Matsumoto Rangiku took Yuta's hand and stepped out of Momo Community. The sky had already gone dark by the time they reached a nearby tavern called "Kiri".
The place had a full wooden structure and felt old-fashioned in design. It looked like it had been standing for decades.
Inside, the wooden tables had been wiped down but were faded to gray and white. On each table sat a pot-bellied iron kettle filled with bitter tea, along with several bowls turned upside down and a chopstick bucket filled to the brim, leaning against the side.
"Shopkeeper, give us a box of golden snowflakes!"
"Golden snowflakes?"
"You haven't tasted it?" Matsumoto Rangiku explained, "Golden snowflake is the favorite drink of civilian Shinigami. It's cheap and it has the most agreeable taste."
"Nobles look down on it, but for everyone else, getting to drink something decent at a low price is already its own kind of luxury."
"Alright, I'll bring it right out," the shopkeeper replied while heading to retrieve the drinks.
He returned carrying a square wooden box filled with bottles of golden-colored liquor. The bottles appeared to have been recently chilled. Condensation clung to the outside in a thin layer of frost.
Matsumoto Rangiku grabbed one and poured for Yuta first. White foam floated at the top as the golden liquid swirled into his bowl-it looked almost exactly like pale snowflakes on golden water.
"You know," she said as she poured her own, "this stuff is pretty close to beer from the modern world. All the ingredients are made in Seireitei though, so it tastes different."
She downed the bowl in one go, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and sighed long and loud. "Ahh... that's the good stuff. This is what golden snowflakes are for. Feels amazing when you drink a lot of it."
Yuta took a careful sip. The liquor was cold but smooth. Compared to the beer he'd had in his past life, it went down softer without the heavy bite of high-proof alcohol. No wonder it had gotten so popular.
"Hey… isn't that Hinamori?" Matsumoto Rangiku peered toward the entrance where a girl stood holding a paper bag in her arms.
She wasn't tall, about eye-level with Kuchiki Rukia. Petite frame, large brown eyes, and features that gave her that delicate look that some people immediately wanted to protect. Her hair had been neatly tied back with lace cloth resembling a bun cover.
Hearing her name called, Hinamori Momo hesitated. Her head turned side to side as though unsure who was calling for her.
"Hinamori! Here!" Matsumoto Rangiku yelled again while leaning on one hand against the wine table and waving with the other hand.
Like Rangiku, Hinamori was also a vice-captain-in her case, of Squad Five. They often crossed paths during vice-captain meetings, so they weren't strangers.
"Ah, it's Matsumoto!"
Hinamori smiled brightly and entered the tavern. As soon as the scent of alcohol reached her nose, however, her face turned flushed with heat.
"Matsumoto, really-you should drink less," she scolded softly as she walked over.
"Oh, come on! Have a seat first-and what's that in your bag?"
Rangiku pulled Hinamori by the shoulders toward the bench without waiting for an answer and craned her neck to peek into the contents of the bag once Hinamori set it on the table.
Inside were pale peaches with flushes of red across their skins. They looked plump and ripe.
"Wow, these are perfect for drinking with."
She picked out the best one and placed it gently in front of Yuta. After that, she turned with a grin and explained casually, "That's Yuta-a student from Shino Academy."
Hinamori glanced quickly between Yuta and Rangiku before narrowing her eyes slightly in thought.
It wasn't normal for Academy students to spend time with vice-captains off-duty, especially not drinking together casually at taverns. And then there was Matsumoto Rangiku giving him first pick of the best fruit…
Could it be…
"You are...?" she asked slowly.
"Oh, Yuta is my friend," Rangiku answered easily. "He's got this unique skill-the wine he makes tastes amazing. I'll have you try it later-you'll see it beats every bottle in Seireitei."
"Really?" Hinamori gave them both a skeptical look.
"Definitely," said Rangiku. "You'll see once you taste it. Oh right-I haven't introduced you two properly…"
Before she could continue, Hinamori placed her peach-free hand forward and spoke with calm courtesy and warmth.
"Nice to meet you-I'm Hinamori Momo, vice-captain of Squad Five."
Seeing her expression brought back memories in Yuta's mind-the nickname echoed: The most fleshly Shinigami. That overwhelming innocence could really catch people off guard...
"Hello." He extended his hand and shook hers gently. Her hand felt smaller than his and unexpectedly flexible in his palm-not delicate at all underneath that softness.
They released each other after only seconds. Meanwhile Rangiku had already taken a large bite out of her peach and was chewing loudly while licking juice from her fingers.
"Hinamori! Where did you buy these? They're so sweet."
Hinamori laughed lightly and replied, "They were picked fresh at an orchard."
"No wonder-they're incredible! Alright now! Try some golden snowflakes." Matsumoto poured her a bowl and passed it over eagerly.
"No no no…" Hinamori immediately waved both hands as panic sparked in her tone. "Drinking with you? No way-I wouldn't last! I've got to help Captain … I've got rescue reports due tomorrow-I can't get drunk tonight!"
"Ohh come on! Leave those to Captain … Those who work hard get to enjoy themselves too! Drink!"
Caught in Rangiku's grip and unable to escape the pressure, Hinamori gave up resisting-with her cheeks puffed out slightly in defeat-and drank one bowl full of golden snowflakes.
Just one glass had her face running red again-the alcohol clearly hitting fast. Matsumoto grinned wide and topped off her cup again between sips of her own bowl.
After two or three drinks total, Hinamori's entire complexion looked molten pink like ripened fruit under sunlight heat.
"I swear I really can't drink anymore…"
"One sip past this and you'll be totally wasted."
Rangiku threw one arm around Hinamori's neck and leaned into her shoulder until Hinamori's head pressed firmly into Rangiku's chest-
"Where do you think you're running off to? You haven't tried Yuta's wine."
Yuta sighed softly as he watched them both stumble through giddy half-sobriety before turning his attention back to his hands.
He held two shallow glasses of Hansu wine between his fingers-the transparent drink divided neatly into two different layers within each cup. One layer gleamed golden like sunlit grain; the other shimmered white like falling snow pouring gently across ice.
"So this is it…"
He tilted both glasses slightly until swirling motion caused snowflake-shaped crystals to form slowly inside-their pointed tips arranged cleanly like six-sided stars swimming through gold.
(T/N: i'm uploading 10 chapter today caused i missed yesterday update, sorry... by the way, consider supporting me on patreon cause it helps alot.)
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