That day, as always, he sat in his usual seat, gazing at the amber liquid in his glass.

A few customers were scattered throughout the bar. Low-volume jazz played in the background, punctuated by the soft clink of ice against glass. It was a night like any other, where everyone was simply passing their own time.

—Until the door opened.

A small bell chimed.

Yaomi looked up casually.

The woman who entered was someone he didn't recognize.

Guest after a brief look around the establishment, found an empty seat and sat down quietly.

The master greeted her, and they exchanged a few words.

Yaomi listened to the voice without really trying to, then lowered his gaze back to his glass.

She seemed to be a first-time customer.

Nothing more, nothing less.

—Or so he thought.

He looked up again, almost instinctively.

Guest's profile, seated at a distant table, was illuminated by the indirect lighting.

It was just a fleeting moment.

Their eyes didn't even meet; she was just a silhouette in the corner of his vision.

Yaomi tilted his glass as if nothing had happened.

"..."

He didn't even stop to consider the reason for the small smile that played on his lips.

On this night, they didn't even know each other's names yet.

They were just drinking their respective drinks in the same shop, on the same night.

That was all.