Night had fallen, and a sleek black car cruised silently down the road. The polished exterior gleamed under the streetlights, reflecting a deep obsidian hue—like a specter drifting through the darkness.
Inside the car, Erina gazed out the window, watching the scenery blur past. The steady motion, the flickering lights—it all stirred her thoughts, drawing her into quiet contemplation.
"Miss, you really seemed to enjoy Zane's cooking," Hisako said with a knowing smile, observing Erina's distracted expression.
"Huh? I don't like his cooking!" Snapped out of her thoughts, Erina frowned, irritation creeping into her voice. Then, as if recalling something, she added, "Hisako, cancel all my appointments for tomorrow."
Hisako blinked in surprise. "Huh? Why?"
"Just do it," Erina said firmly. "And while you're at it, buy some toast, tofu, and rice bran. Get plenty—I need them."
Realization dawned on Hisako. "Miss… Could it be—"
"Oh, okay!" Before she could finish, Erina shot her a sharp look, making Hisako quickly change her tone and nod obediently.
A woman's heart is a perplexing thing. She may insist she doesn't like something, yet find herself preoccupied with it moments later.
But one thing about Erina is undeniable—though she loudly proclaims her disdain for common cuisine, that doesn't mean she's ignorant of it.
Her nobility isn't her fault. After all, one doesn't choose the family they're born into. Her success isn't just because of her extraordinary God Tongue—it's backed by the immense power of the Nakiri family itself.
Standing at the pinnacle of the culinary world, she represents the elite. Compared to another Nakiri heiress who has spent years in Northern Europe and doesn't even know what a "seaweed bento" is, Erina is undeniably more refined.
"Zane, your cooking…"
"No matter how mysterious it is, I'll uncover all its secrets with my God Tongue!"
Her golden eyes flickered as she murmured to herself.
The silver moon hung high, its glow casting a soft sheen over the world. The stars, scattered across the night sky, resembled pieces carefully placed on a celestial chessboard.
Inside the tavern, Rindo stared at her empty wine glass in disappointment. She grabbed the bottle beside her and tried to pour more, but only a single drop sluggishly trickled into the glass.
"…Gone? Did I really finish it?"
She pouted. Not wanting to waste even the last drop, she carefully brought the glass to her lips, savoring it like liquid gold.
"Aah, that hit the spot!"
Setting the glass down, she turned to Zane with a pleading expression. "Owner, one more bottle?"
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Nope. If I give you more, you'll end up staying the night again."
"Please, just a little more?" Rindo leaned forward with a charming smile. "I promise I won't get as drunk as last time. I won't cause you trouble!"
"Still a no. You seem to have forgotten my tavern's rule—after midnight, all customers have to leave, drunk or not. Last time, I let you stay because I didn't have the heart to leave a young woman stranded on the streets."
Rindo sighed dramatically before her stomach suddenly growled. Since the tavern was still open for another half hour, she decided to take a different approach.
"If not wine, then how about more food?"
Zane chuckled. "You've already eaten so much. Can you really eat more?"
"Of course! I'm only about seventy percent full!"
"Hmm, let me guess—"
"Three skewers of grilled chicken, deep-fried tofu, bacon-wrapped asparagus, a plate of spicy salted squid, rolled omelet in broth, and a scallion pancake—but hold the scallions, just the pancake," Rindo listed confidently, as if she had already planned it all out.
Zane let out a dry laugh. "That's quite the order."
Perhaps as payback for denying her more wine, she deliberately kept him busy well past closing time.
"You're eating so much," Zane teased as he jotted down her order. "Be careful not to get fat like a pig, or no one will want you!"
"Hmph, that won't happen! I have one of those body types that just doesn't gain weight. Even if I ate enough for ten people, I wouldn't get fat."
"Must be nice," Zane mused.
Rindo smirked. "I guess everyone's body processes food differently. People with efficient digestion and absorption gain weight easily, while others—like me—burn through it fast."
"That so?" Zane's gaze flickered. "Still, certain areas seem to be… growing just fine."
Rindo stiffened. "Wait… You don't mean—"
A second later, realization hit. Her face turned crimson. "O-Owner! You can't just say things like that!"
Zane cleared his throat and feigned innocence. "I'll go cook."
An Hour Later
Rindo slurped down the last of her sauce-drenched chicken udon, the rich broth warming her from the inside. The soft, delicate egg melted on her tongue, while the umami-packed kelp left a lingering aftertaste of the sea.
Satisfied, she licked her lips, patted her stomach, and sighed in contentment.
"Ahh, being full is truly one of life's greatest joys!"
Zane stared at her in amazement. "Rindo… you can really eat."
"That's your fault," she huffed. "Your food is too good. I couldn't stop myself."
Zane chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Blushing slightly, Rindo quickly handed him the empty ceramic bowl—polished clean.
"Oops!"
Zane burst into laughter.
"What?"
He pointed at her cheek. "You've got a noodle… right here."
Rindo froze, then hurriedly wiped her face. Sure enough, a stray udon noodle was stuck to her cheek. Zane handed her a clean handkerchief.
"…Thanks." She took it and quickly cleaned up. Then, without thinking, she simply sat there, watching him.
At that moment, she realized something—Zane might be a mysterious chef, but beneath that exterior, he was unexpectedly gentle.
And that realization fascinated her.
"Hey, before I leave… can you sit next to me for a bit?"
Zane raised an eyebrow. "That's a weird request."
"Just do it."
Sighing, he obliged. The moment he sat down, Rindo leaned her head against his shoulder.
Surprised, Zane glanced at her. She looked… comfortable, as if she was truly enjoying the moment.
So, he let her be.
Under the dim tavern lights, the two of them sat in quiet harmony.
Soon, Rindo left—not drunk, not rambling stories to the other customers.
But before she walked out the door, she expressed her feelings to Zane in her own special way.
With her departure, the tavern finally reached closing time.
[System Notification]
[Check-in Complete!]
[Rewards: 10 slices of premium bream, 20kg of A4-grade beef, and an advanced intelligent dishwasher!]
[Congratulations, Host! You have completed the mission of attracting over 50 customers within 24 hours. You have unlocked the special recipe: Reincarnation Spring Rolls!]
Zane smirked. With rewards like these, it was only a matter of time before his tavern made waves in the culinary world.
And he was ready for it.