World’s Cutest Alchemist

Soon after our drinks were ordered, the waitress came back and placed them in front of us respectively. Water and a coke sat in front of Luna, and a water and a 7-8 inch tall glass of whiskey in front of me.

“Here you go.” The waitress said with a smile, “Could I get you any starters?”

Luna perked up, briefly glancing through the menu before replying,

“Could I get a blooming onion and wings, please? What about you, Bin?” She turned to me.

I flinched, my body slightly stiffening as I heard Luna’s order, collecting myself, I looked at the waitress and pointed at the menu,

“C-could I get some cheese fries please…No ranch.”

“Got it, one blooming onion, plate of wings, and a plate of cheese fries, no ranch. I’ll have those right out for you.” The waitress said with a smile after jotting it all in her notebook. Then, she left.

Blooming onion…4,000 points…Wings…5,500 points…Cheese fries…3,000 points…

…Should I buy some more whiskey?

As I was seriously considering getting hammered, Luna looked up at me with that blissfully unaware smile.

God…Why am I so weak to that smile?

It’s seriously bad for the heart.

“…You seem to be quite hungry today.” I said.

“Hehe, well, it’s not every day you get to eat at a famous restaurant—even if it’s only the lite version.”

“Yeah…Yeah…I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Thanks!” She grinned, “It’s even better when I’m not the one paying for it!”

Ah…This is true repentance. I can’t even shoot back since I brought this on myself.

“Y-Yeah! Sniffle sniffle…”

…

While we were casually chatting, the waitress returned with a tray carrying our appetizers. She placed each of them near the middle of the table before pulling out her notepad,

“Here you go,” She smiled, “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes, I’ll have the sirloin, please.”

“And how would you like that cooked?”

“Medium-rare please.”

“And your two sides?”

“The mac and cheese and baked potato.”

The waitress nodded, turning to me.

“And you?” She asked.

“I’ll also have the s-sirloin…Rare. Cheese fries with no ranch for both sides…” I said.

“Two sirloins, one medium-rare the other rare, mac and cheese, baked potato, and two sides of cheese fries with no ranch, is that correct?” She asked, writing it in her notepad.

“Y-yes…Sniffle.” I replied.

“Perfect, your food will be out shortly.”

As she turned to leave, I stopped her,

“Wait, one more thing…” When she turned to me, I continued, “Another glass of whiskey please…”

She looked at my untouched glass before tilting her head and nodding, “One glass of whiskey will be right out.”

“Another one?” Luna asked, “You haven’t even touched your first.”

In response, I lifted the glass and gulped down half of it in one swig.

Ah…Pretty smooth. Must be an expensive brand.

Luna stared at me wide eyed, blinking repeatedly.

“Haah…It’s decent enough.” I mumbled, picking away at my cheese fry starter.

“Um…?” Luna tilted her head and shifted her eyes between me and the glass. “…Are you okay?”

“Yep…Extremely okay.” I replied with a smile.

“Hey…Don’t actually drink until you pass out, okay?”

“Hehe,” I rested my chin on my palm, “Are you worried about me?”

“Well, you just downed a bunch of alcohol in one go, of course I am.”

“It’s fine.” I smiled, “Want some? It burns but it feels kind of good.”

“No…No thank you.” She shook her head, “It…burns? Why would you like something like that?”

“It’s more for the vibe. I don’t actually like the taste of most alcohol. I’m sure most people don’t—have you ever had some?”

Luna looked a little curious.

“No,” She shook her head, “I’ve never had any. My parents don’t drink and they discourage me from doing so.”

“Oh?” I let out with intrigue before starting to smile mischievously, “Mouse, this is the devil on your shoulder…” I whispered.

“No, no, no.” She quickly shook her head, “I mean…I want to try it but…not here. Later…”

“Hehe,” I giggled, “Okay~ Don’t worry about it. It’s better to not get in the habit anyways.” I finished the last remaining bit of whiskey just as the waitress returned with my second glass.

I’ve always had a good tolerance for alcohol—when I was in school, me and my friends would sneak a few bottles and whoever passed out first would be the loser.

Haah…Fun times.

Of course, we got in trouble a lot. But, that’s the old me—I’m not a troublemaker anymore!

“How’s your wings and onion?” I asked.

Luna had been picking away at both her appetizers since they arrived. She ate them so deliciously, it had me a little curious.

“Really good.” She answered with her darned smile full of bliss, “As expected from a top-grade restaurant. I even feel the mana in my body moving a little smoother.”

“Eh…?” I tilted my head before focusing on my own mana… “Huh? It’s actually flowing better? Why?”

“Chef class and premium ingredients.” Luna smiled, taking a big bite of a wing, “Just like the support buff from the church, people will also visit restaurants to get a food buff from a chef.”

“Wow…No wonder it’s so expensive.” I nodded, “I thought we were just getting scammed, but there’s a real reason behind the exorbitant prices.”

“Haha, well…” Luna scratched the back of her head.

“Ah, don’t worry about it.” I said, “I’m just old man grumbling.”

“Pfft, that’s a funny term.”

“Hehe, right?”

…

A little later, our food arrived. The waitress took our empty plates and replaced them with our entrées.

And wow…The sirloin was bigger than I expected, it barely even fit on the plate. It had beautiful grill marks and just looking at it made my mouth water. The sides were sizable too, each one being big enough to count as dinner.

