As they followed Emi through the bustling restaurant, Damien took in his surroundings with quiet interest.
Accustomed to the world’s finest restaurants, he found this place surprisingly refreshing. There was nothing extravagant about it, yet it possessed a warmth and authenticity that even the most luxurious establishments often lacked.
His attention was drawn to the open kitchen as they passed, where an older gentleman with graying hair and a simple apron was carefully arranging slices of meat over a steaming bowl of ramen.
The man looked more like a grandfather preparing a home-cooked meal than a chef in a prestigious restaurant, but his practiced movements spoke of decades of experience.
Despite having enjoyed Japanese cuisine countless times, Damien found himself intrigued. And wit
