Chapter 85: Cerberus Awakens Her Animal Instinct
When everything was ready—the bento boxes packed, the water bottles filled—Ren returned to his room. He emerged a moment later, slinging a sleek, professional tennis bag over his shoulder. He wore a simple white polo shirt and athletic shorts, which highlighted his toned physique.
Lucifer, who was waiting by the door in a stylish tracksuit she had probably materialized, paused. She looked him up and down, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"You really play tennis?" she asked doubtfully. "I thought your expertise was limited to knives and fire."
Ren smiled, adjusting the strap. "Why wouldn't I? My scope of work is quite broad, after all. A chef needs stamina and agility. Besides, hitting things with a racket is therapeutic."
Lucifer was stunned by his casual confidence. She gave him an exasperated look, muttering about "overachievers," and pushed open the door to leave first.
Cerberus, who was bouncing on her heels in a cute puppy-themed t-shirt, looked at Ren, then scratched her head, looking puzzled.
"Master, Master, Master! What's wrong with Lucifer? She smells... nervous."
"Nothing," Ren reassured her, patting her head. "She's probably just a little nervous about seeing Yumiko. Meeting internet friends in real life can be stressful for a shut-in demon."
"Oh~. Yumiko! The witch lady!"
They stepped out into the morning. The sun was not yet scorching, and the breeze was just right—cool and refreshing. Everything seemed to be prepared for today, every wisp of breeze telling passersby what a beautiful day it was for sports.
They took a short walk to the riverside park.
Thwack!
The crisp sound of a ball being hit rang out, echoing off the concrete walls.
Ren looked up at a long flight of stairs leading to an elevated court. He nodded. "I didn't expect it to be in this place, hidden away like this. Does anyone really know about a place like this besides the regulars?"
Lucifer looked around at the graffiti-covered walls and the overgrown vines. "Most people wouldn't think this place is a tennis court, right…? It looks like a place where delinquents gather."
"I thought so too. Never mind, let's go up first. I have a feeling it should be lively up there."
Lucifer didn't say anything, but she straightened her posture. Halfway up the stairs, they could clearly hear people talking—shouts of "Love-Fifteen!" and the squeak of shoes. By the sound of it, there were quite a few people. This made Lucifer very curious about the scene above.
At the top of the stairs, a wide, green hard court opened up.
At this moment, a mature, brown-haired beauty was sitting on a stone bench under a tree, watching two teenagers play tennis. She occasionally shouted encouragement, her voice melodious.
Several young people on the adjacent court—likely students from Fudomine or Hyotei judging by their jerseys—kept their eyes on the woman rather than the ball.
"Hey! Kamio! Look! Two more beauties are here!" one of them whispered loudly.
Hearing this, everyone looked towards the stairwell.
Cerberus, leading the charge, popped her head up first. Her eyes immediately locked onto the yellow fuzzy balls flying back and forth.
She was very curious at this moment, surveying everything. Her pupils dilated. Animals—especially canines—are naturally interested in moving balls. And there were so many tennis balls here. Bouncing. Flying. Rolling.
Cerberus felt that some hidden, primal desire within her was about to awaken. Her tail (invisible but spiritual) began to wag furiously.
The woman sitting on the stone bench, Fuji Yumiko, turned her head. She clearly showed a happy expression when she saw Ren, waving and shouting, "Ren! Over here!"
Ren scanned the area, then saw the woman waving at him. Lucifer also looked over.
She had to admit, Yumiko was a very beautiful woman. She had long, wavy chestnut hair, warm amber eyes, and a gentle, motherly aura that was very different from Rindou's chaotic energy or Erina's haughty elegance. She was so beautiful that one couldn't bear to look away after just one glance.
Ren walked over and instinctively sat next to the woman on the bench, leaving a respectful but comfortable distance.
"Yumiko," he greeted with a smile. "You don't have to go to work today? I remember you usually have to report to the company even on your days off. The life of an OL is tough."
Fuji Yumiko sighed theatrically, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "The project was finished last night, thanks to some overtime. So I didn't go to report on the work progress this morning. I just emailed them that everything was done and then came back here to escape. Freedom!"
Ren nodded, then gestured to his companions. "Lucifer and Cerberus. You should know them from the chat, right?"
Fuji Yumiko stood up and nodded, her smile widening. "Of course. Although I don't have much time to chat online due to work, I do have time to lurk. And look at photos."
She looked at the two demons. "They're even prettier than in the photos. Ren, you really are a bane to women~. Bringing two stunning foreign beauties to a tennis court? You'll make the high school boys cry."
Ren laughed. "Am I that amazing?"
"Of course. Lucifer, Cerberus, let me introduce myself properly. I'm Fuji Yumiko, Shūsuke Fuji's older sister, and the second person to join the group~. Nice to meet you."
Lucifer nodded regally. "A pleasure. I am Lucifer."
Cerberus, however, was very familiar. She bounded up to Yumiko. "Yumiko is so pretty! You smell like flowers!"
