68 Chapter 59: Reminiscing

Haruki stood outside the gates of beacon, He was just looking into space as if He was dazed.

After sending back team RWBY back, He went outside the gates, not knowing why or any idea where to go. He wasn't planning on going back to their room yet. He suddenly had an idea to go drink his worries away.

But first he needed to find a good bar, if there's any here anyways.

He walked towards the commercial district. He was looking for a good place to unwind, forget all the upcoming trouble at least for just one night.

but as he turned around He saw a familiar back as She was just strolling around.

He used lightning form and appeared behind her, "You're too young to be a teacher, but too happy to be a Huntress... Alright take me to where your car broke down."

Neo was jolted back to reality as she was planning on returning after she takes a picture of the place, because she liked how it looked. Haruki suddenly appeared behind her.

She looked back and Hugged him, (Hey baby!Have you had your talk with Pyrrha?)

Haruki gently smiled and caressed her hair, She narrowed her eyes as she buried her face into his chest.

"Yeah, we did."

Neo nodded her head, (Do you think that Salem would come?)

Haruki nodded his head, "Well The first step finished without a hitch, and Salem probably noticed that Ozpin is blocking her observer Grimm so we can only contact her through Hazel or Watts.

So it's either she moved up the schedule or she's delaying it until the Vytal Festival...

Either way they're coming and the sins probably would make a move soon too. I'm just not sure when."

Neo puffed up her chest, (Relax! The greatest Heroine of all time is here! If they ever appear, I'm going to bitch slap the ever living shit out of Salem.

She ain't got nothing on me! Even If the Sins or sinners appear! They're nothing but Cannon fodder against the might of Neo The most OP Maiden!!) She said as she flexed her arms.

Haruki smiled as he put her arms around her shoulders and grinded her head softly, "Oh yeah? Prove it squirt."

Neo pinched him on the sides, (Huh!? Who's a squirt you bastard!?)

He was pinching her cheeks and she fought back. Their laughter echoed through out the place.

But as she was hugging Haruki she noticed something, a peculiar smell... But it is also a familiar one, Roman also had that smell Everytime they come back from missions.

The smell of tobacco.

Neo frowned as she smelled it, But she let it go. She knows when Haruki smoked it was probably because he wanted to relax. Something agitated him or worried him that he can't help but smoke.

When she looked straight into Haruki's eyes, he evaded her gaze...

But that doesn't mean she won't scold him later.

(Haru, are you planning on going somewhere?)

Haruki sighed, "I'm... uhh... planning on grabbing a few drinks?" He closed his eyes thinking that Neo would be pulling his ears by now, but nothing happened.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw Neo sighing, (Fine, Just go home early and tell Cinder and Emerald where you're going.)

Haruki nodded his head as he kissed Neo goodbye, "Be back in a few baby!"

Neo narrowed her eyes, She Had already determined his punishment once He gets back.

Haruki sent a message to Cinder and Emerald's scroll, telling them where he's going.

[Okay, but you gotta sneak some in! I want some!]

Emerald said, Haruki sighed at Emeralds mischievousness.

[Alright, just make sure you don't flirt around or I'll shove a burning stake when the sun doesn't shine...]

He wiped his sweat as he read Cinder's message, He firmly swore that he won't.

He wandered aimlessly looking for the right place to Have a drink, He looked at some but none matched his criteria for quiet and peaceful.

Then He Arrived in front of a Flashy Bar, It was a Two story building, With two Bars and a stair leading up to the Club up top. He went to the left Called Brief Respite.

As he was walking towards the door He was stopped by the guard, "How old are you kid?"

Haruki suddenly remembered that he probably looked a little young. Although he can't bring out powerful weapons with Ars Magus. He could summon the basic ones or even anything below demigod class weapon.

He brought out an I.D. He showed it to the bouncer. The bouncer was doubting if this kid really was 21. He looked very Young.

But before he was about to reprimand Haruki he saw a Couple Hundred lien being slid by Haruki towards his direction.

He then gave Haruki a beaming smile, "Welcome to Brief Respite Sir! Please enjoy yourself to the fullest. We only serve the finest of drinks!"

Haruki smiled towards the guy, Bidding him farewell. When he entered the place He immediately looked around.

There were no loud music, just calming and popular ones. The ambiance on this place certainly suited his tastes.

