Chapter 305: Food Ready
"Okay! Wait a moment, okay? Sit comfortably, I'll bring your order." He ended his sentence with a small cough, then he reached for the old cutting board on the edge of the table and turned slowly toward the kitchen door.
The old man's footsteps could be heard slowly moving away toward the kitchen, his wooden sandals making a scraping sound against the slightly loose floorboards.
Meanwhile, the smell of sautéed onions, hot oil, and dried spices wafted through the half-open kitchen door.
The sound of boiling water was heard briefly, followed by the sound of knives scraping against the cutting board.
Aoki and the others exchanged glances.
There was a faint smile, a short murmur.
Tetsu spun the empty cup on the table, turned it upside down, put it back upside down, and tapped it with the tip of his index finger.
The sound of the cup tapping filled the silence.
Mei sat quietly, her back straight, her left finger brushing lightly over the dusty surface of the table.
Ajisai rested her chin on her hands, her lips slightly parted, her breath lingering on her own skin.
Ajisai's gaze drifted to the window, then down to the increasingly tempting empty glass.
Small conversation began to flow between them—about tomorrow morning's travel plans, the trail they would take, the possibility of rain on such a hot afternoon.
Tetsu's voice drifted off casually, boasting about how good he was at haggling over meat prices back then, while Aoki simply rolled his eyes at the ridiculous lie.
Tetsu laughed softly, his shoulders heaving, while Mei hissed under her breath, reprimanding him with a flick of her finger to his forehead.
Ajisai giggled softly, her voice like the rustle of wind through the wooden walls.
Time passed slowly through the dining room, filled with the sound of dishes clinking from the kitchen.
The occasional sound of a wooden spatula hitting the side of a frying pan could be heard, mixed with the scent of hot oil clinging to their clothes.
Outside the window, the midday breeze carried the sounds of birds calling to each other on the inn's roof.
A few dozen minutes later, the kitchen door creaked open.
The old hinges squeaked, sending vibrations through the floorboards beneath.
The old man reappeared carrying a large wooden tray, his wrinkled palms gripping the edges tightly.
A thin layer of smoke rose from the hot fried chicken and battered fish, the aroma piercing his nostrils, stifling the hunger that had been waiting for him.
"Here's your order. Eat it while it's hot!" the old man said, his voice hoarse but warm.
One by one, the plates were placed on the table, the sound of plates scraping against wood adding to the lively atmosphere.
Condensed glasses were placed side by side, dripping cold water onto the tablecloth, which was getting damper at the edges.
Aoki stared at the fried chicken in front of him, the skin crisp and golden, a few flakes falling off when the spoon touched it.
The aroma of the spices permeated, dripping onto the tip of his nose.
The color of the fried battered fish was bright, the glistening oil reflecting off the chandelier overhead.
Aoki swallowed, the sound barely audible, then glanced at his friends one by one.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Aoki's lips, a smile that Tetsu returned with a curt nod and a look that seemed to say, "Let's eat first, then we'll talk later."
...
...
...
A wooden table, its surface worn with time, was visible, with knife marks still faintly visible.
Three plates of golden fried chicken were lined up, the skin crispy, the yellow seasoning evenly adhering to it. Crumbs of flour had fallen off and scattered along the sides of the plates, some falling through the cracks in the wood.
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