Late at night, the last traces of the sunset had already faded.
The silvery moonlight spilled onto the ground, and the stars dazzled like diamonds, casting a serene atmosphere over everything.
At this moment, on the second-floor balcony of the tavern, having just returned from Akihabara, Zane was leisurely sipping his drink, enjoying the beautiful night sky.
Perhaps the most delightful things in life are those subtle joys!
Although the fruit wine in his hand wasn't particularly strong or spicy, its fresh and delicate fruity aroma lingered at the tip of his nose.
Just a light sip was enough to add a sense of tranquility.
...
In fact,
Zane was not only a master brewer, but he also enjoyed drinking.
However, since arriving in this world, he rarely showed his drinking side in front of customers.
Sometimes, some patrons found it boring and wanted to invite him to drink together to liven up the atmosphere, but he politely declined each time.
The reason wasn't that he intended to dampen the spirits or because he was a light drinker.
But as the chef of a tavern, alcohol could affect his nerve responses and judgment.
Especially when cooking in a slightly tipsy state, it's easy to make mistakes.
These errors could include inaccurate chopping, improper seasoning, poor timing, and incorrect handling of ingredients.
Even the pungent smell of alcohol could further affect the sense of smell, significantly altering the quality and flavor of the dishes.
Therefore, during this period, Zane always refrained from drinking.
Only today, with the tavern undergoing renovations and upgrades, did he not need to cook or serve customers, allowing him to indulge in drinking alone and momentarily liberate his pent-up emotions!
...
[Ding-dong!]
[24 hours have passed, tavern upgrade complete.]
Just then, the sudden system voice broke Zane's contemplative silence.
Hearing that the tavern upgrade was complete, Zane snapped out of his gloom.
He hurried downstairs to the dining area and turned on the lights.
The next moment, the new interior of the upgraded tavern stunned him!
The first thing that struck him was the dining experience centered around the chef's performance: a custom-designed walnut cooking station encircled the area, immersing patrons in an engaging culinary experience.
The floor tiles had also been replaced with brick-sized red travertine tiles.
The varying colors between each tile created unique patterns, bringing a warm touch to the space.
In a corner, a new leisure and smoking area had been set up.
As for lighting, besides traditional Japanese paper lanterns, some stylish pendant and wall lights had been added.
Clearly, the redesigned lighting not only filled every corner of the tavern with warmth but also added enticing hues to the food and drinks.
Additionally, several private dining tables had been set up.
These tables not only increased the capacity for patrons but also allowed guests to deeply feel the warmth of "home" while enjoying their meals.
Outside, the antique-style façade and full-length glass windows immediately conveyed a warm, classical ambiance to those passing by.
The original flower garden had been replaced by a Zen bamboo water feature.
Above the round lantern sign hung a plaque reading "Drinking Alone Under the Moon."
Despite only adding 50 square meters, the tavern wasn't very large, but the more rational spatial layout allowed for more patrons.
In short, the overall style of the upgraded establishment conveyed a sense of balance and peace.
Details often determine the quality of the entire space.
Whether it's the wall decorations, the flooring, or the addition and placement of tables and chairs...
These updated details perfected the tavern's upgrade, completely enhancing the dining experience for patrons!
...
"Am I seeing things?"
"The changes in my tavern after the upgrade are too drastic!"
"If new customers come in, maybe it's fine, but what about the regulars who used to come for drinks and meals? Won't they be shocked when they walk in and see this dining environment?"
Though he said this,
Just looking from start to finish at the newly renovated tavern, Zane grew more confident.
With the next reopening, such décor and ambiance would definitely attract more patrons.
[Ding-dong!]
[Special mission released.]
[Host is required to successfully hire one employee within one week. Upon completion of the task, reward: special kitchen utensil*1.]
"It seems urgent to recruit new staff!"
Even if the system hadn't issued this task, the upgraded tavern's increased capacity meant that just Zane's efforts alone would be hard-pressed to keep the establishment running smoothly.
Thinking this, Zane let out a deep sigh.
Although the world of "Food Wars" is not lacking in excellent chefs,
Who could he recruit to serve him on such short notice?
...
A tavern is a magical place, seemingly unlocking the doors that society keeps sealed.
The normally uptight office workers let loose here, but the myriad flavors of life are fully experienced in this small space, amidst the wooden cooking stations and the chef's friendly banter.
Order a snack, sip some Japanese sake, and the weariness from a day's work gradually eases amid the delicious food.
"Ah... mmm..."
As the still-warm sushi was devoured by Rindo,
One could immediately feel the transparent white fish slices transform into an elegantly surprising delight after chewing.
The subtle flavors mingled, smoothly slipping down the throat.
The slight tanginess caressing the skin, along with the freshness of the rice and fish, intermingled in the mouth and spread across the tongue.
So much so, after eating one sushi, Rindo couldn't help but feel thoroughly refreshed.
"Mmm!"
"Deserving of Zane's cooking."
"This sushi, a full bite, is so satisfying!"
"The ingredients are very generous, especially the crab roe on top of the rice, which you can tell is made from the season's fresh crab."
"The explosion of crab roe mixed with rice in the mouth, the freshness combined with the richness, bite after bite, such a refreshing texture, it's simply irresistible."
Rindo sat there quietly, eyes closed.
In the end, even after swallowing the whole sushi, she still felt it wasn't enough and her face showed pure bliss.
----------
For 10 advance chapters: patreon.com/angelictranslating