Eleven o'clock, Far Moon's specially provided luxury hotel.
Hoshino Sora, who had just showered, saw Tadokoro Megumi sitting in the hotel lobby, staring blankly with her head down. He knew that his few words alone would not be able to change her mind.
And so...
"Come with me."
He walked up, patted Tadokoro Megumi's shoulder, and gestured before walking towards his room.
Tadokoro Megumi was very obedient and followed without asking why. Their footsteps echoed "da-da" on the hotel corridor floor, one in front of the other.
Finally, Tadokoro Megumi followed Hoshino Sora into the room.
"Is there something, Hoshino-kun?"
Looking at Hoshino Sora, who had called her over, with confused eyes, she heard him close the door, and a slight blush appeared on Tadokoro Megumi's face, her expression a bit flustered.
This… a lone man and woman together, what did he want to do?
Looking at the slightly nervous girl with braided pigtails in front of him, Hoshino Sora didn't speak. He just took a half-step forward, grabbed her shoulders, and gazed at her with fervent eyes.
"I know my few words can't make you open up. Lie down on the bed, and I'll give you a massage. With so many customers today, you've been serving for four or five hours back and forth. You must be exhausted, right?"
As Hoshino Sora spoke, his gaze swept over Tadokoro Megumi's body. The girl's figure was well-proportioned, plump where it should be, slender where it should be. Her face was pure and cute, and her eyes held a hint of adorable naivety.
She felt… a bit like Little Red Riding Hood.
"Ah? No need, actually, I'm not that tired."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Tadokoro Megumi's body subtly trembled, and her heart rate suddenly quickened. So sudden! Why did Hoshino-kun suddenly want to give her a massage!?
"First, take off your shoes. I'll start from your feet. There are many acupoints on the feet. If you meet a master who knows how to massage feet, just a foot massage can relieve a lot of fatigue."
Hoshino Sora talked to himself, his gaze shifting from Tadokoro Megumi's body to her short boots. The black short boots, contrasting with the white mid-calf socks, were very small and cute.
"No need, it feels so embarrassing…"
It was clear that Tadokoro Megumi was somewhat resistant, but her words were soft and not firm at all. Facing this situation, Hoshino Sora knew he needed to be more assertive.
"Listen to me. Look at you now, with a long face, not only exhausted but also lacking confidence. How can a chef like that make popular dishes?"
"I can't solve your confidence problem in a short time, but I am confident in solving fatigue. Don't resist. If you don't want to do it yourself, let me help you. Anyway, I'm determined to massage these feet today!"
Hoshino Sora spoke with utmost sincerity. At this moment, he genuinely wanted to help Tadokoro Megumi find confidence, but he had no idea how. All he could do now was help her relax her body.
Coincidentally, his foot massage skills were superb, absolutely comparable to those experienced old masters outside who had been in the field for years!
This was a positive result born from a heartfelt love for something.
When the body is comfortable, the mood will follow, thus creating a series of positive cycles. This was Hoshino Sora's thought, a very pure thought.
"I'll do it myself."
Perhaps moved by Hoshino Sora's gaze, or perhaps unable to refuse, Tadokoro Megumi shyly sat on the bed, placing her hands on her shoes. Her two braided pigtails trembled slightly, and her eyes involuntarily closed the moment she took off her shoes.
Tadokoro Megumi's feet were small, wearing white mid-calf socks. Because she had been working all day and hadn't had time to shower, the socks showed dampness and emitted a faint scent.
Not smelly, but a bit intoxicating!
"Otherwise, let's just forget it…"
"How can we forget it? I just got excited."
Her toes curled slightly, showing that Tadokoro Megumi was very shy. Seeing this, Hoshino Sora didn't hold back. He directly went forward and took off her socks, revealing a fair, delicate small foot before his eyes.
A chilling sensation came through the air, and Tadokoro Megumi shivered. She opened her eyes and saw Hoshino Sora's infatuated expression, her heart pounding frighteningly fast.
"Ah, mm…"
As Hoshino Sora's fingers pressed down, a magical sensation was transmitted to his hands. With a slight force, the girl in front of him cried out, her hands tightly gripping the blanket.
But Hoshino Sora didn't care. His gaze was focused on massaging each acupoint. At this moment, he had forgotten about taking advantage, his mind entirely focused on how to make her more relaxed.
After the entire process was completed, Tadokoro Megumi was drenched in sweat, but her face was filled with pleasure. She lay flat on the bed, her chest rising and falling, appearing restless.
"How was it? Feel much better, right?"
"That was amazing! Hoshino-kun, although it hurt a bit at first, after the massage, my whole body felt relaxed!"
Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but exclaim in praise. Before the massage, she had wondered what a foot massage would feel like and was a bit scared, but after the whole session, her entire body felt light.
