-----

Satoru watched as the other managed to squeeze in the space, one he was able to fit into much easier. It was work dust, at least not stagnant air. A grin was on his features as he saw the bartender was in, turning heel to continue onwards, making his way forward and up through the structure. "Follow me!" The path he took was... stable enough.

This path didn't have as many tight areas to go through, but the intent was to go to the very top of the to-be-apartment complex. The roof was still open for the workers and the view looked good, a view good enough to share. The boy did look back a few times to make sure the other was following him okay, checking in occasionally. "All good?"

It was a good thing that he kept his physical fitness since being a boy. After all if he was a lazy adult he would be huffing and puffing all teh way down. Apples falling everywhere.

"Yeah. Just hoping no one else can see me."

perhaps he should have brought a hoodie or something in case anyone saw him. After all this is a place near his bar.

"Maybe you should have put a rope on top."

"We near the top?"

#ic #uwu.

twerks.

Matthias rarely went out for drinks, far too occupied with various other activities to even consider going out with his siblings for drinks. Though if it were going to be as fun as watching this man squirm, he would definitely want to go out more often. Albeit, within moderation of course. He didn't want to become a raging alcoholic with his already expensive model kit hobby.

"So long as y'keep supplyin' the drinks, I'll keep comin'! Speaking of, my glass is lookin' a lil empty~"

#ic #we do be a bit fooling around

May your head get cut vertically into two. He thinks viciously, pouring another drink with a smile. why couldn't this one have some class. after all the others paid all right.

"Of course, of course." Just don't ruin the store. "But I bet you have some family waiting for you. You are a...big brother aren't you?"

"I wouldn't have brought you here if I haven't!" With a quick look up and down the other, a fleeting thought he'd already had when he saw the work jacket come off popping back into his mind now that they were actually in front of the building. If the workmen could go around inside, why couldn't he? Not tested. Just, a hunch and if anything happened, well, a revival would likely kick in to protect the other. "It'll be okay. No worries, you'll get through just fine."

With as much grace as a ten year old working his way through a gap could manage, he fit right in. Offering a hand through. "This way! We're going to the top." This wasn't his secret hide out, it was someone else's secret hideout surely. But he and his group occupied an entirely different building. So if it was more guarded in the future.. he wouldn't be too broken up about it. Especially if something did happen.

#grown ass man playing with kids what a society #he's going to be pushed or something mmm shady

He is the athletic kind of man that moving his body in various ways will surely not end up with a broken bone, especially at his age. Dust falls around the space, and maybe he should offer the kid a wash rag next time if this is how he's going in. being dusty is no good for anyone after all.

He manages to get in , noting that he would need to change later.

"Alright, lead the way again."

"It's nice to meet you!" A looked back with a smile, a skip on his step as he walked forward. Nearly there, not too far now.

Satoru did struggle a bit with names, but he always made the effort to remember if he could help it. Especially since he now saw the bartender twice.

"Ah.. I live sort of close, I thought I'd stop by today! Mom is at work right now." The kid had a mission in mind, not much time for distractions. But the drinks were good, might as well take a moment of reprieve while he had it. Maybe it'd open up a new door he never considered before. "There it is!" He lifted up an arm and pointed to the building, clearly cordoned off as 'UNDER CONSTRUCTION', no cameras on the premise but kids have wormed their way in enough through the tarp surrounding it to create a noticeable gap.

"Trust me, it's worth it!"

"...Well, at the very least you done this before. You sure though a big guy like me can get in safely?"

As in the whole thing might be abandoned or something if someone this young had enough time to make a gap in the place. He might talk with the other adults about safety, if he knew anyone with kids. most of his friends...didn't, hence why he was in the alcohol business.

#sussy baka.... sussy...

Satoru let go of his hand and waited right outside, patiently kicking his foot on the ground to pass the time until he heard the other come back outside. Only when he saw the he thought for a moment. It should be okay right? The slimming effect of the uniform really did wonders, not that he had an opinion either way. Just might make the journey itself a bit more difficult through the scaffolding once they'd arrived. "Great!"

"You'll see when we get there. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you now, would it?" Satoru was often left to his own devices, ever since he was much younger than he was now. It wasn't much of a concern for him, especially since he had the mental capacity of an adult. Satoru began his walk, not too far from the bar itself, leading the way but just enough that he was just barely in front of the bartender.

