I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 37: A Slightly More Adult Conversation

For Ryoma, Shine felt like an entirely different world.

The interior was bathed in candlelight, making the atmosphere moderately dim. From the ceiling speakers, soft jazz piano—a style that had peaked in popularity decades ago—played at a gentle volume.

Behind the counter, an array of gleaming shakers were neatly arranged. The back bar displayed a diverse selection of whiskey, brandy, and liqueurs, each bottle meticulously placed.

Rare, high-value bottles were showcased on a large, illuminated shelf, serving both as storage and a visual statement of elegance.

Since tomorrow was a weekday, with work awaiting most people, the only customers in the bar were Hazuki and Ryoma.

The atmosphere exuded a refined calm, unmistakably characteristic of a place dedicated to the appreciation of fine alcohol.

“So, Ryoma-san—what do you think of your first bar experience?”

The voice that addressed him belonged to Toma, the bartender—tall, good-looking, and dressed impeccably in the bar’s formal attire.

“I can’t say I’m used to it yet… I don’t even know the proper etiquette. I apologize.”

“Oh, no need to worry. As long as you enjoy yourself and savor your drink, that’s all that matters.”

“That’s actually something my boss always says—while pawning off his work on me and relaxing at home with his family.”

Toma smiled warmly, his words laced with playful sarcasm.

But rather than bitterness, his expression was full of genuine warmth—as if to say he fully understood why the responsibility had fallen on him.

It was clear that his relationship with the bar’s owner was built on a deep sense of trust.

“The drinks here are really good.”

“I imagine you’ll have more chances to drink in the future. When that time comes, I hope you’ll visit us again.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Toma’s skilled conversation gradually eased Ryoma’s nerves, an ability that made him every bit the professional bartender.

“Hey, Toma? Could you not try recruiting my companion?”

“Ah, I’ve been caught… But hey, it’s part of the job. My apologies.”

“That kind of greedy customer-hunting is exactly why you ended up with a broken arm.”

“Th-That had nothing to do with this, okay!?”

Hazuki, who had been left out of the conversation, decided to speak up. She timed her interruption perfectly, ensuring Ryoma wasn’t left feeling out of place.

Her sharp consideration was on full display.

“Huh? Bartender… y-you had your arm broken by a customer?”

“Well… I wouldn’t exactly call them a ‘customer.’ It happened eight years ago.”

“That story is actually very romantic.”

“Romantic…? Really?”

Ryoma widened his eyes and tilted his head, unable to comprehend how getting one’s arm broken could possibly be romantic.

“You know… Thanks to Kamishiro-san spreading stories about his past to customers, every time I come in to help, I get teased by them.”

“Take that complaint to the master who’s trying to turn this bar into a secret romantic spot. I have permission to tell these stories, you know?”

“Isn’t it a bit unfair not to ask for his permission first…?”

“Besides, now that we’ve gotten this far, don’t you want to hear the story too, Shiba-kun?”

“If I’m being honest… yeah, I do.”

“May I tell the story, Toma-san?”

“You only ask for permission at times like these… Do as you like.”

With Ryoma siding with Hazuki, the situation became two against one.

Completely outnumbered, Toma shrugged in resignation.

Watching this unfold, Ryoma felt a sense of admiration.

Regardless of the story itself, he saw it as a kind of performance meant to liven up the atmosphere.

Then, after taking a sip of her Malibu Pine long cocktail, Hazuki finally began.

“It was eight years ago. Back then, there was a woman who was known as the ‘Angel of the Nursing Department’ at this bar.”

“The Angel of the Nursing Department? That’s quite a title…”

“As the name suggests, she was a brilliant student at a nursing university. She was so exceptional—both in appearance and personality—that people called her an angel. Right, Toma-san?”

“…I won’t deny it.”

Toma continued polishing a glass, never once turning to face them.

Having your past brought up by someone else was certainly embarrassing.

“That angel was so popular that even students from other universities confessed to her… And she was also a regular at this bar while Toma-san was working here.”

