Chapter 30
I continued making the cocktail with those thoughts in mind.
Since the ‘Coffee Orange Chocolate’ had an overly sweet taste, I prepared a cucumber cocktail to cleanse the palate.
“Wait, is that cucumber?”
“Yes.”
I smiled brightly as I dropped a thinly sliced cucumber into the glass.
“A Hendrick’s Tonic. It will be a refreshing drink.”
Johan received the glass with a dubious look, but after a moment’s hesitation, he took a sip of the Hendrick’s Tonic. In no time, the glass was empty.
“Cucumber? How peculiar. But no need to worry, the taste was fine. Clean and refreshing.”
Johan lightly tapped the empty glass with his fingertips. Seeing the satisfied smile on his face put me in a good mood.
“Right? The cucumber aroma spreads out, making you feel like you’re diving into a sea of cucumbers.”
“A sea of cucumbers?”
Johan let out a low chuckle. Was my expression a bit childish?
‘But there’s no better way to describe the vivid sensation of the Hendrick’s Tonic.’
I convinced myself with a nod.
“Cucumber seems like an unusual ingredient, but now that I think about it, it does make appearances during tea time. Cucumber sandwiches.”
“Have you tried those before?”
I asked since I’ve had cucumber sandwiches before, but Johan shook his head.
“No. Oddly enough, a monster appeared on the day the butler prepared cucumber sandwiches.”
“How inconsiderate of the monster.”
“Haha. Still, it probably has a similar feel to the Hendrick’s Tonic.”
“The ‘cucumbery’ sensation is alike. They’re unexpectedly delicious.”
“‘Cucumber-y’, you say. Indeed, the cucumber cocktail was unexpectedly tasty too.”
Johan repeated my words. We both chuckled lightly at the same time.
Was it because it’s a day off? Or perhaps we’ve grown a bit closer. For some reason, the conversation flowed more freely than usual.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying the cocktails, Johan.”
It was probably one of the two reasons that made me say something I normally wouldn’t.
When no reply came, I felt awkwardly self-conscious as I reached for the empty glass.
But at the same timing, Johan extended his hand to pass me the glass too, resulting in our hands lightly brushing against each other around the glass.
“Ah.”
I hurriedly withdrew my hand. And regretted it.
‘I made it too obvious that I was aware of it.’
As I felt flustered, Johan slid the glass over to the inner side of the bar counter.
“Since it’s a rare day off, shall we have another drink together?”
Johan continued, his gaze solely focused on me.
“And make it a strong one, while we’re at it.”
“You’re right.”
I took out the Absinthe from the display. It was one of the stronger liquors we had.
“Are you sure you won’t regret it if it’s too strong?”
“I’m fine with it.”
Johan readily accepted my bold suggestion.
I took out two champagne glasses and added a sugar cube to each.
‘Then fill them to the brim with Absinthe.’
I poured it into the glasses, then slowly topped them off with cold champagne.
Until the mysterious green hue of the Absinthe transformed into a milky color.
“It’s a cocktail called ‘Death in the Afternoon’. As a joke, it’s also called ‘Afternoon Oblivion’.”
I placed one champagne glass in front of me and the other in front of Johan.
After lightly raising the glass, I took a sip first.
The distinct herbal aroma of absinthe hit me strongly.
Though there was more champagne in it, the absinthe completely overpowered the taste.
Perhaps I let my guard down as I casually sipped it? Johan flinched after taking a sip of the Death in the Afternoon.
“My throat, it’s burning.”
“Hehe. But you asked for a strong drink, didn’t you?”
Johan fell silent, as if savoring the complex lingering flavors in his mouth.
“The aftertaste lingers, and while it might not be for everyone, no one can deny its impact.”
Saying so, Johan looked straight at me.
“Another one.”
“You seem a bit tipsy already?”
“I’m still quite alright.”
When Johan brushed it off nonchalantly, I curved my lips into a smile and prepared two more Death in the Afternoons.
This time, Johan took the first sip. After draining the glass in one go, his breathing grew ragged.
