Chapter 95: The Girls' Broken Stalemate
The aroma of food is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful forces in the world.
It bypasses logic and strikes directly at the primal brain.
Watching someone else eat deliciously, with genuine gustatory pleasure, acts as a catalyst. It can make even the most disciplined stomach rumble in protest.
Even Momobami Kirari, the absolute monarch of Hyakkaou Academy, was feeling a bit tested at this moment.
Unless you are a being who can subsist on air and arrogance alone, you need to eat.
So, how could one not be tempted when culinary perfection is being consumed right in front of them?
At the nearby table, Suzuki Satoru was currently engaged in a battle with his Water Boiled Beef.
The combination of fresh, smooth, and tender beef slices, coated in chili oil and paired with steaming white rice, might not be the most aristocratic choice. However, it is certainly one of the most satisfying.
Satoru wiped sweat from his forehead, his face flushed red from the heat and spice.
He shoveled another spoonful of rice soaked in the spicy red broth into his mouth. He let out a soft, satisfied exhale that practically vibrated through the room.
Crunch.
That was the sound of Cerberus chewing on a bone at the other table.
Kirari watched Lucifer and the others eating.
For the first time in a long while, she felt a strange, unfamiliar sense of being excluded. She was the outsider looking in on a warm, domestic scene.
Beside her, Sayaka Igarashi stood rigid.
The secretary tried to maintain her stoic facade, but her eyes kept darting toward the steaming bowls. No matter how cool and detached you try to be, there is a biological limit to resisting the smell of hot oil and Sichuan peppers.
Growl.
A very quiet, very shameful sound emitted from Sayaka's stomach. She immediately turned beet red and pressed her clipboard harder against her abdomen.
Kirari smirked slightly, finding her secretary's struggle adorable, but she checked her watch.
Time passed minute by minute.
Cerberus had finally eaten her fill. The three-headed soul (in one body) was now sprawled out on the chair, patting her tummy.
Lucifer was still chewing slowly, maintaining her elegance as the Queen of Hell.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Satoru looked like he had just run a marathon. Whether from the spice or the heat, he was sweating profusely, but he refused to stop eating until the bowl was polished clean.
A mere twenty minutes felt like over two hours to Kirari.
This feeling was not good.
It was a loss of control. A room full of people, and only she and her attendant were there as spectators. It went against her nature as a dealer, a controller of fate.
Just as Kirari was about to break the silence with a demand, the atmosphere in the kitchen changed.
A wisp of fragrance drifted out from behind the noren curtains.
It wasn't the aggressive punch of the chili oil from before. This was richer. Creamier.
It was like a slender, boneless jade hand gently plucking at Kirari's heartstrings.
She remembered this scent.
She would never forget it, because it was for this specific indulgence that she had ordered the foie gras.
Kirari narrowed her eyes. A slight, predatory curve appeared on her lips, which were painted with her signature cyan-blue lipstick.
"Finally," she whispered. "The main event."
Footsteps came from the kitchen.
No matter the shop, the first thing to emerge from the kitchen is never the chef. It is the chef's creation—the ambassador of flavor eagerly awaited by the diners.
Ren stepped out.
In his hands, he carried a wide, ceramic plate.
On it sat a perfectly seared steak, resting beside a generous lobe of pan-seared foie gras. The dark, glossy reduction sauce drizzled over it caught the light like liquid obsidian.
Kirari smiled as she watched Ren place the steak and foie gras in front of her.
The smell was intoxicating—the iron tang of the beef mixed with the buttery, hazelnut aroma of the liver.
"I'm so glad you're mine..." Kirari purred, looking up at him.
Ren didn't even blink. He playfully reached out and tapped Kirari's forehead with his knuckle.
"Just speak properly when you're here," Ren chided gently. "Don't try your psychological gambling tactics on the cook."
Kirari rubbed her forehead, though it didn't actually hurt. "You're no fun, Ren."
