Sword Art Online Volume 5
Chapter 1
"Welcome, table for one?"
As the waiter bowed respectfully, I replied that I was looking for someone, and swept my eyes across the vast expanse of the cafe.
From a window seat inside, a loud and unreserved voice immediately called me over.
"Hey Kirito-kun, over here!"
Elegant classical music circulated around the dining area, and the low chattering of pleasant conversation died down within a split-second as I entered, all eyes focused on me with criticism. Dressed in my old leather jacket and patched jeans, about 80% of the store - upper-class women taking a break from shopping - seemed to feel that I was in the wrong place; I felt resentment starting to swell up from deep within towards the person who asked me to come here.
If it were a sweet and attractive girl, I would have been able to put up with it, but unfortunately the hand waving at me belonged to a man in a suit. I didn't bother to conceal my displeasure and sat into the chair roughly with a 'dosun' sound.
A waiter emerged at my side to present me with a cool glass of water and a warm hand towel, along with the menu. As I picked up the elegant wooden and leather cover, a sunny voice expressed itself from across the table.
"It's my treat this time, so order whatever you like."
"I would have even if you didn't say that."
I retorted sharply and scrolled my eyes down the menu; shockingly, their cheapest item «Choux à la Crème» was already in the 1200 yen range, and I almost ordered a plain coffee by pure reflex. After remembering that this man was a highly paid bureaucrat, and that the cost of such entertainment would be covered as a business expense by hard-earned taxpayer money, I, who had nearly been taken for an idiot, calmly began ordering.
"Aah... I will have the parfait au chocolat... and a mille-feuille... and finally a hazelnut coffee."
Somehow, I had managed to say the entire order without biting my tongue despite having absolutely no idea what I had just ordered. The menu
"Welcome, table for one?"
As the waiter bowed respectfully, I replied that I was looking for someone, and swept my eyes across the vast expanse of the cafe.
From a window seat inside, a loud and unreserved voice immediately called me over.
"Hey Kirito-kun, over here!"
Elegant classical music circulated around the dining area, and the low chattering of pleasant conversation died down within a split-second as I entered, all eyes focused on me with criticism. Dressed in my old leather jacket and patched jeans, about 80% of the store - upper-class women taking a break from shopping - seemed to feel that I was in the wrong place; I felt resentment starting to swell up from deep within towards the person who asked me to come here.
If it were a sweet and attractive girl, I would have been able to put up with it, but unfortunately the hand waving at me belonged to a man in a suit. I didn't bother to conceal my displeasure and sat into the chair roughly with a 'dosun' sound.
A waiter emerged at my side to present me with a cool glass of water and a warm hand towel, along with the menu. As I picked up the elegant wooden and leather cover, a sunny voice expressed itself from across the table.
"It's my treat this time, so order whatever you like."
"I would have even if you didn't say that."
I retorted sharply and scrolled my eyes down the menu; shockingly, their cheapest item «Choux à la Crème» was already in the 1200 yen range, and I almost ordered a plain coffee by pure reflex. After remembering that this man was a highly paid bureaucrat, and that the cost of such entertainment would be covered as a business expense by hard-earned taxpayer money, I, who had nearly been taken for an idiot, calmly began ordering.
"Aah... I will have the parfait au chocolat... and a mille-feuille... and finally a hazelnut coffee."
Somehow, I had managed to say the entire order without biting my tongue despite having absolutely no idea what I had just ordered. The menu