Amano Hiro looked at Rize's expectant eyes and nodded with pleasure.
He fully understood her feelings at this moment, having once been a ghoul who could survive only on coffee and human flesh, finally able to taste the full spectrum of flavors like a human, the desire to try everything and make up for all the past deprivation was incredibly strong.
For her, this bottle of whiskey was more than just alcohol, it was a gateway to a whole new world.
Seeing his agreement, Rize's face immediately bloomed with a radiant smile.
She stepped lightly toward the liquor cabinet, carefully selecting two crystal-clear wine glasses and placing them on the coffee table.
She mimicked the motions of humans from her memory, moving with a mix of clumsy solemnity, uncorking the bottle, and slowly pouring the amber liquid into the glasses.
Amano Hiro watched quietly, his gaze involuntarily lingering on the pair of glasses.
Seeing her pour whiskey into wine glasses made him smile, a little at the awkward charm of the scene.
"Hiro, what's wrong?" Rize perceptively noticed the flicker of amusement on his face and blinked in confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"
Amano Hiro came back to his senses and realized that Rize was unfamiliar with the customary human etiquette for drinking alcohol.
He explained gently that drinking whiskey from a wine glass was not wrong, just uncommon, and briefly introduced the usual pairings of drink and glassware.
Finally, he smiled and added, "But in the end, no one said you can't drink whiskey from a wine glass."
"Oh, I see," Rize said with understanding, preparing to stand. "Then I'll switch to a normal glass-"
"No need," Amano Hiro reached out and gently stopped her, his tone full of tolerance and a hint of indulgence. "They don't use it, we do. As long as we enjoy it, that's enough."
Hearing this, Rize's smile grew even brighter. She sat back down eagerly and lifted her glass, ready to toast Amano Hiro.
Amano Hiro, however, smiled and held her hand back. "Wait a moment. Something's missing. For a first drink, the ceremony must be complete."
"What's missing?" Rize asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
Amano Hiro stood and walked toward the kitchen, glancing back. "The most important partner, snacks to accompany the drink."
Rize, like a little shadow, immediately followed, leaning at the kitchen doorway with a face full of curiosity and wonder. "Drinking... isn't it just drinking? Why do we need food too?"
Seeing her innocent expression, which completely contradicted her "Binge Eater" name, Amano Hiro found it amusing in a subtle way.
While retrieving ingredients from the refrigerator, he patiently explained, "Delicious dishes not only ease the bite of alcohol but also enhance the flavor, making the experience more complete. It's like... the perfect partner in battle."
Rize listened attentively, admiration shining in her eyes, and whispered softly, "Hiro, you really know everything."
"Let me help you as an assistant!" she said, rolling up her sleeves eagerly. "I've studied the recipes carefully, but haven't had the chance to try them yet."
"Good," Amano Hiro said, handing her a bunch of greens. "Then today, let me show you my skills."
In the kitchen, they began to work together seamlessly. Rize's learning ability was remarkable; under Amano Hiro's guidance, she washed and chopped ingredients with ease.
For a while, the kitchen was filled only with the crisp sounds of chopping, the sizzling of oil, and their occasional quiet exchanges, suffused with a warm domestic atmosphere.
With Rize's assistance, after just over an hour, three main dishes and a soup were ready: braised pork ribs, stir-fried beef, twice-cooked pork, and a pot of pearl jade soup.
These ingredients had been bought the last time they went to the supermarket, so they weren't exactly fresh. Whether they had gone bad was uncertain, but as ghouls could eat spoiled meat, it was well within manageable range.
Sitting across from each other again, they clinked glasses, the clear sound resonating in the room.
Amano Hiro took a habitual small sip, savoring the rich aroma;
Rize, however, took the entire glass in one gulp, tilting her head back to finish it.
The intense spiciness made her wrinkle her delicate face immediately.
She stuck out her tongue and said with slight disappointment, "Not tasty... why do humans like this flavor?"
Amano Hiro smiled and gently reminded her, "Spirits are meant to be sipped slowly. Drinking it in one gulp like that, you can only taste the burn."
He then elegantly raised his glass to demonstrate how to sip slowly, savoring it.
Next, he picked a piece of braised pork rib, cooked to tender perfection, and placed it in Rize's bowl.
"Try this. Paired with food, it will taste different."
Rize carefully took a bite. Instantly, the rich sweetness of the sauce, the natural savor of the meat, and the complex blend of spices exploded in her mouth.
This was an entirely new, layered experience, unlike any food she had remembered.
Her eyes lit up, and her face showed a look of sheer, disbelieving joy.
"This is amazing!" she exclaimed, eagerly trying every dish.
Each dish brought a new, unique taste experience.
Being able to freely sample the world's flavors and feel the happiness each brought made her so excited she nearly teared up.
She put down her chopsticks, looked up at Amano Hiro with a profoundly sincere gaze, and whispered, "Hiro, I'm so glad I met you."
Amano Hiro returned her gaze with a gentle smile, saying nothing, only raising his glass once more.
Rize immediately understood, her smile blooming like a flower as she lightly clinked her glass against his.
This time, they drank in unison.
No words were needed, everything was expressed in the shared drink.
They chatted and drank alongside their meal. Before they realized it, the entire bottle of whiskey was finished.
Rize's cheeks were flushed, but her spirits were high. She opened another bottle and filled both their glasses.
"This is round two," she said with a smile, her gaze already a little dazed.
Halfway through the second bottle, her demeanor noticeably changed.
Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes moist, and her speech carried a subtle charm that she didn't usually show.
Amano Hiro lightly held back her hand from lifting her glass again.
"Don't drink more. You're drunk."
"I'm not drunk," Rize pouted, insisting on pouring. "I don't feel anything at all."
Seeing her wobble toward the bottle, Amano Hiro grabbed it first.
Rize tried to snatch it back, but as she rose, the alcohol's effect surged, and she lost her footing, falling into his arms.
Amano Hiro quickly set the bottle down and caught her.
They tumbled onto the sofa together, their breath mingling with the scent of whiskey, warmth rising in the intimacy.
Amano Hiro bent down to her flushed cheeks and slightly parted lips, unable to resist, and kissed her.
The living room was filled with a sweet, tender atmosphere.
After a long while, the lingering kiss ended. Their breaths were slightly disordered. Amano Hiro no longer hesitated, lifting Rize in his arms and heading straight for the bedroom.
Rize nestled quietly against him, showing no resistance, letting him carry her into the room.