Lately, It's Winter Season.
Chapter 41 - They call it talent.
At our usual pub, the atmosphere was lively since we hadn't been together for a long time: the music and the chatter of people mixed with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. I walked to the table that Mick had told me he had reserved. Everyone was there, except for the person who had made an appointment. I sat down in the empty seat next to North, who was wearing headphones and looking nervous.
“Where is Mick?” I asked.
“Not yet.” Fuse replied, his eyes still glued to the phone screen, “I texted him, but he didn’t reply, and I called him, but he didn’t pick up either.”
“What? He was the one who asked.” I grumbled and turned to look at North, “What is North doing?”
“…” No response.
“He's listening to a ghost story,” Ikkyu answered for him. “He said he hasn't finished listening yet, so he wants to hear the end.”
“Ah.” I nodded. North loved to listen to and watch things related to ghosts, even though he was scared to the point of cowering. There were times when his husband wasn’t home, so he couldn’t sleep alone because he was afraid of ghosts. If he didn’t call someone to stay with him, he would invite them to play video games all night.
“Aren't you going with him, Fuse?”
"He said he had something to do this afternoon, so he'll see you tonight."
“Do you know what makes him sad?”
“I’m not sure, but he’s been sad since he came home from drinking the day before.” Fuse frowned and thought, “He didn’t come back to his room that night; he must have slept with a girl and accidentally got her pregnant.”
“Damn.” I accidentally let out a curse, “Really?”
“Don't believe it,” Skate said, “Nao is gullible; he believes everything you say.”
“What, Fuse, are you kidding me? I really believe it.” I exclaimed, suddenly realising I was being teased, “I was thinking about taking care of my grandchild.”
“I was just kidding, you're too gullible.” Fuse burst out laughing, “No wonder nothing has changed since high school.”
“You devil.” I shook my head, dejectedly pouring wine into the empty glass.
“Hey, let’s take a picture.” I took out my phone, took a picture, and sent it to Tiger’s group chat, saying we had arrived at the restaurant. As expected, the message went unread. He must be driving to the airport right now.
“Your husband isn't coming?” Skate asked.
“He has something important to do.” I replied, “It’s okay, I’ll drink it for him today. It’s been hard on Ikkyu.”
“Yeah.” Ikkyu nodded. Ikkyu usually took on the role of ‘cleaning up’ whenever we went out drinking. He said he didn’t really like drinking, but he liked the atmosphere when his friends got together, so he still went. Furthermore, since he didn’t drink much and had a car, he naturally became the one to take everyone home. And he volunteered, so that was even better.
“Is Mick so bad that he can't come?” I asked worriedly. After all, he said something was wrong, so what if he was so sad that he couldn't come?
“Probably not.” Fuse raised an eyebrow, “He will probably come.”
“Really? We can't contact you anymore.”
“If he's not here in an hour, we'll go look for him.”
“Okay.” I nodded in agreement. As I was taking a sip of wine, someone suddenly grabbed my hand, making me jump.
“Damn! North! What was that, you scared the hell out of me!”
Still no response. He looked like he was haunted by something, and it was definitely a ghost story he was listening to. I noticed goose bumps on his arms as he curled up against me.
“My hands are so cold, what’s so scary about that?” I unconsciously moved away. I don’t know why, but I thought that if Tiger were here, he would scream, so I automatically pushed aside.
“…Nao,” North called out to me in a trembling voice, moving closer.
"What do you call me for?"
“I mean, I'm cold. I'm so scared my hands and feet are freezing.”
“Idiot.”
“Don't move, I'm scared.”
“You bastard, Ikkyu, switch places with me.”
“I was sitting there at first, too, but I couldn’t stand North anymore, so I moved here,” Ikkyu said with a laugh. I immediately understood why the spot on the sofa was empty. North was probably so focused on listening to the ghost story that he didn’t even react when Ikkyu left and was just waiting for someone new, like me, to sit down. “If your husband sees me, he’ll probably blow my head off, so move over there.”
“Yeah.” I nodded in agreement, “Go away, North, I don't want to die yet.”
“He doesn’t know anything. Look at his face; he’s really focused.” Ikkyu said. I watched and nodded in agreement. This guy’s face looked even more tense than during an exam, “But you’ll be fine, your husband is protecting you.”
“I’m fine, thanks to North’s husband.” I pouted, ignoring him sitting next to me, biting my sleeve. It must have looked weird to anyone looking in.
We chatted and sipped our drinks while waiting for our date to arrive. About fifteen minutes later, Mick arrived. I couldn't help but tease him.
