Chapter 249: Kasugano Sora's Wish, Pepper Has Arrived
Ren and Lucifer watched Kasugano Sora in silence as she took small, delicate bites of her blueberry yam dessert. The main course of baked rice and cream soup was long finished, and the quiet observation from the two of them did not go unnoticed. Sora soon paused, her spoon hovering over the dish, and looked up, her gaze shifting nervously between them.
In a small, hesitant voice, she asked, "Brother Ren... Sister Lucifer... Is something wrong?"
"Are you full?" Ren asked, his voice gentle.
Kasugano Sora nodded. "I am. A little stuffed, even. Did you have something you wanted to say? Why are you both looking at me like that?"
A playful glint appeared in Lucifer's eyes. "Sora, do you remember the suggestion I made to you before?"
"Eh? Oh..." Sora's shoulders slumped slightly. "You mean... moving in here? But Brother Ren, I can manage on my own..."
Ren walked over and gently pinched her pale cheek, his tone one of fond exasperation. "You little rascal. Do you really think I don't know what's going through that head of yours?"
Sora's expression turned dejected. "Brother Ren... I... In any case, I'm not moving here!"
"You're as stubborn as ever," Ren sighed, though his smile remained. "Don't worry. The reason I'm bringing this up now is because I have a way to improve your physical condition. A way to ensure you won't get sick for the rest of your life."
Sora froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. She then whispered, her voice barely audible, "Brother Ren, I know you mean well, but something like that... it's not..."
Before she could finish, Ren cut her off, his smile turning mischievous. "Sora, let me tell you a secret. But for now, you can't tell anyone else. Not until someone else finds out on their own, understood?"
Kasugano Sora nodded, her expression serious and attentive.
Ren leaned in slightly, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "The truth is, your Sister Lucifer isn't human. She's the Queen of Hell."
"Eh?"
"And my restaurant," he continued, "can connect to other worlds. Sora, you're a little internet addict, so you should know what another world is, right?"
Sora stared at him, completely dumbfounded. She sniffed once, her expression blank. "Brother Ren, is today April Fool's Day? Why would you tell such a joke...? Even a child wouldn't believe that!"
"I don't blame you for not believing it, Sora," Lucifer said with a warm smile. "Most ordinary people wouldn't. So, as proof, I can make your body healthy right now. It will only take a moment."
"Eh? Eh?! Eh?!"
As Sora tried to process what that even meant, a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if a heavy, invisible cloak she had worn her entire life had suddenly been lifted. Her body felt exceptionally light, and a surprising surge of strength flowed through her limbs. The constant, groggy haze that clouded her mind vanished, replaced by a sharp clarity she had never known.
Lucifer's voice was teasing. "Feeling better now?"
Sora looked down at her hands, clenching and unclenching them. "I don't know if I'm 'better'," she said, her voice filled with wonder, "but I feel... so much lighter. I'm full of energy. I feel like I could run and jump like a normal person..."
"Do you believe us now?" Ren asked, his smile patient.
Sora considered this for a long moment. "Well, it proves that Sister Lucifer is someone with special abilities," she conceded. "But another world... that still sounds too fantastical. And Sister Lucifer is the Queen of Hell?"
Lucifer puffed out her chest, nodding proudly.
Sora tilted her head, whispering, "I don't know, it just doesn't feel quite right..."
"Hmm?! Do I not look like a queen?" Lucifer demanded, a little indignantly.
"You look like a very cute older sister..."
"I..."
Lucifer stared at Sora's completely serious face and nearly choked. The compliment felt more like an insult. Changing the subject to save her pride, she turned to Ren, a flicker of confusion on her face. "Hey, Ren, why haven't any guests from another world shown up tonight?"
"That's entirely up to luck, isn't it?" Ren replied casually. "Maybe someone will arrive at dawn. Sora, your body is better now, healthier than most people your age. Do you want to wait with us and see if a guest from another world appears?"
After recovering her health, a newfound curiosity sparked within Sora. She nodded seriously. While she still harbored doubts, her current excellent physical condition was obvious proof that something extraordinary had happened.
"In that case," Ren said with a grin, "Lucifer, hand me my phone."
Lucifer blinked, but did as he asked, handing over the device. "What do you need your phone for?"
Ren didn't answer, simply turning on the recording function. He spoke in a gentle, clear voice, "Sora, let's make a bet. If a guest from another world really does show up, you move in with us. No more excuses about being a bother, and now you have no other reason to refuse."
Sora thought for a moment, her mind racing. "But what if you lose, Brother Ren?"
"Although there's no way I'll lose, to make things fair for you... I'll grant you one wish, Sora. Anything at all."
At those words, Sora's eyes lit up. A wave of excitement washed over her. "Really? You can't take it back! You said it yourself, Brother Ren, and it's on tape!"
Ren played the recording back for her, then sent a copy to her phone. After Sora confirmed she had received it, she let out a small sigh of relief, a determined glint in her eyes. "Are you so sure, Brother Ren? If they really don't come, you'll be in trouble."
"And what wish are you so eager to make, you little schemer?"
A faint blush crept onto Kasugano Sora's cheeks, and she looked away, whispering, "That's a secret... You just wait to lose, Brother Ren!"
Lucifer watched the exchange, a strange feeling bubbling up inside her. She felt like she had seen that particular expression on Sora's face somewhere before... The more she thought about it, the more unsettling the feeling became.
---
While this mysterious bet was being made, Tony Stark had finished his preparations. He stretched his arms high above his head, took a sip of water, and called out with eager anticipation, "Pepper! Are you ready?"
Just as he finished speaking, Pepper Potts walked in. Her makeup was as exquisite as ever, but she had changed from her usual business attire into a set of stylish casual clothes. "Of course," she said with a bright smile. "I'm very much looking forward to it. And I've prepared a lot of money."
"Is that so? How much?"
"Five hundred bucks."
Tony recoiled dramatically. "Five hundred?! That's practically high-end fine dining at Ren's place! Are you planning on ordering a dish made of solid gold?!"
He stretched his fingers, then gave his office desk a firm push. His chair glided silently across the floor, coming to a perfect stop right at the doorway.
Pepper shook her head with a fond smile. "Stop playing around, we should get going. I'm starving. You'd better pray that everything you've told me is true, Tony."
Tony stood up from his chair and gestured grandly toward his office door. "Pepper, my dear, we can go to Ren's shop right now."
"Don't we need to go home first?"
"Of course not," he said, his grin widening. "Now, it's time to witness the impossible."
Pepper stared at him, confused. In the next moment, her eyes widened in utter shock. The familiar wooden office door swung open, but instead of revealing the hallway of Stark Tower, it opened into a swirling vortex of pure white light.
The sight completely stunned her. This wasn't just supernatural. This was a miracle.
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