Bitter Laughter

Later, Haruto entered the staff room, took off his jacket, donned his cap, and started putting on his apron. Suddenly, Makoto appeared saying, "Hey, Haruto! Where have you been? You're late again, the boss is really upset with you."

Haruto continued putting on his apron, ignoring Makoto who seemed confused gazing at Haruto. Just then, his boss arrived saying, "Haruto, why are you late again?" He approached and stood directly in front of Haruto.

Haruto looked up to his boss and said, "I'm sorry, I woke up late."

"You're just making excuses," the boss shouted loud. "I'm docking half of your salary for this and If you're late again, you won't see a penny. You lazy little worm." He stormed off in anger.

Haruto stood there, struggling to control his anger which was boiling inside him. 

Makoto, with a sympathetic smile, said, "You'd better come on time now." He then walked away.

Haruto slammed his fist against the locker, taking rapid breaths to steady himself. "I hate this, I hate this!" he whispered to himself, seeming frustrated.

Later that night, after finishing his shift, Haruto was walking towards his home, his expression distant and emotionless, weighed down by a sense of sadness.

Suddenly, Haruto's phone started ringing. He took out his phone and saw an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.

He picked up the phone, placing it on his ear, "Yeah? Who's there?" he answered, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Hey, Haruto, where are you?" A familiar voice on the other end replied.

Haruto's brow furrowed. "Who's this?" he asked.

"I'm Yusuke, your school friend, remember?" the voice replied.

"Yeah, what's up?" Haruto responded, his voice flat and unenthusiastic.

"What do you mean, 'whats up?' Dude, I'm waiting for you at dinner. Where are you?" Yusuke asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

"I'm not coming," Haruto replied curtly.

"No way, you have to come," Yusuke insisted, his voice firm. "If you don't, then I'll show up at your workplace."

Haruto seemed frustrated, but then quickly composed himself "Alright, wait, I'm coming," he replied.

"Be quick; we're waiting," Yusuke chuckled.

Haruto ended the call and continued walking…

Haruto arrived at the entrance of a lavish five-star hotel, holding the visiting card with Yusuke's handwritten address. As he stepped into the restaurant, his eyes widened in awe. The lavish décor and the hum of conversation filled the air, while guests dined on exquisite, high-end meals.

Haruto pulled out his phone and dialed Yusuke's number.

"Yeah, where are you?" Yusuke's voice came through the phone.

"I'm at the location, standing at the main gate, where are you?" Haruto asked.

"Great, come up to the second floor and then look to your left. You'll spot me there," Yusuke instructed.

"Understood. I'll be right there," Haruto replied, ending the call and heading toward the stairs.

Haruto reached the second floor and, upon glancing to his left, his eyes widened in surprise, as he saw Yusuke accompanied by two more of his school male friends, sitting there. They greeted Haruto with warm smiles and enthusiastic waves.

Haruto hesitated for a moment, then approached them. His friends stood up to greet him with warm hugs, and after the initial excitement, they all settled into their seats.

"Hey, Haruto" Other male friend named Naoki said "It's great to see you mate," a warm smile on his lips

Haruto returned the smile and nodded. "Yeah, it's good to see you too."

Another friend, Shota, chimed in, "Yeah, it's been eight long years, after all." 

Yusuke added, "Alright, everyone, let's order dinner."

"Haruto, you should order too," Naoki suggested.

"No, I'll eat whatever you order," Haruto replied with a smile.

They all smiled and continued with their ordering.

Later, as laughter filled the air and the group enjoyed their meal, Haruto remained quiet, eating in silence while the others chatted and shared stories.

"Hey, did you all hear that some of the students from our previous badge are organizing a big reunion this weekend?" Shota asked.

Yusuke responded immediately, "Yeah I know, and we all are coming, I checked the list myself."

"Yeah, it's going to be fun," Shota said with a grin as they resumed eating.

Suddenly, Naoki inquired, "Hey, Yusuke, what's the update on your deal with the European client? Has it been finalized?"

"Not yet, but don't worry; I'll snag that deal," Yusuke said with a confident smile.

"You've got this," Shota replied, returning the smile. "And if you need any help, just let me know."

"Shut up, I'm more experienced and skilled than you," Yusuke responded with a playful grin.

Both Shota and Naoki laughed, but Haruto remained quiet, continuing to eat in silence.

Naoki smiled and shifted his gaze to Haruto. "Haruto, what do you do for a living?" he asked, prompting Haruto to pause, his eyes widening slightly.

