Drunk Summer Persona

June 27, 10:06pm

The whole dance floor glowed with red and green laser beams shooting out from rotating lights in the ceiling. It was Friday night and the club was packed with people dancing and jumping to the DJ’s distasteful music. 

“Hey lighten up!” Stapran said from next to Tasua, his jacket dirtied with splashes of glow and the dark paint. “It’s graduation Kambe! We have to get out and have fuun!” 

“Your definition of ‘fuun’ is this, “ Tasua said, motioning to the club scene. “And mine is chilling in our apartment with the Mecha Naruto fillers on repeat.” 

“Mecha Naruto is superior,” Stapran said chuckling, and Tasua smiled, promising to himself that he’d make an effort to enjoy Stapran’s attempts at letting loose. “Now come on, find a hot guy and have the best night of your life! If not…” Stapran trailed off, “We can buy cakes and head out to a movie okay?”

“I’ll try,” Tasua said meaningfully, “Now you go! You haven't been excited about this since finals and I’m not letting myself hold you back.”

“Thanks, Tasua,” Stapran said, and then worry laced his face, “You’ll be okay?”

Tasua nodded, smiling as best as he could. “Yeah, I’ll call you if I need anything and put a sock on the door okay?!”

Stapran laughed, and after one last look disappeared into the crowd. Tasua smiled and headed toward the bar as the bartender came over.

“What can I get for you?” she asked, smiling sweetly and Tasua saw the small nametag on her shirt that read “Martha”.

“A beer, whatever's on tap,” he mumbled, lowering his head.

“Rough night?” Martha asked and Tasua raised his head, chuckling a little.

“More like life,” 

Martha smiled, “Then you best get fixin', none of us gonna live that long so we hafta make the best of it,” 

Tasua nodded sliding the money as she gave him the drink, and before he could take a sip he heard a husky voice from next to him say, “Hey Martha, can I have whatever the cutie right here is having?”

Tasua looked around to see whom he was talking about when he heard a laugh and a hand came to his shoulder, “Hey I was talking about you, cutie.”

Tasua turned his head and found himself face-to-face with a blond and blue-eyed man who was sitting next to him, grinning. 

“Oh, me?” Tasua asked, and internally cursed himself because isn’t that what he just confirmed?

“Yeah, now come on hit me up!” the blond said, toward Martha who had a disapproving look on her face.

“Hon, you've had too many drinks tonight.” Martha said almost warningly. “I ain’t giving you anymore until you drink yourself some water.”

“Relax Martha, he’s barely had any.” another voice said and Tasua looked to see a male bartender sliding a vodka cran toward him. “I made sure that the boy didn’t do much.”

“See, thanks Chang,” the blond said, as the male bartender Chang - Tasua presumed was - grinned. 

“Now Chang and I got other customers to attend to, but holler if y’all need anything,” Martha said to Tasua, and blond and Tasua slowly nodded.

“So…?” Tasua’s new barmate asked as the two bartenders left, “I haven’t seen you around this scene before.”

Tasua shrugged, “Never had the time or interest.”

“Oya?” He said curiously, “You having an interest now?”

“No, just here for a friend,” Tasua said, and then turned to him. “I take you have been here before?”

“Try to,” he said grinning, and then held out his hand, “I’m Kaze Sato, UDub incoming senior.”

“Tasua Kambe, UDub incoming senior as well.” 

Kaze grinned and then launched into a story about how Professor Gaines of the Film Department eventually became his basketball manager.  

If Tasua had known what that interaction would have changed his summer, and quite possibly the rest of his college life, he may have not gone to the bar that day, or the days following. 

It would have saved hours of heartbreak and tears, but as the saying goes - fate doesn’t change for anybody. 

June 26, 11:49pm

There were two loud bangs when they reached the hotel. The door slamming shut was the first and the second was Tasua's back hitting hard against it as they quickly became a hurried tangle of limbs and teeth and tongues; of roaming hands and fingers buried in cloth.

