Chapter 88: Where Did Such an Honest Demon Come From?!
The twelve-minute walk took Minos less than three minutes at a brisk jog. From a distance, she could see Ryohei talking with a few customers by the stall. Yurine stood quietly to the side, her arms gently crossed, her gaze fixed warmly on him. And working busily in front of the stall were two unfamiliar, petite figures.
"Huh?" Minos paused, and just then, her eyes met Yurine's, who seemed to have sensed her approach.
She jogged the rest of the way, not even slightly out of breath. "I can't believe I got drunk at noon," she said, scratching her head with an embarrassed grin. "I slept until just now…"
"And who are these two?" she asked, her gaze turning curiously to Pekola and Poporon. That aura… they're definitely angels! But why don't they have halos?
At the same time, Pekola and Poporon had also sensed Minos's identity.
Another demon? I hope she's not like Jashin-chan, Pekola thought, her heart filled with anxiety. Jashin-chan was the worst. She was always stealing her bread crusts, claiming that "stolen food, especially from an angel, tastes better." Not only that, but she was always sneaking up behind her and delivering a surprise "Jashin-chan Dropkick."
Is this… the despicable, scummy, and trashy demon Yurine warned me about? Poporon thought, her body tensing as she saw Minos's gaze sweep over her head. She's looking at my head!!
"They're my new employees," Ryohei said, sensing the tension. "You'll all be colleagues from now on, so please get along."
How can angels and demons possibly get along?! Poporon was thinking, when Minos turned to Ryohei, gave him an OK sign, and said with a cheerful smile, "Okay!"
Eh? Are you serious? Σ(°Д°; Poporon was flabbergasted. It must be an act! What a cunning demon! Her mind, shaped by years of Pekola's teachings that all demons were treacherous and should be purged, was filled with suspicion.
"By the way, Minos," Ryohei asked, "didn't you see the note I left on the door before you left?"
"Oh, I saw it," she replied breezily. "But I was bored at home and figured you guys would be busy, so I came to see if I could help."
Her personality is so likable! Ryohei thought, his own tone softening. "I see… Well, since you're here, have something to eat first."
"Okay! I am getting a little hungry," she said, patting her flat stomach and heading eagerly toward the stall.
"Hello, I'm Minos," she said, giving the two angels a friendly greeting. Even though they were technically from an enemy faction, this wasn't a battlefield. Besides, Ryohei had just told them they were colleagues now.
"Hello, I'm Pekola."
"I'm Poporon."
The two angels introduced themselves.
"Alright, I'm just going to grab a bite to eat, and then I'll take over for you guys so you can rest," Minos said, naturally grabbing a container and expertly packing some food for herself.
"Okay," Poporon replied. Her smile is so bright… it must be a trick. What a cunning demon! Her guard remained up.
Pekola, however, let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. She seems different from Jashin-chan.
The sky gradually darkened. The last rays of the sunset faded, and the city's neon lights began to flicker to life.
"Chef Ryohei, you're not going to be setting up here anymore starting next week?"
"That's right. I'll be operating out of my restaurant in Higashi-Yukigaya from now on."
Because it was his last day with the stall, many more people than usual came up to chat with him, and Ryohei patiently answered the same questions over and over.
By now, Poporon and Pekola had been relieved by Minos and Yurine. Poporon watched Minos cheerfully and efficiently packing orders and greeting customers, and couldn't help but murmur, "She really doesn't seem like she's faking it… She seems even more simple and honest than I am. Where did such an honest demon come from?!"
Seeing this guileless demon, Poporon began to doubt what Yurine had told her. Is there really a despicable, scummy, and trashy demon in that house? Or was she just trying to scare me so I wouldn't try to take my halo back? It seemed very likely.
But after a moment's thought, Poporon decided to play it safe. What if Yurine wasn't lying? What would happen if she snuck in and ran into that demon? Without her halo, she wouldn't stand a chance. And even if she did manage to get her halo back, she would probably never get to eat this delicious food again. That would be the greatest tragedy of all.
"You all worked hard today!"
After selling out of everything except for the portions saved for Jashin-chan and Beto, the final day of the food stall came to a successful close.
"Poporon and Pekola, you two can head back together," Ryohei said, pointing in the direction of their apartment. "You know the way, right?"
"Yes, I know how to get back," Pekola replied.
"Okay, then," Ryohei nodded. "Come to the restaurant on Sunday afternoon, around two. We'll do a final clean-up before the grand opening. I'll treat you all to dinner afterward."
"Okay!" Pekola and Poporon's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"See you the day after tomorrow," Yurine said with a wave.
"See you then."
And with that, the groups parted ways.
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