Chapter 114: Fuji Yumiko is here
"Cerberus, for the love of all that is holy, eat slower! No one is going to steal your food. I promise you, the plate is not running away."
"Mmm? Mmm mmm mmm mmm?"
Nakiri Erina's perfectly sculpted eyebrow twitched violently. She watched Cerberus, the triple-headed demon (currently in a deceptive single-headed form), whose cheeks were stuffed to capacity like a hamster hoarding for winter.
The sight was undeniable: it was cute. Incredibly so. But from a culinary and etiquette standpoint, it was a disaster.
"I... I cannot translate that," Erina sighed, massaging her temples. "Please swallow before speaking. It is a basic table manner."
Ren, who was busy wiping down the counter behind them, chuckled softly.
"Cerberus," he warned gently, his voice cutting through the chewing sounds. "Be careful. Don't choke. If you choke, I can't give you dessert. Now, what were you trying to say?"
The threat of 'no dessert' was more effective than any divine command.
Gulp.
Cerberus swallowed the massive bolus of food with what looked like great difficulty. She pounded her chest a few times, exhaled a long breath of satisfaction, and then beamed.
"Haaah... I said, am I eating too fast? It tastes so good I can't stop!"
The entire group—Erina, Alice, Hisako, Rindou, and Momo—nodded in solemn unison.
"You were practically inhaling it," Alice pointed out, poking Cerberus's cheek.
Cerberus scratched her head sheepishly, picking up her chopsticks again. "Okay, okay. I'll eat in small bites. Like a lady. Like Erina."
She proceeded to take a bite that was marginally smaller, chewing with exaggerated slowness. Although she looked annoyed by the restriction, everyone silently agreed that eating like this reduced the risk of a demonic medical emergency significantly.
While the chaos centered around the gluttonous puppy, a different atmosphere surrounded the silver-haired beauty sitting next to her.
Lucifer ate with an elegance that betrayed her royal status. Her movements were fluid and precise. However, she wasn't eating the main course. Instead, she was methodically drinking from a small, steaming clay pot placed exclusively in front of her.
It was Samgyetang—Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup.
The soup was rich, milky white, and fragrant with the medicinal scent of ginseng, jujubes, and garlic. It was a dish renowned for replenishing qi, restoring stamina, and warming the body.
Ren had made it specially for her, placing it in front of her with a meaningful smile and no intention of hiding his favoritism.
"Drink it all," he had whispered. "You need the energy."
Although Lucifer had initially blushed and protested that it wasn't necessary, she was now drinking every drop, savoring the warmth that spread through her sore limbs. She told herself it was just because Ren made it, not because she actually needed the recovery.
Kobayashi Rindou, leaning her chin on her hand, watched Ren and Lucifer with a constant, teasing smile playing on her lips. Her cat-like eyes darted between the empty soup pot and Lucifer's glowing, albeit slightly tired, complexion.
'Oho~' Rindou thought, her grin widening. 'Special recovery soup? I absolutely have to ask Lucifer tonight how she managed to bag him. I'm so envious my teeth hurt.'
The meal was incredibly lively.
Even Arato Hisako, usually the picture of strict servitude as Erina's secretary, had loosened up. Disregarding her usual rigid status, she chatted happily with Momo about plush toys and medicinal herbs.
There is only one situation in the world where you are guaranteed to eat very slowly, regardless of how hungry you are.
That situation is when you eat with close friends.
At this moment, they weren't just consuming calories; they were consuming the atmosphere. A group of young people eating and chatting, laughing heartily when Rindou told a joke about a crocodile, comforting Alice when she complained about her molecular gastronomy failures, and debating passionately about the best way to brew tea.
There were no strict rules here. No "silence during meals" that plagued traditional households. With no stern elders present to lecture them, everyone ate together in a bubble of pure, unadulterated happiness.
Unconsciously, time slipped away. By the time the sky outside had turned completely dark, painting the windows in reflections of the warm interior lights, everyone still hadn't finished eating. The topics had drifted further and further, from initial anecdotes about school to interesting experiences all over the world.
Ren leaned against the kitchen counter, watching them chat with great enjoyment. He shook his head with a smile, wiping a glass.
'This is the feeling of youth,' he mused. 'This is the atmosphere that a restaurant should have. Not a temple of silence, but a hearth of connection.'
Just as Ren was about to turn to the fridge to get them a round of palate-cleansing juice, the wind chime above the entrance announced new arrivals.
