Chapter Text
Bar Eden. Tucked away in a small corner of Edo, as the name implies, a tiny bit of paradise in this world of deceit and murder, of sin and greed.
The owner of Bar Eden opened up the place to give everybody of all backgrounds and identities, no matter how small or significant they are, a place to rest. However, he had insisted to keep the number of customers small to create that feeling of comfort, so the people that frequented are given directions by another person - only those acquainted with the owner had knowledge of the location firsthand, and these were usually the top-of-the-top bosses.
Because of the small size, the number of staff hired was also miniscule. You were lucky enough to know the owner, and he had offered you a position as a full-time bartender. Pretty soon, you settled into a comfortable routine and dedicated yourself to the art of bartending, and later hired a barback. You, the barback, and the owner occupied the three staff positions.
Monday shifts you arrive at exactly 6 PM to get set up and make last-minute preparations before opening. You don your standard black-and-white attire, tie your dark necktie in the backroom and head to your place behind the counter. The barback, a young girl with big, fluffy brown ponytails you affectionately dubbed "Pony-chan", Akane Yamamoto, had already diligently restocked and cleaned up the bar, and is currently wiping the tables. She gives you a quick bow when she sees you.
"Good evening, Bartender-san! I hope today we have good business as always!"
Bar Eden's owner was quite particular about the rules only during open hours, but Akane liked calling you Bartender-san anyways.
"'Good work as always, Akane-chan. You've been doing quite well in your duties lately, perhaps I'll give you a lesson in mixing someday soon."
"I'd very much appreciate that, Bartender-san! I'll be looking forward to it!" She does a mock salute, which you chuckle at, and returns to wiping the tables.
You’ve just finished doing a final wipe-down of the bar top when you hear the wooden door creak, signifying their opening.
“Wow, this place really does exist!”
“Of course it does, you idiot! Our kyodai gave us the directions to this place, why wouldn’t it exist? Who do you think they are?”
“They could’ve just been pulling a prank on us though…”
You turn your attention to the rowdy duo that just barged in, a short man with the brightest orange hair you’ve seen and a tall one with a head of raven hair. Both of them have scratches and cuts on their faces, and their clothing are in a somewhat haphazard state.
They also don’t look of age, but that you brush aside.
As long as they had money, you’re allowed to bend some laws.
“Welcome to Bar Eden boys, what can I getcha tonight?” You put on your best welcoming smile, gesturing to the bar.
The one with orange hair stares widely at his surroundings, clearly out of place.
“Er… is there a menu here or something?”
“You idiot, bars don’t have menus!”
“Eh? Really? How does anybody know what they want then?”
“They know drinks beforehand, dumbass!”
This goes on for a bit as you smile patiently at the two while wiping some glasses.
“Then, do you know what Dai-”
A hand flies over the short one’s mouth at sonic speed.
“You're really stupid, aren't you? It says no names are allowed on the sign!”
“Mmph- Hey! Get your hand off me!” He struggles a bit, eventually pushing the taller one off. “That was rude! Was it really necessary?”
“Both of you, I ask that you calm down. In case you’ve also forgotten, no violence is allowed in here.” You point at the rule on the sign behind you. “But yes, you can’t speak names in here either.”
“Why is that?”
“You really are an idiot, huh? What if a rival overheard us here? We’d be dead meat the next day!”
“That is true, but Bar Eden is first and foremost, a place to relax in anonymity. As a haven for the tired, we offer everybody a chance to rest, away from the troubles and weariness of the outside world. Speaking of which, why don’t the two of you take a seat?” You interject, gesturing to the stools.
The two sit at the bar stools, leaving one seat apart between them.
“Ah… that makes sense! D- er, our kyodai really know their places!”
“We do have quite the number of regulars. Now, I’ll start off Orangey here with an orange creamsicle and V-bang with a daiquiri. Your first drinks here are on the house. And to answer why we don't have menus, even if newcomers got a menu, they still wouldn't be able to know what drinks to order."
“That makes sense! Even if we did get menus, drinks have really weird names, don't they? And uh, are those really the nicknames you’ll be giving us?”
“I am open to any suggestions you may have, if you have any.”
“...’spose not.”
You get out the ingredients and start to work, first on the creamsicle.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what should we call you?” V-bang asks.
“Bartender-san works just fine.”
“Then Bartender-san, how did you know we were new here?” Orangey pipes up, looking intently at the orange soda you’re pouring.
“I remember all of my patrons that pass by. And with how the two of you act, plus with your appearances, it is quite clear your experiences haven't been that much. In both this world and the other,” you quickly wink as you slide the creamsicle and start the daiquiri.
“You noticed that too?”
“Of course. Like I said, Bar Eden is a place for everybody, and your type swings by often.” You start shaking the mixture of light rum, lime juice, and sugar syrup in a shaker.
“You must really know how to read people to notice us in almost a second. That's so cool!”
“It’s all part of the trade." You add a lime garnish to the cocktail glass and slide it to the dark-haired boy.
“Say, would you have any advice for people starting out?”
“Hmm. How about not dying?”
“That's it?”
