E3 - The Perfect Taste

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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:04] Miwa
    Find a different candidate?
    Did he really say something like that?
[00:08] Yukari
    Yes.
[00:09] Miwa
    The manager did?
[00:11] Yukari
    He did!
[00:12] Yukari
    I overheard him in the lounge talking
    to chief bartender Nishizawa about it!
[00:17] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    A new candidate? Do you mean as insurance?
[00:22] (Flashback) Kamishima
    Yeah.
[00:23] (Flashback) Kamishima
    The chairman has his
    sights set on Sasakura Ryu,
[00:26] (Flashback) Kamishima
    but if that guy doesn't give us the nod,
     then we're dead in the water.
[00:29] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    The chairman must be so
    fixated on the counter bar
[00:33] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    because he wants to compete against
    Bar K at the Hotel Diamondstar.
[00:39] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    It's a top-class bar that caters
    to heavyweights in the financial world.
[00:43] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    And it earned that reputation...
[00:45] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    thanks to the presence of its
    bartender, Kuzuhara Ryuichi.
[00:50] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    People call him Mister Perfect.
[00:52] (Flashback) Nishizawa
    I don't know of anybody else
    who is even near his level.
[00:56] (Flashback) Kamishima
    Which leaves us right back where we started.
[00:59] (Flashback) Kamishima
    We've got to find someone
    whose name we can put in lights.
[01:04] Yukari
    But searching for
    someone else at this point?
[01:07] Yukari
    Senpai?
[01:08] Miwa
    Sorry, Yukari-chan! You can
    tell me all about it tomorrow.
[01:11] Yukari
    Huh? Hold on!
[01:14] Yukari
    That's odd. Senpai always
    seems married to her work.
[01:19] Yukari
    Is she going on a date?!
SIGN    Glass of God
SIGN    m 0 0 l 100 0 100 60 0 60
SIGN    Bar K Bartender
SIGN    Kuzuhara Ryuichi
SIGN    Award Presentation Party
SIGN    Hotel Diamondstar
SIGN    Star Hall
[02:54] Miwa
    I've never heard of a bartender
    receiving a medal before.
[02:58] Miwa
    Kuzuhara-san must be really amazing.
[03:01] Taizo
    He's considered to be a pioneer
[03:03] Taizo
    who raised the status of Japanese
    bartenders to a world-class level.
[03:08] Taizo
    Even customers are awestruck
    by his perfect technique.
[03:12] Taizo
    That is why they call him Mister Perfect.
[03:18] Taizo
    Hey. Congrats.
[03:20] Kuzuhara
    Now this is a pleasant surprise,
    Chairman Kurushima!
[03:24] Kuzuhara
    It is quite an honor to welcome
[03:26] Kuzuhara
    the man who only drank cocktails
    from the late owner of Lapin.
[03:29] Kuzuhara
    Please, allow me to make you something.
[03:31] Taizo
    Recently, I've been very impressed
    with the bartender at Edenhall.
[03:38] Taizo
    He hasn't been in the position long,
    but he's a fairly interesting fellow.
[03:43] Kuzuhara
    He's the new bartender there?
[03:46] Taizo
    He's still a bit wet
    behind the ears, though.
SIGN    Ginza Shopping Center
SIGN    Ginza M's Building
[03:53] Ryu
    Welcome.
[03:55] Ryu
    Oh.
[03:56] Ryu
    I see you're together today.
[03:58] Taizo
    Actually, this is my lover.
[04:02] Ryu
    In general, I don't care to inquire
    about customers' personal relationships,
[04:07] Ryu
    but I suspect that while you two are close,
    she's actually your granddaughter.
[04:13] Taizo
    I guess he now knows that
    I used to change your diapers.
[04:15] Miwa
    Hey!
[04:18] Ryu
    May I take your order?
[04:20] Taizo
    How about something
    that's good for a stiff neck?
[04:22] Miwa
    Me too.
[04:23] Ryu
    Hmm.