“God, you smell good,” Kaze mumbled, his face in the crook of Tasua’s neck. 

“Yeah, get on with it,” Tasua said breathlessly, making Kaze chuckle. 

“Okay, Tasua.” Kaze said, his blue eyes glinting mischievously in the moonlight, 

“Let’s have some fun tonight, shall we?”

Tasua smiled, “We shall.”

The night was indeed one that Tasua could describe as passionate. In truth, he had nothing to compare it to, but from what he heard from his older and her adventures of being a prostitute in college after being cut off from their parents, it seemed to be pretty good. 

The morning after was when it was just a little bit after the sun rose and when Tasua woke up still being on the schedule for college he found the other side of the bed empty. 

No phone number or any sort of message was left either. 

It wasn’t like it hurt or anything. After all, it was a one-night stand, people didn’t exchange numbers unless friends with benefits were on the table and with summer internships and training camps coming up, most college students broke up with their significant other, having a sex partner was usually out of the question. 

Tasua quickly showered and brushed and changed into his clothes, grabbing the key card and exiting the hotel room, and walking back to his apartment. It was only about six am and it was pretty quiet the loud noises of rush hours still hours ahead and Tasua took the time to enjoy his walk when his phone rang. 

“Stapran?” Tasua asked, without bothering to look at the caller ID because who else would call Tasua at the wee hours of the morning. 

“Where the hell were you? I called you like fifty times-” Stapran said and just as Tasua was about to tell him the tale of last night, Stapran continued, “Oh my god. You got laid, you have the post-morning sex voice. Oh my god.”

Tasua laughed, “Ah, at least I enjoyed myself as I told you I would.”

“You bastard,” Stapran said, and Tasua grinned.

“And I presume you didn’t get anybody Stapran,” Tasua questioned teasingly and he heard Stapran’s groan over the line.

“Ugh! There was a really hot guy, but he already had a boyfriend so a big veto for my strangers turned friends-with-benefits turned lovers trope.”

“Hey, at least he was loyal,” Tasua said, and then Stapran asked.

“So what about your guy? Was he cute? Or hot? Like foreigner-hot or like adorable-puppy cute?”

Tasua shrugged, “Kind of cute and hot. Not too sure, we talked in the dark light.”

“You did the deed though?”

“Yes, yes you filthy bastard,” Tasua said and then spotted the bakery he usually went to on days he didn’t have class. “Hey so I’m stopping by Rita’s, do you 

want anything?” 

“Um, maybe a bagel and if you can, can you stop by Dunkin and grab me a large cold brew, lots of creams, and like a pinch of sugar?”

“What’s with the depressing order?” Tasua asked, agreeing anyway as he crossed the street and headed toward the bakery. 

Stapran laughed, “You forgot or something? We have to oversee the summer chem projects for the failing chem students.” 

Tasua let out a groan. Every year at UDub, the top seniors majoring in science are to do a summer internship where they help out other majoring students with a science project for the school-wide science fair.

Tasua, a Chemistry major, would have liked to have done a two-month-long lab but agreed for the sake of the school. 

Stapran currently a very successful biology major on the other hand will most likely complain every second he got but if the two of them could just finish this 

and then continue their internships, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. 

After all, it was only a two-week-long program.

June 27, 9:32 am

Tasua and Stapran were in the back of the classroom as their fellow majors explained the directions behind the projects and the students started taking notes. Tasua and Stapran were just in charge of field questions and decided to kick back and relax until someone had a question. 

It was nearing the first working hour and they had only been asked two questions so Tasua was bored out of his mind, Stapran on the other hand was napping after binging Naruto fillers. 

The thought made Tasua laugh, and he decided to step out for a moment to grab some food. 

Tasua stood up to go and just as he was about to head to the door it burst open and two boys rushed in panting, their foreheads slicked with sweat. 

Tasua is about to ask about their tardiness - which in his opinion is fine considering how late he was on his first day of school - when he sees blue eyes.

