The Fourth Period Is Modern Chinese (Continued)

I said lightly, pointing at a sign that had come into view. Yukino looked over as well and let out a small sound of surprise.

"Komeda... It's my first time..."

"Oh, really? Komeda's pretty good. The complimentary snack beans that come with the drinks are tasty, and the portions are generous too, so it's a great deal. The actual Ice and Fire is even bigger than it looks in the pictures—if anything, that's reverse menu fraud. Want to try ordering one?"

"Didn't I tell you we were having dinner after this...?"

When I said that with a smug look on my face, Yukino, whose eyes had been sparkling just a moment ago, shot me a sidelong glare.

"Hahaha, don't worry. Just thinking about what's coming after this makes my stomach hurt like hell, so even if I love Komeda, I can't eat a thing..."

I gave a dry laugh and unconsciously rubbed my stomach. Seeing that, Yukino quietly said,

"You really are hopeless."

Then she smiled faintly.

Just the rich aroma of coffee brushing past my nose made my mood rise inexplicably.

It probably wasn't because the caffeine in the scent was stimulating me. Maybe, like Pavlov's dog, my habit of drinking a cup to psych myself up before work had automatically awakened my motivation.

I vaguely remembered hearing that universities in the United States had conducted experiments like that in recent years.

As though she were proving the results of those experiments, Yukino seemed a little excited after entering Komeda.

The clerk led us to a booth, and the moment she sat down, Yukino began looking around, continuously letting out quiet exclamations.

Sitting across from her, I watched her with a smile and swiftly opened the menu before placing it in front of her.

"They have quite a lot