Chapter 109: Lucifer's Strange Online Guide
Inside the Dimensional Restaurant, the early morning sunlight filtered through the wooden slats of the windows, casting long, golden bars across the polished countertop. Dust motes danced in the beams, swirling around the aroma of savory broth that still hung heavy and comforting in the air.
Three girls sat at the counter, their postures varying degrees of defeated satisfaction. They had eaten without restraint, completely immersing themselves in the world of delicious food.
Ren sat a little further down the counter beside Lucifer. A thick book rested open in his hands, the pages turning with a soft, rhythmic rustle. Beside him, Lucifer was curled up on her stool, tapping away on her smartphone. Occasionally, she would pause, her crimson eyes darting up to steal a glance at Ren's side profile before quickly returning to her screen, her fingers moving with renewed, almost frantic, vigor.
"Hoo-ah~"
A long, satisfied exhale broke the silence.
Nanami Minami placed her chopsticks down on the empty bowl, not a single grain of rice remaining. Next to her, Yoshikawa Yuki finally finished her last sip of the rich, flavorful noodle soup.
"So delicious…" Yuki groaned, slumping back into her chair. She rubbed her stomach, which was slightly distended under her loose sweater. "I feel like I've ascended. My soul is leaving my body, Minami."
Hinami Aoi, ever the picture of perfection even after a heavy meal, dabbed her mouth elegantly with a napkin. She offered a bright, genuine smile that reached her eyes.
"Yes, it's truly delicious," Aoi agreed, her voice filled with admiration. "I feel like I'll become a regular customer now. The depth of flavor in such a simple dish… it's incredible. It's a pity it's primarily a night restaurant; I don't get many chances to come during the day due to student council duties."
Ren didn't look up from his book, but his voice drifted over, soft and philosophical.
"The true function of a restaurant isn't just to provide calories," he said, turning a page. "It is to bring you the taste you most desire when you suddenly remember a certain flavor one day. To be there when that craving strikes. That's the soul of a restaurant. No matter how famous the place, people don't go there every single hour of every day, do they? Absence makes the flavor grow fonder."
Hinami Aoi nodded thoughtfully, absorbing his words. "That's a very poetic way to look at it, Shopkeeper Ren."
She opened her mouth to continue the conversation, perhaps to ask about his culinary training, when a sudden, sharp shriek cut through the tranquil atmosphere.
"Ah!!"
The noise was so sudden that Cerberus, who was happily munching on a plate of meatballs in the corner, jumped. All three pairs of dog ears on her three heads twitched violently in sync.
Nanami Minami jumped, clutching her chest. She exhaled a couple of frantic breaths, looking at her friend. "Yuki! You scared me to death! Why did you suddenly shout like that?"
Yoshikawa Yuki was staring at her phone screen, her face pale with horror. She turned the screen towards them, her hand trembling.
"Only forty minutes left! The queue tickets!"
"Eh?!"
The reaction was instantaneous. Nanami Minami and Hinami Aoi gasped in perfect, terrified unison. The realization hit them like a physical blow—the limited edition accessory drop in Shibuya!
"We're going to miss it!" Minami shrieked, grabbing her bag.
Panic ensued. It was a whirlwind of movement as the three girls scrambled to gather their belongings. They hastily pulled out their wallets, slamming down a pile of cash on the counter that made Hinami Aoi wince slightly at the total, though Yuki didn't even blink.
"We'll come again! Thank you, Shopkeeper Ren!"
"Run! Run!"
With the sound of thundering loafers, the three high school girls dashed out of the shop, their bags swinging wildly as they disappeared down the street, chasing the fleeting dream of exclusive fashion.
The restaurant fell silent again, save for the soft chiming of the windbell at the door.
Cerberus, the three-in-one demon girl, tilted her heads in confusion. She looked at the empty doorway, then back at Ren.
"Eh? Minami and the others look so anxious," the center Cerberus commented, licking sauce from her thumb. "Humans are so strange. Master! Master! Master! When are we eating~?"
Ren finally closed his book and stood up, stretching his stiff shoulders. He smiled at the gluttonous puppy. "It should be ready now~ Cerberus, can you still eat? You've been snacking all morning."
Cerberus paused. The three girls looked down at the plate in front of them. It was empty, save for a smear of sauce.
"Eh? Where are the meatballs?" The left Cerberus blinked. "That's strange… I saw so many just now…"
"Did they run away?" The right Cerberus asked seriously.