[04:24] Taizo
    We had to stop by a pretty uptight party.
[04:28] Miwa
    It was a little exhausting.
[04:30] Ryu
    I see. Very well, then.
[04:34] Ryu
    Welcome.
[04:39] Kyoko
    Um, am I still all right?
[04:43] Ryu
    If you're referring to closing time,
    you don't need to worry.
[04:45] Kyoko
    Thank you. Then...
[04:48] Kyoko
    I'd like a B&B, please.
[04:54] Kyoko
    A B&B
[04:56] Kyoko
    is a cocktail you make by just mixing equal
    amounts of brandy and Bénédictine, right?
[05:01] Ryu
    Yes. Its name comes from the
    first letter of each word. B&B.
[05:06] Kyoko
    What's the best way to drink it?
[05:08] Ryu
    As a nightcap.
[05:10] Ryu
    It's said to be best enjoyed
    just before bed.
[05:15] Ryu
    It combines the rich flavor of brandy
    with the unique sweetness of Bénédictine.
[05:21] Ryu
    It is quickly intoxicating,
    which may help the drinker fall asleep,
[05:26] Ryu
    I suppose.
[05:28] Ryu
    Your B&B. Enjoy.
[05:41] Kyoko
    Bartender, have you been
    in this line of work long?
[05:45] Ryu
    Almost eight years.
[05:46] Kyoko
    Eight years?
[05:50] Miwa
    What's that lady doing?
[05:53] Taizo
    You still can't read people well, can you?
[05:56] Miwa
    Huh?
[05:58] Kyoko
    Thank you.
[06:01] Kyoko
    I finally worked up the courage
    to quit my job today.
[06:07] Kyoko
    Thank you for allowing me to stay so late.
[06:14] Miwa
    Was she crying?
[06:16] Ryu
    I wonder what happened.
     Why would she want to quit bartending?
[06:21] Miwa
    Is she a bartender?
[06:23] Ryu
    A normal customer wouldn't have asked
    about the bar hours when she came in
[06:29] Ryu
    or stared at the way I swirled
    the bar spoon so aggressively.
[06:34] Miwa
    You sure notice a lot, don't you?
[06:36] Taizo
    I'm more certain than ever that you
    would be a valuable asset to our bar.
[06:41] Ryu
    I believe I already declined that offer.
[06:44] Ryu
    I'm simply too afraid of heights.
[06:48] (Flashback) Yukari
    The bar at the Latz Hotel
    is on the top floor!
[06:53] Miwa
    Sasakura-san, about that fear of heights...
[07:01] Ryu
    Welcome.
[07:03] Kuzuhara
    Are you still open?
[07:04] Ryu
    Of course. Please come in.
[07:10] Taizo
    I thought you'd show up.
[07:15] Miwa
    Why...?
[07:16] Ryu
    An acquaintance of yours?
[07:18] Taizo
    Let's say we were acquainted through
    a certain business transaction.
[07:21] Ryu
    Is that so.
[07:24] Ryu
    Your order, sir?
[07:26] Kuzuhara
    I'll take a Gin Fizz.
[07:29] Ryu
    Very well.
[07:40] Kuzuhara
    The Gin Fizz is a famous cocktail.
    Do you happen to know who invented it?
[07:46] Ryu
    In 1888, in New Orleans,
[07:50] Ryu
    at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon, a bartender
    named Ramos was credited with inventing it.
[07:55] Kuzuhara
    What about the "fizz" part?
[07:57] Ryu
    It supposedly comes from the sound
    of the bubbles in soda water,
[08:03] Ryu
    but it certainly doesn't
    sound like "fizz fizz" to me.
[08:06] Taizo
    Is that something you tell
    someone like Mister Perfect?
[08:10] Miwa
    That's right.
[08:12] Miwa
    He trained in France, so he doesn't
    know anything about Kuzuhara-san.
[08:17] Ryu
    Here. One Gin Fizz.
[08:27] Kuzuhara
    This flavor...
