Kurosawa Junichiro has holed up at Hotel Cardinal in order to finish writing the manuscript for his next highly anticipated novel; Ryu decides to finally accept Taizo's offer, but he has one condition that must be fulfilled first.

Kase is temporarily discharged from the hospital for what will likely be the last time; he's determined to stand behind the counter one last time and his proteges are willing to do everything in their power to make that happen.

Ryu sets up a special day for an ailing bartender. Later on, Miwa asks Ryu for help to identify a special bottle of alcohol.

Ryu reunites with his former mentor Kitakata, who now works at the North Wind bar.

A bartenders' competition takes place.

Kelvin gets a visit from his hotel manager father, who wants him to take his place. But Kelvin wishes to be a bartender and hopes he can impress his father with his resolve.

Ryu helps two friends, one who suddenly decides to get married and another who acts rudely, to express their true feelings better.

Ryu takes some bartender friends to the Yamazaki whiskey distillery, where they try newly brewed whiskey before it is stored away to mature.

Ryu is asked to convince a fussy chef to work for a local restaurant, and later advises a bartender on how to give a drink character.

Ryu and a perfectionist bartender compete over what makes the perfect taste in a drink: the satisfied customer, or the accuracy of the drink mixed.

Ryu prepares drinks for two clients: Miwa Kurushima's grumpy grandfather, and a stressed female lawyer.

Hotel manager Kamishima tasks Miwa Kurushima and Yukari Higuchi to locate an elite bartender. They eventually locate Ryu Sasakura, who makes drinks that can perfectly fit the client's needs.