Episode 153: Dinner Date
Evening, after work.
As the sun set and darkness fell, the streets of the Zodiac were bathed in the crimson glow of magical street lamps. The softly spreading light signaled the end of a busy day.
Jewelry stores and clothing salons had mostly closed, but the shopping district remained open. For them, the real rush was just beginning.
Yohan and Eris walked side by side through the crimson-lit streets. However, an awkward silence stretched between them. Unsure of what to say, even their footsteps sounded unusually loud.
Yohan found the atmosphere uncomfortable, but Eris felt differently. Though her heart pounded, she was wrapped in a tingling excitement.
‘Is today my chance…? No, isn’t that too sudden?’
Eris stole a cautious glance at Yohan. Just looking at his profile made her heart race as if it would burst. The cold winter wind brushed against her face, yet her cheeks burned with heat.
At this moment, Eris—who had only ever cared about the sword—realized she was just a girl like any other.
‘We’re not close on a personal level yet…’
For a moment, she thought today might be an opportunity, but she quickly shook her head.
Their connection went back to when Yohan was an Bureau’s officer, and now, he is the Director of Purification Bureau, he was her superior. Their relationship had grown closer professionally, but personally, they still had some distance. Nothing special had happened between them.
‘Still, I have to close that gap, even if just a little today.’
There was a way to get closer to Yohan.
Her older sister, Javella Highlander, had given her some advice.
Eris had been on high alert ever since assistance Rudbeckia appeared. But she had no idea what to do. She had never been in a relationship before, nor had any male friends.
The closest thing she had were the knights of her family, but they were all muscleheads obsessed with mana blades, so they weren’t much help. That’s why she turned to Javella for guidance.
Javella had also never been in a relationship, but unlike Eris, she wasn’t entirely clueless. Maybe that’s why her advice was unexpectedly solid and well-grounded.
Javella’s strategy was simple: evoke sympathy. According to her, Yohan was someone who kept a firm boundary between himself and others, but once he opened his heart, he found it difficult to refuse people.
If Eris could prolong their time together, she would have more chances to show him her charm and win his heart.
It wasn’t the most dignified plan, but she didn’t care. Yohan was the first man she had ever liked—her life had always been about the sword until now.
“…Do you often visit this restaurant?”
Feeling uncomfortable with the silence, Yohan was the first to speak. Eris flinched for a moment but quickly regained her composure and answered calmly.
“Y-Yes…! My sister and I have been coming here since I was little…”
She believed she had responded without revealing her nervousness, but that was only in her own mind.
“I see. What’s their specialty?”
“Oh, it’s mostly meat-based, but lamb is the most popular.”
“Lamb?”
Yohan tilted his head. Since coming to this world, he had never seen a restaurant that specialized in lamb. It was intriguing.
“Yes! Isn’t it unusual? Lamb tends to have a strong smell, which makes it difficult to cook well, but the restaurant we’re going to has none of that.”
“That is interesting.”
Yohan slowly nodded. Even back on Earth, getting rid of lamb’s distinctive odor wasn’t easy. How did they manage it here? Perhaps they had a special blend of spices.
“…Lamb, huh? Now I’m curious.”
“Hehe, it’s really delicious. You won’t be disappointed.”
Seeing Yohan stroke his chin in genuine curiosity, Eris’ steps grew lighter. She couldn’t wait to introduce him to one of her favorite dishes.
Soon, they arrived at the restaurant.
Yohan had expected a tavern, but it was closer to a proper restaurant.
“Oh…”
Yohan scanned the restaurant’s exterior with interest. Eris chuckled softly and spoke.
“Shall we go in?”
“Let’s.”
The two stepped inside. A soft bell chime rang out, announcing their arrival.
Yohan took in his surroundings. The restaurant was filled with tables, and many of them were occupied.
It seemed that after operating for over a decade, the place had built a solid base of regular customers.
A server approached them with a bright smile.
“Please sit wherever you’d like!”
Yohan followed Eris’ lead to a table. The first thing he did was run a fingertip over its surface. As expected, there wasn’t a speck of dust.
The restaurant’s hygiene was excellent, likely because it catered to many noble guests.
“What would you like to eat? I recommend the lamb steak. Ah, the skewers are also quite good. Grilled vegetables are a nice option too.”
Eris spoke rapidly, her excitement evident. It seemed she was genuinely enjoying this visit to her favorite restaurant with Yohan. Seeing her so cheerful made him feel a bit pressured.
“…I’ll go with whatever you recommend, Eris.”
“Then, we’ll have the lamb steak and grilled vegetables.”
Eris skillfully called over a waiter and placed the order. The waiter smiled and headed toward the kitchen.
Yohan asked,
“You must come here often.”
“Yes. I still visit once a week.”
“I take it you like lamb?”
“Yes, it’s much more tender than beef or pork.”
Eris let out a small smile. Then, she suddenly realized how naturally she was conversing with Yohan. Her body stiffened, and with trembling hands, she covered her mouth.
“Ahem, ahem…”
Yohan chuckled.