‘He’s holding up well?’
Not to be outdone, I also downed the glass in a single gulp.
“Phew……”
Drinking the potent liquor consecutively without a snack made the intoxication hit me hard.
My body felt flushed and hot, so I kept fanning myself.
At times like this, I could understand why people in cold regions drink so much.
‘Johan must be feeling warm too……’
I thought, looking at Johan, who was now breathing deeply with his face slightly flushed.
‘Ah.’
His appearance struck me as rather sensual, so I hurriedly averted my gaze.
“Here, drink this.”
“I was curious to see what you’re like when drunk, but it’s not easy.”
“I can really hold my liquor, hehe.”
I laughed and drank more water.
“It just makes you cuter when you’re tipsy.”
Johan’s eyes softened in a defenseless, intoxicated haze. Without thinking, I met his gaze, only to feel a sudden surge of dizziness.
“Cough, cough!”
“Are you alright?”
Johan shot up and reached out his hand.
His large hand enveloped mine, and I could feel his warmth vividly through the thin leather glove.
A tense silence fell. Awkward, yet somehow making my heart flutter.
“Sena.”
His eyes grew momentarily hazy as they focused on me.
“I really do need you.”
It seemed we were both a little drunk.
I hurriedly parted my lips.
“…Cucumber.”
“Pardon?”
This stage right before becoming inadvisable was the most dangerous. With our reason abandoning us, who knows what we might do.
“Have some more!”
I abruptly cut an unsliced cucumber in half and placed it in Johan’s hand.
To douse the strangely heated atmosphere.
Johan looked bewildered, glancing between the cucumber and me. Deliberately avoiding his eyes, I took a big bite out of the halved cucumber.
“Um, cucumber… it’s delicious.”
“Ah, yes, quite refreshing.”
Crunch crunch.
Munch munch.
It became an awkwardly cucumber-chewing afternoon.
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“Ah, I can’t help it. I’ll have to rest for today.”
I deliberately limped as I made this declaration.
The truth was, after thoroughly resting, the swelling in my ankle had gone down and the pain had subsided.
‘But I still don’t want to work.’
An injury is the perfect excuse for rest. How can I milk this?
“Hmm. Doesn’t look like it to me.”
But I couldn’t escape Chris’s hawk-like eyes.
“It’s bad enough that I’m in pain…”
“Why are you limping on your left foot?”
“What are you talking about? Look again. My right foot…”
“Aren’t you too obvious? You injured your left foot.”
Chris didn’t bother to hide his disdainful expression. Feeling embarrassed, I turned my head. Of all things, why did I fall for his trick question?
“I don’t get it. How can a human be this lazy? Aren’t you running the cocktail bar because you need money?”
“Humans are naturally complex beings, you know?”
Why do humans have to work? If we absolutely must, we should have evolved to not get tired from working.
I let out a deep sigh and took out the dagger Johan had gifted me. Seeing the weapon, Chris raised an eyebrow warily.
“This was a gift, by the way.”
“Oh?”
“I think you’d make better use of it than me, so I’ll give it to you.”
I appreciated the gift, but what would I use a dagger for? It was better off with Christ. He’s my bodyguard after all.
Christ accepted the dagger and carefully examined the blade after removing the sheath.
“But isn’t it a bit much to be so wary all of a sudden? Did you think I was going to stab you or something?”
“It’s a natural reaction.”
“If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it a long time ago. By poisoning your drink or something…”
“You’ve got a mouth on you.”
At that moment, the dagger came flying towards my neck.
“Hick!”
“If this were real, you’d be dead.”
Too startled to speak, the dagger then aimed for my head, then my chest.
“Dead. You’d be dead again. And again.”
“Put that away while I’m still being nice.”
Is this a joke? Chris laughed faintly at my sharp glare and sheathed the dagger.
“I’ll put it to good use.”
“Yes, yes. Now go back to work. The patient needs rest, you see.”
Chris looked me up and down with a disdainful expression before finally leaving the room.
Having declared a well-deserved break, I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
I don’t want to work, but I’m not sleepy either. Did I sleep too much?
