Chapter 84: The Diver, Fuji Yumiko
After Asuna left, the atmosphere in the restaurant shifted from a quick stopover to a relaxed morning meal. Cerberus finally got to eat the bowl of Shoyu Ramen she had been longing for ever since Joichiro Yukihira had visited weeks ago.
With one bite, Cerberus understood why that scruffy uncle had enjoyed it so much that day.
"Ohhh!" Her eyes sparkled as she chewed the springy noodles. The savory soy-based broth coated her tongue, rich with the flavor of chicken, dried sardines, and kelp. The chashu pork melted in her mouth like butter.
"Slurp! Slurp!"
Cerberus made loud, enthusiastic noises, inhaling the noodles with the efficiency of a vacuum cleaner.
Lucifer was much calmer. She sat opposite Cerberus, eating with elegant, deliberate motions. She didn't make much noise while eating—a habit from her days in the celestial courts, perhaps—but her eyes betrayed her enjoyment.
Ren was also someone who ate quietly. However, even though Ren didn't make noise while eating noodles, it didn't mean he ate slowly. He even ate faster than Cerberus, his movements precise and efficient.
"Hoo-ah! So delicious! Master's cooking is the best!" Cerberus exclaimed, lifting the bowl to drink the last drop of broth. She set it down with a satisfied clack. "Another!"
Ren chuckled, wiping his mouth. "Are you full? Or are you just greedy?"
Cerberus patted her stomach, which didn't bulge even slightly. "Mmm-hmm! I'm full! My stomach feels warm and comfortable! No more space for chocolate!"
Ren nodded and said to Lucifer, "Lucifer, eat slowly, but don't eat too slowly, or the noodles will absorb the broth and get soggy. Just call me when you're done."
Lucifer nodded, then put down her phone where she had been scrolling through fashion blogs. She sped up her eating a little, but not by much. For her, the Queen of Hell, eating ramen was a test of dignity. It was delicious, yes, but slurping was beneath her.
"Master, Master, Master! Where are you going?" Cerberus asked, hopping off her chair as Ren stood up.
"To wash dishes and prepare lunch for the picnic. Fuji-kun will be waiting."
Cerberus's ears twitched, then she ran into the kitchen after him. "Wait! Me too!"
Lucifer just glanced at her, then continued eating her ramen. To be honest, only when she ate seriously did Lucifer realize how much ramen was in that bowl. Ren had given her a "Queen-sized" portion.
In the kitchen, Ren turned on the faucet.
"Why did you come in?" he asked without looking back.
"To help!" Cerberus declared, rolling up her sleeves (which were actually just pajama cuffs).
"Can you cook?"
"No! I burn water! But I can wash dishes! I have three pairs of hands... spiritually!"
Ren looked at Cerberus, whose face was full of anticipation and a genuine desire to be useful. He nodded. "Alright~. But remember not to break anything. These plates are expensive."
"Mmm-hmm! I will be gentle like a butterfly!"
At this moment, in a warmly decorated room in the Fuji household.
Shūsuke Fuji, the genius of Seigaku, was tidying up his tennis bag while talking on the phone.
"Do you have time today?" he asked, his voice light and pleasant.
"Really? Want to play tennis?"
"...I'm not sure who else will be there, but I know Ren-san will be. He mentioned bringing a picnic."
"Okay, at the newly opened outdoor tennis court by the river. See you there, Tezuka."
Fuji hung up the phone and stretched his arms. Just as he was about to grab his racket grip tape, he realized that the roll of white tape, which had been on the table a minute ago, was gone.
"Sister?" he called out, walking into the living room. "Have you seen the racket grip tape I left on the table?"
In the living room, a beautiful woman with long, wavy chestnut hair was sitting on the sofa reading a fashion magazine. She wore a stylish pink jacket over a casual outfit. This person was Shūsuke Fuji's older sister, Fuji Yumiko.
Yumiko looked up, her amber eyes twinkling with amusement—a trait that ran in the family.
She thought for a moment, tapping her chin. "I put that tape in the side pocket of your tennis bag, Shusuke. You always forget it. Are you going out to play tennis?"
Fuji smiled, his eyes closed in his trademark expression. "Yes, there's a new outdoor tennis court nearby, and I've arranged to play with friends. It's a nice day."
"What a nice holiday plan. Who did you invite? Are there any girls?" Yumiko asked teasingly.
Fuji thought for a moment. "Maybe."
"That's nice, but what does 'maybe' mean? Is it a Schrodinger's girl?"
Fuji laughed softly. "Because it depends on whether he brings her. If he does, then there will be. Two, in fact. Maybe three."
Yumiko raised an eyebrow. "So Shusuke, you also have such mature friends now. Who is it? Someone from school?"
"No. It's Shopkeeper Ren."
