Despite this being a medieval-like fantasy world, the service here feels surprisingly modern.
Every table is adorned with a small vase, delicate white and blue flowers blooming inside. They add a touch of elegance to the rustic wooden setup.
It's beautiful.
Not that I know much about flowers—I have zero idea what kind they are—but they look nice, so that's what matters.
Beside the vase, a neatly folded menu rests on the table, waiting to be read.
Curious, I reach for it.
The text isn't in English.
Nor is it in any language I recognize.
Yet—
Just like with Eris's ID card—I can perfectly understand every single word.
Weird. But also convenient.
"Eris, this dinner combo sounds good! Three big grilled pork skewers, green salad, and mashed potatoes! What do you think?"
I look up, expecting her to agree.
But—
Silence.
"Erm… Eris?"
I glance at her—
And oh.
She's not even paying attention to the menu.
Her gaze is locked onto the flower vase in the middle of the table.
Eyes narrowed. Staring.
Unblinking.
Like she just found her mortal enemy.
I blink.
What… the heck?
Then—
Without warning—
She snaps out of her trance, grabs the vase, and shoves it under the table, completely out of sight.
I just… stare.
Processing.
I open my mouth, then close it again.
A long pause.
"…Eris, do you… not like flowers?" I finally ask, my voice laced with confusion.
She lets out a lighthearted laugh, shaking her head.
"Nah, it's not that."
Then, with a perfectly straight face—
"It's just… sometimes I get this really strong urge to knock things off the table."
"…What."
"Apparently, some of us cat Furrens have that issue." She grins, as if this is a perfectly normal thing to admit. "It runs in my family blood."
OOOOOOOHHHH!
My brain short-circuits.
So that's what it was!
I let out a soft chuckle, finally piecing it together.
Of course! Eris isn't just a catgirl in appearance—she has actual cat tendencies too!
Some cats love knocking things off tables for absolutely no reason.
It's annoying as hell… but also stupidly cute.
I open my mouth, about to joke about it to Eris—
But then—
OHHHH SHITTTT…
My eyes accidentally drift to the wooden mug sitting on the table.
And suddenly—
I feel it.
An irresistible pull.
Like gravity itself is whispering directly into my mind.
Push meeeee…
The wooden mug calls to me.
Push me over, pleaaaseeee…
Before I even realize what I'm doing—
My hand moves.
My fingers flick.
The mug tips.
And—
CRASH.
It slams onto the ground, echoing through the dining hall like a gunshot.
The entire room freezes.
Every head turns.
A hundred judgmental eyes lock onto me.
Huh???
OH NOOO!!!
My heart stops.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I immediately yank the menu up, hiding behind it, cringing so hard my soul is about to leave my body.
LUCKILY, the mug was empty, so I didn't spill anything.
BUT STILL—
I cannot handle this embarrassment. My whole body is burning with shame.
Eris, meanwhile, just laughs, clearly amused by my suffering.
"Felicia, you're just like me!"
Damn it!
This is bad.
Does this mean…
I'm cursed?
Am I doomed to never drink from a mug again?
How the hell am I supposed to drink anything now?!
"E-Eris…" I mutter desperately, gripping the menu like it's my last line of defense. "H-how do you stop yourself from knocking things over? Please, teach me!"
Eris hums, pretending to think about it. "Well, it takes a lot of practice. But for beginners, the best way is to just… not look at the thing."
"Oh, that makes sense!" I nod quickly, making a mental note.
Then—
Eris leans in slightly.
Her golden eyes lock onto mine, her expression soft.
And then—
With a gentle smile, she says—
"If you don't have anything else to look at… you can always look at me."
!!!
The world—
Brightens.
Time—
Stops.
BADUMP.
BADUMP.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH MY FREAKING GOD.
My cheeks ignite, heat rushing to my face so fast it's a miracle I don't pass out on the spot.
Without thinking, I dive behind the menu again, hiding like a coward.
ERIS!!!
YOU IDIOT!!!
YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT TO ME!!!
I want to scream, but the words won't come out.
I can't let her see how flustered I am.
I refuse.
What the hell is happening to me?!
Is this some side effect of becoming a girl?!
Why is my heart so sensitive to stuff like this?!
Lucky for me—
Eris doesn't seem to notice my internal meltdown.
"Oh, the waitress is here. Felicia, what would you like to eat?" she asks casually.
I peek out from behind the menu—
Only to immediately retreat again.
"Y-you go first! I need a little more time to think!" I stammer, voice embarrassingly high-pitched.
Eris just shrugs. "Alright."
Then, turning to the waitress—"Lilly, I'll have the usual, please."
"Okay!" The waitress—Lilly—chirps cheerfully. Her voice is light and sweet, but I can't even bring myself to look at her right now.
I squeeze the menu tighter, still hiding behind it like my life depends on it.
"P-please give me five more minutes!" I mumble.
…
In the end—
It takes me a full ten minutes to gather myself.