I decided to take this opportunity to check on my current situation.
“Status window.”
<Status>
Name : Lee Sena
Store Name : I don’t know. Stuff like that (Preparing for Business)
Reputation : 4,250
Coins : 4,546
12 days remaining until the next payment.
I was making steady progress towards my 9,800 coin goal, but it was still a bit touch-and-go.
‘It might be better to earn as much as possible while I have a reliable bodyguard. Should I go dimension-hopping today?’
I sprang up from where I sat.
Yeah. Who knows how long the part-timer will be here? He’ll probably leave as soon as he find the door. Better to take full advantage now rather than regret it later.
Filled with determination, I hurriedly made my way downstairs, forgetting all about my limp.
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After finishing lunch, I opened the door with Chris.
Hoping to land a quest in a safe dimension that pays well in coins.
As the door opened and I stepped into the new dimension, cheerful music with a unique rhythm was playing.
‘What kind of stage is this?’
Looking towards the source of the sound, I saw fluttering colorful dress hems and graceful dance moves unfolding.
“This place is…..”
As the music faded, the dancers turned to face me and bowed.
Clap clap clap!
Deafening applause sounded as the dancers exited behind the stage.
It briefly went dark, then the music started again with a new group coming out to perform.
“Ah, a show?”
Looking around, I saw many people seated at round tables, dining while watching the performance.
An ordinary scene, if commonplace. Except…
‘They’re not human, are they?’
If I had to categorize them, they were beastmen?
They walked on two legs like humans and wore clothes, but their heads were those of animals.
‘The beastmen I know only have cute ears and tails.’
Their half-human, half-animal appearance was a bit intimidating.
“Hey, you’re blocking the stage.”
“Oh, sorry.”
I realized I had moved too far forward while watching the performance. I quickly bowed my head in apology and moved to a corner where I wouldn’t be in the way. Everyone was engrossed in the performance.
“At least it doesn’t seem dangerous here.”
“Yes, but I don’t think there’s a need for us to get involved?”
Since we couldn’t exactly join the stage performers.
Just as I considered quickly checking out another dimension, I overheard murmurs of discontent.
“The drinks still haven’t come?”
“It’s been so long since we ordered the beers…”
‘Beer? Did something happen in the kitchen?’
I glanced towards the kitchen area, and someone let out a scream-like shout.
“Ah! Is that guy still not here? Damn it. How can the drink guy be absent on a day like this!”
Ah, it seemed the ruckus was caused by the absent drink server.
Ding!
<Notice> Quest triggered!
During this lively party, the resort manager is in trouble because the drink server is missing.
Take this opportunity to promote your cocktail business!
Reward: 500 coins, 300 reputation
Will you accept the quest?
[Y] [N]
I quietly rolled up my sleeves.
Alright, let’s do this.
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⋆｡‧˚ʚ Translator Note ɞ˚‧｡⋆
A Hendrick’s Tonic is a refreshing gin and tonic cocktail that specifically uses Hendrick’s Gin, known for its unique infusion of rose and cucumber.
This cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day or any time you’re looking for a crisp, clean drink.
The ‘Death in the Afternoon‘ cocktail is a classic drink that was invented by the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway. It is a simple yet potent cocktail consisting of absinthe and champagne.
The cocktail gets its name from Hemingway’s 1932 book “Death in the Afternoon.” The writer is known to have recommended drinking three to five of these cocktails slowly in the afternoon. Despite its simplicity, it packs a powerful punch due to the high alcohol content of absinthe combined with the champagne.
The ‘Death in the Afternoon’ cocktail is sometimes humorously referred to as ‘Afternoon Oblivion‘ because of its potent combination of absinthe and champagne. This nickname plays on the drink’s ability to quickly lead to intoxication due to the high alcohol content of both ingredients.
In essence, the term ‘Afternoon Oblivion’ is a lighthearted nod to the cocktail’s powerful effects, aligning with the playful and irreverent nature of the original name given by Hemingway.
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Thank you for reading! ♡
