My Girlfriend Who Is Older Than Me Teases Me When I’m Working At A Bar, But Maybe Because Of Alcohol

Eight Years Later, Christmas (4)

The perishable items such as cakes bought at the supermarket were stored in the Shine refrigerator, and Toma and Mio were enjoying their alone time while slowly drinking alcohol.

The cocktail they were drinking was called a Screwdriver, a strong alcoholic drink mixed with orange juice, which had an alcohol content of 12-15 degrees, making it easy to drink despite its high alcohol content. It was commonly known as the “Lady Killer.”

However, it was Toma who made the drinks. Considering Mio’s low alcohol tolerance, the alcohol content was reduced to less than half.

Yes, it would be troublesome if Mio got drunk here. All the plans they had thought of so far would go to waste.

After handing the Screwdriver to Mio and drinking about half of it, Mio smiled and spoke in a relaxed voice.

“…You’ve become quite refined. You’ve become a splendid bartender.”

“I can make drinks now, and the Master has entrusted me with running the shop.”

Eight years ago, Toma didn’t serve alcohol to customers, but in his third year of university, he learned from the master, Miki. After graduating from university, he started helping out at Shine while working as a cram school teacher.

According to a certain rumor, on the days Toma works as a bartender, female customers contact their acquaintances who are also female customers, resulting in an increase in overall visits.

A skilled bartender who also contributed to such sales…

“For today, I can have you all to myself.”

“Indeed, that’s true. I can also have a customer who goes by the name ‘girlfriend’ all to myself.”

“That line is so cheesy.”

“Please refrain from analyzing it too seriously, madam.”

“You don’t have to pretend to be a bartender just because you’re embarrassed. Just be yourself.”

“Then I promise not to say anything that would embarrass you.”

“I trust you, only mine… Toma-kun”

“…Don’t use that.”

“Don’t use that” didn’t mean not using tools, but rather skills. It referred to her privilege as a girlfriend and the seductive smiles she used. How many times had Toma been captivated by that technique?

“Even if you tell me not to use it, I’m just doing things as usual.”

“As if that’s possible.”

They had been a couple for eight years. If her boyfriend’s sensor was reacting… and he was looking amused. There was no mistaking it.

“But really, thank you for the wonderful Christmas present, Toma-kun. Making alcohol just for me. I have to call the Master who lent us this shop to express my gratitude.”

“…Ah, yeah, you’re right. Since they trusted me, an employee, with the key to their important shop.”

“Don’t make a spare key, okay?”

“Haha, I would never do such a thing, of course.”

While Toma was having a casual conversation with Mio, his face showing a carefree expression, his state of mind was far from that.

In reality, the Christmas present wasn’t over yet. This was just a setup to make the main gift shine.

Toma was gathering his courage for what was to come.

“…By the way, how long are you going to stand behind the counter, Toma-kun?”

“Hm?”

“Since we’re alone today… It would be nice if you could drink with me, at least when we’re having a drink, right? I want to drink close to you, Toma-kun.”

“Just being on the other side of the counter is already pretty close, you know…”

“I prefer being next to you. Is that a problem for you, Toma-kun?”

“Seriously, it’s not easy to have a spoiled girl all to myself.”

Placing the Screwdriver that he was also drinking next to Mio, Toma left the counter and sat in the seat next to her.

It was the moment when Toma placed his hand on the counter table after pulling out the chair.

“…I’ll hold your hand.”

“Y-You don’t have to say it at the exact moment you hold it. It’s awkward.”

“But I wanted to do it as soon as possible… Once I hold your hand, I just want to keep holding it forever.”

Mio gently placed her delicate, white hand on top of Toma’s hand, intertwining their fingers and creating a grip similar to that of lovers, with the first knuckles fitting between their fingers.

“W-Well, I… “

“Yeah…”

Their hands remained connected as they held their glasses with their free hands and sipped the Screwdriver together.

“…”

“…”

Silence filled the store, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.

“Well… it’s been 8 years since we started dating,” Toma spoke while facing forward.

“Hehe, what’s this all of a sudden?”

“Well, I can’t believe it. It feels like time has passed so quickly.”

“That’s true, I agree. But even though it’s a bit late to say this now, if we had met since elementary school instead of being university students, we could have been involved for a longer time.”

“…But I think it’s good that it happened when we were university students.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, when I was in elementary school, I was quite mischievous. I would say bad things about teachers and even have slipper throwing contests in the restroom… If Mio, you had seen me like that, she would definitely have been repelled.”

Toma added while scratching his nose, thinking that it was precisely because he had the composure of a university student that he was able to become close with Mio.

“If… If you say that, I might feel the same way too.”

“You too? Why is that?”

“I haven’t told you, Toma-kun, but I was bullied in elementary and middle school. I wasn’t the kind of person who was expected by others like when I was a university student.”

“It doesn’t matter to me what kind of Mio you are… but those guys liked you. If you became aggressive, they could get your attention.”

“If they liked me, they shouldn’t have been mean to me…”

“Well, that’s just how it is in elementary and middle school.”

The reason why boys bully girls they like is mainly because they want to establish a connection. It represents the psychology of men, which becomes an expression of their awkwardness in showing affection.

“I’m not trying to defend bullies, but I felt the same way when I was in elementary school.”

