Kou's eyes seemed to sparkle. He hurriedly drank from his glass of water to hide the laughter rising in his throat. People reacted differently to words, but they were always amusing. Considering how rarely he laughed, and the stigma he attached to it, the warmth drained from his expression and he appeared more self-controlled.
"Smoked octopus. Pressed roe," he said, and he continued to list their meals in alternating order. "Tempura. Monkfish liver. Sea cucumber. Porridge.
And when the monkfish came, it would be lightly grilled and topped with the right amount of pepper sauce, and garnished with finely shredded mountain celery. He believed Kozue had the manners to not complain.