More than half of her accumulated fatigue had disappeared!
"Go take a shower first. If you're willing, I'll give you a body massage when you come back. The effects of a foot massage are limited. Don't worry, I'm a professional at massage!"
Hearing Tadokoro Megumi's praise, Hoshino Sora immediately became enthusiastic. However, unlike foot massages, he still sought her opinion for a body massage, letting her decide whether she wanted it or not.
After all, their relationship was at most friends. A foot massage was acceptable, but massaging various parts of the upper body was somewhat ambiguous, not something people with a casual relationship could do.
Of course, if Tadokoro Megumi could accept it, he was willing to put in the effort.
"Body massage, huh…"
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Tadokoro Megumi paused, expectation appearing in her eyes. If just a foot massage had such power, what would a full body massage be like!?
But… a body massage meant skin-to-skin contact. Just thinking about it could make her toes curl into a three-bedroom, one-living-room interaction, let alone actually doing it. What if they accidentally got carried away?
Tadokoro Megumi swallowed, her face burning red, not daring to think further.
But… that feeling.
She really wanted to experience it again!
"You go shower first. Don't worry, a body massage is very proper. You don't even need to take off your clothes; it can be done through clothes. It's not what you're thinking."
Seeing Tadokoro Megumi's hesitation, Hoshino Sora added. Although a body massage would involve a certain amount of physical contact, it could also be done through clothes.
Although the effect would be much less, it was enough.
He could slowly push for more later.
"I wasn't thinking that kind of thing at all! I'm going to shower first. I'll leave it to you later!"
Her cheeks instantly turned even redder. Realizing she had misunderstood Hoshino Sora, a strong sense of shame immediately surged from deep within her heart, but she still spoke stubbornly.
After speaking, she got up and rushed out the door, so nervous that she even forgot to put on her shoes, running out barefoot. Looking at the socks discarded by the bed, Hoshino Sora very naturally put them into his pocket.
— — — — — — — — — —
"Ahhh, how embarrassing!"
On the other side, Tadokoro Megumi had already found her clothes and arrived at the bathroom. She gently took off her clothes, placed them in the basket, and then soaked herself in the bathtub filled with hot water.
At first, she was calm, but after soaking in the bathtub for a long time, the scene from earlier involuntarily surfaced in her mind. Her skin turned slightly red, and unable to hold it in any longer, she shouted in the bathroom.
"Idiot, idiot! Hoshino-kun is an idiot!"
After venting, Tadokoro Megumi immediately felt much better. She leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her hand swishing in the water, occasionally touching the little yellow duck she carried with her.
At the same time, she began to look forward to Hoshino Sora's body massage, which would be happening soon. That feeling, like tiny electric currents passing through her body, was truly super satisfying!
However... too much comfort wouldn't do either.
Thinking of the strange reactions her body had during the previous massage, Tadokoro Megumi's face turned crimson. Her gaze subconsciously drifted towards the panties in the laundry basket not far away, which still had faint water marks.
What was it? Tadokoro Megumi knew full well.
Getting up and changing into her pajamas, Tadokoro Megumi hesitantly approached Hoshino Sora's room door...
——————
The night wasn't long. Tadokoro Megumi, having enjoyed the massage, fell asleep directly. Hoshino Sora turned the girl over and could still clearly hear her breathing. She truly had no defenses whatsoever; even the buttons on her pajama collar had come undone during the massage.
Looking at the fair skin before him, Hoshino Sora didn't make a big deal of it. He simply pulled up the blanket to cover her. Having faced so many challenges from girls, he could now calmly accept this level of temptation.
Turning off the light, Hoshino Sora pulled back the other side of the covers, lay down, and after a yawn, went to sleep on his own.
As for why he didn't go to her room, it was mainly because Tadokoro Megumi had locked the door before leaving her room, and the key was nowhere to be found. Forcibly taking it would definitely result in physical contact.
To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Hoshino Sora decided to make do for the night. After all, it wasn't his first time sleeping with a girl who wasn't his girlfriend.
——————
The next day.
Tadokoro Megumi groggily opened her eyes. Seeing the person lying beside her, she was startled at first, her hand instinctively reaching for her chest. Pulling back the covers, she saw that her clothes were perfectly intact.
Sitting on the bed in silence for a moment, Tadokoro Megumi recalled what had happened last night and immediately felt ashamed for having doubted Hoshino Sora just now.
This guy was truly a gentleman. He didn't make any moves even when she was so defenseless. She felt a bit relieved, yet also a bit disappointed, her emotions slightly complex.
Propping herself up, she slowly sat up on the bed. Looking at the peacefully sleeping Hoshino Sora, Tadokoro Megumi couldn't help but gaze at him. This gaze made her a little dazed. Why was there such a handsome man in the world?
