IF I CAN (NOT) BE YOURS

Chapter 4 - Jealous

(ASUKA'S POV)

It's twenty-two hundred hours and the legendary idiot hasn't shown up. Where the hell is he? My eyes pan from left to right, watching tonight's boorish scenes, while clutching to my champagne glass in my neat red lace dress. 

"What was that?"

Hikari threw me an amused look.

"What?"

"You just grunted. Are you bored? Perhaps you're expecting someone, huh?"

I felt my brows furrowed a bit.

"I'm not. I don't care if he doesn't come. I just want my paper."

Mari overheard our little talk and decided to join in.

"We know. You want your paper served by pups while you're in that stunning red dress, right?"

Feeling conscious, I gave myself a quick once-over.

"Am I overdressed for this house party?"

It suddenly occurred to me that everyone is just wearing smart casual. Misato, herself, is just wearing short skirt and floral sleeveless, and she's supposed to be the 'life' of the party.

"You look just fine."   Ayanami drinks to her fourth glass.

"I look... just fine??? Excuse me, but I'm totally rocking this!"

"MORE DRINKS!!!!"  Kaji and Touji busted in from their short journey from the convenience store to get more beer and alcohol.

"Awwwww! You guys! You really didn't have to, but I'm glad you did."   Misato jumped to her feet to collect the items and deliver the contrabands to our royal kitchen. 

"This is not going to be what I think it will be, right?"

Mari threw a flirtatious arm on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, girlfriend! We're all in the right age to drink." 

"You're kidding. The legal age to drink in Japan is 20? You know that, right?"

"We're not 20 yet, Mari-chan." Hikari smiles apologetically. Mari laughed.

"I'm twenty. Asuka's half German so she's already allowed to drink at the age of 16. The rest of you, girls, could drink my special mix of rum and cola. You wouldn't even know the difference. We have a doctor in the house-   right doc?"

 Dr. Ritsuko pulled a cigarette from her pocket.

"I don't plan to be on duty for your tricks, Mari."   She smiled.

" -   aaand we have Misato, Defense Ministry Officer, to cover for us in case of government questions. On the other hand, the rest of the stooges over there are natural school rule breakers. They just happen to be in this place while drinking. And finally, tomorrow is Friday. The last day of school week. Everyone declares Friday sickness and we're all good."

Hikari and Rei are not blinking at the moment.

"You're a criminal, Mari, do you know that?" I blurted and we all laughed.

So, everyone was convinced to drink. All credits to Mari and Misato. There must be something wrong with people whose name starts with 'M', at least, when it comes to breaking rules in drinking.

Maya and Ritsuko sits together, giggling over some private jokes. They both work in Japan's biggest biochemistry research lab. I wonder if something romantic is going on between them. Their actions are queuing me on to something else other than friends. Kaji and Misato are holding hands while chatting with Shigeru and Makoto. So, no hurt feelings, huh?