"If you were truly brave enough to back up those possessive words," Ren said, leaning down slightly with a smirk, "you'd be a mother by now."
The silence in the shop instantly deepened.
Sayaka Igarashi looked like she was about to have a heart attack. She stared at Ren with wide, terrified eyes. He just said that to the President?!
Kirari blinked. A rare flush of genuine color rose to her pale cheeks.
"There's really nothing I can do about you..." she murmured, looking away and picking up her fork to hide her reaction. "Where's my wine?"
"It will be brought out with Sayaka's dish," Ren replied, straightening up. "After all, you weren't planning on drinking alone, were you? Drinking alone is the first step to becoming a sad, old woman."
"You have a sharp tongue today."
"Only for you." Ren turned his head toward the other table. "Lucifer, do you want some wine? I have a bottle of Lafite open."
Lucifer's eyes lit up instantly. "Yes!"
"Much more honest, aren't we?" Ren teased.
"Hmph!" Lucifer turned her head away, crossing her arms, but she pushed her glass forward expectantly.
Kirari shook her head with a smile, watching the interaction between Ren and the silver-haired Demon Queen.
"I'm really envious," Kirari said softly, cutting into her foie gras. The knife slid through the meat like it was cutting through warm butter. "But it's better that someone broke this stalemate. Now that she's moved in, there's less to worry about regarding who makes the first move."
She took a bite. The rich, fatty liver melted on her tongue, the richness cut perfectly by the acidity of the fruit reduction. Her blue eyes fluttered shut for a moment in pure bliss.
Lucifer was about to retort to Kirari's comment when the sound of the shop's doorbell chime rang out.
Ding-dong.
However, to understand who was arriving, one must look back about twenty minutes earlier.
[20 Minutes Earlier - Beika District Streets]
The evening air in Tokyo was cooling down, marking the transition from the bustle of the workday to the neon-lit leisure of the night.
At the bottom of the stairs of the Mouri Detective Agency, Suzuki Sonoko was tapping her foot impatiently.
"Ran! Come on! We're going to be late for the prime dinner rush!" Sonoko shouted up the stairs.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Mouri Ran hurried down the stairs, adjusting her bag. She looked apologetic, her expression gentle and kind as always.
"Sorry, Sonoko. Conan-kun wanted to come along, and Dad was complaining about dinner, so I had to leave them some curry," Ran explained, breathless.
"Geez, that brat and your dad are helpless without you," Sonoko sighed, grabbing Ran's arm. "But tonight is about us! And about introducing you to that place."
Ran smiled as she was dragged along the sidewalk. "You've been talking about this restaurant for weeks, Sonoko. Is it really that good?"
"Good? Ran, it's not just good," Sonoko said, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and secrecy. "It's magical. The chef... Ren-san... his food is on another level. And he's incredibly handsome, too! Though, hands off, okay?"
Ran giggled. "Okay, okay. I'm just curious to see what kind of place could make the Suzuki heiress so obsessed."
The two high school girls navigated the busy streets of Beika.
They passed by salarymen loosening their ties and heading to izakayas. They passed students hanging out at arcades. The sounds of the city—car horns, distant trains, the hum of conversation—were a familiar backdrop.
"It's not a fancy hotel restaurant, right?" Ran asked, looking at her casual outfit.
"Nope! It's better," Sonoko declared.
As they walked, Sonoko led them away from the main commercial thoroughfare. They turned down a side street, then another.
The noise of the city began to fade, replaced by the chirping of crickets and the soft hum of streetlights flickering on.
The neighborhood became quieter, more residential. The chaotic energy of Tokyo seemed to wash away, leaving a calm, almost nostalgic atmosphere.
"Sonoko, are we lost?" Ran asked, looking around the dimly lit street.
"Just a bit further! Trust me."
They turned a final corner.
There, nestled between two nondescript buildings, was a shop emitting a warm, inviting orange glow. A traditional noren curtain hung over the entrance, and a wooden sign swayed gently in the breeze.
