"Ta-da!"
Hoshino Sora was still pondering how many dishes would be appropriate to introduce when Yaxiang Lixiang, who had been running around since entering the restaurant and had disappeared, suddenly appeared in front of him, dressed in bunny girl outfits.
Bunny ears, a tight-fitting black leather bodysuit that was particularly form-fitting and slightly constricting, with a small white fluffy ball on the butt, and fishnet stockings on the lower half.
"Holy cow, where did you guys get these?"
"In the staff lounge, we found these in the cabinet, along with swimsuits, cat-ear girl outfits, and even teacher uniforms…"
As Ya Xiang pulled out a pile of clothes as if by magic, Hoshino Sora's forehead twitched, and his mouth corners twitched. That former shop owner must have had some unspeakable Hobbies!
"There's a whip here."
Rika pulled out a whip from who knows where and was about to whip Ya Xiang's backside, but Hoshino Sora quickly stopped her. Good heavens, it almost turned into an R-rated scene.
"Alright, put everything back where you found it, and change back into your original clothes. How can I open for business with you two dressed like this?"
Hoshino Sora complained, feeling speechless. If they served customers dressed like this, the police might think he was running an illicit establishment.
"It doesn't matter anyway, we're only wearing it for you."
"Exactly! Do I look cute like this?"
Following Rika's words, Ya Xiang shyly spun around. She, too, had been enticed by Rika; to be precise, Rika had worn it, so she felt compelled to wear it too, which was why she put on this embarrassing outfit.
Now that she had finally put it on, she naturally anticipated Hoshino Sora's reaction.
"It looks good. I must say, the innocent aura combined with the bunny girl outfit has a forbidden charm."
Pinching his chin, Hoshino Sora subconsciously evaluated. Because Asaka-nee's temperament was more innocent and her personality shy, wearing this mature bunny girl outfit created a kind of charming contrast.
"What about me, what about me?"
With anticipation in her eyes, Rika stepped closer, her face so near that her breath brushed Hoshino Sora's cheek, warm and captivating.
"Rika-nee looks good too!"
He subconsciously took a step back, not daring to look at Rika's face. Being so close, almost face-to-face, made his heart race, and his cheeks visibly reddened.
He was a bit unaccustomed to such a scene. Was his older sister being a little too forward?
"That's not fair! Ya Xiang got so many compliments, but for me, it's just 'looks good'! Sora, you're playing favorites!"
Clenching her small fists and pouting slightly, Rika complained, hitting her biased younger brother with her fists. Seeing this, Ya Xiang immediately stepped forward smugly.
"Oh, Sora didn't mean it. Maybe he just couldn't think of any more adjectives, after all, Sora's attention has been entirely on me since earlier."
"Stare…"
Hearing Ya Xiang's exaggerated explanation, Rika immediately glared at Hoshino Sora's face, her small mouth pouting high, as if she wouldn't let him off the hook unless he gave her a reasonable explanation.
"Rika-nee is very charming! She's cute and has a great figure; she doesn't need clothes at all, she's a great beauty herself!"
"A great beauty, huh, hehe~"
Hearing the desired compliment, Rika showed a satisfied expression, then opened her arms and hugged Hoshino Sora, the direct contact making the young man's heart pound.
"Ah, Rika, you're stealing a march again!"
"Wait, aren't we missing the point?! Go change back into your original clothes, then help me buy ingredients at the market. We're opening for business at noon!"
Watching the two sisters suddenly hug him, Hoshino Sora raised his hands, not daring to move. Then, as if remembering something, he urged the two sisters to change.
"Eh, so soon?"
Pushing the two sisters out of the kitchen, Hoshino Sora began to ponder what dishes he should make. The restaurant's main clientele would be common people, with customers including students, office workers, and nearby residents.
Dishes needed to be served quickly, but they couldn't be the same as nearby shops. He had taken a quick look when he arrived; most nearby places were fried food shops, and a few yakitori places, but not many proper restaurants.
Considering the efficiency demanded by office workers, the shop must offer set meals. Braised Pork Trotter Rice, a set meal that was popular across the country in his previous life, came to mind.
That would require pork trotters, and a series of spices…
Writing down dozens of necessary ingredients like pork trotters, pork leg bones, pork skin, chicken frames, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamon on paper, Hoshino Sora suddenly found the paper was not enough.
"Let's just offer set meals today, get a feel for the business process. We don't need to rush; we can take it step by step."
Looking at the fully scribbled paper, Hoshino Sora muttered to himself. Sometimes more doesn't mean better, and less doesn't mean worse. Pork trotter rice carries a lot of weight, and making it well is difficult.
"Here, Asaka-nee, Rika-nee, please help me buy these things. Here's the money."
Taking out his wallet from his pocket, he handed a thick stack of ten-thousand-yen bills to Ya Xiang. This was his allowance from over the years; since he hadn't gone to any high-spending places, he had saved a lot.
"Gulp."
"Sora, we can't do anything illegal."
"This is my saved allowance!"
——————
As the sun set, his stomach was empty. From running after clients since morning, Wutian Qinghai hadn't even eaten lunch. He swayed, his eyes tired as he wandered the street, passing the curry shop he had visited countless times, his body moving but his mind elsewhere.
Although the taste was good, he was already tired of curry. He only frequented that shop because it was economical, but after trying all the curry flavors, his anticipation for this shop had approached zero.
"Welcome!"
"Grumble~"
Just then, as Wutian Qinghai was about to enter the curry shop, a rich, savory stew aroma wafted to his nose, and his stomach immediately rumbled, his eyes instinctively moving left and right.
Where is it?
A spark appeared in his eyes. Ignoring the curry shop's welcome, Wutian Qinghai immediately exited the shop and began searching around, his head turning left and right, his nose twitching rapidly.
"Where is it?"
Confused, perplexed, then determined, he followed the scent. Wutian Qinghai finally arrived in front of a shop that was not open for business. The door was closed, but the aroma was indeed emanating from inside.
"This is it! Excuse me!"
Familiarity opening the door, Wutian shouted loudly into the shop. Although it wasn't open for business, such a fragrant smell couldn't be faked.
"What's that noise? You two, keep an eye on the pot for a bit. I'm going out to check. No sneaking bites! It's not ready yet; the taste and texture are still a bit off. Patience will be rewarded."
Looking at the simmering pork trotters in the braising liquid, Hoshino Sora called out to the two sisters beside him, who were drooling uncontrollably. Ya Xiang and Rika watched the pot, unable to tear their eyes away.
"How could we, Sora?"
"Go on, we'll take care of the pork trotters!"
Patting their not-so-ample chests, the two sisters vowed with certainty.