Chapter 107: Lucifer's Formal Attire
The morning sun bathed the interior of the Dimensional Restaurant in a soft, golden glow, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air like tiny, magical sprites. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chirping voices of youth.
Nanami Minami, Hinami Aoi, and Yoshikawa Yuki—the three energetic high school girls from Katagiri High—were clearly very talkative and lively people. They were the type of group that could fill any silence with a constant stream of chatter about school, boys, and food, creating a vibrant energy that chased away the morning drowsiness.
Cerberus, the three-headed Hellhound currently in the form of a single, energetic girl, was exactly the same. Her social battery seemed limitless, and she soaked up the attention like a sponge.
The three of them quickly started chatting with Cerberus as if they had known each other for years. The barrier between species—or at least between human and demon—seemed non-existent in the face of shared enthusiasm.
They really liked the cute Cerberus. Sometimes Cerberus's behavior would be very adorable—tilting her head at a simple question, or sniffing the air with exaggerated delight—and the fluffy white ears on her head would occasionally move and twitch, making people want to hug her like a giant stuffed animal.
Especially Yoshikawa Yuki. She was practically staring intently at Cerberus's ears, her fingers twitching with the urge to touch them. To her, they looked like the highest quality cosplay props she had ever seen.
Hinami Aoi noticed Yuki's fascination and joked, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper, "If these ear decorations were on someone else's head, the style would probably be too strange, right~? Only Cerberus-chan can pull off the 'puppy' look so naturally."
Nanami Minami and the other two all imagined what the other person—or perhaps their strict homeroom teacher—would look like with these fluffy white ear "accessories" and then burst out laughing. The image was too absurd.
"Pfft! Can you imagine Sensei wearing those?"
"Hahaha! Stop, my stomach hurts!"
Cerberus rubbed her ears, feeling quite puzzled by their laughter. Why were her ears always treated as accessories? Did they not look real? They felt real. She could hear a pin drop in the kitchen with them. Were humans just blind?
Just as Yoshikawa Yuki was about to speak again—perhaps to ask where Cerberus bought such realistic props—she saw movement on the stairs.
She looked up and froze.
Lucifer was walking down.
But she wasn't wearing her usual casual clothes or the wrinkled shirt from earlier this morning. She was dressed in formal attire.
It was a sleek, black business suit that hugged her curves perfectly, tailored to emphasize her authority. Beneath the jacket, she wore a crimson undershirt that matched the deep red of her eyes. Her silver hair was styled impeccably, cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. She moved with a natural, regal grace that demanded attention, the thorny halo of a High Demon noticeably absent, replaced by an aura of pure charisma.
All three of the high school girls were stunned into silence. The laughter died in their throats.
Nanami Minami paused, her mouth slightly open. "Ah… it's that elegant girl from that day… the one who looked like a model…"
Cerberus turned her head and saw her boss. She immediately jumped up, her tail (invisible to the girls) wagging furiously.
"Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer! You're taking so long to shower! I thought you drowned!"
Lucifer walked to the table, ignoring the stares of the humans with practiced ease. She flicked Cerberus's forehead lightly.
"Do you think everyone is like you, washing up in five seconds?" Lucifer said irritably, though her tone lacked real bite. "And there are guests, so don't be so noisy~. Maintain some dignity."
Cerberus rubbed her forehead, unbothered. "Oh~ But Lucifer, why are you wearing a uniform? Are we going to work? Are we invading a country?"
Lucifer stiffened slightly. She cleared her throat, looking away, her cheeks tinting a faint pink.
"Cough, cough! It's nothing~ I just simply wanted to wear it. It's… laundry day."
But in her heart, Lucifer whispered the truth.
"If I remember correctly, the internet guide titled '100 Ways to Capture a Man's Heart' seems to say that people with special attributes—like a CEO or a Queen—combined with some uniforms, can bring a good mood to their partners… Is it true…?"
In fact, Lucifer herself was a bit unsure. After all, even though she had lived for countless years and ruled over millions of souls, when it came to matters of the heart, saying she was a blank slate felt a bit dirty. She was a novice disguised as an expert, trying to use human psychology on a man who defied logic.
Just then, a very fragrant smell wafted out from the kitchen.
It was savory, rich, and undeniably meaty.
The three girls, who were still captivated by Lucifer's temperament and appearance, immediately snapped back to reality. Their noses twitched in unison.
Cerberus sniffed the air, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. Her survival instincts kicked in.
"It's meat! It's meat! It's meat! It smells like heaven!"
Lucifer swallowed her saliva, trying to maintain her composure. She reached out and pinched Cerberus's face to stop her from barking or pouncing on the kitchen door.
"Don't get excited, that's not your dish. Go and sit down properly~. Don't embarrass me in front of the mortals."
"Hmm… I know…" Cerberus whined, her tail drooping.
Although Cerberus's master was Ren, she still listened to Lucifer very much, provided Ren wasn't around to countermand the order. Otherwise, who would listen to Lucifer? It would be too embarrassing for the Queen if her own dog ignored her~ (Lucifer: Stop scolding! Stop scolding!)
The fragrance grew stronger, filling the entire room with a savory, mouth-watering scent. Cerberus was practically drooling, her eyes fixed on the kitchen curtain as if she could see through the fabric.
Nanami Minami and the other two also looked expectant, their stomachs rumbling in anticipation.
Yoshikawa Yuki swallowed her saliva and said, clutching her fork, "Minami, this dish should be yours, right? It smells so good… like soy sauce and ginger…"
Nanami Minami also said with some anticipation, "I don't know, it could also be Aoi's. But, it really smells so good. Eh? The smell disappeared?"
