"Ah, I'm glad. How about my o-shaku (drink pour)?"
"A-ah, well... I don't usually have anyone pour for me, so it makes the sake taste even better," I said.
"Hanaoka-san, you're good with words."
"No, I mean it. I always pour my own, or drink a can chu-hai at home. Having someone so young and pretty pour for me... I feel shy."
"Pretty..."
To be honest, I almost never have a young and pretty woman pour my drink. I felt a bit sorry to accept, but my 'Ore no Sakagura' (my own little store of alcohol) was still going strong, so I decided to drink with thanks.
"Ahahaha, Hanaoka-san, you're so funny. Does that really happen? Adult men really are fun. If you want, how about after this?"
"Kyoko, that's so unfair. How about with me too?"
Maybe my 'Ore no Sakagura' joke hit them. The four of them, besides me, were now fully drunk. Very tasty sake can also be a problem in its own way.
I'm not very strong with alcohol either, but tonight I was with only young women, so I was a bit nervous and didn't get as drunk. Also, with the four of them like this, I couldn't let myself lose control.
"To be honest, what do you think about us?" one of them asked.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"As women. How do we look to you, Hanaoka-san?"
"Well, to an old guy like me, you four all look young and pretty, and you shine."
"Really?"
"I wouldn't lie."
"Everyone, Hanaoka-san says we're young, pretty, and shining!"
"Yay!"
The food was good and the drinks were great. They were kind and fun, but their young energy was so high that I could barely keep up.
Still, alcohol is scary. When they got drunk, they began to touch me without thinking.
"Oh no, Hanaoka-san, you're pretty strong, aren't you?" one said, patting my arm.
"No, not really. I don't do much exercise. It's just soft fat."
"What? It feels firm here."
"It's true. He's nothing like my dad at home. It really is Hanaoka-san, nanodesu."
"H-hey, Miyake-san, that's a bit..."
"Hanaoka-san, you smell nice. Mmm, so nice," said Nakatsuka.
"H-hey, Nakatsuka-san, if you smell me, it's only old-man smell."
"No, not at all."
This went on for a while. It was heaven in one way and hell in another. At my age, talking with women is fine, but this close touch was hard.
It's not that I have no interest in women. I just haven't had luck. But if I let myself get carried away because of the alcohol, tomorrow would be scary.
With strong will, I endured their touching.
After some time, it was almost time to leave the shop.
"I'm going to the restroom," I said.
I took the bill and paid first. Five people ate and drank a lot, so it cost a fair amount. But tonight was a welcome party they held for me, so I was very thankful.
After this, I had to walk them to the taxi stand.
Notes:
• Miyake - A female classmate first appearing with Ootani and Kinoshita when invited by Nakatsuka for tea; joins due to friendly welcome; meets Hanaoka as classmate; no known relationships; friendly and curious.
• Nakatsuka - A 20-year-old classmate first seen when she approaches Hanaoka after class; invites him to tea due to interest in his single status; no leader involved; meets Hanaoka socially; no known other relationships; likes drinking.