Toma’s attempt to convince Mio was completely unnecessary.

“Pffft!”

Mio turned her head 90 degrees, her hair fluttering. Toma could only see the back of Mio’s head. She was visibly upset.

“Huh? Jealousy!? We’re talking about when we were in elementary school, you know!?”

“You’re my first love, Toma-kun… so it’s just weird to think that you weren’t.”

“E-Even if you say that… come on.”

“Besides, I heard you had a girlfriend in high school… It just makes me feel uneasy. I’m not the second choice…”

Mio is clearly a jealous person. However, she has a peculiar type of jealousy where she doesn’t impose any restrictions. No, Toma has managed to control that aspect of her.

Despite murmuring complaints like this, their hands remained connected, which was undeniably adorable.

“You’re the number one, Mio.”

“That’s not true… I’m such a jealous girlfriend, you know.”

“It’s true. Because I love Mio the most. That’s why we’ve been together for 8 years, and I want to be together in the future too.”

–Why did those words slip out so smoothly?

(Oh no… this… I messed up.)

Clumsy Toma had done it. He accidentally said the words he had been thinking about for a long time, the words of a proposal…

“I’ll be turning thirty next year… is that okay?”

“Age doesn’t matter. I want to be with you, that’s what I think.”

“Toma-kun…”

“But, well, this might be a bit pushy… Ahaha.”

He stirs his cocktail.

Just buying some time. He desperately thinks in his mind, searching for a clever line for a proposal.

But it’s not something that comes easily. With alcohol in his system, he’s in a state of agitation.

“I want to ask you instead…”

Smooch

“Huh!?”

“Idiot.”

Mio places her hand on Toma’s right thigh and gives him a light kiss. Their years of being together have made it possible for her to do it so naturally.

“Hey, don’t surprise me like that all of a sudden…”

“It still feels… good, doesn’t it?”

With a dreamy expression, Mio touches her lips with her hand and licks them.

“Mio… hey!? Wait, isn’t this a public place!?”

Mio releases their joined hands and places both of her hands on Toma’s thighs. She looks up at him, exhaling a seductive breath.

“I might… be in trouble…”

“…”

“I’m turned on now…”

“What!? Hey, wait! This is a store, you know!?”

Mio’s flushed face… fills Toma’s entire field of vision.

“Look, Toma-kun, it’s getting hard here.”

With that… Mio grabbed it. The square box from Toma’s right pocket.

“Ah, um, that’s…”

“Hmm? Something square… Is it a business card holder, perhaps?”

“Yeah, yeah…! A business card holder!”

“But… it feels really hard. It seems expensive for a business card holder. Could it be… something exclusive to a cabaret club or something?”

“No, it’s not! It’s not like that!”

As Mio touched the item in question, causing it to make a rustling sound, Toma stood up, holding his right pocket with both hands.

Because it’s something different, he couldn’t let her see it. That’s why he was desperately trying to hide it. However, this only fueled her suspicions.

“Show it to me.”

Following Toma, Mio also stood up and reached out her hand as if demanding him to hand it over. The sweet atmosphere from just a moment ago was completely gone. A tense and heavy air surrounded them.

“I can’t show you. S-sorry. It’s not really a business card holder…”

“Then what is it?”

“W-Well… um…”

“Why did you lie? Is it because you have something to hide?”

Toma is a man, but Mio is younger. In a situation like this, he can’t help but feel cornered and unsure of how to handle it.

As Toma took a step back, Mio closed in on him, exuding a dark aura. She suspected that he had something to hide.

“…Mio, please calm down. It’s not what you think.”

“Toma-kun, you only have two options left. Show me what’s in that pocket, which you’re hiding, or face my utmost anger.”

“There really isn’t anything that would make you angry!”

“Then show me.”

“W-Well…”

He never anticipated that things would unfold like this. He was no longer able to think about proposing.

“This is your last chance. Show me what’s in that pocket, which you’re hiding, or face my utmost anger. Choose.”

“…”

“Tell me your choice quickly.”

“…Fine. I’ll show you.”

“What I was hiding is this, Mio. I’m sorry for lying.”

Toma handed Mio a flat rectangular box from his right pocket.

The atmosphere was far from ideal for a proposal, but he had no other choice.

He couldn’t afford a lifetime of regret.

“What’s in this box…? It looks quite expensive.”

Mio looked at the flat rectangular box shining like black marble with caution.

“You can open it.”

“Of course. I need to check what’s inside.”

I’ll reveal it! That’s probably how her emotions were expressed. With a stern expression, Mio opened it like a book, using both hands.

And suddenly… it appeared.

“Huh…”

As soon as she opened it, a single rose bloomed prominently, with a ring sparkling like a jewel at its center.

“…”

“…………”

“T-Toma-kun…”

Mio’s voice was trembling. It was so soft that it was barely audible.

And then, tears began to flow from Mio’s large eyes. They streamed down her cheeks and splashed onto the open rose.

“This… this…”

Mio turned the ring case towards him.

With his mouth tightly sealed, Toma said to Mio, revealing her tear-stained face.

“Let’s get married, Mio.”

It was a simple proposal without any frills. However, it was a heartfelt confession.

From there, several minutes passed in silence.

Mio’s response came in a trembling voice. It was undoubtedly the key to their ultimate happiness.