His fragmented hair was like ink, and his handsome face was perfectly chiseled. His sword-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his deep eyes were tightly closed at this moment. Gone was his usual composure and decisiveness, and his handsome nose outlined a perfect profile.
She had avoided him at first sight, but only after getting to know him did she understand his kindness. He had always treated her with a polite and gentlemanly demeanor, and he also took great care of her emotions; he was very good to her.
"Had enough looking?"
"Eh..."
Noticing the burning gaze on his face, Hoshino Sora suddenly opened his eyes. Tadokoro Megumi quickly averted her gaze upon seeing this, wanting to get up but being held by him through the blanket.
"Xiao Hui, have you ever had a boyfriend?"
Hoshino Sora suddenly asked.
"Huh, no... no, why are you suddenly asking this?"
Her body subtly stiffened. Tadokoro Megumi looked at Hoshino Sora's cheerful face, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
"I see, no wonder. Do you want to experience the sweetness and bitterness of love a little?"
"Love? Eh..."
What, what, what's happening?! Is Hoshino-kun confessing?! So sudden! There was no warning at all! How can anyone accept this!
But... but...
Looking at Hoshino Sora's handsome face, she could clearly hear her own heartbeat, so strong. Thinking of all the care he had shown her last night, Tadokoro Megumi hesitated.
"Hoshino-kun, don't you already have a girlfriend? She's so beautiful, her cooking skills are amazing, and she's also the Director's granddaughter. Someone like me, it's hard for me to stand with you all."
Hoshino Sora, from every angle, was the best marriage candidate. He was tall and well-built, handsome, gentle to others, and his cooking was incomparably strong.
Being with such a person, the prospects for development were naturally vast. However, Hoshino Sora already had a girlfriend. Although this world did not restrict polyamorous relationships, there would still be people who minded.
Of course, the real point Tadokoro Megumi minded wasn't polyamory, but rather that Hoshino Sora and the people around him were too outstanding. If she joined them, she would feel out of place.
"Xiao Hui is also very beautiful, okay? At least she's my type, otherwise I wouldn't confess to you. As for cooking ability, do you believe me if I say that in my heart, your skill is not inferior to Alice's?"
"How is that possible? I'm so bad, I almost got expelled several times. Miss Alice is hailed as the strongest under the Elite Ten. There's no comparison between us..."
Hearing Hoshino Sora's words, Tadokoro Megumi lowered her head and spoke with great lack of confidence.
"I've said it many times, you just lack confidence, too much confidence.
How about this, from today until the end of the practical training, I will be your sous chef, assisting you in developing new dishes, and doing my best to make the customers happy.
As for whether you are willing to be my girlfriend, it's okay if you can't think of an answer now. After all, I asked too suddenly, and I'm not in a hurry. Just tell me your answer after the practical training ends."
Releasing his arm from around Tadokoro Megumi, Hoshino Sora quickly got up, changed his clothes, and put on his shoes. Turning around, he saw her still in a daze and couldn't help but flick her forehead, then said, "What are you thinking about? Hurry up and change and get ready for work. Work starts at 10:30 AM, and it's already past 9:00 AM."
"Ah, okay."
Seeing Hoshino Sora acting as if nothing had happened, Tadokoro Megumi was startled and hurriedly prepared to change. However, as soon as she unbuttoned her clothes, her cheeks couldn't help but flush. She put on her slippers and rushed back to her own room in a panic.
"This girl."
Watching Tadokoro Megumi's flustered departure, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but laugh and complain, his eyes holding a hint of expectation. He had thought for a long time last night before coming up with this method.
Having Tadokoro Megumi take the lead in improving the dishes, and then having the dishes praised by customers, should achieve the effect of boosting her confidence.
As for the sudden confession earlier, that was entirely because Xiao Hui was too cute and kept staring at him. He couldn't help but speak at that moment. Anyway, having a harem is legal in this world, and the other party also seemed to have some feelings for him.
He had done a lot of probing last night.
——————
"One serving of Dry-Fried Earth Star."
"Scallion-Braised Green Leaves, what kind of dish is this? Bring me one!"
The customers in the shop remained. A small portion were old customers from yesterday, but most were new customers. Seeing the lively atmosphere in the shop, they came in one after another to spend.
In the gourmet world, facing a deserted restaurant, customers are unwilling to pay attention. But as long as there are many customers in the shop, it will attract passersby, and if the restaurant tastes good, it can gradually build a reputation.
And now, "Mushiki-ya" was in the golden age of its business development. After they left, whether this shop could continue to maintain such high popularity depended on whether they could make a name for themselves on this bustling Commercial Street during this period.
"Hello, after you finish your meal, could you please fill out a feedback form about the dishes? If you complete it, you can get a 10% discount."
