-	“Increase? Drop pods don’t really accelerate.”
-	“Remember how Juno said it was ‘primitive’?”
-	“Yeah.”
-	“She meant it was a repurposed ICBM.”
-	“…”
-	“I know, I know, the Chinese have no tact, let it all out.”
-	“Man.”
-	“How do you know about drop pods anyway?”
-	“…Got to the Paradise same way as you did, shotput out of an orbital station.”
-	“Damn, twinsies.” I fist bump Yusuke, we don’t even really glance at each other, the fist bump just happens.
-	“That being said… Does anyone ever tell you that you don’t shut the fuck up?”
I erupt into laughter, completely compelled into hysterics from how sudden this man has manifested his dislikes.
-	“I’m serious man, all I asked is why your name is Japanese if you’re meant to be from the Commie Station.”
-	“Man, I’m sorry, I know I talk a lot, bad habit.”
-	“It’s okay. Beats talking to Dunne and having him doze off half-way.”
-	“Been there, done that.”

I take a sip of the cheap beer we bought. The fractured moons look beautiful tonight, bright, wide, staring back at us like they’re both just hanging out, drinking whatever moonjuice of preference they have out there. The wind is chilly, but it’s still rather hot. Perhaps it’s my skin failing to get accustomed to anything above 20 degrees, that station spoiled me rotten.
-	“Say, Eliza.”
-	“Yeah?”
-	“This whole time, she referred to you as Erisa. What’s up with that?”
-	“Oh, yeah. Transliteration problems.”
-	“Fuck me.”
-	“Yup.”
-	“Who was it?”
-	“Aiko.”
-	“Yeah sometimes she can’t pick between Yuu or Yu.”
-	“Well, I believe you are a good Yuujin.” Yusuke just stares at me in disbelief and disdain, like someone who’s just sick of your shit at this point.
-	“Listen, I won’t cave your shit in because I appreciate you too.” I let out a snort and a smug expression takes over me, throwing an empty beer can at his face.
-	“Pussy!” He just swats it mid-air and throws protein bar packets at my face, which has a bit too much air drag to even get close to me. I keep laughing at this whole mess.
I got these shitty foldable summer chairs by accident trying to buy mounts and pintles for my equipment, but hey, ain’t an accident if it’s useful.
-	“Oh yeah, since you know about the topic.”
-	“Hm?” He directs his voice to me, acknowledging my communication protocol.
-	“What did she mean by that? Freedom?”
-	“…Jiyū.”
-	“That would’ve been a nightmare for Aiko to transliterate.”
The moons are still there, across the sky. Perhaps they bickered one day and one of them threw a beer can at the other. Beer, or— that moonjuice of theirs. Wait—
-	“Do you think they drink moonshine?” I take my time staring at the moons to ensure he gets it, before hearing a groan followed by a contemptuous swig of alcohol.
With the breeze on my face, on this brick and mortar office roof where I rest, I hold a pretty good dream… It lasted 9 years, 10 months, and 16 days.
-	“Did you keep your promise?” Yusuke asks me, cigarette snug between his lips.
-	“…Yeah” I look back to the Vegasian skyline… “What about you?”
-	“If you're asking 'had she been my friend and asked for the same thing'… Well, I suppose so. I believe we’d also bond over the fact we dated our bosses.”
-	“Really?” I chuckle, an innocent, naïve laugh, right before it dawns on me. “You what!?”

END