Chapter 69: Things About the Demon World!
At three in the afternoon, the sun cast a warm, gentle light over the streets of the new neighborhood. Ryohei, Minos, and Jashin-chan moved the prepared ingredients for the Omurice and the chilled Crème Caramels onto the food cart, ready to set out for the day.
"I'm a pro at pulling carts! I'm fast and steady!" Minos declared, full of energy as she grabbed the handles.
"You don't have to be too fast," Ryohei said with a laugh. "We can just take our time."
"Okay, works for me," Minos replied, being the very picture of obedience.
"Hmph, hmph—!" Jashin-chan stood to the side with her arms crossed, nodding with satisfaction. She had finally been promoted from the cart-pulling mule to the supervisor of the 'cow' pulling the cart. She now saw herself as the sous chef, a position Ryohei had promised her once the restaurant opened. My status has significantly improved! she thought happily.
Ryohei gave her a strange look, then clapped his hands. "Alright… let's head out!"
There were still only three of them working the stall today. Yurine had two afternoon classes and wouldn't be home until after five. She had told them not to wait for her and that she would find them after she was done. With Minos on the team, she was no longer worried about Ryohei's safety. Besides, four people would have been a bit crowded behind the small cart. Ryohei, for his part, felt bad that Yurine had been staying up late to do her homework after helping him at the stall, so he was happy to give her the afternoon off.
The blue sky was as clear and transparent as if it had been washed with pure water, a truly refreshing sight. A few thin white clouds drifted lazily, looking as if they were melting in the sunlight.
"The sky in the human world is so beautiful," Minos commented. The food cart, which had been quite heavy for Ryohei, seemed as light as a feather in her hands. She strolled along at a leisurely pace, admiring the scenery and gazing at the distant sky, her silver cow tail swishing gently behind her.
"What's the sky like in the Demon World?" Ryohei asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Hmm," Minos said, her excitement dimming slightly. "The sky in the Demon World is always gray and gloomy, covered in a haze. There isn't much light, and the days are very short."
"I see…" That matched the stereotype Ryohei had in his head. "Does the Demon World have a sun?"
"Of course it does," Minos replied, looking at him as if he had asked a very silly question. "If there was no sun, how would there be day and night?"
Ryohei: "..."
"Our subject is very curious about the Demon World," Jashin-chan said, slithering up beside him with her hands behind her back.
"I am a little curious," Ryohei admitted with a nod. "I'd be just as curious about a foreigner's hometown. And the Demon World is a whole other world to me. If I could, I'd love to go for a visit."
"Hehe, the Demon World isn't a place an ordinary human can just visit," Jashin-chan said smugly, puffing out her chest. "But if you're willing to pledge your faith to me, the Great Jashin-chan, and sell me your soul, I suppose I could reluctantly take you to have a look."
"What kind of strange thing is that to say to your boss? That's insubordination," Ryohei replied, then added the killing blow: "Besides, you can't even go back yourself right now, can you?"
"Guh—!" Jashin-chan's pride instantly deflated. She clenched her fists, two streams of tears welling up in her eyes. "Damn you, Yurine!" And also, You're the one being insubordinate! she thought, glaring at Ryohei's back. She was truly the most miserable demon in the human world. Even her own familiar was walking all over her.
"Ordinary humans can't go, that's true," Minos chimed in. "But, if a high-ranking demon is willing to act as your sponsor and you go through the proper application process, you can get a visitor's pass." Having lived in the Demon World for several millennia, she was familiar with the rules. She patted her ample chest and said cheerfully, "Do you want to go, Chef? I can be your sponsor."
"Hmm… just out of curiosity, what's the process, and how long does it take?" Ryohei asked, tempted. Of course, he was just asking. He wouldn't dare go to the Demon World without some means of self-defense or a powerful guide. He was afraid he'd never be able to come back—not because he'd be killed, but because he'd be held captive. A chef with his [Glowing Cuisine] skill could thrive anywhere, conquering any creature he met. But he was worried about being "counter-conquered" and turned into a ruthless, non-stop cooking machine.
Speaking of which, he wondered, are there succubi in the Demon World? But he didn't dare ask Minos or Jashin-chan. He had an image to maintain. And he was afraid Jashin-chan would sell him out, which she would absolutely do.
"I'm not sure about the exact process, but I can call and ask for you," Minos said. "Over there, getting any kind of paperwork done usually takes anywhere from a few years to a few decades. This should be about the same."
"That's so inefficient!" Ryohei couldn't help but exclaim.
"Right? That's what I think, too!" Minos agreed enthusiastically. "My family is in the construction business, and the number of permits you have to apply for before you can even start working is insane."
Ryohei and Minos chatted all the way, with Jashin-chan occasionally chiming in. They soon arrived at their usual spot. Even though they were an hour earlier than the day before, the crowd waiting for them seemed even larger. Ryohei wondered if it was because of the street interview, or if his fame was spreading even further online.
"Whoa—! Chef Ryohei!?"
"You're so early today!"
"You got a new employee? I almost didn't recognize the cart with someone new pulling it!"
"Awesome—! I was just passing by, I can't believe I ran into you opening up!"
"Huh? Are you guys this popular?" Minos asked, surprised by the swarming customers.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ryohei replied, then expertly took control of the situation. "Please make way, make way, let us get the stall set up first…"
At a signal from Koma, several members of the Demon Ape crew put on their sunglasses and began to help maintain order, while the rest got in line.