[08:29] Ryu
    Do you not find it to your liking?
[08:31] Kuzuhara
    No, it's good. However,
[08:34] Kuzuhara
    what is this slightly rich flavor?
[08:37] Kuzuhara
    Like an old, aged rum.
[08:40] Kuzuhara
    Is this your own recipe?
[08:42] Ryu
    Yes. I suspected that the standard
    recipe might be somewhat boring
[08:48] Ryu
    for someone who's a professional and,
    I expect, a first-rate bartender.
[08:52] Kuzuhara
    How did you know that I'm a bartender?
[08:56] Ryu
    There are two reasons.
[08:58] Ryu
    When a pro visits a new bar, what would
    he order to test the bartender's abilities?
[09:04] Ryu
    A Gin Fizz.
[09:06] Miwa
    Is that true?
[09:07] Taizo
    'Cause of this.
SIGN    Eternity
[09:13] Miwa
    Eternity?
[09:14] Taizo
    Yeah.
[09:16] Taizo
    The character for "eternity"
    has vertical, horizontal,
[09:18] Taizo
    point, jump, stop, and sweep strokes.
[09:21] Taizo
    All of the basic strokes
    in Japanese calligraphy.
[09:24] Taizo
    In the same way, from the shaking,
    to the ratio of alcohol and juice,
[09:29] Taizo
    to the ice and the soda,
[09:31] Taizo
    the one drink that includes
     all the essential bartending techniques
[09:35] Taizo
    is the Gin Fizz.
[09:38] Kuzuhara
    So what was the other reason?
[09:40] Ryu
    The pinky finger on your right hand.
[09:43] Ryu
    It appears to be a callus developed
    from many years of shaking.
[09:48] Kuzuhara
    And you observed all that in
    such a short amount of time.
[09:52] Ryu
    If you're always evaluating and criticizing,
    and you only drink for work,
[09:58] Ryu
    then I want you to enjoy your experience
    as a customer on the other side of the bar.
[10:05] Kuzuhara
    Enjoy?
[10:07] Kuzuhara
    You think I'm enjoying
    this little guessing game?
[10:11] Ryu
    If that was presumptuous of me, I apologize.
[10:15] Kuzuhara
    And that's why you put rum in the Gin Fizz?
[10:17] Ryu
    Oh, no. That's wasanbon sugar.
[10:21] Kuzuhara
    What?
[10:22] Taizo
    Oh.
[10:23] Miwa
    Wasanbon? The sugar used
    in Japanese confections?
[10:26] Ryu
    Yes. Wasanbon is known for
    its very delicate sweetness.
[10:30] Taizo
    And the flavor is similar to rum,
    so he got them mixed up.
[10:35] Taizo
    You managed to put one
    over on Mister Perfect!
[10:39] Kuzuhara
    I see.
[10:41] Kuzuhara
    You certainly are an amusing
    bartender. However...
[10:47] Kuzuhara
    I've known countless failed bartenders who
    once tried to impress with eccentric drinks.
[10:56] Kuzuhara
    If you intend to keep working as a bartender,
    allow me to enlighten you on something.
[11:02] Kuzuhara
    Your cocktail is still far from perfect.
[11:12] Miwa
    I guess that upset him.
[11:14] Taizo
    He isn't someone to take offense
    over something so trivial.
[11:18] Taizo
    But more importantly, would you make me
    one of those Gin Fizzes with wasanbon sugar?
[11:23] Miwa
    Oh! Me too!
[11:24] Ryu
    Yes.
[11:26] Ryu
    Certainly.
SIGN    Glass of God
[11:33] Yukari
    How was your date yesterday?
[11:35] Miwa
    Date? I went out with my grandfather.
[11:38] Yukari
    Huh?
[11:40] Yukari
    You must get along really well
    with your grandpa, then.
[11:43] Miwa
    He's more like a father to me.
[11:46] Miwa
    Both of my parents passed away
    when I was little.
[11:49] Yukari
    O-Oh, really? I'm so sorry.
