Chapter Ten

The first customers began to trickle in. May exchanged cheerful greetings with the regulars, her enthusiasm infectious. Yet, in the midst of it all, her thoughts often wandered to the quiet stranger who had just entered her life.

As the day's work drew to the rush hour service, Mia approached May with a knowing smile. "Ready for tonight's dinner, May?" she inquired, her gaze warm but stern.

May nodded, a mixture of nervousness and excitement bubbling within her. "I think so, Mama Mia. I hope he likes what I've prepared," she admitted, her sincerity evident.

Mia's smile only widened. "I'm sure he'll appreciate it. Just be yourself, May. Sometimes, that's the best recipe for a good connection...but, if he doesn't enjoy it a few smacks on the head should sort that problem out." she advised, before going into her scary Mama mode.

May could do nothing more than sweatdrop, and she secretly said a prayer for Muichiro...

...

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling streets of Orario, Muichiro found himself standing once again before the welcoming entrance of the Hostess of Fertility.

There was a sense of anticipation in the air, as he heard all the hustle and bustle from outside.

He could hear the cheers and laughter from all the adventurers and civilians that had come back from a hard day of work.

He was met with a sight that was both familiar and yet, somehow, different. The twinkling lights that adorned the pub's exterior seemed to dance in harmony with the evening breeze, creating an ambience that was both inviting and comforting.

As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the cosy interior that he had grown accustomed to.

The chatter of patrons, the clinking of glasses, and the harmonious hum of laughter enveloped him. Yet, tonight, there was an added layer of excitement, as if the air was charged with a special energy.

The first to greet him was one of the waitresses, clad in the pub's distinct green uniform. Her dress, adorned with long puffed sleeves and a white collar, exuded a sense of charm and hospitality. Her warm smile was an immediate invitation as she approached him.

The waitress that had approached him had dark emerald green eyes and black hair with cat ears and a tail of the same colour.

He didn't know what it was but there was something in her eyes, they seemed different from how most people looked at him.

If he knew that the waitress was thinking" What a cute and handsome young boy, I wonder how his tushy feels like, ahhh young boys are truly the treasures of the world".

He might have just blanked and punched her in the face, well that's what Moon had told him to do when he met such people. 

"Good evening! Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility," she chirped, her voice carrying a cheerful lilt.

Muichiro nodded in acknowledgement, his lips curving into a small smile. "Thank you," he replied, his tone gentle.

He smiled because that was what Moon had taught him to do, it was actually one of the lessons that had taken Moon 3 months to fully teach, saying and I quote.' You look like a yaksha when you smile, at this rate everyone that wants to be friends with you will be too scared and run away.'

Before the waitress could inquire about his seating preference, another voice chimed in from behind the counter.

Mia Grande, the formidable owner of the establishment, had noticed his arrival, her eyes gleaming with please.

"You finally made it brat," Mia's voice held a playful edge, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

As his gaze shifted towards Mia, Muichiro couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. It was as if they were old acquaintances, even though he had only met her earlier that day.

Her blue uniform stood out among the surroundings, a symbol of her status as the pub's proprietor.

Meanwhile, amidst the bustling atmosphere, a conversation between two waitresses caught his attention. A petite figure with jet-black hair and emerald green eyes, Chloe Rollo, had turned to Mia Grande with curiosity.

"Mama, do you know this boy?" Chloe asked, her voice tinged with intrigue.

Mia's response was immediate and knowing. "Of course I do. He's the one who saved May today," she stated, her tone carrying a mixture of admiration and amusement.

The words seemed to spread like wildfire among the waitstaff, who had been attending to the patrons. The mention of a heroic act had piqued their interest, and Muichiro felt the weight of their curious gazes upon him.

He wasn't wrong. Before he had entered the Pub he had already sensed a few powerful auras inside the building, and they were all coming from the waitresses

'What a strange place.' This is what Muichiro honestly thought about the benevolent mistress, but he didn't voice out his thoughts.

Amid the buzz of conversation, two waitresses stood out to him. One with silver hair and a poised demeanour, and the other with pointed ears that hinted at her elven heritage.

Their eyes held a mixture of curiosity and intrigue as they exchanged knowing glances.

Muichiro's attention was then drawn towards Mia, who extended an inviting gesture. "Why don't you come up to the bar? I've saved a seat for you," she offered, her eyes twinkling with mirth, but also authority.

To others, it might have sounded like a friendly invitation, but to those who knew Mia, it was more like an Order, under her roof everything she says was absolute...

As he approached the bar and took a seat, he couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie amidst the lively atmosphere.

The pub seemed to buzz with a unique energy, he had tried some of May's dishes before but they weren't a part of the menu, so he was eager to try something new.

.....

She had prepared a special dinner special, pouring her heart into each dish. It wasn't just about the food—it was about sharing a part of herself with someone who had unknowingly stirred her curiosity.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the familiar figure of Muichiro appeared in the bar, his tranquil presence somehow comforting amidst the bustling night.

Her ears twitched hearing his conversation with Mama, and she couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face.

May's lips curved into a welcoming smile as she left the kitchen to greet him.

"Muichiro-san, I'm glad you could make it," she said, her voice sincere.

Muichiro turned his head and nodded in response, his calm demeanour unchanged. "Thank you for inviting me," he replied, his words carrying a quiet appreciation.

As May chatted with him, the warm glow of the pub's interior embraced them. The atmosphere was cosy and inviting, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside.

"Alright Enough chatting, get back to the Kitchen!!!" Mia Interrupted their conversation mid-way, but May dident mind and immediately scurried back into the kitchen.