"Say..What's your name, anyways? I'm Satoru!" Might as well fill the few minute long walk leading up to the site with idle chatter.

#i have'nt thought of a name yet...

"Oh, you never heard it. Its {}{}{}{}-

whatever nature out there, the name is rather forgettable despite his appearance. he is a bartender after all , he can't stand out too much or people will get distracted.

the walk is fine, after all how far could a child lead him?

"Do you live near? Or have a guardian at least?"

"Do they? Guess that's why my sis recommended you, definitely a reprieve from those guys who got thumbs up their asses like th'thumb. I can definitely see myself comin' here more regularly."

Another long sip of his alcohol, finishing it off just as he feels several individuals' eyes upon him. They weren't cowardly like the ones who left earlier, but they were still aware attacking him would result in a write up. Thankfully for them, Matthias was off duty. He simply wanted to enjoy his drink.

"No, no. So long as y'keep givin' me drinks it won't be a problem. Haha!!"

What a bother. if only someone strong came in and killed the guy.

He thinks rather unkindly, not one to wish death on other people. the annoying strong ones that came in and didn't pay were often the worst people out there for him. luckily he didn't live anywhere near where the former L corp use to be so he didn't have that kind of survival experience.

"Of course."

I hope your head gets cut off. he thinks behind the smile.

"Will you be coming often?"

#ic #hehe..

Satoru's smile widened when he heard the, acknowledgement of time. Something he had a bit of in-between his own struggles in balancing the Revival, but it was always good to take a break. This afforded a good distraction, same as the bartender he was now roping into his mess. "Secret! You'll see when we get there, just trust me." A mischievous, cheeky expression on his features, although his intentions themselves were good. True to any child, perhaps who wanted to show off something and get the full scope of surprise. For better or worse, in this situation, perhaps for the worse.

"It shouldn't take... too long." He thought about it for a moment before gently grabbing the bartenders hand in his own, giving it a tug in the direction he planned on leading them. Only once the elder had placed down the standee, ensuring all was said and done before moving in the direction of the construction site he'd ventured through once before. An activity he, as an actual adult, would scold himself for doing. But it was worth it for the view whenever they would arrive. Hopefully the other would agree.

"...Hm.. Do you think you could remove your suit jacket when we get there? Just in case?" Just in case it were to get snagged on something. It seemed expensive.

#ic #uwus at you are we goign to have a accident on site thatwould be funny #me remembering revival anime...oshi no ko

"I could just wear another jacket." he is quick to do so, wearing something that fitted him a bit more. Clothes do really make the man as his new jacket showed off how much bigger he is, compared to the slimming effects of his bartending uniform.

"Its been quiet a while since I took some time off. What exactly do you want to show me?"

He knows that japan is a high trust society, but he's a bit worried that kids would go off alone. especially ones as young as these, he just assumes that he lives nearby.

@applebartender ; outgoing starter!

Well, after their brief encounter, Satoru hadn't expected to run into the bartender again. Outside of the bar that is. Similar to how a teacher doesn't exist outside a classroom. The same concept logic applied to that very illogical thought, despite knowing full well about the lives of those around him outside of their supposed designated roles. It'd be strange if they ceased to exist the second he left the building he'd met them in.

Still, after a moment of hesitation, he bounded up to the man with a wave. A jump in his step. In a moment like this it was truly as if he was a small child, yet somehow he was only a few years off of the person in front of him. "Hey!" A momentary pause as he smiled up at the other. "Is time for work yet? Do you have some time right now?" He remembered the other opened up early, maybe it was an off day. If the bartender had time, then might as well try and show him something cool. Make up for those free drinks as a thank you.

#oh no tall buildgins my weakness.#idk how to climb writing

"Oh?"

The bartender own vision of events is that there was far too many problems happening outside the real world right now , so having a distraction would be beneficial for everything else. It would be that he needed some thing new in his mind right now to take the edge off living in this world.

"I suppose I do. What is it?"

He sets the standee down, the whole thing rather heavy in anyone else hands. Being a adult ,especially one that manage the business by himself alone is difficult work. not enough finances to afford hiring another person to help him.

morning.

"...Interesting."

A pause, eyeing the man behind the bar up and down. He certainly didn't look to be a fixer, nor did he appear to have any combat prowess outside of likely basic abilities. Matthias took another long sip of his alcohol, ensuring that he kept eye contact with him.