[11:52] Miwa
    It's okay.
[11:54] Kamishima
    Less talk, more work!
[11:57] Yukari
    All right.
SIGN    m 0 0 l 100 0 100 130 0 130
SIGN    Kuzuhara Ryuichi, Recipient of
    the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor
SIGN    Kuzuhara Ryuichi, bartender at Hotel
    Diamondstar, has been announced as
    the recipient of the spring Medal. An
    award reception honoring Kuzuhara with
    the Yellow Ribbon Medal was held at his
     own hotel.
SIGN    The Yellow Ribbon Medal honors
    individuals in farming, business, and
    industry who have shown diligence in
    their professional activities and proven
    themselves as role models to the public.
SIGN    It is very rare for members of the food
    service industry to be awarded. As such,
    this medal recognizes Kuzuhara's vast
    contributions to culture through his
    exceedingly high skills as a bartender.
[12:00] (Flashback) Kuzuhara
    Your cocktail is still far from perfect.
[12:05] Miwa
    That was a really harsh thing
    to say to Sasakura-san.
[12:08] Miwa
    I wonder if he's okay.
[12:10] Yukari
    So, Senpai.
[12:12] Yukari
    Boyfriend. You don't have one?
[12:15] Kamishima
    Higuchi!
[12:16] Yukari
    Fine!
[12:26] Ryu
    Is that...?
SIGN    Palm
    Reader
[12:29] Fortune Teller
    You don't seem very confident
    in your present job.
[12:32] Kyoko
    So, do you think I should quit, too?
[12:44] Ryu
    I'm glad you haven't quit bartending yet.
[12:47] Kyoko
    Oh, you're that guy from before.
[12:53] Kyoko
    Actually, that day...
[12:56] Kyoko
    was the first time I'd made
    a B&B for a customer.
SIGN    Minami
[13:01] (Flashback) Kyoko
    Here you are. A B&B.
[13:03] (Flashback) Itami
    Oh. Let's see.
[13:08] (Flashback) Itami
    Hmm.
[13:10] (Flashback) Itami
    Not quite there yet.
[13:12] (Flashback) Minami
    You still don't understand how to stir.
[13:17] Kyoko
    That's what a regular
    and the owner told me.
[13:21] Kyoko
    To stir quickly so the ice doesn't melt
    but the drink still blends evenly...
[13:27] Kyoko
    I kept practicing that over and over,
    until even my blisters split open.
[13:31] Kyoko
    And it's still no good.
[13:33] Kyoko
    What else am I supposed to do to get better?
[13:38] Ryu
    What is it that bartenders are actually
    stirring when they're mixing a drink?
[13:43] Ryu
    Do you know?
[13:44] Kyoko
    Huh?
[13:45] Ryu
    Their imagination of what
    the drink should become.
[13:48] Ryu
    How will the drink move in the glass?
[13:51] Ryu
    How will it have changed when
    it touches the customer's lips?
[13:57] Ryu
    Stirring brandy and Bénédictine
    together in a way
[14:01] Ryu
    that makes them reach the customer's
    mouth in the ideal condition...
[14:04] Kyoko
    ...requires imagination, I guess.
[14:07] Ryu
    A B&B appears simple,
     but that's where it catches people.
[14:12] Ryu
    It's a mistake that probably every
    bartender in the world makes once.
[14:16] Ryu
    But the important thing is what comes after.
[14:20] Kyoko
    What comes after?
[14:22] Ryu
    If this is enough to make you run away,
[14:25] Ryu
    you probably shouldn't try to become
    a bartender in the first place.
[14:30] Kyoko
    How dare you!
[14:31] Kyoko
    Why do I have to take that from you?
[14:35] Ryu
    If you're that frustrated, then put
    that energy into making a better cocktail.
[14:40] Kyoko
    I'm the bartender at Bar Minami.
[14:43] Kyoko
    Kawakami Kyoko.
[14:45] Kyoko
    Feel free to grace us
    with your presence any time.
