#einstaz

After the bar’s closing hours—

Einsatz: Everyone, do you have your beverages?

Night: Yep!

Alto: I have mine!

Ruma: Nobel, please do the honours.

Nobel: This may be rather arrogant but—

Let’s toast in celebration of the success of our jazz band. —Cheers.

Everyone: Cheers!

⋆　♦　⋆

Night: That was our best show yet! It’s a shame that it has to end here.

Ruma: It was truly an enjoyable experience. I could really feel that so-called “groove”.

Einsatz: The final number of guests exceeded 140% of the bar’s capacity. There were even those that watched whilst standing.

Old Barkeeper: It’s been years since the last time we were that busy. It’s all thanks to you guys.

—Oops, I’ve already emptied my glass. Darn, I’m going to end up drinking more than I intended to tonight.

Night: If you don’t mind could I use your shaker? I’d like to make something too!

Old Barkeeper: Oh? A climber like yourself knows how to bartend too?

Night: Oh…a-ahaha, it’s just a side job I do. Could you keep this a secret please?

Old Barkeeper: Of course. Show me what you’ve got.

Night: Okay!

Ruma: You’ve been working hard too, sir. —That reminds me, did I happen to see you speaking with someone just before the venue closed?

Einsatz: There were multiple guests present. They differed from any of the regularly visiting customers. Who are those people?

Old Barkeeper: Ahh yes, them. Those were people from the jazz bands that used to play here.

Ruma & Ein: !

Old Barkeeper: There’s someone I was hoping to speak directly to about that matter but…it seems he’s nowhere to be found?

Alto: Nobel-san is missing. He was here just a moment ago…I’ll go look for him.

Old Barkeeper: I’ll join you.

⋆　♦　⋆

Alto: Nobel-san! So this is where you’ve been.

Nobel: Doctor…sir, you’re here as well.

Old Barkeeper: What’re you doing out here?

Nobel: I’m just taking some time to reflect. Our shows were a success but because of me, we had to take a detour.

I’m half pleased yet half sorrowful too…I feel somewhat ashamed to show my face in front of everyone.

Alto: Don’t say that. There’s nothing for you to be ashamed of, Nobel-san.

Old Barkeeper: That’s right…before you go feeling all embarrassed, I’d like for you to hear me out.

Nobel: …?

Old Barkeeper: It looks like those fellows that were about to retire are making a comeback.

Nobel: !

Old Barkeeper: They said they couldn’t keep quiet after hearing music like that. You’ve fired those grandpas up.

Those kids stopped by to listen after catching wind of your shows too. It was giving them motivation not to be defeated.

It sounds like they plan on stopping by to play from time to time…you brought them back.

Nobel: What does that mean for the bar…?

Old Barkeeper: There’s no need for it to close down. I plan to keep it running for a while to come.

Alto: Really…!?

Nobel: —As a fan of jazz, I cannot express my gratitude for your decision enough.

Old Barkeeper: Well…this is a hobby after all, so I can’t call it quits during all this fun.

Alto: This is wonderful news…!

Nobel: …Certainly. Nothing could be greater than this.

Doctor, I want to express my gratitude to you again. I couldn’t have saved this bar without all of you with me.

Alto: I haven’t done a thing. This is the result of all the effort you and the rest of the band put in.

Nobel: Thank you for your kind words. This ordeal has turned out to be a wonderful experience for me.

—-I thought I’d been in operation for quite a long time but it turns out there’s still a lot I must learn. I have a long way to go.

Alto: ! A long time…

(Just how old is Nobel-san…? How did he come to this point…?)

Einsatz: Master Nobel, Doctor, this is where you have been?

Alto: Ein-san!

Einsatz: You were absent so I came to collect you. Master Ruma says he would like to play one last time.

Nobel: Oh, that does sound nice. Sorry for the inconvenience, Ein. Let’s go, Doctor.

Alto: Ah, okay!

Nobel: I’d like for you to listen once more too. To the results of our trial and error. To music they’ve conducted…

To the groove that suspires in this wonderful place, together.