“S-she was that popular…?”

As a university student himself, Ryoma instinctively understood just how unusual that level of popularity was.

“That angel used to come to the bar almost every time Toma-san was working… It seems like they grew close enough to go out together.”

“So… what happened next?”

Love stories were an entertaining topic for both men and women, and they always left people wanting to know more.

“Because she was so popular, the angel became a victim of stalking. This bar, Shine, was actually one of the places where the incidents occurred.”

“What!? Here…?”

“Yes. The stalker caused such a scene inside the bar that it had to shut down for several months. It was so serious that it even made the news at the time.”

Perhaps because eight years had passed, there was no trace of that incident left in the bar.

Depending on the storyteller, some might even doubt if it was true.

“Bringing the story back to where we left off—Toma-san got a serious injury trying to protect the angel and ended up breaking his right arm.”

“…”

“After that, while he was hospitalized, the angel started visiting him… and in the end, they got together. They’ve now been in a relationship for eight years.”

“S-so that’s how it was… That really is romantic.”

“It’s honestly a bit embarrassing…”

Though Toma kept a straight face, the glass he was wiping squeaked repeatedly.

He was clearly flustered—wiping the glass far too much.

“If it’s been eight years, do you have any plans for marriage…?”

“Look, Toma-san, you’re being asked.”

“W-well… Her work has finally settled down, so I… I’m planning to propose this Christmas. Haha…”

“She’s an amazing woman. You better not let her slip away. Not that I think she’d ever let you slip away, though.”

“It’s wonderful to see how happy you are.”

“They’re truly made for each other. I mean, Toma-san even started addressing all women by their last names just for her, didn’t he?”

“—!! O-okay, let’s stop talking about Mio now!? Your drinks are almost empty, so I’ll get the next round ready! How about something cassis-based?”

Hurriedly turning his back, Toma busied himself with preparing the next drinks.

The composure he had when greeting them was completely gone.

It seemed that when it came to his girlfriend, he was incredibly weak to teasing.

“He used his girlfriend’s name to escape. And ignoring our drink requests to make whatever he wants? That’s not very bartender-like, is it?”

“That’s because Hazuki-san teases him too much…”

If Ryoma joined in on the teasing, it would definitely be entertaining, but he decided to step in and cover for Toma before things got too out of hand.

As someone who worked as a “stand-in boyfriend,” Ryoma could sympathize. He imagined himself being teased like this and shuddered at the thought.

“Alright, then, let me just say one last thing. Toma-san and his girlfriend have a really interesting relationship. Their roles are reversed.”

“Roles…? What do you mean?”

“Well, normally, it seems like Toma-san takes the lead, but when it comes to nighttime matters… she’s the one in charge, pulling him along.”

“Huh.”

“W-what are you talking about!?”

Caught off guard by the sudden adult topic, Ryoma was left dumbfounded. Meanwhile, the primary victim, Toma, practically lunged over the counter, still holding a liquor bottle, trying to put a stop to it.

“And today, after work, your girlfriend’s coming to pick you up again, right? Off to that place… Oh, wait. Maybe it’s more accurate to say she’s taking you there?”

“She’s taking him!?”

“P-please, just stop already!! Where are you even getting this information!?”

“Fufufu. Your reaction tells me I hit the mark, huh?”

Hazuki’s face had turned a shade of red—not because of the conversation, but likely due to the long cocktail she had just finished.

“…Uh, Kamishiro-san, did you just… bluff?”

“I think the alcohol got me a little too excited.”

“T-That’s your reason…?”

Perhaps because she was tipsy, Hazuki’s usual sharp wit had taken on a more playful, risqué tone.

“…Ryoma-san. Be careful around women like this. Otherwise, you might end up like me.”

“Yes… I’ll be careful.”

With his face completely flushed, the bartender Toma pleaded with genuine emotion.

Seeing this unfold before his eyes, Ryoma had never felt more convinced of anything in his life.