The moon!
Flowing like water.
Though not as dazzling as sunlight, it was so soft and serene.
The pale yellow lights cast a gentle glow, creating a romantic atmosphere within the Izakaya!
Soft saxophone music slowly began to play, spreading like an invisible mist, gradually occupying the hearts of the diners!
At this moment.
At the celebration banquet.
Delicious food, everything imaginable was there!
Every dish was even personally prepared and cooked by Shopkeeper Sosuke.
Tadokoro Megumi, Yoshino Yuki, Sakaki Ryoko, Marui Zenji, Isshiki Satoshi, and others were all enjoying the food, drinking flower tea, and chatting cheerfully.
Throughout the entire celebration banquet, Sosuke seemed like an unrelated bystander, watching this interesting group of people and listening to their individual stories and backgrounds!
Soon.
Three hours had passed.
Less than two hours remained until the Izakaya closed!
This celebration banquet, hosted by the Polar Star Dormitory residents, finally concluded!
…
"Everyone!"
"Did you all have fun?"
Sosuke, who had finished settling the bill, asked them with a faint smile on his face.
"Shopkeeper!"
"Your place is amazing!"
"We were originally worried about how such a small place could liven up the atmosphere of a banquet?"
Beside him, Yoshino Yuki replied without hesitation.
Student gatherings are actually very simple, and their requirements are not very high.
However, when booking banquet packages at an Izakaya, it often costs tens of thousands of Japanese Yen per person, and then the portion sizes are ridiculously small!
Each person only gets one bite of each dish, one piece of fried chicken, one slice of Sashimi, one chopstick-full of noodles, and the rest of the time is spent drinking sake.
Although banquets usually last for more than 2 hours, these portion sizes and eating habits are truly unsatisfying!
However.
Unexpectedly.
The portion sizes of every dish at Sosuke's Izakaya were very generous.
And they were made exceptionally delicious, making Yoshino Yuki and the others exclaim how satisfying it was!
Most importantly, the price of each dish was surprisingly affordable! This made them feel even more that it was a great deal, and their favorable impression of this Izakaya began to soar!
Food is the source of happiness; unlike drowning sorrows in alcohol, delicious cuisine can truly bring people happiness and satisfaction.
And the quality of the cuisine largely determines the vitality of an Izakaya!
Indeed.
Sosuke's Izakaya.
Because it had only been open for a relatively short time, its reputation was not very high!
But the exquisite nature of every dish, coupled with his own superb cooking skills and the low prices of the dishes, allowed every diner who came here to quickly find a sense of belonging!
…
"Shopkeeper!"
"You run an Izakaya that serves food and drinks, but why haven't I seen a menu?"
Finally, Yoshino Yuki, full and satisfied, began to chatter like a talkative person, continuing to converse with Sosuke!
"The ingredients supplied daily are not the same, so this establishment does not have a fixed menu."
Sosuke continued to explain, "As long as there are ready ingredients or dishes you want to eat that I can make, you can order them freely!"
"I see!"
"That's a good rule!"
"Then... then most Izakaya menus cover various Japan delicacies."
"For example, sushi, Tempura, Soba Noodles, and so on, as well as various Japan sake, green tea, and specialty drinks for diners to choose from!"
"But your Izakaya doesn't feel like it specializes in selling Japan cuisine."
"Heh!"
"Why?"
"Can't an Izakaya sell other cuisines?"
Sosuke asked with a smile.
"No, it's not that!"
"It's just... it's just the feeling I get."
"Shopkeeper, you are truly casual in your actions, not wanting to be bound by worldly conventions and rules at all!"
Upon hearing this, Yoshino Yuki's cheeks flushed slightly as she responded awkwardly.
…
In fact.
New-era Izakaya.
They are already very different from traditional Izakaya.
To meet the diverse needs of diners, some emerging chain Izakaya often provide not only Japan and Western-style meals but also allow ordering via iPad, and even have menus available in multiple languages!
Although the forms are diverse, each operating according to its own abilities!
However, one point remains constant: for people, an Izakaya is a place where they can be themselves freely!
And the Izakaya operated by Sosuke is very different from other Izakaya in form, but it uses casual and free ordering rules to satisfy the appetites and souls of its diners.
"Alright!"
"Yoshino, it's getting late, we should head back!"
Just then, Tadokoro Megumi, inside the Izakaya, tugged at Yoshino Yuki's sleeve and said softly.
"Oh."
"I know."
"Shopkeeper, then that's it!"
Yoshino Yuki, who had originally wanted to continue talking with Sosuke for a few more words.
She quickly got up and went to Tadokoro Megumi's side, then waved to him, signaling goodbye!
"Mm!"
"Take care!"
Upon seeing this, Sosuke simply nodded.
Finally, this group of Polar Star Dormitory residents left the Izakaya in a joyful mood.
…
Night!
It grew deeper!
Since Tadokoro Megumi and his group left.
The entire Izakaya lost some of its liveliness and gained a bit more tranquility.
Although occasionally some diners would still come in to eat and drink, the overall atmosphere was still quieter!
Moreover, in the past, at this time, Rindo, the Second Seat of the Elite Ten, would already be at the Izakaya!
However, she hasn't been seen tonight, which should be the first time Rindo hasn't been to the Izakaya in over a month since it opened, right?
For some reason, Sosuke actually missed her quite a bit!
Subsequently, two familiar customers appeared at the Izakaya, well, plus one new customer.
Two black cars were parked at the entrance of the Izakaya, and two young girls got out of the first car.
From the car behind, an old man with white hair emerged!
"Grandpa!"
"This is the place!"
Erina, who had just gotten out of the car, quickly went to the General's side and said softly.
"The restaurant next door is Spring Fruit Pavilion, I remember..."
The General paused, trying to recall some things in his mind.
Finally, he seemed to have remembered something and said with sudden realization, "This Chun Guo Ting Restaurant is run by Sonoka, a graduate of the 89th generation, right?"
"Yes."
"It's Mujiuzhi Senior's."
"Hmm, to be able to operate an Izakaya next to Mujiuzhi's, it seems they are no ordinary person!"
After speaking, the General, filled with anticipation, pushed the door open and entered the Izakaya.
Erina and Hisako, who were behind him, first exchanged glances, then quickly hurried in together with anxious steps.
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