Miwa Kurushima is an employee of the Hotel Cardinal and the granddaughter of the Kurushima Group’s chairman, Taizo Kurushima. She is entrusted with the critical task of finding an exceptional bartender to lead the hotel’s new flagship bar, a search that eventually introduces her to Ryu Sasakura. Miwa is diligent, professional, and deeply invested in the legacy of her family’s business, though she often feels the weight of her grandfather’s high expectations. Her approach to scouting is methodical: she begins as a bar critiquer, evaluating drinks and service with a keen eye for technical skill and atmosphere. However, her initial reliance on rigid criteria gradually gives way to a deeper understanding of hospitality, as she learns through observing Ryu that the art of bartending is rooted in empathy and connection rather than mere precision.

Miwa’s personal history is intertwined with a poignant childhood memory. As a child, she was the only child in her family and witnessed a rift between her father and grandfather over the future of the family inn. Her father planned to present a special bottle of spirits to her grandfather as a peace offering, but Miwa, in her eagerness to deliver it, tripped and broke the bottle, spilling its contents. Soon afterward, her parents died in a car accident, leaving her with unresolved guilt and the unanswered question of what the drink was. This loss fuels her quiet motivation to uncover the mystery and, eventually, to allow her grandfather to taste that long‑lost spirit. Ryu helps her identify the drink as Suntory’s Kakubin, and the resolution of this personal quest deepens her bond with him and with the world of bartending.

Throughout the series, Miwa serves as both a customer and an occasional narrator, appearing regularly at Eden Hall. She works closely with her colleague and friend Yukari Higuchi, who provides a grounded, pragmatic perspective that balances Miwa’s idealism. Her relationship with Ryu evolves from a professional scout to one of genuine admiration for his philosophy, and she becomes a key advocate for bringing him into the Hotel Cardinal’s project. She also reports directly to her grandfather, Taizo Kurushima, whose own search for a specific cocktail from his youth parallels Miwa’s journey toward understanding the intangible qualities that make a bar truly special.

In terms of appearance, Miwa has blonde hair, often worn straight and fixed to the side with small clips, and a formal wardrobe that reflects her corporate role. Her demeanor is earnest and sometimes blushing, especially in the presence of Ryu. Over the course of the story, Miwa develops from a diligent but somewhat rigid company member into a more empathetic individual who recognizes that the heart of hospitality lies in serving the soul, not just the drink. Her role is pivotal in setting the story in motion and in bridging the high‑stakes demands of the hotel industry with the quiet, healing craft of bartending.