Chapter 125 Bourbon is indeed spicy enough...
Nekono Ikuya had thought his interaction with Okiya Subaru would be an interesting game, and that this suspicious squinty-eyed guy would eventually be defeated by the great Nekono-sama.
He was eager to engage in a thrilling battle of wits with Subaru Okiya.
However, after several black tea tasting sessions, Nekono Ikuya felt that the taste was not right.
What about the anticipated subtle exchanges and veiled power struggles? What about the implicit verbal sparring?
A huge question mark appeared in Nekono Ikuya's mind.
This person... doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards me.
He pondered and analyzed it repeatedly, and finally realized—
The other person's approach didn't seem to be for any ulterior motive, but simply because they wanted to...
Take this opportunity! Subtly and gradually influence Amuro Tooru's mind?!
Nekono Ikuya: "..."
His fingers, which were holding the teaspoon, paused slightly, and the sparkle in his emerald eyes was gradually replaced by an indescribable subtlety.
Nekono Ikuya noticed.
This must be some "enemy of justice" that the organization has attracted by "making many good connections" over the years.
Let's not even talk about how many people the organization has offended around the world.
In her heart, Ikuya Nekono lit a row of candles for her lover.
He shook his head and sighed: Bourbon, just how bad has your reputation become in the eyes of the public?
How can there even be people who voluntarily work part-time as "anti-fraud ambassadors"?
Neono Ikumi's voice is shocking!
From initially accepting the invitation with great enthusiasm, to gradually developing a forced smile, the gleam in Nekono Ikuya's eyes quickly faded.
His interest in Subaru Okiya was like the black tea in his hand, gradually cooling down.
Looking at the pink-haired graduate student who was still smiling as he pushed out tea and snacks, Nekono Ikuya felt only emptiness in her heart:
It was utterly tasteless, truly utterly tasteless.
Nekono Ikuya: Indifferent.jpg
...
The glass of soda water was now only half full, the ice had long since melted, and even the last trace of coolness had quietly dissipated, leaving only a blurry mist on the glass.
As dusk deepened, in a well-known bar, the soft, dim lighting, like a veil, gently enveloped the young man sitting alone in a booth.
He looked to be in his early twenties, with soft, short black hair that had a slight natural curl, making his skin appear even whiter. His brown eyes looked warm and clear under the light, with long eyelashes that habitually drooped slightly when he looked at people, exuding a quiet and shy air.
The young man, dressed in a beige knitted sweater, sat formally in the booth, his eyes slightly lowered, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his cup. He resembled a still life painting with soft colors, perfectly blending with the hazy atmosphere around him, yet also creating an invisible, transparent barrier.
Today's limited-time skin: [Gentle and shy, first time in an adult setting, nervously waiting for a friend - Nekono Ikuya].
Nekono Ikuya's eyes were timid: Strangers stay away, and even acquaintances should not be disturbed.
He would occasionally raise his moist, animal-like eyes and glance quickly toward the entrance, or look down at his motionless phone screen, tapping it twice on the screen as if he wanted to send a message, but then hesitated and quickly withdrew his finger.
A series of subtle movements, when observed by onlookers, easily pieced together a knowing smile and a guess: this was probably a young person who had been invited by a friend, but felt unfamiliar and reserved in this "adult place," and was experiencing a wait filled with anxiety and unease.
"Is he waiting for a friend? Maybe they're late." Such a thought would cross the mind of a bartender or customer who happened to catch a glimpse of him, and their eyes would show a bit more of the tolerance of an experienced person towards a naive young man.
Nekono Ikuya only occasionally glanced at the half-empty glass of soulless soda water, a barely perceptible hint of disdain flashing deep in her brown eyes, and silently clicked her tongue in her mind:
Even dogs won't drink room temperature soda water! (Cat looks disgusted.jpg)
Just as Nekono Yuuya was silently denouncing the lukewarm water for the 101st time and seriously considering whether to order a drink to save his precarious taste buds, a figure with an undeniable presence cut off the slanting light, enveloping him in shadow.
Even in the dim light, the blonde hair stood out, and the contrast between the deep skin and the bright hair color created a strange tension.
The visitor was none other than Amuro Tooru.
Or rather, he looks more like Bourbon at this moment.
He wasn't wearing his usual waiter uniform, but rather a well-tailored dark casual outfit. His posture seemed relaxed, yet it exuded a subtle sense of aggression.
Amuro Tooru leaned forward slightly, his purplish-gray eyes fixed on the "unfamiliar" young man in the booth. His smile was warm and cheerful, but his Bourbon side was revealed in the way his eyes glanced around, creating a complex and alluring yet dangerous aura.
"Good evening." His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pushed away the surrounding noise. "Alone? You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"
Though he asked a question, his actions showed no intention of waiting for permission. Before he finished speaking, he had already sat down on the other side of the booth with remarkable ease, his movements fluid and leaving no room for refusal.
Nekono Ikuya: "..."
They didn't even ask for my opinion.
However, the assertive Amuro Tooru is a perfect match for Shiraki Shun's shy exterior.
...Wow, Bourbon is really spicy.
Shiraki Shun seemed startled by the sudden approach; his long eyelashes trembled, his brown eyes widened slightly, then lowered again as if startled. He nodded gently, his voice soft and hesitant: "P-please go ahead..."
