It was a new day, and with it came new faces, new experiences, and, inevitably, new complications.
Viktor leaned against the counter, a cigarette lazily perched between his fingers, exhaling a slow stream of smoke as he observed Issei weaving between tables, taking orders with growing confidence. The boy was improving, that much was clear. Gone was the awkward fumbling and second-guessing—he moved with more purpose now, his posture less rigid, his tone more assured. He had a long way to go before he could call himself competent, but progress was progress.
Still, it was obvious he was struggling to keep up. The bar was packed, each table occupied by students from Kuoh Academy. Viktor had expected an influx of customers after Rias and Akeno had spread the word about The Midnight Raven, but he hadn't anticipated this level of turnout. Their influence within the school was greater than he had initially assumed.
He took another drag of his cigarette, contemplating the inevitable conclusion—he would need more staff.
His thoughts drifted to Raynare, the laughably weak Fallen who had come yesterday, maybe he could force her to work behind the counter.
With a sigh, he stubbed out the cigarette and pushed himself off the counter, resigning himself to assisting Issei. Just as he was about to step forward, the soft chime of the entrance bell caught his attention, drawing his gaze to the doorway.
Two girls entered, their presence subtly shifting the atmosphere of the room.
The first was petite, with sharp black eyes that gleamed behind thin-rimmed glasses, her raven-black hair neatly tied up in a bun. Despite her composed demeanor, there was something distinctly commanding about her—an unshakable air of authority. The girl at her side was taller, her dark hair cascading freely past her shoulders, her own glasses catching the dim lighting of the bar, giving them an eerie glow.
Viktor recognized power when he saw it. The first girl carried herself like someone who expected obedience, someone who had never been denied anything. And then he felt it—that distinct energy, veiled but undeniable. She was no mere human.
She made a beeline to the counter where Viktor was sitting.
"Hello," she greeted, her voice crisp and composed. "Are you the owner of this establishment?"
Viktor inclined his head, confirming her assumption.
"What's another high-class devil doing here?" he mused internally, keeping his expression unreadable. The aura she exuded was refined but potent, unmistakably high-class. The girl beside her, though not as formidable, still carried an air of nobility, her strength somewhere in the middle-class range.
The girl adjusted her glasses slightly. "My name is Souna Shitori. I am the president of the student council at Kuoh Academy."
The moment she spoke her name, something clicked in Viktor's mind, an almost audible snap of realization.
Souna Shitori. An alias.
Sona Sitri.
Sitri, heiress to the esteemed Sitri Clan. Little sister to Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Satans.
Viktor barely resisted the urge to groan.
First the Gremory heiress, and now the Sitri heiress. What in the world were two high-profile devils doing studying at a human high school? It reeked of trouble. Trouble he had no intention of getting involved in.
But trouble, it seemed, had a way of finding him regardless.
Forcing his thoughts into order, Viktor gave a relaxed smile. "The name's Viktor. Pleasure to meet you, little miss." He gestured toward the barstools. "What can I get for you?"
Sona regarded him for a moment before taking a seat, her companion mirroring her action. "A menu, if you don't mind."
Viktor slid one toward her, then casually began preparing orders for Issei to deliver.
Since most of the customers were students, he mostly made coffee, tea, and the occasional smoothie.
Sona flipped through the menu, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I notice a rather extensive selection of alcoholic beverages," she noted. "Do you serve to underage students?"
Viktor let out a short chuckle. "While my personal thoughts on underage drinking are that I couldn't care less, I follow the rules here. No alcohol for kids. It's bad for business."
Sona hummed in acknowledgment but didn't look entirely convinced. She continued her inquiries, each question structured like an interrogation, her tone careful, yet firm. Why had he chosen to open a bar near the school? How had he managed to get a license so easily? Where was he from?
Viktor, ever the smooth talker, answered in the vaguest way possible, deflecting when necessary, evading when appropriate. He wasn't about to give a clan heiress any information she could use against him.
Eventually, he arched a brow. "You still haven't ordered anything, and I do have other customers to serve, you know."
Sona glanced at her companion, then back at Viktor. "Fine. Two cups of tea."
"Clan heiresses and their tea," Viktor thought wryly as he moved to prepare their order.
By the time the rush had died down, most of the students had cleared out, leaving the bar significantly quieter.
Viktor wiped down the counter and leaned back, stretching. His gaze landed on Issei, who was slumped over a chair, looking thoroughly exhausted. He smirked.
"Oi, Hyoudou."
Issei groaned in response.
"Come here and sit with me," Viktor said, gesturing toward the counter.
With great reluctance, Issei pushed himself up and trudged over.
Viktor poured him a small glass of bourbon. "Now drink up. Ignore the stuck-up school president."
Sona, who had just lifted her cup to her lips, froze mid-sip, her eyes narrowing sharply.
Issei blinked between Viktor and Sona, panic flashing across his face. "Uh, boss, I don't think—"
"Drink, kid," Viktor insisted, his tone casual but firm.