It looked inconspicuous. Humble, even. But to Ran's sharp senses, there was something welcoming about it. It felt like coming home.
"We're here!" Sonoko announced.
She didn't hesitate. She marched up to the door and threw it open.
[Present Time - Dimensional Restaurant]
"Ren! Ran and I are here!"
Sonoko's voice boomed through the quiet restaurant, shattering the peaceful jazz music playing in the background.
Ren winced slightly behind the counter. "Sonoko... too loud..."
"Oh, oh... sorry! But it's fine, right?" Sonoko grinned, completely unapologetic.
Sonoko's first glance upon entering didn't fall on Kirari.
This was because Kirari wasn't wearing her school uniform today; she was dressed in casual, high-fashion streetwear.
For Sonoko, her first glance upon entering was always towards the kitchen.
She had been to this place so many times that it was almost like her second home. The priority was always the chef (and the food).
However, Sonoko is Sonoko, and Ran is Ran.
The moment Mouri Ran stepped across the threshold, she felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
She wasn't particularly fond of the high-end, stuffy French restaurants Sonoko usually dragged her to. But no one would dislike a place like this.
The interior was filled with the scent of polished wood and simmering broth. The lighting was soft and golden, making everyone inside look a little softer, a little kinder.
"It's so cozy..." Ran whispered.
It was the first time she had seen a shop like this. Her favorability rating for the place instantly spiked.
As the one who did all the cooking for the Mouri household, Ran had a keen nose. She could smell the complex layers of aroma in the air—the lingering spice of the beef, the rich fat of the foie gras, and the faint, sweet scent of red wine.
She inhaled deeply. "The food smells incredible."
Her eyes scanned the room.
She saw the silver-haired chef behind the counter, who gave her a polite nod.
She saw the silver-haired girl and the... three-headed girl? (Ran assumed it was elaborate cosplay or a very convincing prop) eating at one table.
And then her eyes landed on the table near the entrance.
Mouri Ran suddenly paused. Her eyes widened slightly.
"What an elegant girl..." Ran murmured.
Sonoko, who was busy trying to see the menu board, crossed her arms. "Are you talking about Lucifer and Cerberus? Yeah, their 'costumes' are always on point."
"I don't know..." Ran shook her head, her gaze fixed on the figure sitting with her back to the wall. "But that girl is really amazing... It's my first time seeing someone who can pull off blue lipstick and make it look so... natural."
Sonoko froze.
Her brain processed the words slowly.
"Blue lipstick... huh..."
"Blue..."
"Blue..."
Blue?!
Sonoko stiffened completely. She turned her head mechanically, like a rusty robot, following the direction of Ran's gaze.
There, sitting with perfect posture, holding a glass of red wine, was a beautiful girl with platinum blonde hair styled in twin braided buns.
She had delicate features, pale skin, and aquamarine eyes that seemed to see through your soul.
And, of course, lips painted a chilly, striking blue.
Kirari Momobami turned her head and locked eyes with Sonoko. She smiled.
It was a smile that was equal parts captivating and terrifying.
Sonoko didn't share Mouri Ran's sentiment of admiration. She felt a chill run down her spine that had nothing to do with the air conditioning.
She swallowed hard.
"Kirari...?! How did you get here so early?!" Sonoko shrieked, her voice cracking.
Kirari waved her hand elegantly, the movement fluid and practiced.
"Of course," Kirari purred. "It's been a long time since I've seen you, Sonoko. I wanted to come and see how you've been. Come, sit down. Lucifer and Cerberus are both here."
Sonoko trembled inwardly.
She looked at Kirari's elegant and poised demeanor. This woman was too terrifying.
Under the warm restaurant light, Kirari's blue eyes and blue lipstick seemed to glow with a cold luminescence. Sonoko felt like a frog being stared at by a very beautiful, very poisonous snake.
Mouri Ran, blissfully unaware of the danger radiating from the Student Council President, blinked curiously.
