As she stepped out of Shunkatei, Nakiri Erina seemed… distracted.
No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't understand—
How could simple skewered meat from a roadside stall surpass high-end French foie gras?
The very idea was absurd.
She had wanted to debate the matter with Sonoka—breaking down differences in texture, richness, and flavor complexity to prove her point.
But Sonoka had simply replied:
"You haven't even tried tavern cuisine. How can you be so confident?"
…
Erina had no response to that.
"Miss, it's still drizzling outside. Let's get in the car quickly!"
The voice of her secretary, Hisako, brought her back to reality.
"…Alright."
She took light steps toward the waiting car—
Yet, just as she was about to enter, she suddenly paused.
Her gaze shifted toward a nearby establishment.
A Tavern She Had Overlooked
At first, when she had arrived at Shunkatei, she hadn't even noticed the small tavern next door.
But now, taking a closer look—
It was different from what she had imagined.
"Hisako," she said suddenly, "today's tasting session is over, and I don't have anything urgent to do back home."
She turned toward the tavern entrance, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"So, I've changed my mind."
"I want to see for myself whether commoner cuisine can truly surpass noble cuisine—just like Sonoka claimed!"
Her tone carried a hint of skepticism, but also… something else.
Anticipation.
And with that, she discreetly stepped inside.
Hisako blinked, startled by the sudden change in her young mistress.
But without hesitation, she followed Erina in.
From the outside, the tavern seemed simple—yet, there was an undeniable charm to it.
It wasn't large.
The entrance consisted of two sturdy wooden doors, each about two meters wide.
Though aged, there were no visible cracks or signs of wear—a testament to its careful upkeep.
Above the door, a small signboard light illuminated the name of the tavern and its specialties.
Like clockwork, every night at exactly 7 PM, Zane, the owner, would personally light it up, signaling the start of business.
Inside, the first thing that caught Erina's eye was the bar counter.
It was crafted from thick, polished wood—sturdy, yet refined.
The height seemed to be somewhere between 1 to 1.5 meters, making it perfect for diners to watch the chef cook right before their eyes.
The walls and ceiling were painted in a soft, warm yellow, creating an atmosphere that felt both stable and mysterious.
Decorative elements stood out—
Traditional paintings, lanterns, and paper lantern decor, casting a gentle glow throughout the space.
The ambiance was unexpected.
Erina had assumed a tavern would be rowdy and crude—
But this place had a strangely inviting warmth.
What surprised her even more was the energy in the room.
Laughter and cheers filled the air.
In the corners, some diners were even singing and dancing.
Their performances drew applause and playful whistles from the other guests, creating an infectious sense of joy.
Everywhere she looked—
People were smiling. Truly enjoying themselves.
Erina stood frozen for a moment.
"…Miss, is this really a tavern?"
Even Hisako, usually composed, couldn't hide her amazement.
She had never seen such a small establishment hold such a powerful atmosphere—
One that could make every diner look so genuinely happy.
Unbelievable.
Could this place really have some mysterious charm that captivated its guests?
Just then, a voice called out—
"Sis, what are you doing here?"
Erina turned toward the source—
And her gaze landed on a familiar face sitting at the bar.
The girl was munching on octopus takoyaki with a satisfied expression.
…
Wait.
Rindō Kobayashi?!
Tōtsuki's second seat of the Elite Ten was here?!
Erina blinked in shock.
What was Rindō—one of the strongest students in Tōtsuki—doing at a tavern of all places?
Rindō looked up mid-bite and blinked.
"Oh? It's Erina!"
She swallowed her food, licked her lips, then lazily reached for another takoyaki.
Taking a large bite, she asked casually—
"So… are you here for a meal too?"
"Huh?"
Erina hesitated.
"Sort of."
She took a breath and composed herself.
"I originally came tonight to try the cuisine at Shunkatei."
"But then—"
She glanced around the tavern, eyes sharp.
"I heard from Sonoka that the dishes here could rival—no, even surpass—her high-end Western cuisine."
Her expression remained composed, but her words carried a clear message:
I don't believe it.
Nakiri Erina.
A girl born of noble lineage.
The bearer of the God Tongue.
Raised under Azami Nakiri's extreme culinary education, her childhood had been shaped by relentless perfectionism.
Because of this, she developed an unyielding belief—
That only the finest, most refined cuisine was worthy of appreciation.
As a result, she viewed commoner cuisine with a deep-seated disdain.
To many, she was a genius.
But at the same time—
She was also a thorny rose.
Beautiful, yet unapproachable.
Even so—
In front of Rindō, she knew how to restrain her pride, keeping her demeanor cool and composed.
"Ah, well…"
Rindō grinned, still chewing.
"You've come to the right place, then."
She gestured lazily with her chopsticks.
"The food here is really something else."
A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes.
"It might even conquer your God Tongue."
For a moment, Erina didn't respond.
Instead, she studied Rindō's expression.
Unlike others, Rindō wasn't mocking her.
She was serious.
That was enough to unnerve her.
Because if it was true…
If commoner cuisine could truly rival the highest form of gastronomy—
Then everything she had been taught…
Everything she had believed…
Would be challenged.
Erina narrowed her eyes slightly.
Then, without a word—
She took a seat at the bar.
"Fine. Let's see if this tavern's food is truly worth my time."