Glass No. 3 - French Sparkle

Haruki had been watching her expression carefully as she had fallen into a quiet sort of spell. Trying to remember last night... or something. If he hadn't watched how she had behaved yesterday, he would've never suspected her to act in such a manner.

He recalled, with a slight smile on his face, her tipsy anger, her self declaration of revenge, her sadness and her falling asleep face down on the bar.

She really did look professional, all dressed up in a suit that favoured her curves and hips and her slender legs paired with black high heeled shoes. Her kind of attire and appearance was suited for those high end jobs where she'd hold a clipboard and critique the safety and health of exquisite restaurants.

Or maybe those kinds of jobs where she'd sit in one of those long limousines with suited men following after her as she drove here and there to settle meetings and cases with important people.

Either way, she held herself in quite the manner. Even as she despaired quietly to herself, her posture was straight and her arms tucked neatly at her side. Even as she mulled things over, however dreadful, every thing about her was elegant.

Meanwhile, over with Yumiko, her memories were slowing down as she recalled stumbling away from the office after placing the warm report by the foot of her boss's door.

Phone, wallet and coat stuffed half-heartedly into her bag, she set out into the night, not stopping until she nearly bumped into a small chalkboard on the pavement displaying the special of the night and the bar's name.

... Now that she thought of it, she couldn't recall the name of the bar, as she remembered taking a quick turn and barging in, taking a quick seat at the bar despite no one else being there, and began to drink away her sorrows.

"What do I do now...?" She asked out loud to herself. Just loud enough for Haruki to hear as he tilted his head to one side, placing the glass down with the rest with a satisfying soft clink, ready to listen to what else she had to say.

She looked up at him, feeling the warmth of his brown eyes as her blue eyes met his.

"I... actually don't know where I am. What is the name of this bar?"

"Oh! This is Shiraishi. It's the third shop from the corner of Gingko and Maple Street." He replied with a smile.

"I see." She must've walked quite some way - she'd never heard of the name before and she certainly hadn't seen it on her walks back home from work.

"... And your name?"

"My name is Haruki. I'm an... apprentice here at Shiraishi. My master is the owner and main bartender here. Your name is...?"

"My name is Yumiko. It's nice to meet you. And... thank you... for your hospitality." She felt her cheeks warm up as she gave her introduction. There hadn't been many words shared between them last night. Then again, what she said and what she did after those drinks were messy memories.

Yumiko's gaze dropped to the floor and spied the crumpled black vest. She reached out with slender fingers and grasped onto it, pulling it onto her lap. It was smooth and well made, apart from the few wrinkles from sitting on the floor. Her hands moved along the fabric to smooth it out and fold it neatly.

"I'm just glad to help." Haruki replied.

"... You mentioned coming back to a bar is... 'character development'. That's quite the choice to pick after not drinking for a while... strong whiskey."

Yumiko bit her lip and nodded sheepishly, albeit gingerly. Her head was still pounding from all the crying and drinks she had had last night.

"Yeah... I needed something to make me not think for a bit. Although... now that that's over... I'm over thinking things."

Haruki nodded in understanding, and paused for a moment before asking,

"Well... I've got a small drink here if that would help ease your mind. Would you care to try it?"

She blinked at what he said, before her mouth opened in surprise as she quickly shook her head.

"Oh- no, no, I can't inconvenience you like that! Besides... I'd really be best heading home... you've done so much already for me." She paused.

"Isn't it too early to be drinking, though?"

Haruki laughed.

"It's okay. This one is a mocktail, on me. ... Tempted?"

Yumiko hesitated, before slowly nodding, getting off of the soft couch and approaching the bar, pulling herself onto one of the stools.

"... Yes please. If you will."

"Sure thing. One French Sparkle, coming right up."

{French Sparkle} - One Serve

Ingredients:

30 ml of ginger ale

60 ml of mango nectar

30 ml of apple cider

Lime juice to taste

(For a delightfully strong alcoholic drink, replace the ginger ale with champagne and the apple cider + lime juice with raspberry vodka.)

She watched him make the drink by pouring the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and began to shake it with two hands. His hands were dexterous as he worked, fingers thin and slender as he strained the drink into a cool glass, before topping it off with a small mango slice on top of a coaster and slid it towards her with a smile.

"Here you are, Miss. One French Sparkle. Please enjoy."

"... Thank you." She gulped nervously, taking the drink into two hands. She raised it to her lips and took a sip. The burst of sweet mango hit her tongue, followed by the bubbling of the ginger ale and apple cider which offered fruity notes once the mango faded away.

"It's... delicious..." Her cheeks flushed with awe and wonder as she drank a bit more. The taste was fully experienced now as a full gulp rather than a small sip.

Haruki's smile grew wider as he watched her cute expression from behind the bar.

"I'm glad!"