Chapter 20: Do You Shed Feathers?

The entire Uyuu Restaurant exudes a typical Inazuma-style decor. To the right upon entering is an irregularly shaped bar counter, which appears casual, yet the natural layering of materials emphasizes simplicity and tranquility, offering a sense of calm and serenity. It's the perfect spot to enjoy some snacks after a long journey.

On the left, you'll find the a tatami mats, a staple of Inazuma's aesthetic. These mats are common in both private rooms and the main hall of restaurants. The Ukiyo-e style mural, though exaggerated, adds a unique visual impact, enhancing the dining experience.

"Welcome to Uyuu Restaurant. Would you like to order... Ah, it's Lady Kujou."

The proprietress,Erika Okazaki , instinctively greeted the newcomers as the door opened, only to realize it was someone familiar.

"Thank you for your hard work. My... friend and I are just here for a simple meal."

Uyuu Restaurant thriving business is all thanks to this woman. Her cooking is renowned throughout Inazuma City.

"Please take a seat."

Erika Okazaki, apparently a close acquaintance of Kujou Sara, couldn't help but eye Bai Luo curiously. In her memory, Kujou Sara would come here either to consult her husband on important matters or for family gatherings. It was rare for her to bring a male companion alone, so Erika instinctively led them to a private room upstairs, a popular choice for couples who seek privacy.

"There's no need to go upstairs. We'll just have something simple down here."

Kujou Sara didn't catch Erika Okazaki's subtle hint; she simply didn't want to occupy the restaurant's resources. She pointed to the bar and led Bai Luo there.

"Hm? Isn't this Lady Kujou?"

Behind the bar, an elderly man with graying hair was enjoying a drink. Noticing Kujou Sara's arrival, he greeted her warmly. From his slightly tipsy gaze, it was clear he had already had quite a bit to drink.

"Master Okazaki, it's best to drink in moderation."

That Kujou Sara addressed him as "Master" was enough to confirm Bai Luo's earlier suspicions. This man was either a former soldier of the shogunate or a veteran of the Tenryou Commission, and from Kujou Sara's respectful demeanor, his status must be significant.

"With sake in hand and fine food at the ready, How can you justify this busy life without a glass of sake?"

The old man, Rikuto Okazaki, chuckled heartily and downed another cup of sake. Only Inazuma's mild sake could be consumed like this. If it were the fiery spirits of Snezhnaya... would he dare to drink so recklessly?

"And who might this be...?"

Soon, Rikuto Okazaki's gaze shifted to Bai Luo. As mentioned before, it was his first time seeing Kujou Sara bring a male stranger to an izakaya.

"Hello, sir. I'm Sara's friend. My name is Bai Luo."

Before Kujou Sara could speak, Bai Luo took the initiative to introduce himself with a friendly tone.

"Friend?"

Rikuto Okazaki was momentarily stunned, and his gaze grew a bit peculiar. Few people dared to address Kujou Sara by her first name. To date, only the head shrine maiden and Kujou Takayuki, who had adopted Kujou Sara, could call her so familiarly. Notably, Kujou Sara didn't correct him, suggesting she accepted Bai Luo's informal address.

Rikuto Okazaki instinctively glanced at Erika Okazaki, who was pretending to tidy up nearby but was clearly eavesdropping.

What do you think?

As Rikuto Okazaki's wife, Erika Okazaki shared a deep understanding with him, perfectly picking up on his unspoken question.

I think there's something there, she silently conveyed with a wink.

"So, what would you two like to eat? How about some Mapo Tofu? Erika is quite skilled at making it, even though it's a Liyue dish."

From Bai Luo's name, Rikuto Okazaki deduced that he was likely from Liyue. Drinking was out of the question for him now—watching the scene unfold was much more entertaining.

"Let's have some Tri-Color Dango."

After a glance at Rikuto Okazaki, Kujou Sara replied, feeling slightly uneasy. For some reason, she felt that something was off about Master Okazaki today, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Was it just her imagination?

"Tri-Color Dango, is it? Please wait a moment."

Tri-Color Dango is one of Inazuma's specialty snacks. Back before the Shogun issued the Sakoku Decree, this snack was quite popular among foreigners. It's made simply by mixing glutinous rice with water to form dumplings, which are then steamed. The vibrant colors of Qingxin and Sakura Bloom add a lively touch to the otherwise plain dumplings. In most izakayas, such snacks are prepared in advance, so it wasn't long before a plate of warm dango was served to Bai Luo.

Bai Luo picked up a skewer and took a bite. The dango was soft and chewy, without sticking to the teeth, and had a slightly sweet taste that wasn't cloying, with a hint of sakura fragrance. The smooth, slippery texture in the mouth brought to mind Qingxin flowers, almost as if the round dumplings might transform into little fish swimming in his mouth.

Bai Luo didn't particularly like sweets; his craving was merely an excuse. However, after tasting the dango, he found himself genuinely enjoying it.

"Would you like to try some?"

He gestured to the two remaining dumplings on the skewer.

"Sorry, sweets can make one feel relaxed, and if I eat them, I might..."

"Shed feathers?"

Bai Luo instinctively completed her sentence. Indeed, there's a saying that some animals lose hair if they eat too many sweets. Could Tengu shed feathers for the same reason?

His question was met with a deadly glare from Kujou Sara, while Rikuto Okazaki, who was eavesdropping nearby, looked on with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. Is this how you flirt?

"I take good care of my feathers. That's none of your concern. Just know that I don't like sweets."

Once more glancing at the dango in Bai Luo's hand, Kujou Sara's face remained firmly set in refusal. But was Bai Luo someone who gave up easily?

Certainly not.

"So it's really a shame."

"Not liking something is not a shame, just like how I dislike wearing brightly colored clothes. There's nothing regrettable about it."

Kujou Sara assumed Bai Luo was referring to her refusal to eat the dango.

"No, that's not what I meant."

Taking another bite of the dango, Bai Luo commented with slight regret, "You should know, this is a snack beloved even by the Shogun herself. It's really a pity you're not trying it, Sara."