The place Alice led me to was certainly well-constructed, but it didn't look like a high-end restaurant. In fact, it didn't look like a restaurant at all.
The door, adorned with lavish decorations, certainly had a premium feel to it. The windows were made of frosted glass with intricate carvings that prevented anyone from seeing inside, adding to the refined atmosphere. But the place was just so small. Honestly, I had the feeling a large food stall would have offered more floor space.
"Um... Alice? Is this really it? Just looking at it from the outside, it feels like we’d run out of room the moment we put a single table and two chairs in there."
"Oh, don't worry about that."
I frowned, but Alice remained perfectly composed despite my concern.
Ah, I see! Maybe it was one of those magical setups where the interior was actually massive.
With that thought in mind, I opened the door and stepped inside, only to realize immediately that my prediction was wrong. The interior was exactly as small as the exterior suggested. However, I soon understood what Alice had meant.
"...I see. A Teleportation Magic Tool."
"Yep, exactly."
There were a few people who looked like greeters inside, along with a magic tool embedded with a massive magic crystal. In other words, this room was merely a foyer. You checked in here and then used the tool to teleport to the actual restaurant. Given that teleportation tools were incredibly expensive, the claim that this was an ultra-high-class establishment was starting to hold water.
"Welcome, honored guests. I must apologize, but our establishment operates strictly by reservation. May I ask under what name your booking was made?"
"Wait, what?"
Strictly by reservation? That meant we couldn't get in without booking in advance. What were we going to do? No, wait... Alice was the one who suggested this place, so she must have—
"A reservation? I didn't make one."
"..."
You didn't make one?! Then we can't get in, can we?!
"I see... We appreciate your interest, but I am terribly sorry to inform you—"
The elderly gentleman acting as the greeter began to politely show us the door. At that exact moment, Alice snapped her fingers.
"...My sincerest apologies. So, it was you, No Face-sama."
"The best seat in the house... shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Of course not. We shall prepare it for you immediately."
It was resolved just like that. Wait, did that mean this person was one of Alice’s subordinates too?
The elderly man bowed deeply to Alice before walking over to the teleportation tool. He bowed again and remained in that posture as he waited for us to approach. Alice and I stepped onto the platform and were whisked away to the main branch.
The restaurant we arrived at was vast and filled with elegant, expensive-looking furniture. It screamed "ultra-luxury." Moreover, it appeared we were right on the coast; through the massive windows, the entire ocean was visible, painted in the deep hues of a sunset. We were led to a seat on a balcony-like area on the second floor, which offered a breathtaking panoramic view.
"Hey, Alice... I get that he’s your subordinate, but is it really okay to just demand the best seat like that?"
"Oh, it's fine. Every single employee in this shop is my subordinate."
"Wait, what?"
"To be blunt, this is my restaurant."
"What?!"
I had been feeling hesitant about taking such a grand seat, but Alice casually informed me that the entire place belonged to her.
"Restaurants are very convenient for gathering information, you see. I have my subordinates running several other branches as well."
"I-I see."
"Though, Alice-chan’s main business is her general store!"
"Even though you haven't sold a single thing."
"Could you maybe sugarcoat that just a little bit more?!"
As I enjoyed the majestic scenery and chatted with Alice, a woman in a chef's uniform approached our table.
"Pardon the interruption. No Face-sama, we are honored by your visit today."
"Yeah, skip the formalities. Just bring us something delicious."
"As you wish. My skills are still immature compared to yours, No Face-sama, but I shall prepare the finest cuisine we have to offer."
"I'm looking forward to it."
She was likely the head chef. It seemed she had come to greet the owner, but Alice’s response was surprisingly dismissive. Next, a woman dressed in a crisp sommelier’s outfit approached while pushing a cart with wine on it.
She reached the table, bowed, and opened a bottle. After checking the aroma, she placed a glass in front of Alice and poured a small tasting amount.
"The tasting, if you please."
"Let’s see now..."
Alice tilted the glass with practiced elegance, checking the color and scent before taking a sip.
"Hmm... it’s mediocre. Do you not have any Shallow Grande?"
"My deepest apologies. As expected, Shallow Grande is..."
"Shallow Grande?"