He looked for an empty seat, "Heh, I guess even for remnant, 9 is the busiest time for a bar..."

On the other side of the counter, A lone girl who looked like a cross between a rich girl and a soldier was drinking. But Her looks were clearly cut above the rest.

By the looks of it she was drinking to drown out her sorrows and worries. She appeared to be cursing someone under her breath.

The others who wanted to strike a conversation towards this stunning lady stepped back from the aura she exuded.

She was just probably waiting for an unlucky fool to annoy her and give her a reason to vent out her frustrations. They probably won't survive the beating.

Also Judging from the way she carries herself she's probably a veteran soldier. And you don't want to mess with that.

Haruki was finally found a vacant seat, and when he saw who he would be sitting beside. It brought a smile towards his face.

"Now I know why this place was well hidden and quiet, It actually serves celebrities."

Winter was grumbling towards Haruki, She was angry when she found out that he was actually together with so many girls, He was even extremely close with her little sister that she cherished dearly.

She met him first Before Team RWBY, Although she respected Neo's place in his heart. She also wanted to be a part of that. Why did he add Pyrrha first before her? she thought to herself.

She knew Haruki first, Plus she has done so many things for him, For his cause and what does she get? A simple thanks!? It wasn't fair. She's only human. And she's more than a stiff rule following soldier. She was a woman to dammit! She has feelings too!

While she was looking forward to their reunion, All he gave her was a thank you. She wanted more she has needs too! While he strutted around flirting with every woman he sees, she was waiting for a gift or some show of appreciation.

As she was thinking of ways to beat Haruki up, she was anchored back to reality when she heard his voice. She thought that she had heard wrong and it was someone else. When she looked behind She saw the man she was angry at, So she replied sarcastically.

"So you're telling me that you're a celebrity too?"

Haruki scratched his cheeks, Winter sounded a little hostile towards him, but he still replied with a smile.

"Yeah! don't you remember me? I was the child actor for Barry's chicken salad.

It had a really great jingle, it went like...

Welcome to Barry's Chicken Pa~lace~"

He sang it to winter but winter just narrowed her eyes, "C'mon you really don't recognize me? Figures... back on my acting days I was really arrogant and haughty towards my peers so they lay me off after starring on that commercial..."

Winter laughed, "Hahahaha, Fine fine you win..."

Haruki sat down beside her, "Give me two shots of what she's having."

The bartender swiftly moved his hands and Gave him tow shots.

Winter looked at Haruki shocked, "Huh? aren't you a- -"

Haruki put his finger on his lips, "Relax I'm old enough."

He quickly downed the two shots, "Boss give me two glasses of one of your top shelf drinks. A whiskey on the rocks with a Cola back."

Winter was expecting Haruki to give her one but he just drank both of it in one go. While Haruki pointed at the direction of the Cold King Whiskey.

The bartender gave him a pitcher of cola, and Two empty glasses and two glasses of whiskey.

He gave one to Winter, "Here, this one's for you. I owe you far too much. I haven't really done anything for you after all these years. I honestly appreciate all your help and if I could do anything for you, as long as I could do it, I would."

Winter drank from her glass as she stared at Haruki with eyes wide open, She thought to herself. 'It's my chance! But if I do that I'd feel like I somehow lost... I want to win him the fair way... not some kind of back end deal.'

So she smiled and asked, "Anything?"

Haruki nodded his head.

But before Winter told him what she wanted, she asked him another question.

"Do you remember when we first met?"

Haruki laughed, "Yeah, it wasn't the best first meetings but I look back at that memory fondly."

Winter rolled her eyes at him, "Yeah right... it was one of the worst first impressions you could give a lady!"

Haruki scratched his cheeks, "Well you're right. But it was also your first mission and I couldn't help but tease the rookie for her blunders."

Winter downed the whiskey as she blushed, not wanting to show him that she was extremely embarrassed.

"Shut up! I can't help it!"

Haruki smirked, "Yeah nice try, I wonder if I should tell Weiss a story. One that involves her big sister that she looks up to."

She hit him in the shoulders, "Don't! you're going to ruin my image! That's slander!"

She laughed as they reminisced how they first met and talked with each other. Winter cherished those memories, those memories were almost as important to her like her sister.

Haruki sighed, although Winter was fond of those memories, Haruki wasn't...

Because he intentionally didn't show her the ugly truth behind it all.