In the evening, I sneak through the boy's dormitory. I must be quite a sight; a girl in her pyjamas moving stealthily through the halls after curfew, glancing over her shoulder every five seconds. It isn't that I'm worried about campus security finding me, since they only patrol the grounds, but I can imagine the rumours that would spread among my classmates if I were to be discovered. Still, this is Hayato's birthday, so I put aside my nervousness and press on.
 
As I draw near Linus' room, I find my mind wandering. The immensity of my situation hits me full-force. Two guys. One girl. And a teaset. Whoa, Hisako, don't go down that road. I steel myself and stride toward the door before knocking a couple times.
 
"Who is it?" I hear a voice call from within the room. Dignified and lyrical, it can only be Linus.
 
"It's me, Hisako." I call out.
 
"Just one moment, please. The door is locked." I hear the sound of rustling clothing, and footsteps proceeding toward the door. There is a slight click and the footsteps withdraw back into the room. Linus calls out again to beckon me into the room.
 
I push open the door, and am greeted with the sight of both men arrayed on either side of a small table. Linus is dressed in jeans and a rather alluring black button-up shirt, while Hayato is wearing a purple pullover and track pants. I take my seat between the two and can't help but glance at Linus' half-open shirt. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a bag sitting in the corner of the room.
 
"A birthday present?" I ask, and, as if remembering something, Hayato nods to himself and rises, relocking the door before returning to his spot.
 
"You could say that." He replies, and gives me a sly grin.
 
Making absolutely sure that he can hear no one coming down the hallway, Linus reaches over and grabs the bag. He opens it and sets its contents on the table. I realize I'm staring at two bottles of wine - one red, and one white. It flusters me. Always having been on the straight-and-narrow, I'm a little taken aback in the presence of alcohol.
 
"We're not old enough to drink that, right? I ask, knowing fully what the answer is.
 
"Don't worry Hisako. I doubt we'll be caught, and besides, you only live once." Linus responds, looking slightly devious.
 
"Hell yeah!" Hayato adds.
 
We converse for some time, while Linus pours rounds of drinks. Evidently, the alcohol was provided by Akira of all people. Imagine that – a lawyer aiding and abetting three youths. We wish Hayato the standard happy birthday wishes, which he just brushes aside, and we continue drinking. The first few glasses burn my throat as they go down, but they have a pungent, pleasing flavour that I enjoy greatly. That said, I try my best to pace myself. After a while, Linus' gets a little tipsy, and Hayato is definitely drunk, given that he knocked back more glasses than Linus and I combined. The conversation turns to reminiscence, and the two laugh as they recall moments from their then budding friendship. Linus drops a bombshell.
 
"I suppose now would be the best time to mention this." He begins. "I will be returning to Scotland for a week to meet with my parents, and help them look after my sick aunt. I'm looking forward to getting to see them again." At this, Hayato mutters something. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Linus replies.
 
"I'm gonna miss you, man. I wish you and your family all the best."
 
"I'll miss you too, Hayato."
 
The room falls silent. I've never really seen this sort of tenderness out of Hayato. I can't help but stare at him as I wonder if this is the real him underneath all the bluster and posturing. His sentimentality is surprising, to say the least. He glances sidelong at me, and gives me me an appreciative smile.
 
"Don't worry about me." Hayato says. "After all, I have Hisako!" He chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulder for emphasis before losing his balance and falling over into my lap. Both of us, sufficiently drunk at this point, have slight difficulties untangling ourselves from one another. Finally, we manage to separate, and with a giggle, I respond.
 
"That was on purpose, wasn't it?"
 
"Maybe a little bit." He replies with a sheepish grin. "Anyway, I think I'll stumble back to my room and call it a night." Attempting to get up, he sways a bit and ends up falling over again, so I rise, being much less inebriated than him, and help lift him. Together, we make our way to the door and bid Linus a good night before passing through.
 
I help support Hayato, as we stumble through across the hall to his room. He fumbles with the knob for what seems like ages before we finally get the door open. Still clutching his waist, I help him through the doorway. We reach the centre of his room, and I reluctantly release my grip on him. Considering the massive amount of wine he consumed, I’m fearful he won’t stay upright. He seems to sway a little as he draws himself up to his full height.
 
“Are you going to be alright?” I ask, more out of politeness than genuine concern. I doubt one night of heavy drinking is going to do him too much harm.
 
My question is met with silence. He’s facing away from me, so I can’t tell if he’s still riled up after his spat with Linus.
 
“Well, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” As soon as these words escape my lips he wheels around, and has me backed against the wall. He towers over me. From this distance, the harsh scent of alcohol invades my nostrils.  He breathes heavily as he grabs me by the shoulders, and tilts his head down to meet the nape of my neck. I feel his lips and tongue caressing me harshly. I struggle to break free of his grasp, but he’s deceptively strong. His hand settles on my right breast and he squeezes it firmly. Only one thought races through my mind. He’s going to rape me.
 
I feebly struggle some more, but he’s too much to handle. I do the only thing I can think of. I beg.
 
“Hayato, please d-don’t hurt me!”
 
All at once he stops. He relinquishes his grip on me and begins to back away slowly. A look of unbridled horror adorns his face. His mouth moves but nothing comes out. Drunkenly, he stumbles and falls backward. He manages to sit up and looks me straight in the eyes.
 
“Hisako... I thought you... I would never... I would never...” He trails off, and I can see tears welling in his eyes.
 
I look at him for one moment longer before my vision clouds with tears of my own. I swiftly turn on my heel and rush out the door, making my way toward the dormitory exit.
 
“Hisako! Wait! Please!” I hear him scream after me. There’s no way in hell that I’m stopping.