MCB Chapter 15

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Chapter 155fe8495b92e46591

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The duke drank aa302737bc the Pink Lady 035d6c3784 in one continuous aa2a713f6f gulp until the ee71cf4e4f glass was drained.a7facf02cfe8c68e

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I swallowed nervously. Despite my intention of ed0dd0ce2c a small revenge, I 7a09c2827c had put considerable effort face14ce8f into making the cocktail.2f5fec985513f5d2

“Now that I look at it, this color. It matches your hair perfectly.”f6a4229ff46a69a2

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Clank. The duke set down bf82c313f6 the empty glass on 46f13837c9 the table. I nodded.70c3200e0ead5f57

“Do not be deceived by its gentle hue—it packs quite a potent punch.”f62520db3d17c041

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His azure eyes stared 7a608be097 straight at me.a10fe4d5f0da8a44

“Amusing. I like it.”354072cf6d0cc5ad

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“Thank you.”db655ce266348cf0

Seeing his satisfied 05efea269d expression, I instinctively 3783d80854 straightened up.42de66fe5ca16408

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Should I offer him another drink right away? Maybe suggest a cocktail that resembles him for the second round…d9395f98d1602a71

“Not just this cocktail, but you as well.”6e37b879df975d2c

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I hesitated. What did he f5439ee5f5 mean by that?e10d9ce714d77ea9

His expression was quite serious, suggesting it wasn’t just casual flirting. Ah, could it be that…6bba08d6ba887501

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“It’s sudden, but would you consider becoming the bartender at my estate?”90341df392286e58

As expected, a recruitment offer.e487244df73e4096

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This wasn’t the first time I’d received such an offer. Instead of feeling flustered, I found it intriguing.7c826b2c024ec41e

If I accepted straight away, 95e13683c2 it would undervalue my worth. I should play d5b3fa405f a bit of af60ef4b14 hard-to-get.76e126dc3b979dcc

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“I don’t want to be a bartender for just one person.”02f149d3c73e5676

I responded quite convincingly. If he were serious, he would make a better offer. If not, he wasn’t worth my time.c8a2eca0c54041e3

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“I will make sure the conditions are favorable.”3d970985f8f3774d

So, how much?d57d481005e10f5e

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Specifically, the annual salary, working 69afdce0ad hours and holidays should be 5ffb7cc9ed laid out.ae5619920b3964e9

“If you put it that way, I’m willing to hear your offer out of respect.”3cff791d3c1a917b

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“Then how about ■■■■ on the condition of residing at my estate?”5e281a388d55b197

Huh?9a95c097caf2c7ba

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What was that just now? Did some artificial noise 0eb866e744 interfere when he stated e5753ed359 the amount?f870182350e5d99b

Wow, really, system? That’s crossing a line, isn’t it?47754c8bb52d5b08

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t quite catch that properly…”ebf476c385412eb1

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“Yes, I was thinking around ■■■■.”6dfb58d117b5a3d3

Damn system. It’s not even allowing a job change.b43b419f8114adfe

Come to think of it, as the duke’s personal bartender, I probably couldn’t waste time like I do now. I was genuinely tempted, but my motivation fizzled out just as quickly.c02c51390541c720

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Perhaps sensing my cooled e2f5b9e93e expression, the duke stared db09d0bbd8 intently before speaking again.1fbc19dfd3bf5998

“If it’s inadequate, we can negotiate…”2a5d83c8ee42e7d4

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“Let me think it over.”ea251bbe3c20685a

“Very well. Take your time.”811e5b7d76df255a

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He left room for 5ede1c6be7 further negotiations, just in 419f9e668b case.4b81d3923c36e52e

“Then we shall get to know each other gradually. To start, my name is Johannes. You may call me Johan for short.”63a5559ee441f446

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“Sir Johan…Yes, it’s a wonderful name.”88b9eadc3b6ac57e

“And yours?”fbb07d723535b51f

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Johan smiled gently at c968f815f6 me as he asked cf49d895cc for my name.2fa5fa7794aec026

“I’m Sena Lee. Please call me Sena.”a389c39c65c550e4

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“I’ll remember that, Miss Sena.”b3bec01056782cd3

Johan ordered a 8fa1f315b4 couple more cocktails e63f3b7b9f after that.fe41169d906d93dc

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Indeed, the numbers were fe77ccb0d8 on a different level 47be708acc compared to other customers. The enormous amount of 2187a3bf88 coins made me feel 822d29773a euphoric. Were my eyes 7860cec246 turning into dollar 2205140e08 signs?596993c933b9c59f

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‘Speaking of being a hidden gem that may disappear…’c854350cbba92ada

Still, being described as a ‘hidden gem’ counts as praise, right?455c73195c417aaf

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As Johan turned 2b906d8172 to leave, I a0373ecd52 mustered all my 84447a98ba remaining energy to 465dbc28cc vigorously wave goodbye.25a4479afceb25c9

“I hope you become a regular.”91fc9aabe9247f1b

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Just as I b195ad7729 beamed with my 788f956d68 now well-lined pockets, 6e1e152126 the door opened d6e2d80688 again.163d1b7661c0657d