“What is this, the one who invited us is the last one to arrive… Mick?”
“…”
Mick looked so miserable that he was unrecognisable. His eyes were red and his face was pale. He sat down on the last sofa and took Fuse's glass of wine without asking permission.
“Mick, what's wrong with you? You weren't like this before we left at noon?”
“Sob.” Mick started to choke. Everyone at the table, except North, was shocked. Everyone tried to ask him what was wrong, but he wouldn’t answer, just drank his wine in silence. When he finished his glass, he looked so upset that I poured him another. He drank several glasses and still wouldn’t say anything.
“No one knows anything?” I asked again, looking around the table, and everyone shook their heads… except North, who was still frowning very seriously. Ignore him, wait until he finishes the ghost story and then ask, “Mick, if you don’t tell us, we can’t help you.”
“That's right, Mick, drinking won't solve the problem.” Ikkyu chimed in, “Tell us what, we'll help you better than alcohol.”
“Sob… I… I…”
“Maybe he's not ready to talk?” Skate guessed.
“Um, never mind. Here, have another drink.” I said, handing him another glass. The atmosphere was tense when suddenly North spoke.
"…Damned."
“You heard it?” I asked. He just nodded, “So what do you know?”
"Know."
“Huh? Really?”
“I'm enlightened, guys. I've realised a truth of life.”
“…”
“That people, no matter where they come from, what they do or what they are like, all have one thing in common.”
“…What is it?” I asked softly, frowning.
“Anyone can be scared of ghosts.”
“…”
“What the hell did I expect you to say?”
Ikkyu was the first to speak up amid the silence at the table. Even Mick, who was sniffling, stopped to listen to North say, “Mick, keep crying.”
“…Sob.” Mick continued to cry…
“So North, do you know what happened to Mick?”
“What's wrong? Mick, what are you crying about?” North shook his head.
“Sigh.” I looked at him dejectedly; he was as useless as I thought, and I really shouldn’t expect anything from him. I ignored North and focused on Mick. After his fifth drink, he was starting to feel lightheaded, still hiccuping, but finally opened his mouth.
“Sob… Sob… La… LaTula…Tul… Sob…
**********
Sunday morning, the weather was a little warm, and the sunlight filtering through the curtains woke Mick up. He rubbed his eyes, still dazed from the effects of the alcohol, and realised he was not alone in bed. Not to mention, he was naked. Another person was sleeping soundly under the covers.
It took Mick three seconds to process the information before he jumped out of bed, shouting: “SHOCKED!!”
The person on the bed stirred slightly at the scream but was still unconscious. Mick quickly checked his body and confirmed that… there was no mistake. Last night he had sex… while drunk. Damned. He doesn't remember anything. How could you be so bad…
Mick held his head and sighed inwardly, then suddenly remembered that he needed to talk to the other person first. He climbed back into bed, trying to pull the covers down to see who it was.… Tul.
It was Tul, fast asleep. Probably naked like him. Out of curiosity, Mick dared to lift the blanket underneath… Tul's behind was still covered in white liquid. They really did it. And they didn't even bother to clean up. Mick was speechless and could only burst into tears.
“Sob… Sob…”
“Oh my god, let me sleep!” Tul frowned, still closing his eyes to complain, but Mick kept sobbing, forcing him to sit up, “What are you crying about?”
“Sob… Tul… Sob… We… We slept together.” Mick said while crying, looking no different from a child. Tul frowned at him with a puzzled expression,
“Sob… I don’t remember anything, Tul… I was so drunk… Sob… Tul, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s okay.” Tul was the one who calmed down. Even though his back was still sore, he still tried to reach out and pat Mick’s shoulder to comfort him,
“No need to apologise. I was drunk too.”
“I'm a bastard… Sob… I forced you… Call the police.”
"What does the newspaper do?"
“I forced you, didn’t I? Because I was so drunk that I didn’t know what was going on. Sob… I’ll take responsibility.”
Tul said nothing but sighed. He was about to open his mouth when Mick interrupted.
“Call the police! Call the police! I accept going to jail! I'm such a bad guy!!”
“Calm down, Mick.”
“If not, I will report it myself.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mick reached for the phone, but Tul quickly patted him on the head.
“Ah! Why did you hit me?” Mick held his head, tears streaming down his face, “Are you angry? Keep hitting me, hit me, Tul! I deserve to be hit! Come on, hit me!!” Then he picked up Tul’s hand and hit himself.
Tul sighed again, wondering why he liked this idiot. For the past seven years, had he really wasted his time secretly liking him?
