The Gatekeeper Chapter 5- A humongous appetite.

As we enter the restaurant, the gazes of almost everyone, irrespective of gender, are drawn in by the inhumane beauty that is Sylvia.

Slowly but surely, the envy filled gazes of women which were aimed at Sylvia's beauty turn towards her partner, me, and as soon as they examine me head-to-toe, their gazes which were filled with just envy, now has hatred, resentment and killing intent mixed within them.

Sylvia walks indifferently and nonchalantly through those thorn-like gazes without even flinching as if it was her daily routine.

After we settle ourselves at an empty isolated table, she asks me a very troubling question.

"Toru-kun, please do tell me. How were able to beat those assassins that easily?"

"Please refer to me as 'Toru', Sylvia."

I distract her with this. I'd anticipated this question being asked ever since we started talking. She asked it way later than I anticipated she would, I have an answer ready nonetheless.

"I've had intense training in my village. I hail from a very poor village and was taught combat by a passing martial artist. Recently, my village was utterly annihilated. I ventured here in hopes that with my skills, I could join the adventurer's guild and live in the capital."

I hope this works.

Because of my enhanced hearing, I knew about the village that was destroyed by a dragon. Some people were talking about it a few lanes back.

Apparently, a noble summoned a young and weak dragon, but it was still powerful enough to wipe out an entire village. The nobleman who was brought back from the brink of death was ordered to pay for all damages, and the dragon was subjugated by a party of strong adventurers.

"Oh okay Toru. So, you are a survivor of the dragon attack. That must be very disturbing. Please let me apologize for bringing up something so troubling."

She bought it.

I clenched my right fist under the table with a satisfied grin on my face.

"No, it's fine. But I would appreciate if we don't talk about it anymore."

"Y-Yes that would be all right."

She replies nervously and lifts the thick menu off the table.

"Now then, what would like to have? It's on me, so please don't hold back."

"Please order anything you like. As I mentioned previously, I just entered the capital a few hours ago and am still unaware of the food preferences around here."

That can actually be considered a truth. I did just enter the capital and don't know anything about the food. I did learn about the local practices of each nation and its cuisines, but I couldn't figure out which food is good.

"That would be great. Let me show you the extravagant food varieties that can be found only in our Royal Capital."

'Our' Royal Capital.

Let's eliminate the daughter of a wealthy merchant option. Her choice of words clearly indicate that she is either a noble or a member of the Royal family.

"That would be amazing. Thank you for indulging my request."

"Ah, it's no problem at all. Now then, let us get this, this, this, and this as well~"

Her grandeur and dignity vanishes as soon as the waiter approaches our table to take our order.

So, she is a noble, a heavenly beauty, childish, and a food lover.

How in the hell have I not nose-bled to death yet?

No matter what, I must treat her like a normal girl. Popular people despise being treated in a special manner, on the contrary, they prefer the simple and friendly treatment, I say this from personal experience. People didn't approach me because of my grand reputation as the school's number 1. While I just wanted to be friends with each and every single one of my peers.

"Well, you are paying. So I don't mind either way. But still, you sure are a glutton, aren't you?"

Hearing my sarcasm filled remark, her white face, which was facing in my direction, turned crimson in an instant. She looked down to hide her embarrassed expression and said in a low voice which could only be considered whispering.

"Hey… don't tease me like that. I almost died you know. This is just stress eating, I pro - AH!!"

She ends up biting her tongue, she covers her face with both her hands out of embarrassment, cheeks painted in deep red colour could be spotted through the gaps of her fingers.

Despite the mental resistances and processing speed, if this goes on any longer, I might actually end up fainting.

"It hurts… it really hurts!"

"So you are a glutton and a clutz?"

My comment is followed by a wry chuckle. This is just too much. No matter how much experience one has with women, this girl is just way too adorable.

But looking at her from this worlds' perspective, she is already an adult of a marital age. Should I make a move on her or something? No, if she does end up being from a noble family, she may already have a husband or a fiancee.

"Hey now. I'm usually not like this. It's just that... you are here."

Her voice dissolved as she approached the end of the sentence, I think that the last part was meant for her and not to be heard by me. But I just can't control my super senses.

I'll just feign ignorance.

While Sylvia has her face hidden behind her hands, concealing her embarrassed appearance. Three waiters arrive with many plates in their hands, each filled with extravagant dishes. These look to be way too expensive. But then again, she is a noble. At this point, I'm sure of it. On the contrary, I don't particularly mind if she's a noble. She treated me to food so I'll just stretch this little charade of hers until the end.

The waiters arrive at our table. Sylvia lifts her head up to look at the food presented in front of her. Her beautiful blue-green eyes sparkle as the dishes are placed on our table. The quantity of food is way too overwhelming, even if I tried my best. It would take me at least three days to eat all of this. This girl, is she really a noble? I fixate my gaze on her while the food is served onto her plate. She looks like a cute Chihuahua, waiting for food. She notices my gaze and says in an embarrassed voice.

"L-Let me eat in peace, okay! As I mentioned earlier, this is just stress eating. I am not a glutton or anything!"

So she's a food tsundere. Haruki used to be like this when we were kids. But now, she just devours anything and everything that is placed in front of her. Sylvia starts eating diligently, which I didn't expect from someone who has a week's worth of food in front of them. She says while gently putting a piece of meat in her mouth.

"You should start eating or the food will get cold."

I take her advice. For a moment there, I forgot that I was starving. I place various types of dishes on my plate, and start eating while savouring each and every flavour.

I ask Sylvia the contents of the dishes I eat, I still have my culinary skills, so I may be able to replicate some of these dishes.

She mentions a lot of ingredients which I am unfamiliar with. That much should be expected, but because of the knowledge bestowed upon me about this world, I have a general idea of what they are and where they can be found

Apparently, the small beasts which are hunted can also be used to create meat-oriented dishes. The dangerous and humongous beasts aside, the remaining can be easily be turned into a tasty dish. Some of those beasts are being eaten by me right now. I have mixed feelings about this, but let's just go with the flow.

Lunch concludes without any conversation. The reason being that Sylvia had something in her mouth all throughout the meal.

After the meal, Sylvia pays the receptionist 3 gold coins (which is 30,000 Yen).

"I can't believe that we ate this much food."

I muttered to myself when Sylvia wasn't looking in my direction.

As soon as we leave the store and turn towards the adventurer's guild which is situated right alongside the restaurant, someone bumps into Sylvia from behind. Sylvia loses her balance and buries herself in my chest. She immediately pushes me away with a red face and turn towards the person who was responsible for such a wonderful *cough* horrible situation. The person is a man and is currently sitting on the ground while holding his face with his hands.

"HEY! what's the big idea stopping in the middle of the street like that!?"

The person who bumped into Sylvia, rudely blames her as if she was the culprit.

Why does this voice seem so familiarly annoying to me? I've just entered the capital and I know only two peo-.

So it is him. I would recognize that yell anywhere.

"Nex!?"

"So it's you. Ellis-sama."

Chapter end