"Okay, okay, okay." Shinomiya responded blankly, his soul still floating somewhere in midair.
Was this the blissful feeling Fujii had talked about?
Shinomiya pressed the call button, and the waiter began serving the dishes.
Kushida ate happily, while Shinomiya looked like an idiot, grinning foolishly from time to time and reaching up to touch his neck.
Kushida secretly rejoiced at the sight.
That's more like it! Little Yōha, easily handled!
It was not until dinner was nearly over that Shinomiya's soul returned.
Looking at the dishes before him, Shinomiya fell into thought.
What was going on? Why did I feel like I was missing part of my memory?
Was it King Crimson?
Shinomiya sank into the memory palace in his mind and reviewed what had just happened.
As he relived it—
Shinomiya's head overheated again, and he returned to that dazed, foolish state.
Fortunately, Shinomiya recovered quickly this time.
Huff... huff...
That was close! I almost turned into an idiot again!
Shinomiya hurriedly adjusted his emotions and tried not to recall what had just happened.
He quickly finished the food before him. The flavors he was normally familiar with now carried an extra touch of sweetness.
Did the chef have some kind of epiphany? They've improved!
Shinomiya called over a waiter. "Today's food was delicious! Please thank the chef for me. Also, transfer ten thousand from my account to the chef."
"Certainly, Mr. Shinomiya." The waiter respectfully withdrew.
"Are you happy today?" Kushida asked with a slight smile.
"Haha, not bad! What about you?" Shinomiya replied cheerfully.
Kushida was in a good mood too, but she still had something left to do.
"Don't forget what you promised me." Kushida's tone turned somewhat cold, dumping a bucket of cold water over Shinomiya's head.
His rationality immediately regained the high ground.
"Of