Kikukawa Kyo soon emerged from the storage room, holding several vibrant green limes, each looking fresh and bursting with juice.
"Hmph, hmph! When making a non-alcoholic Mojito, it's crucial to use only the freshest ingredients to make up for the absence of rum," she declared proudly.
Sakiko smiled helplessly at Kyo's enthusiasm and, for the moment, set aside her urge to question her. Putting herself in Kyo's shoes, she wouldn't appreciate being interrupted when she was deeply focused on playing the piano, either.
Kyo placed the limes on a cutting board meant specifically for ingredient preparation. With practiced ease, she located a knife from the bar and expertly sliced each lime into quarter wedges.
The moment the blade cut through the fruit, a faint but refreshing citrus aroma filled the air, its crisp tang sharpening the senses.
Selecting five or six lime wedges, Kyo dropped them into a prepared glass. She then used a sturdy muddler with a thick, rounded base to gently press down, extracting the juice. As she worked, the fragrance intensified, the juices and oils coaxed out by the pressure, waiting to be blended into the final drink.
"Do you prefer sweeter drinks, Sakiko?" Kyo asked, not neglecting her role as a bartender even while focusing on her craft.
"Too much sweetness can be cloying. A normal amount is fine."
Kyo picked up a small container of sugar, giving it a slight shake as she considered Sakiko's response. Then, with careful precision, she measured out two small spoonfuls and added them to the glass.
"Once all the ingredients are in, comes the essence of mixology—the blending."
The long spoon she had just used to scoop sugar now twirled effortlessly in her hand, repurposed as a stirring tool. She stirred swiftly but with a light touch, ensuring that the lime, juice, and sugar mixed smoothly.
"When making cocktails with fewer ingredients, stirring is a much faster and more efficient method than shaking. Unlike the vigorous motion of a shaker, stirring keeps the drink clear, maintaining a more refined and transparent appearance."
When it seemed just right, Kyo pulled out the spoon, tapping its handle lightly against the back of her hand, leaving behind a single drop of liquid. Then, with a slight tilt of her head, she extended her tongue and lightly licked the droplet.
"Hmm~ The balance of tartness and sweetness is just right... Sakiko, want to try?"
Sakiko looked at the long spoon, then at Kyo's pale, slender hand—then, at the spot on her hand where she had just licked.
...Wait. Where exactly am I supposed to taste from?
"..."
The second Kyo saw Sakiko glancing between her spoon and her hand, she immediately realized what she was thinking. "I didn't mean for you to lick my hand… Unless you want to?"
"Of course not, desuwa!" There's no way I'd want to do that!
Seeing Kyo blink innocently, as if she truly believed Sakiko wanted to, she even hesitated for a moment, slowly extending her hand forward—
Panicked, Sakiko blurted out her old speech habit before she could stop herself.
Kyo let out a short cough and quickly moved on to the next step to avoid further awkwardness.
Next, she picked out three or four sprigs of mint—the key ingredient that would provide the drink's signature aroma.
But instead of immediately adding them to the glass, she first gently clapped and rubbed them between her fingers, releasing their fragrance before placing them inside.
Then came the soul of any summer drink—ice. Kyo scooped up a generous amount of crushed ice, filling the glass until the ingredients were buried beneath it. She paused when it reached about three-quarters full, then grabbed a can of soda water—
"Wait, so we are using canned soda?"
"I must clarify: using a canned drink as an ingredient and using it as a finished product are completely different concepts."
She poured just enough soda water to reach just below the ice's surface, then stirred once more, ensuring everything was fully mixed. Finally, she added one last layer of crushed ice, packing it all the way to the brim, completely sealing in the ingredients below.
"Alright, it's almost done." Kyo slid the finished drink across the counter to Sakiko. "Now for the final touch—I'll leave that to you!"
"Me?"
"Yup! It's simple—just garnish it with a mint sprig and add a straw, and you're all set!"
Sakiko accepted the sprig of mint Kyo handed her, carefully mimicking how she had clapped it earlier. But her movements were so delicate and cautious that Kyo couldn't help but laugh.
"Did I do something wrong?" Sakiko asked, pausing at Kyo's sudden amusement.
"It's just a simple patting motion—there's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to do it, my dear lady."
The moment Sakiko heard the words "my dear lady," she knew Kikukawa Kyo had slipped back into her bartender persona.
"Mixology has never been about absolute precision. Shaking, layering, balancing flavors—every step should follow your instincts. If you're too hesitant to handle the ingredients, your final drink will be just as shy, lacking the boldness to fully express its flavors."
"After all, like I said before—atmosphere is an essential part of the bar experience."
Sakiko was momentarily stunned, watching as Kyo gently cupped her hand, the one holding the mint. Their palms pressed lightly together, and Sakiko could feel a cool dampness against her skin.
Kyo guided her hand toward herself, leaning in ever so slightly. Then, with her free hand, she gave Sakiko's hand a few firm but measured pats.
The mint leaf, caught between them, seemed unable to bear the moment—like a shy mimosa leaf curling inward at a touch, it released a fresh, herbal fragrance that wrapped around their intertwined fingers.
"See? That's all there is to it."
Kyo pulled her hands back effortlessly, as if the brief contact hadn't meant a thing to her. After all, compared to licking her hand, this was hardly worth noticing—though thankfully, that particular moment hadn't actually happened.
Sakiko stared at the mint leaf in her fingers—or rather, at her own hand, the one Kyo had just held. She was quiet for a few seconds before she carefully placed the leaf atop the crushed ice at the rim of the glass.
The crystal-clear drink shimmered within the glass, ice cubes floating lazily, while bright green lime wedges nestled among them. Condensation trailed down the smooth surface, and a soft lemony hue rippled through the drink, exuding an irresistibly refreshing aura.
"It's beautiful," Sakiko murmured.
Seeing how much she appreciated the drink, Kyo was satisfied. Without interrupting Sakiko's quiet admiration, she grabbed two straws, placed them together, and inserted them beside the mint garnish.
"There we go, my dear lady, your Mojito is ready."
"I told you not to call me that."
"Alright then, Sakiko."
"..."
Somehow, that felt even more suggestive.
Sakiko quickly changed the subject. "Why two straws?"
"Ah, because it's a couple's cup~ Can I share it with you?" Kyo tilted her head, a teasing smile dancing at her lips.
"Eh?"
"Just kidding. Actually, drinks with a lot of ice can sometimes get blocked, so double straws help prevent that."
What a troublemaker…
Deciding to ignore Kyo's antics, Sakiko picked up the Mojito and took a small sip.
A wave of cool, crisp mint and citrus spread instantly, flooding her senses with refreshing lightness. The first sensation was a deep, cooling chill, followed by the invigorating brightness of mint dancing on her tongue. Then, the balanced sweetness and tartness of lime unfolded, layering the flavors in a way that left a lingering, clean aftertaste.
"It's really good." The praise slipped out almost instinctively.
"That's the best thing I could hope to hear."
Sakiko continued sipping her drink, occasionally glancing at Kyo.
She felt something warm and pleasant—a rare kind of comfort she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Reassuring.
But the more she felt it, the sharper that hidden thorn in her heart became, pressing deeper, making it impossible to ignore...