Chapter 78

"Cheers"

My voice and Noah's are in unison.

Through the glass I can see Noah's smile, and just that makes my heart race, but I know I won't be able to calm down.

I bring the glass to my lips and drink the white wine. It's the "delicious white wine" that Emma mentioned before.

The refreshing acidity spreads throughout my mouth, and it's a very smooth and easy-to-drink wine. It's a bit dry and very delicious.

The alcohol that lingers in my breath is fragrant, and I take another sip as if drawn by it.

"You two haven't come at all, I was so lonely~"

"That was tough."

Emma and Master, holding the dishes, speak to us from across the counter.

It's been a while since I've come to the Too-Risu-tei. The soft atmosphere hasn't changed at all, and coming here always fills me with joy.

The customers who were here before us have left, so now only Noah and I are sitting at the counter.

"But I'm relieved it's over. Right?"

"Yeah, it was really long."

While receiving the dishes, I say this, and Noah lets out a deliberately deep sigh, which makes me laugh.

Today's dishes are lasagna and stuffed tomatoes.

The lasagna is steaming, freshly baked. The cheese is bubbling and looks delicious, and my prayer before eating is always rushed.

"Take your time today."

Emma smiles as she returns to the kitchen.

Master gently straightens Emma's sleeve, which she has rolled up, and I wonder if those two ever fight.

"Finally, I can eat here."

"Hehe, I was looking forward to it."

Princess Camilla returned yesterday.

In the routine that has resumed, the first thing we wanted to do was to have a drink at the Too-Risu-tei.

Noah, who was on leave today, waited for me to finish work.

Walking side by side, Noah doesn't overly guard against the surroundings, which makes me feel relieved.

"Here you go."

"Thank you. It looks delicious... I know it's hot."

The lasagna that has been portioned out looks very hot. The cheese seems calm, but a lot of steam is rising from the cut surface.

I cut a bite-sized piece with my knife and fork and blow on it... I know it's still hot, but I can't resist the temptation to eat it.

"Ouch!"

It's hot.

The cheese isn't cooled at all, and the meat sauce and béchamel sauce are also hot.

I take deep breaths, and by the time I manage to swallow, my eyes are watering. But it's delicious. I'm glad I ate it while it was hot.

I cool my burning mouth with wine and finally take a breath.

"Delicious. The vegetables are soft and blend well with the chewy pasta."

"Still, you should have cooled it a bit more, shouldn't you?"

Noah laughs and also takes a bite of the lasagna. He seems to have cooled it more than I did, but his shoulders jump when he puts it in his mouth, so I think it must have been hot. I can't help but smile at the sight.

"Hot... but it's good."

"You should eat hot things while they're hot."

"I know, but I've burned my mouth before."

"Your mouth heals quickly, so it's fine even if you burn it."

"It hurts when you kiss."

"...What?"

Suddenly saying something like that, the wine I was drinking went down the wrong way.

I cover my mouth and start coughing, and Emma, hearing the sound, brings me some water.

Taking the goblet, Noah, still coughing, drinks the water while trying to hide his laughter with his hand over his mouth.

"Alicia, are you okay?"

"I'm, fine... thank you."

"Noah, you teased her again, didn't you? I understand that she's cute, but you should be more considerate."

"Okay."

Noah nods at Emma's words, but his shoulders are still shaking. Was it that funny?

I'm sure his eyes are narrowed behind his thick bangs.

Emma sets glasses of white wine in front of us. The amber color, sparkling in the light, is very beautiful.

I finish the wine I was drinking and return the empty glass to the counter.

"But I'm happy to see you two getting along like this."

I can only nod at her gentle voice.

Emma closes one eye so I can see, then returns to the kitchen.

She might have been worried about the anxiety I expressed when we had lunch together.

Talking to Emma then helped me calm down. I think I'm smiling more now than I was then.

"...Cute beyond measure?"

I repeat Emma's words while bringing the wine glass to my lips.

Noah's hand, which was about to put a bite-sized tomato in his mouth, stops.

He lifts his glasses with that hand, and his purple eyes peek out.

"To be honest, you're so cute that I want to keep you in my arms forever."

His whispering voice and the exposed eyes are heated.

Intending to tease, I end up being the one retaliated against, and I can only bury my face on the table.

Noah laughs at the sight, puts his glasses back in place, and picks up his fork again.

Seeing him bring the cut tomato to my mouth, I can't do anything but sit up.

My face is still hot, and I'm aware of its color, but I lean in to eat the tomato from the fork.

"Delicious."

"At least you don't have to worry about burning your mouth with this."

The tomato, which has absorbed the meat juice and is roasted, is very sweet.

Noah also cuts a tomato and nods, saying it's delicious.

Eating the same thing and saying it's delicious.

Just that makes my chest feel tight and my feelings overflow.

Noah is next to me, and he's smiling.

It makes me happy, and I wish we could stay like this forever.

"What's wrong?"

Lost in those thoughts, Noah brings the fork to my mouth again.

This time it's lasagna, with melted eggplant wrapped in cheese.

"I feel so happy."

I say this and eat the lasagna from the fork again. It's delicious, as expected.

"Yeah."

Noah's voice is soft, and I can feel that he's feeling the same way.

That makes me happy, and a smile escapes me.