As I strolled through the streets with Ilia, we wandered into a seemingly quiet restaurant.
Being the capital where people from numerous regions gathered, the variety of restaurants was vast.
However, this one was unlike any I had ever seen before, offering a type of cuisine I had never encountered.
“Hmm… do you have any favorite foods or foods you dislike?”
At Ilia’s question, I shook my head.
Since childhood, I had never been picky about food.
This was thanks to my elder brother’s early education, and as a result, there was no food I avoided.
“How about you, Ilia?”
Ilia rarely spoke about herself, and I didn’t even know what her favorite foods were.
‘She doesn’t seem to be picky, though.’
Even during the war, Ilia ate the unappetizing rations without hesitation.
I still vividly remember how she ate those dreadful-tasting foods, developed solely for nutritional value, without even flinching.
Even I couldn’t help but grimace at their terrible taste.
It got to the point where rumors spread among the soldiers that Ilia couldn’t taste anything, and she indeed ate everything without discrimination.
“Hmm… I don’t really have any preferences either. I eat pretty much anything.”
As expected.
Then, Ilia pointed to a dish on the menu and said,
“I enjoy trying new foods, so I’ll go with this.”
What Ilia pointed to was what is commonly known as pizza.
However, it was different from the usual pizza.
While it had tomato sauce, cheese, and vegetables like a regular pizza, instead of meat, it was topped with a yellow fruit.
Following Ilia’s lead, I also chose a dish I had never tried before.
“Then I’ll have this.”
The time spent waiting for our food, whether short or long, was filled with conversation about our recent lives.
“I enjoy trying new foods, so I’ll go with this.”
What Ilia pointed to was what is commonly known as pizza.
However, it was different from the usual pizza.
While it had tomato sauce, cheese, and vegetables like a regular pizza, instead of meat, it was topped with a yellow fruit—pineapple.
Following Ilia’s lead, I also chose a dish I had never tried before.
“Then I’ll have this.”
The time spent waiting for our food, whether short or long, was filled with conversation about our recent lives.
Ilia was at an intermediate level in sword expertise.
Unlike me, who had dabbled in sword training in the past, Ilia had been interested in swordsmanship since childhood and had trained diligently, which inevitably created a gap between us.
I already knew this, but Ilia’s flustered reaction only made me feel more embarrassed.
“…I haven’t been properly trained in swordsmanship for very long.”
“I, I see.”
“…”
I shook my head.
I knew it wasn’t Ilia’s intention, but my pride was still hurt.
It might have been better if she had outright called me amateurish.
Seeing my reaction, Ilia awkwardly tried to change the subject.
“W-well, how about I tell you about myself this time.”
But before Ilia could start her story, our ordered dishes arrived.
The timing was impeccable.
“Let’s continue the conversation while we eat.”
At my words, Ilia nodded vigorously.
Seeing Ilia’s gaze fixed on the food, it seemed she was hungry, though she didn’t show it.
Ilia had ordered the pineapple-topped pizza we had discussed earlier, while I had ordered a dish made with fried pork.
‘It’s called Tangsuyuk.’
It looked different from the fried dishes I usually ate.
Each piece of fried meat was much smaller and elongated.
The batter also looked fluffier compared to regular fried meat.
And the most noticeable part was the thick, glossy sauce placed beside the fried meat.
Dipping a piece into the sauce, I found it surprisingly tangy.
“Do you prefer dipping or pouring the sauce, Ilia?”
At my question, Ilia thought for a moment before answering.
“I think I prefer pouring it.”
“Same here.”
Food is all about the sauce, after all.
Thinking this, I poured the sauce over the fried meat.
For some reason, I felt a divine warning not to pour it, but I ignored it.
Slowly, I picked up a piece of sauce-soaked fried meat and put it in my mouth.
‘It’s good.’
No particular impression.
Compared to the fried meat I usually ate, this was chewier and had a more substantial bite, but that was about it.
