Published: August 1, 2025
Ms. Kaede and Mr. Angelo’s room was surprisingly spacious for just two people.
No wonder—it used to be a four-person room. They had taken it from the sailors through gambling. It wasn’t exactly luxurious, but even with the four of us, including Lord Cyrus and me, there was plenty of space. There were no chairs, so we all sat on the wooden floor in a circle. In the center, a single scarf was spread out to serve as a makeshift table. Mr. Angelo arranged Mizuho’s sake vessels there.
Being someone who loves cultural exchange, I couldn’t help but stretch my neck and watch his hands closely.
“That’s… an unusual shape for a sake bottle.”
“Yes, it’s called a tokkuri. And these small ones are called choko cups. Mizuho’s sake tastes best when drunk from these.”
“How fascinating! I didn’t realize that the vessel you pour sake into could change its flavor.”
When I said that in surprise, the three adults went silent with somewhat complicated expressions… Huh?
“…Well, yeah, I guess it really can change the taste sometimes… uh…”
“More importantly, Kaede, give me that cup before Marie does.”
Lord Cyrus said, snatching the choko cup from Mr. Angelo. Of course, it wasn’t because he was greedy. He probably offered to taste it first to check for poison since I was unfamiliar with drinking.
In fact, even for him, foreign alcohol seemed a bit intimidating. He took a cautious sip, just enough to wet his lips. Then he carefully tasted it with the tip of his tongue, narrowing his eyes.
“Hmm, tasty.”
“Right?”
Ms. Kaede smiled happily and refilled the cup as it had emptied.
“I’m glad. Until now, whenever I brought this as a gift, people from the West seldom touched it. Surprisingly, it’s quite easy to drink.”
“Indeed, it’s more universally liked than I’d thought. …This might even sell well in Dilz.”
“Hehe, hearing that means a lot. Now, try this one too. There are various types of Mizuho sake—some heavier and sweeter, others light and refreshing.”
“C-can I try some as well?”
I asked eagerly, and Lord Cyrus nodded. I accepted the choko cup from Mr. Angelo and nervously took a sip. The liquid touched my mucous membranes and gave a brief, tingling warmth. But soon after, a sweet fragrance filled my mouth.
“Ah… it’s delicious!”
The fruity aroma drifted up my nose, and just as Lord Cyrus said, it was gently sweet. Smooth, even with a hint of thickness. It slipped down my throat effortlessly without me even swallowing hard.
“It smells wonderful. Is it made from fruit?”
“No, just rice, water, and yeast for fermentation. That’s the basic makeup of Mizuho sake. Of course, the taste changes depending on the type of rice and water, how much the rice is polished, and the fermentation time.”
“It’s very tasty. Much easier to drink than I expected, almost like juice.”
Ms. Kaede laughed warmly and tilted the tokkuri she’d brought over in front of me.
“Ms. Marie, you have a good drinking capacity, huh? Well then, one more cup it is.”
I happily reached out to accept my second cup, but Lord Cyrus quickly interrupted.
“Hey, hey, don’t go overboard right from the start. This is pretty much Marie’s first time drinking alcohol.”
“Oh, right. Sorry about that.”
“Everyone has different tolerance for alcohol. Some can drink endlessly without a change in complexion, while others faint just from tasting a bit. Take it slow and steady at first.”
Ah, I see. Only now did I truly realize why Lord Cyrus invited me here. It wasn’t to help me drink, but to assess whether I can handle it at all. I’m someone who tends to follow others easily and has trouble refusing. Without knowing my limit, I might end up drinking too much and passing out.
“It’s better to just embarrass yourself in front of others than the alternative. Depending on the situation, it could lead to irreparable mistakes, and more importantly, it could affect your health—or even your life. Take it slow.”
Lord Cyrus’s tone was very gentle, but he was seriously scolding me.