"Dreams..."
"Even if my dreams have been shattered, life must go on."
"No matter what difficulties and challenges I face in the future, I, Sonoka, must bravely face them and seek new opportunities and hope!"
After a moment of calm, Sonoka took another sip of the strong liquor, seemingly trying to steady herself.
"Yeah!"
"But there must be times when you feel lost, right?" Zane asked softly, his gaze fixed on the starry sky.
"So... so... the more I feel this way, the more I can't give up," Sonoka's voice wavered slightly.
"Don't worry!"
"If it ever gets too much to bear, you have me," Zane said, lowering his head as if speaking to himself.
Upon hearing this, Sonoka's body trembled, her heart swelling with emotion. The calm and strong front she had put on crumbled, revealing her vulnerability and dependence.
"I'm tired. I'm going to rest. Zane, you should go to bed early too," Sonoka said, trying to push the chaotic thoughts from her mind. All she wanted now was to get away.
But, before she could move, a slightly tipsy Zane suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Without knowing where the courage came from, he impulsively kissed her!
"Mmm~"
Sonoka's eyes widened in surprise.
Her hands began to weakly push against Zane, trying to shove him away.
But!
Gradually, her clear eyes began to blur.
And then, the night passed in silence.
...
"Ugh!"
"Drinking really leads to trouble."
After replaying the events of last night in his mind, Zane could only rub his slightly aching forehead and sigh.
Sunlight streamed through the light curtains, casting a golden glow on Sonoka's skin, making it seem as though she was bathed in a soft halo.
Her eyes slowly began to open, like two dew-covered gems glistening in the morning light.
Her deep eyes held a hint of sleepiness, and her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, creating ripples in the calm lake of her gaze.
Her nose, high and delicate, breathed in a subtle fragrance unique to her—fresh yet alluring.
There was an inexplicable beauty to Sonoka as she woke up.
This beauty wasn't just in her flawless appearance but in the pure and kind aura she radiated. She was like a princess from a fairy tale, every detail imbued with poetry and grace.
"Awake?"
In her drowsy state, Sonoka heard a familiar voice!
It snapped her awake, and she quickly turned her head. Seeing Zane lying beside her, she instantly became fully conscious!
...
At that moment, Sonoka's reaction was like a startled deer—quick and panicked.
Her once peaceful face filled with terror, her beautiful eyes wide, her mouth agape in shock.
Then.
Her fingers instinctively clutched the blanket beside her.
It seemed like the blanket was her only source of security now, and she quickly gripped it so tightly that it became crumpled.
Her reaction and expression allowed Zane to sense her inner tension!
"Ahem."
"Why don't you sleep a bit longer? I'll go make breakfast," Zane suggested as he got up, dressing himself while speaking to Sonoka.
"Huh?"
"Oh, okay, I... I understand!" Sonoka stammered, still in a daze.
Finally, Zane left the room, while she buried her nose in the blanket, inhaling deeply. She caught a familiar scent!
That's right!
It was Zane's scent, a fragrance that was oddly comforting!
She found herself wanting to breathe in this reassuring scent, which had a magical ability to dispel her fear and anxiety.
As the scent filled her senses, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
This wasn't because of shyness.
It was because an inexplicable emotion was quietly growing in her heart.
...
Time passed quickly, and soon it was night.
Stars began to twinkle in the night sky, like diamonds scattered across a black velvet canvas, shining with soft and steady light.
Inside the tavern, the shelves lining the walls were filled with various bottles and glasses, their aromas mingling with the scent of the dishes in the air, creating an enticing atmosphere.
As an assistant and waitress, Taki was busy as usual, weaving through the narrow aisles.
Her tray was piled with freshly cooked dishes and steaming cups.
Busy!
But organized!
This time of day was always hectic, with Taki often bowing to customers, asking if they needed more drinks or food.
Many customers sat around the tables, their faces glowing with contentment and joy in the quiet of the night.
Some engaged in hushed conversations.
Others clinked glasses in celebration.
And some were fully focused on savoring the delicious food.
The clinking of glasses and the sounds of laughter created a lively symphony.
...
"Hey!"
"What are you daydreaming about?"
Taki called out, noticing Sonoka standing shyly and nervously by the counter, as she busily moved about.
"Taki... what did you just say?"
Sonoka's cheeks flushed lightly, like the soft hues of dawn, gentle and beautiful.
Her eyes were downcast, but when Taki spoke, she looked up, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, revealing the turmoil in her heart.
"Hmph!"
"You... you're just..."
Taki sighed, knowing that Sonoka's flustered state likely had something to do with Zane.
With a huff, she continued her work, clearly annoyed.
...
The air in the tavern was filled with the faint scent of whiskey and sherry.
Soft music played in the background, creating a peaceful yet alluring atmosphere.
A girl in a deep red cheongsam sat at the bar, her fingers tapping lightly on the counter. Behind the bar, Zane expertly shook the cocktail shaker, the sound of ice clinking against the glass crisp and clear.
Finally, when a perfectly mixed drink was placed in front of her, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if savoring every scent in the air.
Then, she parted her lips slightly.
The drink shimmered under the light, like the brightest star in the night sky.
Unable to contain her excitement, she picked up the glass, gently swirling it to let the ice and liquid dance inside.
She brought the glass to her lips, first taking a small sip, then a deep drink. The cool, rich liquid slid down her throat, making her feel as if her very soul was being captured by the drink.
