The walk to the bar was a bit longer than Eva had expected. Though much of the time was spent quietly chatting. While most of the conversations were between the locals, and very hard to follow at times, a few were curious about both Karasuza and Eva.

To her surprise, it seemed the younger youkai was rather short in her replies and didn’t give anything that should stay secret away. The Kitsune herself had gotten quite good by now at giving the half truths of how and why she was staying and working at the Shrine. Allegedly, Komaki had seen her help an injured fox. And after talking to her about it, Eva’s interest in the culture, and a sign from the Kami, which she as an outsider hadn’t even noticed, he insisted that she should come and stay at least for the Weekend. From there, one thing supposedly had led to another and here they now were.[1]

That story seemed to be satisfactory, though it caused some to give quick, concerned glances back towards where they had come from.

Once they arrived at the Bar, a waitress quickly showed them to a sideroom with tatami mat flooring and a big but low table. With the two extra people around it was a tight fit, but in the end everyone ended up with enough space to comfortably eat the edamame they were all served shortly after sitting down. Eva and Karasuza ended up squeezed in between Ms. Unagi and Mr. Mori. Though weirdly both of them seemed relieved and disappointed at the younger women between them, with how their gaze hushed past them to the other for moments, and the mildly sighs they gave when they quickly looked away again.

Before Eva could inquire about that though, everyone was served some Sake. Once all cups had been served, one of the older firefighters stood up.

“Once again we have gathered to mark the beginning of preparations.

Once more we will celebrate how everyone worked together to rebuild after fires in times long past.

And for once there were some young people old enough to join our table working at the shrine.

But this first cup I raise in the memory of the old lady Mumei. As she liked to say, do not weep for who you lost. Rejoice in the memories you made together.

Kampai!”

“Kampai!” came the echo from around the table. With the cups quickly drained their evening of drinking began. Eva herself used the opportunity to slowly go through every Sake on the menu, with some water every now and again as well as some more snacks to not get drunk as fast.

A few hours, and a lot of alcohol, down the line, Ms. Unagi excused herself, as she did have to get up early for work the next day. After she left, with a surprising amount of apologies for leaving[2], Yujiro turned to the only women left with them. In a low voice he cautiously asked slowly and carefully, his reddened skin showing how drunk he already was.. “So do you two have any clue whom Komaki will gift this year’s mask?”

With her eyes quickly flicking to Eva for a moment, Karasuza quickly replied. “Isn’t it the Kami who decides who receives that gift? Not Komaki?”

“Ah, yes of course.” He responded, rubbing his neck as he looked down to his glass of beer. “I’m just a bit nervous you see. Only a few of us haven't gotten one before, and I-I kinda hope for this year to be my turn.”

“Any reason why it should be this year in particular?” Eva inquired, Leaning forward a bit to look past Karasuza.“Ah, nothing particularly important you see-” was as far as he got before all alcohol finally got to him and he slumped back asleep. Trying her best to stop him hitting the wall too hard, the only thing Eva succeeded at was falling over as well. Slowly staggering to her feet with the direly needed help of the younger woman and the wall she spoke up. “I think it’s time for us to get back.”“Yeah.” She replied before leaning down and emptying the flask her own and evas sake came in in one go. “I doubt I could help you home if you got anymore drunk.”Pulling one of Eva’s arms over her shoulders, Karasuza began to guide and mildly drag the Kitsune out, giving a few excuses along the way to those still coherent enough to care about manners.Luckily they were quite alone on the sidewalks, so noone noticed the strong gusts of wind that kept Eva from falling.