{Drinking Together 1}

On Miyu’s birthday, the two of us went to a restaurant.

We usually take turns cooking, but we both agreed that we should dine out on special days like this. I had made a reservation at an Italian restaurant in a shopping mall, and when I mentioned it was for a birthday, they gave us a nice window seat with a view.

Holding her wine glass awkwardly, Miyu asked in a small voice, “Is a normal toast okay for a place like this…?”

“You just have to raise it a little,” I said, holding back a laugh and raised my glass first.

“Miyu, happy birthday.”

She mimicked me cautiously, raising her glass. “Thanks. I’m happy you brought me to such a lovely place.”

Still looking a bit uncomfortable, she took a sip from her glass, so I followed suit, tasting the deep flavor of the wine as it seeped into my tongue.

As university students, we couldn’t afford fancy restaurants, so tonight’s place was a reasonably priced one with dinner courses under 5,000 yen.

I had chosen it based on the recommendation of a university friend, so it was likely the kind of restaurant people go to after graduating from casual family dining spots. The food was supposed to be good, and it wasn’t as noisy as a family restaurant. It was also considered a good date spot, and most of the other customers were young couples like us.

I made a mental note to take her to a better restaurant once I graduated, got a job, and was earning my own money. Not that I’d tell Miyu that, but it was something I silently resolved.

After all, there were other things I needed to spend money on.

“I think this is my first time drinking wine. I wonder if I’ll get tipsy.”

Miyu tilted her head slightly, the small earrings on her ears catching the light.

She was already wearing the earrings I’d given her as a present before we came here.

They were simple earrings with a brilliant-cut clear stone set in pink gold. They weren’t real gemstones, just cubic zirconia, but I didn’t think a university student like me needed to splurge on that kind of thing yet. I planned to give her something better later—a ring, not earrings, next time.

Regardless, earrings suited Miyu well, especially since she often tied her long hair back.

Noticing my gaze, Miyu gently touched her earlobe.

“Thanks for the present. I feel like I’ve become an adult.”

“You’re welcome. They look great on you,” I said, repeating a genuine compliment I’d already told her several times before. Then I smiled a little.

“But feeling like an adult now is a bit late, don’t you think? You’re already twenty-one.”

“I know, but I always thought earrings were a bit grown-up.”

She continued in a serious tone.

“Since earrings don’t show unless you pull your hair back, it feels like you’re deliberately wearing them. I feel like they’re more of a conscious accessory compared to others.”

Obviously, I didn’t have much experience with accessories beyond wearing a watch, so I didn’t fully understand her sentiment.

But I could somewhat grasp why Miyu, conscious of being more grown-up, would want to wear earrings.

The old Miyu—back in high school when she spoke of herself as if she didn’t matter—would never have said something like this.

“Yeah, you’re right, we really are adults now…”

Mumbling the obvious, I took another sip of my wine.

Amid the alcohol’s taste and smell, I could faintly detect the flavor of grapes. What a curious drink.

Miyu tilted her glass in the same way. Though her hand was still a bit clumsy, she seemed content as she drank. Maybe she liked the taste.

Looking back, we’d never really had a chance to drink together.

At most, we’d sip whatever was served at our parents’ homes or have a drink or two at a reunion.

Though we’re adults and can drink anytime, neither of us ever felt the urge to drink much. Miyu usually ordered orange juice at work gatherings, and while I didn’t follow her example, I was the type who only drank a beer for the toast at social events. I still didn’t enjoy the bitter taste of beer, and I couldn’t muster the will to tackle salty snacks with sweet cocktails.

So our fridge never really had alcohol in it. We’d never even discussed drinking together.

But tonight, we both chose wine.

Because it was her birthday, we’d decided to drink together.