I thought it was a high-class French restaurant, but it turned out that this place was serving rather unusual Chinese cuisine. The first item, pork feet, was quite tasty but... Eating pork feet with a knife and fork somehow feels a bit strange to me.
If this was going to be a full course of Chinese cuisines, would the next meal brought to us be salad?
[This feels like a full course, isn't it?]
[Yes, it does. There were no amuse-bouches, and they started with hors d'oeuvres, so I guess the next meal served would be salad?]
(T/N: Amuse-bouche is a small complimentary appetizer. A mouth amuser.)
[...Aoi-senpai, what's amuse-bouche?]
[Let's see. I guess it's like the "tsukidashi" in pubs.]
[...I haven't even experienced going inside a pub though.]
In comparison to Aoi-chan's familiarity with the subject, Hina-chan and I were noticeably lacking in knowledge. Or rather, I'm glad that I'm sitting on the same table as Aoi-chan.
Right at that moment, a colorful salad was brought to us, to which we ate as we continued our conversation.
[Hina-chan, tsukidashis are dishes that can be eaten in a single bite, and are usually served before you ordered.]
[Heehhh~~ As expected of Kaito-senpai, you have the knowledge of the adult world~~!]
[No, I don't know much about it either... Aoi-chan, after the salad would be soup, right?]
[Yes, if it's the usual French restaurant, that would be the case. There's a chance that bread might also be served first. After that, it depends whether the plat is poisson or viande, or perhaps, even both. If it's just one of them, I think granité will come out next.]
[...Sorry, I have no idea what you were saying.]
Just from what Aoi-chan said, I found about four words I didn't know. Hmmm. Eating full course meals feels kind of difficult and intimidating.
[The word "plat" refers to the main dish. Most of the time, it's categorized between poisson... fish dishes and viande... meat dishes. However, this varies a lot from restaurant to restaurant. If the main dish is raw though, it may be categorized as an entrée instead. And then, granité is a palate-cleansing semi-frozen dessert. Depending on how many plat they serve, the timing of order may change.]
[I- I see…..]
[However, since this restaurant is Chinese style, it may be that instead of bread, they would serve dim sum... shumai. There's a chance that a dish like that would be served next. If that's the case, no granité may be served.]
[A- Aoi-chan, that's amazing... Do you often eat full course meals?]
As I continued to ask questions to Aoi-chan, who carefully explained things... the answer came back from a different person.
[Aoi-senpai is the noble lady of the Kusunoki group after all~~]
[Hey, Hina-chan...]
[Kusunoki group... You mean that company whose advertisements often appear on TV and other stuff?]
[...It's just a slightly big company.]
No, no, even I know the name of the Kusunoki group. It's one of the biggest companies in Japan, with a wide range of businesses including cosmetics, clothing and even IT.
For Aoi-chan to be the noble lady of that company... The idea never really occurred to me even if they share the same surname.
[Aren't you the "granddaughter of a congressman", Hina-chan?]
[Really!?]
[W- Well~~ A- Ahaha...]
Aoi-san is the noble lady of a big company. Hina-chan is the granddaughter of a politician... They're totally ladies of the higher society.
[Heehhh... You both are amazing. My father is a normal salaryman, so I'm kind of surprised.]
[...Even if you say it like that, isn't Kaito-san more amazing than us?]
[Eh?]
[I mean, your girlfriend is the president of the world's largest company. She's a real royalty... Although this is a different world, your level is completely different from ours.]
[Mnnhh, if you say it like that... Indeed.]
Kuro is the richest person in the world, Isis-san is a really wealthy person with a vast amount of properties in the Demon Realm, Lilia-san is the little sister of the King, Sieg-san is the daughter of a former Court Mage, and Alice is the head of the world's largest intelligence organization. Unnn, my lovers were also ladies of the higher society.
[Speaking of which, Kaito-senpai's reaction... Don't you think that you were quite nonchalant when you heard about our backgrounds? Doesn't that attract your attention?]
[H- Hmmm. I guess not... Just as Aoi-chan said, maybe the people around me are so amazing that I have become numb... And well, regardless of who your family is, it doesn't change that you two are my cute kouhais.]
[ [ ...…. ] ]
When they heard what I said, they stared at me with some interest before they chuckled.
[...I really like... that part of you, Kaito-senpai.]
[Well, I've known Kaito-san for a long time, so I know you would say something like that.]
[Eh? What do you mean you've known each other for a long time...? Hasn't it only been about half a year?]
[Unfortunately, I've known Kaito-san for "four and a half years".]
[Eeeeehhh!? W- What do you mean?]
The four years that Aoi-chan says she knew of me is about the time when we're playing together in the game... as Ciel and Hibis, so it's no wonder that Hina-chan doesn't know about it.
But indeed, if you convert the time we spent in the game to four years, Aoi-chan is the one I've known the most in this world.
[...It's a secret.]
[Ehh~~ I'm curious! Aoi-senpai, please stop teasing me and tell me already!]
[Fufufu... No~ These are my most precious memories, and I won't talk to you so easily. Don't you think so too? Ciel-san?]
[A- Ahaha...]
Saying that, Aoi-chan giggled before winking at me. She probably wants me to keep it a secret too.
However, at any rate... Aoi-chan looks like she's having fun.
Dear Mom, Dad————- My initial impression of Aoi-chan was that she was cool and somewhat difficult to talk to. However, after spending time with her like this, my impression of her has changed a lot. No, it might not be my impression of her that has changed, but Aoi-chan herself. At least, the Aoi-chan right now... Compared to when we first met————- She looked even more lively.