Right when my brain registered who was next to the imposing man who had just burst in, I ducked for cover behind some oblivious customers standing nearby. I glanced back at the intoxicated man who had groped me, and finding him otherwise occupied for the moment, I slipped away back to the counter, holding my hand up to block my face. Not like that would do any good, they would be sure to find me if they decided to drink here. I reluctantly made my way around the counter and began making the drinks as they were called out.

"Quite a rush today, huh?" Haruki smiled in amusement as he worked alongside me. "Friday's are usually like this, but you'll get use to it."

"Maybe if you didn't have such cheap ass beer, not everyone in the area would come here." Akio called out over the commotion, laughing.

I forced a small laugh and glanced in the direction of the group that had caught me off guard. The most intimidating one of the bunch had slid into one of the booths, pulling his companion along with him. The others followed suit and gathered around the table. He looked somewhat perturbed and I surmised that it was the fact that no one had come to ask them about drinks or if they needed anything else we offered, and my heart sunk. This is not going well.

"Takashi, I've got the counter. Can you go check on the rest of the customers." Haruki nodded toward the tables and I held in a sigh that almost escaped my lips.

"Of course."

Walking out from around the counter reluctantly, I started to take down requests and avoid a few stray hands from grabby customers. This is such an unconventional bar, I thought, as I retrieved drinks. I don't honestly know if I can handle this.

I avoided that specific table until I heard an extremely displeased voice billow over the noise, "Hey, I know we're already kinda drunk but I want drinks over here!"

I look over to see the man with the dragon tattoo glaring right at me and a small wave of panic mixed with anger washed over me. If this was like any conventional bar I had been to in this area, he probably wouldn't be waited on at a table anyway. He could have just gotten his own drink from the counter from Haruki if he was that impatient. But no, he has to yell at me and stay glued to that guys side. I sauntered over after a moment and attempted to check my temper. This couldn't be avoided.

"What can I get for you." I looked him square in the eyes.

"What the hell took you soo long, we were here before those bastards." He gestured toward a table of new customers I had just helped.

"I'm sorry for your wait." I responded in a monotone voice.

"You don't seem too sorry. Want me to make you sorry?" He made a move to grab at me, his words slurring showing he'd obviously been drinking before coming here. 

As he reached for me, I looked down at the man next to him and our eyes met. A look of confusion clouded his flushed face as he shot his hand upward to catch my soon to be assailants arm to stop him.

"Shouta." The name escaped his lips as he narrowly stopped his companion from assaulting me.

"What the hell, Ryuu! He was disrespecting me!" Shouta barked at him, then looked like he instantly regretted it and shut his mouth. This was not a sight I had expected. It was almost as if Ryuu intimidated this burly man.

Ignoring Shouta, Ryuu looks straight at me. A small jolt runs through me like I just had been shocked. His gaze was penetrating and deep. Why didn't I feel this before? I feel like he's able to read my innermost desires with those eyes. I can't say this is making me comfortable in the slightest.

"Don't I know you?" His words slur slightly and I can tell he is straining to be in control, despite being somewhat intoxicated. He squints his unique sea green eyes, evaluating me. I stay stationary, unable to come up with the best solution to this mess. Or any solution, for that matter. Why do I always have to be in terrible situations.

"Ahh!" Ryuu exclaims. His face had become even more flushed and his actions started to show him losing the battle against intoxication. "Shouta! He's the one that did this." He held up his arm, rolled up his white sleeve, to reveal the bandage I had paid for and wrapped around his arm just a few hours ago.

"I knew you looked familiar! … Shouta? Hey!" 

Shouta wasn't listening to Ryuu in the slightest. He looked like an outraged bull ready to charge as he moved to launch himself at me in earnest now. 

"YOU DID THIS?!" He bellowed above the noise in the bar, causing multiple curious eyes to turn our direction. He put a protective arm around Ryuu, then moved him slightly so he could slide by to reach me.

"S-Shoutaaa," Ryuu slurred, "Wait, hang on." He put his hand on Shouta's chest, but it was brushed off. He seemed to be trying to communicate, but his actions were slowed due to the alcohol.

"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY RYUU?!" 

Those were the last words I heard as I felt a heavy force connect with the side of my skull and everything went black.