"So this is the Kirari you always talk about, Sonoko?" Ran asked innocently. "She looks very beautiful... and kind of cool."
Momobami Kirari smiled. Her expression shifted from predatory to charming in a millisecond.
"Oh my," Kirari said, her voice like silk. "You must be the Ran that Sonoko always talks about. You're much better than that idiot Sonoko."
Sonoko's mouth twitched violently.
"Kirari!" Sonoko snapped, finding a shred of courage. "Just say what you want to say! Can you please not add a suffix or an insult to my name?"
"Alright," Kirari conceded easily. "Then... you really are much better than idiot Sonoko."
[Akarin's Note: In Japanese, the suffix/insult distinction is often about tone or using "Baka" (Idiot) as a pet name versus an insult. Kirari enjoys blurring that line.]
Sonoko took a deep breath. She clenched her fists.
"Fine. I won't get angry. Today is a happy day," she muttered to herself. "If you drink too much today, I'll... Ran, let's find a place to sit! Far away!"
"Okay... I'm sorry, Sonoko's just like that," Ran apologized to Kirari with a polite bow.
Kirari laughed softly. "I know. Compared to her, I'm more interested in you."
She patted the empty seat next to her.
"Come sit with us," Kirari invited. "Sonoko and I are good friends, aren't we, Sonoko?"
The pressure in the air increased.
Sonoko's mouth twitched again. She looked at the empty tables, then at Kirari's smiling face.
She finally nodded, defeated.
"Although Kirari is a schemer," Sonoko admitted to Ran, sighing, "she is indeed good to her friends. In her own twisted way."
"Right~" Kirari beamed.
Sonoko looked at Kirari, completely unsure of her endgame.
However, she knew clearly that now that the "stalemate" regarding Ren had been broken by Lucifer moving in, Kirari probably wasn't interested in teasing Sonoko about her crush anymore.
She was here today for serious business... although there was also the suspicion of coming to see Ren. But that was normal. Everyone came to see Ren.
Seeing Sonoko relax, Kirari nodded with satisfaction.
Just as Sonoko said, although Kirari was a fanatic for gambling, and her methods were tough—even ruthless—and her intelligence was frighteningly high, she was genuinely loyal to her own "circle."
After sitting down, Sonoko was clearly a bit displeased.
She ended up sitting right next to Kirari, while Ran sat opposite them.
Ran looked at Kirari and smiled kindly. "My name is Mouri Ran. I'm Sonoko's friend and classmate. Just call me Ran!"
Kirari reached out. She took Sonoko's hand with one hand, interlocking their fingers (much to Sonoko's horror), and propped her face with the other.
"Momobami Kirari," she introduced herself. "Just call me Kirari. The one standing stiffly next to you is my secretary. Just call her Sayaka. Or 'Saya,' because Ren decided to nickname her that."
Sayaka bowed stiffly. "P-pleased to meet you."
Ran nodded, impressed. "Secretary? Is Miss Kirari a boss, then?"
"In a sense, yes," Kirari mused, circling the rim of her wine glass with a finger. "But I'm still a student. And the Student Council President."
"Eh? A Student Council President? How amazing!" Ran's eyes sparkled. "Which school do you attend?"
The atmosphere shifted again.
Kirari licked her blue lips.
She leaned forward across the table. While poking the back of Sonoko's hand under Sonoko's various disgusted gazes, she whispered the name like a secret incantation.
"Private Hyakkaou Academy."
When that school name was mentioned, Mouri Ran's smile clearly stiffened.
The sparkle in her eyes dimmed slightly.
Hyakkaou Academy.
That school was famous far and wide. Not for its academics, but for being... an abnormal school. A place where money and gambling ruled everything.
[Akarin's Note: Private Hyakkaou Academy is the setting of Kakegurui. It is a school for the elite where hierarchy is determined by gambling skill rather than grades.]
[Akarin Note:
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