[14:53] Ryu
    Good luck.
[15:04] Ryu
    Huh? Right now?
[15:06] Ryu
    Well, I doubt we'll get
    many customers in this rain.
[15:10] Ryu
    As long as the owner says it's all right.
[15:21] Door man
    Welcome.
[15:27] Chen
    Welcome.
[15:30] Taizo
    Hey! Sorry for the short notice.
[15:33] Ryu
    Not at all.
[15:34] Ryu
    So, you and the owner... Maki-san...
    were already acquainted, weren't you?
[15:38] Taizo
    Well, yeah.
[15:39] Taizo
    But today, I have a somewhat
    unreasonable request to make.
[15:43] Kuzuhara
    What might that be?
[15:44] Taizo
    Actually, I'd like you and him
    to make the same cocktail.
[15:49] Ryu
    Huh?
[15:50] Chen
    Sir, we don't engage
    in that sort of thing here.
[15:53] Kuzuhara
    Chen.
[15:54] Kuzuhara
    Close the bar.
[15:58] Miwa
    What is it this time, Grandpa?
[16:00] Miwa
    You made me race over here just
    to show me something "interesting"?
[16:03] Taizo
    These two are going to make the same thing.
    What do you want to drink?
[16:09] Miwa
    What? But why?
[16:12] Miwa
    Make the same cocktail?
    At least give me a minute to think.
[16:19] Miwa
    Red...
[16:21] Miwa
    How about a Manhattan or something?
[16:23] Taizo
    Ooh. If the king of cocktails is the Martini,
     then the Manhattan is queen.
[16:29] Taizo
    Okay. That's what we'll have.
[16:31] Kuzuhara
    May I make one request?
[16:34] Kuzuhara
    If my Manhattan is more delicious,
[16:38] Kuzuhara
    I would like you to drink
    one of my cocktails, Chairman.
[16:42] Taizo
    Why would a bartender of your status
    care about something like that?
[16:46] Kuzuhara
    Perhaps you could say it
    is my pride as a bartender.
[16:50] Taizo
    Very well.
[16:51] Taizo
    But if you happen to lose?
[16:55] Kuzuhara
    Then I'll take off my jacket and
    retire from bartending here and now.
[17:00] Kuzuhara
    Well then, shall we begin?
[17:05] Kuzuhara
    What do you think is the most
    important thing in a cocktail?
[17:09] Ryu
    Balance, perhaps?
[17:10] Kuzuhara
    Yes.
[17:12] Kuzuhara
    But that cannot be merely about addition.
[17:14] Kuzuhara
    It must become a question of multiplication.
[17:18] Kuzuhara
    The back of the spoon touches
    the inside of the mixing glass
[17:22] Kuzuhara
    and turns in the same direction as the ice.
[17:26] Kuzuhara
    If you stir too much, the ice
    melts and the drink weakens.
[17:30] Kuzuhara
    If you don't stir enough, the drink
    will not taste complete.
[17:36] Taizo
    Miwa.
[17:37] Taizo
    Please close your eyes.
[17:40] Miwa
    Mm-hmm.
[17:44] Taizo
    All right.
[17:49] Miwa
    What is this?
[17:50] Taizo
    It would be boring if you already
    knew who made which one.
[17:56] Miwa
    Other than the different glasses,
    they look identical.
[18:01] Miwa
    Okay. I'll try them.
[18:04] Miwa
    This one first.
[18:08] Miwa
    Delicious! Even with a whisky base,
    the flavor is light and refreshing!
[18:15] Miwa
    Now this one.
[18:20] Miwa
    I think I like this one more!
    The flavor is well-rounded and delicious.
[18:25] Taizo
    That one is Sasakura-kun's Manhattan.
[18:29] Miwa
    Oh, is it? But... why do they taste different?
[18:34] Ryu
    It's the human tongue.
[18:36] Ryu
    It registers temperatures that are 25 to 30
    degrees lower or higher than body temperature
[18:40] Ryu
    as having a more delicious flavor.
