Page 19 of Summer Haze & Tokyo Craze

"No way, I just want to win," she chuckles and throws a bean at me. Lily grabs her wrist and stops her from throwing another one.

"Behave."

"Alright, Mom." Eve rolls her eyes and tries to lower her hand. But Lily keeps it in a tight grasp, turning it in the light, and that’s when I realize there’s a pretty diamond sparkling from her ring finger.

"Wait, what? You’re engaged?” she asks with wide eyes and Eve nods with a radiant smile on her face. “When did that happen? Who? What?"

The two of them stick their heads together as Eve tells Lily about her fiancé. Apparently, he’s the vocalist of an infamous rock band. Meanwhile, I roll my shoulders and lean back, propping my hands on the ground behind me, and watch them.

As much as I didn’t want to come here tonight, this is turning out more entertaining than I thought. And if Eve gets Lily to spill some of her secrets, that would make it all more than worth it.

Although seeing her letting loose with a friend, adorable blush on her cheeks and plump lips from biting them is enticing in itself.

Four hours later, around midnight, the event is slowly starting to end. I didn’t know that even in a huge city like Tokyo the trains would stop running after a certain time, but I catch morethan one person saying they need to catch the last train to get to their hotel.

Fascinating. I thought everyone was staying at the same hotel, but I stand corrected.

Eve and Lily have decided on calling it a draw, both of them already unsteady on their feet and talking very slowly to not slur their words. Even though the Izakaya was on the first floor, I wish there was an elevator because the way the two of them are making their way down the stairs, clinging to each other and giggling, has me fearing for their lives.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the three of us finally come to a stand in front of the building, all in one piece.

"Right. I'm taking the taxi," Eve says with a slow nod, stumbling a step aside as she loses her balance. I reach out to grab her by the elbow and steady her. "My hotel is in Ikebukuro."

"Is that far?" I ask, and she shakes her head.

"Few stations by train,” she slurs, but thanks to having to deal with three brothers who used to love partying during their college days, I decipher her words. “Ughhh. Trains. People.”

"Taxi it is. I’ll check how to get one," I offer, but just as I say it, a taxi turns into the street.

"I think they called one for her as we left,” Lily whispers, speaking a bit more clearly than Eve. “What a service!"

I open the taxi door for her and make her tell the driver where she needs to go before I close the door.

"Get home safe," I tell her. "See you next week?"

"Tuesday," she mumbles and bumps her head against the car frame. “Ouch.”

"Alright, until Tuesday. Try not to bump your head again."

“Yes, Dad.”

I shake my head and close the door, watching the car drive down the street and finally disappear around a corner. Then I turn to Lily who is leaning against the building with her eyes closed.

"Hey, champion. How are you feeling?"

"Alright," she slurs, hiding a big yawn behind her hand. "You can go ahead."

"Are you sure? Should I call us a taxi too?" I step closer to her, and she looks at me with big eyes, then shakes her head.

“Fresh air,” she mumbles, and I nod in understanding.

"Alright," I say softly and offer her my hand, but she doesn’t notice it and starts walking. After a few steps, it's clear she's not very steady on her feet. "Sorry," she mumbles when she loses her balance and stumbles into my side.

"Are you sure you're alright? Let me get you a water."

"It's fine," she mumbles again, stubbornly continuing to walk. "Jus’ tired. Wanna sleep."

She can barely keep her eyes open, face almost permanently hidden behind her hand as she yawns.

---