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The smell of charred meat and dry fat mixed with a damp scent, like wet new sprouts... spreading around the table.

One of the two people at the table paid it no particular mind.

The other engaged all five senses, wanting to savor it to the fullest.

Snow closed her eyes in front of Koai and took a long, slow breath.

That expression... reminded Koai of a different side of her, one separate from the girl who enjoyed cooking and eating.
The image of her that came to mind made Koai's chest, his mind, his lips... tingle with a ticklish sensation.

"Mmm... it smells so good, it looks delicious... This absolutely needs some alcohol, don't you think?"
Before he knew it, Snow had opened her eyes and was smiling at Koai.
However, while Koai's face was turned toward her, his mind was elsewhere.
The slightly feverish, dazed... almost giddy feeling her expression had evoked was too strong.

"Right?"
"Huh? Ah, y-yeah, you're right."
Pulled back to reality by her questioning voice, Koai hurriedly replied.

"Hm? Is something wrong?"
"Sorry for the wait. As for the alcohol we can serve today..."
Just as Snow voiced her concern, a hand resting on her chin, the waitress returned to their table. It seemed she had gone to check their stock of alcohol.

"Right now, I'd recommend either Rakki or Ope. Rakki from the west, or Ope from the east, as they say."
Rakki was a strong, refreshing liquor that turned cloudy white when mixed with water.
Ope was a wine that combined a fruity aroma with a honey-like sweetness.
He was sure he'd had her try both before. However, the one they'd had previously was the purple Ope, so she might not have tried the light-colored version yet.