Wolf's POV
Walking into a room filled with people that want to get to know each other has always felt like walking into the lions den. People always wanting to know everything about you is the most suffocating thing you can ever go through
"What are your hobbies?"
"Where are you from?
"How long have you been a sensei for?"
"Have you always wanted to teach karate?"
"Tell us about your team"
"Are you close to your team?"
I don't really care much about getting to know other people, I find it more interesting to sit back and observe. Find their weaknesses and use them to my advantage, because in this world, it's all about staying one step ahead of everyone else.
I walked over to the bartender and asked for a whiskey. He quickly poured me a glass and I downed it within seconds. Out of no where I heard this familiar laugh, instantly I looked around for the source of it but I quickly knocked myself out of it
The warmth of the whiskey burned my throat as I set the glass down on the counter. But that laugh, it was unmistakable. A sound I hadn't heard in years, but one that still echoed in my mind like it had just happened. I turned instinctively, my eyes scanning the room for any hint of who it was.
It was fleeting, just a blur of motion in the corner of my vision, but I knew I'd heard it. The laugh that could never be forgotten, that familiar, carefree sound from a time long gone. I pushed it aside, shaking my head.
Not now, I told myself. This wasn't the place, and I wasn't in the mood for distractions.
I leaned back against the bar, the noise of the room fading in comparison to the memories stirring inside me.
"Focus" I told myself again. But even as I tried to block it out, I couldn't shake the feeling that something, or someone, was about to change everything.
"Another" I demanded the bartender, he grabbed the bottle and poured me another glass, quickly drinking it as the last drop fell
The burn of the whiskey was almost comforting now, a numbness spreading through me with every swallow. The room felt distant, like I was floating just above it all, watching the noise and movement but not really part of it. I kept my eyes on the counter, the glass in my hand, refusing to let my mind wander back to that laugh.
The bartender didn't say a word as he refilled the glass, his hands steady, practiced. He knew the drill.
The glass was almost empty again, and for a moment, I debated whether to leave. But that laugh, that damn laugh, it kept pulling me back. My eyes flicked to the crowd once more, searching for that elusive trace of familiarity, but it was gone. Maybe I was just imagining it, maybe I'd had enough to drink to cloud my thoughts.
Another quick gulp. The glass was empty again.
"Alexander Wolf!" I heard an obnoxious voice say as their hand landed on my shoulder. I looked at it in disgust, I shoved it off and looked at the person, glaring at them.
"Didn't think I'd see you here after you lost your dojo" I looked at him in annoyance and confusion
"Do I know you?" My voice serious and intimidating. He stood there and let out a laugh
"Yes, yes we met a few years back. I helped you for a few months as an assistant" He wore an irritating smile, and the longer I stared at him, the stronger the urge to punch him grew
"Don't think so" I let go of my glass and started walking away but I could hear him following me, asking to get his teeth knocked out
"Yes, we spent about two months working together right before you lost your dojo. Hey man I just wanna say, I'm glad you g-" I turned around quickly, not wanting to hear the rest of his stupid noises he calls words.