Naoki, Shota, and Yusuke watched intently as Haruto hesitated before speaking. "Yes, I'm taking some courses at the moment," he replied.

Shota leaned in on him, curiosity evident in his voice. "What courses are you taking?" 

"Website development and design," Haruto replied with a hint of uncertainty.

"From which institute?" Naoki inquired.

"Come on, Haruto," Yusuke chimed in with a grin. Turning to Naoki and Shota, he added, "He's currently working as a counter boy at a shopping mall."

Naoki and Shota burst into teasing laughter, their amusement unmistakable. Haruto's eyes widened in shock, clearly taken aback.

"A counter boy?" Naoki laughed, barely able to contain himself.

"You're actually a counter boy? I can't believe it!" Shota exclaimed, still laughing.

As their laughter continued, Haruto sat there, stunned and speechless.

Yusuke struggled to contain his laughter, managing to say, "Yes, it's true. Remember how he used to be such a brilliant student, conquering every exam? And now, look at him—working as a counter boy!" He broke into another fit of laughter.

Haruto remained frozen in stunned silence.

"Yeah, he was a brilliant student, the teacher's favorite, and was even popular with the girls," Naoki chimed in, his laughter continuing unabated.

As he laughed, Shota looked at Haruto and asked, "And what about Kanna, how's your sunshine doing?"

The laughter continued unabated as Haruto stayed silent, his fist clenched in frustration.

"Don't you know? Kanna dumped him in the last year of his middle school," Naoki added, his tone teasing.

"Good for her," Shota replied with a laugh

The group erupted into loud, mocking laughter.

Haruto's heartbeat quickened as he sat silently, his fist clenched in seething anger.

"Speaking of Kanna," Naoki said, "We have to admit she was really beautiful and charming."

Haruto glared at him with intense fury, his heartbeat accelerating.

"Yeah, and did you know?" Shota added swiftly. "She's on track to become a doctor—she's studying for her MBBS."

Haruto's heartbeat gradually slowed, and he released his clenched fist as his anger melted away.

"MBBS?" Haruto thought to himself, his face mirroring his sorrow. "Maybe it was best for her to end things with a failure like me."

"MBBS, really?" Yusuke said, seeming surprised. "She wasn't that great at studying; even Haruto was better than her."

"Yeah exactly" Naoki exclaimed, adding "I'm looking forward to hearing about everyone's careers at the reunion,"

Haruto's eyes widened, "What?" he thought to himself "Are they genuinely planning to discuss everyone's careers at the reunion, concentrating on successes and failures? Is this what excites them?" He looked visibly stunned.

"Yeah, it's really going to be fun," Yusuke said.

Haruto thought, "Fun? Are they going to mock me like this at the reunion, especially in front of Kanna?"

Suddenly, the waiter arrived with the bill and handed it to Yusuke. Smiling, Yusuke took out his credit card and said, "Alright, everyone, take out your cards, and let's have the waiter decide who's paying."

With a smile, Shota and Naoki presented their cards. As Haruto reached for his, 

Yusuke interjected, holding his arm in mid-action, "No, Haruto, you don't need to do this." he said.

"I can pay," Haruto said.

Yusuke smiled and responded, "We know you can, but keep it. You're our guest, after all." There was a faint note of mockery in his tone. In response, Haruto stared at him, his fist tightly clenched. 

Yusuke continued to smirk at Haruto with a mocking grin. Furious, Haruto stood up, grabbed Yusuke's collar with one of his hands, and delivered a bone-jarring punch with the other. Blood sprayed out from Yusuke's mouth.

Haruto snapped back to reality where was still sitting with them and, while Yusuke extended three cards to the waiter. The waiter selected one, which turned out to be Shota's.

"Ooh, damn, he picked mine," Shota said with a grin. Everyone smiled, except Haruto.

They all then stood up. "Alright, that was fun," Naoki said. "Great seeing everyone. See you at the reunion." He waved and walked away.

"Alright, goodbye. I've got work to get to," Shota said, then turned and walked away, leaving Haruto and Yusuke behind.

"Come on Haruto, I'll give you a ride home," Yusuke said, glancing at Haruto.

"No, thanks. I'll manage on my own," Haruto replied. He shook hands with Yusuke and quickly turned to walk away.

As he walked, he thought, "I can't let Kanna see me like this... I just can't" Lost in his thoughts, he continued on his way.