makiri

If you shake it long enough, the pulp won't settle at the bottom, but there'll still be some tiny bubbles. All depends on how you want to present it.

It almost looks like honey water mixed with cystymilk under this lighting...

Ah, nearly forgot!

Asai is in no rush to try his new recipe. Instead, he takes out a small cup of cystymilk, clumsily working a frother to create a smooth white layer of foam.

He brings his head close to the cup, his movements slow, as if he is utterly terrified of breaking the bubbles. Eventually, he gingerly scoops up the foam, ladling it over the golden cocktail.

The white foam slowly spreads out across its surface, covering the cocktail's slightly muddled sheen, leaving only a translucent halo around the edges.

This way, the first thing she's going to taste is the cystymilk. The flavor'll make her relaxed.

Tooru stares at the drink for a good long while. Down below, a chaotic mix of sweet and sour in gold. Up above, a layer of neat white.

It turned out as he expected. He wouldn't make a drink like this. No professional bartender would.

It could only be Asai's. A unique recipe, one that belongs to his beautiful, overly detailed dream.

Asai's eyes shine as he stares at the glass, as if he has seen a way towards the future in that thin layer of cystymilk foam.

Tooru is struck by a sudden burst of envy. Envy over that izakaya he should've been to before, envy over that special blend full of thoughtfulness, envy over the start and end of all Asai's dreams.

Envy over him still being able to imagine chasing a whole new dream in a different place far, far away. Tooru hopes it will come true.

Which is why he cannot stop himself from speaking.

Don't listen to those losers on how to make money, and don't let yourself get sucked in by them.

They'll say 'it's just a transport job' to your face, but there are probably people watching you closely from the shadows. They're not going to let you get to the drop point all nice and easy.

You already decided you don't want to be involved with the yakuza anymore. That means living a simple, honest life.

...This is a warning to me from an info broker?

It's a reminder to you as the yatai's taishou, and as your old friend for many years.

Hah, I'll give it a good, long think then. Arigatou ne, Taishou.

Don't thank me just yet. Try some of that 'everything Riko-san likes' brew. I'm still counting on it earning its keep in this shop later.

Relax, it's definitely—

(Glug glug)

—DELISH!

Riko's gonna like this, I guarantee it.

Heh... That's good. I hope it'll sell well then. That'll help you open up your izakaya that much faster.

Right, nearly forgot, got a name for it?

That... I haven't thought of that yet... Oh, why not let Riko come up with it?

Once I've finished sorting things out with the family, I'll bring her here to try it. You gotta keep it a secret until then, Taishou!

I will, promise. If you feel like having something else as well when the two of you come over, it'll be my treat.

Well, that's everything totally finished—

Didn't think I'd have to spend half the day shouting it out with those people at the dock just to turn down the transport job.

Leaving the family, though, that got settled quicker than I expected. Aneki might seem cold, but she's actually super reasonable.

'Living a simple, honest life'... right?

Ah, better go home and get some sleep. Need to tell the foreman I'm quitting tomorrow morning. Finally about time to leave.

I'll take Riko to Taishou's bar tomorrow night then. Should I tell her tomorrow morning? Nah, let her sleep in a little...

Do you... know where the Kinsekikai is?

Huh?

Do you know the Kinsekikai?

(Someone looking for my family?)

(Man, what family... I'm not yakuza anymore, remember...?)

(...Forget it, I'll help her out one last time.)

I'm one of them, what's the matter?

Ah... You are... You are one of the Kinsekikai...

You okay? Need me to call the cops for you, onee-san—

—Urkh!

Wh-What the...

Haha... Hahaha... You're Kinsekikai, you need to die... Haha...

Next... I need to find the next one...

Damn, that hurts... Why...

Gah... Why's there so much blood? Gotta wrap it up tight...

Tomorrow night... I gotta take Riko to...

Tell her... I-I made her a glass...

As the morning rain of early autumn refused to end, Tooru Moriuchi had already heard more or less what happened that night.

The lady's hate wasn't directed at Asai specifically, or any one person.

A while ago, the Kinsekikai collected protection money from her family, and thanks to that, her old man passed away just because that money was gone.

The lady didn't even remember who came to their door to collect the money, or what they looked like.

Once he got the full picture, all Tooru could do was ask an old friend in the police to not publicly announce the death.

He had never been so disgusted and yet felt so strangely relieved to realize: it was just a dead body, one the city would not care about in the slightest.

Irasshaima—

Oh, it's been a while, Riko-san. Not minding the store today?

Konbanwa, Moriuchi-taishou. My dad won a ticket for two to a hot spring hotel, so my parents are out for two days, which means I'm on holiday too.

That sort of thing still happens these days? Next time the lottery's in town, make sure to tell me.

So, what're you feeling tonight?

Let me see... A kombu knot, fowlbeast egg, and a burdenbeast tendon—wait, no, two tendons!

Coming right up.

Have you seen Asai lately, Moriuchi-taishou? I haven't been able to get in touch with him at all. Mattaku, he wouldn't have run off with some other girl, right...?

Asai, huh.

He went to Kusarigawa.

What?! Kusarigawa?! H-He's already left? Why didn't he tell me...

I can't believe him... I even got an omamori to give him...

Maybe he wanted to get a proper foothold earlier.

Here, Riko-san. Your kombu knot, fowlbeast egg and two burdenbeast tendons. Enjoy.

Thanks, Moriuchi-taishou! Itadakimasu—

Mmm... This taste brings back good memories. I always came with Asai here to eat.

He'd always try to pester you into trying the daikon. It's not often I see someone who doesn't like it. Honestly, I had more confidence in my work before you came along.

Haha, I suppose... I'm keeping waiting for him. He promised me that once he makes something of himself, he'll come back for me.

I believe in him.

Yeah, I believe in him too.

Well, I'm not going to lose to Asai while he works his butt off in Kusarigawa! I need to pass the preschool teacher qualification exam later this year in one shot!

If that's the case, then I'll make you a special blend. Call it my way of cheering you on.

Thanks for waiting, Riko-san. A new signature drink at the bar I work part-time at, still not officially released. Try it.

Wow, that's a real honor, then. Let me have a taste...

...Whoa...

How is it?

What a weird flavor! If I think about it carefully, these are the flavors I like... but... why does it taste so weird?!

Moriuchi-taishou, I don't understand cocktails too well, but this... is actually really nice to drink, I think? But... Nonono, this is weird, this is a <i>really</i> weird flavor! Are you seriously going to call it your signature?

Yep.

Does it have a name?

Sure does. This special blend is called the 'Bar Shin-Matsuri'.