We walked closer to the counter, and the smells wafting from inside—fried potatoes, sizzling meat, and the sweet aroma of desserts—hit us like a warm wave. My stomach growled audibly, and Tsukiko gnced at me with a raised eyebrow.

  “Hungry?” she asked, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

  “Starving,” I admitted, pushing the door open. “Let’s get in before I pass out.”

  The restaurant was brimming with enthusiasm. People moved around with trays in hand, and the sound of chatter blended with the ctter of utensils and the occasional ding of the fryers. A group of children in the corner ughed as they split a rge tub of fries, while a man in a suit scrolled through his phone with a half-eaten burger in front of him.

  “It’s… lively.” Tsukiko observed as she stepped inside, her voice tinged with intrigue.

  “Yeah,” I said, gesturing to the counter. “And that’s where the magic happens. Come on.”

  We joined the line, and I couldn't help but note how Tsukiko carried herself. Even in this informal atmosphere, her posture was fwless, and her motions were precise. She looked completely out of pce among the jeans-and-hoodie crowd, like a rare gemstone in a pile of rocks.

  “You’re drawing some attention,” I whispered, noticing a few people gncing her way.

  “Am I?” she asked, her tone neutral, though her cheeks reddened slightly.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I said with a grin. “They probably think you’re a celebrity.”

  She gave me a sidelong gnce but said nothing. Her focus shifted to the menu board above the counter, her brow furrowing as she tried to make sense of the colorful array of options.

  “This is the menu?” she asked, pointing at it.

  “Yup,” I said. “Everything you see up there is avaible. Just pick what you want, and they’ll make it for you.”

  Her eyes darted between the pictures, and she tilted her head slightly. “So, I can choose… anything?”

  “That’s the beauty of it,” I said. “No chefs telling you what’s best. It’s all up to you.”

  For a moment, she simply stared at the menu, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile appeared on her lips.

  "This is fascinating," she muttered, gazing at the menu with glittering eyes. She looked excited.

  When it was finally our turn, I stepped up to the counter and gave the cashier a nod. The young woman behind the register greeted us with a cheerful smile.

  “Hi! Welcome! What can I get for you today?” she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.

  I turned to Tsukiko, gesturing for her to take the lead. “This is all you. Pick whatever you want.”

  She hesitated, her eyes flitting between the menu and the cashier. “I’ll… have this,” she said, pointing to a combo meal featuring a burger that looked almost as tall as it was wide, fries, and a chocote milkshake.

  “Great choice,” I said with a grin. “I’ll take the same.”

  As the cashier punched in the order, Tsukiko leaned toward me, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Is this process always so… informal?”

  “Pretty much,” I said, chuckling. “it’s just how we commoners interact with another commoners. It’s all part of the experience.”

  She nodded, but her look remained suspicious. When the cashier handed us our receipt and told us to wait for our number to be called, we walked to an empty table near the window.

  “Do people enjoy this?” she asked, gncing around at the other diners.

  “Yeah,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “It’s not just about the food. It’s the freedom to choose, the casual vibe… it’s rexing.”

  She rested her hands neatly on the table, her gaze thoughtful. “Freedom.” she repeated softly. “That’s something I’ve never experienced.”

  Our number was called, and I went to retrieve the tray. When I returned, Tsukiko’s eyes widened at the sight of the food. The burger was stacked with yers of cheese, lettuce, and tomato, the fries were golden and crisp, and the milkshake was topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a cherry.

  “This is… mine?” she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

  “All yours. Enjoy your first ‘commoner’ food.” I said, setting the tray down in front of her.

  With an intruiging look, she takes the fork and try to get the crispy looking fries.

  “Ah, you don’t need a fork to pick the fries.” I told her.

  “Is that so? But is that okay?”

  “It is, look—”

  I demonstrate to her by shoving one of the fries into my mouth. I see an unsettling expression on the other people's faces, but it doesn't bother me. This is my duty as Tsukiko’s tutor.

  “See? That is how you eat the fries.”

  Hesitantly, she picked up a fry in her slim fingers and studied it closely, as if it were a foreign object. Then, with the utmost caution, she took a small bite. Her eyes widened slightly.

  “So? How is it?”

  “It’s… salty,” she said, her tone thoughtful.

  “In a good way, though, right?” I asked, grinning.

  She nodded, reaching for another fry. “It’s… intriguing. I didn’t expect it to be so… satisfying.”

  “Wait till you try that.” I ughed, pointing to the burger.

  She took up the burger, her delicate fingertips putting to get a good grasp on the rge sandwich. Her attempt to take a bite was both charming and amusing. After a few attempts, she succeeded, and her look changed to one of serene satisfaction.

  “This is… unique,” she said after swallowing her first bite.

  “Fast food might not be fancy, but it’s got its own charm,” I said, taking a bite of my own burger.

  As we ate, Tsukiko began to rex. She asked questions about the menu, the ingredients, and even the history of fast food. At one point, I showed her the “proper” way to dip fries into a milkshake, and though she raised an eyebrow at the idea, she tried it and nodded in approval.

  “So, this establishment serves the same food to everyone, regardless of their status or background?” she asked.

  “Yup,” I said. “Doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you can pay the food, you’re welcome here.”

  Her expression softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. “That’s… admirable. In its own way.”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  By the time we finished, Tsukiko leaned back in her chair, her posture slightly more rexed than usual. The tray in front of her was empty, save for a few stray fries and the cherry stem from her milkshake.

  "Thank you, Kazuki," she replied, her voice gentle but sincere.

  "For what?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow.

  “For showing me this,” she said, gesturing to the restaurant. “It’s not what I expected, but… I see the appeal. The simplicity, the freedom… it’s refreshing.”

  I smiled, feeling a strange sense of pride. “Well, I’m gd you enjoyed it. There’s a lot more where that came from.”

  As we left the restaurant and stepped into the cool evening air, I gnced at her. “So, what’s next on the list of commoner experiences?”

  She looked at me, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “I’ll leave that to you, Kazuki. You’re the expert, after all.”

  I ughed, shaking my head. “Alright, but don’t bme me if things get a little messy.”

  For the first time, Tsukiko ughed—a soft, melodic sound that caught me off guard. It wasn't just a ugh; it was a glimpse into her as an ordinary girl full of curiosity and enthusiasm, rather than the heiress to a strong family.