ep [2] regret of?

Welcome to Yumejuya. It’s a pleasure to see you again.

Sorry for always comin’ in ‘fore you open.

Not at all. It’s an honor to have you place your trust in our establishment.

It ain’t the bar…

Hm?

Never mind.

Ah, you trust me, not the bar, correct? From your perspective, I suppose I do have quite a bit of knowledge that can help you overcome alcohol and a certain understanding that comes with an age you haven’t reached yet.

You don’t gotta say it all out loud…!

Haha, thank you. I’m very happy to have you rely on me.

Ugh… Whatever, let’s just get started.

Of course. I’m always glad to help you raise your alcohol tolerance. Is there anything you’d like to order?

Nah. You can give me whatever you feel like.

As you wish.

……

……

How has your day been?

I closed the shop and practiced makin’ bouquets with Toi. Then I just came here.

It’s been about a week since you opened your shop. I’m sure you were very busy, since it opened on the same day as the park event. How have you been faring?

Been gettin’ a decent amount of customers. But…

You’re concerned about something else, I assume? Are you still worried about him?

…I kinda feel responsible for it.

I’m sure he’ll be alright. He’s not as frail as you think he is.

I think you should instead consider why you’re so worried about someone outside of Toi, my boy.

……

…You’re not usually this nosy.

…I’m not?

You’ve just been touchin’ on hard topics this whole time, like when you were talkin’ ‘bout the reason I always come here…

Ahh, but I guess this means you always notice this kinda stuff. You just don’t usually say it out loud.

*sigh* I suck…

No, I’m sorry… I must have gotten lonely and started acting mean towards you without realizing it.

Huhh?

Nah, I… I wouldn’t say you were actin’ mean… You were just makin’ me realize what I was missin’…

……

Ryui, going back to the topic of what I’m “not usually like”…

What would you do if I told you that I wanted to leave the Night Team?

Huh? You’re leaving?

Just as an example.

……

I wouldn’t know ‘til it actually happens. And I fuckin’ hate these kinda “what if” scenarios. They piss me off.

Haha… I see.

Your drink for tonight. It’s a Brandy Crusta.

…S’got brandy in it?

Yes. A very dignified name, isn’t it?

(Brandy’s pretty strong. If I can handle it, I can finally turn into the real man’s man I wanna be, but…)

This cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink, but, as I’m sure you’re already aware, it’s quite strong.

But I made sure to keep it light for tonight and added extra sugar on the rim. You shouldn’t get too drunk from it.

Why’d you have to go and do that? Doesn’t it change the flavor or whatever?

Starting off with completely undiluted alcohol won’t help to build your tolerance. You need to get used to it over time.

Even when diluted, brandy is still brandy. You’ll still be able to taste its mellow and unique flavor.

You usually only drink a Cassis Orange, correct? You need to learn to appreciate the flavor of alcohol alongside increasing your tolerance.

So feel free to take a sip. You might experience something new.

…Fine. First time for everything, I guess.

*gulp, gulp…* It’s good, but… Fuck, it’s strong…! *cough, cough* *cough*

Ahahaha!

I’m chokin’ on my drink and you’re laughing? Well, guess I’m glad you diluted it.

So? What’s this one mean in cocktail language?

“I wish time would stop.”

……

Time should…

Mhm.

Keep moving.

‘Cuz I got a lotta regrets. I want time to keep on movin’, so I can get away from the past, since I can’t do anything to change it anyway.

Ahh, but I guess that kinda sounds like I’m running away. I said some pretty nasty things to that guy, but it’s not like I wanna forget about it.

But if you start stagnating, then you’re only gonna get worse.

I see…

Yeah. Giving up and just stickin’ with the way things are is gonna come back and bite you in the ass one day. Trust me, I know.

(‘Cuz that’s what happened to my dad…)

Time’s gotta keep moving, for your own sake. Ah, but this cocktail’s pretty cool.

……

……

…You bring the light wherever you go.

Just with you here, this dark forest of a bar is awash with the light of the morning sun.

Huh?

But it doesn’t hurt to stop time and run away from everything for just one night. You can’t spend 24 hours a day and 365 days a year always facing new challenges.

Now you’re preachin’ to me…? Yeah, I know that everyone thinks differently…

*sigh* Let’s just stop. This shit’s depressing. You’re always s’posed to enjoy yourself when you’re drinkin’, right?

Yes, that’s right. That’s exactly what I taught you.

(Ryui, your thought process reflects his more than mine. You never give up, and you’re always ready to face tomorrow, just like him.)

(You have yet to realize this, so I’ll refrain from providing you with my instruction. You can simply stay here with me, just for tonight.)

(But those effects of stagnation that you mentioned might find their way to me one day…)