"So expensive?"
Eriri was immediately taken aback.
Such prices would be expected at a high-end restaurant, but in a small roadside shop like this? She couldn't help but suspect that it might actually be a scam.
"I'm telling you, this place is a rip-off. Let's get out of here quickly."
Eriri leaned in close to Kasumigaoka and whispered.
As a renowned adult artist, she wasn't exactly strapped for cash, but spending money on food she believed to be overpriced was another matter.
"Though it's a bit pricey, the shopkeeper here has skills beyond his years. The food he makes is exceptional," Kasumigaoka responded.
"Really?"
Eriri's face showed pure disbelief. She couldn't fathom that someone as young as Sui could prepare food worth such a steep price.
Anyone charging that much for a dish should at least be the head chef of a top-tier restaurant. Even if Sui were a culinary genius, it seemed unlikely.
"I'll have a plate of Sinangag Fried Rice and one of Sautéed Cabbage," Kasumigaoka said to Sui.
"No problem," Sui nodded, then turned to Eriri.
"Hmph! I'm not that easy to fool!"
Eriri crossed her arms, snorting in disdain. "You want me to pay for overpriced food? Absolutely not!"
Sui shrugged and headed back into the kitchen to cook.
As it was dinner time, customers began to trickle in shortly after. Some were returning guests, while others were people who had missed out on Sui's dishes at Kagura Sakayaya.
Sui hurried out of the kitchen when he heard the commotion.
"Haha, I couldn't get your food over there, but when I heard about your shop, I rushed over!" a customer laughed.
"Think we'll finally get to eat this time?" another joked.
One customer even teased, "You should've told us earlier you opened your own place, you sly shopkeeper!"
"Everyone will get to eat today," Sui smiled. "We currently offer two dishes: Sinangag Fried Rice and Sautéed Cabbage."
"Oh? Sautéed Cabbage? Can I finally get my hands on it this time?"
The eyes of several customers lit up at the mention of cabbage. They had wanted to try it before but couldn't buy it, no matter how much they tried.
"I'll take one of each!"
"Same here."
They placed their orders without hesitation.
"No problem," Sui replied with a smile, then went back to the kitchen.
Kasumigaoka and Eriri, who had been watching the scene unfold, were surprised.
"No way... there are actually customers in this overpriced place?" Eriri muttered in disbelief.
"Now do you believe me?" Kasumigaoka teased.
"Hmph! They must be hired actors or something. I'm not falling for it!"
Eriri scoffed, still refusing to believe.
A little while later, more customers entered the shop.
"Is this the place? I hope I'm not too late."
"I'll have one of each dish, please."
They immediately placed their orders, clearly eager to ensure they didn't miss out.
The shop, already small to begin with, soon became too crowded to accommodate more guests.
Kasumigaoka and Eriri stood on the sidelines, dumbfounded.
They had never expected this modest-looking shop to be so popular, with people clamoring for expensive dishes! Not even high-end restaurants generated this kind of rush.
"Wait a minute, isn't that the famous food critic, Hanayami Natsuki?" Kasumigaoka gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
"What? The 'food devil'?"
Eriri's eyes widened.
"Yes," Kasumigaoka nodded, her anticipation for Sui's cooking growing. "Do you still think they're all hired actors now?"
"Hmph! I'm still not buying it!"
Though Eriri's resolve was starting to waver, she remembered what she had said earlier. Reluctantly, she kept up her defiant stance, though the temptation was becoming harder to resist.
Kasumigaoka smiled and shook her head knowingly.
By now, the first batch of dishes was ready. Sui personally handed a serving of Sinangag Fried Rice and Sautéed Cabbage to Hanayami Natsuki, with Erina helping to pass the dishes.
"This is yours," Sui said, handing Kasumigaoka her order.
"Thanks," she said eagerly, picking up her chopsticks without delay.
The fragrant aroma of the fried rice and the spicy-sweet taste of the Sautéed Cabbage overwhelmed her senses. With a blissful smile, she closed her eyes, savoring every bite.
"This is, without a doubt, the best meal I've ever had," she thought, intoxicated by the flavors.
Meanwhile, Eriri stared at the golden fried rice and vibrant green cabbage. The mouthwatering smell filled her nostrils, making her stomach rumble.
"Want to order one?" Sui asked with a laugh, noticing the hunger in her eyes.
"I'm not buying anything!" Eriri said stubbornly, though she was clearly struggling to resist.
After all, if she gave in now, where would her pride go?
Sui just shook his head and left her alone.
"You really don't want to try it? It's amazing! I feel like all my stress has melted away," Kasumigaoka said, clearly enjoying her meal.
Eriri's eyes were glued to the two dishes in front of her. She was practically drooling, and her stomach growled louder.
"Come on, buy it," an inner voice tempted her like a devil on her shoulder.
"No, that's too humiliating!" she thought, resisting.
"Your stomach matters more. Just buy it," the voice coaxed.
"I can't just give in like this! I have to save face!" she thought, still battling with herself.
Eriri was in agony, torn between her pride and her overwhelming hunger. Finally, after much internal struggle, she blurted out, "Forget it! Pride be damned! Shopkeeper, give me one of each dish!"
Her outburst immediately drew everyone's attention.
Eriri's face turned beet-red, and she felt utterly embarrassed. But at this point, she didn't care what people thought. She just wanted the food.
"Sorry," Sui said with a regretful smile, "We're sold out for today."