THE workday was over and a few of the Second Expeditionary Squadron members were gathered in the break room for a discussion.
“I spotted Ahto and Medic Risurisu drinking tea together today, and they totally looked just like a husband and wife. They weren’t acting shy at all. It was just a warm, comfortable moment between them.”
Ulgus, a member of the Zara and Mell’s Romance Support Squad, delivered this testimony. He wore a very serious look on his face as he reported on the scene he witnessed.
“I kind of got the sense that, maybe since they already live together, they feel like there’s no need to get married.”
“That will need to change.”
Velrey, her hand on her chin, was the one to say that coolly. Garr, the wolfman at her side, nodded solemnly. On his shoulder was Sly, the artificial slime—a like-minded member of the group.
The four of them made up the Zara and Mell’s Romance Support Squad.
“How do we make them treat each other more tenderly, like a real couple…?”
Ulgus crossed his arms in thought when Velrey asked that. But nothing immediately came to mind.
“This is difficult…” As soon as Ulgus said that, it hit him. His shoulders lurched as he gasped. “A new restaurant just opened up, and everyone’s saying it’s amazing. It’s a little expensive, but I hear it’s quiet at night and has really pretty decorations.”
“In other words, it’s the perfect date spot? All right, Ulgus. I want you to bring that restaurant up around the two of them, and make it sound natural.”
“Understood.”
The next day, Ulgus worked up the courage to speak to Zara and Mell in the break room.
“U-Um, did you guys hear? There’s this fancy new restaurant called ‘Nocturnal Song’ that just opened.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t know that.”
“What sort of stuff do they serve?”
“I heard they have giant cuts of meat with the bone still attached.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious.”
“Want to swing by tonight?”
“Sounds good.”
The plan was a success. Ulgus was dancing on the inside. But then…
“Will you show us the way, June?”
“Huh?!”
“Yeah, why don’t the three of us all go together?”
“Oh, no, I thought you two youngsters could go alone!”
“But we don’t even know where it is.”
“And don’t you want to try those big cuts of meat?”
“Urk…!”
“Your eyes even lit up when you described it.”
“Argh…!”
With his back against the wall, Ulgus’ voice trembled.
“I… I do want to eat the big cuts of meat!”
“Okay, then it’s decided!”
“I’m looking forward to tonight.”
The plan was a total failure. Somehow, Ulgus ended up going along with Zara and Mell to what was supposed to be their date.
Ulgus wept as he reported his failure to the other members. The Zara and Mell’s Romance Support Squad had gathered behind the barracks during their break.
“F-Forgive me, but I ruined the plan. They invited me to come with them for some reason, so I’m going to the restaurant too. I’m really sorry!”
Vice Captain Velrey patted Ulgus on the shoulder. “Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let it get you down.”
“V-Vice Captain!”
Despite the vice captain’s kindness, Sly showed him no mercy. She used hand gestures to describe where Ulgus went wrong.
First, she pointed out the incorrect way in how Ulgus conveyed the rumor to Mell and Zara. She transformed into the shape of meat with a bone attached, giving him a thumbs down.
“Um, I shouldn’t have told them about the meat?”
She gave a thumbs-up.
“Now that you mention it, I guess big slices of meat with the bone attached isn’t really what you eat on dates…”
Garr nodded. Ulgus had gotten so carried away thinking about the food he wanted to eat, he couldn’t stop himself from passionately describing it to Mell and Zara.
“What’s done is done. Just enjoy the restaurant tonight.”
“Ngh… Okay…”
Ulgus made up his mind to leave as soon as possible.
After work, he showed Mell and Zara to the restaurant in question. It was a quiet place located on a back street near the town square. But its reputation had traveled through town by word of mouth, so it was quite crowded inside.
“Wow, I never knew there was a place like this nearby.”
“I’m surprised you know about restaurants like these, Ulgus. It has a lot of atmosphere.”
The inside was very dimly lit—frankly, it could almost be called “dark.” But there was a good reason for that. Up on the ceiling, a sky full of magic stones glittered like stars. It felt just like dining under a beautiful night sky.
