Chapter 527

"... It's not that it's bad, he looks even more handsome now! Rich lady, hug me~ Please take me in!"

"Go! Go! Go..."

Hiratsuka Shizuka pushed him away impatiently.

A month or two ago, she might have tolerated his words, but now... a richer young man than herself asking her to be his sugar daddy sounded like a joke to her.

Once everyone had arrived, the four of them walked towards the hall across the corridor.

The door was wide open, and the darkness contrasted sharply with the bright lights outside.

The dim, colorful lights barely allowed people to see what was inside. The quiet and soothing atmosphere was unlike the noisy bars outside; even the speakers were silent, indicating that this was just a quiet bar.

The only source of sound is the grand Piano on one side, and the Piano who works there.

The interior is elegantly decorated, without any hint of decadence, indicating that this is truly just a place for drinking, relaxing, and meeting with clients.

But compared to all that, Sakurakoji Talent had only one thought: I wonder if they sell any Drinks here besides alcohol.

As was the case anywhere else, he walked in naturally and went straight to the bar, sitting near the female bartender whose long, light blue hair was tied up.

If he remembered correctly, her hair, if it were down, would probably be much longer than his Hiratsuka Shizuka's... It must be the longest hair he'd ever known, right? Had she never cut it?

[Note: In the novel, Kawasaki Saki's hair is almost as long as a person, and she usually wears a high ponytail. The anime cut it, and it now hovers between her hips and thighs.]

"Welcome, what would you like to order?"

Noticing his arrival, the bartender, who was wiping glasses and pretending to be busy, looked up and nodded in greeting. The surprise in her eyes flashed for a moment before she immediately regained her usual aloofness.

She is similar to Yukino Shita Yukino, yet different from her. If Yukino Shita Yukino's indifference is like a cold storage room—cold with a stinging sensation—then she is like melted dry ice—only cold air and smoke, but not cold at all.

He may seem like a loner, but he's actually just a bit slow and doesn't know how to build good relationships with people.

Sakurakoji Talent watched with great interest as she wiped the wine glass with a dry cloth. Back in the day, when he was at Starry, he had done the same thing to pass the time... No one knew how to wipe a glass better than him!

"A Mojito (rum, mint, lime, soda)! Thanks!"

He placed his order with great enthusiasm.

Although I don't like drinking regular alcohol, I can accept cocktails that are more like Drinks.

"Who gave you permission to order drinks in front of me?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka's figure gradually appeared behind him, and she immediately grabbed him by the throat. "Besides, our purpose is to find someone, what's with you coming up here to order food?"

"Ugh...!"

Although soft, it breathes...

Ten seconds later, Hiratsuka Shizuka Kawasaki Saki, ordering, "Kawasaki, don't serve him any more drinks!"

"It's not like I haven't tried it before..."

"You're not allowed to do that in front of me! My dignity as a teacher won't allow it!"

"Tch, I knew I shouldn't have invited you, Teacher Shizuka."

"It's too late to regret it now!"

Kawasaki Saki stared blankly at the three people who had suddenly appeared. Although she remained expressionless, she was actually panicking. "Teacher Hiratsuka, Yukino Shita, Yuigahama... what are you doing here?"

What do you think?

Hiratsuka Shizuka sat down beside him. "Your younger brother is very worried about you. He said you weren't coming home tonight."

Kawasaki Saki frowned slightly, then turned away to attend to her own business. "Although I don't know what Taishi said to you, don't worry, don't come looking for me."

Yuihama Yui sat on his other side, covering her face with her hand as she asked, "Mr. Talent, did you know Kawasaki before?"

"No, I don't know them. I just felt that since I'm here, whether I can find anyone or not, I should at least order a drink and soak up the atmosphere."

"I see..."

Yuihama Yui, picked up the menu and looked at it, her face showing a troubled expression as she stared at the strange kana and English characters on it. "Um, Mr. Talent, what did you just order?"

"Mojito, but Teacher Shizuka won't let me drink it."

"Of course! We're not even 20 yet!"

Do you need me to explain the meaning of these terms to you?

He saw through her predicament at a glance.

"Please! Is there anything that high school students can drink?"

"Yes, some sisters, yes!"

He took the menu from her, ignoring the conversation and advice of the three women beside him, and showed off the knowledge he had read in magazines, "For example, Virgin Mojito is just mint, lime, and soda water, perfect for this weather."

"There's also Virgin Cuba Libre, which is Virgin Cuba Libre with lime."

"Roy Rogers is just Coca-Cola with grenadine syrup."

"This Virgin Gin Fizz is made with lemon, egg white, and soda water. It has a creamy texture, as smooth as milk foam."

"..."

Yuihama Yui stared at him as he spoke fluently, her gaze unfocused. "Mr. Talent, you know so much! Do you come to bars often?"

"No, if we don't count Starry Night, this is the first time. But since Starry sells alcohol, I specifically looked through cocktail magazines beforehand and learned a little bit."

"I see. Does that mean 'STARRY' is going to expand its cocktail business?"

"I don't know, but if Manager Hoshika has this idea, as her subordinate, I have no choice but to go through fire and water."

"Haha... that's quite an exaggeration,"

She glanced at the drinks menu again. "They're all so expensive! And why is most of it in English? Can first-time customers even understand it? Luckily, Mr. Talent's English is very good."

"Perhaps it's a case of blindly worshipping foreign things; this is especially prevalent among our customers here."

