Ch.72 Carbonated Drinks, A Combination that May or May Not Go Well Together

"Sweet and sour chicken is fine. Just choose whatever you want to eat."

"Okay."

"Mimia and Kaito too, choose what you want to eat. I'll pick out something for everyone to eat."

"I understand." "Okay."

From what Takemaru-san and Sakidori Midori-san said, or rather the atmosphere, I got the sense that they were both trying to pay for this party.

"Am I being left out? Let me pay too."

I went to Takemaru-san's ear and then to Sakidori Midori-san's ear, and whispered the exact same thing to both of them, which made them smile wryly for the second time.

But they nodded afterwards, so I think they agreed.

"Is this enough for everyone to eat?"

"That's right. Now, why don't you choose what you want to eat, Takemaru? I've already decided."

"That was quick. Has Vester made a decision?"

"Yes, I think I'll have potato salad."

I love potato salad.

It's my favorite salad, and I wouldn't be disappointed if it was served as a main dish on its own.

To be more specific, I prefer thicker ones with more mayonnaise and less of the ingredients, rather than chunky ones with less mayonnaise and more of the ingredients.

Are you saying that's just eating mayonnaise?

Obviously, isn't that what potato salad is?

Potato salad without the taste of mayonnaise is just some boiled vegetables.

"Hee... Eh, potato salad? No meat?"

"I like potato salad. I'm satisfied with fried chicken and other meat dishes, but I don't think I'd like to eat anything more than that."

"Well, if you're okay with it then it's fine."

Then Takemaru-san flips through the menu, saying "I guess I'll order something too".

He flips the pages smoothly and then he stops at the meat section again.

Apparently salads aren't an option for him.

Unlike me, his body gets hungry easily, so of course he wants to feel full after exercising.

"Steak... I think I'll have diced steak."

He's looking at 300 grams of diced steak.

The one in the photo was stacked like a pyramid, creating an eye-catching shape.

The bottom is on a hot plate so you can eat it while it's still warm, but the top and middle parts don't touch the hot plate so they cool down rather quickly.

If you grab it with a chopstick or pierce it with a fork and press it against the hot plate, it will probably warm back up.

"Yeah, I'm done. Is there anything else?"

"What about the drinks?"

After hearing Sakidori Midori-san's words, 2 people realize that they have forgotten their drinks. One of them is me.

In the real world, when you sit down, a waiter will bring you a free glass of water, but this bar does not offer that kind of water.

This may be because it is that kind of bar, but another reason may be that customers come here for the alcohol.

"Oh, right. Umm, the drinks... there they are."

The drinks menu is written on the last page of the menu.

The left and top right are alcoholic drinks, and the remaining bottom right is soft drinks.

Due to the location, there aren't many types of drinks other than alcohol.

"I'll have apple cider then."

I choose an apple carbonated drink from the list.

Some people say that carbonated drinks don't go well with regular meals, but I'm fine with it.

Even when I was human, I often drank it when I ate my meals.

Of course, I didn't do that every time, sometimes I had oolong tea.

"Oolong tea for me."

"Uh...okay, I'll have a Coke."

The combination of cola and meat dishes is a natural match.

When we think of cola, we think of it in combination with hamburgers, but this association has been established through corporate image strategies. It also goes well with meat dishes other than hamburgers.

The sugar content is nothing compared to how delicious it is, but since it pairs so well with meat, that doesn't matter.

The point is, just because you don't care right now doesn't mean you won't care ever. You'll end up gaining weight and regretting it later.

But Takemaru-san, are you like me and can eat while drinking carbonated drinks?

"Is there anything else?"

"It's okay." "That's all."

"Okay. The one over here has been decided, but what about over there?"

After Takemaru-san confirmed with me and Sakidori Midori-san, he then calls out to Shuuto and the others.

"We've decided too."

"it's okay"

"We're done."

Shoot-san replied, followed by Mimia-san and Kaito-san.

I wonder what they're ordering.

My guess would be sweet sour chicken, meat salad or meat pasta.

"Got it. I'll call a waiter then."

Takemaru-san looks around, apparently searching for a store clerk.

There are no bells, call buttons, or devices to summon a waiter on the tables, so you have to call a waiter to come to you in order to place an order.

I also started to fly to look around and see a store clerk wearing a black apron.

Now, where are they?

Flying above, I can see groups of people drinking while standing instead of sitting down, groups arm-wrestling to show off their strength, and groups of drunk people making a lot of noise.

There are quite a few people wearing equipments that look similar to an apron, making them very difficult to spot.

"Hmm... Ah, I found one."

That's an apron from this bar. That must be one of this bar's clerks.

I found it, but even if I shout loudly in this noisy bar, it would probably be drowned out by other voices.

I was the one who found them, so I thought I should go and call them, but just as I was about to head over, I hear a voice from my left.

"Vester, are you doing that on purpose?"

Sakidori Midori-san holds Takemaru's eye with her right hand and looks at me suspiciously, wondering if I'm doing something on purpose.

"W-I'm sorry, Onii, Kaito."

Hearing this, Mimia-san also covers Shuuto-san's eyes with her left hand and Kaito-san's eyes with her right hand.

"Huh? Ah..."

From Sakidori Midori-san's words and the actions of the two women here, I realize what had happened and instantly grab the bottom part of my dress and come down.

"...I'm sorry. I made a mistake."

My face is hot and it's probably turning red.

I learned how it feels to be shameful today.

That's right, everyone is currently sitting. If I fly at my usual height, they can see it.

It's a skirt, so it should've been obvious.

Is this because I'm used to wearing dresses, or is it a remnant of my past life where I never wore a skirt?

Anyway, starting today, I should start to be more careful and cautious.

It really wasn't intentional.

"That reaction, doesn't seem like you did it intentionally."

"I'm not a pervert, okay? Anyway, I'll go and ask the store clerk."

I forcefully cut the conversation short and rush over to the store clerk I had found, just a little faster than usual.

Did I run away? Yes, because I don't want them to see my face, which is probably red.

By flying away, I can reduce the embarrassment and heat in my face.

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〘Literature Item: Menu〙

A list of the names and photos of the dishes the restaurant offers.

They come in a variety of forms depending on the store, including a single sheet that appears on both sides, a booklet type with multiple pages, and an even thicker book type.

For the specialty dishes, the presentation is simple, with just one photo of the dish on one side.

The book type can also be used as a blunt weapon, so avoid throwing it at someone while drunk.

〘Furniture item: Partition〙

Something that separates or divides a room or the space itself.

They come in a variety of materials, including wood, stainless steel, and iron, but the most popular are those made from Monster materials. Partitions made from Treant's materials in particular last longer than regular wooden ones and have insect-repellent properties, so many people buy them even if they are a little more expensive.

Some players also use this as a shield.

It has a wide range of protection and is easy to use, but the many gaps they have do not absorb attacks.

It would be better to wield it as a weapon than to use it as a shield.

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