Chapter 82: The Chestnut-Haired Girl
Unlike Ren and Cerberus, who were busy scrubbing neon paint off their faces after being pranked by Jinx's "meal fee," the Totsuki side seemed much calmer at this time...
Or perhaps, "calmer" was a relative term.
In a clean and tidy room within the Elite Ten dormitory, which looked more like a five-star hotel suite than a student bedroom, Erina Nakiri was standing in front of a large bed with her arms crossed. Her expression was a mix of annoyance and sisterly concern. Hisako Arato stood behind her, holding a wet towel and looking equally helpless.
Sprawled across the king-sized bed, buried under a mountain of pillows, was Alice Nakiri.
That's right. They had originally thought Alice would wake up on the car ride back, but they underestimated the potency of Ren's cocktails combined with Alice's low tolerance. Perhaps because Ren had carried her so steadily, Alice had slept very deeply, snoring softly like a kitten, and showed no signs of waking up at all.
Last night, it was Erina and Hisako who had to carry her—with much difficulty—back to Erina's own dormitory, as Alice's building was too far. But now it was completely daylight, the birds were singing, and Alice showed no intention of waking up.
"Miss Erina," Hisako whispered, glancing at the clock. "Why don't we just ask for a leave of absence for Miss Alice? She looks... exhausted."
Erina shook her head firmly. "No! Alice has a critical assessment today for her Molecular Gastronomy seminar. If she misses it, it will reflect poorly on the Nakiri name. She can't keep sleeping. Hisako! Wake her up!"
"But Miss... I tried to wake her up before by calling her name, and she just threw a pillow at me."
"Then use physical means!"
"Eh?! Physical?!"
Erina sighed, rolled up her sleeves, and marched to the bed. She pinched Alice's cheek. Hard.
"Wake up, you drunkard!"
Two minutes later.
Alice sat up, rubbing her red cheek and shouting, "Idiot Erina! Why did you pinch me! It hurts so much! My perfect skin is ruined!"
Erina put her hands on her hips. "How dare you say that? Don't you know you have an assessment in one hour? If you sleep any longer, you'll be late! Really, Alice, how can you drink alcohol like it's juice just because it tastes sweet?"
Alice scratched her messy silver hair, blinking groggily. Memories of the previous night slowly trickled back. The warm shop, the amazing Wellington beef, the colorful cocktail...
"I didn't expect that cocktail to be so delicious," she whispered, a dreamy smile appearing. "It had so many layers... strawberry, guava... it was just like drinking fruit juice! Shopkeeper Ren is a genius mixologist!"
Erina rolled her eyes. "That's only because it was at Shopkeeper Ren's Restaurant, and Grandpa and Sister Rindou were there to supervise. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened! You have zero tolerance!"
Alice pouted. "It's precisely because I knew it was Shopkeeper Ren's Restaurant that I ordered alcohol..... I felt safe. But... thank you for bringing me back yesterday, Erina. Even if you pinch hard."
Hisako interjected softly, "No, Miss Alice. We only brought you from the car to the dormitory. It was Shopkeeper Ren who carried you out of the Restaurant and to the car...."
"Eh?" Alice froze. Her eyes widened.
Erina nodded, a smirk playing on her lips. "Hisako is right. Yesterday, Shopkeeper Ren originally offered to let you rest in the guest room, but he didn't know your schedule, so he didn't keep you. He carried you all the way to the car because Rindou-senpai was too rough. We didn't expect you to be sleeping so soundly, drooling on his shirt."
Alice's face turned red, matching her eyes. "I... I didn't know... Last night I just suddenly felt dizzy, and then I felt like I was lying on a soft, warm bed that smelled like bergamot tea... and I didn't want to leave...."
"That 'bed' was Shopkeeper Ren's chest," Erina said mercilessly. "He carried you very carefully, like a princess. You made quite a spectacle of yourself."
Alice covered her face with her hands. "What... what did I say? Did I say anything weird?"
"You didn't say much~. But, your sleeping drool definitely wet Shopkeeper Ren's shirt. And it also seemed like you were rubbing your head against him, purring like a cat."
Alice's fair little face instantly turned blood red, steaming like a kettle. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly, burying her face in it. "Did I do anything else embarrassing besides that?! Did I propose?!"
"No. Do you still not think drooling on a chef is embarrassing enough? If you have time these next few days, remember to thank Shopkeeper Ren and apologize, otherwise, it would be too impolite. Now hurry up and wash up, you smell like fruit punch."
"Oh..... But don't you need an assessment, Erina?"
"Do you think I need an assessment?" Erina raised an eyebrow arrogantly.
"Tsk.... Privilege...."
"If you also had the strength of an Elite Ten member instead of playing with liquid nitrogen all day, you wouldn't need daily assessments either. Don't waste time, breakfast is on the table. Hisako and I need to leave for a meeting."
