kscans

Chapter 37 -

A Moment of Healing

The day after dealing with that group of perverts, I kept my promise and took Matsumoto-kun and Kawada-kun to my regular bar.

I have several favorite spots, but I chose the one I thought would suit Kawada-kun best. It was mainly because of the bartender's personality. While all the bartenders are good men, I figured a calm and gentlemanly one would be more appropriate. A dandy, slightly roguish type might be a bit intimidating for him.

"Ah, Sato-san, good evening. Are these the ones you mentioned?"
"That's right. They're beginners. Teach them various things, like you did for me way back when."
"With pleasure. But... hehe."
"Hm?"
"I'm reminded of how you used to be, Sato-san. It's a bit nostalgic. You've really settled down, haven't you?"

Oh geez, how embarrassing.
Though, I'm not sure if "settled down" is quite right. It's more like I've learned how to adjust my energy to enjoy each situation to the fullest.

"Um, well, thank you for having us today!"
"Kawada, calm down."

The bartender's eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly at the two young men.
It's these casual gestures that make him so cool.

"So, what would you like to order?"
"Well... I'm not really familiar with alcohol in general..."
"I see. What kinds of drinks have you had before?"
"Chu-hai and beer... I like chu-hai, but beer is a bit tough for me."

Alright, I get it. He hasn't had much experience with proper drinks.
But if he can handle chu-hai, at least alcohol itself isn't a problem.

"In that case, why don't we start with a Kahlúa milk?"
"Eh? Boss, isn't that something girls usually drink?"

Matsumoto-kun chimed in, probably thinking it didn't match the cool image he had in mind. Kawada-kun didn't say anything, but he seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"Isn't it more uncool to force yourself to drink something you don't enjoy just to look mature?"
"Well..."
"Besides, it'd be a shame for the bartender if you drank his carefully prepared drink like that."
"...You're right, Section Chief Sato."

Kawada-kun's face showed a sudden realization.
Though, to be honest, the bartender probably wouldn't mind.
He'd likely just watch over their youthful mistakes with an indulgent smile.

"By the way, Boss, what did you order your first time?"
"A martini. I thought it would look cool."
"How was it?"
"The herbal flavor was... quite unique. I honestly found it unpleasant."
"That's terrible!"

Matsumoto-kun's retort was justified.

"No, no, that's not true at all. Sato-san has always been a cheerful person, both then and now. He even enjoyed that failure. Enjoying your drink is the most important part of appreciating alcohol."

The bartender came to my defense.
It was this kind of thoughtfulness that used to make the young me feel all fluttery inside.

"Besides, he can enjoy martinis now."
"Drinking is all about getting used to it, after all."

You should start with something easy to drink.
Find what you enjoy, then gradually expand your range.
Naturally, you'll be able to drink various types of alcohol that way.
Of course, if something really doesn't suit you, it's okay to admit that too.

"So, bartender, we'll have a Kahlúa milk. And some assorted nuts for snacks, please."
"Certainly."

It's a sweet drink, so let's balance it out with some salty snacks and sip it slowly.

"Don't gulp it down. Try drinking it little by little, almost like you're holding it in your mouth."

As the order arrived, I gave them a bit of advice. The two nodded and brought the glasses to their lips.

"Ah... it's good..."
"Delicious... It's like a café au lait... but different, probably because it's alcohol..."
"It has a surprisingly high alcohol content, so be careful."

I took a sip and tossed some salted nuts into my mouth.
The nuts are good, but not exceptionally so.
Yet there's something addictive about them. Once they're in front of you, you can't stop eating.

"These nuts seem like you could eat them forever."

Matsumoto-kun seemed to feel the same way, popping them into his mouth one after another.
Kawada-kun was still a bit stiff, but Matsumoto-kun seemed to have completely adapted to the bar's atmosphere.
His lack of shyness is a good point for a salesman. Though, it can sometimes lead to mistakes too.

"The glass is almost empty. Are you guys okay? Not feeling sick or anything?"
"Ah, no, I'm fine."
"Me too."
"Then what would you like next? Instead of naming a drink, tell me what kind of flavor you'd prefer."
"...Even with the nuts, my mouth still feels quite sweet, so maybe something refreshing?"
"Bartender, how about a Fuzzy Navel?"
"That would be visually refreshing as well. Good choice."
"Then let's go with that. Oh, and some jerky too, please."
"Certainly."

A Fuzzy Navel is a cocktail made with peach liqueur and orange juice.
It looks just like orange juice and is easy to drink with a smooth taste.
There's some sweetness from the peach, but he'll probably make it with a stronger orange flavor, so it should match the request.

"By the way, Boss."
"Yeah?"
"You seem a bit low-key today, don't you? Usually when we drink, you're all 'Woo-hoo!' and excited."
"It's not appropriate to get rowdy in a place like this. There's a right energy level for enjoying each situation the most."

It's like wearing a full suit to the beach - you wouldn't enjoy it. It's the same principle.
There's a way to present yourself that lets you best appreciate each setting.

"Relax your shoulders and take on a slightly laid-back attitude. That's about right for here."

On the other hand, in a casual izakaya, I prefer to enjoy myself from the bottom of my heart, like 'Let's have a blast, oh yeah!'
The 'Woo-hoo!' me that Matsumoto-kun is talking about is how I am in those places.
We've drunk together in those kinds of establishments before, so he probably found this a bit strange.

"I see."
"That's helpful to know."
"Kawada-kun, you don't need to take it so seriously. Just keep in mind that this is one way of thinking about it."

More importantly...

"Kawada-kun, if you've been researching bars, you probably know about cigar bars too, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Are you interested? If so, I could take you sometime. Let's all three go together."

We could smoke cigars here too, but I don't have any on me, and it's better to go to a specialized place anyway.

"...Is that really okay?"
"Of course. Matsumoto-kun will join us too, right?"
"Count me in!"
"But why go so far... I'm not even in your department..."
"Oh, it's just a little thank you."
"???"
"Yesterday, I had some tough stuff to deal with. It left me feeling a bit down."

Drinking with young people is nice. It gives you energy somehow.
I lightly patted Kawada-kun's shoulder to tell him not to worry about it, and took a sip of the newly arrived cocktail.
Matsumoto-kun looked like he wanted to know about the tough stuff, but...

(I can't exactly tell them I was exhausted from beating up perverts while with my kid.)