NOVEL NEXT Kurodate Haruna is staring at me with a peculiar gaze. Regardless, I maintained my smiling face. Instead, with a shameless intent, I subtly reached out and spoke up.
“Uh, could you pass the menu this way?”
“…Fufu.”
Haruna, who had been looking at the menu, slammed it shut before handing it over.
“This is amusing. Is this how you flirt in Trinity? The audacity to deceive the staff at a reservation-only restaurant just to ask to share a table. I’ve walked the path of gourmet cuisine and have never encountered such a thing, so I’m a bit fluttered…”
Seeing Haruna’s slightly sly smile as she said this, I realized that these devilish folks are indeed not to be trifled with. If I fell for that alluring smile, I might unknowingly succumb to corruption. The temptations of a devil are truly terrifying.
“Hahaha, what a joke. Do I look like someone who would try to charm the devils of Gehenna? Sorry, but I tend to avoid mingling with horned creatures. Normally, I’d suggest some ice breaking first, but if the other party is from Gehenna, that changes things a bit.”
“Oh dear, is that so…? But that ‘horned creature’ remark doesn’t refer to me, does it? I don’t have any horns, after all.”
Oops, that’s a blind spot?!
…But I didn’t exactly despise Gehenna to the levels of the original Mika. Honestly, how could I dislike a place that has characters as charming as those in the Heungsinso? So my being countered by Haruna is quite trivial.
She probably doesn’t think that I actually dislike her; after all, you’d have to be foolish like Makoto to take my words at face value, right?
“Fufufu, still, this special and new experience will surely help me in my quest for the ultimate flavor. Alright, I’ll accept your request to share a table, angel of Trinity.”
As expected, she’s one of those students from Kivotos who has etched ‘true madness’ in her heart, showing commitment to her goals even in this situation. With that enthusiasm, it’s likely that there are way more people who like her than those who actually hate her.
…What? You think it’s just because she’s pretty? That’s also not wrong.
“Hahaha, it’s nice to be so straightforward. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what that ultimate flavor you pursue is, but… Yeah, I think that passion is pretty impressive, Haruna-chan.”
“Hmm? Speaking of which, if you know my name and the fact that I’m the leader of the Gourmet Research Club… Ah, I see. You’re looking to impose some restrictions on me, aren’t you? Also, I think it’s a bit unfair that only one side knows the other’s name in this situation.”
“Is that so? Then feel free to call me Mika-chan☆ By the way, so it turns out you were the one who blew up that ice cream shop? In that instance, it would be more appropriate to say ‘arrest’ rather than ‘restrain’… But, honestly, I don’t really care about that! Today, my goal is just to keep an eye on you so you don’t cause any trouble. And also to have a meal together~”
I opened the menu and started slowly skimming over it to pick out a few reasonable choices. Since I had no other plans today, I thought I might as well eat to my heart’s content.
And to be honest, after being possessed, my appetite isn’t that great. In this case, maybe it’s better to share dishes with Haruna. As someone who pursues cuisine, she would likely want to try out a variety of foods. It doesn’t sound bad at all.
If I had just ordered what I had originally planned, I might have ended up leaving food behind. If I was going to leave food, I shouldn’t have ordered it in the first place.
“So, could you tell me what menu items you’ve decided on, Haruna-chan?”
“…Ah, so you’re suggesting sharing. That sounds good. I was thinking of starting with Prosciutto e Melone for the antipasto.”
Antipasto refers to appetizers, and Prosciutto e Melone is a dish where melon is served with cured ham, which isn’t hard to make. The real challenge lies in sourcing good ingredients, but I wonder how it is in Kivotos. It’s a solid choice, though.
“For primo piatto, I’ve decided on Amatriciana, but I’m not confident I can finish a secondo piatto…”
Primo and secondo piatto refer to the first and second courses, respectively, with primo often being pasta dishes and secondo being lighter dishes like fish or meat, naturally eaten when you’re already somewhat full.
“Hmmm…”
Come to think of it, there was a pretty famous steak called Bistecca alla Fiorentina on the menu that I’d love to try at least once.
“If you’re okay with it, I think I could order one serving of that and share the rest. What do you think?”
