Me, Darren and Trent walked into this tent like Grill place. The grill has tent like drapes all around it so it makes the grill seem like it's sitting right inside a huge tent. It's pretty cool in my opinion and you won't be able to see stuff like this back home. This is the perfect place to go to if you wanted to drink some shots and eat some good old meat. Me and Trent sometimes come here if we felt like eating something unhealthy. Then again, what food is unhealthy in Japan? Sadly, me and Trent can't really drink yet. We're only nineteen and the legal drinking age of Japan (at least in Tokyo) is twenty so that means we'll be able to drink to our hearts content next year.
I then glanced up at Darren. I wonder how old he is. He doesn't look to be nineteen. Maybe twenty? Or twenty one? I'll ask him because i'm really curious about what he likes and dislikes. I also wonder if he has any family back home.
"We can sit here." Trent said as he walked over to an empty table with small little stools.
I smiled and followed him over to the table then sat down in an random chair. Trent sat across from me and Darren sat next to me. I glanced over at Trent to see him smirking at me, giving me that knowing look. I sighed. I honestly wasn't looking to sit next to Darren. I mean, it's not a big deal to me. We just so happen to sit next to each other and now Trent thinks that I meant to sit next to Darren but really, there's only the three of us so i'm sure no matter where I sat, i'll still end up sitting next to Darren.
I ignored Trent's knowing look and decided to look around the grill. There were a few people here and there. Some were couples, others look like friends and then there were those businessmen in business suits that probably just got done working and decided to go out for some drinks. Of course everybody in the tent, except for us, were Japanese. Sometimes I don't like sticking out like a sore thumb but that's what happens when you're an American living in an Asian filled country. One look and automatically, that person knows you're not from Japan.
"So, what should we eat first?" Trent asked as he pulled out the smallish menu and started to look it over.
"Moshi 3 wa nani nomu koto o kibōdesu ka?" (What would you three like to drink?) A woman who looked to be in her late fourties to early fifties said as she stood at our table.
The three of us looked at each other. Before me and Trent moved to Japan, we tried to learn a little bit of Japanese before coming here. We obviously didn't expect for every Japanese person to speak to us in English.
Trent smiled back at the woman and spoke to her in Japanese.
"Anata wa watashitachi ni bun o ataeru koto ga dekimasu ka?" (Can you give us a minute?) He asked.
The woman nodded and walked away.
"You know Japanese?" Darren asked, impressed.
Trent nodded then shrugged. "Me and Ren took a year off after graduation to prepare ourselves for Japan. That including learning Japanese." He said with a smile.
Darren nodded. "Awesome." Then he looked at me.
I smiled shyly as I looked away from Darren and looked at Trent.
"So, what are we drinking?" I asked.
"How about some beer?" Darren suggested.
"We can't legally drink yet till next year." Trent said.
Darren's eyes widen as he looked from me to Trent. "Oh...you guys are nineteen huh?"
I practically held my breath. I wasn't sure how Darren felt about hanging out with guys younger than him. Then again, does that mean he's older than us?
Trent spoke for the both of us again. He nodded. "Yeah. You?"
Darren smiled as he shook his head. "Twenty-one."
My eyes widen as I looked at Darren. He glanced at me and smiled his signature soft smile.
"But...if you guys want me to drink what you're having..." Darren started as he continued to smile at me.
"There's no need. If you want some beer, feel free." Trent butted in.
Darren looked at Trent and nodded then looked over at the old woman from before and motioned her over to our table.
"Wareware wa ikutsu ka no bīru o motte iru koto ga dekimasu..." (Can we have some beer and...) He trailed off then looked from me to Trent.
"Watashi no tame no mizu." (Water for me.) Trent spoke.
I was so amazed that even Darren knew Japanese that I didn't really pay attention to the old lady when she looked at me until I noticed that both Darren and Trent were looking right at me. I smiled awkwardly then looked at the old woman.
"Onaji." (Same) I said quickly.
The woman nodded then walked away. I sighed in relief and would've sat back in my seat if we weren't sitting in these high stools.
"So, you also know Japanese?" Trent asked Darren once the lady left.
Darren nodded. "Yup. I wanted to learn it when I was sixteen since I wanted to become a Professional Photographer in Japan."
I nodded, listening. "Wooow." I said, amazed.
Darren glanced at me and smiled then looked back at Trent. "I might be a little rusty, though. I haven't spoke it in awhile."
Trent nodded. "No worries. We've got your back."
I nodded. "Ditto."
***
We finally got our drinks and food. It was just some beef with a little rice and peppers. It was absolutely delicious, though.
"Here." Darren said as he looked at me.
"What?" I said in confusion as Darren shoved a piece of meat into my mouth without warning.
My eyes widen as I felt myself almost choking then I looked at Darren to see him smiling. I would've gotten mad at him if he wasn't so cute. I sighed and started chewing then looked down at my food. I waited till Darren looked away before I smiled softly. He fed me his food, I thought to myself.
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