"Crafting drinks, changing lives."
Standing upright and dignified behind the bar, Kikukawa Kyo solemnly delivered this line.
Before Sakiko could ask what it meant, Kikukawa Yuu—seated nearby—was already teasing her:
"Do you have to recite that line every time you come here?"
"It's a ritual," Kyo retorted irritably at her older sister. "Someone like you, who just gulps down whatever you drink without a second thought, wouldn't understand."
"Mixology isn't just about throwing ingredients together and handing them to the customer. The atmosphere at the bar is just as important! From a comfortable environment to an elegant outfit, all the way to a drink that truly speaks to the person drinking it..."
"And this line is where it all begins!"
The moment the topic turned to mixology, Kyo became animated, speaking passionately and at length. At times like this, she exuded an infectious enthusiasm—along with a certain romantic idealism.
Sakiko understood Kyo's dedication well. For Sakiko, her greatest passion was the piano. Even now, despite having no opportunity to perform, she often found her fingers unconsciously moving in the air, mimicking the motions of playing.
"Kyo is really serious about mixology," Sakiko murmured, feeling a sense of camaraderie as she watched Kyo's enthusiasm.
"Yeah, I could never match our little shopkeeper's level of professionalism," Izumo chimed in, helping run the café.
"You're already impressive, Izumo. Employees at other cafés still prefer to make drinks using instant milk tea powder and shortcuts," Yuu remarked, throwing in a compliment.
Kyo, however, crossed her arms and huffed. "Hmph! If you're aiming to be a true mixologist, Izumo, you've still got a long way to go."
"Oh wow, here we go again. The moment you step behind that bar, your tail starts wagging. What happened to that humble and polite attitude you usually put on?" Yuu jabbed, pointing at her sister.
"I believe I am still perfectly maintaining the humility and decorum expected of a mixologist," Kyo declared with a straight face.
Sakiko, watching the sisters bicker, found the whole scene amusing. The tension she had been carrying from preparing for her job interview slowly eased. Taking the opportunity, she joined in with a teasing remark:
"For someone using her sister's shop, you sure refer to yourself as the owner pretty naturally."
"Ugh—once I come of age, I will claim this throne! This kingdom was built for me..." Kyo clutched her chest dramatically, as if wounded.
"I can't believe it... In just a short time, Sakiko has already defected to my sister's side. What a tragic betrayal..."
Sakiko giggled at Kyo's theatrical antics, covering her mouth as she chuckled. "Consider it... a little payback for the blunt things you said to me the other day."
Seeing Sakiko laugh, Kyo immediately snapped back to her serious demeanor, her ability to switch faces so quickly leaving Sakiko in awe.
"You see? This is the power of atmosphere. Sakiko is clearly more relaxed now."
"That wasn't atmosphere! You just kept messing around until you forced her to laugh!" Yuu retorted mercilessly. But then, turning to Sakiko, she softened her tone. "That said, you were holding yourself a bit stiffly earlier. It's good to loosen up—it makes you feel more natural."
Sakiko tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking slightly embarrassed. "Well, since I'm here for a job interview, I thought I should act more formally."
"My sister here is a delinquent—she couldn't care less about formality."
As they spoke, several classic bartending tools appeared on the table—things Sakiko recognized from her limited knowledge of mixology. Meanwhile, at some point, Kyo had started polishing a glass.
Bartender stereotype +1.
"You can totally relax, Sakiko. Neither Yuu nor the little shopkeeper are the type to fuss over etiquette," Izumo added with a reassuring smile.
"Ahem, please don't lump me in with her," Kyo protested. But the moment she saw her beloved shaker in Yuu's grasp, held hostage, she immediately changed her tune.
"You know, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Kikukawa Yuu. I would never presume to compare myself to her... I was wrong. Please let go of my shaker."
At that, Sakiko finally couldn't hold back. She let out a clear, bell-like laugh, her white dress swaying gently as she did.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you, Kyo," Sakiko apologized, still smiling. "I was just surprised... So this is how you act around your sister?"
Seeing Sakiko relax enough to laugh openly in front of others, Kikukawa Kyo blinked in surprise. She was genuinely happy that Sakiko had let her guard down so quickly.
Well, at least her over-the-top antics had served a purpose.
She'd have to thank her sister later for playing along—Yuu had probably seen right through her intentions from the start.
"Alright, it's scorching outside, and we've been chatting for ages. Time for some drinks to cool off." Kyo gestured toward the drink menu hanging on the wall beside the bar. "Take a look and see what you'd like. If you're in the mood for something unique, feel free to make a special request!"
As she spoke, she straightened her posture with confidence—her fitted outfit subtly emphasizing a rather cute curve.
"After all, a bartender's custom creations are an essential experience!"
"I'll have a can of Sprite," Kikukawa Yuu was the first to order.
"...Ha—?!"
Kyo let out a long, exaggerated sound of disbelief and immediately pointed toward the door.
"Take a right outside, walk straight to the end of the block, and you'll find a vending machine that can fulfill your very specific needs."
This was a challenge, wasn't it? Who in their right mind would order a store-bought, canned drink from a bartender brimming with confidence in her craft? No, this had to be a challenge.
Kikukawa Kyo—outraged!
"But a vending machine doesn't say, 'Crafting drinks, changing lives,' does it?" Yuu teased, reaching out to gently squeeze Kyo's hand twice, as if to soothe her frustration.
"Hmph..."
Kyo half-heartedly struggled to free her right hand but failed. Resigned, she used her left hand instead to retrieve a can of Sprite from the bar's mini-fridge.
"Here."
"Wow, shaking a soda? What happened to your bartending professionalism?"
"Drink it or don't."
"Sigh, now that the bartender is kicking out her customers, I guess I'll take my leave." Yuu gave Kyo's hand one last firm squeeze before accepting the soon-to-erupt can of Sprite. She then stood up and stretched. "Izumo, want to swing by the bookstore? I think the sequel to that novel you were interested in just got released."
"Sure," Izumo agreed readily.
"Aren't you going to order a drink, Miss Izumo?" Sakiko asked, noticing that both were about to leave.
"Since our little shopkeeper here takes mixology so seriously, I've been practicing my own skills at the café every day. The test drinks I make aren't exactly fit for sale, so I have no choice but to drink them myself." Izumo waved a hand dismissively, indicating she really couldn't take in another drink today.
With that, Yuu and Izumo headed off to the bookstore, leaving the café suddenly much quieter—just Sakiko and Kyo, alone in their own little world.