Among countless beef dishes, Zane's smoked beef was nothing short of a masterpiece.
The final sprinkle of smoked salt enhanced its depth, creating a rounded, smooth sensation with each bite. It was this very sensation that made Rindō Kobayashi utterly unable to stop herself.
In the end, completely surrendering to her appetite, she abandoned her usual elegance. Lifting the plate directly, she used her chopsticks at lightning speed, stuffing piece after piece of beef into her mouth.
Before long, the entire plate was empty.
"Sigh~ So satisfying!"
As she sat comfortably in the tavern, she truly experienced the joy of a foodie's life.
Even after becoming the second seat of the Ten Elites, Rindō retained her laid-back, indifferent attitude. At Totsuki Academy, she never seemed to care about rankings or competition. To her, life was meant for eating and sleeping—a carefree existence was the key to happiness.
Compared to the relentless challenges of Totsuki, she much preferred the atmosphere of this tavern.
Like today, enjoying good food and drink, chatting with the handsome owner, Zane…
Of course, while his looks were one thing, what truly captivated her was his unparalleled culinary skill.
Even with years of training at Totsuki, Rindō knew it would take her at least a decade to recreate such a perfect dish.
This guy… always puzzled her. There was something about him she couldn't quite explain.
Gurgle, gurgle!
After finishing the smoked beef, Rindō reached for the sake bottle beside her, poured the last of it into her cup, and downed it in one go.
Zane wasn't just a master chef—he was also an expert in brewing sake, crafting flavors so exquisite that drinking after eating his smoked beef became an experience of pure indulgence.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, a faint blush spread across Rindō's fair cheeks under the warm glow of the tavern lights.
"Zane, as much as I hate to admit it, your cooking is truly unbeatable."
She set down her empty cup, her golden eyes glimmering as she gazed at him.
"If you were at Totsuki, that so-called strongest first seat, Shinomiya, wouldn't stand a chance against you! If only I had met you earlier… Maybe I wouldn't have fallen so hopelessly under your spell."
Her voice, softened by the sake, carried an unusual vulnerability.
Zane, however, merely shrugged, remaining indifferent.
She must be drunk, he thought.
Since opening the tavern, he had received plenty of praise and compliments. This was nothing new.
"Zane."
"Hmm?"
"Bring me another bottle of sake."
"You still want to drink?" He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the tipsy Rindō.
"Of course! A sake this good… If I don't drink my fill, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
She stared at the empty bottle, then playfully stuck out her tongue, as if still savoring the lingering aroma.
Then, tilting her head slightly, she gazed at Zane with misty, unfocused eyes.
Feeling a bit awkward under her intense stare, Zane sighed in resignation. He reached into the liquor cabinet, took out another bottle, and placed it in front of her.
Seeing this, Rindō grinned and eagerly uncorked it.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The clock on the wall struck midnight—closing time.
Zane glanced at the counter, only to find Rindō fast asleep with her head resting on the table.
Leaning in slightly, he nudged her shoulder and whispered, "Rindō, it's already midnight. Time to go home."
But the drowsy girl mumbled incoherently, "Chef Zane… how can you use shadow clones? How are there so many of you…?"
Her usually sharp golden eyes were now hazy and unfocused, as if she were lost in a dream.
Then—thud!—she slumped forward onto the table once more, completely knocked out.
Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn't expected her to get this drunk.
"If I had known, I wouldn't have given her that second bottle…" he muttered to himself.
With no other choice, he reached out to help her up.
But the moment he touched her, Rindō unexpectedly wrapped her arms around his arm—clinging onto him tightly!
Zane froze on the spot.
Gasp.
This was bad.
The soft warmth of her embrace made him stiffen instantly. Looking down, he saw her peaceful, sleeping face—long eyelashes trembling slightly, flushed cheeks, and lips forming a slight pout.
She had an undeniably unique charm.
"Rindō," he murmured.
"I… I'll help you get some rest."
"Mhm…" she barely responded, only shifting slightly before settling deeper into sleep.
Zane sighed in defeat.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms bridal-style and carried her up to the third floor of the tavern, where the guest rooms were.
Laying her gently onto the bed, he pulled the blanket over her.
In the dim light, she looked so serene, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
"…She's sleeping so soundly."
For a brief moment, he found himself staring at her.
But realizing what he was doing, he quickly shook his head and slipped out of the room as quietly as possible.
Just as he locked up the tavern for the night—
[Ding dong!]
[Today's tavern revenue exceeded 500,000 yen. Reward: 50 Gourmet Coins.]
[Ding dong!]
[Since the tavern opened, the host has officially completed 1,000 orders! Unlocking today's check-in feature.]
[Ding dong!]
[Would you like to check in?]
At that moment, Zane's mind was filled with the loud notifications of the system.
"Huh?"
"The check-in feature… unlocked?"
His expression flickered with curiosity.
What would happen next?