May 7, 2025

  I should have seen this coming. I should have known better than to think this night would ever be simple—not with Ethan and Leo in the same place. It was supposed to be one final evening of casual celebration after a successful but stressful project. Just drinks, a few laughs, and goodbyes. But casual was never an option, not with them.

  Friday, 7:30 PM – The Celebration Begins

  The izakaya was buzzing when we arrived. Booths overflowed with salarymen unwinding after a long week, their laughter loud enough to compete with the clatter of dishes and the scent of grilled meat wafting through the air. A server squeezed past, skillfully balancing a tray crowded with yakitori skewers and towering mugs of beer.

  Sliding into our booth, Samantha stretched out comfortably. “Now this is what I signed up for.”

  Eric picked up the drink menu, eyes scanning the sake section skeptically. “I give it about thirty minutes before this whole thing goes sideways.”

  Hannah chuckled lightly, settling in after greeting the client’s senior management. “That’s generous.”

  I took a seat, trying to find a comfortable position among my nerves. We’d shared drinks with the client before—casual beers after meetings, late-night ramen stops, easy conversation. But tonight was different. This was formal, with senior leadership in attendance. Hannah had subtly warned us earlier: “Tonight isn’t just about drinking, it’s about the impression we leave behind.”

  It was going to be a long night.

  A voice cut through my thoughts: “Ah, Watanabe-san!”

  I turned quickly to see Mr. Tanaka heading toward our table, his smile warm and welcoming.

  Friday, 7:45 PM – The Introduction

  Mr. Tanaka was a senior project manager for the client—mid-fifties, sharp-eyed, and respected. I’d met him briefly in conference rooms before, but here, among colleagues and drinks, he seemed perfectly at ease.

  “Otsukaresama deshita, everyone,” he greeted warmly. “Thank you all for your hard work.”

  We dipped our heads politely in response. Glancing around, I saw Hannah already deep in conversation with another senior manager, graceful and composed. Samantha and Eric were laughing with the younger client team members, their glasses already raised in a toast.

  Further along, I spotted the familiar faces of the women Leo had charmed at our last gathering. Misako caught my eye briefly, whispering something amusedly to her friend. Leo flashed her a quick, effortless grin before turning his attention back to our group.

  Mr. Tanaka gestured to the table. “Tonight is special. A final toast to our successful partnership.”

  Leo settled next to me, draping an arm casually along the back of the booth. “Exactly what I like to hear.”

  Samantha caught my eye, mouthing a sympathetic, “Good luck.”

  I murmured under my breath, “Already need it.”

  Friday, 8:00 PM – The Drinking Begins

  Before food even arrived, drinks began flowing freely. Mr. Tanaka lifted his glass high. “A toast—to a fruitful collaboration!”

  The table erupted into cheers, glasses clinking together. I sipped mine carefully, intending to pace myself, but Mr. Tanaka noticed immediately.

  “Watanabe-san, pacing yourself already?” he teased gently, glancing at my barely-touched glass.

  I laughed politely, embarrassed. “I’m trying.”

  He shook his head with playful insistence, refilling my cup without hesitation. “Tonight we celebrate fully. Come, we drink together.”

  I hesitated, remembering my father’s advice—refuse politely first—but before I could respond, Leo smoothly intervened, shifting closer.

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  “She’s just warming up,” he said with his usual easy charm. “No need to rush her.”

  Mr. Tanaka chuckled, preparing to pour another drink for Leo—but before Leo could even touch it, Ethan reached out, silently lifted my refilled glass, and drained it.

  Leo’s casual grin faltered momentarily. Ethan set the empty glass down, his face unreadable.

  Mr. Tanaka’s eyes sparkled knowingly. “Ah, Park-san, looking out for Watanabe-san?”

  Ethan gave a slight nod. “She didn’t need it.”

  Mr. Tanaka smiled, clearly entertained. “Good teamwork.”

  Then, so subtly that I almost missed it, he winked at me.

  My face burned. He knew exactly what was happening here, and I was mortified. Desperately, I glanced around for help. Hannah was still smoothly entertaining senior management, Samantha and Eric obliviously laughing at a joke. Turning back, I caught the look on Leo’s face—a smile edged with determination. I knew that smile well enough by now. He wasn’t about to let this go.

  Friday, 8:20 PM – The Box-In

  The next drinks arrived, and then another, but each time either Leo or Ethan intercepted my share quietly, effortlessly. Nothing overt, nothing obvious, but I could feel it. The subtle narrowing of the space around me, their careful yet possessive movements.

