Moreover, once Piper experienced the freedom of accelerating at will, Wise was convinced she would never be able to give it up.
If she wanted to experience it again, there would only be one option left for her: come back to him.
Sure enough, on the way back, Piper was unusually excited. At one point, she even stepped on the accelerator, eager to test Steeltusk's limits.
Unfortunately, adapting to that kind of speed wasn't something she could do overnight. By the time she returned to Blazewood, she still hadn't managed to push the vehicle to its true limits.
"This is incredible! Can Steeltusk really go this fast? How is this even possible?"
Piper was utterly baffled.
Seeing her reaction, Wise smiled. After the vehicle came to a stop, he lifted her out of the driver's seat and settled her comfortably in his arms.
"The explanation's a little complicated. Long story short, if you want to experience that kind of speed again, you can always come to me, but..."
He left the rest unsaid.
Even so, Piper immediately understood what he meant, and there wasn't much she could say about it.
Once you'd experienced that kind of speed, there was no turning back.
Some time later, Wise left Steeltusk and returned to the restaurant, where he happened to run into Burnice.
The moment she saw him, she greeted him enthusiastically.
"Good afternoon, Wise. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Isn't that obvious? Of course I slept well."
A faint blush appeared on Burnice's face as she heard it.
Wise didn't pay much attention to it. Instead, he got straight to the point.
"Anyway, have you eaten lunch yet?"
"Nope. I've been waiting for you to come back. Ever since my taste buds were 'violated' by your cooking, regular food just doesn't taste good anymore."
Burnice once again said something that could easily be misunderstood.
Fortunately, Wise had long since grown accustomed to her way of speaking and instinctively filled in the missing context.
"Alright. I picked up a new recipe today. Piper came with me to get it, but she's exhausted and already asleep, so you'll be the first one to try it."
"Oh! Yes, absolutely!"
Burnice naturally had no intention of turning down delicious food.
Though, to be fair, that wasn't the only reason she had come.
As Wise prepared the legendary dish according to the recipe, Burnice could hardly contain her anticipation.
The moment she took a bite, her eyes lit up.
"It's amazing! Seriously, this is incredible!"
That was Burnice's verdict.
Just then, Piper, having recovered from her exhaustion, walked into the restaurant.
Wise had expected as much.
Leading her over to Burnice's table, he served her a portion as well.
"Ah~ Nothing beats a meal like this after a long day of work."
Piper wore the relaxed expression of an adult finally unwinding after a busy day.
"Just thinking about being able to eat something this good after work from now on makes me feel motivated."
After finishing her meal, Piper didn't stay long. She simply arranged a time to meet Wise again before heading out.
As for Burnice, she asked when he would be done for the day.
When she learned how late he would be working, disappointment briefly flashed across her face.
Still, she recovered quickly and left the restaurant. Even after watching her disappear from sight, Wise still couldn't figure out what she had been thinking.
In the end, he could only continue working. Until he returned home that night.
"Burnice?"
The moment he opened the door, he saw Burnice lying on his bed in almost the exact same position as the day before.
The only difference was that this time she wasn't covered by a blanket.
Hearing his voice, Burnice immediately sat up and waved at him cheerfully. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she took off her clothes.
"Wise, you're finally back! Hurry, hurry!"
She pressed a finger to her lips.
"Shhh. Don't say anything. Just like yesterday... kiss me."
Heaven knows where Burnice had learned those lines, but seeing the beautiful girl in front of him pout her lips so adorably... How could Wise possibly refuse?
At a moment like this, words were unnecessary.
Much later...
"Phew... phew... Yeah, this really does feel nice. It's even better than drinking a Fuel Drink."
Burnice lay sprawled across Wise, speaking in a sleepy, satisfied voice. Before he could respond, her eyelids had already begun to droop, and within moments, she drifted off to sleep.
"Seriously... is she addicted?"
Wise looked down at Burnice with a helpless sigh. Once again, she had fallen asleep without even taking a bath.
Still, it wasn't a big deal. He'd deal with it tomorrow.
And over the following days, just as he had expected, Burnice found all sorts of excuses to appear in his room at night.
Her energy seemed inexhaustible. Fortunately, Wise had more than enough stamina to keep up with her.
Otherwise, he really wouldn't have been able to handle someone so enthusiastic.
<<>>
One sunny afternoon, in a small town on the edge of the wilderness, the restaurant perched atop the cliff stood quietly against the wasteland, like a jazz tune waiting for its first note.
But before any jazz music could start, the first thing heard was:
"Where's the music, Wise? Where's my background music?"
"Uh... da-da-da-da-da."
"Huh?"
"Lucy, didn't you say you wanted background music? When you mentioned it, I started thinking about the kind of music that plays when a character makes a dramatic entrance in a movie. For some reason, that's what came to mind."
Wise rubbed his chin as he explained.
It really had just come to him.
Lucy, however, narrowed her eyes slightly and flashed a faint smile.
"I don't think you get it at all, Wise~"
"Get what?" Wise was genuinely confused.
The atmosphere suddenly felt a little strange.
And why did he have such a strong sense of déjà vu?
"Hmph, Caesar is truly a hands-off boss, entrusting the restaurant to you and not bothering with anything herself!"
She spoke with a hint of contempt before continuing.
"Heh, fortunately, I'm here to worry about the restaurant and banquets for you. So, Wise, let me test you. What is the most important principle of restaurant management?"
"I'd say it's serving irresistible food. Outer Ring-style spices, exclusive recipes, and fresh ingredients."
The answer came to Wise almost without thinking and Lucy nodded in approval.
"You're very confident in your answer, Wise. Caesar is always very confident in her cute, silly ideas too. But it's time to give you a harsh lesson. The most important and indispensable principle in the Outer Ring's catering industry... is a unique atmosphere!"
As she said this, her eyes remained fixed on him.
"I know your cooking is exceptional. Anything that comes out of your kitchen is delicious and unlike anything else. But you can't stay here forever, can you?"
What Lucy said was indeed true.
Wise hadn't opened this restaurant on his own, nor could he remain in the Outer Ring indefinitely.
"So if you want this place to succeed in the long term, good food alone isn't enough. Customers need an atmosphere they can't find anywhere else. They need emotions, memories, and experiences that exist only within these walls."
Lucy spread her hands as if presenting an invisible stage.
"Even the most unromantic Road Rider has some fantasy buried deep in their heart. Maybe it's facing a destined rival in a gunfight outside a restaurant perched on a cliffside road, all while the music of an old Western film echoes through the air..."
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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