The sound of leather shoes echoed in the quiet alley illuminated with streetlights…-.
Alfred, Jay, and Martin… three princes who had been long-time friends had just attended the wedding of a mutual friend.
Martin: “That was a fine ceremony. A night like this makes me want to drink some fine alcohol.”
Alfred: “Isn’t that what you always say?”
Jay: “You haven’t changed at all Martin.”
A completely relaxed and natural atmosphere floated around the three as they chatted.
Martin: “So what? It’s been a while since the three of us got together anyway. Speaking of which, did you know there’s a good bar around here?”
Alfred took a step forward as if following Martin’s guidance as he looked around and surveyed the area.
Alfred: “I know there’s an assortment of fine shops around here. Let’s take a quick look.”
Martin: “I’d be glad if they had a sofa. I’m in the mood to take it easy and talk with you guys.”
Jay: “Haha, you wanting to talk about the wedding?”
Alfred: “Speaking of… we’ve gone out for drinks after a wedding before.”
Thinking of the distant past, Alfred squinted as he put his hand to his jaw.
Martin: “Yeah, that was a while ago. Jay got into trouble, totally cornered by that woman.”
Alfred: “When it came to Jay back then… he was always wandering off and because of that, we’d always end up whisked away to some beautiful place before we’d even realized.”
Jay: “Is that so… you two remember it pretty well.”
Martin: “Well of course. I couldn’t forget that night even if I wanted to.”
Alfred: “Yes, it’s not something you see every day. The boyfriend of the girl who was trying to get your attention went into quite a frenzy and got violent.”
Martin: “Al stepped in and saved you. But in the end, the three of us got kicked out and banned from the bar we were at.”
Their shoulders shook with laughter, and Jay smiled bitterly, unable to endure their teasing any longer.
Martin: “I felt bad, okay? So isn’t it about time you guys forgave me?”
Martin: “Alright alright, it’s all in the past anyway.”
Martin lightly clapped Jay on the back, his expression warm.
Martin: “Time heals all wounds… though that’s kind of glossing over the issue. But that’s just how it goes.”
As Martin alluded to the unspoken past of both Jay and Alfred, the two stiffened their shoulders and nonchalantly distanced themselves from him.
Jay: “What are you trying to say? Though… even if you ask, you might only end up having dug your own grave.”
Martin: “Well I am a bit of a meddler, if I do say so myself. What do you think Al?”
Martin asked his question to Alfred, who turned to look back and remained silent.
Alfred: “…there is the question of whether time heals all wounds, and the question of whether things can be resolved so simply. However, I am not so boorish as to continue such a depressing line of conversation on such an auspicious night.”
Jay: “Al…”
Alfred: “I think I’ll open a special bottle tonight. Wine from the year when we three first met.”
Martin: “That sounds good. Awesome.”
Jay: “Yeah. Seems like it won’t be such a bad night.”
The voices of the princes who harbored bitter-sweet knowledge echoed joyfully through the evening town.
END