Chapter 22: Stomach Captured! Kirie Falls in Love at First Sight! Confesses on the Spot! (Part 1)
Luke had played Bishoujo Mangekyou; it was quite an excellent eroge.
Therefore, while preparing the ingredients, he would take moments to observe the girl sitting by the window.
Silver hair, blue eyes, plus that fair, jade-like skin, cute like an exquisitely crafted doll.
How was the plot in Kagarino Kirie's world progressing?
Would the main story be triggered?
Luke decided to investigate a bit.
Just like the inquiry towards Nanase Ren.
Before asking, Luke, as the owner, took out the venison stored in the freezer.
Auxiliary ingredients were black cherries, red wine, dark chocolate, honey, rosemary, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, etc.—quite abundant, one could say.
Preparations complete, Luke initiated conversation.
"Young lady... excuse me..."
"I have a name."
"My apologies."
"Kagarino Kirie, that is my name. It matters not to tell you."
Indeed a bit tsundere.
In this era, young otaku seemed to have forgotten the true meaning of 'tsundere'.
The focus wasn't on the 'tsun' (aloof/harsh), but the 'dere' (lovestruck/sweet) after the 'tsun'.
If a character had too much 'tsun', placed in a game, he would generally choose to punish them severely.
Luke, whose thoughts had drifted slightly, didn't forget the work at hand.
Multitasking, he continued the conversation.
"Kirie-san, may I call you that?"
"Quite forward."
"Using another address is naturally fine too."
"It doesn't matter, I don't mind. Rather, you, talking while cooking, can you really manage?"
"Kirie-san need not worry, everything is according to plan."
Finished speaking, Luke mixed red wine, garlic, rosemary, a little sea salt, and black pepper into a sauce to marinate the venison.
In this restaurant, the marination time for all ingredients wasn't too long, which was one of Luke's cooking advantages.
While waiting for the venison to absorb the aroma, Luke asked,
"It's already noon now. Kirie-san is dressed quite lightly.
Are you perhaps not a student? Or is school on holiday?"
"Just as you thought, school is on holiday, for three days."
"Generally, one would hang out with friends."
"Is that so? I'm not familiar with such things. I have no friends, and I hate school. They're all foolish fellows, students and teachers alike."
Oh?
Looks like the plot there hasn't started yet.
Getting this answer, Luke's lips curved upwards.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Because everything is going smoothly. The dish for Kirie-san will be ready soon."
"Time isn't an issue... Compared to that, where exactly is this place? I understand it's a restaurant, but... why did it appear in my courtyard? Is the 'coincidence' you mentioned the only explanation?"
"Yes, only that one explanation. Kirie-san accidentally saw the door, accidentally arrived here."
"..."
A rather ambiguous answer.
As a vampire who had lived for three hundred years, Kagarino Kirie was somewhat surprised, but quickly regained her composure.
For her, the current 'special restaurant' was also a good place to pass the time.
Provided the owner's cooking was delicious enough.
Otherwise...
Kirie seriously sized up Luke.
The arms revealed by rolled-up sleeves looked strong and powerful.
The part of the neck exposed by the shirt collar under the apron also looked quite delicious.
If the dish served was terrible, Kirie decided to eat the shop owner.
Even though she could taste human food, Kirie, as a vampire, still held a craving for fresh blood.
"Rest assured, Kirie-san. My cooking will definitely satisfy you."
"Where does this confidence of yours come from?"
"I received a takeout order from the Scarlet Devil Mansion before. Besides Patchouli, I also made dishes for that pair of vampire sisters."
"Vampire sisters?"
Kirie's willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, her expression becoming cautious.
She knew very well she had never mentioned the word 'vampire'.
Moreover, when facing outsiders, Kirie would always hide her identity.
If the other party saw through her identity...
Action would be necessary.
Regarding this, Luke remained composed, smiling as he said,
"I'm not quite clear about Kirie-san's identity, but in my world, in this 'Gensokyo', tengu, vampires, immortals, youkai, oni, everything exists. And the evaluations they've given me are currently 100% positive."
"Tengu, oni..."
Kirie didn't know how to respond for a moment.
In her world, there were only humans and vampires, no third party existed.
But on Luke's side, 'Gensokyo' was filled with various non-human races.
"Just a single door, yet it connects to such a world?"
"Some might lament, others might rejoice. I wonder how Kirie-san sees it."
"If there's a chance, I plan to stroll around here. Anyway, after going back, it's just boring holiday time."
Kirie's gaze then turned outside the restaurant.
There were only woods here, but in the distance of the forest path, the silhouette of man-made buildings, not belonging to nature, could be faintly seen.
Luke didn't disturb Kirie admiring the scenery outside the window at this time, concentrating on the dish before him.
While the venison marinated, he proceeded to add chopped onions, carrots, and celery to a pot, sautéing until golden brown, then added black cherries, a small amount of red wine, and dark chocolate, stirring evenly until a thick jam-like substance formed.
This unique filling not only added sweetness but could also bring unexpected layers of texture.
Subsequently was roasting the venison, continuously brushing it with the remaining red wine sauce during this period to maintain moisture.
After roasting, take it out, stuff it with the filling, and perform a second baking until the surface of the venison showed an enticing caramelized color.
Having completed the specially-sauced roasted venison, Luke sliced a portion and plated it.
Smelling the aroma, Kirie retracted her gaze and looked towards the kitchen.
At this instant, she felt her stomach become noisy, as if urging Kirie to hurry up and taste it.
"Smells so good..."
Regardless of the specific taste, at least in terms of aroma, Kirie felt Luke's cooking was mouth-watering...
...
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