Kiyoharu Teaches Ayano Bartending

Ayano watched Kiyoharu's entire bartending process from start to finish.

While it was called bartending, what he made was essentially a drink with almost no alcohol content, only borrowing a hint of whiskey's aroma.

"I remember Airi never drinks unless it's a necessary occasion."

"But when she's relaxing without work, she likes to add a little alcohol to her drinks to experience a slight buzz. Of course, she has to strictly control the amount; even a little more and she'll get drunk."

Airi had a very low tolerance for alcohol. For necessary social events, she'd take sobering pills beforehand to tough it out, but even then, she could only manage to force down two glasses of red wine.

Chihaya Genichiro believed that the heir to the Chihaya family couldn't be a useless person who couldn't even handle the social engagements.

Sigh, these old men from the chaebol families were truly stubborn.

Ayano went over her memories again, confirming that this was a habit Airi had developed only after she went abroad to study high school.

Looking at Kiyoharu's serious expression, Ayano inexplicably felt a pang of jealousy.

She narrowed her eyes, and as soon as Kiyoharu stopped, she immediately proposed, "I'm interested in this kind of cocktail. Would it be convenient for you to teach me, Mr. Chihaya?"

"Of course, it's convenient. What's difficult about it?"

"What is its name?"

"Uh, it doesn't have an official name. Airi usually calls it 'that blue one'."

"Pfft pfft~ That really fits Airi-chan's style." Ayano paused, "It must be Kiyoharu-kun's original creation, right?"

"You could say that."

"Then let's call it 'Azure Sea'."

"There's no Water of Life added here, and besides, Airi doesn't like it when others arbitrarily name things that belong to her."

Kiyoharu politely refused Ayano's suggestion and began demonstrating the preparation process to her.

Aside from controlling the force and timing when stirring cream and shaking ice, the rest were very simple steps. However, Ayano, being clumsy, failed.

"It seems I need Kiyoharu-kun to teach me hand-in-hand~ Please stand behind me, Kiyoharu-kun, and hold my hand while you teach."

"That doesn't seem appropriate."

Kiyoharu looked around humbly, only to find the bartender had disappeared to slack off somewhere. The vicinity was temporarily deserted.

His gaze returned to Ayano, and as expected, he read a threatening expression on her face again.

With a sigh, Kiyoharu stood behind Ayano, spreading his arms.

"Why are you standing so far away? Come closer."

"But..."

Before Kiyoharu could say anything, Ayano tugged his clothes, causing him to stumble unexpectedly and press tightly against her back.

The astonishing fullness hidden by her long dress immediately made Kiyoharu feel a top-tier softness and bounce.

Ayano turned her face, murmuring close to Kiyoharu, "I told you, if you're my boyfriend, I'll never let you suffer... Alright, let's start teaching."

"Understood. Starting from here... you need to pay attention to the consistency of the cream..."

Just as he began explaining, Kiyoharu realized something was wrong.

Ayano was deliberately pressing very, very close to him, and every time Kiyoharu tried to create a little distance, she would pull his wrist back, and simultaneously turn her head to give him a warning look.

Kiyoharu instantly felt...

In order to hold Ayano's hand for the most direct teaching, he completely encircled her delicate body in his arms. Her slender waist, which fit perfectly in his grasp, writhed unskillfully, bringing along her excessively full presence, like a nimble slime, eroding Kiyoharu's rationality.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Kiyoharu's forehead, and his trembling voice admonished, "Miss Kitahara, please stop. If someone else passes by and sees this..."

"This is Airi's exclusive bar counter. The only bartender just now was sent away by me. While Kiyoharu-kun is concentrating on making the drink... it seems that even though Airi doesn't really care about you, you still care quite a bit about her." Kitahara Ayano's tone carried a wicked delight. "Kiyoharu-kun, don't tell me you actually secretly like Airi?"

"We already love each other, why would I need to like her secretly?"

"Really, Kiyoharu-kun? Then, here are two choices: tell me the truth and satisfy my curiosity, or... try to maintain a proper bartending lesson. If you can last for more than ten minutes, I'll let you go."

Ayano took out her phone, set a ten-minute countdown, and placed it on the bar counter where Kiyoharu could clearly see it.

The truth?

Of course, Ayano couldn't know about the agreement.

So Kiyoharu could only grit his teeth and endure the most agonizing ten minutes of his life.

"Why is it taking so long? It's just a stupid drink, why is it taking this long?"

In the antique Japanese-style hair washing room, a refreshing incense filled the air. Coupled with the soothing techniques of the masseuse, it was an absolutely superb experience.

If only there was another glass of... that blue stuff, it would be even better.

Airi wouldn't voice her desire too urgently, but in reality, she was a tiny bit craving it. Coincidentally, Kiyoharu had actually offered proactively, which made her quite pleased.

However, the cocktails here were made so slowly... perhaps there was a problem with the bar equipment?

In the sleep-inducing environment, Airi, who was trying to relax her mind, didn't have much energy to think.

After an unknown amount of time, the glass door was pushed open, and Kiyoharu's familiar voice rang out:

"Young lady, here's your blue stuff."

Kiyoharu's voice was a bit strange, with an unusual hoarseness, to be precise.

The ten longest minutes of his life felt like torture, but he'd managed to endure it. Still, he felt awful now.

"Mmmhmm~ Put it over there."

"...Got it."

Kiyoharu moved with difficulty, setting down the crystal glass.

The liquid sloshed precariously, much like Kiyoharu's state of mind.

Airi glanced at him, and seeing his exhausted expression, she couldn't help but chuckle. "To think Kiyoharu-kun gets this tired from just making drinks, what a joke."

Normally, even with Shimaura Hitomi nearby, Kiyoharu would have said something to subtly jab at her.

This time, however, Kiyoharu obediently retreated, not daring to speak, afraid Airi would notice something was off.

Shimaura Hitomi watched their interaction unfold, secretly pursing her lips.

Airi is so mean to Senpai.

Senpai always took such good care of Airi, so why is she being treated like this? Shimaura Hitomi felt it wasn't worth it for Senpai!

Airi took a sip of the cocktail, her expression displeased. "Tsk, the flavor profile is a bit off... I spent so much more time on this than before, why is the result so poor?"

She made a move as if to call the masseuse over to scold Kiyoharu.

Shimaura Hitomi quickly stopped her. "Airi, maybe let it go? Senpai has been really busy with school lately, maybe he's just tired."

"Oh? I wasn't aware Kiyoharu-kun had been given any extra responsibilities, besides familiarizing Ayano with the school."

"Actually, I've been under a lot of stress lately, and Senpai has been helping me share that burden, which is why he's so tired."

Shimaura Hitomi thought the senpai who could make drinks was incredibly cool. She didn't want to see a hardworking senpai being bossed around and scolded by Airi.

This explanation managed to earn Airi's trust. She nodded. "I see. This guy does have some sense after all... Little Tomi, if you need anything, just order Kiyoharu-kun around as much as you want, don't go easy on him."

After all, Airi had paid a hefty price to hire Kiyoharu, and this guy was like a block of wood all day, only knowing how to make her angry!

Shimaura Hitomi quickly waved her hands. "Not at all, ordering him around... I'm already very satisfied if Senpai can help me out occasionally."

"Heehee, Little Tomi is so cute!"

Airi felt quite pleased to have such a kind, simple, and sensible girl as her best friend.

However, she couldn't imagine that at this very moment, a slightly despicable thought was budding in Shimaura Hitomi's heart