“Your lives are important to your team, so being reckless and forfeiting them in dangerous situations would cause great trouble to everybody that depends on you."
"Wow... that sounded so cool! Who are you really?" His eyes sparkle at you.
"Just your regular bartender, nothing more, nothing less."
...is what you say to everybody, at least.
"Then Bartender-san, do you know if a lot of people... pass away?"
“Don’t worry about people dying if you can’t even do your job right, dumbass," the black-haired one interjects.
“Hey! Not my fault I wasn’t raised in a bigshot family!” Orange-haired immediately turns towards V-bang with an angry look on his face.
“My upbringing has nothing to do with this. Why’d you join if you can’t even hold your weapon properly?” He retorts.
“I’m still learning! I’ll get used to it in no time, just you wait! I’m gonna be the best there ever is!”
Oh, youth.
Though, it only lasts for a brief second, but those orange eyes aren’t filled with the naïvety of most newcomers - rather, it’s an intense, hungry gaze you often noticed in the especially dedicated ones.
Seems an interesting bunch has made the scene.
“What are you even talking about? You mixed up the big boss and the senior advisor, and the fact that they laughed it off you should be eternally grateful for. If I was them, I might’ve kicked you out already. Besides, the title of the best is clearly going to me.” He downs the rest of his daiquiri. “You’re still on your drink?”
“Shut up, I’m savoring the taste! I don’t know what’s put in here, but it tastes pretty good!”
“That would be vanilla vodka, orange soda, and a good heaping of whipped cream on top,” you explain. “V-bang, want anything else?”
“Can I have an Old-Fashioned?”
“What kind of drink name is that?"
"A one for a good one, unlike your 50% sugar."
"Hey, this drink is still good! If you think yours is better, I'll get one too! Bartender-san!" He turns back to you. "Can I get a Wold-Fashioned too?"
"It's Old-Fashioned! Old, not Wold! Besides, what the heck is Wold anyways?"
"Just shut up already, V-bang!"
You smile at them in response. “That is no problem. Sure you two can handle it?”
“Of course! I’m a heavyweight! Meanwhile, Ka- oops, I mean V-bang can’t even hold one drink!”
“What didya say, idiot Orangey? I’ll have you know I can hold mine pretty well! If it’s a competition you want, you got one!”
“You’re on!”
“If you two want to do a competition, then it’s better to use these instead,” you interrupt, pulling out the shot glasses.
“Eh? Why is that?” They say in unison.
“Depending on how you two do, it’ll be a bit of a hassle for me to continuously pour out drinks, you know. That, and I don’t want the two of you to be breaking empty your first day at a bar.”
(You say that, but you still pull out the Yamazaki whiskey bottle on the table. Not the top-shelf version, but still quality enough to put a reasonably-sized dent in someone's wallet. You reasoned they probably wouldn’t last long, anyways).
“Knock yourselves out.”
“Then… let’s pour out 5 shots, and let Bartender-san do it in case you do less in yours, and we’ll see who can drink it all the quickest!”
“You’re on! And why are you accusing me of cheating? You’d clearly cheat by intentionally passing it off as an accident, idiot!
“What are you talking about? I’d never! That’s why I asked Bartender-san to pour them out, anyways!”
“Fine, fine, whatever. Bartender-san, if you would pour out the drinks!”
These two are lucky there’s nobody else here right now. You probably wouldn’t have put up with their antics if it was a full house, but they’re the first ones here tonight.
Plus, they’re kind of fun to observe.
“You’re on it.” You carefully pour out 10 shots of whiskey. “How about doing this on my countdown then?” You suggest.
“Sure thing!” Orangey says, beaming widely. “Stupid V-bang, are you ready?”
“You’re on, Idiot Orangey!” His face breaks out into an evil grin.
“Alright, on your marks… get set… go!” You slam your fist on the bartop, and the two start chugging away.
“Have a good night!” You cheerfully wave at the duo as they stagger out of the bar, the two supporting each other up (and no doubt muttering obscenities).
They ended up finishing all shots at the same time, which you were pleasantly surprised at, but then started going a bit too wild, which you weren’t surprised at. You ended up calling a taxi for the two of them before they could inflict any permanent damage.
You'd also hate to see them banned so early.
"What a crazy bunch they are," Akane remarks, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Bartender-san, I just finished cleaning the kitchen area!"
"Thank you, Akane. And they certainly take the cake for being over-the-top on their first night. I'm already pretty exhausted dealing with them," you chuckle. While mostly in jest, you're already feeling your energy sapped away.
"I wonder what organization they're from..."
"Oh, did the owner not inform you? They're the new guys from Karasuno."
"Eh? That run-down one? I'm surprised they're still getting recruits." Her eyes widen in surprise.
"Well, they're not entirely out of yet. Heard their big guy's back in town, and he's a direct descendant of their former one. Anyways, enough chitchat - I want you behind the bar mostly for tonight instead of the register. Probably won't be too busy of a night."
"I'm on it, Bartender-san!"
The dark wooden door swings open again.
“Welcome to Bar Eden! What can I getcha tonight?”