Night fell like a velvet curtain over the city, and a soft breeze drifted through the evening air, carrying with it the subtle scent of candied almonds and rose perfume from the amusement park stands.
Zane and Erina strolled slowly down the lamp-lit avenue, fingers intertwined. They had spent the whole day together—from roller coasters and cotton candy to haunted houses and photo booths. Now, beneath the soft glow of the streetlamps, their footsteps were leisurely, unhurried, as if neither wanted the day to end.
"Do you want to go anywhere else?" Zane asked gently, his voice low and intimate, his golden eyes catching the light as he glanced sideways at her.
Erina hesitated. The adrenaline from the rides had faded, but her heart still raced—because of him. Her hand, warm in his, gave a small squeeze as she murmured, "Tonight… let's just call it a night. Just being able to come here with you today… it made me really happy."
Her cheeks flushed a light pink, and she lowered her gaze shyly, hiding the tender curve of a smile.
Zane gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Alright, let's go home."
The two of them turned and walked back down the path, the soft yellow streetlights casting gentle shadows behind them, wrapping them in a quiet, golden warmth.
Late that night — at the Tavern
The closed sign still hung at the door, but inside, the Tavern had undergone a silent transformation.
On the outside, it still looked humble and charming, but inside, everything had been subtly elevated. A new layer of life had been breathed into it. At the heart of this renovation was the newly added coffee lounge on the first floor—a minimalist, stylish space that blended the warmth of wood with the efficiency of modern design.
The lounge had been outfitted with a state-of-the-art intelligent coffee machine. Sleek and gleaming, it featured:
Professional extraction pump tech
A 4-inch L-rotate control screen
45-degree tilt design for easy operation
Full smartphone control
A unique grinding and brewing system for ultra-fine coffee grounds
A pre-infusion feature for enhancing flavor
Adjustable temperature control
A dual-boiler system allowing espresso shots and steamed milk simultaneously
It was so efficient that in just one minute, a customer could enjoy a latte that tasted like it had been hand-crafted in a Milan café—or a high-end Tokyo Starbucks.
But that wasn't all.
The lounge area was furnished with hand-carved wisteria wood chairs and tables, their surface polished to a honeyed shine. Around them were low-growing shrubs and delicate roses, infusing the space with a faint, natural fragrance. Combined with background music and warm lighting, the entire area felt like a serene oasis.
Here, one could sit with a book, sip a finely brewed coffee, and melt into the atmosphere.
It was heaven without the clouds.
The Tavern: Functional Beauty
Elsewhere, changes were subtle but impactful.
A cobblestone path now led from the main road to the Tavern's door.
The previously manual wooden door had been replaced by a tempered glass automatic one.
Inside the kitchen, granite countertops had replaced the old walnut wood—offering superior durability, stain-resistance, and sleek beauty.
The number of live-cooking station seats had been reduced to ten, ensuring a more intimate culinary experience.
To balance that, an expanded dining area had been added—an extra 50 square meters, enough to seat 48 more guests comfortably. Walls now sported updated paintings, soft ambient lighting, and rustic-modern décor, blending traditional charm with subtle elegance.
Zane stood silently in the center of it all, inspecting the renovations.
"So this is the Tavern after its second upgrade…" he murmured, brushing a hand over the polished cash register in the hall, which now glowed with a faint LED light.
He nodded approvingly.
It was a place not just for eating—it was a place for living.
With this new balance between gastronomy and leisure, customers would no longer need to choose between fast convenience and soulful indulgence. Now, they could have both.
Order at the register, relax in the lounge, and in mere minutes, be served by Zane himself.
Still, there was one clear concern.
"We need more staff," Zane muttered, stretching his arms. "Sonoka and Erina can't handle it all."
With a yawn, he trudged upstairs to the third floor. His thoughts were filled not with exhaustion—but with anticipation for the dawn to come.
Elsewhere – The Nakamozu Residence
In the pristine kitchen of the Nakiri estate, a quiet culinary storm was unfolding.
Alice Nakiri, armed with the latest tools and high-grade ingredients, placed her final garnish atop a dazzling dish shaped like a delicate peach.
Her voice steady, she described the creation.
"Peach flesh is mashed and cooked with isomalt sugar syrup… blown into a thin peach shell. The inner mousse is made of fresh cream, honey, and peach purée… aerated with a cream charger in a siphon bottle. Inside are diced fruits, orange-grapefruit frost, currants, cookie crumbs, and edible flowers…"
She plated the "peach" with meticulous grace.
Leonora, her mother and harshest critic, took a bite.
The moment it hit her tongue, the taste exploded—a gentle burst of summer fruit, silky mousse, crisp cookie bits, and a texture so soft it practically melted. Then came the surprise: a light pop—carbonated bubbles bursting on the tongue like a culinary firework.
Leonora smiled. But then sighed.
"It's an improvement… but for the Autumn Selection, it might not be enough."
Alice slumped in defeat.
"I even added texture contrast and molecular layers… and it's still not enough?"
Leonora chuckled, walking over and ruffling her daughter's silver hair. "Haste makes waste, Alice. Patience and heart will take you farther than technique alone."
"…Maybe I just need some inspiration."
Alice looked out the window wistfully.
"We haven't been to the Tavern in a while, right?"
Leonora grinned. "Missing someone?"
Alice's cheeks turned pink. "Zane and I aren't like that, Mom…"
"Really? Then why do you whisper his name every time your dish fails?"
"That's because I'm wondering how he'd improve it!"
Leonora raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Sweetie… You're suffering from an incurable disease."
Alice blinked. "What disease?"
"Lovesickness."
"Mom!!"
Back at the Tavern – Before Reopening
Sonoka wandered the newly renovated space, wide-eyed and amazed.
"A cash register? A coffee machine?! Granite counters?! Is this the same place!?"
She marveled at everything, then finally sank into one of the plush wisteria chairs in the lounge, letting the ambience wash over her.
She imagined herself as a customer—alone, tired from a long day, cradling a cup of coffee while classical music played faintly overhead and the scent of roses floated in the air.
In that moment, Sonoka smiled.
Life didn't have to be fast and chaotic.
Sometimes, it could be still and beautiful.
Just then, Zane approached silently and set down a cup of coffee beside her.
"Here. Try it."
Sonoka took a sip—and blinked in astonishment.
It was rich, smooth, and complex. The bitterness balanced by gentle sweetness, the acidity dancing on her tongue. It tasted… alive.
"This… is incredible," she whispered.
Zane simply smiled, watching her enjoy it.
A moment later, she looked up at him, her voice soft but filled with warmth.
"Thank you, Zane."