…Will this all fit in my stomach? I wondered.

I wasn’t worried about that foodie in front of me—in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she could eat double of what’s on the table. But…My stomach isn’t that big...

Haah…Well, I gotta try.

Of course, before that, Luna and I took several photos of the food.

I cut into the steak and was met with a beautiful pink center. It was nice and juicy and I had to stop myself from just taking a big bite out of it.

After I had the steak nice and cut up into small squares, I finally took my first bite.

And the flavor exploded in my mouth. It tasted even better than that wagyu I had a few years ago. The char added to the perfect juiciness of the steak.

“Mmm!” I let out and couldn’t stop myself from quickly popping another square into my mouth.

If we were in that one anime, my clothes would’ve exploded by now.

Across from me, Luna was chowing down at her steak at a…genuinely concerning rate. Is she even tasting the steak or just throwing it into her belly?

Is she a vacuum or mouse?

As I stared at her incredulously, Luna noticed my gaze and tilted her head all cutely.

“How is it?” I asked.

“Really good!” She said after swallowing, “I can see why it’s a popular restaurant.”

“Mhm.” I nodded, “So…” I smiled mischievously, “Is it better than mine~?” I teased.

“No,” She replied without hesitation, “I still prefer your cooking any day.” She said without a hint of a joke before continuing to eat.

“W-wha?” I stuttered, quickly turning my head away and covering my mouth with my hand.

She said that so seriously I was taken aback…I mean…Why doesn’t it sound like she’s lying? This food is clearly better quality than the ones I can cook…Yet…

With a deep breath, I discreetly took out my phone and turned on the selfie camera…

There was a faint red on my cheeks—I guess my alcohol tolerance had gotten weaker…

Sneaking a few glances at Luna, she wasn’t paying me any attention and just continuing to scarf down her food which made me breathe a sigh of relief.

I quickly went back to eating my own meal after downing my second glass of whiskey.

…

“Haah…” I let out an old man groan as I leaned back in my chair, patting my full belly.

The food really was delicious. Luna had finished way before I did, so, she was casually scrolling on her phone while waiting for me to finish.

“I can’t believe you ate that all.” She said.

I froze and looked at her incredulously. How could she of all people say that to me?

“Mm…” I halfheartedly replied. I think I’m going into a food coma.

“Haha, so…No desert?” Luna scratched the back of her head.

I think she’s canceled out all the exercise she’d done the past few days with just one meal…

“Do you…want some?” I languidly said.

“If…If that’s okay.” She hesitantly replied.

“Mm.” I nodded.

She smiled blissfully.

Soon, the waitress returned and asked,

“Could I get you any dessert?”

“The chocolate ship please!” Luna happily replied.

“Got it, and you?” She turned to me.

“Just that.” I replied.

With a nod she headed back to the kitchen.

The silver-haired girl happily sipped away at her drink while I focused on digesting all the food in my body.

A little later, the waitress returned with a plate that held a small pirate ship made entirely of chocolate. It looked like a 3d printed model.

As Luna was taking several pictures of the ship in various angles, I glanced at the dessert and subtly licked my lips.

“Hehe…Mouse.” I said, drawing her attention, “Can I have a few bites~?” I smiled.

“I thought you were full?”

“Hehe…chocolate.”

Luna shook her head with a smile,

“Have as much as you want.”

I broke off the mast of the ship and nibbled away like I was the mouse. And wow…It tasted absolutely amazing.

…

“Haah…That was really good.” I commented, slowly sipping my water.

“I agree. I’d love to come here again or even to the one in the real world with you some time.”

“Hehe…” I nervously chuckled, worried for my wallet.

“Hey, famous alchemist, use your connections and get us a reservation for the real La Revoir!” She teased.

“Ahaha…”

Before I could respond, thankfully, the waitress returned and took our plates. A holographic screen appeared in the middle of the table and she nodded before heading back to the kitchen.

50,500 points…I think I’m gonna cry. Thank goodness there’s no tipping culture in the tower, I don’t think I could mentally accept paying another 10,000 points.

“Haha,” Luna chuckled, “It’s so funny seeing you like this.” She smiled, “Come on, I was just kidding, I wouldn’t actually force you to pay for something this expensive all by yourself, we’ll split it.”

My eyes widened a bit before I shook my head resolutely.

“No.” I said, “I got it.”

“No, it’s fine, let’s-”

“Mouse.” I cut her off and stared at her.

“Gee, fine, fine. Sorry.” She backed off cleanly.

“Hehe,” I smiled, “It’s fine, don’t take my acting too seriously. If I really didn’t want to do something, I wouldn’t. I can afford to feed you even if you spent this much every day~” I teased.

“Oh? Really?” She smiled mischievously.

“…Please don’t.”

I swiftly and unhesitantly paid for the meal…My hands weren’t trembling at all as I hit the ‘Pay’ button. There was just an earthquake. I swear.

The waitress returned and asked a few standard questions like ‘how was your experience’ and such. We replied aptly before exiting the restaurant.

It felt relieving to leave. As good as it was, my wallet couldn’t afford to handle being in there any longer.

“There’s only a bit of time left before the gauntlet starts.” Luna said, “Let’s head to the colosseum.”

“Hehe, I’m excited.” I giggled, taking Luna’s arm as we started to walk.