Chapter 328: Hairu Ihei and the Essential Oil Massage!
Evening, 5:59 PM. The sky had long since darkened, and the city was ablaze with neon lights.
In front of a restaurant in Higashi-Yukigaya 3-chome, Ota Ward, stood a crowd of diverse customers.
There were social elites in suits and leather shoes, looking distinguished; beautiful noblewomen in evening gowns with curvaceous figures; cool girls in JK uniforms who looked like high school students but were actually foodies; and half-humans in white trench coats carrying quinques...
Whether chatting in groups or standing alone, they all frequently looked towards the restaurant in front of them, their eyes twinkling with similar anticipation.
Ding-a-ling—!
With a crisp sound, the glass door of the restaurant was pushed open from the inside.
A girl with white hair, bangs covering half her face, exceptionally fair skin, wearing a cute dress with a white apron over it, walked out of the shop.
She flipped the sign on the glass door to "Open" and smiled at the crowd gathering around: "Good evening, welcome!"
"Does everyone have a reservation? Please show your reservation information."
"Here." Kirishima Touka was the first to hand over her phone, displaying the backend reservation info.
Persephone II checked it, confirmed it was correct, and pulled open the glass door with an inviting gesture:
"Please come in."
"..." Kirishima Touka took back her phone and strode into the restaurant with her long, slender legs.
Stepping into this restaurant again after nearly three months, she couldn't help but feel a little excited. Under the influence of the rich aroma assaulting her nose, that excitement quickly transformed into appetite.
Kirishima Touka practically drooled as she arrived at the counter area.
(´﹃｀)
"Long time no see, Boss Tanaka!!" She wiped her mouth and shouted excitedly.
"Long time no see."
Ryohei, busy behind the counter, looked up, greeted Kirishima Touka with a smile, then his gaze fell on the pink-haired person beside her, slightly surprised:
"Are you... together?"
"No, just a coincidence." Kirishima Touka turned her head to look at Hairu Ihei in surprise and waved her small hand.
"That's right."
Hairu Ihei also glanced at Kirishima Touka, her gaze landing on the sunglasses Touka had placed on the table. She raised an eyebrow slightly, having already guessed something in her heart, then looked curiously at Ryohei—
This was her second time seeing the Culinary Sage. She had seen him once when the dessert shop opened, but they hadn't spoken.
"Is that so? Well, please don't start a fight in my place."
Ryohei made a joke.
"I won't!"
Kirishima Touka placed her hand on her slightly heaving chest and said seriously, "I'm a law-abiding good citizen now!"
"Uh-huh."
Ryohei nodded with a light chuckle.
"..." Due to her current position, plus the fact that the ghoul next to her seemed very familiar with the Culinary Sage, Hairu Ihei didn't say much more.
"..."
The moment Kirishima Touka and Hairu Ihei took their seats, Jashin-chan, wearing a pristine white chef's uniform with her hair in a high ponytail behind the counter, glanced at them, found their corresponding orders, and began prepping the food.
At the same time, other diners filed in from outside. Some old customers were very enthusiastic upon seeing Ryohei; a few exaggerated ones even had tears in their eyes!
"Boss Tanaka, you're finally back!"
"Long time no see!"
"I really missed your Glowing Cuisine!"
"Boss, can you add the Knocked Fish Noodles from Stardew Valley Ranch to the menu? I really want to taste that hidden menu item!"
"..."
"That's not possible for now."
Ryohei said as he smoothly poured scorching hot oyster sauce over the blanched lettuce.
With a sizzle, sizzle— sound, a burst of heat mixed with the savory aroma of oyster sauce, the scent of burnt garlic, and the freshness of lettuce surged up.
Just smelling it made one's index finger twitch with appetite!
"You said it yourself, it's a hidden menu item from Stardew Valley Ranch. How can I easily put it on the menu here?"
Ryohei put down the chef's spoon, turned his gaze to the customer asking for the Knocked Fish Noodles, and politely refused.
"Ehh—!"
The customer immediately dragged out his tone, a look of disappointment appearing on his face.
Several people around who also wanted to try the Knocked Fish Noodles also showed disappointed expressions.
Opportunities like this were rare, so Hairu Ihei ordered quite a lot of food tonight.
Lettuce with Oyster Sauce, Crab Meat Omelet, Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup, Steamed Abalone with Garlic and Vermicelli—the main dish was Chestnut Braised Rice, and the dessert was the Golden Sesame Ball.
Since some items were prepared in advance, and she was seated at the counter, the food was served very quickly.
Before her seat was even warm, Jashin-chan successively served her the Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup, Steamed Abalone with Garlic and Vermicelli, and Chestnut Braised Rice, while Ryohei also served her the Lettuce with Oyster Sauce.
Hairu Ihei naturally tasted the steaming Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup first—
She scooped up a spoonful of the milky white soup, blew on it gently, and slurped it into her mouth.
The first thing her tongue touched was a clear, moist sweetness. Immediately following was a rich savory flavor from the pork ribs spreading layer by layer, like a warm current rushing through, instantly waking up all her taste buds.
Hairu Ihei's beautiful pale purple eyes couldn't help but light up. A look of amazement appeared on her face, and she sighed softly, "It's so delicious!"
"And—"
Her expression softened uncontrollably:
"The soup seems to have a heartwarming power that makes people relax unconsciously...!"
After speaking, Hairu Ihei tasted the lotus root and pork ribs again.
After long simmering, the lotus root had become powdery and soft. No force was needed; a gentle press against the roof of her mouth made it melt away sandily and powdery, releasing a unique sweet freshness.
And the pork ribs were stewed until the meat fell off the bone. The meat fibers were saturated with soup; a light touch of the tongue made them quietly fall apart, leaving only a mouthful of rich, meaty fragrance...
"..."
The dim, warm orange light scattered across the therapy room.
Hairu Ihei, her face slightly flushed, lay quietly on the massage bed.
The girl's fine body was covered only by a brown massage towel, the edge rising and falling slightly at the small of her back, barely covering her hip line.
The fragrance of essential oils floated in the air. A pair of warm, strong hands, coated in smooth oil, were slowly pushing and pressing along her beautiful back.
The force was solid, the rhythm soothing.
Every press made her almost let out a moan, but she quietly bit her lip to hold it back.
However—
When those hands glided over a particularly tight muscle, she finally couldn't hold it back. She arched her slender white neck, and a soft, low moan escaped from her lips...
"It feels too good!"
Hairu Ihei's eyes grew moist unconsciously!
~~~
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