Chapter 251: Tony Stark's Life Full of Surprises
No one wished for a body in poor condition, and for Kasugano Sora, that desire was a constant, desperate prayer. Though she had lost the opportunity to make a formal wish, the simple act of meeting a guest from another world had somehow resulted in her body being restored to perfect health. That alone was more than enough to bring a rare, genuine smile to her face.
"Pepper, you really have no sense of humor," Tony said, a playful grin spreading across his face. "It's like doctors in those hospital dramas. They always come out of the operating room, look at the family with a grim face, and start with, 'We did our best...'"
Pepper shot him an exasperated look. "You can pull that routine on adults, Tony, but Sora is still a child. And in your TV shows, I'm fairly certain the doctors don't say that directly in front of the patient, do they?"
"Yes, yes, you're right," Tony conceded with a theatrical wave of his hand. "My apologies, little lady. But seriously, the state of this body is astounding. Miss Lucifer, what kind of conditions did you require to achieve this level of perfect health?"
Lucifer had been about to say the matter was so trivial it wasn't even worth a transaction, but she changed her mind, a sly smile playing on her lips. "This place will be undergoing an upgrade soon. Afterward, you'll be able to visit other worlds. However, doing so requires the consent of the guest from that world. So, Mr. Tony... do you understand what I'm getting at?"
Tony Stark paused for a second, the gears in his mind turning, before a wide smile broke out. "Of course, I agree. But what about Pepper's conditions?"
"I find Miss Potts very pleasing to the eye," Lucifer said with a casual shrug. "So, no conditions are needed for her."
Pepper was taken aback. This was the legendary Lucifer, after all. To be found "pleasing to the eye" by such a being felt like an extraordinary honor, and she couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Tony nodded, processing the information, then froze. His expression shifted to one of comical disbelief. "Wait, wait, wait... Miss Lucifer, are you implying that you don't find me pleasing to the eye?"
Lucifer tilted her head, her expression one of utter innocence. "What do you think, Mr. Overthinker?"
Tony's mouth twitched.
With a delicate stretch, Lucifer announced, "Hmm, alright. The transaction is complete. Your wishes have been granted."
"Huh?!" came the synchronized reply from both Tony and Pepper.
Pepper stared, completely bewildered. "It's... done? Just like that? Shouldn't there be some kind of secret medicine or a magic circle or something?"
Lucifer rolled her eyes. "It's a mere human body. A tiny wisp of magic circulated through it is more than enough to fix it. The amount I used wouldn't even be enough to light a fire to burn documents in Hell."
Pepper's eyes lit up with understanding. "Jarvis! Full body scan!"
"Affirmative... Scan complete. Uploading data now..."
As Tony and Pepper reviewed the results on a holographic display, their faces bloomed with unrestrained joy. For humans, with lifespans barely scratching a century, illness was a dreaded enemy. No one could truly comprehend its torment until it befell them.
Tony stretched his arms over his head, a genuine feeling of lightness spreading through him. "I really do feel better. Miss Lucifer, thank you for your help. But now, this healthy body of mine requires some food. Is it alright if I order?"
"Anytime."
Tony let out a sigh. "The fact that you don't have a menu here really throws a wrench in my process. Pepper, any ideas?"
Pepper simply shrugged, indicating she was just as lost.
Tony Stark mulled it over for a moment before throwing his hands up in defeat. "Nope. This brain is built for technology, not for cataloging culinary information. Ren, how about a recommendation? But I'll still need two desserts on the side."
Ren considered this for a moment. "Western food, then. Understood. Will you be needing a main course?"
Tony nodded. "Speaking of which, let's get a serving of paella. The seafood risotto. The idea just popped into my head. Pepper, you're good with that, right?"
"Of course," she replied with a smile. "I'm suddenly craving some, too."
Ren nodded, a warm smile on his face. "You two are surprisingly in sync."
"And may I ask why that's so surprising?" Tony shot back, an eyebrow raised.
"Because Miss Potts seems far more reliable than you do, Mr. Stark."
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Ren," Pepper said, looking at Tony with a hint of playful pride.
Tony just sighed dramatically. "I don't deny it. Pepper really does an amazing job keeping everything together."
"Alright, please wait a moment."
As Ren turned to leave, Tony suddenly remembered something. "Ren! One glass... no, wait... two glasses of non-alcoholic champagne... No, no, no," he corrected himself, a grin spreading across his face. "The armor research is going splendidly. No need to work overtime today. Make it a bottle of the real stuff!"
Ren nodded, his expression gentle. "An excellent choice. Your seafood risotto will thank you for it. Would you like an ice bucket?"
"Of course!"
After Ren had returned to the kitchen, Pepper asked curiously, "Is that non-alcoholic champagne really that good? Good enough for even you, a connoisseur of fine wines, to order it?"
Tony paused, thinking. "It's a very... unique taste, Pepper. Trust me, you might just fall in love with it. As for now... wait a minute... no..." His eyes widened as he turned back to Lucifer. "Miss Lucifer, what did you just say?"
Lucifer, who had been amusing herself by browsing the internet with Kasugano Sora, looked up with an annoyed expression. "Huh? What are you talking about? That I find Potts more pleasing to the eye?"
Tony shook his head repeatedly, a manic energy suddenly taking hold of him. He stood up, licked his lips, and leaned forward with a look of pure, unadulterated anticipation. "You just said that we'll be able to go to another world soon?"
"Yes," Lucifer confirmed, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Is that strange? A one-way passage is a rather inefficient design, don't you think?"
Tony nodded vigorously, his mind racing. "So, in the near future, I can come here for a meal, and after I'm done, I can just... take a stroll in another world?"
Lucifer thought for a moment. "You can, but it requires the consent of the guest from that world. Just like you agreed to it earlier, Tony."
"That's great!" Tony exclaimed, his voice filled with delight. "Pepper! I knew I should have come today, this is fantastic! If I can see Ash next time, then... nice!"
Lucifer gave him a look of utter disdain. "Don't you dare smash my table. Besides, didn't you already ask Ash to catch an Abra for you? What's the point of you going?"
"No, no, no," Tony said, waving his hands dismissively. "It's true I only asked him to help me find an Abra. But Plusle and Minun, and so many other Pokémon, are excellent for research! Not to mention they're cute as pets and can double as bodyguards. I only asked for one Abra because I didn't want to trouble him too much. After all, Ash is still just a kid."
Lucifer tilted her head, a curious glint in her eyes. "Eh? Mr. Tony, you're surprisingly like a good person..."
Hearing this, Pepper covered her mouth, unable to hold back a peal of laughter.
Tony Stark's mouth twitched again. "So, Miss Lucifer, why do you always use the word 'surprisingly' when you refer to me? Am I that much of a surprising existence? Uh... now that I think about it, I guess I really am..."
Kasugano Sora, who had been listening quietly, added in a soft voice, "Mr. Tony is surprisingly good at making fun of himself..."
"Pfft—Hahahahaha!" The sound of both Pepper's and Lucifer's unrestrained laughter filled the restaurant.
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