“This elevator is so small, it looks like it can only fit five people at most,” Mu Bu said.
“Indeed. When I saw this elevator, I was thinking, wouldn’t it be better to leave you behind, Mu Bu? It’s fine to squeeze into an elevator with girls, but why with two men?” Of course, between close friends, banter is the way to communicate.
“Speaking of which, I was still thinking why Kazuya and Kori aren't girls. That way, I would have some face when taking them out to meet people,” Mu Bu also fantasized.
“How about one day, Kazuya and I dress as girls and go out with you?” Kori interjected.
“Dress as girls, Kori?” Kazuya broke out in a cold sweat.
“Dress as girls, Kazuya. I can't even imagine it,” Kori couldn't imagine it either.
“Stop it. Stop hurting each other, men.” A ceasefire agreement was issued.
…
“Sorry, we’re late.” Mu Bu opened the wooden door, his voice rising and then falling.
“Yo, …Mami.” Mu Bu suddenly became shy.
“Kazuya-kun.” Ex-girlfriend Nanahai Mami also noticed the arrival of Kinoshita Kazuya.
Mu Bu pulled Kazuya out of the private room and apologized in a low voice: “Sorry, Kazuya, I had no idea Mami would be here.”
“It’s fine, Mami-chan coming isn’t a big deal.” Kazuya didn’t feel awkward at all interacting with the original body’s ex-girlfriend.
Besides, isn’t embarrassment a matter of who has the thinner skin? He wouldn’t believe that a former socialite could be outdone in skin thickness by a freshman.
“It’s fine, Mami and the seniors are all from the tennis club, Mu Bu. You didn’t think of it at the time, it’s understandable. Besides, college breakups are common, right? Meeting an ex isn’t a big deal.” Kazuya comforted Mu Bu in turn.
“And I took the initiative to come. Meeting Mami isn’t a big deal either.”
“Mu Bu, what would you like to drink?” Kazuya returned to his seat, sat opposite Mami, and looked at the menu.
“Forget it, why am I worrying about this? I’ll have a draft beer. We must have a good time tonight.” Seeing Kazuya’s nonchalant demeanor, Mu Bu also relaxed.
“I’ll have a Shirley Temple.” Kori’s choice was in line with his repressed inner self.
However, Shirley Temple, a Shirley cocktail, as soon as I heard this, I thought of Ai Haibara. Indeed, classic works never fade, and does this world where I've transmigrated have Detective Conan too?
“Then I’ll have a glass of milk.” Kazuya smiled as he made his choice.
“Kazuya, are you kidding? You’re at a cocktail party and you’re not drinking?” Mu Bu looked at Kazuya with a “one of us is a traitor” expression.
“Just kidding, just kidding. I’ll have a draft beer like you.” Seeing that he couldn’t get away with it, Kazuya accepted his fate. It seemed he could only drink less.
“Haha.” A pleasant laughter came from his ear.
“Little Kazuya, you’ve changed, you’re more interesting.” Ex-girlfriend Nanahai Mami started talking to Kinoshita Kazuya.
Looking at Mami’s twinkling big eyes, the current Kinoshita Kazuya was a little curious about what kind of person she really was. The original body’s memory of Mami was that she was very beautiful and also very popular in social circles.
Whether in normal times or during their relationship, she always spoke in a voice that was excessively cute. He always felt that she was a person with a facade, after all, in reality, who grows up on cute snacks and is completely unsophisticated?
“Mami-chan too, you’re even more beautiful today.” Kazuya returned a smile, sitting opposite her without being intimidated at all.
Nanahai Mami’s eyes seemed to widen slightly, and she seemed to be more seriously scrutinizing Kinoshita Kazuya.
“It feels like Kazuya has changed a lot lately, you’re a little unfamiliar.” Nanahai Mami took a sip of the cocktail in her hand, her eyes also shifted to the glass, ending the small talk.
“Maybe that’s true.” Kazuya also took a sip of his draft beer.
…
“Those two over there, the cocktail party has already started, why are you still whispering there? Meeting an ex is so awkward, how can you not have a drink? Come, cheers!!!!”
Seeing the two of them with a somewhat stagnant atmosphere, Sasano-senpai, the organizer of the party, stepped in to liven things up.
“You’re right, let’s have a drink, Mami-chan.” Kazuya raised his draft beer towards Nanahai Mami.
“Really, Sasano-senpai, you’re so mischievous. But, Little Kazuya, cheers!” Nanahai Mami held her glass with both hands and clinked it with Kazuya’s draft beer mug, showing a cute smile.
While others chatted enthusiastically, Kazuya quietly listened, collecting some information and comparing it to the original body’s memories, trying to understand as much as possible.
Kinoshita Kazuya stayed in a corner by himself, eating a little bit of snacks and drinking a little bit of wine. Though it wasn't lively, it made the current Kazuya feel more at ease.
“What’s wrong, Little Kazuya, why are you by yourself?” Nanahai Mami looked at Kinoshita Kazuya with a worried expression. “Could it be that Little Kazuya is very concerned about our meeting today?”
Kinoshita Kazuya looked at Nanahai Mami’s worried expression, but couldn't help but think about how much of her concern was genuine. It felt…fake.
“Nothing, it’s not about Mami-chan, just sometimes I want to be alone.” Kinoshita Kazuya suppressed his emotions.
After all, if he guessed correctly, the main reason for his current low compatibility with the original body was his attitude towards Nanahai Mami. The last time he realized that something strange was happening when he was with her, the feeling of being out of control was terrible.
“After all, you used to be very active at cocktail parties, like a clown.” Nanahai Mami said, realizing after saying “clown” that it wasn't right.
“Sorry, it was a joke, a joke. But, I just feel like Kazuya is a little strange today.” Nanahai Mami showed her confusion on her face.
I have to say, she really was the original body’s ex-girlfriend. She seemed to know the original body very well. Or maybe it’s just that his ordinary quiet behavior didn’t match her impression of him. He recalled the memories. He always felt the original body was like a monkey.
“Little Kazuya, are you coming to the after-party? Just the two of us to chat. I'm curious why you've changed so much.” Nanahai Mami smiled and extended an invitation, but it just felt like she wasn't showing any emotion, like she was talking about what to eat tomorrow.
Kinoshita Kazuya pondered the meaning behind Nanahai Mami looking for him. However, as the original body’s most special person besides his family, it would be best to have a chat about their future interactions. “Okay, you choose the place, alright?”
“Alright.” After saying that, Mami picked up her glass again and joined the conversation of the senior girls next to her.