“Eris, you’re making it too obvious.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
Eris tilted her head in feigned ignorance, her ash-gray eyes darting elsewhere. She had been talking normally just a moment ago—was she embarrassed now?
‘Well, I’ll wait.’
Since Eris was the one who had suggested this dinner, it was only polite to wait for her to speak first.
After all, they were in the middle of a dinner date.
“No, let’s just focus on the meal for now.”
“Huh? Oh… right. Ahem.”
Eris cleared her throat unnecessarily, her fingers fidgeting restlessly.
“Um…”
Summoning her courage, she finally spoke. This was a rare chance to have a date with him—it would be meaningless if she let it slip away.
“Go ahead.”
Yohan took a sip of water, keeping his gaze fixed forward. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Eris quickly looked away. But she didn’t give up on the conversation.
“…Once your duties at the Purification Bureau are complete, will you be returning to your territory?”
“I suppose so. There’s no reason for me to stay in the capital any longer.”
“I… see…”
Eris lowered her head.
Time was running out.
“What about you, Eris?”
“Oh, I…”
She tried to speak but ended up swallowing her words. She wanted to say, I plan to marry you, Director, but those words were impossible to say…
“…I’m not sure yet.”
“I see.”
Clink.
Yohan placed his glass down.
“If you plan to stay in the capital, returning to the Inspection Bureau is one option. You’d be welcomed anywhere, after all.”
Eris, a Special-Class knight.
A valuable asset no matter where she went.
“…I don’t plan to return for now.”
“Then?”
Yohan tilted his head slightly.
“Well… I have a dream I want to pursue.”
“A dream, huh.”
He chuckled softly.
“For nobles, dreams may seem like nothing more than empty fantasies. But there’s nothing wrong with chasing them. If anything, having a dream means you’re someone who truly desires to live.”
Unintentionally, their conversation had turned sentimental.
Of course, Yohan wasn’t oblivious—he already understood what she meant by having a dream.
“Your food is ready!”
While they had been speaking, the waiter arrived with a tray full of dishes. Despite being a restaurant, the atmosphere felt more like a cozy tavern, which was rather pleasant.
“Please, enjoy.”
“I will.”
Yohan carefully cut his steak and took a bite. As the tender meat melted in his mouth, a deep, rich flavor spread across his palate.
‘…This is impressive.’
There was no trace of the characteristic smell of lamb, and the perfectly balanced spices enhanced the umami of the meat’s juices even further.
“…It’s delicious. Quite a lot, actually.”
“Fufu, isn’t it?”
Eris smiled contentedly as she watched Yohan eat. Seeing the person she liked enjoying her favorite food—nothing could make her happier.
As she picked up her utensils, Eris spoke.
“Um… There’s something I want to tell you first.”
“Go ahead.”
Yohan, who had been practically stuffing himself with lamb steak, wiped his mouth with a napkin.
“I…”
“You?”
“I know that you practice polygamy, Director…”
“Cough…!”
Yohan choked violently. That was completely unexpected. He hadn’t seen that coming at all. Thankfully, he had a napkin in hand.
“…Where did you hear that?”
“I deduced it…”
“…How much do you know?”
“Only that you are involved with other women…”
“I have no idea how you even came to that conclusion…”
Eris averted her gaze slightly and fidgeted with her fingers.
“Well… I inferred it from what Lady Fervache said after we completed the mission to execute the traitors, and from how you reacted to her words…”
Good grief. Yohan blinked, dumbfounded. Just that was enough for her to figure it out? Her observational skills were frighteningly sharp.
Sensing the need to clarify, Eris hurriedly added,
“I have no intention of blackmailing you over this! I just wanted you to know that I’m not a strange person…”
And then, she decided to gather a little more courage.
“To be honest, Director… I have feelings for you.”
“…Since when?”
“Ever since you saved my life during that mission.”
Eris mustered up her courage and met Yohan’s gaze directly. Her gray eyes wavered slightly. Her heart pounded wildly, but this time, she didn’t look away.
“I really thought I was going to die back then… I was struck by a Grand Swordmaster’s attack, buried under the wreckage… My body wouldn’t move as my temperature dropped and the pain set in…”
As she recalled the moment, a cold shiver ran down her spine.
The memory of staring death in the face resurfaced like an abyss without end.
“But thanks to you, Director, I survived. Because you didn’t forget about me and came for me right away, I didn’t suffer any aftereffects.”
At the very moment she had given up and closed her eyes, Yohan had found her in time, saving her without leaving any scars. To her, Yohan was her savior.
“Since then, I’ve seen you as a man. Of course, I already felt a flutter when I looked at you before… but the moment I truly fell for you was then.”
Under the table,
Eris clenched her hands tightly.
Her lips felt dry, and her throat burned.
“…”
A strange silence filled the air.
Yohan’s expression remained unreadable.
She was scared.
She couldn’t even guess what his answer would be.
But if she wanted to hold her ground—
“…That’s why I wanted to ask you to give me a chance as well.”
She needed to be even braver.