"This is exactly why customers choose Cheesetopia!" Lucy declared with unwavering enthusiasm.
"I see... so it's a marketing strategy designed to lure customers into spending more money," Wise said, immediately understanding her point.
"Ahem, there's no need to be so blunt. Also, Cheesetopia is the Overlord's territory, your fief, your castle! Wise, show the spirit of a king establishing his domain!"
"Then answer me this. Why should customers leave the comfort of their homes, abandon their wives, children, and elders, and insist on dining in your castle? Why should they pass over other respectable establishments just to step into your territory?"
Seeing Lucy become a little too absorbed in her role, Wise couldn't help but bring her back to reality.
Only then did she finally reveal the true purpose of this visit, though she still seemed unwilling to completely drop the act.
"Take heart, Lord of Cheesetopia! My loyal knight, onward! We ride for my record player!"
In short, Lucy wanted Wise's help retrieving an antique record player from the Hollow to improve the restaurant's atmosphere.
Searching for a record player in a vast Hollow?
That was certainly an unusual request.
Wise accompanied Lucy into the Hollow. During their search, they inevitably ran into several Ethereals.
Before long, he realized that the number of Ethereals he had eliminated over the past few days in the Outer Ring was becoming somewhat excessive.
If Lucy hadn't been with him, he would have been tempted to simply use his charm ability, ignore the Ethereals entirely, and wander through the Hollow unimpeded.
"Hmm, whether it's the composition itself, the performance technique, the emotional expression, or even the performer behind it, this record is absolutely perfect as Cheesetopia's exclusive background music!"
Lucy held the record in both hands, her face filled with satisfaction.
Wise glanced at the label and frowned slightly.
"I'm sorry, but I've never even heard of this piece."
"Well, that's because it's actually my Feast Variations. I performed it when I was ten years old. I accidentally brought the record with me when I first came to the Outer Ring. Now it just so happens to make a suitable gift for that wild boar... ah, I mean, a demonstration piece for her piano practice!"
'Wild boar? Is she talking about Caesar? She came all the way into the Hollow just to retrieve this for her. Lucy is surprisingly thoughtful.'
As the thought crossed his mind, Lucy immediately caught his expression.
"Hey, what's with that look? I already told you, it's only a musical demonstration!" Naturally, she had no intention of admitting her real motives.
Not long afterward, the two returned to the restaurant with the record player. By the time they finished setting it up, evening had already settled in.
"Lucy, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?" Wise asked. "Why not stay and eat with us? Consider it a small reward for all your hard work today."
At his invitation, a faint smile appeared on Lucy's face.
She looked genuinely pleased.
"Oh? I didn't realize you could be so considerate."
She tilted her head slightly.
"This isn't just an excuse to have dinner with me, is it?"
"Hmm, perhaps it is," Wise admitted. "After all, you're a very cute girl."
"C-Cute? What kind of nonsense are you saying...?"
Lucy's voice wavered for a brief moment before she hurriedly regained her composure.
"Ahem! Never mind. Since you've gone to the trouble of preparing something special, then this lady shall graciously honor your establishment with her presence."
She let out a proud little huff and turned her face away.
Even so, the faint blush spreading across her cheeks was impossible to hide.
[Ding! Target Lucy: has increased her favorability toward the host by 10. Her current favorability is now 85. Additionally, 1000 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 36600]
Wise didn't say much. After seating Lucy, he headed into the kitchen and prepared several dishes he knew she would enjoy. Naturally, pudding was included for dessert.
"It's ready. Go ahead and give it a try."
He placed the dishes on the table and took a seat across from her.
Lucy maintained her usual elegant composure, though the enticing aroma still made her swallow unconsciously before picking up her utensils.
Unfortunately, that composure didn't last long.
The moment the food touched her tongue, the dignity she had worked so hard to maintain began to crumble beneath the overwhelming delight flooding her senses.
"T-This pudding...!"
Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's... incredible... Hmph... I suppose it could be considered one of the finest puddings I've ever tasted. B-But don't get the wrong idea! I only like it a little. Just a little!"
Despite her insistence, the blissful expression on her face completely betrayed her.
The pudding seemed to brighten her entire mood.
"I'm glad you like it," Wise said with a faint smile.
Lucy happily took another spoonful before suddenly noticing something.
"Wait a moment. This pudding is different from the one being served to the other customers."
"Well, yes."
Wise nodded and added, "That's because this one was made especially for you."
"W-What?" Lucy nearly dropped her spoon. "Especially for me?"
"Yes. I'm the only person who can make it."
Wise rested his chin on one hand as he calmly explained.
"If I put it on the menu, customers who came specifically for it would probably be disappointed when they found out it wasn't always available. So I decided to keep it as a hidden menu item instead."
Lucy blinked in surprise.
"A hidden menu item?"
"That's right."
Wise met her gaze before continuing.
"And since you're the first person to try it, you get special treatment. If you'd like, I can make it for you again in the future."
Wise understood Lucy's personality very well.
She was fiercely independent, stubbornly self-reliant, and disliked troubling others.
If he simply told her she could ask for it whenever she wanted, there was a good chance she never would.
But by phrasing it this way, the situation became entirely different.
This wasn't Lucy asking him for a favor.
It was Wise extending a privilege reserved exclusively for her.
Sure enough, after hearing his explanation, Lucy only paused for a moment before giving a small nod.
"Very well."
She lifted her chin slightly, doing her best to maintain an air of dignity.
"Most people probably wouldn't be able to appreciate the effort and craftsmanship that went into something like this. Since that's the case, I suppose I can reluctantly accept."
"Reluctantly?" Wise echoed.
"That's right. Reluctantly."
Lucy immediately scooped up another spoonful of pudding and brought it to her mouth.
The speed at which the bowl's contents disappeared, however, made her claim far less convincing.
Wise simply smiled and chose not to point it out.
Sometimes, being considerate meant helping a girl preserve her dignity.
[Ding! Target Lucy: has increased her favorability toward the host by 5. Her current favorability is now 90. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 37100]
"I have other matters that require my attention. I'll leave the restaurant to you, Wise."
After dinner, Lucy rose from her seat to leave, and Wise accompanied her to the entrance.
The moment they stepped outside, Lucy glanced at him and couldn't help but remark,
"Do you personally see off every customer when they leave? How sentimental."
She folded her arms and adopted a tone that sounded more like a lesson than a casual comment.
"A respectable restaurant owner only personally escorts his most important guests. That's the kind of dignity a lord under the Sons of Calydon should possess."
Despite her attempt to instruct him, Wise's expression remained calm and unchanged.
"I suppose that's true."
"Hmm?" Lucy blinked in confusion.
"Which is exactly why I walked you out."
For a brief moment, she froze.
Wise met her gaze and continued naturally.
"Because to me, you're one of my most important guests."
Lucy immediately looked away and said, "Hmm... You've become quite good at saying things like that since opening this restaurant, haven't you?"
Her voice remained composed, but the faint satisfaction hidden beneath her words was impossible to miss.
After a brief pause, she adjusted the brim of her hat.
"Farewell, Wise. I hope you enjoy the song I left behind."
Then, after a moment's hesitation, she added in a quieter voice,
"You'd better enjoy it."
With that, Lucy turned and started walking away.
As if trying to conceal the warmth creeping onto her cheeks, she lowered her hat slightly, hiding most of her expression from view.
Even so, the lightness in her steps betrayed her mood completely.
Wise watched her figure gradually disappear into the distance before finally turning back toward the restaurant.
Not long afterward, it was time to close for the day.
Once everything had been cleaned up and the restaurant shut down for the night, he headed back to his residence in the Outer Ring.
However, the moment he opened the door, he stopped in his tracks.
"What happened here?"
The sight before him was completely different from anything he had expected.
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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