“Hey, I know this place! It’s the restaurant we talked about last time!”
“Yeah. They say it’s really popular here.”
[Oh my, it looks like an expensive restaurant.]
Viola led us into a brightly decorated restaurant.
Just by looking, I could tell it would cost quite a bit, and I felt a bit awkward. It seemed like I had to follow some strict dining etiquette, which I wasn’t familiar with at all.
I had learned a bit from Renny, but at Yeomyeong-gwan, it was fine to eat casually; I never expected to end up at such a fancy place.
“Let’s go up to the 2nd floor! I want to see the view outside!”
“Sure, sure.”
Since Viola had been here before, she skillfully guided us to the 2nd floor. Thankfully, the place was a bit empty given the odd timing, so we were able to sit at a table on the balcony.
It was an unbalanced setup, with me facing Viola and Millia and Elisa on either side of me. I opened my mouth to say something but gave up. Elisa wouldn’t let up with Millia around.
Sitting with two little ones on either side, I threw a question across at Viola.
“Viola, what’s the signature dish here?”
“They’re famous for their steak course! The chef cooks steak amazingly well. You can choose between medium or rare.”
Honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference between medium and rare, but I guess I would lean towards the more cooked medium. I quickly scanned the menu, which was all gibberish to me, and passed it to Millia, whose eyes were sparkling beside me.
As soon as she received the menu, Millia looked as serious as if she were making a decision that could change her life.
“Millia, have you decided?”
“Um… just a sec. I’m thinking really hard.”
Is there really anything to think about? There are only two options: steak course or seafood course. I don’t know how different they are, but how much thought should go into it?
“How about the seafood course?”
“Hmm? Seafood?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I’ll go with seafood!”
“Me too, seafood…”
“I’ll have the steak. I’m trying rare today.”
So, two steak courses and two seafood courses. I raised my hand and called over a waiter. When he noticed me, he looked a bit scared, glancing around before letting out a sigh and approaching me.
“Um, sir, would you like to place your order…?”
Why is he so jumpy? I haven’t done anything!
“One rare steak course and one medium. Two seafood courses.”
“Order received. I will bring an appetizer, please enjoy.”
I facepalmed, watching the waiter hurry away. Everyone was staring at me! Should I be grateful that there aren’t too many people around?
[Is the contractor’s face a weapon?]
Shut up.
“You’ve been through a lot, uncle.”
“But I still like Johan!”
“Is, is everything okay?”
Three of them were asking me questions from all directions, and I felt dizzy. I gave vague answers and looked down at the busy street. People were rushing around.
It was an ordinary scene, but watching the colorful figures bustling about was strangely entertaining.
The streets mixed various races, including elves, dwarves, beastmen, and humans. This unique sight belonged only to this city since other places didn’t usually mix races. There wasn’t much incentive for different races to mix, and other races rarely settled in human areas.
It wasn’t so much discrimination as it was a matter of racial traits.
Dwarves and elves had to live in different environments, after all.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry too much. I’ve gotten so used to it that it hardly matters anymore.”
“Usually, when people talk too much, it means their feelings are hurt, right?”
“At times like this, you just shrug it off.”
“Uncle, you have surprising moments of awareness. You look grumpy too.”
What’s with that look of surprise? I’m just a normal person who can cry, get mad, and laugh!
“Johan is fun!”
“Um, I, I still think you’re, you know, a cool person…”
Is this the Bermuda Triangle Academy version? I never thought talking to three girls would be this hard. I was sweating inside while nodding along to the whirlwind of conversation.
Most topics revolved around Kalon Academy or myself. Since I was a common acquaintance among the three, it made sense my name came up often.
It wasn’t a bad feeling to be the hot topic among the girls, but it was incredibly awkward when all three of them were staring at me as they spoke.
Individually, they were fine, but with three, I didn’t know where to focus.
“…when we went to the dungeon, you suddenly picked up a shovel at the maze entrance and started digging into the wall! I was so dumbfounded by the idea of tunneling straight through the maze wall!”
“The wall is there to be broken!”
“No, that’s the opposite.”
“Johan digs and breaks through everything! I bet there’s no one in this continent who can handle a shovel better than Johan!”
“I think, I think that’s right too…”
I don’t get why the conclusion is that Johan is amazing! This isn’t even another world!
…Wait, maybe it is.
I took a spoonful of the soup, which had just come as an appetizer, while receiving countless compliments.
It tasted significantly different from the sloppy meals I made. It was not too rich or stimulating. I wasn’t sure if this was just how course meals were generally or if the cooking here was just bland.
“Something feels boring!”
“Aren’t appetizers supposed to be like this? I have no idea either, since I’ve only eaten here.”
“Johan’s cooking is super rich!”
“Don’t compare my cooking to this.”
My dishes were thrown together, with seasoning piled on top. If anything, should be compared to Yeomyeong-gwan’s cooking. Even then, that still felt a bit bland.
“But the main dish is delicious, so you can look forward to it.”
As Viola said, the steak that came as the main dish was indeed worthy of its expensive price. The tender juice, along with the texture and flavor, was impressive. However, I liked the steak at Yeomyeong-gwan better. They tailored it to my taste, so naturally, that was to be expected.
“It’s delicious!”
“Don’t eat too quickly. You’ll get a stomachache.”
