Chapter 2005: Cafe Date ④
While chatting casually, we arrived at the destination cafe. As to be expected from a high-class shop, it has an exterior that one could clearly tell it’s a high-end brand shop, with ornate decorations on the door and an overall opulent feel.
If I were alone, even if I’m financially capable, the atmosphere around here feels a bit overwhelming, but I had already checked the place out with the food tour guide beforehand, so I wasn’t too fazed by its appearance.
As we entered the shop, a staff member quickly approached and guided us to a table. The staff had the refined air of a high-end establishment, giving off the impression of a noble family’s maid or butler.
Inside the store, there were several decorative plants and dried roses. Symphonia Kingdom is a lush, green country, so this kind of ambiance felt fitting.
[The space between the tables is quite generous, giving a spacious vibe. They must have deliberately limited the number of seats to make the place spacious, right?]
[Indeeeeed. In a high-end place like thiiiiiis, they probably prioritize the price per customer rather than the turnoveeeeeer, and the concept is likely to offer high-quality service to a smaller number of gueeeeests.]
[I see, it does feel a bit like a luxury restaurant.]
While engaging in light conversation, I opened the menu, which had a heavy black and gold cover, exuding a sense of grandeur…… I see, they haven’t listed the prices huh. Well, this is probably not a place where customers are concerned about the cost.
Of course, I’m sure the staff would tell you the price if you asked, but the fact that it’s not listed suggests that few customers here are interested in knowing.
There are other high-end restaurants like this, with menus whose prices aren’t listed. Maybe some sushi places, too? Well, sushi prices can be market-dependent, so that might also be a reason……[I think I’ll go with the original blend tea and a rare cheesecake. What about you, Illness-san?]
[I’ll haaaaaave the same tea as Kaito-sama, and a fruit taaaaaart.]
Though I was slightly overwhelmed by the high-end atmosphere, I’m not financially troubled. I’ve even had some incredibly expensive teas like Glorious Tea, and I do have plenty of money.
Of course, I owe a lot of my financial freedom to Anima, but the accessories made from Magnawell-san’s scales and the profits from Nifty have been substantial. Since I didn’t return to my original world, I still hold the patent to the calculators made in this world.
Moreover, if a product is inspired by my ideas, Kuro dutifully gives me a share of the patents, so I regularly receive royalties from that as well.
No, even though I entrust most of it to Anima to manage, the money increases faster than I can spend it, so while I shouldn’t waste money, it wouldn’t hurt to be more aware of visiting high-end places like this.
A little later, the tea and cakes were brought to us, and we began eating. As expected from a luxury cafe, the rare cheesecake was very delicious, with a smooth texture.
The original blend tea, though not on par with what Ein-san or Jutia-san would brew, was still of a very high standard.
[……Tarts seem difficult to eat cleanly, but Illness-san, you handle it so gracefully without making any noise……]
[If a knife had been provideeeed, eating tarts with it would be the easieeeest, but if not, you can gently press the tip of your fork into the cookie crust and move it slightlyyyyy. That way, you can eat it cleanly without making any souuuuund.]
[I see, I’ve learned something new.]
Illness-san’s way of eating was truly refined. Watching her gracefully eat the tart, which seemed difficult to eat neatly due to the hardness of the cookie crust, was impressive even to someone like me, who doesn’t know much about table manners.
[Howeveeeeer, I do feel a bit disappointeeeeed.]
[Disappointed? Do you not like the taste or it didn’t have a fruit you liked?]
[Nope~~ the tart and tea are both wonderfuuuuul. It’s just thaaaaaat, in such a high-end establishment like thiiiiiis, it’s a bit difficult to feed each other bites, you knoooooow? That’s what I find a bit disappointiiiiiing.]
[A- Ahhh, I see. Indeed, in a luxury restaurant, sharing bites probably isn’t appropriate. Let’s do that another time, in a different setting.]
[Kuhihi, yeeees. I’m really looking forward to iiiiiit.]
How should I say this…… the fact that Illness is making her request like this…… that she expressed her desire to do something that felt couple-like somehow makes me happy.
Up until now, even if she had wishes, she rarely voiced them unless I asked. The fact that she’s now expressing her thoughts like this, I don’t think I’m just being conceited, but it feels like it’s proof that the emotional distance between Illness-san and I has truly grown closer.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [I- It certainly is hard to be lovey-dovey in a high-end cafe! W- What a save……]
? ? ? : [Can’t they just flirt after they left that cafe……?]
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