All That Sparkles Isn't Sweet

The members of Hinito have a peaceful and quiet night amongst themselves. Like always, Maxy has to barge in and ruin that.

“Hey guys, I’m back from my concert!” Maxy barely misses Nicky as he flings open the door.

Sitting at the kotatsu, Nicky and Toni’s eyes focus on Maxy. Higgy shuts his eyes and turns away, as if not being able to see the newcomer will make him disappear. That, or he’s wondering if Maxy could be any louder. He stays quiet, re-crossing his legs in his favorite chair. 

“Hi, Maxy!” Nicky greets. “How was it?”

Maxy chuckles. “Do you even have to ask? They didn’t even know what hit ‘em!”

“Aww, that’s a shame. I hope everyone’s alright.” 

The pleather-clad idol blinks at Nicky. “Nick… Nicky, you--you know what I meant! Anyway!” Out of his jacket, he pulls out a bottle and flaunts it. “Lookit what I got~”

“What is it? Is that wine?” Toni questions. “If that’s wine, then I’m telling Okaasan!”

“No!” Maxy squints at his brother. “Ya’ snitch… Some of the adult staff was drinking wine, but Kenji offered me this! It’s called sparkling water~”

Nicky leans toward it. “Oooooh, fancy!”

“Can I have some?” asks Toni.

“No! You just tried to tell on me!” Maxy protectively shields his prize.

 Opening his eyes to examine the bottle, the eldest boy finally speaks. “Does that say... mint flavor?” His face contorts in a grimace. “Sounds gross.”

“Of course you’d say that, Higgy.” The 16-year-old responds. “Lucky for you, this drink is only for folks with refined tastes.”

“And since when were you refined?”

“I have hidden depths you wouldn’t know about.”

Higgy raises his hands, dropping the conversation. “Whatever, drink your nasty mint water.”

“I will. Later.” Maxy’s hair flops as he nods defiantly. He sets the bottle down on the table, by Nicky. “The one I really wanted to try--” From his jacket, he pulls out another bottle. “--Is this blueberry one!” 

“Wh--? How many of those did you take?” Higgy spits out in bewilderment.

“May I have a--?”

“No!!” Maxy shoots down Toni once more while struggling to unscrew the bottle. “I’m gonna drink it first! Geez...”

The bottle pops open. Maxy takes a large gulp before his face immediately scrunches up in disgust. His mouth, filled with the drink, is ready to unleash it onto the carpet, but one glare from Higgy tells him that spitting it out will be the last thing he ever does. Regretfully, Maxy swallows his mistake.

 “Eaugh! What is that?” The curly-haired idol looks at his drink, expecting an answer. “It isn’t even sweet! I want my money back!”

“But didn’t Kenji give it to you?” asks Toni.

“Whatever, I want my taste buds back! I can’t believe he even offered me that. Is this some kinda punishment?” Maxy then starts addressing the ceiling. “Sorry I goofed off in class, Sensei. Ya didn’t hafta poison me over it!”

“Did it taste like blueberries?” Nicky looks up at Maxy, undeterred by his previous outbursts.

“It smelled like ‘em.” Maxy smears his mouth along the sleeve of his jacket, paying no mind to Higgy’s disapproval. “But it tasted like sour water! I don’t even understand; it’s like they made soda but without the fun! Who even drinks this stuff?”

Higgy shrugs, smirking. “People with refined tastes?”

Rolling his eyes, Maxy shakes his head. “Anyway, you can have this.” He tilts the bottle toward Toni.

“I… I dunno.” Toni looks warily at the bottle in Maxy’s hand, then turns his attention to the mint one beside Nicky. He takes it in his hand. Slowly and cautiously, he unscrews it, before taking a peek inside, as if something would jump out at him. Just to be on the safe side, he also sniffs it.

“Drink it! Drink it! Drink it!” His brother chants.

“I’m gonnaaa! Stop rushing meee!”

“Take your time, Toni.” Nicky encourages.

The freckled boy almosts puts his lips on the bottle, draws back at the last moment, and repeats the process a few more times. Finally, he takes a sip. Toni immediately slams the bottle down, fastening the cap on as if he were trying to prevent some evil spirit from getting loose. He looks thoroughly revolted. 

“Ahahahahahaha!!” Maxy cackles his distinctive cackle while his cheeks flush a rosy red. He wipes tears from his eyes. “T-To-T-Toniheeheehee!”

Toni gives Maxy a look of hurt and betrayal. “Ewwwuh!” he exaggerates. “It hurts! Maxy, why does this water huuuuurt??”

Maxy can barely hold himself together. “Why did you drink it?” he squeaks.

“I dunno! I thought I might’ve had refined tastes!”

“Toni, I was joking!” Higgy shakes his head, resting his face in his hands.

“Want some?” Maxy offers.

“Absolutely not!” hisses the dark-haired idol. “Especially after you put your mouth germs on it! Gross!”

To everyone else’s surprise, Nicky offers an empty cup toward Toni. “Can I try some of yours?”

“Are you actually gonna try it?” Maxy asks, with equal parts amusement and horror.

“Yeah.”

“Are you suuure? It tastes hurty.” Toni warns.

“I should be fine. I like spicy food!”

“You’re gonna drink after Toni?” The judgement in Higgy’s voice is not so subtle. His face does an equally good job of conveying it, too.

“You brush your teeth, right Toni?” 

Toni nods.

“I should be fine.” Nicky smiles. 

With hesitation, Toni pours the contents of his drink into Nicky’s cup. Nicky drinks it with no qualms. Everyone else waits silently for his reaction.

“Refreshing!” Nicky holds his cup up high. “Can I have some more?”

Toni pours him another cup, his brown eyes bulging. Maxy’s brows bunch in confusion. 

“Psst.” Maxy whispers. “You know it’s not gonna hurt anyone’s feelings if you say you don’t like it, right Nicky? You can spit it out, you know.”

Nicky gives his fan-favorite smile, then drinks another cup. “I like it!”

Higgy simply shakes his head. “Of course you’d be the one to like it… Well. At least someone’s happy.”