Drinking

Neither the bar and Adventure House nor the claw machines were products of this era.

They were one of a kind.

Even with the wealth the Tianyu Xingye Second Pavilion had accumulated over the years,

and the design drawings Yuya had provided, they had barely managed to produce one or two prototypes.

They were still in development, a long way from mature technology and mass production.

Alcohol was an exception, though. The techniques for making it

were already fairly mature even in this era. The difficult part was setting up the lighting and stage.

But tonight, they had brought everything out.

Princess Kaguya looked at the bar, her eyes gleaming.

Yuya could only smile wryly.

Although the bar had also been set up on short notice,

he had never imagined Princess Kaguya would actually choose this place.

He hadn't prepared much inside.

Princess Kaguya was already holding his hand and leading him forward.

The lights shone in every color,

flickering across their faces.

Yet beneath those lights, there was a sense of release and relaxation, in both body and mind.

Once they were inside,

it wasn't the sort of nightclub people called a club,

but a bar in the truest sense.

A stage for a band stood in the center,

with a work counter on the left.

On the right, against the wall, stood liquor cabinets and refrigerators,

along with an impeccably groomed bartender.

Dressed in Western clothes, he stood there with his back perfectly straight,

like a butler at a medieval European noble's estate.

Princess Kaguya walked in, the dim lights falling across her face,

and felt a moment of discomfort.

Yuya had thought she might give up, but she still came inside.

There weren't many people, nor was it noisy.

Most were quietly drinking and listening to music.

A server wearing a fox mask approached them politely,

explaining the bar's various services and rules.

Princess Kaguya nodded with reserved dignity,

though she had barely taken any of it in...

She walked straight over to a tall stool beside the bar and sat down,

then began turning the stool with curiosity.

Seeing this, Yuya could only smile wryly and wave a hand.

The server bowed and respectfully withdrew.

Princess Kaguya sat on the tall stool, swinging her legs.

Her long legs, clad in black stockings, looked radiant beneath the lights.

"What are they drinking?"

Princess Kaguya pointed at the people drinking and asked.

"Ah, that... they're drinking alcohol."

Yuya answered, his feelings complicated.

So it had come to this after all...

But who came to a bar without drinking?

"I want some too!"

Princess Kaguya raised her hand.

"All right. Your drink is already being mixed."

Yuya pointed at the bartender helplessly.

Princess Kaguya followed Yuya's gaze.

The bartender's hands moved in a dazzling series of flourishes as he began mixing their drinks.

"Wow, he's amazing."

Princess Kaguya's eyes filled with admiration.

The bartender promptly put even more energy into his performance.

"Huh? Why does his presence feel a little familiar?"

A moment later, Princess Kaguya murmured.

The bartender froze, stumbling and nearly falling over.

"Ahem, why don't we sit over there?"

Yuya pointed at the sofa in a booth.

"No. I want to sit here."

It looked like she was really interested in tall stools!

At least he'd managed to change the subject.

Yuya secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, the drinks were ready.

They were cocktails with a low alcohol content.

They gleamed azure in transparent stemmed glasses.

They were mostly fruit-based, with a straw in each glass.

Princess Kaguya curiously studied the cocktail set before her.

Yuya shook his head with a chuckle and demonstrated beside her.

Princess Kaguya copied him, bringing her rosy lips to the straw,

and began to sip.

The moment the liquid traveled up the straw and into her mouth,

Princess Kaguya's eyes visibly lit up.

Soon, as her fair throat moved in a steady rhythm,

she gulped down the entire cocktail.

Princess Kaguya released the straw with satisfaction.

A neat row of little tooth marks remained on it.

Yuya: "..."

Apparently, even Princess Kaguya couldn't resist chewing on her straw.

"I want more!"

Princess Kaguya raised her hand.

Another cocktail was served.

Even though the cocktails weren't strong, after she finished another glass,

Princess Kaguya's cheeks began to flush slightly.

"I want what they're drinking."

Princess Kaguya pointed at the other people's drinks.

"That doesn't taste good."

Yuya smiled wryly, trying to put up a fight.

"I want it!"

Princess Kaguya pouted.

Yuya had no choice

but to bring her a bottle.

Princess Kaguya popped the cap off with repulsive force.

Copying the others,

she began to drink.

Unlike the cocktails, the beer had a much higher alcohol content.

It stung a little in her mouth,

and Princess Kaguya couldn't help sticking out her tongue adorably.

Still, she persisted.

Before long, Princess Kaguya had finished the entire bottle of beer.

Just as Yuya thought that, having tasted the beer's bitterness,

Princess Kaguya wouldn't drink any more,

"Not enough. Give me more!"

Princess Kaguya suddenly called out.

"There's... there's none left..."

Afraid she would get drunk, Yuya answered with a wry smile.

"Liar..."

Princess Kaguya pouted unhappily.

The next moment, a pulling force appeared.

Princess Kaguya had spotted it somewhere,

and an entire case of beer flew over, drawn directly toward her by Universal Pull.

Princess Kaguya picked up a beer and popped off the cap with repulsive force.

She began gulping it down again.

Yuya was just about to stop her.

But Princess Kaguya leaned toward him of her own accord,

wrapping an arm around his neck.

She half-draped herself over him.

"Ye'er... drink too... hic..."

He felt her softness against him.

Warm breath spilled from Princess Kaguya's parted red lips.

Two rosy flushes had already bloomed on her cheeks.

Her fragrance mingled with the faint scent of alcohol.

She pointed the mouth of the beer bottle toward Yuya as she spoke.

"All right..."

Yuya felt his heart tremble.

He gazed at her for a while, then stopped refusing.

He picked up a bottle and drank with her.

"Ye'er is so sweet... hehe."

Princess Kaguya giggled.

She suddenly reached out and pinched his cheek.

"My Ye'er is so handsome..."

Princess Kaguya murmured, her gaze hazy.

Yuya said nothing.

Princess Kaguya took another sip.

"You used to be only this big... you were so attached to me... back then..."

Princess Kaguya gestured with her hand.

"Now you're getting more and more handsome... but you've started not liking me..."

Princess Kaguya spoke drunkenly, sounding a little hurt and pitiful.

"Ye'er... from now on, could you... not find me annoying...?"

She finally asked.

"All right..."

I've never found you annoying...

Yuya felt a sting in his nose.

"Hehe."

Princess Kaguya smiled, her eyes curving slightly, her smile bright and dazzling.

She took another sip.

"Ye'er, am I pretty...?"

Her delicate face glowed under the lights.

"Beautiful..."

Yuya answered without hesitation.

"Ye'er... then do you... like..."

Princess Kaguya was already very drunk, slumped over the table.

Whatever she said next faded into a soft murmur.

It was hard to make out over the blaring music.

But Yuya trembled and swallowed.

After a long while, he answered hoarsely:

"I do..."

Ever since my previous life... I've liked you...