“Eh? This… Ah, that doesn’t sound bad at all. No, in fact, it sounds excellent. I’m really looking forward to how well they’ve recreated the Bistecca alla Fiorentina here. While I do have some concerns, I guess it’ll be served with roasted potatoes…”
It seems Haruna, who originally didn’t plan on having steak, has suddenly lit up as she adjusts her menu. No matter what she does, I’m silently shedding tears at the note at the end of the menu that reads, ‘For alcoholic beverages, please inquire with the waiter.’ Steak without wine…
“Shall I take your order, sir? Oh, by the way, it seems the number of customers differs from your reservation… I apologize. It seems there was some sort of mistake on our part. Please wait a moment while we prepare your tableware.”
“Oh my, there’s no need to apologize; this is not the restaurant’s fault. Thanks to a friend who lives nearby having some time to spare, I just happened to be having dinner with you today. I just forgot to correct my reservation. So, the apology should rightly come from me. I’m sorry for the inconvenience~”
…What’s up with this girl? Watching her talk makes me feel like if you just erased her wings and tail, you’d believe she’s a Trinity student. That manic smile behind her face is no less than the madness of Trinity students.
However, the kind of madness that would explode a restaurant if the service or food wasn’t up to par is quite rare in Trinity. To be honest, among Trinity students, the only one at that level might be our fearsome Faust.
When it comes to Hanako, she’s honestly a madness magnate.
…Hmm, is that right? Ever since her concept transformed into a true character, it seems like madness doesn’t quite fit anymore.
As for our fake madness leader from the Justice Realization Department… Let’s not even go there. I had one chance to talk to her recently, and I just want someone to take care of her. My girl seems to be a little sick…
“I’ll order one dish each of Prosciutto e Melone and Amatriciana pasta. Then, with enough time to savor the flavors, one serving of Bistecca alla Fiorentina with roasted potatoes as a contorno. For dessert, two pieces of tiramisu, and would aqua gasata work for you, Mika-chan?”
“Yeah, since I can’t order wine anyway, that’ll be better to fully appreciate the taste. I have no thought of drinking anything else.”
“Fufu, it seems I share a certain understanding with you, Mika-chan. Then please bring two glasses of aqua gasata. But first, I’d like to ask one thing: you are using Chianina for the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, right…?”
“Of course, sir. Additionally, please be advised that this menu can only be prepared as al sangue, or rare.”
The waiter confirmed our order and left, and now with a smile on her face, Haruna took off her coat and placed it beside her.
“Chianina cows aren’t raised in Trinity. Yet, the delicacy of importing this breed to offer this menu, I liked it. The way you ask for understanding regarding the degree of cooking being set to rare shows consideration for the customers. At this level, I can give you halfway passing marks.”
“Hahaha, that sounds like if the taste doesn’t satisfy you, you would blow it up without hesitation! Is it okay for you to say something like that in front of me?”
“Fufut, come to think of it, you said you’d watch me so I wouldn’t do anything crazy. I was thinking someone who understands my feelings well, like you, would also understand the necessity of eliminating restaurants that serve bad food…”
Honestly, it makes sense that restaurants serving bad food would disappear… No, I almost unwittingly agreed with that terrifying ideology of this wicked devil! No matter how you look at it, blowing up establishments is just too extreme.
“Yeah, that method is too extreme. While I kind of understand the sentiment, ignoring the fact that others would be hurt because of it would be nice and easy. Since we have differing perspectives, I doubt our thoughts are going to align on that point. It’s a bit regrettable☆”
“Your ‘kind of’ understanding means you’ve at least thought about wanting to blow up a restaurant once, haven’t you? Fufu, that makes me think I could pull you in a bit. Starting is always tough, but doesn’t the second time become easier?”
No, don’t try to make me a terrorist now, you devil!!
“Mika-chan, have you ever thought about joining the Gourmet Research Club? It would be reassuring to have someone like you, who understands my pursuit of the ultimate flavor, with me on this journey…”
…Please don’t appeal to my emotions with that innocent girl-like expression. Thanks to Nagisa, I can withstand a beautiful woman to a degree, but there’s a limit to that.
Most importantly, if I do that, I might get expelled from T-party? Especially when the head of Pater is me, it’s not strange at all to be labeled as a traitor or a spy. I don’t care what that bunch says, I just really can’t.
“Eh? Hahaha, asking a student from Trinity to join the club of Gehenna is a little rude, don’t you think~? Absolutely impossible☆”
“Well, is it truly impossible? If that’s all that’s standing in the way, switching to Gehenna wouldn’t be an issue. Fufu, once you taste the freedom of Gehenna, I’m sure you won’t be able to return to your current life.”
…What in the world, Kurodate Haruna? What is that wickedness about her!!!
Could you please stop alluringly smiling and trying to tempt people like that?!