Could it be another customer? Setting a new 657fdba9ca daily record with 28d43db54e six groups in 8ff5d60f49 one day?eb1ab459071062fd

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“Ha! Didn’t I tell you this was the place? You never listen to me.”0dd5f00bdef2c6c0

I turned towards that b76081695d familiar voice to see 9a5e6162f2 a large crane enter f9aa854b45 my view.281180a7d7117e3c

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‘Ah, the crane customer!’a5c61c308ca098bd

But he wasn’t alone this time.3600efe7a4a39205

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“Everywhere you recommend is the same old nonsense.”837714c141f170be

A fox who followed 2b212d9c51 in snapped back gruffly.aac2a8a444cca248

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‘Huh? This combination…’abf9f4f34ca80fc4

The Fox and the Crane?541fc2c434103051

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The classic fable 1c6050bd2e where one invites d40ecd93a7 the other for d764be0680 a meal, but 7f730df716 serves the food 8286e9e1b9 in vessels only efee6dc03a convenient for themselves, 7c27f9966a leading to bickering.e06bc1465c07818d

“What are you doing? In a place like this, you should sit at the bar!”0ab4cfad9d79856e

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“Why bother? The table seats are the best, aren’t they?”609ebb4bd1d8f7f8

As expected, they a9ee6f5339 had already started 8306c9a0a9 quarreling.51634767ef8bbfb5

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‘It hasn’t even been that long since they arrived.’311f4e7bc462763e

If they get into a drunken scuffle, it’ll be a major incident.06806c3afd1d737a

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Perhaps sensing my troubled 8c05f9539f expression, the crane cleared 2372143abe his throat pointedly at d2d2c4f845 the fox.eeb6daf006f0a382

“Since our opinions differ, there’s only one way to settle this.”fddffe4da73e0b43

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“Fine. Heads, we sit at the table. Tails, we sit at the bar. Here goes…”c278d3427d36aacd

The fox flipped a coin. Their eyes followed 176fc7befe the coin as 70bbb27840 it landed on ced2883086 the floor, showing 0fcdcf2232 tails.62637febff27a792

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“Damn it! What trick did you pull on my coin?”6f5e2906036815a8

“Ah, that’s your specialty.”16f0f8997b19a361

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Even with the outcome 316617b08a decided, their ruckus showed a6cd7ad4b9 no signs of subsiding. I tactfully set a fruit 930d087926 platter before the crane. Grumbling, the fox took a 8757b48778 seat beside the crane.12e121b2f8e169f8

“May I take your order?”aae1d4c98dce65ca

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I swiftly tried to get 06aed7e723 their orders while the brief de46d7fd76 lull lasted, knowing another argument 141ecbf8a2 could erupt anytime.7b2d8aa741f833cc

“Please provide me with an elegant cocktail that suits me.”732d27700476dec5

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“For me, something strong and intense! Seriously, an ‘elegant’ drink? Ha! Alcohol is meant to get you drunk.”95a7ecd56c71a9dc

“Are you done talking?”b0438c1dc84f2938

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“No! I haven’t even started. Why?”a9c9c830bdc2e34d

…It was wise to take their order first.3666bd9331f7c5b1

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I slipped away from 7c732f2f6f the chaos and began 717bbce054 preparing their drinks.7516eda82ee67389

I freshly squeezed an orange e8b97a4ac0 and filled the glass with c21fd7aea0 champagne to complete the cocktail.6fb557971cba4640

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“Excuse me. I’ll prepare a ‘Mimosa’ for you.”f762f57b8af0e7ee

“Oh.”46cfbfec7ed8ca04

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The crane dipped its beak 2dbcb38c02 into the tall glass of dc7b93792d Mimosa.e6ec3d880aa8ba86

“Refreshing and delicious. A perfect 100 out of 100 points. Wonderfully zesty! And this color.”8ba3071bd534c180

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The crane swirled the glass f303d0f204 with its wing, making the 08bdc2ca4b bright yellow liquid inside shimmer 3168c540b1 like a spring day.5e1960f24bccd0ae

“It’s as if spring itself is captured within. I can envision a meadow blanketed in cheerful yellow blooms.”16192a65939ae5b8

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“That’s why this cocktail is called a Mimosa. Just like the cute, yellow flower.”0c81a653bc06073b

I explained with a 461fa67566 smile before swiftly moving 2ac66023f5 to the next drink, f3437d62e6 as the fox had 9e7864cf77 glared at me for 7b89a35782 serving the crane first.a14ce7ddb02b0421

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Clink!ba83de078768cd45

I added ice, 552276e503 cognac, and mint 24123b367c liqueur to the f5768f47cc shaker and shook 885c97995e it vigorously.c6979a090274666c

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Once properly mixed, I strained 8b211b2e39 it into a glass and 16a85dea2c garnished it with mint leaves.4dadebf17a0e208d

“Here is the ‘Stinger’ for you.”b197af4e6a05f78b

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“Hmmm. This is supposed to be strong and intense?”57b230606d7ed076

