"..."
Haruna was staring at me with a strange intensity. Regardless, I didn't let my smile falter. On the contrary, deciding to see this brazen act through to the end, I casually extended a hand and spoke.
"Hey, could you pass me the menu?"
"...Fufu."
Haruna snapped the menu she was looking at shut with a crisp sound and handed it over.
"How amusing. Is this how you hit on people in Trinity? Such audacity, to lie to the staff of a reservation-only restaurant just to share a table. In all my time walking the path of gastronomy, I have never once experienced such a thing. Should I say my heart is... fluttering?"
The moment I saw Haruna give a soft, smiling-eyed look as she spoke, I realized that demons were a species you should never associate with. If I were to be bewitched by that sly eye-smile, I'd end up corrupted before I knew it. So this is the terror of a demon's temptation.
"Ahaha, you're quite the kidder. Do I look like the type of person who would try to pick up a horned devil from Gehenna? I'm sorry, but I'm of the opinion that one shouldn't carelessly associate with horn-heads. Normally, I would have suggested an icebreaker, but if my opponent is from Gehenna, it's a different story."
"Oh my, is that so...? But the term 'horn-head' does not seem to refer to me. I do not have any horns, you see."
Whoops, she found a loophole?!
...But then again, I don't hate Gehenna to the same extent as the original Mika. Honestly, how could I hate a place with so many charming characters, like the girls from Problem Solver 68? So, being logically refuted by Haruna is a very minor issue.
She probably didn't think I actually disliked her, despite my words. I'd imagine only an idiot of Makoto's caliber would take what I said at face value.
"Fufufu, still, such a special and new experience will surely be a great help in my quest for the ultimate taste. Very well. Angel of Trinity, I will accept your request to share a table."
As expected of one of the students in Kivotos who has etched "true madness" into her heart, a different dimension from the "fake madness" of someone like Tsurugi. Even in a situation like this, she remains faithful to her goal. Perhaps it was because she was so passionate that, despite her insane antics, she had far more people who liked her than disliked her.
...What? You think it's just because she's pretty? Well, you're right about that too.
"Ahaha, I like how straightforward you are. To be honest, I don't really know what this 'ultimate taste' you're pursuing is... but yeah, I think that kind of passion is pretty cool, Haruna-chan."
"Hrm? Come to think of it, you came here knowing not only my name, but also the fact that I am the president of the Gourmet Research Society... Aha. I see. Did you perhaps seek me out with the intention of sanctioning me? Also, I believe the current situation, where only one party knows the other's name, is a bit unfair."
"Is that so? Yeah, then feel free to call me Mika-chan☆ But more importantly, you were the one who blew up that ice cream shop back then, weren't you? In that case, the correct course of action would be an arrest, not a sanction... but well, that doesn't really matter! My goal today is just to keep an eye on you so you don't cause any trouble. And maybe get a bite to eat while I'm at it~"
I said, opening the menu. I slowly scanned the items, picking out a few suitable ones. I didn't have any other plans today anyway, so since it had come to this, I was going to eat my fill before leaving.
And to be honest, the students of Kivotos have a habit of escaping no matter how you try to arrest them. They're troublemakers who immediately cause another incident right after, so is there really any reason to waste my energy? Besides, I don't think I can do anything about this terrorist whom even Sensei couldn't fully rehabilitate.
"Oh my... for someone from Trinity, you are quite cool, are you not? For some reason, I feel like I could get along well with you, Mika-san."
What is this girl saying? If I get along well with a terrorist like you, isn't that a problem?
...Or is it? A terrorist and a rebel leader might be a surprisingly good combination.
"We should probably order first~ Have you already decided what you're getting, Haruna-chan?"
"No. I was debating whether or not to order a secondo piatto. Until you asked for the menu, that is."
"Hm? Ah, right! I took it from you. But you were debating whether to order it or not? Not debating what to get?"
"I am a rather light eater. If I order too much, I will not be able to finish it, and that would be against proper etiquette, would it not?"
"That's true. Hmm..."
Since my transmigration, I haven't been a big eater either. In that case, wouldn't it be better to coordinate with Haruna and share? As someone who pursues gastronomy, Haruna would probably want to try a variety of dishes. Doesn't sound bad.
If I had just ordered my own dishes, I probably would have ended up wasting food too. It's better not to order in the first place if you're going to leave leftovers.
"Then could you tell me what you've already decided on, Haruna-chan?"
"...Aha. You mean to share. Very well, that would be acceptable. First, for the antipasto, I was thinking of ordering the prosciutto e melone."
Antipasto is the appetizer. And prosciutto e melone is just cured ham served with melon, a dish that isn't difficult to make. In fact, getting good ingredients is more of a hassle than the preparation, but I don't know what it's like in Kivotos. In any case, it's a decent and safe choice.
"I had decided on the amatriciana for the primo piatto, but I was not confident I could finish a secondo piatto as well..."
Primo and secondo piatto. The first and second plates, respectively. For the primo piatto, people usually eat well-known pasta dishes. The secondo piatto that follows is naturally a lighter fish or meat dish, as one is already somewhat full by then.
"Hrmm..."
