Forgetfulness is a craft brew from the Afterlife Bar, famous for its high alcohol content, intense flavor, generous serving size, and affordable price. It’s featured right on the first page of the menu.
The drink got its name because just one cup is enough to make you forget everything, saying goodbye to all your worries of the day.
Hearing that the pretty girl wanted to order this drink, Jack advised her:
“Little lady, are you sure? This drink is really strong, you know?”
“I’m sure. Just bring it.”
Yukino pressed one hand to her forehead while her other hand tapped continuously on the table.
“Alright then.”
Muttering in his heart about how brave this girl was, Jack agreed. In no time, a beer mug filled with orange-yellow liquor was brought up.
“Your ‘Forgetfulness’, please enjoy.”
Just as he finished speaking, Jack witnessed a scene that would shock even Android:
He watched as the white-haired beauty tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass in one go. Before long, the mug was empty.
“Huff… ha…”
The burning liquor slid down her throat like a stream of liquid fire, making her whole body feel like it was being set ablaze. Immediately afterward, a strange numbness surged straight to her brain. The emotions that had been weighing down her mind, like a fortress built of sand, were washed away by a tidal wave of alcohol, leaving nothing behind.
Suddenly, Yukino seemed to understand why people liked to drink.
This feeling… isn’t so bad…
She put down her mug, her fair cheeks already tinged with crimson.
“Boss, another.”
“Ah?” Jack was stunned. “Miss, are you sure?”
“I said, another.” Yukino didn’t want to explain, simply replying coldly.
“O-okay… just a moment. Here you go, please enjoy.”
Just like the first, the second mug was emptied in the blink of an eye, right under Jack’s astonished gaze.
Yukino’s face grew redder, even the tips of her ears turning a soft pink. Her slender body swayed slightly, her breathing unsteady and her eyes glazed as she murmured:
“…Another… one…”
“Miss…”
“I said, another.”
Jack stared dumbfounded at the girl. In her beautiful eyes, cold as shattered ice, he saw a chill that sent him into a frozen abyss. He could only nod and pour another drink, placing it on the bar.
“Gulp, gulp—huff… ha… another…”
It had only been fifteen minutes since the girl had sat at the bar, and she was already on her fourth drink. Even his best-drinking regulars couldn’t do much better.
Just as Jack was considering whether to stop her, a ghoul dressed like a respectable gentleman stood up from his seat. He wore a neat suit, what little hair he had slicked back with gel, narrow eyes, and a small pair of black round sunglasses perched on his sharp hawk-like nose.
Holding a wine glass in his hand, he hummed a tune as he approached Yukino.
In his eyes, this breathtakingly beautiful girl must have just broken up with someone and was nursing a broken heart. Otherwise, how could she be so upset? Since that was the case, this was his best chance to take advantage!
If he gave her tender care while her guard was down, all vulnerable girls would throw themselves into his arms. That’s how it had always been before; this time would be no different.
Maybe it wouldn’t be long before he’d be tasting her on his bed.
The corners of his mouth curled as his long tongue licked his teeth, but as he got closer to Yukino, he quickly reined himself in, adopting a cultured and approachable demeanor.
“Miss, may I sit here?”
The slick-haired ghoul asked as he pulled out a chair, just a formality—so long as the girl agreed, he’d sit down right away and begin his ‘strategy’.
“No.”
Yukino had only taken one sip of her fourth drink. She put down her mug and rejected him with just a glance.
“Uh…?”
The ghoul’s backside was already in the air, leaving him caught awkwardly, neither sitting nor standing.
Feeling the mocking gazes of his companions and the bar owner, he grew angry, though he didn’t show it. He kept his smile and said,
“Miss, you’ve been drinking so much—something must be bothering you, right? Why not tell me about it…”
“None of your business.”
Yukino’s reply was as brief as ever.
Even though her head was a little dizzy and her thinking sluggish, this person’s intentions couldn’t have been more obvious. Deep down, she felt nothing but disgust.
“Ahem…!”
Being rejected twice in a row made it hard for the ghoul to keep up appearances. Losing patience, he leaned down and tried to place a hand on Yukino’s shoulder, only for her to turn and fix him with a look, those icy eyes filled with loathing:
“Stay away from me.”
It was like she was talking to a pile of dung.
Along with her words, faint laughter rippled from around the bar.
At this, the ghoul’s mask finally cracked. He forced a sneer and cursed:
“Stupid bitch, quit putting on airs…!”
The ghoul’s narrow eyes made him look even more like an angry horse. Without warning, he reached out to hook Yukino’s chin.
Seeing his movement, Yukino snorted coldly.
Even if Yuki-onna weren’t highly ranked among evil gods, she was still a youkai of tremendous power. Dealing with a ghoul like this mythological creature would have been as easy as flicking her finger.
She began to gather youkai power, and the temperature in the entire tavern suddenly dropped.
She’d planned to turn this disgusting guy into an ice sculpture, but just as she was about to unleash her power, an irresistible dizziness exploded in her head.
“Ugh!”
Yukino wavered, her gathered power dissipating instantly.
What’s going on…?
Was it the alcohol?
Feeling waves of nausea in her stomach and unable to summon her power for the moment, Yukino could only watch helplessly as that repulsive hand reached out toward her.
No…!
A deep sense of helplessness overcame Yukino, her emotions—suppressed by the alcohol—threatening to erupt once more.
Yet, just before the hairy, clawed hand could touch her chin—
—Pa!
A crisp slap echoed through the murmuring tavern, silencing the entire place.
…Who?
Yukino’s blurry gaze turned, only to see a tall girl appear beside her. Silky black hair cascaded down her back, and her ruby-like eyes glimmered under the tavern’s dim lights.
Her perfect profile made Yukino’s heart skip a beat, her breath catching as she couldn’t help but stare a moment longer.
She’s so beautiful…
Yukino gazed dreamily at the newcomer, but Shiya didn’t notice. She was busy glaring daggers at the ghoul who had dared to lay a filthy hand on Yukino, her crimson eyes faintly tinged with blood.
“Stay away from my student.”
She didn’t even realize herself how chilling the murderous intent was in her voice.
“You…”
His glasses were knocked flying, and his slicked-back hair was now a mess. The ghoul touched his face in disbelief. On his shriveled, horse-like face was a clear palm print.
He erupted with rage:
“Not even my mother’s ever hit me, you stupid bitch, you—”
Pa!
The next second, a fresh slap bloomed on the left side of his face as well.