Chapter 20: Do You Shed Fur?

The entire Uyuu Restaurant has a typical Inazuma-style decoration.

On the right side after entering, there's an irregular bar that looks casual but pays more attention to the natural sense of layers in the raw materials, giving a calm and simple feeling.

After a journey, taking some time to enjoy snacks or small dishes here is also a good choice.

On the left side is the common tatami mats in Inazuma, as the representative of Inazuma style, this kind of thing is common in private rooms and halls in restaurants.

Especially the ukiyo-e style background wall, although it is depicted exaggeratedly, the visual impact will give a unique experience, whetting one's appetite.

"Welcome to Uyuu Restaurant, if you want to order— ah, it's Lady Kujou."

The landlady, Okazaki Erika, subconsciously greeted when she heard the door open.

After raising her head, she realized that it was someone she knew.

"You've worked hard. My friend and I just came for a simple meal."

This Uyuu Restaurant's business relies heavily on the culinary skills of the landlady.

Her cooking skills are among the best in Inazuma City.

"Please have a seat, Lady Kujou."

Erika should be acquainted with Sara, but she kept staring at Bai Luo throughout.

Because in her impression, when Sara comes here, it's either to consult her husband about some issues or to have a meal with important Clan members.

It's quite unusual for her to bring a lone male here.

So, she instinctively wanted to lead them to the upstairs private rooms.

Because so far, any couples who come here prefer the undisturbed private rooms on the second floor, this way, even if they want to do something they don't want others to know, it would be convenient.

"No need to go upstairs, we can just eat something simple here."

Sara didn't catch Erika's meaning. She just didn't want to take up the resources of the restaurant.

She pointed to the bar area and walked with Bai Luo towards it.

"Hmm? Isn't this Lady Kujou?"

Inside the bar, a gray-haired old man was pouring and toasting himself. He noticed Sara approaching and actively greeted her.

From his slightly drunk eyes, it can be concluded that the man had already drunk some of the wine prior to their arrival.

"Senior Okazaki, it's better to drink less of this stuff."

Being respectfully called "senior" by Sara is enough to prove Bai Luo's earlier guess was correct.

This guy is either a former Shogunate soldier or an experienced member of the Tenryou Commission.

And judging by Kujou's slightly respectful expression, this guy's status is probably not low.

"With great sake in hand. How can I face this turbulent life without taking a drink?"

The old man, named Okazaki Rikuto, smiled freely, lifted his sake cup again, and took a hearty drink.

"And who is this...?"

Soon, Rikuto's gaze shifted to Bai Luo.

As mentioned before, it's the first time he's seen Sara bring a stranger of the opposite sex to a pub.

"Hello, sir. I'm a friend of Sara, my name is Bai Luo."

Before Sara could speak and introduce him to the man, Bai Luo, with a warm tone, started to greet him.

"Friend?"

Rikuto was slightly stunned, and his gaze towards the two became somewhat strange.

After all, it's not a secret that very few people in the whole of Inazuma dare to call Kujou Sara directly by her name.

So far, there are only two people who can call Sara with such intimacy, one is Lady Guuji, and the other is her adopted father, Kujou Takayuki.

Looking at Sara's reaction, or lack of reaction, it seems she doesn't really mind being called such by this Bai Luo guy?

Rikuto subconsciously looked at Okazaki Erika, who came over pretending to tidy up the table, seeking her opinion without speaking .

[What do you think?]

As Rikuto's wife, Erika and her man have a complete understanding with each other.

So she perfectly received the signal, and without much ado, sent one of her own back.

[I think there is something going on between these two]

"I see, then, what would you two like to eat? Mapo Tofu? Erika is good at cooking a lot of foreign food, even those of Liyue."

After hearing Bai Luo's name, Rikuto could fairly guess that he came from Liyue.

From Bai Luo's name, Rikuto could tell that he probably comes from Liyue.

Rikuto wine is already placed by his side, his interest toward the wine had disappeared after seeing a possible romantic drama of the usually cold-faced Tengu about to happen right in front of him.

"How about some Tricolor Dango?"

Said Sara while maintaining her calm demeanor, but looking at Rikuto, her heart became uncomfortable.

Whether it's an illusion or not, the man in front of her seems a bit off, but she can't really say what is wrong with it.

Could it be an illusion?

"Tricolor Dango? We have some, please wait a moment."

Tricolor Dango can be said to be one of Inazuma's characteristic snacks. Back when the Shogun hadn't issued the closed-door decree, this snack was quite popular among foreigners.

Its preparation is very simple, kneading glutinous rice with water into a ball shape and steaming it.

Then decorate it with the colors of goldfish grass and Scarlet Sakura Ball, adding a lively atmosphere to this monotonous and simple glutinous rice ball.

Snacks like this are usually prepared in advance, and so, If someone were to order the dango, they would just need to take it out from the place where the dango is stored and steam it before giving it to the customer.

So, they didn't have to wait long, and a plate of hot Tricolor Dango was placed in front of Bai Luo.

Without further ado, Bai Luo picked up a string, took a look at the food that he once can only see in 2D, and took a bite with a happy smile on his face.

The dango is soft and chewy, not sticking to his teeth when he chews on it, but rather a kind of resilience that needs him to exert some strength to his mouth for it to be properly chewed.

The taste of the dango is sweet but not cloying, with a hint of the fragrance of Scarlet Sakura.

When held in the mouth, the slippery texture made people immediately think of goldfish grass.

It's as if the round ball is going to turn into a goldfish and swim in the mouth in the next moment.

Bai Luo doesn't like sweets, and saying he wants to try is just an excuse because he doesn't really know what kind of food is there in here, and he also want to try what kind of food does Saria would choose.

However, after really tasting it, he unexpectedly liked it a bit from the bottom of his heart.

"Want to try?"

After gulping the dango, Bai Luo extended one of the two dango skewers toward the Tengu lady who just kept looking at him.

"Sorry, sweet food can relax people's minds and bodies. Once consumed, it's easy for me to—

"To shed fur?"

Bai Luo subconsciously continued her words.

Come to think of it, as far as he can recall, in his past life, there is indeed a saying that animals shedding fur might be caused by eating too many sweets. Could tengu shed feathers because of this?

Instead of answering his question/statement, Sara just gave him a glare.

"I won't dignify that with a response. You just need to know that I don't like sweets."

Once again, looking at the Tricolor Dango in Bai Luo's hand, Sara's face was full of refusal.

But is Bai Luo the type to give up easily?

Certainly not.

So...

"Oh, it's a pity."

"I just don't like it. It's like I don't like wearing brightly colored clothes. There's nothing to regret."

Sara thought that Bai Luo's regret was about her not eating Tricolor Dango.

"No, I didn't mean that."

Taking another Dango, Bai Luo said somewhat regretfully, "You should know that this is a snack even the Shogun loves. Sara, it's really a pity if you don't give it a try."