"..."

Meanwhile, the argument between the three girls seemed to have come to an end, Sakurakoji Talent seized the opportunity to raise her hand and order, "Hello~ I'd like a Shirley Temple and a Roy Rogers!"

Kawasaki Saki nodded silently and picked up the cocktail shaker to mix Drinks for the two of them.

"Couldn't the teacher and Yukino Shita at least order first, like them? By the way, who is this? Is she also from Soubu High School?"

"No, I'm a friend of Teacher Shizuka and Yukino Shita outside of school. My name is Sakurakoji Talent Desu, and I'm here today... purely because I have nothing better to do."

He explained to himself.

"Is that so?"

Kawasaki Saki said no more and showed no interest in his background.

It must be said that Yukino Shita Yukino a very obedient person. Before she finished mixing the drinks, she said, "I'd like a Virgin Mojito, please."

"Learn."

Only Hiratsuka Shizuka remained staring at her intently, still burdened by the moral baggage of being a teacher.

"Kawasaki, come out with me in a bit!"

"Ha~"

Kawasaki Saki closed her eyes and sighed softly, knowing that this was something she would have to face sooner or later. "Because it's during my work commute, I can only give you five minutes."

"..."

After serving the three of them Drinks, Kawasaki Saki wiped her hands with a damp cloth, left the counter, and followed Hiratsuka Shizuka into the corridor.

Yuihama Yui and Yukino Shita Yukino Sakurakoji Talent alone to listen to the music and watch their wine glasses.

Time passed faster than expected. Not to mention five minutes, three minutes later, the three second-year high school students returned, but Hiratsuka Shizuka was nowhere to be seen.

"Teacher~ So pitiful~"

Yuihama Yui a pitying and sorrowful expression.

Hmm~ Teacher Shizuka is still so fragile. She completely loses all her fighting spirit when it comes to marriage and boyfriends...

At times like these, you have to drown your sorrows in alcohol!

"Kawasaki- kun, please bring me a Cognac Sidecar, French 75, Bloody Mary, Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz, Mojito, Martini... all on my tab!"

"Classmate Yuihama! Could you please take these to Teacher Shizuka later? I think she definitely needs them right now!"

"I... I understand!"

Chapter 478 Yukino- san's Repeated Setbacks

After Yuihama Yui delivered a tray of drinks to Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was sitting on the sofa in the outer corridor, the conversation continued.

Sakurakoji Talent ordered himself another regular Mojito that Hiratsuka Shizuka hadn't asked him to order earlier, and decided to remain on the sidelines for the time being.

Yukino Shita Yukino spoke first, "Can you tell us why you're working this part-time job, Kawasaki- san?"

"This is my private matter, there's no reason I have to tell you, is there?"

With nothing else to do, Kawasaki Saki continued wiping the glasses, giving a nonchalant reply.

"Really? Looks like there's no other way."

Yukino Shita Yukino glanced at the thin-strapped wristwatch on her wrist, a smile playing on her cherry-colored lips, "Cinderella's magic ends at midnight, but yours might be ending right now."

"If the magic is removed, wouldn't it be a happy ending?"

Kawasaki Saki casually replied.

"That's hard to say, Miss Mermaid. What awaits you ahead might be a Bad End."

Yuihama Yui finger. "Hey~ what are they talking about?"

Sakurakoji Talent, uninterested, pondered the difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, "Use your little brain and think for yourself."

Several wine glasses were placed in front of him, a small portion of what he had just ordered.

"Eh~"

Yukino Shita Yukino took the spot where Hiratsuka Shizuka and explained, "We're not old enough to work late at night. I suspect Kawasaki -san is lying about her age."

"Oh, I see! But... why didn't you just say so?"

"..."

Yukino Shita Yukino silently avoided the question, then turned to Kawasaki Saki and asked, "Aren't you planning to stop?"

"Hmm, I don't plan to."

"Oh, Kawasaki- kun,"

Yuihama Yui also chimed in with advice. "While I also work part-time when I'm short of money, I wouldn't lie about my age just to get a job..."

"It's nothing, I just want money."

Kawasaki Saki curled her lip in disdain, refuting their lecture.

"You underestimate life. I didn't start working just for pocket money. Don't compare me to those idiots."

"You guys are all talking so high and mighty, but can you even give me the money?"

"What my parents couldn't give me, can you give me?"

"Well..."

Yuihama Yui glanced subconsciously at Sakurakoji Talent, and thought, "He might actually be capable... if he were willing to donate an extra piece of clothing."

Yukino Shita Yukino frowned. "Don't say anymore, if you continue like this..."

Kawasaki Saki narrowed her eyes slightly, not believing that Saki was in a position to lecture her. "I'm saying, your father is a prefectural council member, right? People from wealthy families like yours wouldn't understand my predicament."

"Cough!"

Bang!

The crisp sound of a glass being overturned echoed in their ears, Yuihama Yui quickly stopped them. "Wait! Aren't we talking about Little Yukino's family matters right now?"

"That has nothing to do with my family's affairs, right?"

"Even so, but Little Yukino..."

"I just spilled a glass, it's nothing serious, don't worry about it."

Yukino Shita Yukino also recovered from her earlier lapse in composure, and her gaze towards her softened.

In contrast, she didn't give a friendly look to Sakurakoji Talent, who hadn't said a word since the beginning.