45 – Dinner with Everyone (3)
A glass bottle, beautifully packaged in a long rectangular box.
Inside it, a shimmering transparent liquid.
“Alcohol?”
“Yes. It’s alcohol.”
Ulrike added that she brought the alcohol to be enjoyed together with the meal.
“Is it expensive?”
Just as Lyoun said, it seemed quite pricey at first glance.
Although it seemed like it was a famous alcohol, everyone didn’t seem to know much about it since they were outsiders when it came to alcohol.
Ulrike was slightly scratched there. It was a liquor that she had brought with determination, but it seemed like no one knew its worth.
“This liquor─”
Her explanation.
The name of the liquor is ‘Alfheim’.
It is the traditional drink of the elves.
It is fundamentally a grain liquor. However, because it utilizes the branches and leaves of the World Tree, which can be considered the identity of the elves, during the manufacturing and aging process, it has a completely different taste and aroma compared to the conventional grain liquors of Earth.
As for its characteristics, it has the refreshing aroma of the World Tree that cannot be compared to the scent of any plant on Earth, while maintaining a light body.
Because of that, it is a liquor that even with a relatively high alcohol content, preferences do not differ greatly, so they say.
Everyone except Yeoul was surprised by her words.
In what aspect?
Just with a single liquor, the fact that it used the branches and leaves of the World Tree.
To use something so precious that even with millions of money, one could not obtain it unless they were an elf, in a mere bottle of liquor.
At that point, they could somewhat estimate the value of that liquor.
Probably, there would be no way to obtain it through ordinary means.
“I also brought a set of glasses.”
Another box that was inside a paper bag.
Inside were several glass cups with a rounded body and narrow opening, commonly called nosing glasses, to better enjoy the aroma of liquor.
Ulrike took them out and distributed them to everyone.
Except for Yeoul.
It was because of the sentiment in Korea where minors do not drink alcohol.
Yeoul, who guessed her inner thoughts.
But she couldn’t throw a fit like a child either, so as her only option, she had to suck on her finger.
I want to drink alcohol too….
“Well then, let’s open it.”
Ulrike exerted strength and opened the lid.
At the same time, a refreshing scent spread throughout the living room.
The result of a simple act of opening the bottle, the strong aroma spread out as if everyone there was standing in the middle of a forest.
Especially for Soyoung, whose sense of smell was sensitive due to her race, just by smelling it, her mouth began to water.
Expectations grew, and naturally, everyone’s gaze focused on Ulrike, who was holding the bottle.
She was the first to pour the liquor into Yeoul’s glass.
With both hands clasped together, a slender-eared elf poured the liquor into their glasses in a somewhat awkward Korean gesture.
Then, Jiwoo, Soyoung, and the elf himself filled their own cups.
After Ulrike set down the bottle, everyone raised their glasses and savored the aroma.
Sniffing, as their nose twitched, the scent filled their nostrils, as if capturing the essence of the forest in a single drop of liquid.
Yeo-ul shook his hand, swirling the liquor in his glass. Each time, an indescribably fragrant smell emanated from the drink.
Without saying a word, as if making an unspoken promise, they clinked their glasses and lightly savored a sip.
The first thing that came to mind was the savory taste of grains.
Following that, the fragrance of the forest that had been stimulating their sense of smell for a while now hit their noses head-on.
They moved their tongues around.
Swish, as the liquid spread throughout their mouths, it released a variety of flavors and scents that had been held within.
The subsequent swallow was incredibly smooth.
With just the right amount of impact, not too heavy, it maintained the taste upon swallowing.
The liquid went down their throats, into their stomachs.
As they exhaled, a faint aroma of alcohol escaped from their mouths.
A pleasant aroma that lingered in their mouths. The aftertaste was very clean.
It could be considered the ultimate liquor, befitting of the ultimate raw fish.
Now Soyoung wagged her tail at a speed that made her think she might fly off into the sky.
“Ulrike, this is so delicious…!”
Compared to this, the soju and beer she had been drinking up until now were disrespectful to even call them liquor.
Forgetting for a moment that there were unfamiliar people around, she shouted with delight.
Jiwoo had a similar reaction.
With shining round eyes, she silently took another sip.