His fingers unconsciously gripped the glass, perfectly portraying the helplessness of an introverted person suddenly struck up a conversation with a stranger.
Amuro Tooru seemed completely oblivious to the other's nervousness, and went about his business by calling a waiter to order a glass of bourbon whiskey, but his gaze never left Shiraki Shun.
The gaze was undisguised, carrying a subtle interest, falling on the skin as if it were real.
Under his gaze, Shiraki Shun's body gradually stiffened, and even his breathing became soft.
He was on the verge of tears: Help! Help! Is this the ultimate nightmare for socially anxious people?!
While Shiraki Shun's character, Nekono Ikuya, keeps praising how hot Bourbon is, little does she know that Amuro Toru's character, Furuya Rei, is also remarking that today's Nekono Ikuya looks delicious.
Hiss, soft, timid, as if it would shrink back at the slightest touch... Bourbon's hunting instincts are stirring!
He took a sip of the whiskey that had just been delivered without making a sound. The cold liquid slid down his throat, but for some reason, his throat still felt a little dry.
“It’s rare to see unfamiliar faces here,” Amuro Tooru’s voice was deep and pleasant, with a magnetic and seductive tone, while also getting closer, “You seem a little uncomfortable in this kind of place?” It was hard to tell whether he was deliberately putting pressure on them or genuinely concerned.
Amuro Tooru: Pretending.jpg, I almost believed my own acting.
Nekono Ikuya thought to herself: Don't talk like you're a regular here. As far as I know, this is your first time here. I even chose the location.
This bar is newly opened!
Shun Shiraki shook his head slightly, his voice even lower: "I'm just waiting for a friend."
The answer was given, but a friend warned, and the little rabbit raised a wall around its heart!
He tried to end the conversation there, leaning back slightly to create physical distance.
Amuro Tooru laughed: "Looks like your friend is late. Waiting is always boring. Would you mind if I chat with you for a bit?" He picked up the bourbon whiskey in front of him and gently touched the rim of the glass to the lukewarm soda glass that Shiraki Shun had placed on the table.
"bite."
A crisp, pleasant sound broke the protective barrier that Shiraki Shun was trying to maintain.
Amuro Tooru's purplish-gray eyes shimmered with a captivating light under the lamplight. "For our rare encounter."
Shiraki Shun raised his brown eyes, which were filled with silent accusation, and hesitated to speak: Can I say that I actually mind a lot?
Amuro Tooru returned the gaze with an even deeper and more captivating intensity, his smile unchanged, but his eyes conveyed a clear message: What do you think?
Shun Shiraki: There is a solid wall in my heart.
Amuro Tooru: What kind of illegal building is this? Tear it down!
In short, Shun Shiraki eventually got another glass of soda.
he:"……"
Amuro Tooru's smile deepened, and he continued the conversation with remarkable ease. His conversation was witty and his knowledge extensive, ranging from the unique wines of various countries to the latest music trends. Every question he asked seemed casual, yet he always managed to get the shy young man in front of him to say a few more words.
Shun Shiraki's initial answers were hesitant and brief, but under the other party's skillful and subtle guidance and gentle yet impenetrable aura, he gradually seemed to be drawn into a soft rhythm, and even slowly relaxed his tense shoulders. Occasionally, he would even raise his eyes to look seriously at the blond man who was speaking, listen attentively, and then answer softly.
Like a small animal that gradually lowers its guard and is eventually lured out of its hole.
Occasionally, when Amuro Tooru's attitude was too enthusiastic, his fingertips, resting on the cool glass, would unconsciously curl up, like a mimosa plant slightly closing its leaves under the overly bright sunlight.
The atmosphere shifted in a hazy yet harmonious direction.
Later, his phone, which was on the table, seemed to vibrate, and the screen silently lit up and then went dark.
The reminder pulled Shiraki Shun back to reality from his immersive conversation. He looked down in a fluster, glanced quickly, and then his face showed a look of realization: "Ah, my friend seems to be outside already."
As he said this, he subconsciously glanced at Amuro Tooru, and his expression, besides informing him, subtly revealed a hint of regret that even he himself was unaware of.
On the contrary, Amuro Tooru's tone showed little regret, but rather a sense of composure as if he had everything under control.
"Is that so? That's a real shame. It seems our pleasant conversation tonight will have to come to an end for now."
Shiraki Shun: "..." He lowered his eyes and didn't speak.
Then he nodded vaguely to Amuro Tooru to say goodbye, and got up to go greet his friend.
Amuro Tooru seemed to enjoy watching Shiraki Shun's changing attitude, and only then did he call out to him again. He pulled out a notepad, smoothly wrote down a string of numbers, pushed it in front of the other person, and lightly tapped the paper with his fingertip.
“This is my contact information.” His smile seemed ambiguous in the slightly dim light. “Perhaps next time we can find a quieter place to talk about something else?” His gaze swept over the glass of soda water in front of the young man, which had completely lost its bubbles. “After all, coming to a bar and only drinking soda water is too boring.”
The black-haired youth stared at the note, remained silent for a few seconds, then reached out and gently picked up the paper with his slender fingers.
He neither put it away immediately nor refused. He simply took in the string of numbers, then raised his brown eyes to meet Amuro Tooru's deep gaze and nodded very lightly and slowly.
Vermouth, also at the bar: "..."
She exclaimed, "Terrible Bourbon."
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