Lucifer rolled her eyes from her perch on the stool. "You haven't stopped eating since we opened your eyes, so how could there be any left? You three represent Gluttony better than Beelzebub sometimes. Don't you feel full?"
Cerberus shook her heads vigorously, her ponytails swaying. "No, I don't! Master's cooking is super delicious! These little things called meatballs are also so tasty! One bite each! And I don't feel like I've eaten them at all! My stomach is a bottomless abyss for Master's food!"
Ren walked over and pinched the soft cheek of the center Cerberus, causing her to whine playfully.
"You glutton," he teased gently. "Breakfast is almost ready. Don't eat the remaining meatballs for now; put them aside. Anyway, meatballs can be eaten cold later as a snack."
"Mhm! Mhm! Mhm!"
The three heads nodded in rapid succession, tails wagging so hard they created a small breeze. The promise of a proper breakfast made Cerberus's eyes sparkle with predatory delight. She looked at Ren, her mouth opening to perhaps bark out a happy sound in the infernal tongue, when a commotion outside drew everyone's attention.
"Idiot Erina! Walk slower! My heels!"
"Alice! Hurry up! What are you dawdling for?! We are already late!"
"We're almost there, aren't we? Don't be so anxious. Look how calm Rindou-nee is. But Rindou-nee, why are you so calm~?"
"Hahaha! Is it strange for me to be calm? I'm just hungry!"
The voices grew louder, distinct and familiar. A moment later, the wooden door was shoved open with gusto.
Kobayashi Rindou stood there, grinning like a Cheshire cat. She propped the door open with her hip and shouted inside, her voice booming with energy.
"Ren! I'm here! Feed me!"
Ren emerged from the kitchen, carrying a large clay pot with steam rising from the vent hole. He placed it on the center table, the ceramic clinking softly against the wood.
"You came so early," Ren said with a welcoming smile. "Have you had breakfast?"
"I have, about three hours ago," Rindou laughed, walking in and throwing her coat onto a rack. "But I can still eat more~ Especially if it's your cooking."
Ren chuckled. "I expected as much. Come and sit down. Let's push the two tables together so we can fit everyone. It'll be livelier that way. Erina, Alice, Hisako, you all should eat some too."
Nakiri Erina stood in the doorway, looking flustered but trying to maintain her dignity. She smoothed her skirt. "I… well, I have already eaten a nutritious breakfast, but…"
Her nose twitched. The aroma wafting from the clay pot was subtle but penetrating—the scent of high-quality rice simmered for hours, mingling with fresh ginger and savory chicken stock. It was the smell of comfort.
She swallowed audibly. "...I suppose it would be rude to refuse the host's hospitality."
She sat down with practiced elegance.
Beside her, Nakiri Alice was unusually quiet. The silver-haired beauty looked at Ren, then quickly looked away. She fell into an eerie silence, her cheeks dusting with a vibrant shade of pink.
She fidgeted with a lock of her hair, stealing glances at him. Finally, she mustered the courage to speak.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Ren…" Alice murmured, her voice lacking its usual teasing lilt. "And… um… I'm sorry for dirtying your clothes last night…"
Ren waved his hand dismissively as he began ladling the hot congee into smaller bowls.
"It's fine, Alice. Don't worry about it," he said smoothly. "But I must say, your sleeping posture is quite cute. Just remember not to drink alcohol like water next time, okay? High-grade sake hits harder than you think."
Alice's face turned the color of a ripe tomato. She stared at Ren for a long moment, processing the mix of teasing and kindness. Slowly, she lowered her head, staring at her lap.
"I… I can only drink a little here with Shopkeeper Ren…" she whispered, more to herself than him. "Mom said that one's alcohol tolerance can be trained… I just wanted to show off…"
"That's true, but a slight buzz is enough," Ren advised, placing a steaming bowl in front of her. "Being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk loses the fun of drinking. It becomes just water consumption. Come, eat quickly. This Congee Hotpot will settle your stomach."
Alice looked at the bowl. The congee was silky white, garnished with thin slivers of green onion and century egg. It looked incredibly gentle. She looked up at Ren, lost in thought, her red eyes shimmering with a complicated emotion.
"Hey! Alice! Are you eating or what?"
Cerberus's voice cut through the moment. The demon girl was already on her second bowl, eating with gusto.
Alice snapped back to her senses. "Ah! Yes!"
She ran over and sat beside Erina, picking up her spoon. She took a bite, and the warmth spread through her chest, soothing the lingering headache from the previous night. It was simple, unpretentious, and utterly perfect.
