I leafed through the guidebook Kuro had given me, weighing my options for our next destination.
I didn't have time to pore over every single page, so I relied on the illustrations and the star ratings to make a quick selection. I weeded out places that specialized in seasonal dishes that didn't fit the current time of year, spots only open at night, and restaurants that required reservations. Narrowing my search to the immediate area, two candidates caught my eye.
The first was an eight-star recommendation from Kuro—a top-tier, ultra-high-end restaurant. No reservation was required, but the prices were steep and the portions were small, though the reviews promised the flavors were world-class.
The second was a five-star recommendation—three stars lower than the first. It wasn't quite "ultra" high-end, but it was still a fine-dining establishment. It was tucked away in a bit of a hidden spot, meaning we likely wouldn't need a reservation. Most notably, the description mentioned that the portions were massive, perfect for anyone looking to eat their fill.
Both were relatively close to our current location. It really just came down to these two.
The question was: quality or quantity? Both were technically luxury restaurants, but they occupied opposite ends of the spectrum.
"...Hey, Alice."
"Yes?"
"Which would you prefer: a reasonably high-end place where you can eat a ton, or a world-class place where the portions are tiny?"
"Hmm... Well, since I am Alice-chan, the woman of discernment... I choose the one with more food!!"
"..."
She didn't hesitate for a second. Her answer was as firm as could be. I’d had a feeling she would say that, but it was official—this girl prioritized quantity over quality every time.
Since Alice was the star of today’s date, I was more than happy to go with her preference.
"Alright, let's go here then."
"Hooray! ...Let's see. Oh, it’s the place with the Meat Tower! This is a great choice."
"Meat Tower?"
"It’s exactly what it sounds like: a literal spire of flesh."
I wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but it had a distinct 'competitive eater' ring to it. For a self-proclaimed maiden, her eyes sure were sparkling at the mention of it.
Ten minutes after leaving the Art Square, we arrived at our destination.
The restaurant featured a calm, wooden interior that felt appropriately refined for a high-end establishment. There weren't many customers, which fit its 'hidden gem' reputation. However, one thing stood out to me: the customers who were there were all unusually large.
Now that I thought about it, the entrance had been quite oversized as well. This place likely specialized in serving the larger Demons.
We were shown to our seats by a waiter, and I decided to order the Meat Tower Alice had been talking about.
"You may choose the size: Half, Normal, Double, Five-fold, or Ten-fold."
"...Alice?"
"Ten-fold, please!"
"Certainly. Please wait just a moment."
She didn't even blink before choosing the biggest size. Even the waiter had to double-check. Looking at Alice’s petite frame, I couldn't fathom how she expected to finish a ten-fold portion.
While we sat and chatted for a bit, the kitchen door swung open. A team of six waiters marched out, carrying a massive platter topped with a literal mountain of meat.
So, this was the Meat Tower. It lived up to its name.
I stared at the colossal pillar of meat on our table. It was beautifully marbled, clearly high-quality, and prepared as roast beef. It shimmered like a pile of red jewels. The base of the tower was decorated with intricately carved vegetables, and various colorful sauces were drizzled around it. The whole thing looked incredibly lavish.
"...Wow, that’s... something."
"This place is a favorite for the Ogre Race and the Orc Race, you know."
"Yeah, that makes perfect sense now."
If this was the ten-fold size, I probably couldn't even finish a single normal portion by myself.
Despite the beauty and luxury of the dish, the sheer scale of it was so absurd that I was actually a little put off. Alice, however, looked like she had just seen a miracle.
"Well, let's dig in."
"Right! ...Ah."
"Hmm?"
"..."
Seeing Alice so happy made it worth it. I decided I would just eat a little and let her enjoy the rest. But just as I reached for my utensils, her expression shifted as if she’d suddenly realized something. She started looking around the room frantically.
"Is something wrong?"
"...Ugh, uuu... J-Just give me a second! I'm bracing myself!"
"Bracing yourself?"
I was worried since she wasn't touching her food, but her explanation didn't clear anything up. Her cheeks were turning pink. Was she nervous? What did she need to brace herself for?
"...It’s fine... I can do this... I’m Alice... I can do it..."
"H-Hey, Alice?"
"Kaito-san and I are lovers... It's okay..."
