After a while, a tray of food was brought in by Melli. Yuzuki smiled immediately and straightened up in his seat, ready for his breakfast. Melli stopped beside him with the tray, lifted the lid sections one by one, and began carefully setting each plate on the table.
Yuzuki leaned forward and gasped. "Oh my god… these look and smell good."
Melli smiled proudly. "Of course, Mr. Yuzuki. These were made especially by the best chef in our hotel. Chef Nicallo Parrazo, who has won multiple food competitions around East Gorteau. His reputation precedes him."
Yuzuki chuckled and said. "Well then Melli, I shall be the judge of that."
Melli says "Of course, then let me properly introduce the dishes." Melli then clasped her hands and began introducing each dish.
"This right here is a honey-glazed croissant with almond butter," she said, placing the plate closer to him.
Yuzuki pointed. "Is that homemade butter?"
"Yes," Melli answered. "Chef Parrazo makes it himself every morning."
Yuzuki nodded approvingly.
She then continued, "This is a savory omelette with three cheeses and no mushrooms, just as requested."
Yuzuki nodded. "Looks fluffy. What's the seasoning on top?"
"Cracked pepper and a mild herb blend," she replied kindly.
Yuzuki again nodded.
She then motioned to the next plate. "Here we have golden hash-browns, lightly salted, fried in clarified butter."
Yuzuki asked, "Are they crispy all the way through?"
Melli nodded. "Yes, Mr. Yuzuki. Chef Parrazo insists on it."
Next, she pointed to a bowl. "And this is a vegetable-lentil soup. No spinach, chunky tomatoes, or onions."
Yuzuki raised a brow. "Soup for breakfast?"
Melli giggled softly. "Chef Parrazo says breakfast should warm the soul."
Yuzuki said "I've never had soup for breakfast before. I wonder how it blends in with everything."
Melli said with a smile "Trust me, it's like amazing."
Yuzuki said "Okay, I'll take your word for it"
Finally, she placed a covered plate at the center. "And this is today's special, French-toast bites with a caramel drizzle. Don't worry, no fruit mixed in."
Yuzuki's eyes widened slightly. "Okay… that one is definitely going first."
Once she finished, Melli stepped back. "Well then, Mr. Yuzuki, I shall leave you to it. If you need anything, please let me know."
"Thank you," Yuzuki said with a smile. "I sure will."
Melli bowed lightly and walked away.
Yuzuki turned toward the variety of dishes spread before him. A satisfied smile curved onto his face, and he began to devour everything.
A few moments later, he finished every last piece.
Seeing that he was done, Melli returned with the cleanup staff. As the staff began clearing the plates from his table, she asked, "Well then, Mr. Yuzuki, what did you think?"
Yuzuki patted his full stomach and smiled. "That was the best breakfast I've ever had in my entire life."
She then asked, "What did you think about the soup."
Yuzuki smiled and said, "Well, I will agree that soup is breakfast friendly, just not for me. But I can get why someone would enjoy it."
Melli chuckled. "Well that is correct, everyone has different opinions on certain things. At least we will leave a memory on you."
Yuzuki sighed contentedly. "If only I could see the chef and thank him personally for this amazing dish."
Melli tilted her head. "Well… it might not be impossible."
Yuzuki's eyes lit up instantly. "Really??"
His excitement caught her off guard, and she smiled. "Of course. I just have to ask Mr. Parrazo if he's okay with it first."
"Please do!," Yuzuki said enthusiastically.
Melli chuckled. "Okay then. Give me a moment." And she hurried off.
Yuzuki then turned to the cleaners as they worked."Thank you for your hard work," he said, helping move a few plates to make things easier.
One of the cleaners tried to stop him. "It's fine, sir, please, allow us."
But Yuzuki shook his head and insisted.
Yuzuki was allowed to meet Chef Parrazo. The man was a fat, typical-looking Italian chef with a round belly, thick mustache, and an oversized white hat. He greeted Yuzuki warmly and insisted he try one of his brand-new dishes.
The dish was something he called "Sunrise Velvet Risotto."
A creamy saffron risotto topped with a soft-boiled egg, drizzled lightly with a citrus-infused butter glaze, and sprinkled with shaved truffle for aroma.
It was undeniably crafted with skill, but the flavor simply wasn't for Yuzuki's palate.
After thanking the chef, Yuzuki left the kitchen area and went to find Bernardo.
When he approached the reception, Bernardo saw him first and walked forward. "Mr. Yuzuki, how was your breakfast?"
Yuzuki wore a satisfied smile. "Bernardo, that breakfast was amazing."
Bernardo returned the smile. "I'm happy to hear that."
Yuzuki then asked, "Bernardo, where is John at?"
"I'll go get him for you," Bernardo replied immediately.
"Thank you."
Bernardo walked off to retrieve him.
A few moments later, Bernardo returned with John. John stepped forward respectfully. "Mr. Yuzuki, did you need me?"
Yuzuki nodded. "Yes, I need a ride somewhere a little later."
John smiled. "Of course, Mr. Yuzuki. Where would you like to go?"
Yuzuki replied casually, "A place called Draymoor."
Both Bernardo and John's faces immediately changed.
Bernardo hesitated. "Mr. Yuzuki… are you sure you want to go to Draymoor? Maybe you said the wrong name."
Yuzuki answered nonchalantly, "No, that's exactly where I'm going."
John stepped forward, voice cautious. "Mr. Yuzuki… I know I'm just an employee and shouldn't ask questions, but… may I ask why you need to go to such a place?"
"It's fine," Yuzuki said calmly. "I just have business there, that's all."
Bernardo and John exchanged looks, then nodded.
John asked, "Will you be going with anyone else?"
"No," Yuzuki answered. "I'll be going alone."
Bernardo's voice tightened. "Mr. Yuzuki… that place is quite dangerous. It might be in your best interests to get maybe a bodyguard or two."
Yuzuki smiled lightly. "Don't worry. Despite how I look, I'm quite strong, you know."
Bernardo and John exchanged another glance. Then Bernardo nodded and said, "Then I will ask no more."
Yuzuki stretched. "I didn't get enough sleep last night. I'll catch some quick Z's, then when I wake up, we will leave, okay John?"
"No problem, Mr. Yuzuki," John replied.
Yuzuki turned and walked off toward his room.
---
In the afternoon, Yuzuki woke up, took another shower, and headed down to the diner for lunch.
Once again, he was given a feast.
There was grilled peppered steak with a glossy demi-glace, garlic butter mashed potatoes whipped to a silky finish, crispy herb-seasoned chicken strips, a warm loaf of cheese-stuffed bread, and a bowl of cream-based seafood chowder garnished with thin strips of fried potato. A small plate of egg-fried rice with shredded beef sat beside a serving of roasted carrots glazed in honey. Each dish was arranged symmetrically with elegant precision.
After finishing lunch, Yuzuki walked outside where an SUV was already waiting for him.
John saw him approach, immediately stepped out of the driver's seat, and rushed over to open the back door.
"Mr. Yuzuki," John said respectfully.
Yuzuki nodded as he stepped in.
John closed the door gently, walked around, and settled back into the driver's seat.
Once inside, John asked, "Draymoor, it is, right?"
"Correct," Yuzuki said as he shut his eyes, sinking into contemplation.
The car started, rolled forward, and drove away.
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