When Tsukiko entered this restaurant, she had a good impression instantly, especially when she saw the server. After all, they often talked to each other on the phone after Rui decided to move with him. Even if he didn't want their relationship to become even closer, it was inevitable, especially when they talked to each other every day.
The duration of their talk might not be long, but the essence of the conversation wasn't the length. Instead, it was the quality of the conversation itself.
If Tsukiko was single and she wasn't the mother of Rui or Hina, their relationship might lead in a different direction. However, the relationship between them had forced them to lead into an inevitable relationship, which was between a son-in-law and a mother-in-law. There was no "if," no "else," it was just that.
Yet because of their frequent communication, they were quite close to each other, and it was the reason why Tsukiko quickly gained a good impression of this restaurant (him).
However, how could Tsukiko say that?
Tsukiko came with the intention to test Rui's determination, so she couldn't appear so easy to please. After looking at Shishio, she observed the interior of the restaurant. She had heard the restaurant hadn't been fully furnished since it wasn't ready and it would only open next year. Yet, she couldn't see that, and all she could see was just a restaurant used to serve dining for four. It gave a comfy yet elegant feeling as if this restaurant was made to welcome a family.
The seats were located at the counter where they could see Rui's kitchen.
"Please follow me. Lead me to guide you to your seats," Shishio welcomed them gentlemanly.
"Thank you." Tsukiko nodded.
"Thank you, Shishio-kun." Akihito nodded.
Hina also acted the same, feeling happy that she was served by Shishio on this special, certain occasion. After all, she was often bullied by him, so she thought to prank him slightly.
"..." Shishio only stared at Hina with dead eyes, thinking he would punish this woman later.
On the other hand, Natsuo, who felt he was unrelated in this situation, didn't say much and just followed everyone. He also was led by Shishio to guide him on where to sit.
"Please sit here, Fujii-senpai," Shishio said with a gentle smile.
"Ah, um." Natsuo somehow felt uncomfortable and slightly guilty, especially when he saw how Shishio treated him so gently, yet he was about to do something unforgivable in the past. Thinking back, he wondered what would have happened if he hadn't fallen and snapped at Shishio the morning before.
"..." Natsuo was silent.
Still, no one realized the change in Natsuo's reaction. Instead, they focused more on Rui, which could be seen from the kitchen.
"Thank you for coming to our restaurant today. My name is Shishio Oga, and I will be your server tonight." Shishio let them focus on him instead of Rui since he was afraid of her getting nervous. Still, he could see Jou was too afraid to get out and just hid on the side, watching this scene nervously.
"The menu will be specially chosen by our chef, and I am sure that tonight, it'll be a wonderful experience for your family," Shishio said with a gentle smile.
"Haha..." Akihito smiled and said, "I can't wait for it."
"Yeah, yeah, bring the booze!" Hina laughed happily.
But...
"I wonder about that," Tsukiko said curtly and coldly.
"..." Everyone.
The warm and exciting atmosphere vanished and changed into an awkward one.
However, Shishio only smiled and said, "No, I am sure of it, and when you go back later, you'll be happy."
"..." Tsukiko stared at Shishio in silence, blankly without any emotions.
Still, Shishio was calm as ever while thinking Tsukiko was kind of cute in her cold emotion. He had heard she was an executive in some companies, and somehow he wasn't surprised by her intimidation aura. He wondered whether her subordinates would also face her like this, yet somehow he found her charming.
Was it wrong of him?
Tsukiko looked away and sighed. "We'll see about that." She didn't dare to look at him any longer since she was afraid if she looked at him any longer, she would be pulled into an abyss by him.
"Yes." Shishio nodded and said with a gentle smile, "We will give you the best experience."
The food had already been pre-determined by Rui, and they didn't need to choose the menu. They only had to enjoy the food and choose the drink.
While Hina and Akihito chose the alcohol without hesitation, Natsuo chose juice, and Tsukiko decided to choose plain water. "I want to be able to judge the dishes properly, so I'll have plain water."
Shishio looked at Tsukiko for a moment and nodded. "Gladly." While he prepared the beverages for everyone, Rui also prepared the dishes for everyone, steadily, efficiently, and full of determination.
Rui might be able to feel Tsukiko's piercing gaze on her back, yet she didn't feel fear, especially when Shishio was by her side, supporting her. She knew it was impossible for her mother to feel satisfied with the taste of a normal dish. Her mother was an executive in the company. She had visited many restaurants and attended business receptions, so she had built a discerning palate, which would only be satisfied with good food or food made at home.
Something less than that wouldn't even enter her mother's eyes.
However, Rui didn't feel that she would lose, and she was going to show what she was worth.
'And, the last ingredient is...'
