Chapter 264: A Date (Viola’s Perspective) ②
“That was nice…”
“Yeah, it really was.”
After thoroughly enjoying their time at the Cat Cafe, Rest and Viola stepped outside. The experience of visiting a Cat Cafe for the first time exceeded all of their expectations. They felt they had grasped the joy of being swept away by the adorable antics and whimsical nature of the cats.
“So, where should we go next?”
“Let’s grab something to eat. We only had drinks at the cafe, and I’m feeling a bit peckish.”
“Sounds good. What should we eat?”
When it comes to dates, one might think of a fancy restaurant. Rest, having some money now, could afford any high-end dining establishment.
“This place looks good to me.”
“This one? Are you sure about this?”
Viola pointed to a Public Restaurant located on the main street. It was far from a high-class establishment. It was the kind of place where Commoners would gather after work to enjoy a meal and some drinks, filled with laughter and chatter.
(I can’t imagine a Noble Young Lady would ever come to a place like this…)
“I’ve always wanted to try a place like this. It seems lively and fun, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah… I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”
Being a Noble Young Lady, it made sense that Viola would find such a Public Restaurant refreshing and intriguing. If Viola was happy with it, Rest had no complaints. He led her inside the restaurant. The interior featured a counter and several tables, and since it was still early, about half of the seats were unoccupied.
“Welcome! Please take a seat wherever you like!”
As they entered, a jovial and robust male owner called out from behind the counter.
“Whoa…”
“Don’t worry, let’s sit over here.”
Startled by the owner’s casual and friendly demeanor, Viola hesitated for a moment. Rest gently pulled her along to one of the tables.
“Um… this is quite something.”
Though she didn’t specify what she found surprising, it was clear that Viola was taken aback by various aspects of the place.
In the restaurants Viola usually frequented, it was customary for the waitstaff to greet guests with a polite bow. She had likely never been told to just sit wherever she liked without any guidance.
“Oh… but it kind of reminds me of the Academy Cafeteria…?”
“Yeah, it might be closer to that than a restaurant.”
Still, the Academy Cafeteria had a certain elegance that this place lacked. Regardless, Rest and Viola glanced at the menu posted on the wall and casually ordered their food and drinks.
“Alright, just a moment!”
The server who took their order disappeared into the back, and soon after, their drinks were brought out. They were served in wooden cups, filled with cheap Ale. In this world, there were no age restrictions on drinking, so it was perfectly fine for Rest and Viola to enjoy alcohol.
“Wow… this is amazing. The cups aren’t ceramic or glass, and the Ale isn’t magically chilled…!”
“Wow, that’s quite the Young Lady comment…”
It was a statement that could easily be seen as boasting if overheard. Viola’s eyes sparkled with pure curiosity, and she meant no harm by it.
“Could you keep that down a bit?”
“I don’t really get it, but okay?”
With a puzzled expression, Viola took a sip of the Ale. Then, her eyes widened as she blinked in surprise. It seemed the drink didn’t quite suit her palate.
Before long, their food arrived.
“Oh, this is delicious! The flavor is stronger than what I usually have at home.”
Viola took a bite of the meat with sauce, her cheeks puffed out as she savored it.
“It seems like it could use a bit more spice, but the saltiness is nice.”
“Yeah, this is tasty in its own way.”
Rest chewed thoughtfully on his food. While the Ale was lackluster, the richly flavored dish was quite enjoyable. As they chatted casually, they polished off their meals. As they did, the restaurant began to fill up, and the noise level rose.
It wasn’t exactly a romantic atmosphere, but Viola seemed to be having a great time, laughing and enjoying herself.
“Hey! You! Don’t mess with me!”
“Shut up! I’ll kill you!”
“Huh…?”
“What’s going on…?”
As they were enjoying their meal, the sudden outburst of angry shouts made them exchange glances.