"Hello? Earth to Alice?"
She was muttering to herself while staring down at the table, seemingly unable to hear my voice. After another moment of whispering, she suddenly snapped her head up and pointed her fork at the Meat Tower.
I figured she had finally found her appetite, but as I picked up my own fork...
"K-Kaito-san!?"
"Yeah?"
"A-Aah, aaaa, aaaaa, ahhhhn!!"
"..."
Face bright red and looking completely panicked, Alice thrust a forkful of meat toward my mouth.
"...What are you doing?"
"H-Hurry up and eat it! This is embarrassing enough as it is!"
"No, I mean, why are you doing this so suddenly...?"
"I-I've always wanted to t-t-t-try this at least once if I ever got a l-lover!"
Stammering and trembling, Alice held out the meat, her eyes pleading through the gaps in her mask as she fought through her intense shame. She looked incredibly adorable. I honestly wanted to watch her squirm a bit longer, but that felt too cruel. I leaned forward and ate the meat she was offering.
The meat was tender and velvety, soaked in a slightly tart sauce that perfectly accented the savory flavor that bloomed in my mouth. It was genuinely delicious.
As I savored the flavor, I noticed Alice staring at me expectantly. Ah, I see. This is how it’s going to be. She wants me to return the favor.
"Here, Alice. Ahhhhn."
"...A-Aaaa, aaaaaa-ahhhhn, munch!"
"You're shaking like a leaf..."
Her entire body was quivering so hard I thought an earthquake had started. She ate the meat I offered and chewed while her face turned a deep shade of crimson. Gradually, her expression softened into one of pure bliss. It seemed she really liked the taste.
"Shall we keep going like this?"
"...Wh-Wh-Wha..."
"What now?"
"Why are you so calm about this, Kaito-san!?"
"Why? I don't know..."
"M-My face feels like it’s going to catch fire! It’s not fair that you’re the only one keeping your cool!!"
Honestly, the only reason I was so calm was because she was so over-the-top agitated that it forced me to be the level-headed one. But even if she was technically 'angry' right now... the way she glared at me with that bright red, trembling face was... well...
"You're really cute."
"Nyat!? Wh-What did you say!?"
"I said you're cute when your face is all red... Here, Alice. Ahhhhn."
"Mugh!?"
I popped another piece of meat into her mouth while she was busy sputtering in surprise. Her face turned so red I practically expected to hear an audible explosion. She finished the meat in silence, then opened her mouth again.
Apparently, as embarrassed as she was, she wanted me to keep feeding her. Her reaction was so transparent and charming that I couldn't help but smile. I skewered another piece and held it out.
"Ahhhhn."
"A-Ahhhhn... munch munch... Kaito-san, you’re definitely a closet sadist, but only to me..."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing! Next one, please! I-If this is how it’s going to be, I’m going to make you feed me the whole thing!!"
"Pfft... Sure, sure. Understood."
"Stop laughing at meeeeee!"
Her desperate shouting was hilarious. Forgetting that we were in a classy restaurant, we spent the meal in our own little world, playfully feeding each other. This really made it sink in that we were lovers... and it made me happy. I wanted to feed her as much as she wanted.
...Or so I thought... at first...
"munch munch... Kaito-san, next piece!"
"...H-Hey, Alice? How long is this going to continue?"
"Until it's all gone, obviously! ...Oh, waiter! Three more Meat Towers, please!"
"Wait, m-my hand is starting to cramp... Alice!?"
Yes, I had underestimated her. I had forgotten that Alice possessed a bottomless void where a stomach should be.
Regretting my earlier promise to feed her the whole thing, I reached out with my aching, trembling hand to deliver the next piece of meat to her mouth.
Dear Mother, Father—The restaurant Alice and I went to was quite nice. It wasn't too stuffy, and I had a wonderful time watching Alice be adorable while we ate. I did... but... seriously—how long is this going to continue?
"Ah, and could you bring out one of everything else on the menu too!"
"P-Please have mercy alreadyyyyy!?"
Serious-senpai: "...Listen well, everyone... The Author said Kaito would stay at Alice's Home for a few days of lovey-dovey antics. However, not even a single day has passed yet... Do you understand the gravity of the situation? The real hell starts here."