An Ethiopian restaurant

"Seriously? An Ethiopian restaurant?"

The King Solomon Restaurant was a mid-sized eatery with capacity for at least fifty diners, and widely renowned for being the best and only Ethiopian-styled restaurant in the area. With its unique eating practices and highly delicious treats, it quickly gained much popularity among the younger generation - hungry and curious for the new and foreign.

The interior was furnished with many Ethiopian-styled decorations, puffed cushions with African-styled embroidery replacing most chairs for seats, and throughout the restaurant earth, beige and burgundy colours were used along with light wood, natural fibres, cotton and linen for the tables - as how the traditional Ethiopian tables, Mesobs - were made of.

The overhead lights were sheltered in wicker-baskets, intricate designs on walls carved of coloured tiles, the floor an earthy wooden colour, giving the restaurant a humble and relaxing atmosphere perfect for an oasis in the heart of a busy city.

"Wow, this looks... antique," Yutsuko remarked.

"Reminds me much of home," Elwür breathed, a very small smile on his lips.

"Huh, didn't realise you can smile," Yutsuko voiced, "But I'd like for you to smile more often; makes you more handsome."

"No promises," Elwür replied.

A waiter came to them and greeted, "Irashai! How many of you are there?"

"Table for two, please," Elwür asked.

"Of course, please follow me," Beckoned the waiter.

As there were few chairs or benches in the restaurant, the duo sat down on the cushioned stools, and the waiter passed them a menu before rushing off to greet more customers. As they poured over the menu's contents, Yutsuko frowned heavily in confusion.

"Seriously, I'm not beginning to make heads and tails of all these options," Yutsuko grumbled, "Injera be Wot, Doro Wot, Kifto, Fasolia, what is all this?"

"First time in an Ethiopian restaurant?"

Yutsuko huffed in response to the rhetorical question, "You know I can't go far exploring for good places to eat."

Elwür merely shrugged, "Leave it to me, then."

The order was placed, and soon they were treated to a single platter of assorted toppings atop a double layer of what looked appeared to be thin pancakes of sorts, along with cups of piping hot coffee. Sliced cabbage, lentils, ground peas, chopped mushrooms, Yutsuko quickly realised that this entire platter was vegetarian, much to her chagrin.

"Um, Elwür?" Yutsuko hesitantly asked.

"Yes?"

"Did you order any meat?"

"I did."

"Whew, thank you for that," Yutsuko sighed in relief, "I don't mean to come off as picky, but I can't go a day without meat; chicken, pork or beef, any meat would be nice."

"In other words, you cannot stand a vegetarian diet," Elwür put forth.

Yutsuko frowned, but slowly nodded.

"Do not worry, I ordered us some Chicken Tibs," Elwür assured.

"Tibits?" Asked Yutsuko.

"Tibs," Elwür corrected, "It's chicken sauteed with clarified butter, herbs, garlic and berbere spice."

"Wah, fried with butter? I hope this doesn't make me gain weight..." Yutsuko trailed off, pinching her stomach in worry.

Elwür merely smirked and said nothing else, then began their meal by tearing off a piece of the pancake and using it to pick up a pinching of toppings, before popping the whole thing into his mouth.

"Eh, you eat with your hands here?" Asked Yutsuko.

"'Tis the custom here," Elwür answered, "Though there are forks and spoons if you want. Unless...?"

"Oh, no! No, I'm fine. Just surprised, is all," Yutsuko waved off, "Itadakimasu."

Yutsuko tore off a piece of the Injera - traditional Ethiopian flatbread made with a fermented, sour mix of teff flour, barley and starter - and went for the ground peas before taking a bite. Instantly, her eyes widened at the explosion of flavours in her mouth, and she instantly went for more.

"This is magnificent!" Yutsuko exclaimed, "How did I miss out on such delicious stuff!?"

Elwür merely smirked as they dug in. Soon, the waiter brought them the Chicken Tibs, the reddish chicken dish arousing Yutsuko's appetite as she expectantly looked at Elwür for answers, holding up a piece of Injera. Elwür gave a slow nod, and Yutsuko took some Tibs with her Injera and swallowed it down, and her eyes brightened with joy.

After wolfing down their delicious and filling lunch, Yutsuko sighed in satisfaction, patting her stomach.

"Gouchisousama!" She uttered, "We really should come back here sometime."

"My thoughts exactly."

That night, after a delicious dinner of pork and chicken stir-fry with cabbage, Yutsuko, Elwür and you sat down to some hot tea and a light snack of fresh apples, all cut to meticulous, systematic sizes.

"Ah, it's such a nice night with all the stars shining brightly," Yutsuko admired, "And it looks like a full moon tonight."

"A full moon is a symbol of great religious and cultural significance in Edioha," Elwür added, "Legend has it that if a man and a woman gaze upon it, they are destined to fall in love and enjoy a happy and fruitful marriage."

"Eh? Come on, I'm not falling for such a superstition..."

Despite her choice of words, Yutsuko lovingly gazed upon the moon as did Elwür, and her eyes turned into bright pink hearts. You simply sigh at your mother's antics, taking another sip of hot tea.

From the distance, a single shooting star illuminated the night sky, blazing with great intensity.

"Oh, my cup's nearly empty," You remarked, "Elwür-san, could you help refill my cup?"

And that star came closer to the Tokunaga house.

"Certainly," Elwür said, pouring you another cup.

And he tipped the teapot upwards just as a fierce and heavy impact rocked the entire house, sending dust and shards of concrete flying that would have harmed you all if not for the translucent blue barrier erected at the last minute. Getting up from where you fell, you see the green tea free of contaminants and safe to drink, and as the dust subsided, you see the true form of the intruder.

A blonde-haired, fair-skinned Elf stood up from where he knelt, clad in shining armour of brightest silver and linen of purest azure. His piercing blue eyes levelled a harsh, withering gaze upon Elwür, who impassively regarded the intruder.

"Who would've thought you were here of all places, Elwür!"

Elwür said nothing and did nothing, leaning his face relaxedly onto his raised arm.

"Uh, what's going on here?" Asked a half-shocked, half-confused Yutsuko.

You, on the other hand, merely facepalmed.

So much for a calm, starry night, You lamented.