Getting Amon's confirmation again, Makino lowered her head shyly.
"Right, this place behind you is your bar, Makino?"
Feeling the atmosphere turn a bit awkward, Amon pointed at the building behind her.
"Yes. Would you like to come in for a drink, Mr. Amon?
"Oh, and earlier, using the recipes you gave me, I mixed a new wine with a very special flavor. I do not know if everyone will like it yet... Could you help me taste it first?"
As she spoke, she invited Amon inside.
She was worried he might feel burdened, so she quickly added that she only wanted him to help taste test.
In truth, she had already tried it herself. The flavor was excellent.
"Of course. I would be happy to."
Amon nodded.
Coming here today, his plan had been to experience Makino's bar anyway, so there was no reason to refuse.
"That is wonderful. This way, Mr. Amon."
Makino smiled, then led him into the bar.
...
Behind them, a few girls watched Amon walk into Makino's bar and could not help feeling envious.
"Makino is so brave, she actually invited that handsome guy straight inside."
"I am jealous. If I had known he was so easy to talk to, I would have gone up to speak to him first."
"Seriously, who knew such a handsome and elegant guy would be that approachable. I thought he would be like those noble brats from the kingdom and look down on us villagers."
While they whispered among themselves, Amon had already stepped into the bar.
Makino's bar was not large, but the interior had a lot of character, with a cozy, old fashioned charm.
Business looked pretty good too.
Almost every seat was taken, and quite a few people could only stand along the counter, waiting.
The moment Makino came back inside, the customers started shouting.
"Makino, top off my glass with that new wine from just now, it tastes way too good."
"Top mine up too."
"This wine is the best I have ever had in my life."
Hands were raised with empty glasses all over the place.
"Alright, everyone please wait a moment. I will get Mr. Amon settled in a private room first, then I will come pour for you."
Makino covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
As someone who dreamed of becoming a master brewer, the guests loving her new drinks was the greatest reward she could ask for.
Still, right now all of her attention was on Amon.
"Mr. Amon, this way please. The private room is inside."
She pointed toward the inner part of the bar.
That private room was normally not open to random customers.
She only used it to host friends or honored guests.
"Alright."
Amon smiled and followed her lead toward the back.
Once the door closed behind them, the buzz outside instantly turned to gossip.
"Hey, who was that guy just now? I am pretty sure I have never seen him before."
"Probably a traveler from somewhere else. But the two of them looked pretty familiar with each other."
"What a lucky man. A woman as beautiful as Makino..."
Even with all the chatter in the bar, Makino could clearly hear every comment.
Her cheeks burned hotter at every sentence.
"Mr. Amon, I, I am really sorry about what they said..."
She turned back, flustered.
"Hahaha, it is fine. Really, you do not have to worry about me. I only wanted to come in and look around. Sitting outside would have been the same."
Amon waved it off casually.
"How could that be alright? Mr. Amon should not be sitting out there with everyone else. I mean... it is too noisy out there. I was afraid it would affect your mood."
Makino said anxiously, then worried he would misunderstand and hurried to explain.
"Alright, alright. The guest follows the host. I will go along with your arrangements."
Since she was so insistent on giving him the private room, Amon did not push back.
Honestly, he was not that fond of noisy places anyway.
"In that case, Mr. Amon, please sit here for a while. I will go refill everyone's drinks and then come back to keep you company."
"Go ahead. Do not mind me."
Amon nodded and gestured for her to work first.
He really had come just to look around casually.
"Alright."
Makino gave him a bright smile, then left the private room.
...
The moment she stepped out, several regulars pounced with teasing comments.
"Makino, we thought you were going to sneak off and have a little date with your lover and abandon us old customers."
"How could that happen? You are all my customers."
Makino laughed.
"That said, Mr. Amon did me a great favor.
"By the way, the drink you are having is the one he taught me how to make."
The men around her froze.
"What? You are saying that wine was something that gentleman taught you? Seriously?"
"Do not tell me that man's skill at brewing is actually better than yours, Makino. I can hardly believe it."
"No wonder. I was wondering why your style suddenly changed. So that is the story. If that is the case, he definitely deserves to be treated as a VIP of the bar."
Once they understood, everyone looked stunned.
Then they turned their gazes toward the private room with clear respect.
Foosha villagers really were simple at heart.
They genuinely respected anyone with real skill.
"Hehe, that is right."
Makino nodded lightly.
"Now, enough talk. I will refill your glasses first."
She picked up the mixing tools and bottle, and moved gracefully from table to table, topping up everyone's drinks.
Only after every glass had been filled again did Makino return to the private room.