[ charles, ducking his head and laughing, obliges to walk fast enough that it's really more jogging than anything else, and luckily the way there isn't long — he leads them through some smaller streets until they find a small restaurant with just two tables outside and an olive tree in a planter next to the door. charles grins and tugs junpei in behind him, calling out, ]

Hi, Madam Gia! [ madam gia, an older woman well into her sixties, has kind eyes and steely gray hair, and she tuts when they come in. ]

I've told you to call me Gia, Charles, [ she says with a shake of her head as he bounds over to her to kiss her cheek in greeting. he then turns to junpei, darting to grab his hand to drag him over. ]

This is Madam Gia, the owner of the best restaurant in town. Madam Gia, this is Junpei. I promise to bring him round more often so you've got at least someone to feed. [ he smiles brightly, a little pointed, as if he's had multiple conversations with gia lamenting his inability to enjoy her cooking. but speaking of — ]

Oh, yeah! You won't believe it, but I think I could actually eat something, though dunno how long it'll last. You wouldn't have anything ready, would you?

[ gia, immediately taking the declaration with enthusiasm and determined to find them something quickly, waves them to take a seat as she heads to the kitchen. and charles, still holding on to junpei's hand, leads him through the restaurant and out to a small patio where there's only one table, surrounded by orange and lemon trees. ]

This is where Gia and her husband eat, [ he says as an explanation, ] But she's told me I can come here if I want. So I figured... well, nicer out here, innit?