TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Here
A shiver ran through Irene.
"M... Me? You mean... me?"
Irene looked at Theo, her eyes wide and uncertain.
"Yes."
Theo nodded, calm and collected as ever, as if puzzled by her question.
"I... I... I see."
Irene couldn't meet Theo's gaze.
She turned crimson, lowering her eyes to the floor.
Irene and I walked to 'Cheonmihyang,' the restaurant where we planned to eat.
'Hmm.'
At some point, Irene fell silent.
Her cheeks, even her ears, turned pink, and she kept her gaze lowered.
She peeked at me now and then, only to quickly look away when our eyes met.
She smiled softly.
A smile that somehow soothed my mind.
But why this sudden change in her behavior?
'Hmm, is it because I said she's beautiful?'
Indeed.
Few women dislike being told they're beautiful.
I didn't say it with any hidden intentions.
Irene is genuinely beautiful.
From her words, she seems to feel less attractive than Sienna and Aisha, but it's not a matter of looks.
It's like comparing an actress to an idol?
It's a subjective matter. Objectively, Irene is also a beauty.
While lost in these thoughts, 'Cheonmihyang' came into view.
"Irene."
"Hehehe. Ah. Yes, yes? Did you call me?"
Startled, Irene, who'd been looking down, answered.
"We're almost there. It's a restaurant with a chef from the Eastern Empire. Do you enjoy Eastern food?"
"I, I can eat anything."
"That's good. After all, Eastern Empire's food is spicy, salty, and oily. I hope it suits your taste."
"I, I like anything..."
Irene gave a small smile, still avoiding my gaze.
A minute later, Theo and Irene reached 'Cheonmihyang,' where they planned to have dinner.
Theo glanced at his wristwatch and announced,
"We're early. Let's go in."
"Yes...!"
Theo and Irene entered the restaurant.
Shortly after, three girls, seemingly students, followed them into the restaurant.
Once inside, Irene and I were shown to our table by the staff.
Unlike the bustling main area, we were led to a private room.
'As expected of Amy.'
She has good taste.
"Wow, this place is quite fancy."
Irene's quiet exclamation filled the room.
"Hmm."
I looked around the room.
The room boasted Chinese-style decor, dominated by hues of red and gold against dark brown wood.
Cheonmihyang (千味香).
As its name suggests, it models itself after a high-end modern Chinese restaurant.
Just like how the Knights' Department cafeteria served meals like pork cutlet and Dongpo pork, the original game, 'Kyren Zena Chronicles,' took heavy inspiration from modern themes.
'They really do sweat the small stuff.'
In the original game, the Eastern Empire represented a mix of East Asian cultures, incorporating Korean, Chinese, and Japanese elements.
While we took in our surroundings, Irene began to speak.
"Theo, I knew you liked the Eastern Empire's food - but I didn't think you'd pick one of their restaurants. There's a huge gap between a cafeteria and a restaurant, isn't there?"
"That's true. Personally, I truly enjoy their cuisine. Irene, it will suit your taste as well."
"I can be quite picky with food~"
"Hmm, but didn't you say you could eat anything earlier?"
"Ah."
A tremble passed through Irene's eyes.
Then she quickly continued.
"Well, that! That was then, this is now. Look at the interior. Isn't it luxurious? My expectations have grown! Clearly, it's going to be pricey and if it's not tasty, it's, it's a waste!"
"Hmm."
Is that so...?
To be honest, I'm not quite sure what she's trying to convey.
"I see. I can only hope that it fits your taste."
I responded calmly as I took a seat.
Her rambling was slightly awkward, but I decided not to comment.
I want our dinner to leave a pleasant impression on Irene.
I wouldn't want to ruin the mood before we even start eating.
I'm well aware of Irene's preferences.
Normally, she eats like she's just filling her stomach up, but on special occasions, she enjoys a proper treat.
Given that 'Cheonmihyang' is styled after a modern Chinese restaurant, the menu should be familiar.
Visiting high-end restaurants a couple of times a month was a simple pleasure of mine before the transmigration.
