Chapter 15: What If the Young Lady Experienced a Retro Commoner's Dish?

The place we were led to was a coffee shop a short distance from the movie theater.

It wasn't a modern-style shop by any means, but because of that, it had a calm atmosphere.

I never knew there was a place like this around here, it's a real hidden gem.

We're shown to a table seat. Laila and I sit next to each other.

Across from us is Aali-san.

「It's amazing you found a place like this.」

「Yes, I did my best for today. The atmosphere of the shop is just as I imagined my lady and I would like, so I already feel a high level of satisfaction.」

「As expected of Aali-san. I like it too.」

The two exchange smiles. Looking at them like this, they seem less like a master and servant and more like friends with an age gap, or maybe sisters.

「This shop is said to be famous for its old-fashioned Napolitan spaghetti. Shall we try ordering that this time?」

「Napolitan? It is a pasta dish I have heard rumors of, but today will be my first time actually trying it.」

So Laila has never had it. Well, she's a rich young lady, so it's natural that she wouldn't be familiar with it. But Aali-san has apparently had it before, so she really is pretty down-to-earth.

Still, Napolitan, huh. Come to think of it, I haven't eaten it recently either. My stomach has recovered enough that I could eat popcorn, so maybe I'll give it a try.

「I'd like to try it too. ...Maybe dessert after would be nice too. What about you, Laila? Aali-san, would you like something sweet?」

「Let's see. To match the retro atmosphere, how about some toast with Ogura bean paste? I will have that.」

「Bean paste and toast? So such a combination exists.」

「Yes, it is a classic sweet when you think of old-fashioned coffee shops.」

「...I think that's pretty regional. But actually, I've never had it before, so I'm kind of looking forward to it.」

Other than that, Aali-san and I ordered hot coffee, and Laila ordered tea.

I'm more of a cocoa person than a coffee person, but if I combine it with toast, my mouth will be too sweet.

We ordered, and the Napolitan was brought to our table.

Mmm, that smell, the scent of ketchup whets the appetite.

It's a nostalgic smell, the kind of thing that would probably feel nostalgic even if I ate it yesterday.

「Is this Napolitan? It is such a vibrantly colored pasta.」

「Yes, the ingredients are simple: green peppers, onions, and sausage. And the seasoning is also a simple ketchup.」

「It's the first pasta that comes to mind when you think of what's popular with commoners' kids. I've never met anyone who dislikes it. But I don't know if it will suit the palate of someone like Laila, who's eaten all sorts of pasta.」

「No, I find it very interesting. It is a dish that you both recommend after all.」

「Well then, shall we eat?」

As Aali-san says that, I also put my hands together.

「「「Let's eat.」」」

After saying it together, we each started eating our Napolitan as we pleased.

First, I bring the noodles to my mouth. Yeah, delicious.

The sweet ketchup sauce coats the green peppers and onions. This texture and flavor are addictive. The sausage has a nice accent too.

「How is it?」

「It is very delicious! I have eaten a variety of pasta dishes, but this Napolitan has a flavor that is very close to my own preferences... I have grown to love it.」

What a carefree smile. The usual, somewhat composed Laila is nice, but seeing this age-appropriate, girlish smile is a pleasure.

「That is wonderful to hear. It was worth recommending then. It has been a long time since I have eaten it, but it is delicious as ever.」

Aali-san also eats with such genuine enjoyment.

The Ogura toast we had afterward was also delicious. The two of them seemed really happy eating it.

I couldn't tell the type of bean, but the coffee also had a nice flavor, and drinking it after the Napolitan made its depth stand out even more.

「「「Thanks for the meal.」」」

By the time we left the coffee shop, it was already past two in the afternoon.

I have no plans after this, but what should I do?