#dbjs

Takeru’s looking at him from a couple of tables away. Yusaku looks back at him, confused. Why is he looking at him? What does he want?

Then Yusaku notices the list of songs in Takeru’s hands.

Is he having trouble picking out a song? It’s probably something like that. Why is he looking to Yusaku for help? He’s on his own. Takeru got himself into this mess by deciding to participate, and now he’ll have to get himself out of it. That, or ask Flame. Yusaku isn’t helping him.

He looks away from Takeru and drinks more coffee. Kusanagi’s song is almost over, and Yusaku still wishes he was in his apartment instead. Roboppy wouldn’t do this to him.

All Star is just ending now. Honestly, Takeru thinks Kusanagi did a good job with it, but really, Kusanagi had fun and that’s the most important thing.

As soon as the music stops, Takeru jumps out of his seat and runs over to Yusaku.

“Hey, we’re up next!”

Before Yusaku has a chance to protest, Takeru pulls Yusaku out of his seat.

Wait. What?

Yusaku’s frustrated. He wants to go look for Jin, he wants to go search in Vrains until he can’t stand anymore, but he can’t.

Or rather, he shouldn’t. Waiting for the enemy to make the next move is much more logical, and Yusaku hates it.

He’s not the only one. The rest of their little group all feels the same, more or less. Nothing’s happened for a couple of days, and the waiting has everyone tense.

Surprisingly, it’s Kusanagi who suggests karaoke. Even with his brother missing, he’s still worried about the moral of the only group. Karaoke will be a fun distraction, he says. Cafe Nagi hosts it in a remote location after closing; the event is for the invited only, after all.

A fun distraction? Yeah right. It’s just another annoyance Yusaku’s being forced into. He can’t wait until the night has ended.

Kusanagi sings the first song of the event, picking All Star by Smash Mouth. Yusaku sips from his coffee mug as he watches, his face entirely blank. Kusanagi making a fool of himself in front of everyone only convinces Yusaku further this whole idea is stupid.