drink went straight to my head.” Oh… “Are you okay?” “I think I need a moment… just let me cling here…” “Oh jesus Claire-chan!” Fuck the pink haired one jumpscared me. “I just gave you that drink.” “sorry.” she mumbles softly. The lackey pinches her nose, “Great, she doesn’t usually get like this until at least two drinks… really? Why did you think you could down that so quickly?” “rod was being rude. rei is mine…” She slurs. Oh she really is leaning on me for support now. “God you are a disaster, We should take her home before this becomes worse.” Wait, escape? “Oh, yes, let's do that.” She rolls her eyes. “Come on Claire-chan, let’s get you out of here, come on Oohashi-san.” “rei has to come…” “Yes, yes.” She starts to pull us through the crowd to the door. “Watch the steps with her.” she says once we break the threshold and start navigating the stairs back to the street. Out of the corridor the air is cooler again, and I can hear everything normally again. Thank god. “Come on otaku.” “Ugh, thanks… umm…” “Pepi Barlier.” “Thanks Barlier-san” There are soft mumbles from Claire as we start walking towards her dorm, it is mostly quiet. I don’t really know what to say to her lac- friend. “What did you do?” “Ugh…?” Claire seems mostly out of it at this point, just hanging on my arm as we slowly move down the street. “She didn’t even know your name a month ago.” She’s mad at me. “You think I can explain it?” She groans, “How did this even start?” “I don’t know. She walked right up to me and said she loved me.” “soooo much.” Claire manages to add while her face is in my shoulder. Oh god I love her. Barlier-san doesn't look… thrilled, but she doesn’t look like she is trying to pick a fight either. I think she just wants to understand, an explanation. It must seem weird. It is weird “Umm, how… you’ve been friends with her for a while?” “Highschool”, she doesn’t offer much more elaboration. “So she’s changed?” “Yes.” “Ho-” “Did you do something?” “Excuse me?” “Magic, mind control? I don’t fucking know.” She huffs. Jeez, that wouldn’t be an easier explanation than whatever version of isekai Claire has. “No, I really didn’t do anything like that, and I wouldn’t if I could. I never talked to her before, but she came up to me… and was just honest. I listened and…I guess she told you already, I’m not going to lie, I had… have a massive crush on her, I was too nervous to even talk to her.” “So the whole tutor thing has been a lie?” “Oh, no that’s true, she needs the help and we haven’t had much chance to do much else.” She makes a face that I can’t really make out in the dark, maybe she is just annoyed at the lack of confirming evidence? “So you aren’t dating?” “Ughh, we did sorta go on a date last sunday…” Wow, that night is going to be a memory for a while, I'm feeling flush even in the cool air. “Lu-ck-y you...” “Yah…” She huffs, and just focuses on walking the path. “So like, what were you guys like, was she like a Regina George?” There is a humorless laugh “Sure, whatever I guess. You weren't there, we don’t have to justify anything.” “I… sorry that was maybe… well very rude, I’m just trying to piece it together. I don’t think she liked the way she used to be.” “Can we just get Claire-chan back?” “She just doesn’t talk a lot about what she was like, just that she didn’t like it.” She groans, “What do you think I am going to say, that we were terrible? Look, we looked out for each other. You think it’s easy going to a private school where everyone's mom or dad is some big shot politician, an actor or some rich asshole? Where you get judged for every little fucking thing. Claire-chan took care of us.” “I-” “And we were going to be doing that just fine but then YOU show up and now all her priorities have fucking screwed up? She always said she wanted Thane-san for the clout and now she is saying she LOVES YOU!? That we are her friends? She never fucking said that before. She never told us what she was thinking! How is she… happy now?! What fucking happened?!” “...pepi…” I can hear Claire mumbling and reaching out towards her friend. “Huh?” “... come here” Pepi comes closer, and Claire pulls her into a hug. “I wish I told you how important you were.” She says slowly. I can see Pepi-san just still as Claire closes her arms around more so, like an animal caught in headlights. After a moment she coughs, “Sheesh Claire… um you don’t need…” Her voice wavers. “Hush you dolt, let me apologize.” “...” I should give them some space I think, god I feel awkward right now- “Why noW?” Oh fuck she is crying now. “sorry, I don kno…” Claire just hums as she holds her friends crying softly. I… should I be here for this? We are just in the middle of the walkway… Eventually I can hear them calm down. “Better?” Claire asks. “Yeah… hey Oohashi-san, take your girlfriend.” Girlfriend… Oh snap out it Rei. “Right, yes, yes.” Claire hesitantly lets go, but once she sees I am available there is a sly grin and she hangs herself off me. Ouph, well this is awkward but at least we can move again… if slowly. “Umm… Barlier-san…?” She turns her head to regard me, but doesn’t offer much more than a hum. “I just wanted to say I sorta get it. It’s not the same, but it’s also not not the same… I… a close friend of mine took his life in highschool because he was born with a girl’s body and…” “Jeez, I… sorry.” “Thanks, I just… yah it sucks. God he even outed me as a lesbian in middle school-” There is a sudden tightening and growling coming from Claire at that moment. I can just catch the icy glare from the corner of my eye. I try to catch my breath again, “Umm, and yeah I don’t know what you had to go through and that wasn’t the same, obv, but…” “Yah, yah. I get it. You can drop it already.” “Yah… yah, sorry.” “Ugh, stop apologizing, it’s fine okay? Whatever. This is your fault, but fine . Whatever… Claire is happy now. Just don’t fuck this up or I will get Loretta to fucking kick your ass.” Right. Yes. Just don’t fuck this up.