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Chapter 77: The Chef's Legacy and the Golden Shadow
Renji Miyauchi's investigation into the history of this world had yielded some fascinating, if chilling, results. The era of the Demon Slayer Corps had reached its bloody conclusion a century ago. He theorized that the "mysterious decline" of that era had forced Muzan Kibutsuji into a desperate corner, leading to a final, apocalyptic confrontation that wiped both demons and Slayers from the public eye.
Beyond these echoes of a violent past, the Miyauchi family archives in Asahigaoka were mostly filled with mundane land records and boring genealogies. If the Miyauchi clan had possessed truly legendary texts, they wouldn't have been simple farmers for the last hundred years.
The cookbook he had mentioned to Mayuzumi was no family heirloom; it was a system reward from his Diary: Liu Maoxing's Cooking Notes.
The manual significantly boosted the holder's culinary skills. When followed perfectly, there was even a minute chance of creating a "legendary glowing dish." For Renji, who was far too lazy to spend his life behind a stove, it was a collector's item—a childhood memory of a classic anime. Since he wasn't interested in the cutthroat culinary world of Totsuki Academy, he felt it was better utilized in the hands of someone like Mayuzumi, whose talent was as genuine as her kindness.
Renji mused over the current state of the culinary world. While "God's Tongue" existed, it wasn't the supernatural force seen in manga—and he had yet to see anyone's clothes explode from a delicious bite of tempura.
Perhaps the culinary world is waiting for the spiritual energy to recover further, he thought. Or maybe they're just hiding their 'Superhuman' skills within the rules of the inner world.
He imagined a future where spiritual recovery brought about the "killing tennis" of Seishun Academy or the physics-defying basketball of Teiko. A world-class tennis player in this universe might eventually rival a Special Grade sorcerer.
Gigantamax serves, Black Holes, and Time Loops... even Sukuna would probably rethink his life choices if he had to face a 'Zone-awakened' athlete, Renji thought with a smirk.
His pleasant morning mood, however, evaporated the moment he reached the school gates. Utaha Kasumigaoka was already there, leaning against a pillar like a dark omen in black stockings. When she saw Renji and Hikage walking with Mashiro, she offered a "friendly" smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Coming to school together again? Your bond is truly enviable," Utaha remarked, her voice dripping with practiced grace. "However, I have something private to discuss with Mashiro-chan. Renji-kun, would you mind lending her to me for a moment?"
Aware of her delicate reputation, she pointed toward a secluded flowerbed near the main building—a public enough space to be safe, but private enough for a secret conversation.
As her gaze swept over him, Renji felt a cold shiver. Yandere tendencies are no joke, he thought. The "Fatty Kasumi" in front of him seemed increasingly obsessed with farming reading points.
Mashiro looked at Renji, her eyes silently asking for permission.
"If Utaha-senpai has a question, go ahead. I'll stay within earshot," Renji said with a reassuring nod. He had already prepped Mashiro on how to handle the other Diary holders.
Under Hikage's suspicious, gossipy glare, the two girls walked toward the flowerbed. Renji followed at a respectful distance, enduring Hikage's constant whispers about "snatching Mashiro back from the Black-Stocking Demon King" before she was "defiled."
Renji sighed. Hika-nee, it's not Mashiro she's after. It's your brother's sanity she's going for.
"Calm down," Renji whispered. "Mashiro is stronger than she looks. Even if Utaha-senpai tried something, she wouldn't be bullied."
Hikage paused, remembering that Mashiro was already deep into the second stage of the Ripple breathing training. In a physical contest, Mashiro could likely pin Utaha with a single finger. The thought of the "Demon King" getting counter-killed by a dazed Mashiro made Hikage grin with anticipation.
By the flowerbed, Utaha glanced back at the Miyauchi siblings. A flicker of frustration crossed her eyes. If it weren't for that 'Mysterious Person' and his rumors, my school life wouldn't be this complicated, she thought.
She took a breath and asked Mashiro about her current Diary commissions. Mashiro, following Renji's advice, kept the identity reveal a secret but shared the two new tasks: the manga debut and the daily outfit selection.
Utaha's expression turned incredulous. "The Mysterious Person is making Renji-kun pick your clothes? That man has a twisted sense of humor." She leaned in closer. "Mashiro-chan, you have to be careful. If Renji-kun picks something... inappropriate, you must refuse, okay?"
Mashiro merely tilted her head, looking distracted. Utaha realized her warnings were hitting a brick wall of pure innocence. Does this girl have no sense of danger? The Diary hinted at a harem, yet she treats Renji like a holy relic.
Utaha sighed, then bit the bullet to address her own commission. "Do you need help with your manga debut? I have connections with editors who could make your career."
Mashiro shook her head softly. "Renji has already arranged everything. I don't need anyone else."
Utaha felt a headache forming. Every sentence out of Mashiro's mouth seemed to begin or end with "Renji." She cursed the Mysterious Person once more—it was all his fault—before finally revealing the request she had received.
"I suspect the Mysterious Person is trying to create conflict between us," Utaha said solemnly. "But I want to be transparent. If you don't want me to go through with this request, I will forfeit it immediately."
Mashiro didn't look angry; she looked puzzled. "If you need Renji's help with something, why don't you just ask him directly?"
Utaha froze. She had prepared a mountain of excuses—that Renji wasn't her type, that she wasn't trying to "steal" him, and that they should just be "Reading Point partners." But Mashiro's blunt logic had bypasssed all her defenses.
In Mashiro's mind, the world was simple. Renji was her companion, her model, and her guide. The concept of "romantic rivalry" didn't exist in her vocabulary after only two weeks of knowing him. She didn't "own" Renji; he was simply... amazing.
"Renji is a good person," Mashiro continued, her voice level. "He helped me draw your stories. If you need his help for a commission, just tell him."
Her words carried a subtle, unintentional authority that made Utaha feel like a flustered interloper. It was the victory of the natural airhead over the master schemer.
"Do you want me to call him over?" Mashiro asked.
The speed of the development left Utaha flustered. She had expected a negotiation, not a total surrender of territory. Watching Mashiro wave Renji over, Utaha realized she had lost this round before it even began.
Hikage practically dragged Renji toward them, her eyes darting between the two girls like she was expecting a duel. She instinctively stepped in front of Mashiro, ready to shield her from the "Demon King."
Utaha felt a vein throb in her forehead. The rumors are really doing a number on my image, she grumbled internally.
Renji placed a hand on his sister's shoulder. "Calm down, Hika-nee. Senpai just has something she needs to ask me."
Utaha breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a normal person. "Renji-kun, I'm glad you're reasonable. The rumors... they've made things difficult."
Mashiro nodded. "Renji, Utaha said she has a request for you."
As the words hung in the air, Hikage fell into a stunned silence. She looked at her younger brother with a mixture of confusion and sudden realization.
"Wait... little brother..." Hikage's voice trailed off. "Is the Demon King actually targeting you?"