Compared to dining with a bustling crowd, Taki always preferred a slower, more intimate meal with one or two close friends.
Good food.
Great wine.
Genuine conversation.
And hearts open wide by the end of it.
This was her ideal dining experience.
Unfortunately, since graduating from Totsuki and relocating to faraway Spain, moments like these with Sonoka had become rare.
After finishing their meal, Taki lingered at the table. She cradled a half-full glass of wine in her hand, sipping slowly, eyes half-closed as she basked in the calm atmosphere.
Yes… just as Sonoka had said.
This tavern's owner—Zane—was better at cooking than either of them. That alone was already shocking.
But what made her uneasy… was the fact that he could execute even obscure, regional specialties with such polish and finesse.
It was like… he had no weaknesses.
"Owner," Taki suddenly said, her eyes still closed. "Do you remember the time when Spanish barbecue had a brief surge of popularity?"
"It was simple, affordable, tasty—and suited the Chinese palate. But then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished."
"Why didn't it catch on?"
Though impulsive by nature, Taki always carried herself with a certain directness. And Zane's skills gave her new hope—hope that Spanish cuisine might one day rise in popularity. Compared to her previous coolness toward him, her tone now was markedly gentler.
Zane set down the glass he was cleaning and answered calmly, "I think it comes down to the 'DIY' aspect."
"When diners have to grill the meat themselves, there's too much room for inconsistency. Many people don't know how long to cook it. They overdo it—burn it—because they're afraid of undercooking."
"In the end, it becomes a stressful dining experience, especially on social or business occasions. People don't want to risk embarrassment, so they just avoid it altogether."
Taki tilted her head.
"Is that so? But isn't grilling your own meat part of the charm? The process—the interaction—it's supposed to be fun."
She crossed her arms and leaned slightly toward him.
"Spain has a rich culture of beef, after all. Bullfighting, Rubia Gallega, even Ozaki beef from Japan—these are world-class meats."
"Maybe… it's because Chinese people don't really eat that much beef?"
She wasn't wrong.
Every year, China consumed tens of millions of tons of pork, while beef and mutton barely accounted for a tenth of that.
Historically, pigs were raised within households, while cattle were labor animals—rarely eaten. In fact, there were times beef consumption was legally restricted.
Still, Zane didn't seem fully convinced.
"True," he said, "but it's more than that. Local barbecue traditions like roujiamo, roubing, and skewers have history, flavor, and convenience on their side."
"Compared to those… Spanish barbecue just doesn't stand out enough."
Taki blinked. Then gave a small, reluctant nod.
She remembered her trip to Xinjiang. Charcoal grills lined the streets, sizzling with lamb skewers. Even with the simplest setup, those places did booming business.
Maybe he was right after all.
"Owner, check please!"
Taki drained the last of her wine and stood up, her voice brisk again.
Although she'd initially been cold to Zane, maybe even a bit possessive of Sonoka, she had to admit—
She liked this tavern.
And she liked him.
"Eh? You're leaving already?" Sonoka asked, surprised. "We haven't even closed yet."
"Yeah, yeah." Taki waved a hand dismissively. "You big-chested airhead. If we stay any longer, we're both going to get caught up in this man's spell."
She scowled, though not seriously, then raised her hand and lunged at Sonoka.
"Wha—? T-Taki! Don't you dare!" Sonoka squealed, instinctively shielding her chest as she jumped backward.
It was a familiar routine between them.
But behind her teasing, there was a flicker of unease.
Yes—Zane was that kind of man.
Not just handsome.
Not just composed.
It was the quiet strength in him, the way he didn't flaunt his talent or seek approval. His wisdom, his calm, and his warmth drew people in effortlessly.
Even Taki—who had always been indifferent to men—felt her heart stir.
And that scared her more than she cared to admit.
Especially when it came to Sonoka, whose innocence made her more vulnerable.
"Owner," she said, turning back to Zane. Her tone was serious now.
"Your seafood rice… it's incredible."
"I've spent years trying to make this cuisine take root, to show people how good it can be. But now… I see it clearly."
"Compared to you, I still have so far to go."
Zane blinked in mild surprise.
She wasn't trying to flatter him.
Her voice carried weight, tinged with both admiration and regret.
"Even if I worked another ten or twenty years, I might not be able to elevate seafood rice to the level you've already reached."
Zane just smiled faintly. "It's just a simple dish. Nothing elegant or grand."
"But… if you enjoy it, you're always welcome here."
Taki paused.
Then gave him a slow nod.
"I'll come again."
With that, she grabbed Sonoka—who was still recovering from the earlier "attack"—and gave her a light tug.
"Alright, let's go!"