The meal proceeded with the chaotic energy typical of the Totsuki group. It was a simple Congee Hotpot served with various side dishes—spicy kimchi, pickled radishes, and salted duck eggs.
Despite its simplicity, the group ate voraciously. The Congee was cooked until the rice grains had burst open, creating a creamy, thick texture that coated the tongue. The savory broth was rich with umami, and the crunch of the kimchi provided the perfect textural contrast.
"More! More!" Rindou cheered, holding out her bowl.
Ren had prepared thoroughly. He knew that when Rindou and Cerberus were in the same room, a normal pot wouldn't suffice. He had cooked a vat large enough to feed an army.
By the time the pot was scraped clean, the sun was fully up outside.
Cerberus stood by the door, putting on her shoes. She leaned against the frame, waving enthusiastically at Ren.
"Ren! Ren! Ren!" The three girls chorused. "Rindou and I are leaving! We're going to conquer the arcade!"
"Go ahead," Ren said, wiping down the table. "Have fun, and remember to come back early tonight. Otherwise, Erina and the others will get worried."
Erina stood up, adjusting her collar. "We will ensure she stays out of trouble. Since Sister Rindou insists on coming over tonight for dinner, Hisako and I will accompany her. We'll bring Cerberus back, so Shopkeeper Ren can rest assured."
Ren nodded warmly. "Okay. I'm very relieved leaving Cerberus with you all. Take care."
"Got it!"
The response came from the group in a cheerful, overlapping ensemble of voices. Rindou's loud laugh mixed with Erina's dignified confirmation and Cerberus's excited yips.
With a final wave, the group departed, their chatter fading as they walked down the street. Ren watched them go, a small smile on his face.
"I didn't expect to feel a bit unaccustomed to Cerberus suddenly leaving," Ren sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "It's suddenly so quiet."
A soft snort came from behind him.
"Aren't I still here?"
Ren turned around. Lucifer was sitting at the counter, her legs crossed, looking at him with a mix of haughtiness and expectancy.
Ren's smile widened. "Hmm. That makes sense. The Queen is still in her castle. So, little Queen, what should we do with this free morning?"
At this moment, only Ren and Lucifer were left in the Restaurant. The air shifted from chaotic energy to a more intimate, quiet tension.
Lucifer paused. She gripped her phone tighter, her knuckles turning white. A slight blush crept up her pale neck.
"You… you said you'd play games with me today…" she stammered, trying to sound demanding but failing. "I also want to meet that Albedo you mentioned…"
Ren walked over and sat next to her. He reached out and pinched her cheek, enjoying the soft texture.
"Don't worry," he reassured her. "Although Albedo is also very beautiful, she's an AI in the game, watching over the floor. She won't appear here in reality. There's no need to be jealous of a program."
(Somewhere in a digital void, Albedo: "I'm coming! Just you wait, Lord Ainz!")
Lucifer puffed out her cheeks, slapping his hand away gently. "I don't believe you! Men are all the same! Let's go, let's go~"
"Do what?"
"Play games!" Lucifer declared, jumping off the stool.
She walked towards the stairs leading to the living quarters, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at the guide open on her phone screen: 'The Ultimate Strategy to Capture His Heart: Gaming Edition.'
Step 1: Suggest a co-op game.
Step 2: Claim there is only one comfortable viewing spot.
Step 3: Sit on his lap.
Lucifer swallowed hard, feeling very nervous. 'Do I really have to play games in my partner's embrace… But… the guide says it increases bond points by 500%... And sitting on Ren's lap should be more comfortable than a hard wooden chair… Yes! I just don't want to sit on a chair! That's the only reason! I am the Queen of Hell; I deserve the best seat!'
(Lucifer's Inner Thoughts: Though… I feel like this guide written by 'SuccubusLover69' is a bit suspect…)
Ren watched Lucifer mumble to herself as she stomped up the stairs, her tail twitching with agitation. He smiled, shaking his head at her adorable antics.
He walked to the Restaurant door, flipped the sign to 'CLOSED', and locked the deadbolt with a heavy click.
"Well then," Ren whispered to the empty shop. "Time to face the boss level."
He turned and headed upstairs, following his little Queen.
[Akarin's Note: The "Albedo" mentioned refers to the Overseer of the Guardians from the anime Overlord. In this fic's timeline, YGGDRASIL is a game Ren plays.]
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