Chapter 23: Stomach Captured! Kirie Falls in Love at First Sight! Confesses on the Spot! (Part 2)
Looking at the dish Luke served before her, Kirie picked up her knife and fork.
She slowly cut a slice of venison.
Its outer skin showed an enticing caramelized color, while the inside remained tender and juicy.
As the knife and fork cut through, a unique aroma mixed with red wine, black cherry, and dark chocolate wafted up.
This aroma was complex yet harmonious, as if narrating the story of each ingredient.
Less like cooking, more like a symphony of scents.
Thinking this, Kirie put the venison into her mouth.
First, she felt the impact of the slightly sweet jam on the surface, followed closely by the rich texture of the venison itself and the faint scent of rosemary!
At this moment, the delicacy danced on her tongue.
Various flavors intertwined, possessing both the rich sweetness of dark chocolate and the tart aftertaste of red wine, as well as the light floral fragrance brought by honey.
These richly layered flavors not only satisfied Kirie's taste buds but also brought an unprecedented experience of happiness to her soul.
For a vampire accustomed to the single dietary source of blood, the complex experience of gourmet food was undoubtedly a brand new enjoyment.
So, deep down, Kagarino Kirie had to admit that this dish far exceeded her expectations.
The tenderness of the venison combined perfectly with the richness after being marinated in red wine;
The sweetness of the black cherries and dark chocolate balanced the heaviness of the meat just right;
And the honey added a touch of fresh sweetness to the entire dish.
Kirie had watched cooking shows before, so like a critic, she praised this dish in her heart.
That being said, as a vampire who had lived for several hundred years, Kirie didn't plan to directly acknowledge the excellence of the young man before her.
To put it bluntly, she wasn't being honest...
"Hmph, didn't expect you could actually make such a decent dish."
Kirie looked at him.
"However, if you think this little skill is enough to make me look at you differently, then you're greatly mistaken."
"As long as Kirie-san is satisfied."
"Anyway... it's barely acceptable, I suppose."
Kirie added.
"Although I've seen many chefs try to attract attention with various strange combinations, this sauced venison indeed achieved a level that makes one's eyes light up."
Her fair right hand held the fork.
Luke saw her point to the right side.
"Especially this dark chocolate part, I thought it would be cloying, but it turned out surprisingly harmonious. Seems your cooking skills are somewhat different from those mediocrities, I suppose a little bit higher."
This was an experience Kirie had never had before.
Just one dish, and she felt an unprecedented sense of happiness.
Besides blood-sucking, she hadn't thought gourmet food possessed such magic.
Why hadn't she experienced it before?
Kirie thought of the only answer.
She had hired chefs in the past, but none had satisfied her.
Only this restaurant owner, only Luke...
Thinking of this, she paused for a moment, seemingly considering whether to continue praising.
Then, she sighed, her tone softening slightly.
"I have to say, this is indeed the most uniquely flavored dish I've ever eaten; of course, this doesn't mean you can be complacent because of this! If you don't do well next time, I will criticize you without mercy."
Luke didn't particularly dislike outsiders giving him evaluations.
Good or bad, it was all freedom.
And as he thought of this, Kirie suddenly changed the subject.
So...
"I will supervise you."
Kirie's gem-like eyes stared at the boy.
"Luke, will you become mine? I can prepare kitchen utensils identical to these here for you in my estate, and ingredients will naturally be provided for you too."
"Quite a sudden proposal."
"Not sudden at all. I appreciate talented people. You may have a limit, but under my supervision, achieving a breakthrough is not a problem. How will you choose, Luke?"
"Allow me to refuse."
"Did I mishear?"
"I refuse."
"..."
Luke showed a calm smile.
"I like the life here and don't plan to leave. If Kirie-san is satisfied with my cooking, please come again next time."
"Not satisfied, I just acknowledge some of the talent you possess."
"Thank you for the acknowledgment."
"You should know, I have never made the proposal just now to someone I met for the first time. You are the first."
"Kirie-san's proposal is very tempting, but please allow me to refuse."
Luke, having taken Kirie's 'first time', still didn't accept.
Become someone's exclusive chef?
Luke had never had such thoughts.
Operating a restaurant in Gensokyo, he only wanted to leisurely make delicious food and enjoy life with humans and youkai.
Occasionally arguing with the tengu;
From time to time drinking fine wine with the oni;
Or perhaps teasing mischievous fairies.
The aforementioned life was an experience unique to 'Gensokyo'.
"Quite a direct refusal. If you have conditions, I can accept them all."
"Kirie-san seems to really like my cooking."
"N-no, I just think you have potential and intend to give you more support."
That being said, Kirie didn't think she would go to other restaurants in the future...
Luke's cooking had thoroughly captured her stomach.
"Simply put, you like me, then?"
"Yes."
"..."
This time it was Luke's turn to be silent.
He hadn't expected the tsundere Kirie to be so direct.
Is it because they haven't become acquaintances yet, so her tsundere and sharp tongue haven't manifested?
However, at this moment, Kirie quickly added,
"If you equate 'valuing' with 'liking', then it's the same. But since you refused my invitation, don't regret it later."
"I won't regret it, and I hope Kirie-san will visit often in the future."
"That's natural."
Kirie nodded and began to savor the remaining dish.
Right now...
The vampire who had lived for several hundred years, Kagarino Kirie, planned to spend the rest of her time in this restaurant, in this world.
...
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