I used a napkin to wipe away the shrimp shell that stuck to Millia’s mouth. Millia seemed to really enjoy it, grinning as she leaned her face toward me.
“Is there none on the other side?”
“Nope, just finish your food.”
“Uh, um, um… I will too…”
This time it’s you, huh? I sighed as I looked at Elisa, who was tugging at my sleeve. She didn’t seem to have anything on her face. Still, if she bravely leaned in, I had to at least pretend to wipe something off. I swept my hand across Elisa’s cheek as if I was wiping it.
“You’re popular, uncle…”
Why do you look upset again? You’re sitting across from me, so my arm can’t even reach!
I avoided Viola’s complex gaze and popped another piece of steak into my mouth. The savory juice tickled my tongue. This is how meat should be! At least the steak was cooked well; it’s the main dish, so naturally, it should be.
“Johan, ah~”
“…Thanks.”
I accepted the lobster meat that Millia offered. Hmm, did they grill it with butter? The rich flavor of butter and the unique texture of lobster filled my mouth. I’m not sure if it’s delicious or not, but it was edible enough.
“Good, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow, you’re so bold!”
Just beside me, Elisa swallowed nervously, mumbling in a barely audible voice. This was going to be hard to respond to. I put the last piece of steak into Millia’s mouth and stood up.
“I’ll be right back, just need to use the restroom.”
[Contractor, are you running away?]
Shut it.
I was bothered by Rue’s disappointed voice echoing in my head, so I playfully tapped her on the side.
“Hmm? Take your time~”
“Take care!”
“The restroom is on the 1st floor, so hurry back.”
I wasn’t in a rush, but I just wanted to step outside for a moment.
It was better to take a break under the pretext of the restroom than feel awkward squeezed between three of them. I gently ruffled Millia’s head, whose eyes sparkled, and left my seat.
——————-
“Viola! Is the rare steak good?”
Viola forced a smile at Millia’s curious gaze. How could she possibly seem like the same age? While her body could pass for her age, that thought vanished every time I looked at her face.
No matter how you looked at it, she just seemed like a younger sister who was a few years younger.
‘A style popular among guys.’
“Have you never tried it?”
“No. At Yeomyeong-gwan, they always grill it medium—”
Viola chuckled at Millia’s statement and cut a corner of the steak, placing it on Millia’s plate.
The dish, costing 5 gold coins, had its outside charred slightly while maintaining a red center, slipping down the lobster meat onto the plate. Watching it, Millia lazily leaned over and pinched it with her fork, putting it in her mouth.
“Delicious!”
“Really?”
Millia shook her head but was startled when her vision swayed and she grabbed her head. She rarely carried her head around lately, so she sometimes forgot, but her hair was hung on with just one thin band that looked like it could barely hold.
If she moved too fiercely, it would surely fall off. Millia awkwardly smiled and swallowed the minced steak.
“Hehe. Next time, I’ll order the steak.”
“Hey, doesn’t that make you look dumb? How did you get here?”
‘Ah. Why is that goblin here?’
This was poor timing.
Viola grimaced at the sound of approaching footsteps from behind. She clearly didn’t want to see that guy. Millia tilted her head, confused by Viola’s expression as she watched a group of guys walk toward their table.
“Bucktooth?”
“What?!”
The guy with bucky teeth, noticeably irritated by Millia’s careless remark, strode up to the table where the three girls were gathered.
“Right out to insult someone? You really are friends with her, huh?”
“Well, I got some money now, you see.”
Viola shrugged her shoulders and scoffed. Although they were both alchemy students, they had a relationship bordering on hostility. The guy used to gossip behind her back out of jealousy because she boasted excellent grades at the Alchemy Department.
Ever since she lost her arm, he’d been openly belittling her, which is why Viola shot him a glare filled with irritation.
‘A witch? Playing with her kind, huh.’
The slimy-looking bucktooth grinned disrespectfully as he swept his eyes over Viola’s group. He was a noble, and while he esteemed his connections, he recognized the faces and names of some first-year students. However, he didn’t know who the smiling red-haired girl in a school uniform was.
‘Seeing her eat with that commoner Viola, she must be another commoner.’
“Oh great noble sir, if you came to eat, why not just shut up and eat your meal?”
“Ha, do you think you’re on the same level as me just because we’re both academy students? Looks like becoming an arm-less wonder has made you forget your place.”
“Bratten, I mean, your arm still exists, right?”
“Huh?”
Pointing at Viola’s prosthetic arm, the student who had been standing behind Bratten spoke up. Upon hearing this, Bratten was shocked and stared at Viola’s arm, which she didn’t have at the end of the first semester. Bratten’s face ghosted in confusion as he spoke.
“Wait, how did your arm grow back?”
“Did I owe you an explanation? If you came to eat, just eat this and get lost.”
Viola’s prosthetic arm seemed to understand her command perfectly and raised its middle finger. The gesture, which clearly meant “eat crap and get lost,” made Bratten’s face redden like a beet.
“This girl…”
“Bratten, behind you…”
“What? Speak clearly!”
“Behind you, there’s… somone…”
Only after the two lackeys had talked did Bratten finally turn around. He looked up and was immediately unnerved, seeing a shadow looming over him.
“…Is that a pissing baby?”
“What, what?!”
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