(shin's made a promise. if his contract is entirely for hachiko's sake, he isn't going to engage in something she more than unequivocally asked him to quit - and he told her he had done.

kind of. maybe. unimportant.

so, while painfully familiar, and quite honestly, his finest expertise, he's not going to partake with the more personal aspects of tamamo. instead, he finds himself behind the counter, a chuckle every now and then leaving his lips at witnessed faux pas and successes. he's bartending, and he's judging, too.

come, friends, he'll make nice cocktails and use his charm in other ways.

at some point, shin holds a finger to the conversation as to ask for a second, as his observant eyes haven't really quit looking around.)

... Wow. That person's really good... They got the customer's taste right away from a single look... What a pro.