Issei hesitated, then slowly lifted the glass to his lips and took a cautious sip. The moment the bourbon hit his tongue, he coughed violently, his face contorting as the alcohol burned its way down his throat.
"D-Damn, that's strong!" Issei rasped, pounding his chest.
Sona set her cup down with a soft clink, her gaze unreadable. "Encouraging a minor to drink on the job? That's highly irresponsible. I thought you said no alcohol for kids?"
Viktor smirked. "It's just a sip. Builds character. Plus, rules don't apply to close friends and employees."
Sona sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I don't know how you managed to open this bar so close to Kuoh Academy, but rest assured, I will be looking into it."
Viktor tilted his head, his smirk never fading. "Knock yourself out, sweetheart. You might just find yourself enjoying the place."
Sona shot him a long, measuring look before standing. Tsubaki followed suit, her gaze lingering on Viktor for a moment longer than necessary.
"We'll see," Sona murmured before turning to leave.
Viktor watched them go, taking another slow sip of bourbon, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
He had a feeling this wasn't the last he'd see of them.
As the last few customers filed out of The Midnight Raven, the once lively bar settled into a comfortable stillness. The only sounds left were the quiet hum of the ceiling fan, the occasional clink of glassware as Viktor cleaned up, and the soft murmur of jazz playing from the speakers.
Issei let out an exhausted sigh, slumping into one of the bar stools. He stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the day. Viktor, having finished wiping down the counter, poured himself a drink and then, after a brief pause, poured a smaller glass for Issei. He slid it across the counter toward the boy.
"Now that it's just us, how are you liking the job so far?" Viktor asked, taking a slow sip from his glass.
Issei glanced at the bourbon in front of him before hesitantly picking it up. "Honestly? It's not so bad. At first, I thought working at a bar would be boring, but…" he let out a small chuckle, "it's kind of fun. It's a different vibe from school, and the people that come in here are… interesting."
Viktor smirked. "Yeah, that's one way to put it. You're handling yourself better than I expected, though. No major screw-ups today."
"Hey! I only messed up once," Issei protested, though there was no real heat behind his words. He took a cautious sip of his drink, immediately coughing at the burn.
Viktor snorted. "You'll get used to it."
A brief silence passed between them, companionable, but then Issei's expression shifted. His usual carefree demeanor wavered, and a troubled look crossed his face. He swirled the liquid in his glass, staring at it as if it held the answers to his thoughts.
"…Hey, boss," he finally said, voice quieter than before. "Do you ever feel like… like things are out of your control? Like no matter how much you try, you're just… useless?"
Viktor set his glass down, his blue eyes studying Issei carefully. The kid wasn't just asking a random question—something was weighing on him. Viktor had seen enough people to know when someone was carrying invisible burdens.
"That's a heavy question," Viktor mused, exhaling slowly. "What's got you thinking like that?"
Issei hesitated, his fingers tightening around the glass. "It's just… a lot happened to me recently. My life changed overnight, and I feel like I was just thrown into a world I don't understand. And the worst part? Everyone else seems to have a role, a purpose. Me? I feel like I'm just tagging along, hoping I don't get left behind."
Viktor leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the counter. "You feel powerless."
Issei nodded. "Yeah." He let out a frustrated sigh. "I try, y'know? I wanna be useful. I wanna be strong enough to stand beside the others, not just be the idiot who gets in the way. But no matter what I do, it feels like I'm still the weakest one in the room."
Viktor was quiet for a moment before he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Kid, let me tell you something… everyone, at some point, feels like that. That feeling of being powerless? It eats at you. Makes you doubt yourself, makes you think you're not enough. But let me ask you something—do you want to just sit in that feeling, or do you want to do something about it?"
Issei looked up at him, surprised by the bluntness of the question.
"Of course I wanna do something about it!" he said quickly.
"Then do it," Viktor said simply. "Feeling powerless is one thing. Staying powerless? That's a choice. You might not have control over everything, but you sure as hell have control over yourself. You keep learning, keep pushing past your limits. Eventually, you'll get to where you want to be."
Issei frowned, still processing the words. "…What if it's not enough?"
"Then you push harder." Viktor took another sip of his drink before setting it down with a quiet clink. "No one starts out strong, Issei. Power isn't something you just have—it's something you earn. And yeah, it takes time. It takes effort. But you know what separates the ones who make it from the ones who don't?"
Issei shook his head.
"They don't stop." Viktor's gaze was unwavering. "No matter how hard it gets, no matter how many times they fall, they don't stop. They get up, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward. It's the stubborn ones, the ones too damn foolish to quit, who end up becoming something more."
Issei sat in silence, his mind turning over Viktor's words. He hadn't expected this kind of talk from his boss, but somehow, it felt… right. Honest.
Finally, he let out a breath and smiled, albeit a little sheepishly. "You sound like some old man handing down life lessons."
Viktor smirked. "Maybe I am. Doesn't mean I'm wrong, though."