Ulrike’s nose skyrocketed at their reactions.
Yes.
He had to show this kind of response.
With that thought in mind, however, a sense of unease crept into his heart.
He stole a glance at Yeo-ul.
The reactions of others didn’t really matter since he had already expected them.
What mattered was Yeo-ul’s reaction.
He hoped that he would like this liquor.
So, she hoped that her past mistakes would be even slightly forgiven.
Sweat trickled down her back.
In the midst of tension, Yeo-ul finally spoke.
“Delicious.”
As soon as she heard his words, Ullike’s tension also loosened.
Thank goodness.
Alveheim was a drink that she herself really enjoyed.
But, being an elf of her status, it was not easy to come by, so it was a precious drink that she kept for special occasions.
So she gathered her courage and brought it, and seeing Yeo-ul enjoying it made her think that she made the right choice in bringing it.
Meanwhile.
While everyone was enjoying the alcohol, Ryu-un was the only one not drinking.
Her mouth was watering.
Everyone, except her, showed a reaction similar to when they had eaten delicious food made by her older brother.
Just the smell alone was amazing, how delicious could it be?
I want to try it too.
Just one sip…
It’s illegal for a high school student to buy alcohol, but it’s not illegal to drink it. Ryu-un thought to herself, shedding tears in her heart.
Ignoring her dissatisfaction, the meal continued.
The atmosphere was quite good.
Really delicious food, and really delicious alcohol.
Even their combination was really good, so it was strange for something to be wrong.
Naturally, the slightly awkward atmosphere due to not having seen each other for a long time quickly dissipated.
Even the introverted Soyung successfully overcame her shyness with the help of a little alcohol.
Amidst the lively and harmonious atmosphere.
They asked about each other’s well-being and shared trivial stories.
Time passed little by little.
And as a result, the food that had piled up was almost all finished.
Even in the process, they continued to drink without pause.
With its good taste and the almost absent alcohol smell, it felt more like a refreshing beverage.
One glass, two glasses, emptying the glasses.
After the meal was finished.
After all the dishes were cleared, the only things left on the table were the glasses and bottles of alcohol.
It had now transformed into a pure drinking session.
“So, about my work…”
“Really? I heard there’s all sorts of things happening in your workplace.”
Laughter blossomed inside the house.
No one even realized they were drinking alcohol.
From Noble mtl dot com
However, there was one thing that had been lightly brushed off.
There was a slight undertone to what Wolrike had said before.
“Albheim has a high alcohol content, but it doesn’t feel like it.”
No matter how much it might seem like a soft drink, even if it doesn’t feel like alcohol, the alcohol content doesn’t lie.
Especially since they had been drinking high-alcohol drinks almost as if they were water.
It was not at all strange for people to become intoxicated.
As evidence,
Sooyoung, who had the weakest alcohol, in this gathering.
And then Ulrike, who was the next weakest, had faces flushed with the effects of alcohol.
Now, they barely spoke and simply stared at their glasses with a desolate gaze.
On the other hand, Jiwoo and Yeoul, whose conditions were relatively intact, were engrossed in a story.
The story of when Yeoul had just returned to Earth.
The story of when they reunited after 10 years on a deserted alley where dust had settled.
When Yeoul had driven him away in her immature heart.
And a few days later, when she finally reunited with her older brother.
“I’m such an idiot….”
“No, Yeoul. It’s possible. From what I heard, you also made some mistakes.”
“What would you do if I said that?” Jiwoo said, teasing Yeoul with a playful face.
In that kind of atmosphere, Yeoul blushed and awkwardly spoke about their past, while Jiwoo and Yeoul listened attentively to her story.
One of Yeoul’s arms rested on the table.
Suddenly, a warmth that she couldn’t explain was felt from there.
A sensation wrapped in something damp.
The hardness felt within it, and the moist, soft, slippery thing in the middle.
What is this?
Curious about what’s happening to his arm, Yeoul turned his head to look at his forearm.
There.
A yellow dog with disheveled hair, sinking its teeth into his forearm.
No, not a dog.
A woman with dog’s ears and tail.
Sooyoung, drunk, was biting his arm.
With one ear drooping back and a foolish expression on her face.