Chifuyu is greatly disturbed by the gaze the girls gave her, that he’s partly to blame doesn’t help. As such, she can’t really ask for a good rest during a vacation, at least, not today.
She went to downtown Odaiba, a bar close to her place of working and her home –well, she prefer to call it ‘house’ due to personal problem, but whatever. ‘Crescendo’ wasn’t that big, neither is too famous, but it’s decent and met Chifuyu’s standard.
There, Maya already wait for her with a big smirk pictured on her face, for some reason, Chifuyu is irked, but say nothing.
“Calling you out in a rush like that, I hereby apologize”
“Ie, it’s not like I have anything important. It’s really boring to seen the catalog for a whole day actually” she replied, her extremely young appearance and somewhat childish manner often deceive new customer, but the usual patron already knew that Maya is totally legal to attend such place.
Chifuyu was silent for a while, the bartender just smiled in response as Chifuyu leered at him. For a man of his age, he’s truly attractive and many female patrons develop a special crush on him. Not Chifuyu however.
“Trying something new?”
“Why not”
On the entrance, two awkward young men come in. None other than Iori Kirishima and Joshua O’Brien, the later sure is nervous for some reason.
“Hey, Mr. Kirishima, are you sure it’s okay?”
“You want something not encased in aluminum can? This shop has the best”
“… It’s interesting for you to be so eager about outing from your underground criminal base”
“The festival” Iori replied “It’s seems that I always forgot something, I forgot how it’s cool to be able to walk outside. Oh and before you ask, there’s no such thing as bar brawl in Japan, at least, not very frequent”
O’Brien wanted to smack him but reminded himself that this guy is his boss, by technicality.
Iori is a reserved, polite man 90% of the time. It’s just that his eccentricity is heightened to a whole new level sometimes, as if he’s drunk on adrenaline. Just hours before, Iori do something involving explosion in the lab, with undisclosed reason.
Joshua think alcohol will make him less hyperactive, before he knew; Iori is dragging him to a bar.
His hairstyle also changed considerably, his long, white hair usually tied into a neat braid, now let loose, won’t be out of place amongst male idols if not for the odd color.
“Iori, is that you?” Chifuyu asked.
Iori squint for a while until he managed to recognize her.
“Ah, what a coincidence” Iori’s gaze set toward Maya, who looked at him with curiosity. “Ah, I’m truly sorry to barge in in. I hope I don’t disturb your conversation”
Maya just shook her head softly “I don’t really mind, Mister-“
“Kirishima Iori, from Kirishima Corporation. One Spitzer, for him, please” Chifuyu said without hesitation, much to Joshua and Maya’s confusion. Especially Maya, who never see Chifuyu talk so casually.
On the other hand, the Bartender simply smirked and did the order.
“Beer? You haven’t changed a lot”
“Is one year is such a large timeframe to change someone anyway?” Chifuyu asked rhetorically.
“Certainly” he raised the unusually narrow glass filled with white liquid of low alcoholic content “But I always present for some soda”
*Ping* it made a contact with Chifuyu’s glass of black beer
“Likewise, it’s an honor to meet you again, Orimura and Yamada sensei” Josh bowed a little before take a seat as Iori and Chifuyu signaled him.
“P-please don’t call me that here, it’s embarrassing” Maya noted furiously, which Josh quietly agreed, he then politely asked the bartender “Can I have an Alcopop? Assuming you have it, of any favor"
"We have Hard Lemonade, does that sounds fine for you sir?"
"Yes, please"
“Oh, by the way, Senbei, this is Yamada Maya, my Assistant Teacher in I.S.A”
“Nice to meet you” both party involved nodded, still not associated enough to drop the professional charade.
“Have I met you somewhere?” Maya asked abruptly for some reason, Iori squint and tilt his head, then he got the clue.
“Aa… I remember that voice now… the summer festival”
Hearing Iori’s response, Maya’s face suddenly turns red and quickly chugged her share of drink, even so far as saying “Itadakimasu” and then choked herself in process. Truthfully, it amused Chifuyu; she managed not to laugh somehow.
Chifuyu might try to dig further information, but then again, that's not her style... so she'll stay quiet about it for now.
“You didn’t bring your glasses apparently” Chifuyu noted regarding his imperfect eyesight, which is the reason why Iori is having a hard time recognizing face.
"What?"
Iori looked at Josh questioningly as if nothing is weird.