I WENT ROOMMATE AU FOR THIS I HOPE YOU DON’T MIND.

—-

On Mina’s road to stardom, she took the little blessings
amid the muck of long greasy days and rich patrons who never tipped. Today, her
blessing was being told to go home early. Granted, it was less because her
manager had taken pity on her and much more because her performance as the
exuberant, ever-gracious waitress had begun to crack under the weight of “Table
for fifteen” and “I said well-done not burnt,” but that didn’t matter. She had
a Friday night to do real Friday night things for once. The plan was to stop
off at home to change, maybe grab Haruka if she wasn’t busy, and hit the town.

And judging by the singing Minako heard as she put her key
in the door, Haruka was indeed not busy.

She didn’t notice Minako come in. Her laptop was on the
couch, the end credits of Titanic playing across the screen. Haruka had
apparently abandoned her blanket-nest in against the other sofa arm, now in the
middle of a dramatic dance as she sang along with Celine Dion. Her face was
still tear-streaked. She’d dug out a t-shirt that must have been nearly twenty
years old, her hand pressed against Kate Winslet’s face as she clutched her
heart.

“Whatcha doin’, buddy?”

Haruka froze for a full bar, then dove to shut her laptop. “Nothing!
Nothing. You saw nothing.”

“Ohoho, buddy, I can’t unsee that.”

Haruka crossed her arms over her chest, unable to hide the
design completely. “You’re never home this early.”

“Yeah, it’s a treat. God, do you do this every Friday?”

“No! Of course not!” But Haruka withered under her gaze. “Sometimes
Mako comes over and we watch movies together.”

“Oh buddy. My sweet, delicate friend. We’re going out
tonight, and I’m going to get you laid.”

“But I’m tired, today at the shop—“

“Please, if you’re tired, it’s because you just cried for
three straight hours.” Minako dragged her to her bedroom. “Now, pick out your
butchly best, and I’ll find us a nice gay bar.”