I assumed it was a wine brand, but for someone like me who only knows Romanée-Conti by name, it didn't mean anything. Besides, there was no guarantee the wines in this world shared names with my own.
"It’s a wine that Shallow Vernal-sama gifted to the world to commemorate the signing of the Friendship Treaty. It's made from fruits that only exist in the God Realm, so it's incredibly rare. A single bottle goes for about ten million R, I think? It’s a prize from the God Realm’s events during the Hero Festival, given out once every ten years. There are currently fewer than a hundred bottles in existence worldwide."
"Ten million R?!"
That’s a billion yen! That's not a wine price anymore; that’s the price of a luxury mansion! And if it only enters circulation once every few decades, it's not the kind of thing you just order at a restaurant... Don't make impossible demands, Phantasm King.
Still, if it was that legendary, I wouldn't mind trying a drop.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a single bottle of wine materialized out of thin air onto our table. Seeing it, the sommelier’s voice trembled.
"Sha... Shallow Grande..."
So that was the wine they were talking about. Yeah... I wonder why it suddenly appeared right in front of us? I could guess, though. Especially since there was a message card attached that read, "To Kaito-san."
"Well, it looks like a gift from Shallow Vernal-sama! Let's not let it go to waste!"
"Alice... you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"My? Whatever could you mean? I simply thought to myself how much I'd love for Kaito-san to drink the world's finest wine."
Seeing Alice gleefully grab the bottle, I realized this was exactly what she’d planned. She had intentionally brought up a wine the shop didn't have, knowing that if I showed interest, Shiro-san would send it directly to me. What a piece of work.
I was exasperated, but since Shiro-san had gone to the trouble of sending it, I decided to accept. The sommelier poured the wine, and I picked up my glass to share a toast with Alice.
"Cheers."
"Cheers!"
We clinked glasses and shared a smile. Then, I took a sip—and felt a physical shock. With just one mouthful, the deep, complex flavor seemed to permeate my entire being. Even as a total amateur, I could tell immediately that this was the pinnacle of wine. It was divine.
"This is... incredible. It's so deep and mellow..."
"Isn't it? As expected of the world's best. It’s wonderful. Mmm, I’m so happy!"
"Yeah, the wine is delicious, and the view is perfect."
"The sun has set and the stars are coming out. In a bit, the moon should be visible too."
Sipping the exquisite wine, I looked out over the ocean as it was slowly consumed by the silence of the night.
"It really is a great atmosphere here. Where exactly are we?"
"South of the Kingdom of Sinfonia. The Hydra Kingdom lies just across that sea."
"Heh. It’s so beautiful, I bet it’s a popular tourist spot."
"Yes, there are cottages nearby as well. Around ten o'clock, the moonlight shines beautifully through the windows, creating such a mood... A cottage by the sea... Moonlight..."
"..."
Those words sounded familiar. Alice seemed to realize it at the same time I did. A moment later, her face turned a shade of red that put the wine to shame.
She had remembered. She had definitely remembered how she told me earlier today that her ideal "first time" was a seaside cottage with moonlight streaming through the window.
"T-That’s not it! I-I d-d-didn't come here with those intentions! I mean, this is strictly for a d-delicious dinner! S-So, that is, um, well...!"
"C-Calm down, Alice. I know, it’s fine..."
"I-It’s still too early! We need more time! I-It’s okay! M-My first time will belong to Kaito-san eventually, but...!"
"Hey! Calm down, you idiot!"
"Hyaah?! Y-You’re grabbing my shoulders... Ah, n-no... I’m not mentally prepared yet! B-But, if you’re gentle with me...!"
"Wait! Don't say anything weirder than that! We’re in a restaurant! Please, come back to your senses!"
She had completely panicked. I tried to stop her as she began blabbing extremely dangerous things, but she was so far gone she couldn't hear me.
Please stop! Even if we're away from the main seating, there are other customers! You're making a scene!
Wait! Don't close your eyes while you're trembling! What exactly are you expecting me to do?!
Dear Mother, Father—At the restaurant Alice led me to, I enjoyed a beautiful view and some truly incredible wine. However, because of a casual remark Alice made, she ended up recalling her own words from earlier. As a result—I was caught in a massive self-destruction.