“Mick, calm down. You didn't force me. I volunteered. If you don't remember, let me tell you.”
Tul said patiently, trying to restrain himself from punching the idiot sitting naked and crying in front of him: “You’re drunk, I’m drunk too. We kissed, and you said you wanted to. I agreed. That’s it.”
“Sob… You mean… Both of them did it willingly?”
"What else?"
“But I don't remember anything…”
“But you were the one who took the initiative last night.”
“Why didn’t you stop me? If you had just punched me, I wouldn’t have done anything… Sob.” Mick wiped his tears so hard that his eyes were red.
“Why should I stop you when that's what I want too, huh?”
“Huh? Hic… What did you say?”
“I like you… No, I should say I’ve loved you for a long time, Mick.” This time, Tul said it easily because he had let go of everything, “So I volunteered with you.”
Mick was stunned, stopped crying immediately: “Huh??”
“I love you. Not in a friendly way. I've loved you since middle school, Mick. But I'm so tired of it.”
Tul grabbed his shirt from the shelf, rummaged for a pack of cigarettes, and lit one: “The one who needs to apologise is me. I took advantage of you being drunk to get my way.”
Mick was silent.
“You can call the police.”
“What… What are you doing?” Mick stuttered, his voice filled with confusion, “Really… Really, Tul? Is it true that you said you liked me for a long time?”
“Yeah.” Tul exhaled a grey puff of smoke from his mouth.
“Then… I will take responsibility for you! Let's get to know each other!”
“Do you like me?”
“…Still…still don’t know. Sorry.” Mick lowered his head, guilt filling his chest. He still didn’t know what he thought of Tul, yet he had already slept with him, “But I will take care of you, I will be responsible for you.”
“No need.” Tul refused immediately, “I don’t need responsibility.”
“…”
“I don't know you just because of responsibility.”
“But… but I… I made you….” Mick was so confused that he stuttered, “Why don’t you know me? Don’t you like me?”
“Haizz… You really don’t understand anything.” Tul sighed again, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray, “Do you feel bad doing that to me?”
“No… No.” Mick shook his head repeatedly, “What about you? Do you feel bad that you don’t want to date me?”
“It's good that you don't feel bad. Just consider me as one of your bedmates.”
“No! Why do you say that?” Mick frowned and loudly protested, “I will take responsibility for you!”
“Don’t say those words again!!” This time, Tul shouted out in impatience. Mick was startled, his body trembling with fear. He was already sensitive,
“I don’t need responsibility!!”
“So what do you need?”
“Love… from you.”
“I… I still don’t know what I think of you. No, I still only see you as a friend. But if we get to know each other slowly, I will definitely fall in love with you, Tul! Why didn’t you say so earlier? If you truly care for me, I’m willing to open my heart. If it were you, I’d really be willing!” Mick tried to stay calm and spoke in a serious tone. But Tul’s face didn’t waver at all.
“You don't like boys.”
“But… but this is the first time.”
“It’s just guilt, Mick,” Tul spoke his mind. Having been Mick’s friend for so many years, he understood Mick well. Mick didn’t like boys, and Tul wasn’t Mick’s type either. It was all just guilt.
Even if he tried to figure it out slowly, it wouldn’t yield any results. Mick thought he was a bad person for doing that with Tul just because he was drunk.
But Tul was the one who should thank that drunkenness, because it helped him get Mick's body. Tul was the real bad guy, taking advantage of the other party's unconsciousness. Although Mick was the one who took the initiative, the reason was also the alcohol. He should have stopped it, but in the end, he didn't because it was the opportunity he had waited for so long.
“No,” Mick firmly denied.
“Haizz… Honestly, Mick, you just want to take responsibility because you are a good person. But if it wasn't me last night but someone else, would you still be responsible like that?”
Mick was stunned.
“Right?”
“…”
“Then why don't you let me take responsibility? If I don't take responsibility, what should I do?”
“Others may accept that you are responsible, but I cannot.” Tul argued back, “Forget about today.”
“How can I forget?!” Mick shouted, “Tul, you… What do you mean? Do you think we can go back to being friends like before?”
“Not friends anymore.” Tul said, his voice soft as if he had let go of everything, “You will never love me, Mick. And I don’t want to see you with anyone else.”
Mick was silent.
“So from now on, let's pretend we don't know each other.”
*********
“Oh my god…” I blurted out after hearing Mick tell me everything. I thought I understood both of them. Mick was a good person, so he wanted to take responsibility and wanted to open up. But Tul didn’t need that; he was sure that Mick would never love him and didn’t know what made Tul think that. “Let me ask you a question: Do you think you can really love Tul?”