[18:42] Ryu
    I suspect that the drink I made was just a
    little... perhaps one to two degrees warmer.
[18:49] (Flashback) Miwa
    What is it this time, Grandpa?
[18:52] Ryu
    You rushed over here to meet
    your grandfather so quickly,
[18:55] Ryu
    your body temperature rose,
    and you broke a sweat.
[18:59] Ryu
    And so...
[19:01] Ryu
    I was careful not to make
    the drink too cold for you.
[19:04] Miwa
    You put that much thought into one drink...
[19:07] Kuzuhara
    In a way, such inexperience can be
[19:10] Kuzuhara
    quite a heartwarming thing to witness.
[19:15] Kuzuhara
    A cocktail is a luxury item, so of course
    personal preference comes into consideration.
[19:19] Kuzuhara
    But the question here is, as a cocktail,
    is this fit to be called a Manhattan or not?
[19:25] Miwa
    Sasakura-san made a proper,
    delicious Manhattan!
[19:28] Kuzuhara
    Perhaps I could ask you to take another sip.
[19:42] Miwa
    The flavor has changed.
[19:45] Ryu
    If you don't mind.
[19:53] Ryu
    Oh my gosh.
[19:54] Kuzuhara
    Do you understand now?
    That is the perfect flavor.
[19:59] Kuzuhara
    If you start trying to please customers
    rather than craft the perfect cocktail,
[20:04] Kuzuhara
    it will be the beginning
    of your decline as a bartender.
[20:07] Kuzuhara
    A bartender must aspire to create
    cocktails with such perfect flavor
[20:11] Kuzuhara
    that they bring customers to their knees.
[20:14] Kuzuhara
    If you realize now how green
    you are, you may leave.
[20:21] Miwa
    Sasakura-san! Wait!
[20:25] Taizo
    It sure is nice being young.
[20:28] Kuzuhara
    Lacking experience now means
[20:30] Kuzuhara
    that you still have the potential
    to gain much more.
[20:34] Kuzuhara
    Are you going to put him
    in charge of your counter bar?
[20:36] Taizo
    Who knows? We'll see.
[20:39] Kuzuhara
    Well, then. As you promised,
    Chairman, what shall it be?
[20:45] Taizo
    Let's see...
[20:48] Miwa
    Hey. Wait up a minute!
[20:50] Miwa
    You lost today, but you won
    the last time, right?
[20:54] Miwa
    Also, yours really did taste
    better at the beginning.
[20:58] Miwa
    I'm sure you'll make a better one next time!
[21:01] Ryu
    An amateur like you wouldn't understand!
[21:04] Miwa
    How could you... I'm just worried about you!
SIGN    Ogura
[21:14] Ryu
    There's more to his cocktails
    than simple mixing.
[21:17] Ryu
    He's transforming the ingredients into
    a completely different beverage. A Manhattan.
[21:22] Ryu
    That's why the flavor doesn't change,
    even after a while.
[21:26] Ryu
    "Mister Perfect," huh.
[21:30] Ryu
    I absolutely lost to him today.
[21:32] Miwa
    I don't really think so.
[21:36] Miwa
    With experience and effort, you can
    improve your skills as a bartender, right?
[21:41] Miwa
    But the desire to please customers
    isn't something you can get so easily.
[21:48] Miwa
    You made that one drink just for me.
[21:52] Miwa
    In that sense, I don't think
    you lost to Kuzuhara-san at all.
[21:57] Miwa
    Right?
[22:00] Ryu
    Thanks.
[22:01] Ryu
    You know, you're a pretty nice girl after all.
[22:06] Miwa
    Don't look at me like that
    when you compliment me!
[22:10] Ryu
    Hey!
[22:10] Miwa
    You're making me blush!
SIGN    Ogura
[22:13] Ryu
    After I finally dried off?!
SIGN    Episode 4
SIGN    A Bar's Hidden Flavor
SIGN    The Face of a Martini