Not any, but Kaze’s blue eyes.  

“I am so sorry for being late.” he said and Tasua stopped. “I’ll make it up but I 

hope this doesn’t negatively impact my grades.” 

Tasua smiles and answers him, “No I don’t think it will. Take a seat, yeah?”

July 5, 9:54 pm

Tasua was back at the club. In his opinion he had no ulterior motive, just was hoping for a certain blond to show up. 

It wasn’t like Tasua would be disappointed- that was a lie he would - but when Kaze had come in late and started his project Tasua couldn’t help his fascination with the basketball player to grow.

The scene was eerily similar to the one a little over a week ago and Tasua made his way to the bar, debating whether or not to be disappointed if Kaze didn’t show up. 

However, he didn’t even need to think when he slid onto a barstool and heard the same voice from before. 

“Eh? I didn’t take you for someone whose interests would change in less than a week.” Kaze said, his blue eyes glinting. 

Tasua smiled, ignoring the racing of his heart when he saw the blond. “Well, it isn’t like you have known me that long have you?”

Kaze grinned, “No I haven’t. Care to tell me?”

Tasua nodded, a smile tugging on his mouth as Martha slid him a Shirley 

Temple, “It would be my pleasure.”

And that night, even if they didn’t exactly find pleasure within each other, Tasua laughed more times than he could count and learned a lot more about Kaze than he ever imagined.

July

As the month followed by, Tasua had started going out to the club more. Maybe it was for the fact that every time he did go, Kaze would magically find him and they would spend the night talking about their days and swapping stories or dancing and then eventually finding a hotel room. 

It was fun, maybe like a friends-with-benefits arrangement but at the same time, it wasn’t. 

Tasua however, liked their interactions and although he was way past the warning zone he found himself looking forward to their little meetings. 

Stapran on the other hand was a bit suspicious.

“You sure this guy ain’t conning you or something? I mean how is he always at the same club?” Stapran asked as Tasua picked his clothes out for the night.

“I don’t think so, I mean he’s super close with the bartenders there and it’s not like I’ve gone to a different club these past couple of weeks either,” Tasua replied, slipping into a black t-shirt. “And he goes to our school so even if he did con me it’s not like I wouldn’t be able to find him afterward.”

Stapran sat up at the mention of that, “You’re kidding? The hot guy that wooed you goes to our school? You sure this isn’t like a professor or something right?”

Tasua laughed, “No it’s not, his name is Kaze Sato.”

“Kaze Sato… that’s a hot guy name…” Stapran suddenly stopped, “Wait, wait, you are saying your club guy goes to our school?”

“Yeah, you know him?”

Stapran sighed, running a hand through his green locks, “Oh Kambe, by chance 

is your dream guy a basketball senior at UDub?”

Tasua nodded, “Uh yeah… how’d you know?” 

Stapran’s face crumpled at the confirmation and Tasua raised an eyebrow. 

Usually, Stapran never got upset at things other than anime or incorrect assumptions about Biology theories. 

“Stap, what’s wrong?”

“Kambe,” Stapran said, his face in his hands. “Ugh, just when you were loosening up.”

“Stapran, what are you saying?” Tasua asked, putting a hand on the shoulder of his best friend. 

“Your boy is a player Tasua,” Stapran said and Tasua raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?” 

Stapran sighed, “You better sit down for this.

“Kaze… is a certain type of drunk.” Stapran starts, “He doesn’t remember when he drinks, so he sleeps around a lot.”

Tasua raised an eyebrow, “Okay, but he’s never been drunk with me.” 

Stapran sighs, “That’s the problem, he never acts drunk when he is drunk. It’s like an alternate persona, a completely new Kaze at night.” 

Tasua rolled his eyes, “No, I’ve literally never seen Kaze take a drink, and we always hang out the second I get to the bar. So...”

“Tasua…” Stapran says and Tasua sighs.