---
"I apologize for the wait. Here's the appetizer." Shishio served the appetizers to everyone. "This dish is called caponata. It was specially made by our chef. Please enjoy." He bowed his head, then left them, so they could enjoy the dish.
The first dish chosen by Rui was caponata, a Sicilian dish consisting of chopped fried aubergine and other vegetables seasoned with olive oil, tomato sauce, celery, olives, and capers, in an agrodolce sauce.
"Well, now..."
Everyone didn't hesitate and started to eat, but then...
*BOOOOOM!*
They felt as if they were at the festival with various humanoid vegetables around them.
"Wo-Wow..." Akihito was dumbfounded. "This is my first time having this dish, but the sweetness of the vegetables is distinctive! The taste of the celery is also refreshing!"
Hina and Natsuo were also the same, but somehow when they tasted this dish longer, they could feel there was a firework in their mouths.
"This spiciness...?" Tsukiko quickly realized.
"It's Jalapeno." Shishio nodded and said, "It's the hidden ingredient. Our chef adds a small amount of it."
The mix between sweetness and spiciness was amazing. The spiciness enhanced the sweetness even more.
Tsukiko wanted to put on a cold face all the time, yet somehow it was hard to control her expression since her jaw was weakened, and she couldn't help but form a smile on her face. However, she quickly returned it to her cold expression and glared at Shishio, who smiled at her.
Shishio smiled before he walked to the back area, letting them enjoy the food quietly. However, when he was there, he saw someone unexpected. "Hibiki, what are you doing here?"
"What? I can't be here?" Hibiki answered with her curt reaction as usual. Still, her eyes darted toward his well-trained figure from up to down, causing the snow-white flesh on her cheeks to turn crimson.
"I have never said that, right?" Shishio patted Hibiki's head gently.
"......"
Hibiki was in a daze, and she must admit she hated his casualness. Here she felt her heart almost jump out all the time, but Shishio acted so nonchalantly, which somehow damaged her pride. 'Can you blush in front of me?' Even after she kissed his cheek, he only smiled at her as if she were a child!
How could she accept such a humiliation?
"Don't treat me like a child!" Hibiki swept his hand reluctantly since even if she hated it, she must admit it felt good.
"Sorry, sorry." Shishio just apologized in a perfunctory manner, then asked, "So why are you here? Today's an important day, you know?"
"That's why I am here!" Hibiki roared with her tiny mouth while tiptoeing, trying to make herself taller. "You guys brought her mother here to get her to accept the fact Rui-chan works here, right? I'm sure Rui-chan's cooking will be fine. If that's the case..." she ignored Shishio's reaction and then started her solo skit. "Oh, your guidance is so valuable." First, she acted like she was in love, then she acted like a man who was about to seduce someone. "Good, now we can get back together." She raised her hands high and then complained. "I am sure something like that will happen! I know it!"
"Whatever." Shishio only rolled his eyes before he continued with his job.
Watching his figure slowly walk away, Hibiki opened her mouth and wanted to stop him, but a moment of hesitation made the words that she wanted to say stuck on her lips. Before, in the end, she could only stare at his figure, leaving in silence.
'When are you going to train me...?'
Hibiki wanted to ask, but somehow she felt it was wrong. She knew it was wrong, yet her heart said otherwise.
The feeling of Hibiki aside, Shishio didn't have time to take care of Hibiki's heart. Instead, he poured his focus on helping Rui, who was showing her determination through her dish. Watching her sweat from the heat, pressure, and exhaustion in her mind and body, how could he seduce a girl in this situation?
After the appetizer, it was time for the main dish.
Shishio brought the main dish, which was cooked by Rui after he cleaned up the table. "I apologize for the wait. Here is the Pescatore."
"Wow, it's packed up with seafood! Looks tasty!"
While everyone seemed excited about the dish, Tsukiko stared at it silently.
"It's your favorite food, right, auntie?"
Tsukiko lifted her head and looked at Shishio blankly.
"Rui said that this was your favorite before your divorce, and her father always made it." Shishio didn't look away from Tsukiko and said, "This dish isn't cooked to spit on you. Instead, it is because Rui loves you that she wants to make your favorite food for you, so please enjoy."
"...What a cheeky boy." Tsukiko sighed and looked at her food, trying to hide her blush before she ate the Pescatore with her fork slowly. The gentle taste filled with love unfurled from her tongue into her heart. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to calm herself before she continued to eat since she was afraid if this continued, she might show her disgraceful self.
---
In the kitchen, Rui waited nervously, and it wasn't a moment later that Shishio came while showing empty plates in his hands with a smile. She let out a sigh of relief and also gave him a gentle smile.
'The last sprint. Go for it," Shishio said voicelessly with only the movement of his lips.
'Yes.' Rui nodded, said that word inside her heart, and gave all of her feelings into this last dish.