Her gaze drifted uncontrollably toward the window. The setting sun was slowly sinking between the city buildings, orange-red dusk clouds dyed into the shape of cotton candy. In the distance, the stream of cars merged into a golden river, flowing slowly.
The waiter brought the aperitif, pale golden liquid gently swaying in the stemmed glasses.
Kageyama Sora picked up his glass and raised it toward Momoko. "Want to try it? The champagne's just sweet enough. It's not too strong."
Momoko hesitantly picked up her glass. The instant her fingertips touched the stem, the icy sensation startled her into shrinking back.
Imitating Kageyama Sora, she took a small sip. The bubbles burst across her tongue with a faint fruity fragrance, sliding down her throat and leaving behind a lightly intoxicating warmth.
"How is it?" Kageyama Sora watched her flushed cheeks, the amusement in his eyes deepening.
"It's... it's a little sweet." Momoko set down her glass, obedient as could be.
By the time the appetizer was served, night had fully fallen.
Outside the window, countless lights had come on across the city. Specks of light reflected against the floor-to-ceiling glass, as if they could be touched with a reach of the hand.
The sea urchin was served on a shell-shaped plate, orange-yellow roe piled into a small mound and sprinkled with fine gold leaf, with bright green shiso leaves as garnish.
"It tastes fresher if you eat it with a shell spoon." Kageyama Sora picked up a delicate shell spoon and handed it to her, his fingertips brushing over the pads of her fingers and making Momoko tremble lightly like a startled fawn.
Momoko lowered her head and carefully scooped up a spoonful of sea urchin, bringing it to her mouth.
The sea urchin's sweet freshness melted over her tongue, carrying