After ending the call with Eriri, Sato picked up his phone and glanced at the time. Before he realized it, it was already eleven o'clock.
"Time really flies."
He stood up, stretched his arms wide, and did a few chest-opening stretches to loosen up. Just then, his stomach let out a loud growl.
Sato rubbed his stomach.
He had eaten dinner fairly early tonight. He hadn't expected to be hungry again already. The only thing left at home was instant noodles, and he wasn't really in the mood for those.
I'll just eat out.
He finally made up his mind. Although most places had already closed for the night, there were still a few late-night diners open.
Picking up the jacket he'd tossed onto the bed, Sato first stopped by Kanna's room to take a look.
He opened the door.
The room was pitch black.
In the darkness, he could make out the outline of the bed. From it came the soft, steady breathing of the blue-eyed young dragon, who seemed to have already fallen asleep.
Could this be considered a dragon's nest?
The odd thought suddenly crossed Sato's mind. He shook his head with a smile, then quietly closed the door.
Putting on his jacket, he left the apartment. Standing outside the entrance, he looked around for a moment before heading toward the shopping district.
There were still a few shops open there at night.
Spring nights were still a little chilly. It felt as though the cold that winter had buried underground had yet to fade away, only to emerge again after nightfall.
"Meow~"
A cat's cry suddenly reached his ears.
Looks like there are still stray cats wandering around at night.
Sato thought to himself.
He really couldn't understand why people would raise pets only to abandon them later.
Following the sound, he looked toward the top of the wall on his right. A figure crouched there was staring back at him through the darkness. Its bright eyes shone like stars in the night.
The moment he got a clear look at the cat, Sato froze. His expression immediately darkened.
"Get back!" he shouted sternly.
The cat, which had been lying on the wall, slowly stood up. It cast him a calm glance before its short legs, hidden beneath its plump body, carried it away with graceful feline steps toward the apartment.
Only after watching it disappear into the apartment building did Sato's expression gradually ease, though it was still far from pleasant.
It was MY cat.
He let out a sigh.
Continuing onward, he reached a crossroads. Suddenly, he stopped in front of a certain restaurant, surprise appearing on his face.
He immediately changed direction.
...
Yukihira Restaurant.
Sato had expected there to be almost no customers this late at night, but to his surprise, even though it was already past eleven, nearly a third of the seats were still occupied.
The place was lively.
The owner was leaning over the counter with a toothpick in his mouth, laughing and chatting with customers. When he saw Sato, he greeted him enthusiastically.
"Yo, Nohara! Long time no see!"
Sato looked at Yukihira Jōichirō in surprise. He walked over to a freshly cleaned table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"I thought Soma had come back. I didn't expect it to be you, Boss."
"Hahaha! That kid's probably still busy studying at school!"
Yukihira Jōichirō walked out from behind the counter and casually sat down across from Sato.
"Thanks for helping me with that favor last time."
"I didn't really do much. If anything, I was the one who took advantage of you, Uncle Yukihira."
Sato smiled. Beneath the table, he lightly flipped his hand, and a business card instantly appeared in it.
He raised his right hand, held the card between his index and middle fingers, gently placed it on the table, and looked at Yukihira Jōichirō.
"Your business card has been pretty useful."
A flicker of surprise flashed through Yukihira Jōichirō's eyes when he saw the card.
"I didn't expect you to still be carrying it around."
He looked deeply at Sato, his words carrying a hint of deeper meaning.
Sato simply smiled.
"So, does this card get me a free meal?"
"Of course!"
The toothpick in Yukihira Jōichirō's mouth shifted as he smiled confidently.
"What would you like to eat?"
"I don't really feel like having rice this late. Do you have ramen?"
"Sure. Tonkotsu okay?"
"Yeah."
"Then please wait a moment."
...
There were never many customers this late at night. Generally speaking, late-night diners survived on regulars.
Listening to the conversations around him, Sato realized that everyone seated here was a regular at Yukihira Restaurant. The moment they saw the lights on, they had come rushing over like sharks smelling blood.
One customer said he had just finished eating at another late-night diner, but the instant he noticed this place was open, he came straight here. The owner's cooking was simply too good. If he missed this chance, who knew when he'd get to eat it again.
Still, there weren't many people who stayed out wandering in the middle of the night.
While Sato waited for his ramen, the other customers gradually left until he was the only one remaining in the restaurant.
"Your ramen's ready!"
Yukihira Jōichirō walked over carrying a steaming bowl of ramen and set it on the table with his broad hand.
The broth was crystal clear, and a rich aroma rose from it. Along with the usual toppings, it was garnished with bright green chopped scallions.
"Please enjoy."
At first, Sato had only been a little hungry. But the moment he smelled the ramen, that faint hunger instantly swelled into an overwhelming craving that made his appetite surge.
Without standing on ceremony, he slurped it down, finishing the entire bowl in no time.
Yukihira Jōichirō stood nearby, smiling as he watched.
"No matter how many times I eat your cooking, Boss, it's always incredible. Uncle Yukihira, you didn't slip something into it, did you?"
"Slip something into it?"
Yukihira Jōichirō was taken aback for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter.
"Think whatever you like."
After finishing, Sato picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.
"When did you get back, Uncle Yukihira?"
"About two or three days ago."
"How long are you planning to stay? I'd like to enjoy your cooking a few more times."
"Who knows?"
Yukihira Jōichirō sat sideways in his chair, resting an elbow on the backrest while crossing one leg over the other.
"Maybe until tomorrow. Maybe until next year. When I feel like heading out again, I'll head out."
"Tsk. You don't sound the least bit concerned about how Soma's doing."
"That kid..."
A grin spread across Yukihira Jōichirō's face.
"He's having the time of his life at Totsuki."