Ting-ling.
The wooden door slid open.
Walking in first was a woman who radiated a gentle, maternal warmth. She had soft brown hair and a smile that could soothe a raging beast. It was Fuji Yumiko, the "Big Sister" of the group chat.
Followed closely behind her was a young man with chestnut hair and a perpetual, serene smile—Fuji Shusuke, the Genius of Seigaku.
"At that time, that crocodile struggled very violently, I directly... Eh? Sister Yumiko!"
Kobayashi Rindou, who was in the middle of a dramatic reenactment of her Amazonian adventures, froze mid-gesture. Her eyes lit up.
"Yumiko!"
Just as Rindou was excited, Fuji Yumiko smiled and waved. Yumiko was like an elder sister figure in the cross-dimensional group chat, and since Rindou was the very first member invited, the two had a long-standing digital friendship.
To be precise, Fuji Yumiko had a good relationship with everyone. She was the glue. She was even the only woman whom the chaotic Momobami Kirari would obediently listen to, which was a superpower in itself.
Fuji Yumiko nodded with a smile, walking over to their table.
"Rindou, I didn't expect you to be here too. It's a full house tonight," she said, her voice soft and melodic. She then turned her gaze to the silver-haired woman. "And Lucifer-chan. I heard that girl Kirukiru talk about you in the chat. She said you were... interesting. You're really amazing~"
Lucifer blushed slightly, looking away. "Yumiko... I..."
Fuji Yumiko giggled. "What's there to be shy about? Don't think of everyone as so complicated. We are family here."
"It's Yumiko!"
Cerberus, having swallowed her mouthful, cheered. She had a very deep impression of Fuji Yumiko because Yumiko always brought her snacks or patted her head.
"Nice to see you again, Cerberus-chan," Yumiko greeted.
Ren walked out from behind the counter, drying his hands on a towel. He looked at Fuji Yumiko and Shusuke, then frowned slightly as he scanned the empty space behind them.
"Eh? Where's the kid? Where's Yuta?"
The two siblings were stunned for a moment. They turned their heads to look at the open door. Indeed, Fuji Yuta, who had come with them, was missing.
Fuji Yumiko sighed, a knowing look in her eyes. She walked back to the door and poked her head out.
There, standing awkwardly on the sidewalk, kicking a pebble, was a teenage boy with spiky brown hair and a distinct scar on his forehead.
"Yuta," Yumiko called out softly. "What are you doing at the door?"
Fuji Yuta jumped slightly. He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking away. "I... I'm on the phone. Just finishing a call."
"Are you done? Come in when you're done. Ren wants to see you. Don't be rude."
Fuji Yuta hesitated. He looked at the warm glow of the shop, then at his sister's expectant face. He sighed, defeated.
"Fine."
He walked in, trying to look cool and detached. But as soon as he stepped across the threshold, his facade cracked.
He saw the room.
It wasn't just Ren. It was a room filled with incredibly high-level beauties. Nakiri Erina, the Queen of Totsuki. Kobayashi Rindou, a wild beauty. Lucifer, who radiated an otherworldly aura. Even the "child" (Momo) was cute.
Yuta froze. He realized with a jolt that besides his brother Shusuke (who didn't count because he was his brother) and Ren, he was the only male here.
'W-what is this situation?!' Yuta panicked internally. 'Is this a harem anime?! Why are there so many beautiful women?!'
He had only one thought in his mind: 'As expected of Brother Ren... he's really amazing! All the girls around him are top-tier quality! Is he a god?!'
This realization made Yuta incredibly nervous. As a junior high school boy who spent most of his time sweating on a tennis court with other sweaty boys, being stared at by a group of elegant older sisters was terrifying.
Ren smiled, breaking the tension. He walked over and patted Yuta on the shoulder.
"Yuta. You look taller. And stronger. It seems you've been practicing your tennis well at St. Rudolph~"
Fuji Yuta straightened up, his nervousness replaced by a spark of pride at being recognized by Ren.
"Brother Ren! Long time no see," Yuta said quickly. "I... I'm still far from it. I have a lot of catching up to do."
"Humble as always," Ren noted.
Just as Ren was about to lead them to a table, his eyes narrowed. He looked at Yuta's left arm—specifically, the way Yuta was subconsciously guarding his shoulder, the slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his wrist.
Ren frowned. His voice dropped, losing its playful tone.