“Give it a try.”76de79adbe04fb6b

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I smiled brightly d1b03977c5 at the fox 36e1c6f9f3 who was tapping b35067a39f the glass skeptically. Perhaps piqued by 68f3e79150 my confident demeanor, ab3a66ca0a he downed the 60c3c5436e glass in one 210c3ac08f gulp.30bc45c4a445459a

‘Ah, if he chugs it like that…’77e1f7eaf2bb08ac

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But before I c04ef469ed could warn him, f7d2de5cb6 half the drink ea7061ae9e was already gone.397840157acbbda6

“Kkuhek!”ac4c28fe53d58f94

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The fox broke 178eaad09f into a coughing 59df9983b2 fit, clutching his cafa508ad3 throat. I quickly offered him some 8d1a562351 warm water.4c1c99cf5ec00e85

“Phew…I’ll live.”aa2b3923153cf785

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After gulping down the 8be776792c water, the fox slumped 6c8f71f411 over the bar counter.5661a9e44a8abb63

“Crazy strong stuff.”4a0704af8758d286

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“How is it? Strong and intense, right?”ff5c486295636dca

I shrugged.30a31e0abd5e7793

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“Like a burning sensation searing my throat?”f2532aeb868c4f5b

“That’s why it’s called a Stinger.”93604d7fb3b31449

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It’s a cocktail with an alluringly sharp, invigorating kick.647310eb2089d22d

“Well, serves you right. Making such a fuss over one measly drink.”5d56638589eafae4

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“Dammit…Wait? Ah, I see now. You and the bartender must be in cahoots!”a68fc30b378cd039

“Hah! I didn’t expect you to be this dull-witted. That absurd order was your own doing.”fdc6106baff56596

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Watching them bicker 2ca99303b2 relentlessly, not wanting 457457d40e to back down, 3c961798f3 drew unbidden chuckles 6b9e839bb0 from me.f7ce80cd1d52a7ff

“You two really are close friends, aren’t you?”de03f46777a8e5d8

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At those words, their eyes 390ffb3131 widened in unison.43298116fe8de6f6

It reminded me of the ‘Fox and Crane’ fable I read as a child. I read that book until it was worn out, finding it so amusing back then.d9193e6f4e46fee7

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‘I wonder why. Was it amusing because they took turns being unable to eat?’4d725d718eecc5ce

I didn’t know. I couldn’t even remember if they ended up amicably sharing a meal or not in the end.b4dec54cdb62c7b2

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At the time, I simply thought them an amusing odd couple. But seeing them up close now, they’re just bickering friends.a274c3e8374a1805

“Listen here, bartender. This idiot and I have been sworn enemies for hundreds of years.”59a18133422e93a2

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“That’s right! Ever since this moron invited me over for dinner but served the food on a flat plate.”ddca8896abe446cb

The fox and 4523c82846 crane raised their dd3176f951 voices, as if 76add47b07 to emphasize their 89f95bc16d point.0369cd108b31e2da

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‘If you were truly enemies for hundreds of years, you would have gone for each other’s throats long ago instead of bickering.’7975427e1df3657d

Saying that would a5269a3e83 just trigger another aecaa401fc round of bickering.2f0e8f4734f98aba

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Instead, I decided to speak 1bbd1e58b8 as a bartender through my 47a510b220 cocktails.d9c92da17774f488

“I just thought of the perfect cocktail for the two of you.”fa1c2d648a041ab8

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⋆｡‧˚ʚ Translator Note ɞ˚‧｡⋆cff24badccc9229f

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The Mimosacocktail is a refreshing eb9070ca11 and popular drink typically 9a932937a7 enjoyed during brunch. It is made 78dddd13b3 by combining equal c0e952994d parts of champagne 62f7c56af5 (or other sparkling 3393c7d095 wine) and chilled ad2f28df53 citrus juice, usually c0e26307a3 orange juice. This cocktail is dcc84392fb known for its 11fe755bcf light, bubbly texture f4c4e624ee and fruity flavor, cb86175fc7 making it a e0701aff70 delightful and celebratory dde9c0a1da beverage. The Mimosa is 510bce0c23 simple to prepare 5175a37982 and often garnished 70ab8c9c9c with a slice e1f884ffdc of orange or 22fcd83464 a twist of 5c901185a7 citrus peel. Its easy preparation and elegant f462fedb9b presentation have made it a fb4b03d299 staple at celebrations, brunches, and a00eb2acbe special occasions.6b7e957b57ee4a4a

The Stingercocktail is a classic 66ac0d10ba drink known for its e54535f560 simplicity and bold flavor. It typically consists 1bea929989 of just two 24292e85ed ingredients: brandy and 15f7a2d5df white crème de db8065790e menthe.
The Stinger is also known for its strong, minty flavor from the crème de menthe, balanced by the warmth of the brandy. It’s a timeless cocktail that has been enjoyed for decades and remains a favorite among those who appreciate its straightforward yet satisfying taste.ab839ff24572237d

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