The waitress showed them to a four-person table.
At this point, Ulgus realized he’d really messed up. He’d taken the lead without a second thought.
Should Zara and Mell sit next to each other? Or did they want to sit across from each other? He had no idea which one would be better. Once Ulgus sat down, their choices would be limited.
The waitress looked at him strangely, seeing Ulgus refuse to take a seat. But he pretended not to notice her and addressed the others instead.
“Um! Please go ahead, Ahto, Medic Risurisu!”
“Thanks, June.”
Zara chuckled and took a seat. He seemed to have figured out what he was doing. Ulgus started to feel embarrassed.
Zara and Mell sat next to each other, so Ulgus took the seat across from Zara.
“Please call for me once you’ve decided on your orders.”
The waitress handed them two menus and left.
Ulgus sighed, covering his face with the menu. It was really hard to play matchmaker for these two.
Then the next problem arose. Something else showed up without warning, literally getting in between Zara and Mell.
“Hmmm, what should little ol’ Album order?” Album sat himself down between the two to get a look at the menu.
“L-Little Album! C-Come share a menu with me!”
“Huh? Well, I don’t mind.”
Album came over to look at Ulgus’ menu. He was incredibly relieved that the problem resolved itself so quickly.
“What should I get?”
“I’m not sure what I want either.”
Everything on the menu sounded sophisticated—like the sort of thing you wanted to eat on a nice date.
“Starry Night Soup, Stardust Salad, Star-Colored Fried Fish, Meteor Pie… I bet they all taste fancy too.”
If he’d only explained the menu better, maybe the couple would have decided to make it a date. Ulgus gritted his teeth. Knights loved to eat large quantities, so fancy restaurants like these never really became topics of discussion.
Ulgus had only heard about one item on the menu, which read: “Star-Crushing Ax (*Bone-in grilled meat).”
“I’ll have the Star-Crushing Ax.”
“Me too!”
Album was on the same page as Ulgus. He gave him a high five.
Mell ordered the Star-Colored Fried Fish and Zara chose the Meteor Pie.
The waitress brought out Starry Night Soup as an appetizer. Its name came from the root vegetables sliced into the shape of stars floating on top of the broth. Next came the Stardust Salad. It was topped with crushed croutons made to look like stardust.
Finally, Ulgus’ long-awaited meat dish arrived.
The long stick of meat on the bone resembled a club—it was much larger than he ever imagined. Now he understood why they named it after an ax. The waitress brought the meat out on the pan, where it was still sizzling in its oil. The smell was incredibly appetizing.
“Whoa!”
“Woo-hoo!”
Album and Ulgus were overjoyed. Zara and Mell looked at them like an elderly couple amused by their hyperactive grandkids. When Ulgus noticed that, he held his hand to his forehead. He’d accidentally turned them into grandparents instead of a young couple on a date.
“Ulgus, Album, please eat up before it gets cold.”
“Yep, it’ll be best hot.”
“I’m sorry for the fuss. All right, I’ll have some now.”
Album handed Ulgus a fork and knife. “Let’s eat!”
“Yes, sure thing.”
His heart raced. Ulgus held the meat down with his fork and cut a bite off with his knife.
“Wow! It’s so tender!”
“Soooo yummy!”
It wasn’t seasoned with anything other than salt and pepper, but as soon as he bit down, the meat’s juices seeped out and filled his mouth. It was rich enough to taste like a sauce on its own. The meat was bigger than his hands, but he kept going back for bite after bite. It took less than ten minutes before nothing was left on his plate but the singular bone.
“Mm… That was amazing. I’m so full.”
“Little ol’ Album’s full too.”
Zara and Mell’s main dishes arrived after they’d finished their meat.
Mell’s Star-Colored Fried Fish was white fish cooked in butter, then sprinkled with breadcrumbs to look like stardust. It sat on top of a plate the color of the night sky. Zara’s Meteor Pie came with a filling of minced meat. It was named for the way the meat juices sparkled as they dripped from each bite.
Zara and Mell were both smiling, so their meals must have been delicious. Ulgus was already full, but he felt even more satisfied seeing them looking happy.