Come to think of it, I think I saw a rather famous steak on the menu, the bistecca alla fiorentina. I did want to try it at least once.
"If you're okay with it, Haruna-chan, I think it would be good for me to order a single serving of this and we can share the other things. What do you think?"
"Pardon? This is... aha, not bad. No, it is brilliant. I am now looking forward to seeing how well they have recreated the bistecca alla fiorentina here. Though I am not without my concerns. In that case, with a side of roasted potatoes..."
Haruna, who seemed to have had no intention of eating steak, her eyes now sparkling, began to adjust the menu. While she did that, I saw the small print at the end of the menu—'For alcoholic beverages, please ask your waiter'—and cried tears of blood internally. Steak without wine...
"Are you ready to order, ladies? Hmm, come to think of it, the number of guests seems to be different from the reservation... My apologies. It seems there was an error on our part. If you would just wait a moment, I will prepare another set of tableware."
"Oh my, this is not the restaurant's fault, so there is no need to apologize so. A friend who lives nearby was able to make some time, so we decided to have our meal together today, but I seem to have forgotten to amend the reservation. Therefore, it is I who should be apologizing. I am sorry to have caused you trouble~"
...What is with this girl? Listening to her talk, if you just removed the wings and tail, I'd believe she was a Trinity student. The madness behind that smiling face is on par with the Trinity students too.
Still, the madness of blowing up a restaurant if the service and food don't meet her expectations is a level rarely seen in Trinity. In fact, among the Trinity students, the only one who could rival that is... probably our terrifying Faust-sama?
As for Hanako, she's just a madness poser, isn't she?
...Hmm, or is she? At the point where the concept becomes her actual character, I guess she's just plain mad.
And as for our fake-mad Justice Task Force president... let's not even talk about her. I had a chance to talk to her once, and I just hope Sensei comes quickly and takes care of her. My child is a little sick...
"First, we will have one plate each of the prosciutto e melone and the amatriciana pasta. Then, after a sufficient interval to fully appreciate the aftertaste, please prepare a single serving of the bistecca alla fiorentina with a contorno of roasted potatoes. For dolce, two slices of tiramisu, and to drink... Mika-san, is acqua gassata acceptable?"
"Yeah, since we can't order wine anyway, that's probably for the best if we want to fully savor the taste. I don't really have any intention of drinking anything else."
"Fufu, as expected, you and I are on the same wavelength, Mika-san. Then we will have two glasses of acqua gassata, please. And I would like to ask one thing first, but for the bistecca alla fiorentina, you are of course using Chianina beef, are you not...?"
"Of course, madam. Also, please note that this dish is only prepared al sangue, that is to say, rare."
After reconfirming the order, the waiter left. Haruna, now in a good mood, smiled and took off the coat she was wearing, placing it on the seat next to her.
"Chianina cattle are not raised in Trinity. The delicacy of importing this specific breed to serve this dish has pleased me. And the manner in which you asked for our understanding regarding a dish that is, by default, served rare, shows a consideration for the customer. With this, I can give a passing grade of about fifty percent."
"Ahaha, that sounds like you'll blow it up without a moment's hesitation if the taste isn't to your liking! Are you sure you should be saying that in front of me?"
"Fufu, come to think of it, you did say you would supervise me to prevent that. I thought that you, Mika-san, who seems to get along with me so well, would understand the necessity of reducing the number of restaurants that serve unpalatable food by blowing them up. Was I mistaken?"
Honestly, restaurants with bad food should disappear... no, I almost got bewitched by this sly demon and agreed with her terrifying ideology. No matter what, blowing up shops is a bit much.
"Yeah, that method is too extreme. I understand the sentiment to some extent, but you're conveniently ignoring the fact that other people get hurt because of it. Since we have a difference in perspective, I don't think our thoughts on that part will ever align. It's a little regrettable☆"
"To say you understand to some extent, does that mean you have also thought of blowing up a shop at least once, Mika-san? Fufu, that is enough for me to think I can draw you over to our side. The first time is always the hardest; the second time is easy, is it not?"
No, stop right there with your attempts to turn me into a terrorist, you demon!!
"Mika-san, would you perhaps be interested in joining the Gourmet Research Society? It would be very reassuring to have someone with whom I get along so well on our journey to find the ultimate taste..."
...I wish you wouldn't appeal to me with such a pure, ladylike face. There's a limit to how much my resistance to beautiful women, which I've built up to some extent thanks to Nagisa, can endure.
And more importantly, if I did that, I might get kicked out of the Tea Party. Especially since I'm the head of the Pater faction, it wouldn't be strange to be called a traitor or someone colluding with the enemy. Not that I particularly care what they say, but still, that's a bit much.
"Hm? Ahaha, asking a student from Trinity to join a club in Gehenna, that's a little rude~ Yep, absolutely impossible☆"
"I wonder, is it truly impossible? If that is the only problem, it can be solved by you transferring to our Gehenna. Fufu, once you taste the freedom of Gehenna, Mika-san, you will surely become a person who can never return to your current life."
...What is with you, Kurodate Haruna? What is with that sly charm!!! Could you please stop trying to seduce people with those cunning, smiling eyes?!