The sudden disappearance of the aroma made everyone pause. The kitchen went silent, as if the chef had put a lid on the world.
Then, the curtain parted.
Ren pushed out a dining cart. He saw their excited, hungry expressions and shook his head with a smile.
"Ah, youth! So much energy," he chuckled.
He looked at Minami.
"Minami, your dish still needs to simmer for a bit to let the flavors meld. As for your two dishes," he nodded to Aoi and Yuki, "the steps are simpler, so there's no need to rush. Have some drinks first, okay?"
The three nodded vigorously, their faces full of anticipation as they looked at the brightly colored drinks in Ren's hands.
They were also eager to try what a drink with cactus would taste like. Ren had promised a unique texture, and their curiosity was piqued.
After setting down the drinks for the guests, Ren walked over to Lucifer and Cerberus.
He patted Cerberus's head. "Just be patient. Dinner will be ready soon. Don't eat the table."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
Then, Ren turned to Lucifer. He paused, looking her up and down. His silver eyes swept over her sharp suit, the crisp collar, and the authoritative silhouette.
"So, Lucifer, you... Eh? Why are you wearing formal attire? Are you going to a meeting?"
Lucifer propped her face up with one hand, feigning calmness, though her heart was beating a little faster. She tried to look bored.
"I just felt like wearing it. Is it... is it strange?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent.
Ren smiled. He reached out and pinched Lucifer's cheek, looking at the little Queen's tsundere expression.
"Of course not. This outfit suits you perfectly; it's very elegant. You look like a true CEO."
Lucifer felt a warmth spread through her chest. See? It worked! The internet didn't lie!
Just as Lucifer was about to speak, perhaps to make a witty retort or accept the compliment gracefully, she saw Ren lean in close.
His breath tickled her ear as he whispered, voice low and teasing, "Of course, while formal wear is good... a more virtuous appearance—like that apron earlier—is even more elegant. I quite liked the 'housewife' look."
Lucifer's face flushed a brilliant, violent shade of red. It felt like steam was about to shoot out of her ears.
She slapped Ren's arm—lightly, but with feeling.
"You…! Shut up!"
She turned her head away, ignoring him, her ears burning.
Ren shook his head with a satisfied smile and then returned to the kitchen, leaving the flustered demon to compose herself.
Cerberus lay on the table, looking up at Lucifer. Seeing Lucifer's face completely red, yet still biting her lip tightly to suppress a smile, Cerberus frowned in confusion.
Why is Lucifer angry and happy at the same time? she wondered. Indeed, it was the correct decision that no one in Hell listened to Lucifer. She's too complicated.
On the other side of the room, the tasting began.
Yoshikawa Yuki watched the colorful drink in front of her. It was a vibrant mix of greens and yellows, with small, translucent cubes floating in it.
She took a sip through a straw.
Freeze.
She picked up the cup, looked at it, and then excitedly exclaimed, "Aoi! Minami! This is so delicious! It's incredible!"
"Eh? It really is!"
Hinami Aoi was also surprised by the taste. To say that mixed fruit juice was incredibly delicious would usually be an overstatement, as no matter how good a pile of fruit could be, how delicious could it really get? It's just fruit.
But this juice truly amazed her.
The flesh of the cactus felt like aloe vera, but firmer; the sensation upon tasting was like sucking in natural jelly. There was a faint, refreshing astringency, but then it was carried away by the sweet and sour flavors of the other fruits in the juice—mango, pineapple, and lime. It left only a touch of an exquisite texture that elevated the juice's quality from a drink to a dessert.
"Is this really cactus? It's so tasty, smooth and elastic, just like jelly!" Aoi marveled, poking the cubes with her straw.
Nanami Minami also nodded, chewing on a piece of aloe. "Exactly! I'm suddenly curious what avocado and aloe vera taste like together! Ren-san is a genius!"
"Eh? There's a way to eat them like that?"
Lucifer glanced at the three chattering girls and just smiled without speaking. Though she tried to hide it, the pride in her eyes was undeniable. That's my chef, her expression seemed to say.
Just as they were happily drinking their beverages, a new aroma drifted from the kitchen.
It wasn't the savory meat smell from before. It was richer. Creamier.
Hinami Aoi, a seasoned cheese and dairy enthusiast, immediately recognized it. Her nose twitched.
"What a rich creamy scent! It's excellent cheese! Melted cheese!"
"Oh, wow... It's the first time I've seen Aoi this excited..." Yuki whispered, leaning away from her friend's intensity.
Hinami Aoi cleared her throat, trying to regain her cool composure but failing as she stared at the kitchen. "A little excited, but this aroma is really so rich! What is the Shopkeeper making? Why is the milky scent so strong? Wait... is that chili paste mixed in?!"
Just as everyone was still immersed in the rich milky aroma, a very fragrant, sweet, and spicy scent suddenly wafted out, mixing with the cheese. It was a combination that shouldn't work—dairy and spice—but smelled divine.
Everyone swallowed, knowing just from the smell what an enticing feast this was.
After about another twenty minutes, the kitchen curtain parted.
Ren emerged. This time, he was pushing a larger dining cart.
On the cart were a black clay pot sizzling with heat, a white ceramic pot emanating steam, and two covered dishes of unknown cuisine.
Ren at this moment was like a devil tempting mortals; every step he took made the guests swallow harder. On that dining cart was the feast that made their mouths water.
Step by step, he walked towards them.
This was the most agonizing and also the most saliva-inducing moment. A long wait can be tedious, but once you get infinitely close to something, your patience dwindles to nothing. It's a mental eagerness, but this eagerness is the most joyful and exciting feeling in the world... the anticipation of the first bite.
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