This place is new, so there would be no one else who knows it as well as I do.
In fact, atmosphere is as important as the taste of the food in the realm of cuisine.
The atmosphere passes the test.
'Hehe.'
The taste will surely impress too.
This place will be visited by many notable characters in the future.
As I contemplated this, a knock sounded from the door.
"Come in."
Soon after, a staff member entered and served the food in front of Irene and me.
"This is your first course. A soup flavored with northern crab and egg. If you need anything, just talk to the crystal ball on the table."
"Understood."
Once the staff had left, I turned my attention to the food set before us.
Crab meat soup.
A lightly seasoned dish typically served before the main course.
'Just as I thought.'
Harmony is indeed important in a course meal.
While the main dish holds significant importance, the appetizer - in this case, the crab meat soup - plays a substantial role too.
"Well then, let's dig in, Irene."
"Ah... Y-yes, okay."
I scooped a spoonful of the crab meat soup with a deeply concave spoon.
...Hmm, as expected.
The place doesn't disappoint.
It's not delicious per se.
But an appetizer must execute its duty.
Stimulating the appetite to just the right degree.
I savored the texture of the crab meat and egg melting in my mouth and responded with a smile.
Irene, who also took a bite, bore a shaky look in her eyes.
'She probably doesn't think it's bad, but she doesnt think it's delicious either.'
Of course.
This crab meat soup is simply an appetizer, meant to whet the taste buds.
The crucial part is still the main course.
Each element playing its respective role is fundamental. The same rule applies to a hero team.
"You don't seem satisfied."
"Uh... It's not that-"
"Consider the crab meat soup as a preamble, warming your stomach. The crucial part is the main course. From here on, you'll likely find it much more pleasing, Irene."
"Oh, is that so..."
With that, Irene took another spoonful of the crab meat soup.
Her eyes held a trace of skepticism.
But that's going to shift soon.
"Hmm~ This roasted duck dish is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It's delicious. What's the name of this dish, Theo?"
"It's called Tokyo Duck."
"Ah, Tokyo Duck. I wish the school cafeteria would add it to the menu. Then I'd eat it often."
Irene dabbed her mouth and smiled faintly.
...A satisfied expression.
I'm glad.
After all, I'm taking my precious time to have a meal together; I should give her a good impression.
Following the Tokyo Duck, the next dish served was 'Sweet and Sour Pork'.
Irene studied the Sweet and Sour Pork.
"So, this is Sweet and Sour Pork... It seems like I need to pour the sauce over it-"
As she voiced this, Irene made an attempt to pour the sauce over the Sweet and Sour Pork.
"...Don't do that."
Immediately, I seized Irene's wrist with a serious expression.
"Ah, huh... Isn't it supposed to be poured? It seemed like it."
"No, you dip it."
"Oh, I see... I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Irene, with a disappointed face, placed the sauce-filled ladle back in its original place.
Irene looked a bit upset.
...But it can't be helped.
This point is non-negotiable.
If the sauce had been served on top, it would have been a different matter.
But pouring the sauce over the separately served Sweet and Sour Pork is unacceptable.
"I'm sorry for getting excited, Irene. But I warned you because you to prevent any potential social missteps elsewhere."
"I see... It's okay in front of you... Thank you, Theo."
Irene gazed at me and delivered a shy smile.
And so, we started eating again in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
In another room within the restaurant 'Cheonmihyang', three women were stationed around a round table.
"How is it, Siena? Nothing special happening, right?"
"Um~ I don't think anything in particular is happening."
"...There was nothing unusual when I checked earlier as well."
The trio consisted of Aisha, Siena, and Jang Woohee.
"Hoooo... that's a relief. Anyway, please continue to keep an eye on them."
"Hehe, even if you didn't ask, of course we would."
"...Understood."
"Great."
Aisha smiled.
Then.
"...Huh."
A brief word from Siena.
Aisha's eyes widened in surprise.
"What... what happened?"
In a frosty tone, Siena reported.
"...Theo grabbed her wrist. Quite firmly at that."
5/5 Enjoy the chappy!
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