As soon as he said this name, Fuji Yumiko's expression froze for a split second. The casual smile on her face became a bit fixed.
"Ren...?" she repeated, her voice dropping an octave.
Fuji showed a subtle, knowing smile. He picked up his bag. "Then, Sister, I'm ready to go. I wouldn't want to be late."
"Wait."
Yumiko closed her magazine with a snap. She opened her eyes fully—revealing the same sharp intelligence as her brother.
"I happen to have nothing to do today," she said, standing up and smoothing her jacket. "So I can go and see. It's been a long time since I've seen Ren~. I should say hello."
Hearing Yumiko's words, Fuji smiled and nodded, not surprised in the least. "Okay. Shopkeeper Ren's personality means he'll probably prepare lunch for everyone. Including unexpected guests."
Yumiko smiled, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "He's just such a thoughtful person. You go get ready first. I need to check something."
"Sister, don't you need to get ready?"
"I just came back from running errands outside. I haven't even taken off my makeup, so no need. I am perfect."
"Oh, okay."
After Fuji finished speaking, he returned to his room to grab his shoes.
Left alone in the living room, Fuji Yumiko took out a smartphone from her pocket. It wasn't her regular phone. It was a sleek, black model.
She unlocked it and opened a specific app—a group chat.
She scrolled through the recent messages.
Lucifer: "Going to play tennis. Ren is making lunch."
Cerberus: "Meat! Meat! Meat!"
Yumiko chuckled, a low, husky sound. "Lucifer and Cerberus? I'm really looking forward to seeing them in person. The 'Hell CEO' and the 'Watchdog'..."
If Lucifer were here, she would definitely recognize the phone at a glance—it was the same model given to members of the Dimensional Group Chat.
And Yumiko's username?
[Divination Witch].
On the other side, back at the Restaurant.
Lucifer finally finished eating. She drank the last drop of soup, feeling a satisfying warmth spread through her body.
She rubbed her slightly full stomach, looked in the direction of the kitchen where she could hear water running and chopping sounds. She thought for a moment, and instead of calling Ren like a servant, she took her bowl and walked in herself.
Ren looked up from the cutting board. "What are you doing? You don't have to clean up."
"Lunch," Lucifer said simply, placing her bowl in the sink. "I want to help. I have a feeling... that Fuji will probably bring his sister too."
Ren paused. He stopped cutting the chicken. He looked at Lucifer with surprise.
"Fuji's sister? Why would he bring her? Did you foresee this?"
Lucifer shrugged. "Intuition. Or maybe I saw a message."
Ren chuckled, resuming his work. "Well, your intuition is likely correct. Because Rindou's first group member—the one who joined right after her—was Fuji's sister, Yumiko. But she rarely chats. She mostly lurks."
Lucifer nodded, her eyes widening. "What?! Fuji's sister is [Divination Witch]? The one who predicts the weather?"
Ren smiled and nodded. "Yes. You have a high chance of meeting her today. Of course, she's a very nice person, very gentle... on the surface. You should have a lot to talk about with her. She likes fortune telling."
Lucifer suddenly became very interested in this morning's outing. A fellow group member?
She rolled up her sleeves, turned on the faucet, and started washing dishes next to Cerberus.
Ren didn't refuse. Extra hands were good.
Cerberus had already finished washing the breakfast dishes and was now helping Ren mince meat for the bento boxes.
To be honest, Cerberus's mouth was practically watering just looking at the raw minced meat. Making a dog mince meat was no different from deliberately tempting her.
Chop. Chop. Chop.
Cerberus continued to mince the meat diligently, swallowing her saliva every five seconds. "Must... not... eat... raw..."
The kitchen, which was not at all crowded with the three of them, now seemed exceptionally harmonious. Ren finished his tasks—seasoning the chicken for Karaage—and smiled at Lucifer, whom he had previously asked to wash the vegetables for the salad.
Lucifer was scrubbing a carrot with intense concentration.
Ren watched her for a moment, then let out a small laugh.
Lucifer glared at him. "What are you laughing at? Is my carrot washing funny?"
"No," Ren said softly, leaning against the counter. "I didn't expect Lucifer... you unexpectedly have the demeanor of a good wife~. Domestic life suits you."
Lucifer's face flushed instantly. Her hands slipped, and the carrot flew into the sink.
She picked it up quickly, her movements becoming jerky. "You... you really are one of those people too! Stop saying weird things!"
"It's a compliment~."
"Hmph! I am a Queen! Not a wife!"
"Master, Master, Master!" Cerberus chanted from the meat station. "Lucifer is being tsundere again! Her face is red!"
"I'm not! I'm not tsundere! It's the steam!" Lucifer shouted, splashing water at the dog.
Ren laughed, the sound echoing in the warm kitchen. "Alright, alright. Let's finish up. The tennis court awaits."
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