...
"The flavor is rich, with a smooth finish."
"It's not harsh at all. On the contrary, it has a refreshing coolness."
Miyoko smiled with satisfaction as she swallowed.
At that moment.
All her worries and fatigue.
Dissolved with the drink into the air.
She raised her glass again, giving Zane a grateful look before returning to enjoy the beautiful evening.
The noise around the tavern felt distant to her; she was lost in her own peaceful world. With the drink as her companion, she entered a space of her own, free from worries and stress, filled only with endless joy and relaxation.
Of course, to say she was without pressure would be a lie.
Her long-awaited return to the tavern was clearly driven by a desire to find comfort there, to find solace in Zane...
...
"Boss, could I get another serving of pineapple curry fried rice?"
"Sure!"
"Just a moment."
Zane nodded habitually, then returned to the kitchen.
...
First, he prepared a bowl of rice.
He blanched some peas for two minutes and beat an egg.
He cut the cucumber, carrots, and pineapple into small cubes, about a centimeter each, and chopped the green onions. The ham was also diced.
He heated oil in the pan, scrambled the eggs, and set them aside. Then he lightly fried the ham, using low heat.
Once the ham was ready, he combined it with the scrambled eggs in a bowl. He added more oil to the pan, heated it to about 30%, then stir-fried the carrots, added the rice, and stir-fried everything on high heat for two minutes.
Next, he sprinkled in a bit of pepper.
He added the peas, ham, and eggs, stirring everything together evenly. Finally, he turned off the heat, added the pineapple, and used the residual heat to mix it all.
He garnished with chopped green onions, and the dish was ready to serve.
Clearly, Zane had chosen ripe pineapple for his pineapple curry fried rice.
The riper the pineapple, the lower the activity of the bromelain enzyme, making it less likely to irritate the mouth, and the flavor more fragrant and rich.
Moreover, bromelain, found in pineapples, can cause allergic reactions, so it's best to soak the pineapple in saltwater for 30 minutes before eating it!
...
Even in choosing the type of pineapple, Zane was meticulous.
It's well known that Siam is famous for seafood and pineapples, and this pineapple fried rice is a must-order dish in any Thai restaurant.
The golden Siamese jasmine rice, paired with shrimp, bell peppers, and peas, is vibrant and colorful.
Oh!
And, of course, the essential pineapple.
Adding this sweet and tangy fruit transforms the dish from a simple savory dish into something sweet, sour, and fragrant.
When the pineapple juice and coconut milk blend into the fried rice...
The thought alone makes one's mouth water!
...
Eager to taste it, Miyoko quickly took a bite.
The fried rice was a golden yellow with the orange-red tint of curry, making the dish look warm and inviting.
One bite.
The rich, creamy curry flavor flowed across her tongue.
There was a hint of spice, perfectly balancing the mild flavor of the rice.
But
the biggest surprise in the dish was the pineapple chunks scattered throughout. The fresh pineapple was sweet and juicy, contrasting sharply with the rich curry rice.
The pineapple added not only texture but a refreshing fruitiness that brightened up the dish, lifting Miyoko's mood and helping her forget her worries!
Also.
The color combination of the pineapple curry fried rice was harmonious!
Golden fried rice, orange-red curry, and bright green pineapple chunks combined to create a visually and gastronomically pleasing experience.
...
"Could this be... Sri Lankan curry?"
Savoring the flavors, Miyoko suddenly realized, surprised.
Sri Lankan spices are known for their high quality, making the curry taste superior.
But the Sri Lankan curry Zane used was rich in spices, creating a thick aroma but a milder heat than Indian curry.
This means using Sri Lankan curry for pineapple fried rice not only adds vibrant color but also enhances the dish's flavor, making it more delicious and increasing one's appetite.
"The spices and pineapple complement each other perfectly."
"The sweetness of the fruit and the slight saltiness of the fried rice blend together."
Affected by the dish, Miyoko's cheeks flushed slightly as she continued her review: "Hollowing out the pineapple allows the fried rice to absorb the flavors more effectively."
"But the key lies in using Sri Lankan curry."
"It adds complexity to the flavor but in a way that perfectly harmonizes."
With that, Miyoko took another bite of the fried rice.
The indescribable flavor kept her immersed in the dish, unable to stop.
...
To be honest.
In some areas, especially in the culinary field, Miyoko could certainly be considered a successful woman!
But the more successful a woman is, the more likely she is to have fought her way up through adversity.
Along the way.
She must have faced criticism and setbacks.
Women are often unconsciously influenced by such things; if someone says they can't do something, they might start to believe it.
Even if they're unaware of this influence.
Only a few, like Miyoko, decide to overcome this bias, enduring the hardships necessary to rise.
But even after reaching the top, the internal pressure doesn't just disappear.
Because society's standards for success differ for women compared to men.
For women who internally crave recognition, it might feel like:
They've chased their dreams and succeeded!
But somehow, it doesn't feel like complete success.
In this case, they might experience an identity crisis, though they may not be consciously aware of it.
After all, long-term struggles often leave lasting scars, and even when they finally succeed, they may not fully acknowledge the significance of their victory.
Over time.
Without a way to release this inner tension, they might develop a tough exterior but a soft heart.
In such situations, what they subconsciously crave most is emotional support.
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