  Mr. Tanaka noticed. I knew he did, from the quiet amusement on his face. And Ethan and Leo were hyper-aware of each other, their eyes tracking each subtle gesture.

  For once, it felt as if I wasn’t trapped between them. Instead, they had formed a silent barrier, protecting me from the relentless pours.

  At first, I was relieved. Until the realization hit me: They were no longer just looking out for me. They were competing—silently and dangerously—over who could drink more in my place.

  Friday, 8:30 PM – The Unofficial Drinking Competition

  It began subtly. Leo grabbed one drink meant for me. Ethan took the next without hesitation. When Tanaka pushed another glass my way, Leo intercepted smoothly.

  “Huang-san! Drinking again for Watanabe-san?” Mr. Tanaka laughed.

  Leo’s smile widened easily. “She’s special. Someone’s gotta look out for her.”

  I almost choked on nothing. Ethan, without breaking stride, took another glass, draining it casually. “Can’t have you doing all the heavy lifting.”

  Leo’s eyes sparked, amused yet challenging. “Don’t worry—I can handle it.”

  Ethan met his stare evenly. “Same.”

  Tanaka leaned back comfortably. “Impressive teamwork.”

  But it was obvious—this wasn’t about me anymore. It was about them.

  At first, their actions seemed harmless enough. Each time someone tried refilling my glass, Leo or Ethan stepped in with practiced ease. Leo joked casually, “She has an early morning,” while Ethan’s explanation was simpler: “She’s pacing herself.”

  Then Fujimoto noticed. “Huang-san, Park-san, you’re drinking quite a lot tonight.”

  Another client chuckled knowingly, “They’re drinking for Watanabe-san.”

  The table turned toward us, suddenly intrigued. Samantha leaned toward Eric, amused, whispering, “Are they seriously competing?”

  Eric laughed softly, observing, “They are now.”

  Leo, hearing this, shrugged nonchalantly. “If it’s a competition, might as well win.”

  Ethan set his glass down slowly, looking straight at Leo. “Bold assumption.”

  Leo’s grin widened. “Not really.”

  Misako, across the table, shifted slightly, eyes narrowing as she realized Leo’s attention had drifted entirely away from her. Her friend whispered something, amused. Misako smiled thinly but kept her gaze fixed firmly on me.

  Leo lifted another drink, glancing at Ethan with open challenge. Ethan mirrored his action, meeting my eyes briefly, silently communicating this was no longer about drinks—it was about something far more complicated.

  Friday, 9:00 PM – The Turning Point

  I hoped the alcohol might dull their competitive instincts. Instead, it sharpened them. They grew more aware of each other, their gazes lingering, tensions intensifying. Leo tested Ethan openly: “You okay, Park? You’re slowing down.”

  Ethan drained his glass calmly, setting it down pointedly. Leo’s posture tightened subtly—calculating his next move. Beside me, Samantha whispered, “This is getting ridiculous.”

  I took a deep breath, sipping water, knowing exactly what she meant. Things were about to escalate.

  Friday, 9:20 PM – Tensions Rise

  Alcohol loosened their restraint. Leo’s confident smirk became more pronounced, his gaze lingering on me longer, ensuring I noticed every glance. Ethan watched silently, analyzing every move Leo made. Subtle shifts—Leo leaning slightly forward, Ethan responding by inching closer—went unnoticed by the others, but the space between us became increasingly charged.

  I felt trapped, caught in a silent, intensifying battle.

  The clients openly cheered their drinking. Misako, clearly annoyed, was asked her opinion. Her eyes flicked coolly between Leo and me before she answered quietly, “Depends who Watanabe-san is watching.”

  I felt eyes turning toward me and wished desperately to vanish. Leo leaned in, smiling playfully but sharply aware. “Yeah, Spoon Girl, who’s your money on?”

  I forced myself to respond neutrally. “I just hope we all make it back safely.”

  Leo laughed lightly. Ethan smiled slightly, but everyone’s eyes lingered on me.

  Friday, 9:45 PM – Reckless Escalation

  Leo challenged Ethan openly now, raising another drink: “Still keeping up, Park?”

  Ethan tilted his head slightly, drinking without breaking eye contact, the challenge clear. The table erupted into applause, thoroughly entertained. Samantha shook her head, exasperated. “This is absurd.”

  My anxiety rose steadily. They weren’t slowing down—and I dreaded what might happen when one of them finally took things too far.