On the other hand, Ilia’s reaction to the pineapple pizza was a sight to behold.
As soon as she took a bite, her eyes lit up as she looked at the pizza.
She seemed to enjoy it so much that she closed her eyes to savor the flavor.
“Is it that good?”
At my question, Ilia’s eyes sparkled as she replied.
“Yes, the tangy and sweet flavors are something you can’t find in regular pizza. It’s different and delicious.”
Ilia said this as she took another bite of the pineapple pizza.
I usually don’t enjoy food much, so under normal circumstances, I would have just nodded and moved on.
But seeing Ilia’s reaction, I suddenly became curious about the taste.
As if reading my mind, Ilia placed a slice of pizza on my plate.
“I thought you might want to try it.”
She added.
“Thank you.”
At my words, Ilia hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Then, could I have a bit of that fried meat?”
Ilia’s eyes looked very earnest.
Since I don’t eat much, I readily gave Ilia some of the fried meat, and she immediately put it in her mouth.
“Is it good?”
At my question, Ilia nodded vigorously while chewing.
‘Did Ilia always enjoy food this much…?’
Thinking this, I took a bite of the pizza Ilia had given me.
The tangy yet sweet fruit juice spread in my mouth.
I could understand why Ilia liked it.
‘It’s definitely a new taste.’
Though I’m not sure if it’s enough to make my eyes light up like Ilia’s.
Meanwhile, Ilia had already finished the fried meat I gave her and was looking at me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
At my question, Ilia blushed and said,
“C-could I have a little more?”
‘She really loves food…’
Thinking this, I handed her the entire plate.
“Aren’t you going to eat, Aren?”
Ilia looked at me curiously.
“I usually don’t eat much.”
“But it seems like you’re eating too little…”
“It’s fine. I can always eat more later. We still have plenty of time.”
At my words, Ilia hesitated for a moment before picking up a piece of fried meat with her fork and holding it out to me.
“O-open your mouth.”
As she said this, Ilia’s face was even redder than before.
“W-what is this…’
Unfortunately, I wasn’t much different.
Ilia’s sudden action made my face just as red as hers.
‘This is what my brother did with Layla…’
The exact term was “feeding.”
It was once a popular expression of affection among lovers in the empire.
“I-I’m embarrassed too. Just open your mouth.”
Regardless of Ilia’s intentions, it was a good opportunity for me, so I opened my mouth.
Ilia slowly moved her hand to place the fried meat in my mouth, and I quickly accepted it.
“H-how is it?”
At Ilia’s question, I tried to hide my trembling heart and replied.
“It’s good.”
“T-that’s not what I meant.”
“Uh… um…”
I didn’t know what to say and just made some awkward sounds.
Frustrated by my reaction, Ilia raised her voice.
“H-how was it?!”
“I-it was nice.”
“T-that’s good then.”
Ilia said this and turned her head, fanning herself.
Seeing Ilia’s reaction, I couldn’t say anything.
And since Ilia wasn’t in a state to talk either, there was no conversation between us for a while.
“…Please forget the disgraceful act I just showed.”
Ilia said to me, her face still red even after some time had passed.
Her words were filled with deep shame.
“Understood. But what made you think of doing that?”
At my question, Ilia’s face turned red again.
“…I saw it in a book.”
Ilia’s words were barely audible, and I had no choice but to ask again.
“Could you say that one more time?”
“A book… I saw it in a book.”
“A book..?”
“…Yes. It said that engaged couples do such things as naturally as breathing…”
Ilia trailed off.
‘Crazy…’
And I couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly.
I tried to calm my flustered heart and cautiously opened my mouth.
“By any chance, was the book you read… a red book?”
At my words, Ilia’s face turned so red it looked like it might burst.
“N-no! It was just a normal romance novel!”
“Ah, I… I’m sorry.”
I had no choice but to say that.
And so, Ilia and I didn’t speak to each other until the meal was over.
Our faces remained unusually red throughout.