I don't like parties. Period.

Yet, here I was. Lingering in a corner all by myself, sipping some cool lime refresher, while overviewed the mass of swindling madness.

What's the point of it anyway? Buy an expensive low quality drink and go into a sweaty crowds, where one has no idea who even invaded their privacy?

But then again, I came to it, so I am pretty much a hypocrite at this point. Well, I guess I will just have to blame it on curiosity, but then again, curiosity is a door that opens to everything, and without it, we humans wouldn't have gotten anywhere in history.

I glanced around, people were just losing themselves, and some were out right animals. My lips thinned as I turned away, and went back to sipping my drink.

Well I guess there is a first for everything. I looked to the mirror behind the bartender and reflected upon my own image.

Short black hair, solid brown eyes, black wind coat, casual tux, black pants and boots. I would personally say I was a tall lean individual, not particular robust, but still quite a solid stance. With a grimace, I took out my phone and browsing the latest news:

"Notorious psychopath breaks out from super maximum security asylum."

Whatever, they're just trying to sell headlines.

"Exposed! Chinese billionaire business man's lover is a guy!?"

Now, that's just desperate.

"Massive fire storm and blizzard disaster occurring at the same time in City of Fog!"

...

Feeling like I had enough bull shit for one day, I exited the news and went to my downloaded books, and began picking up the previous book I haven't finished.

5 seconds into a paragraph, a voice popped up:

"Is that Iron Angel?"

I turned to the voice of the owner. She was probably a university student like me, perhaps 1 or 2 years older, she had a tall slender built, deep brown eyes and long silky black hair. She was Asian and judging from her accent my best guess is Japanese. She wore a black office dress and skirt, along with dress shoes.

"Um...yes, I just picked it up yesterday."

"I see, I am currently up to date." She paused as if sensing something wrong. "Apologizes for not introducing myself, I am Yumi."

She offered me her hand.

"Ling."

After shaking hands, she pulled up a seat beside me then asked:

"Which part are you at now?"

"Just reading the newest chapter, haven't finished it yet."

"I see, what you think will happen?"

"Hmm...Isa probably didn't die, and the main character most likely ended up in the hospital, and Kardusenn will be lucky if he didn't become a vegetable for the rest of his entire life."

"Why do you Isa didn't die?"

"Simple, plot armor. The book can't continue without her."

Just as she was about to open her mouth to speak, I quickly added:

"No spoilers, please."

"I wasn't going to spoil anything. Geez."

"Geez?" I found myself laughing.

"Don't everyone here uses that word?"

"No, not really. Not that I know of at least."

"Then what word do you use?"

"Wow. I guess, I am not really up to date with those things either."

She raised a brow.

"Yeah, I know. I should probably shut up."

"No, that's not what I meant. Anyways who is your favorite character?"

I paused and thought deeply for a moment, as this question never occurred to me until that point.

"I will say, I will have to go with Rin."

"Why?" she shook her head in disbelief.

"I find her quite funny and entertaining. And in all honestly, without her, the main character would sooner get depression rather than going onto missions."

"Fair point. My favourite character is Isa."

"How so?"

"Because she kicks ass."

"Very true on that part." I said, as I sipped a little more of my drink.

"Is that alcohol?" Yumi asked me.

"No, this is a cool lime refresher, I asked the bartender specifically, not to put any alcohol in it."

"Why?"

"Stay conscious and aware at all times." I quickly turned around and quickly snapped back. "Especially in places like this."

"True." She muttered, then turned to the bartender and said: "one sake please!"

A moment later, a glass of clear liquid was set before her.

"Sake huh...never had one before." I blurred out.

"You should try one." She said, pushing aside her hair.

"Like I said, it muddles the mind. I will have to say no to this one."

"Why are you at a bar then?"

"I was curious, that's all."

"Wow."

"Wow, I can't believe that was used against me, just like that."

We found ourselves laughing by the time we stopped we were looking at each other with serious faces again.

"A toast?" she raised her glass.

"A toast to what though?"

She tilted her head for a moment, then replied:

"To Iron Angel."

Since I don't have anything else better to toast to, I decided to just go with it:

"To Iron Angel."

After we exchanged toasts, we set down our glasses and neither of us said a single thing for a whole minutes, afterwards, I opened my mouth and spoke first:

"Are you a university student?" I asked.

"I am 3rd year. I go to Cambridge, and I am also working for finance company at the same time. What about you?"

"Cambridge too, 1st year. 3 master's degree, yet not even the slightest clue what to do next..."

"I want to snap your neck, really."

"Sure, you gonna karate chop me or something?"

"The knee strike works much better, and you wouldn't be able to dodge from this distance."

"You practice judo?"

"Judo and kendo. 3 times national winner for my age group."

"I see, remind me not to cross you."

"That was high school. I miss it so much already."

To be honest I didn't really even get to feel high school was like, since I was skipped four grades in total, throughout elementary to high school. But I decide to keep quiet and hear what she has to stay:

"Oh yeah, I am from Japan. How about you?"

"China. Though I barely have memories of the place." I sighed and put down my cup.

"Then where did you live before you came here?"

"I was travelling with prof, going everywhere from globe to globe." I swirled the contents in my drink.

"Your parents?"

That hit a soft spot, and it know it's pretty hard to avoid the topic, so to stop further advance in this topic, I simply responded:

"My father died since I was born, my mom..."

"You don't need to stay more. I am sorry for asking."

"It's ok." I took in a deep breath, then looked at the time on my phone;

2:01am.

"It's getting late now, I have to go." I said.

"Do you have a ride? I can drive you..."

"No, I can just walk back, my apartment is just 2 blocks down." I lied, it was 20 blocks away.

"I see, be careful then, take care."

"You too, and it was nice having a conversation with you." Just like that, I turned and left the bar. And without hesitation and regret, I embraced the cold night.