Chapter 71: Bro, You Smell So Good!
"Two of everything!" the tall, muscular man with the earring and wild hair said excitedly, holding up two fingers.
Ryohei could spot a fellow foodie from a mile away. Without a word, he began to pack the order.
Banjo Kazuichi took the bag, stepped to the side, and immediately pulled out a container of Omurice. Ignoring the heat, he took a huge bite.
"..."
His brain went completely blank for a second. When he came back to his senses, he was shocked to find that half the Omurice was already gone, leaving only an indescribable, ineffable, and unbelievably delicious flavor lingering in his mouth.
"This…"
Banjo's knees went weak, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud. An intense feeling of shock, satisfaction, and pure happiness welled up in his chest. He tilted his head back, and tears of pure emotion began to stream down his face.
"It's just… so good!"
"Whoa—! Another one bites the dust!"
"He didn't just bite the dust, he's crying!"
"As expected of Chef Ryohei!"
The veteran customers discussed the scene with excitement. The new customers who were still in line, however, were completely stunned.
"No way! Is it really that good?"
"Sugoi!"
"Gulp—! I'm so curious what Glowing Cuisine tastes like!"
"This is killing me!"
Soon, there were two more Ghouls kneeling and crying on the pavement.
After devouring two Omurice and two Crème Caramels, Banjo finally started to calm down. He turned to his two underlings, who were still eating with blissful expressions. "Yusuke, Kei," he said, "we have to tell the others about this."
"As expected of you, Banjo-san! Thinking of others even at a time like this!" Yusuke said, looking at his boss with pure admiration. He may not be the strongest, but he's got real charisma!
Kei was more practical. "We should also tell them to bring their own sunglasses, bring enough money, and explain the rules here."
"Right. Let's do that," Banjo said, giving her an appreciative look.
The three of them then took their remaining food, found a quiet corner, and started making calls, spreading the word to their friends and associates. The Ghouls who received the calls were, without exception, completely bewildered.
'What? You found human food that Ghouls can eat? And it's super delicious, with no side effects?'
'There's a huge line? The owner only stays open for two or three hours a day?'
'Huh? There are Ghouls from other wards acting as security?'
'And we have to bring sunglasses?'
'Are you guys serious?'
Some of the Ghouls didn't believe it. It was just too absurd, a complete violation of the natural order. But others, their curiosity piqued, grabbed their wallets and sunglasses and headed for the location Banjo gave them.
"You worked hard. The crowds are huge again today."
A fragrant breeze announced the arrival of Yurine, dressed in her goth-loli outfit. Her gaze landed on Jashin-chan, who was standing in Ryohei's old spot and immediately stiffened. Yurine squinted, her eyes seeming to see everything. "Has Jashin-chan been behaving herself today?"
Don't say it! Don't say it! Don't say it! Jashin-chan didn't dare turn around. She stared straight ahead, sweating profusely as she prayed.
"She wasn't very well-behaved at first," Ryohei said, his face breaking into a smile the moment he saw Yurine. "She tried to pocket some of the cash when she was on the register. I caught her, but she's been okay since then."
"Guh—!" The last thread of Jashin-chan's hope snapped. She closed her eyes with a look of serene resignation, took a deep breath, and then her eyes flew open, her expression twisting into one of vicious determination.
"If that's how it's going to be, then I have no choice but to strike first!" she shrieked, spinning around. She became a blur, leaping high into the air and aiming a savage kick at Yurine below. "Finishing Move—Jashin-chan Dropkick: Outdoor Upgraded Version!"
Yurine just looked up calmly and, with a delicate, precise movement, caught the powerful snake tail in her hand.
"You cause trouble, and you still dare to attack me?" Yurine said, her voice turning cold. She spun around, swinging Jashin-chan in a full circle before slamming her violently into the ground.
BOOM—!
The concrete cracked on impact, sending rubble and dust flying. Jashin-chan hit the ground hard, blood immediately beginning to seep from her body and stain the pavement.
"Oh… oops. I used a little too much force. I broke the road," Yurine said, covering her lips with her free hand, a look of mock surprise on her face.
"Shouldn't… shouldn't you be worried about me first?" Jashin-chan whimpered from the ground, her face a bloody mess.
The surrounding humans and Ghouls were completely stunned. ∑(°口°๑)
"Ahem. Everyone, please don't be alarmed," Ryohei announced, stepping forward and addressing the crowd. "They're both martial artists. This is just how they spar and exchange techniques."
Humans: "..."
'What kind of sparring cracks the concrete?!'
'Those two are definitely not normal.'
'By the way, is the one bleeding on the ground really okay?'
Someone took out their phone, debating whether to call the police or an ambulance.
"Stop playing dead. Get up," Yurine said, giving the tail in her hand a sharp squeeze.
"Aaaah—! It hurts! Let go, let go!" Jashin-chan shot up from the ground like a snake whose tail had been stepped on and tried to pry Yurine's fingers open, but they were like a vice. Finally, two wide rivers of tears streamed down her face. "Waaaah—! Yurine, I was wrong, I was really wrong! Please forgive me!"
Yurine, not wanting to make a scene in front of so many people, let go of her tail with a look of disgust.
"Here, wipe your hand," Ryohei said, handing Yurine a towel.
"Thanks," she said with a smile, taking it and then tossing it to Jashin-chan.
Jashin-chan sobbed, miserably wiping the mixture of blood, tears, and dust from her face.
Minos, who had witnessed the whole thing, put a hand to her forehead. If you don't court death, you won't die. That was one lesson Jashin-chan had failed to learn in several millennia.
At a nearby parking lot, a Lexus LC purred to a stop. Tsukiyama Shuu, dressed in an impeccably tailored red suit, gracefully stepped out of the car.
"What a beautiful sunset," he sighed, spreading his arms and looking toward the horizon.
"It's time to go see my new prey," he murmured, and began to walk out of the parking lot with a confident, elegant stride. His elegance, however, lasted for all of three seconds.
A young man, happily eating an Omurice from a takeout container, walked past him.
Tsukiyama's eyes shot open. His nostrils flared. He inhaled. He spun around, his gaze locked on the young man who had just passed him.
Bro, you smell so good!!!