Third: Vodka
As Vodka, who bears the nickname "Water of Life," he holds an undeniable status in the world of liquor.
In comparison, the Detective Little Brother following Gin seemed a bit..
But Gin did not despise him for this; although Vodka's brain sometimes failed to keep up with his rhythm, this Subordinate also had one great virtue.
Loyal enough, obedient enough.
Compared to that group of various idiots who clearly lack intelligence yet still harbor ulterior motives, Vodka is much more reliable.
In the Black Organization, there is no shortage of intrigue and deception among the staff, when it comes to such matters, the higher-ups basically wash their hands of it if there is no evidence—and sometimes, they won't intervene even if there is evidence.
Gin holds a high position at such a young age, so there are naturally many who envy him.
But in the eyes of the Silver-haired youth, these people were actually quite boring.
Really, with an IQ like Akai Shuichi and Amuro Tooru, don't try to pull all those complicated stunts, okay?
I get annoyed too!
These complaints only exist in very rare moments; most of the time, Gin's "solutions" are swift and decisive.
Vodka has followed him for a very long time, so long that many people find it an Accident.
However, for Gin, this was not incomprehensible.
He didn't mind spending a little more time teaching this fool.. After all, there weren't many people who could trust him so wholeheartedly.
Therefore, he didn't mind showing his Subordinate some patience.
But sometimes, this guy could be so "stupid" that even Gin was shocked.
The Silver-haired youth uncorked a bottle of high-proof Vodka and poured the clear liquid directly onto the shoulder of the Subordinate in front of him, filling the entire Room with the scent of blood and liquor.
There were still pursuers searching for their tracks outside the Safe House. Under time pressure, he quickly removed the bullets from Vodka, a sharp dagger pierced through flesh, becoming stained with gushing blood.
"I'm wearing a bulletproof vest; I don't need you to take a bullet for me," Gin coldly reprimanded his subordinate while he worked.
I'm.. I'm sorry, Big brother!
Shut up!
..
Part Four: Scotch & Scotch Soda
Later, when Gin reminisced about the past, he would occasionally recall Scotland.
That man always seemed lukewarm, his expression and gaze possessing a gentleness that was out of place within the Black Organization—though it was entirely different when he was sniping.
However, he really was out of place within the Black Organization.
Although he had never stated it, Gin knew his real name.
Morofushi Hiromitsu
Morofushi Hiromits
Morofushi Hiromitsu.
He did not have much contact with this man named Morofushi Hiromitsu, codenamed Scotland—he had once remained indifferent to Scotland's path toward Death, later, for certain reasons, he wanted to save him.. but in the end, he did not succeed.
However, unexpectedly, that man still left a deep impression on Gin.
To the point where, whenever he saw Scotch, he would occasionally daze for a moment.
Later on, one time, Nana took a sudden interest and went to learn bartending.
The black-haired female detective didn't seem to have much talent for this; the cocktails she mixed always had something slightly off about the flavor.
Midori had just recovered from a serious illness and was not in the mood for this kind of liquor.
Nana did not want to lose face in front of Niwang Yaji, she remained silent when facing her Boyfriend.
As for Gin.. she would have to be incredibly bold to provoke him.
So, in order not to let them go to waste, Nana could only suffer through it by using himself as an experimental subject, drinking one cocktail after another to make progress.
This girl's alcohol tolerance was never particularly good to begin with; although the proof of the cocktails was not high, she still couldn't resist drinking them one after another.
On one occasion when Gin visited, he used a spare key to open the door and found the room quiet, yet filled with the scent of liquor.
The black-haired girl had a flushed face; she lay on the sofa, clutching her head, while an unfinished cocktail sat on the glass coffee table.
She seemed to have heard a movement, a dazed smile hanging on her face as she looked blankly at Gin, only after a long while muttering, "Zhenjun.."
Those green eyes were misty, like leaves in the rain.
The cocktail's colors were refreshing, with a few mint leaves and a lemon slice decorating the clean liquid, the faint scent of soda water lingered in the air.
And the taste of Whisky.
Scotch Soda。
Gin made a judgment.
He paused for two seconds before turning toward the drowsy Nana.
"What are you doing?" Gin raised his hand to stroke his hair, then his fingertips brushed against Nana's cheek.
