At the inn, this unconventional round of drinking was proceeding in an orderly manner.
(T＿T)
One of the seniors who had earlier picked up Shiro and the others was crying while pouring his favorite Polish rectified vodka into the large vat!
"I'll never forget the days I spent with you guys!"
"Then why the hell are you pouring that stuff in?!"
"Are you seriously trying to remember our precious memories like this?!"
"Even if you're just going with the flow, this is too much, bastard!"
The three glared angrily—three people had already poured in alcohol, and yet the alcohol content was still at 96%!
They finally understood why even izakayas were afraid of this club.
With this kind of drinking, even the izakaya owners had to keep their phones on hand, afraid someone might just drop dead!
Yet the senior ignored Shiro and the others, turning his gaze toward his close buddy—
The other senior who had gone to pick up Shiro and the others—Senior Higashi with the afro.
Higashi looked at the large vat in silence. A wave of emotion came over him.
"I suddenly don't know how to express what I'm feeling. I really love chemistry. Outside of researching chemistry, I never really did anything else. So I don't even know what sort of sentimental things I should say right now...But at the very least, I should do something within my power."
As he said that, Senior Higashi pulled out a bottle of medical disinfectant alcohol from his pants pocket!
Σ(っ °Д °;)っ!!!
"Don't pour that in!!!" ×3
Shiro and the others were shocked.
Polish vodka was one thing—it was at least technically alcohol. But this was medical alcohol! Didn't he see the label saying "disinfectant use only"?!
Also, no matter how much you love chemistry, you shouldn't be walking around with a bottle of medical alcohol at all times!
"Haha, I was just kidding."
"Pouring this in would just dilute the alcohol content, right~"
The two seniors laughed. No way would they add something as weak as 80% alcohol into their PaB drinking tradition!
{{(°△°; "}}!
Hearing that, the trio regretted not letting him pour it in earlier. Since when did 80% alcohol become the low end?!
Are these guys even planning to leave Miyako Island alive?!
The three of them looked at the empty vodka bottles scattered around, horror dawning on their faces.
They had only joined this club a few months ago—and had barely touched alcohol before.
Drinking this stuff would definitely kill them!
Shiro's eyes turned sharp. He reached behind and pulled out three bottles of water, handing them to his companions.
Now was the time to unite and fight together!
With just a glance, the two instantly understood what Shiro meant!
Of course—what they needed was to silently dilute the alcohol with water!
If they could just bring the alcohol content down to a safer level, they might just make it through the night alive!
Shiro took the lead, approaching the large vat. Time to see just how terrifying this thing really was!
Swoosh—
As he got close—
A wave of intense alcohol fumes hit his eyes. If not for his perpetually squinting eyes, he was sure he'd be blind!
Shiro stumbled back in shock. Was this stuff really meant for human consumption?!
At this concentration, not even bacteria would survive!
And he sure as hell didn't think his life was tougher than bacteria!
"Ah! My eyes!!"
Iori cried out in pain, clutching his face.
He hadn't been able to resist the curiosity and peeked in—without squinty-eye protection, the alcohol got him immediately!
Pfft! (′?`)
As Iori stumbled back, he accidentally collided with a passing senior. The impact shattered the senior's glasses, and a fountain of nosebleed followed like it was free.
{{(°△°; "}}!
"Are you okay?!"
The three looked at the senior in a panic—was it normal to accidentally assault someone before the party even started?
To their surprise—
The senior and his buddy Higashi just smiled and waved it off casually.
"No worries~ just a small thing."
"Haha, no one in PaB would get mad over something like that."
Phew—
Seeing them unharmed, Shiro let out a sigh of relief.
PaB really was just as he imagined—no one sweated the small stuff. Come to think of it, he hadn't really seen any of the seniors get mad before.
"In that case, I'll go ahead and pour this in~"
Shiro grinned as he prepared to pour the water into the vat.
Even if it was like a drop in the ocean with 90%+ alcohol, at least it was psychological comfort!
The dozen Polish vodka bottles scattered around were just terrifying!
Smack!
Just as he was about to pour—
A veiny hand grabbed his wrist, and another hand pushed down on his head!
"What the hell are you doing, Shiro?!"
"What kind of sneaky move is that?!"
{{(°△°; "}}
Shiro trembled as he looked at the senior before him, now like a wrathful demon. Guess he finally saw what the seniors looked like when they got angry.
But… your anger is directed at such a weird thing!
Why was it okay when you got smashed in the face earlier, but when he tries to add some water, it's like he broke some sacred law?!
Is your brain's anger switch triggered by alcohol levels?!
The overwhelming pressure made Shiro panic. He turned, hoping to find an ally. But all he saw were those two bastards holding bottles of awamori (60%)!
Where the hell was the revolutionary brotherhood?! You traitors!
Feeling betrayed, Shiro silently reached out and grabbed a bottle of Everclear.
We're all gonna die anyway!
"You bastard! We were supposed to lower the alcohol content!"
"You're raising it! Are you trying to fast-forward straight to hell?!"
＼(`Δ')／
"You two were the ones who betrayed me first! If that's how it is, then no one's making it out easy! Don't forget—the alcohol tonight must be over 80%!"
"80%?!"
"There's nothing in that vat lower than 90%, okay?!"
They had seen it with their own eyes. The seniors hadn't brought out a single bottle under 90%. With this stuff, even hospital blood tests would show positive for alcohol!
The three scrambled for the Everclear. Even if it wouldn't change the outcome, having it felt like some kind of mental relief!
Over on the girls' side, Aina watched the chaotic scene with envy. Since they were girls, the PaB members had shown their gentlemanly side and excluded them from the madness.
Even the brash Azusa didn't join in—because even she couldn't handle that kind of alcohol!
If they weren't going to drink, it wouldn't be fair to just pour. That would go against the rules.
So the girls were just sipping beer and watching the chaos unfold.
Azusa planned to join in once the event actually kicked off!
And she was really looking forward to what kind of speech Shiro and the others would deliver.
"Hey! Freshmen—time to give your opening speech!"