"Your hand..."
Fuji Yuta was stunned. He instinctively hid his hand behind his back. "Brother Ren, what's wrong with my hand? Is there a problem?"
The sudden shift in Ren's demeanor drew everyone's attention. Fuji Yumiko and Shusuke Fuji looked at Ren with worried expressions. They knew Ren well. He was a humorous, easygoing man, but he never joked about health or safety. If Ren frowned, something was wrong.
Ren looked Yuta in the eye, his gaze piercing.
"Your new special move," Ren said softly, but with the weight of a diagnosis. "You just learned it, didn't you? The rising shot against left-handers."
[Akarin's Note: Ren is referring to the "Twist Spin Shot" (often translated as Super Rising in some contexts). It is a technique taught to Yuta by Hajime Mizuki at St. Rudolph. While effective, the unnatural spin places immense strain on the user's shoulder and arm, risking permanent injury if used by a developing body.]
Fuji Yuta turned pale. "Brother Ren... how did you know? I haven't shown it to anyone yet!"
Ren sighed, crossing his arms. "I can tell by the muscle tension in your shoulder and the way you're favoring that arm. It's a high-load technique, Yuta. You're forcing a spin that your body isn't ready for yet."
He stepped closer, his voice stern. "You can't hit that ball too much. If you keep using it at your current physical development, your tennis career will be over before you even graduate middle school."
Snap.
The sound of a smile breaking was audible.
Fuji Shusuke's eyes, usually closed in a serene crescent, suddenly snapped open. His ice-blue irises were cold and sharp.
"Yuta," Shusuke said, his voice dangerously calm. "Who taught you that shot?"
Yuta flinched. He knew that tone. It was the tone Shusuke used when he was truly angry.
"I... It's none of your business!" Yuta snapped defensively.
Ren intervened before the brotherly quarrel could escalate. He waved his hand, dispelling the heavy atmosphere.
"Don't worry, hitting it a few times less is fine. It's a decent technique, just dangerous if abused. Yuta is smart; he knows his limits now that I've pointed it out. He will pay attention, won't you?"
Ren smiled at Yuta, a silent pressure in his eyes that said 'Agree with me if you want to live.'
"Y-yes," Yuta stammered. "I'll be careful."
"Good," Ren said brightly. "Don't worry about these things for now. Let's eat. Food heals the body and the mood. What would you like?"
Ren's intervention was effective. Fuji Yumiko breathed a sigh of relief, shooting Ren a grateful look. Shusuke slowly closed his eyes, his smile returning, though a lingering thought about Mizuki remained in his mind.
Fuji Yuta was still in a daze, processing how Ren had dissected his secret weapon with a single glance.
Fuji Yumiko looked at Ren and smiled softly. "Ren, you always know what to say. Is there anything suitable for three people to eat? A slightly stronger flavor, please. We need something to... stimulate the appetite and clear the mind."
Ren thought for a moment. Strong flavors. Three people. Tension that needed to be broken.
"I think I know what's best for the three of you," Ren announced confidently. "A dish that warms the stomach and brings people together. Alright, stop thinking, just sit down first. Your dishes will be ready very soon~"
The three Fuji siblings nodded. They found a table near the Totsuki group and sat down.
Almost immediately, Fuji Yumiko stood up and went over to Lucifer and Rindou.
"Lucifer-chan, Rindou-chan," Yumiko greeted warmly.
Her friendliness was infectious. Even Erina, who was usually guarded around strangers, found herself smiling at this gentle older sister figure. Girls form friendships at light speed; in just a few minutes, Yumiko was chatting happily about skincare and dealing with troublesome younger brothers, integrating seamlessly into the group.
However, at the Fuji table, the atmosphere was slightly stiffer.
Fuji Shusuke sat opposite Fuji Yuta. He poured a cup of tea for his younger brother.
"Yuta," Shusuke said, his voice low so Yumiko wouldn't hear. "You need to pay more attention to what Brother Ren said. If that shot hurts you..."
"You don't need to worry about this!" Yuta snapped, gripping his teacup. "I'm not a child anymore, Aniki. I can make my own decisions. St. Rudolph is my team now."
"Yuta..."
Shusuke sighed, his smile tinged with sadness. He looked towards the kitchen, where Ren was already firing up the wok.
'Please, Ren,' Shusuke thought. 'Make something that can bridge this gap.'
[Akarin Note:
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