Chapter 2: The First Customer

The preparations were complete. Even so, a faint tension lingered deep in his chest.

For many years, he had honed his skills at various restaurants.
Service, cooking—he believed he had handled both well enough.
But welcoming the “first customer” at his own shop was, after all, something special.

This was a time-limited adventure.
From the very first customer to the very last, he was determined to make every one of them enjoy themselves to the fullest.
That strong resolve was still pushing him forward, even now.

He checked the reservation names once more.
“Ichinose Misaki,” “Ichinose Yuka”—the same surname. Were they family, perhaps?

If possible, he wanted them to be talking about today even years from now.
If he could provide that kind of experience, then that would become this shop’s very reason for existing.

Just as he straightened himself and refocused, the doorbell rang lightly.

“Excuse meee! I’m Ichinose Yuka—I’ve got a reservation!”

Along with her bright, ringing voice, a blonde ponytail swayed.
On her face, anticipation for the dishes about to begin was clearly visible.

“You don’t need to shout your full name.”
The woman beside her, with a calm demeanor, gently admonished her in a slightly lowered voice.
To him, that single remark sounded like a warning filled with kindness.

“Ichinose-sama, two guests, correct? Please, this way.”
He led them quietly.
The table he guided them to was the only four-seat table in the restaurant.

“I will bring your aperitif, so please have a seat and wait.”
With a deep bow, he returned to the kitchen.