Watching Erina and Hisako leave the room, Alice groaned into the pillow.
"Stupid Erina... Stupid alcohol..."
She sighed and slowly slid off the bed, her legs wobbly. She walked towards the bathroom, looking at her reflection.
"Ren carried me..." she whispered to herself, touching her cheek. A small, shy smile appeared. "Maybe I should go back tonight to apologize... and order another sandwich."
Meanwhile, at the Dimensional Restaurant.
Ren and Cerberus also finished showering and came out.
Either Ren was too slow, or Cerberus was too fast (probably just shook herself dry like a dog), because when Ren came out after his shower, he saw Cerberus already changed into fresh clothes—a simple T-shirt and shorts—sitting obediently next to Lucifer downstairs.
"Cerberus, you showered so fast? Don't girls usually take a long time to shower?" Ren asked, toweling his hair dry.
Cerberus was startled. She tilted her head. "Does it need to take a long time? Water, soap, rinse, done! Efficient!"
"Yes, well, as long as you're clean, it's fine~. Lucifer, what are you doing?"
After Ren spoke, he saw Lucifer holding her forehead, looking at her phone with a helpless expression, sighing deeply. The Queen of Hell looked unusually stressed.
Lucifer said casually, but her voice was tight, "Do you remember what day it is today, Ren?"
"Eh? Tuesday?"
"Today is the day Momobami Kirari said she is coming.... She's reminded me many times in the group chat. 'Preparing to depart', 'Bringing gifts', 'Hope the Chef is ready'. She sounds ominous."
Ren sighed. To be honest, if Momobami Kirari—the President of Hyakkaou Academy and a compulsive gambler—was coming to eat or relax, he would welcome her. But if she was coming to ask for his help with some gambling scheme or power play... Kirari's thoughts were even harder to understand than Jinx's chaotic mind. Jinx wanted explosions; Kirari wanted control.
Ren didn't dwell on this matter for too long. He clapped his hands. "Whatever happens, happens. What do you two want for breakfast?"
"Eh? Aren't we waiting to close?" Lucifer asked. Usually, they ate dinner after closing.
"No need. Jinx left, and no one else is coming at this hour. If we eat early, we can still go out and relax today. Yesterday was a bit busy with the teaching and the pranks, so I want to take a break today."
Cerberus immediately perked up when she heard they were going out to play. She leaned on the table with shining eyes, her tail wagging. "Master, Master, Master! Where are we going to play! Park? Beach? Zoo?"
"I haven't thought about that yet.... Hmm? Wait.... A call...."
Ren's phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up.
"Hello? Fuji-kun? Is something wrong?"
It was Shūsuke Fuji from Seigaku.
"...What does a Chef like me care what day of the week it is? I work nights. By the way, is today a holiday?"
"...An outdoor court? You want to practice?"
"...Alright then. I haven't played in a while. See you later."
After hanging up the phone, Ren said with a smile, "It seems my morning plans are set. I'm going to the outdoor tennis court with Fuji-kun later. Do you want to come? It's a nice day for sports."
Cerberus naturally wouldn't refuse; running around chasing balls was her dream. Lucifer thought for a moment before nodding. After learning how to make chocolate crepes (and failing, then succeeding), she wasn't very interested in staying in the kitchen today. She might as well go out and observe human recreational activities instead of just rotting in the Shop.
Ren thought for a moment and said, "Since we're playing tennis, we should prepare some things so we can have a picnic at noon~. Bento boxes."
"Picnic?" x2
"Yeah, it's a way to enjoy life. Eating outside under the trees. I don't know how many people will be there—probably Tezuka and the others too—so let's make a bit more. Lucifer, Cerberus, is Ramen okay for breakfast? Something quick and hot."
"Yes!" Lucifer nodded.
"Ramen?!" Cerberus shouted, drooling.
Cerberus was clearly still thinking about the divine scent of Joichiro Yukihira's ramen from weeks ago. After all, eating noodles is a sensory experience that rivals eating meat.
Ren smiled. "Shoyu Ramen it is."
Just as Ren was about to enter the kitchen to start the broth, the bell chimed softly.
Ding-dong~
The door opened.
A girl with shoulder-length, chestnut-colored hair walked in. She was wearing a standard school uniform, but she carried herself with a graceful, almost elegant air. Her eyes were a soft amber color.
She looked around the shop, her gaze landing on Ren.
"Excuse me," she said in a polite, melodic voice. "Is this a Restaurant? The door was unlocked."
Ren paused, looking at the newcomer. She radiated a very different energy from Jinx or the Totsuki students. It was... calm.
"Yes," Ren replied with a welcoming smile. "We are open. Welcome."
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