Issei chuckled. "Yeah… I guess not." He lifted his glass. "Here's to not quitting, then."
Viktor clinked his glass against Issei's with an amused nod. "To not quitting."
As they both took a drink, the bar remained quiet, save for the sound of ice shifting in their glasses and the distant hum of the world outside. For a moment, neither spoke—just two people sitting in the dim light of a bar, sharing a moment of understanding.
As Viktor leaned back, finishing his drink, the familiar chime of the bar's entrance rang through the quiet space. He didn't even need to look up to know who had arrived—the sudden shift in the atmosphere, the faint crackle of amusement mixed with something more teasing, was enough.
"Ara, ara~ What a lovely scene to walk into. Two men drinking alone in a dimly lit bar… how scandalous."
Viktor smirked, already bracing himself for the incoming verbal sparring. "And here I was, enjoying a peaceful moment. Guess I should've known better."
Akeno Himejima sauntered in, her every movement exuding confidence and allure. Her violet eyes flickered with mischief as she approached the bar, resting her elbow on the counter and leaning in slightly.
"Now, now, Viktor, is that any way to greet a customer?" she teased, tilting her head. "I simply came to check on my dear junior~"
Issei, still nursing his drink, let out an exaggerated groan. "You're not fooling anyone, Akeno-senpai."
Akeno giggled, but her gaze remained locked on Viktor. "Oh, you wound me, Issei-kun. Must you always doubt my intentions?"
Viktor raised an eyebrow. "Because your intentions are about as subtle as a brick through a window."
Akeno let out a melodious laugh, as if his jab had only encouraged her. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of troublemaker."
"Because you are," Viktor replied smoothly, pouring himself another drink. He briefly glanced at her. "Whiskey?"
Akeno pretended to think it over, tapping a delicate finger against her chin. "Hmm… I was actually in the mood for something sweeter. Perhaps… a Black Russian?"
Viktor huffed a quiet chuckle. "Figures. Sweet with a bite underneath."
As he moved to prepare the drink, Akeno slid into a seat, resting her chin on her hand as she observed him with an unreadable expression. "So, Viktor, tell me… why a bar?"
Viktor didn't miss the shift in her tone. Still playful, still teasing, but now laced with genuine curiosity. He didn't look up as he poured the Kahlúa over ice.
"Why not?" he countered.
Akeno hummed. "Oh, come on. A man like you? You could be doing anything, and yet here you are, tending to students and serving drinks like some mysterious stranger in a noir film. There's got to be a story there."
Viktor smirked. "Akeno, are you actually interested in my story, or are you just hoping to peel back a few layers?"
She rested her cheek on her palm, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "Can't it be both?"
Viktor slid her drink across the counter, meeting her gaze with that same amused sharpness. "You should be careful about asking too many questions. You might not like the answers."
Akeno took the glass, swirling the dark liquid thoughtfully. "Oh? You say that like I'd be scared of what I find."
Viktor leaned on the counter, closing the distance between them just slightly. "I don't think you scare easily."
Akeno's eyes gleamed. "Flattering me now? My, my, Viktor, you are getting bolder."
Viktor gave a small smirk. "Just stating facts. But since we're playing this game, let me ask you something."
Akeno raised an eyebrow. "Oh? By all means."
Viktor's voice was lower now, smoother, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words. "Why are you here?"
Akeno didn't answer immediately. She took a slow sip of her drink, savoring the taste before placing the glass down with deliberate care.
"Hmm… curious about me now, are we?" she mused.
Viktor's expression didn't change. "I don't mind a little back-and-forth, but you came here for a reason, and it wasn't just to check on Issei."
Akeno smiled, but it wasn't just teasing anymore. There was something sharper behind it. "Maybe I just enjoy our little conversations. Or maybe… I'm trying to figure you out."
Viktor exhaled through his nose, leaning back slightly. "Many people here seem to have that habit."
Akeno traced the rim of her glass with a finger. "What can I say? A mysterious bartender appearing out of nowhere, charming his way into everyone's curiosity? It's hard to ignore."
Viktor chuckled. "You think I'm charming?"
Akeno smirked. "That's what you took from that? How bold."
Issei, who had been watching the exchange like a spectator at a tennis match, finally sighed. "Okay, this is getting weird."
Akeno giggled. "Oh, Issei-kun, you just don't appreciate good banter."
Viktor shook his head, pushing his glass away. "Alright, enough dancing around. What is it you really want to know?"
Akeno tilted her head, considering him. Then, with a softer, almost unreadable look, she asked, "Who are you, Viktor?"
For the first time that evening, the air between them shifted. It wasn't just a flirtation anymore. It wasn't just a game.
Viktor looked at her for a long moment, then gave a slow, easy smile. "Just a bartender."
Akeno held his gaze, her eyes searching his for something more. But after a beat, she leaned back with a knowing chuckle, raising her glass in a silent toast.
"If you say so."
Viktor clinked his glass against hers before taking a sip.
The dance continued.