“Sob… I… I don’t know. But I really like him, at least as a friend.” Mick said, crying, “He’s one of my best friends. I don’t want to lose him. Sob… Why? I want to take responsibility, but I’m told it’s wrong. I want to open up, but I’m told it’s impossible.”
“Tul has already made his decision.” North spoke, his face turning serious as if he was talking about important matters, “Because all these years you’ve known so many people and you’ve confided in him, right? That’s why he was sure that ‘I know you well, you’ll never like someone like me’.”
“North thinks the same way I do. But the problem is you don't know if you can love him as a lover.” I continued.
“Then can’t I ask for a chance, ask for some time? Why did he jump to the conclusion that I couldn’t love him? Hic… What’s this? We’ve been friends for so long, and now we’re cutting it off like this? Why? Hic… At least try talking, try dating a little! You’ve already decided without even trying?”
“But what if Tul is right? What if you just feel guilty and don't really like it? If you were given the chance, the one who would end up getting hurt would still be Tul.” Skate interjected.
“Well, it depends on Tul whether he dares to take the risk or not,” I said and immediately took out my phone. Mick tried to stop me, but it was too late. I had already called Tul.
(Hello?)
“Hey, are you free?”
(Free for what? Called me to talk to Mick, right? I see through it.)
“Wow, how did you know?” I was surprised, “So you don't want to come? Mick's eyes are swollen from crying.”
(He came to see me at noon, but just sat there crying. Still hasn't stopped?)
“Tul, are you that cruel?” I pouted, “Don’t you feel sorry for him at all? At least go and comfort him.”
(Are you crazy? I don't care anymore. Cut is cut.)
“Hey, Tul, I know you’re still not over Mick.” I said seriously, “You’re making a decision too quickly. But if you really love him, why don’t you give him a chance?”
(He will never like me that way.)
“Are you sure?”
(I know. I've been with him for so many years.)
“Come on, Tul. You love him very much, don't you? Give him a chance. If he still doesn't love you back, I'll buy you a case of beer to drown your sorrows.”
(Did he hire you to speak for him?)
“What? You know, I’m not easy to buy with money.” I laughed, “If you still end up being hurt, then at least we’ve tried it. But now? Let’s cut it off without even trying anything. You’re already hurt anyway, not only in your heart but also somewhere else. Since you’re already hurt, wouldn’t it be better to try it once? Who knows, it might turn out better?”
(But… Nao, someone like Mick will never love me. He's never liked boys.)
“So what? I never liked boys either.”
(Mick loves me?)
“Really, Tul, the fact that you like him is even stranger than him liking you,” I said frankly. If Mick were the one who liked Tul, it wouldn’t be strange, but Tul liking Mick was a real surprise. “You even complained to me about how you could like him. See, love doesn’t need a reason; there’s no reason at all. Like is like, Mick is the same.”
(…)
“So what if you're not his type? Love doesn't depend on that.”
(…Um… Nao… Okay, I give up. You said it well. Tell me the truth, who wrote your script?)
“I said it myself. What? Looks smart, right?”
(YES.)
“No need to compliment me. Are you coming or not?”
(Go, go! Or else Mick will cry himself dry.)
“Humph, what a soft-hearted guy.”
(Uh…)
I hung up. Actually, I put it on speaker so everyone could hear. As soon as Mick heard Tul was coming, his tears stopped immediately, and he smiled brightly like a kid who knows his parents are coming to pick him up after school.
“Nao! You are my saviour! Thank you so much!!”
“Yeah, no problem.” I waved my hand, “Am I good, North?”
“What a strange question. You are a great person because you have faith.”
"Standard."
About twenty minutes later, Tul arrived. We left the two of them alone at the end of the table to talk. I glanced over occasionally and saw Mick about to cry a few times, but Tul calmed him down before the tears fell. Looking at that scene, I saw myself with Tiger again. Reflecting on this, I realised I missed him so much. I took out my phone, took a selfie with North, and sent it to Tiger as a way to let him know that I was still good and not going anywhere.
“That reminds me, Nao,” North suddenly said, “You're quite the drinker.”
“Of course.” I shrugged, “What? But you look a little high; you only had a little to drink.”
“Hey, don’t look down on me! I’m Johan’s favourite student! Wanna fight again, Nao? I want revenge!”
North narrowed his eyes, challenging me to another drink after losing so many times. I looked at him with the eyes of a superior.