A bit hot.
As expected, she was drunk.
I want.. to make.. a beautiful.. cocktail." Her words became staggered. "Yaji.. ugh.. it's his birthday, I haven't decided what to give him.. so..
The words from Nana's mouth gradually became blurred, but Gin had already understood his meaning.
Before the Silver-haired man could react to this news, Nana suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Gin's hand.
Nana's strength was not great, but Gin did not pull away.
She asked in a small, hesitant voice, "Zhenjun.. do you think he will like my gift?"
This girl's eyes were sparkling, as if the starlight from the heavens had gathered within them, filled with earnestness and anticipation.
.." Gin paused for a moment, but still spoke: "I will.
He wouldn't dare not like it!
After receiving a satisfactory answer, Nana tilted his head and closed his eyes.
Watching the girl as she gradually drifted into sleep, Gin glanced at the Scotch Soda on the coffee table, falling silent for a moment, his gaze lost in thought.
After a long time, he shook the nearly asleep Nana and said softly, "Let's change to a different cocktail."
Nana seemed to agree.
..
Five: Bourbon Cola & Mint Julep
It's not about what kind of cocktail it is; they are all meticulously crafted.
For example, right now.
If I wanted to drink both Cola and Whisky—" Amuro Tooru tilted his head slightly and asked with a light laugh, "What do you plan to do?
Gin gave his answer.
The silver-haired man poured cola and Bourbon into two wine glasses in proportion, stirred them slightly, then added a few ice cubes taken from the refrigerator.
He handed one of the glasses to Amuro Tooru, looked up at the Blonde-haired youth opposite him, said indifferently, "We can split it now."
Amuro Tooru's expression seemed hard to describe.
It was clearly he who had first said there was only one Coke and one bottle of Bourbon Whisky here, which probably wouldn't be enough for the two of them to share. After Gin came up with a solution, he was also the one who stared with a complicated look, speechless for a long time.
Gin tilted her head. "What are you trying to say?"
“……” Amuro Tooru remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No.. it's nothing."
He curled his lips and gave Gin a helpless glance, then picked up one of the two wine glasses at random and placed it in front of him.
The blonde-haired youth glanced at the liquid in the glass but did not take a sip.
Is this Bourbon Cola?" She slowly uttered the name of the cocktail, sighing, "That name is certainly straightforward.
"The method is quite simple," Gin said indifferently.
“So—” Amuro Tooru felt he was reaching the limit of his patience: “Even if there is nothing left to eat in the Safe House, you still don't plan on going out for a walk?”
The Silver-haired man glanced at Amuro Tooru, then casually cast his gaze toward the continuous heavy rain outside the window.
He leaned back in the Chair, his gaze heavy and silent.
However, this posture already demonstrated her reluctance.
Phoenix City is rainy.
The continuous heavy rain had been falling for three whole days, so during these three days, Gin had not stepped foot outside once.
It wasn't that he hated going out in the rain.. it was just that since there was no need, why did he have to go out in the rain?
Why is it unnecessary!" Amuro Tooru pointed indignantly at the piles of canned food and compressed biscuits in the corner. "Don't you get tired of eating this every day?
Gin said matter-of-factly, "It's alright."
His attitude toward food was strange; when necessary, he could eat anything as long as it wasn't poisonous, but when it wasn't necessary, he could appear extremely picky.
This collaboration with Amuro Tooru after so long was to deal with the Black Organization's rebellious forces in Europe. After staying in the UK for half a month, they followed the fleeing leader to the USA.
I have to say, British food is really bad!
Amuro Tooru stared at him for a long moment with a twitching lip, then stood up speechlessly, "I'm going out to buy something."
Remember to take an umbrella." Gin offered a word of concern, then calmly made a request: "I want omurice and tofu soup.
Amuro Tooru: "……"
In the end, he bought it anyway.
After many years, the moment they arrived in Phoenix City once again, Gin and Amuro Tooru looked at each other, both seeing nostalgia in each other's eyes.
This nostalgia was washed away completely by the torrential rain crashing down upon them.
“I remember the omurice and tofu soup were both quite good.” Gin gazed at the rain curtain that seemed to have no End, speaking slowly, uttering a sentence that sounded nonsensical to others.