The atmosphere in the restaurant was less calm; it now became more relaxed, messy, lighthearted, with laughter converging together with clinks of glasses and occasional drunken shouts. It certainly felt less of a work event and more like a party, where people were letting go and just kicking back.

You spotted Ike, no longer the cool, perfect boss you used to know. Now he was slouched comfortably in his chair, one arm resting over the backrest. His eyes roamed the room as if watching from a distance without wanting to get involved. He was already inebriated, but not too much. He just let down his habitual guard for a while.

It was an interesting sight. Ike was always the one who appeared in charge. He was now no more than just a guy back in the midst of things, just letting the chaos swirl around him without feeling the need to fix anything. The smile threatened to break out at the sight. There was a certain charm-to-see him like this. He caught your eye and gave you a little unguarded smile, then quickly looked away with a faint flush on his cheeks.

His face, usually so polished, looking this... human. It put the whole party into a more real, more relaxed light. There was something nice about seeing Ike be just Ike—not so much the already established boss or the designated leader, but simply a man enjoying himself like everyone else. You allowed yourself, for a little bit, just to enjoy the evening beside him.