“Look Stap, I know you are worried and I love you for it but…” Tasua smiles, a dreamy look in his eye. “He’s sweet, bisexual, and not just looking for pleasure in bed but…”

“Pleasure in my heart, yeah, yeah we all know romance animes are held higher than others,” Stapran says with a chuckle, and then looks at Tasua. “Do you like him?”

Tasua blushed, “I think I’m falling for him, he’s everything I could want for in a guy.”

Stapran smiled, then looked serious, “Be careful okay?”

“Always.”

September 2, 10:11pm

Before Tasua knew it, the summer had gone by. Hours of internships and talking with Kaze had turned into something that Tasua would grow fond of. It was now two days before school started and after coming back from visiting his parents Tasua was in the club that quite changed his life. 

After confirming the misunderstanding about Kaze’s drinking habits, Tasua had found out instead of forgetting everything he’d become hungover and was barely able to walk the day after until he had a drink. It explained two things, why he always had so much energy at the club and why even though they were still both on-campus students they barely ever saw each other. 

“So… we’re going to be official seniors in a couple of days huh?” Kaze asks as Tasua and him snuggle in the dark booth.

“Yeah, it’s kind of surreal you know?”

“Right! It’s like I was just coming for orientation and baam, I’m a senior.”

Tasua laughed and Kaze gazed fondly at him, “Hey… I have a request.”

Tasua nodded, “Yeah what’s up?”

“Could you meet me on the first day of school by the quad right after morning classes?” 

Tasua looked at him, because of the nature of their relationship it never really occurred to Tasua to swap numbers or meet outside of a club.

“You’d want to do that?” Tasua asked.

Kaze shrugged, “I’m not going to be stopping by the club with basketball season coming in full swing but I want to spend time with you so…?”

“Aw that’s sweet,” Tasua said, his heart rate picking up slightly. “Of course, but on the first day?”

Kaze blushed, “I want to ask you out, and not like a weak proposal but one where everyone knows that I asked out Tasua Kambe and was hopefully not rejected.”

Tasua almost dropped his glass of water, “You…”

“I’m not misinterpreting these signals, right? I mean we’ve run into each other without any contact beforehand, it’s fate.”

“Fate, huh?” Tasua smiled, “That sounds nice Kaze.”

The blond smiled and kissed his lips sweetly. 

September 4, 12:11pm

“Big day?” Stapran asked, “You seem more psyched for senior year than I thought.”

Tasua laughed, “Let’s say I’m asking someone out.”

Stapran lit up, “Oh who?”

“Kaze,” Tasua said and explained his idea of instead of waiting for Kaze to ask him out he’d ask him out first.

Stapran smiled, “I’m proud the playboy has found a boy worth falling for.”

Tasua smiled, “Me too, now come on.”

The pair walked quickly toward the quad where it was bustling with students. 

New freshman and returning seniors, and if it wasn’t for the energy buzzing through Tasua he’d have taken more time to enjoy it. 

Stapran wished him luck when he saw Kaze waiting by a bench by himself and Tasua smiled, and took a deep breath. 

“Kaze!” Tasua said, and the blond looked up at the mention of his name, “Hey!”

Kaze turned and smiled.

“Before you say anything,” Tasua started, “Will you go out with me?” 

Kaze cocked his head, “I… uh…”

“I beat you to the punch huh?” 

Kaze chuckled nervously, “I’m sorry but do I know you?” 

Tasua laughed, “I’m Tasua, Kaze.”

“Tasua…?” 

“Yeah, barmate for the past couple of months?” 

“Oh!” Kaze lit up, and Tasua thought he had him when Kaze shook his head, 

“I’m sorry but whatever we had is over, I don’t remember anything when I’m drunk and I drink before I go to the bar so if that answers…”

Tasua’s smile fell and then he pasted on a smile, “Ah no, I’m sorry.” and before he left he said, “But have a great year at UDub.”

Kaze grinned, “You too! I hope I see you around sometime!”

“Yeah, me too.”