“You don't know how to change? Have you gone to practice yet?”
“Practice, practice extremely hard.”
“Do I even have to practice drinking…” I muttered,
“I call it a natural talent. I don’t need to practice; my alcohol tolerance was already high since I was in my mother’s womb.”
"Bullshit."
“Really,” I corrected, “But a normal drinking contest is no fun.”
“You want to bet?”
“I don't know what a good bet would be.” I shook my head, “But I think I need to teach a kid like you a lesson.”
“What is it?”
"The loser gets his face rubbed with the winner's foot."
“Fuck!” North laughed, “Fine! I've been wanting to rub your face with my feet for a long time.”
“Me too.”
“What the hell?” Tul turned back to Mick, looking curious.
“It’s a contest to see who can hold their liquor better. Whoever loses gets their face rubbed with their feet.” Q explained. Ikkyu was the one pouring the drinks, pouring us both equal amounts each time. It was a battle to see who could drink more. Fuse and Skate watched with interest. I squinted at North as the alcohol started to build up.
“You're pretty strong, aren't you? Normally, you'd be almost asleep by now, but you'd still be able to drink like this.”
“I told you I was practising.” North laughed triumphantly, “Today I will definitely get to rub King Duen Nao's face!”
“Guys, if I manage to rub North's face, take a picture,” I reminded.
“You two, whoever rubs each other's faces, we take pictures of them all,” Skate said with a laugh,
“Come on, Q, pour quickly!”
“Uh huh, here!” Q handed us both glasses.
I couldn’t remember how many glasses we had. But I had a feeling this was going to be a long battle. North was a tough guy. He said he was practising his drinking. Was that true? Glass after glass, and we both started to stagger. We clinked our glasses again and raised them to our lips. The scene before me began to blur.
“You… you… Go to sleep! Look, Mom's calling you to go to sleep.” North mumbled.
I smiled, my eyes only half open.
“What mother? Fuck! Are you crazy? Are you crazy? You're crazy!”
“I heard that you curse whenever you feel shy… Hey, do you have any thoughts about me? Why are you cursing me so much?”
“Thinking… thinking is so annoying. Admit defeat now, or you’ll faint to death!”
“I'm fine! You're the one who should give up!”
“Don't try too hard! Drinking like this is bad for your health!”
“Uh…” North then put his head down on the table. Cheers rang out across the banquet. Ikkyu raised my hand, declaring victory.
“Haha, it’s not that big of a deal,” I mumbled while standing unsteadily, almost falling to one side. Luckily, I caught myself with my hands, “You guys, take him to bed! When you’re done, it’s my turn!”
Skate and Ikkyu together lifted North, who was passed out, and placed him on the sofa.
“Hold my armpits! I can’t take it anymore.” I felt my whole body go limp. Let alone standing, I couldn’t even sit. Skate and Ikkyu each supported me on one side, helping me to North to finish my punishment.
“It's too high! Let it lie on the ground.”
“Really?”
“I can't lift my feet!” I groaned, and Fuse and Mick had to huddle together to lift North down to the floor, “Take off my shoes.”
And then they had to help me take off my shoes. I was so drunk that Skate and Ikkyu had to hold me up to keep me from falling. I slowly raised my leg and shoved it into North's face, knocking him unconscious.
“Arrogant! Who said I was going to rub my face? Wake up, wake up!” I happily used my foot to rub his face, rubbing it back and forth gently. North opened his eyes halfway and started screaming.
“Ugh… Why… Why did you do this to me… Duen Nao, you… devil face!”
"Because you dared to challenge me first!"
“Next time I will get revenge, just you wait!”
“Okay, let's go! One time isn't enough, let me do it again next time!”
“You bastard!”
********
Ikkyu was tasked with escorting Duen Nao, who had passed out, back to the safe room. He was usually quite drunk, but every time he fought North, he ended up even more so. North had her boyfriend come pick him up, while Duen Nao was left alone. Just as Ikkyu was about to drag Duen Nao to bed, Tiger sent him a message.
Your tiger: Hey man, I just finished work.
Your tiger: How are you?
Your tiger: Are you home yet?
Ikkyu hesitated, wondering if he should answer; was it too sudden? But thinking about it, if he didn't answer, Tiger might get worried.
DN: It's Ikkyu. Duen Nao is dead drunk. I've taken him back to his room.
DN: But this is fun.
He decided to send Tiger the picture Mick had just taken—a drunk December, pinned between Skate and him, rubbing North's face with his feet.
DN: [Send photo]
Your tiger: Fuck hahahaha