The newly hired waiter's attitude was humble and very polite as he asked the customer, placing a survey questionnaire in front of him as he spoke. This was Tadokoro Megumi's idea.
To make customers happy, one must understand their needs. Tadokoro Megumi's cooking style liked to consider the eater, which was a very gentle cooking style.
"Of course!"
Hearing about the discount, the diner, whose belly was full, immediately smiled. He picked up a pen and carefully checked the options on the survey questionnaire. There were less than ten options on the questionnaire, all asking about the diner's satisfaction with the dishes.
If many customers were dissatisfied with a dish, it would be withdrawn and re-researched until a suitable flavor was adjusted before being added back to the menu.
Throughout the entire process, Hoshino Sora did not offer any suggestions, leaving all the problems to Tadokoro Megumi, letting her think about how to solve them.
The sense of accomplishment gained after solving problems this way was often the most fulfilling.
He wanted to use the happy smiles and praises of the diners to help Tadokoro Megumi regain her confidence!
In fact, Tadokoro Megumi did very well. During the less busy afternoon hours, she looked at the dishes that received more negative reviews from diners. After getting Tetsuo Mushiki's approval, she boldly started to modify them.
"Is this okay?"
"Fantastic! The taste is very gentle, and from the appearance, it doesn't look like it's made from insects at all."
"I slightly modified its shape and then seasoned it with relatively less intense spices, because many customers reported that its taste was too strong. Can this be on the menu?"
Tadokoro Megumi said somewhat shyly, pinching the corner of her clothes. Looking at the burly man in front of her, although she wanted the other party to change the recipe, she had already lost in terms of aura.
"Of course it can! Then let's put it on the new menu tomorrow. As expected of a Far Moon student, you're much stronger than a self-taught person like me, Tadokoro!"
Tetsuo Mushiki said with a thumbs-up and praise. He hadn't expected his casual application to get such a capable intern.
Not only did she help his restaurant, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, come back to life, but she also comprehensively improved his recipes. Recipes are the most important thing for a shop; a good recipe creates a good shop.
His recipes, to be honest, were nothing special. He had simply developed insect dishes through continuous experimentation and research based on his own experience. To be frank, they were quite crude.
"Then let's go with this for tomorrow..."
Upon receiving praise and affirmation, Tadokoro Megumi remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, she was overjoyed. This joy manifested as an incredibly sunny smile on her face.
Hoshino Sora saw it and was happy for her, but he didn't say anything. He simply worked diligently by her side as a helper, answering her questions and resolving most of Tadokoro Megumi's technical difficulties.
The group was busy until evening. The moon hung high in the sky. All the customers had left the restaurant. The newly hired waiter and Tetsuo Mushiki stayed to clean up, while Tadokoro Megumi and Hoshino Sora set off on their way back to the inn.
"Today passed so quickly!"
Hoshino Sora said with some emotion.
"Yes, once you get busy, time just flies by."
Nodding, Tadokoro Megumi also agreed.
"I heard there's a Lantern Festival over there, seems like it's tonight. There are also many special gourmet foods that you usually can't eat. Want to go check it out together?"
"Sure, let's go have fun together."
Her face held a bright, sunny smile, showing that Tadokoro Megumi had a very happy day, completely different from her dejected appearance yesterday. It seemed he also needed to press on while he had the advantage.
Coincidentally, he had seen promotions for the Lantern Festival on the street when he returned yesterday; it was probably for these three days: today, tomorrow, and the day after.
If he wanted to win over a girl, these few days were undoubtedly the best time.
"Let's go."
——————
In the following days, Tadokoro Megumi launched a new improved dish almost every day based on the diners' needs, and each new dish received praise from the customers.
"Such a gentle taste, it has a heartwarming feeling."
"Before coming here, I heard that the dishes here are made with insects, and I had a lot of psychological burden, but from the dishes themselves, you can't tell they're made from insects at all!"
"Exactly, I feel like I can accept it now, but don't tell anyone that fact!"
The discussions in the restaurant made Tadokoro Megumi happy, because the kitchen and dining area were only separated by a curtain, so she could clearly hear what people outside were saying.
"But I still think this Golden Crispy Pupa is the best. It's incredibly fragrant with rice; one plate can go with two big bowls of white rice."
"Indeed, it's fragrant but not spicy, incredibly crispy, and paired with rice, it's simply the best combination in the world!"
More praises were directed at the Golden Crispy Pupa developed by Hoshino Sora. Even so, Tadokoro Megumi was very satisfied; she had a clear understanding of herself.
Who was Hoshino-kun? He was the champion of the Autumn Elections!
Thinking of how he confessed to her that morning, Tadokoro Megumi's cheeks suddenly flushed, and a strange feeling surged in her heart.
"Is that so? I feel like it's nothing special."
The voice came from two men sitting by the door. As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked over.