"Thank you~," Yumiko giggled, petting Cerberus's head. "But I'd be even happier if Ren thought so too."
She shot a playful glance at Ren.
"I've always thought so~," Ren replied smoothly.
"But you've never said it~."
"Some things are better left implied."
Just as the two were chatting with the ease of old friends, Shūsuke Fuji, dressed in his Seigaku regulars jersey, walked over. Beside him was a stoic teenager with glasses and a serious expression—Tezuka Kunimitsu.
Shūsuke Fuji took a sip of water from his bottle, then said with a smile, his eyes closed in crescents, "Brother Ren, I have to side with my sister on this one. You should compliment her more."
Shūsuke Fuji deliberately didn't call Ren "Shopkeeper," but rather "Brother Ren" (Ren-nii).
Fuji Yumiko covered her mouth and chuckled. Indeed, her younger brother was the best wingman.
Ren didn't stand up; he just sat next to Yumiko and looked at Shūsuke. "You really only call me Brother Ren when Yumiko isn't around~. Trying to score points?"
Shūsuke Fuji chuckled. He turned to the teenager beside him. "Tezuka, it's been a long time since you've seen Brother Ren, hasn't it?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu adjusted his glasses. He bowed slightly. "It has indeed been a long time, Brother Ren. Good to see you."
Ren said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to come too, Tezuka. It seems Fuji called you over, didn't he? I saw those few shots just now. Your 'Zero Shiki' drop shot is looking sharp~."
Tezuka shook his head modestly. "I'm still too far behind. Brother Ren, do you want to play a few shots later? I would like to see if I can return your serve."
"I'd like to, but you haven't finished your match with Fuji yet, have you? Let's talk after you finish. Besides, if I go now, even Yumiko would be upset that I abandoned her, wouldn't she~?"
Fuji Yumiko rested her chin on her hand. "Do I look like such a petty person?"
"You don't look like it. But I remember someone who ran to my place for dinner the same night Rindou joined the chat, just to 'check on me'. That was quite possessive~."
Yumiko blushed slightly. "It's been so long, let's not bring that up anymore! I was young and foolish!"
Ren smiled and shook his head. Fuji Yumiko was only nineteen when she first came to his shop, not as mature and steady as she was now. At that time, her interactions with Kobayashi Rindou were filled with suppressed jealousy over who was the "Senior Member." When the third person joined, she completely exploded in a cute way.
Now, Fuji Yumiko felt embarrassed thinking about how impulsive she was back then. Fortunately, time had slowly made her more composed (and dangerous).
Ren suddenly remembered something and said to Fuji and Tezuka, "It seems like a long time since I've seen you two play against each other seriously. The last time was a year ago, right? Before the regionals? I'm really looking forward to your progress~."
Tezuka said in a deep voice, his aura intensifying, "Brother Ren, we still have a long way to go, but we have made some progress this year. We aim for the Nationals."
Ren said with a smile, "Tezuka, I know your pride very well. Go and play. Fuji too. There's no need to hold back, but also no need to use full strength and hurt yourselves. Just play normally."
"Understood."
"Got it."
After speaking, both of them turned and walked back onto the court.
Ren looked at the two young men, who were both radiating intensity. "What a passionate age. Youth is blinding."
Yumiko smiled, watching her brother. "They both want to prove themselves too much, especially Shusuke. He wants to show you he's grown."
"What about that kid, Yuta?" Ren asked about the younger Fuji brother.
"I don't know. He's still upset with Shusuke being a genius, but he'll come around. St. Rudolph fits him. Tomorrow, Shusuke and I will come to your Restaurant for dinner. I'll try my best to drag Yuta along."
Ren nodded. "Hmm, you're very welcome. Family dinners are good."
He turned to his own charges. "Oh, Lucifer, do you want to play a couple of games? While the boys are busy?"
Lucifer looked at the racket Ren offered. "With whom? And I don't know how. Is it like badminton?"
"With Cerberus. Sister Yumiko can teach you two. Yumiko was quite the player in high school."
Yumiko stood up, stretching. "You really like to boss people around, Ren. But fine. Lucifer, Cerberus, let's go to the practice court. I'll teach you how to smash."
"Okay!" Cerberus shouted.
They walked over to the empty court. Yumiko picked up a ball.
"Eh? Cerberus, what are you doing?"
Yumiko paused.
Cerberus was on all fours, staring intensely at the yellow ball in Yumiko's hand. Her pupils were dilated. Her butt was wiggling in preparation to pounce.
"Playing with the ball!" Cerberus barked happily.
"I know... but this ball isn't for poking on the ground with your nose~. You have to use the racket!"
"Oh!" Cerberus stood up, looking disappointed.
Ren, watching from the bench, immediately realized that Cerberus had activated her animal instincts... She was very interested in the spherical object moving through the air.
He suddenly worried that when they played later, Cerberus might forget the racket, jump up, and catch the ball with her mouth.
That would be hard to explain, he thought, sipping his water.
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