He's starting to sound like another dumbass he's come across.

"Yer real ballsy not hirin' any protection. Your neighbors invested in some Kurokumo grunts, so why don't you follow their lead, eh? Unless y'think you're able t'defend your bar. Ha!"

#i had to put in some plot armor so get the ball rolling #pls be gentle...

The truth is that all the neighbors were selfish assholes who overcharged their customers into bankruptcy. Not that he could say that...

"...I'm the only bar that isn't affiliated with any syndicate. So a lot of members do come in. They... well they don't fight me. They fight each other outside since this is the few places where they can enter without worrying about the Thumb."

In truth its a hot spot for too many people who want to keep low profile. Or at least there were a lot of fixers who come here too.

His eyes look left, and then right. Seeing a few people from other wings who weren't afraid of Matthias. But they kept to themselves and if things comes to worst, various insurances were in place.

"Its...not a problem is it?"

Already was the man losing customers, and with each passing second and more glances did people realize who was unfortunately sitting next to them. There wasn't any worry that his weapon would potentially be grabbed; everyone here knew that The Middle Never Forgot any threats against them, big or small.

"On the house, huh? How generous~"

Hand reaches out to wrap around the glass, raising it to his lips and taking a hearty swig. He's unflinching as it enters his system, placing it back down onto the counter and once again making eye contact with the bartender.

"Tell me. Do you have any syndicates protectin' this place? 'Cause it seems like yer neighbors have got plenty of 'em. Haha!"

#ic #bartender feeling fear because the big brother is asking that-#la gulp..

The problem, he thinks is that big syndicates were all the rage but were expensive as hell. He can't have his dream if he starts their protection racket at all.

"...No, sir. I don't have a single protection right now."

Because this was suppose to be a safe spot, away purposely away from any of the big streets out there. His own little paradise, being ruined by syndicates.

Satoru had enjoyed a bitter taste, C.C. Lemon being a near daily part of his adult life in the past. But perhaps the bitter apple was a bit jarring for his childish tastebuds who had grown unused to *bitterness*. This flavor would certainly be much more suited so someone who needed a little boost later in the day.

Feet kicked from the barstool, too tiny to reach the supports underneath. "Add it. I think people will like it!" Not a vitamin rich alternative, but certainly had a kick. Satoru watched as the other's hands set up the bar with mild intrigue. A bar far too expensive for his usual expenses in general, adult and current. So watching was indeed a treat for him.

"An alcohol free import? Really?" Satoru sounded almost excited, alcohol free sure but the novelty itself was exciting. "Wait, are you sure? Isn't it expensive?"

#ic #i sell this actually ....plug in

"Not really, I found this cheap importer with fair prices. So I can order some...if there is a demand for it of course."

"Maybe around 400 yen per bottle."

"See, the price ain't so bad. And since there no alcohol in it I can serve it to you without a licence. Its a really easy way to introduce beer to younger people or those who want to feel cool."

"A Are you sure? I can pay." He didn't mind; it was a product. But he certainly would keep his money if told to for certain by the bartender. For the moment he just kept his money out on the bar counter. Small hands reaching up to accept the glass with a small bow.

"Thank you." With that he took a sniff before a trepidatious drink. His eyebrows furrowing with the sour taste, child taste buds not adjusted to the sourness quite yet. Not bad, just not something he was used to in this body. The flavor itself was enjoyable. "You're right, it's sour, not bad but I do like it." Satoru's face could almost betray what he actually thought, he did indeed like it. "Little early to drink too much of it, but would be good to start the day with."

"Well, I can push it later when actual customers come in."

"Not really the best ingredients out there, more of something I had lying around though. But if you like it, Guess I can add it later on."

His hands were moving, cleaning and setting up the bar for later on. After all the clientele often allowed for more surplus of ingredients, it wasn't exactly a cheap bar he had going on.

"I imported a alcohol free beer if you wanna try."

#ic #meow

"Oho... I'd heard one of my sisters talk about this place, so I figured I'd check it out myself."

He can feel the other customers' gaze upon him, some even jumping from their seat and running out before even paying. A quick nod of his chin left multiple stools vacant, and Matthias casually places his cased-up relic down near him.

"Alright barkeep, gimme yer strongest!"