Chapter 137: The Morning After, The Painful Jaw, and The Forbidden Dish
As the chaotic energy of Harley Quinn faded into the dimensional void, the world outside began to wake. The transition was subtle at first—a shifting of shadows, a lightening of the bruised purple sky into a soft, pale lavender. Then, the sun crested the horizon, and the first true rays of morning light spilled into the Dimensional Restaurant.
The light didn't just illuminate; it transformed. It caught the dust motes dancing in the air, turning them into floating specks of gold. It warmed the wooden floorboards, releasing the faint, comforting scent of aged cedar and polish.
Upstairs, in one of the guest rooms reserved for those who stayed the night, the atmosphere was thick with the lazy, luxurious heaviness of deep sleep.
Underneath a duvet as soft as a cloud, Fuji Yumiko stirred.
She shifted slightly, her body protesting the movement after hours of utter stillness. Her long, dark hair was fanned out across the white pillow like spilled ink. Slowly, her eyelashes fluttered.
She opened her eyes.
The ceiling was unfamiliar for a split second before memory rushed back. The restaurant. The late-night conversation. The safety.
"Mmm~"
A low, satisfied hum vibrated in her throat. She stretched her arms above her head, her spine arching like a cat basking in a sunbeam. Her joints popped satisfyingly, releasing the tension of weeks of accumulated stress.
"That was..." she whispered to the empty room, her voice husky with sleep. "That was really the most comfortable sleep I've had in years."
Being a fortune teller—a Witch of the Fuji family—was exhausting work. Reading fortunes, dealing with the anxieties of others, managing the complex dynamics of her brothers... it all took a toll. But here, in this space between worlds, the noise in her head had finally gone quiet.
"It seems it's because you've been too tired recently, Yumiko."
The gentle, familiar voice came from the doorway.
Yumiko jumped slightly, clutching the sheet to her chest, before relaxing instantly as she recognized the speaker. She turned her head.
Ren stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. The morning light backlit him, giving him a soft, halo-like glow. He had removed his chef's coat, wearing a simple, comfortable shirt that somehow made him look even more domestic and approachable.
Yumiko smiled, a genuine, unguarded expression that she rarely showed to her clients. She stretched her legs under the covers and patted the empty space beside her.
"Why did you come up?" she asked, her tone playful. "Did you miss me?"
"To wake you up for breakfast," Ren replied, pushing off the doorframe and walking over. The floorboards didn't creak under his steps; he moved with that characteristic silent grace. "I specially prepared some stomach-warming porridge for you. Scallop and Ginger. If you get up now, you should be able to drink it just in time, while the texture is perfect."
He sat down on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight, shifting Yumiko slightly closer to him.
Ren looked down at her. Her hair was messy, her cheeks flushed with sleep, and her eyes were soft.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I haven't seen you make that expression in a long time. You look... unguarded."
Yumiko didn't answer immediately. Instead, she shifted, wrapping her arms around his arm and resting her head on his shoulder. She could smell the faint scent of the kitchen on him—rice, ginger, and something clean like soap. It was a grounding scent.
"I was just thinking," Yumiko sighed, closing her eyes. "Now... these girls should finally make up their minds. Rindou, Kirari, even that terrifying General... they are circling closer. If I wait any longer, I might really miss out."
She felt Ren's chest rumble as he chuckled.
"I won't comment on that," Ren said, his voice low and vibrating through her. "After all, making up one's mind isn't an easy thing. Especially for strong women like them. But... isn't Yumiko-san still not ready herself?"
Yumiko opened her eyes, looking at his profile. "I think everyone will make up their minds soon. At least Kirari and Rindou. Those two girls are predators; they should be the quickest to decide. I guess the only thing that makes them feel a little at ease—and allows them to hesitate—is that they know you're not a vegetarian."
She poked his side.
"They know you won't reject them outright. But even if they do make up their minds, they probably won't say it out loud. Pride is a difficult thing."
Ren shook his head slowly. He turned to face her fully, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
"For this kind of thing, Yumiko... if you make up your mind, I will be proactive. Just like I can tell that you, right now, are not quite ready yet."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that sent shivers down her spine.
"Carnivores can smell hesitation. I can smell it on you."
Yumiko's breath hitched. She stared at him, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. This man... usually so gentle, so accommodating... sometimes he revealed a dominance that caught her completely off guard.
"Alright! Alright!" Yumiko laughed nervously, pushing him lightly. "I get it! Get up! Breakfast! Do you have any plans today?"
Ren stood up, smoothing his pants. "I'm planning to make chocolates today. Nama Chocolate. Do you want to join? We can make some extra to take to Shusuke and Yuta, too."
Yumiko's expression softened at the mention of her brothers. "Okay. You really do take good care of Shusuke and Yuta. Sometimes I think you like them more than me."
"After all," Ren winked, walking toward the door. "They are my future brothers-in-law."
"I haven't decided yet!" Yumiko shouted after him, her face burning fifty shades of red.
Ren paused at the door. He looked back over his shoulder, a playful, wolfish grin on his face.
"Do you think giving you time to prepare means I'll let you go?"
The air in the room seemed to thicken. Yumiko stared at him, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"Why..." she whispered, clutching the sheets. "Why didn't I notice you had such a strong side before?"
"Yumiko," Ren said softy. "There is still a lot you haven't discovered. Hurry up and wash up. We're waiting for you downstairs. Cerberus is already whining for food."
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Ren stopped. He heard the rustle of fabric. He turned back.
Fuji Yumiko was sitting up, her arms open wide towards him. Her hesitation was gone, replaced by a warm, inviting glow.
"Even if others are prepared," she murmured, her eyes dark and alluring. "I won't lose to those little girls. Come here. I need a recharge before I face the day."
Ren smiled—a genuine, affectionate smile—and walked back to the bed.
Ten minutes later, Ren walked down the wooden staircase, looking unruffled but with a slightly brighter mood.
The first floor of the restaurant was bathed in sunlight. At one of the tables, Lucifer sat with perfect posture, her silver hair shimmering in the light. She was tapping furiously on her smartphone, her expression a mix of annoyance and concentration.
She looked up as Ren approached, narrowing her crimson eyes.
"Why are you so slow?" Lucifer huffed, putting her phone down. "Is Yumiko still in bed? Did she dissolve into the sheets?"
"Perhaps she's been too tired from working overtime recently," Ren replied smoothly, walking behind the counter to check on the porridge pot. "She's already up. She'll be down in a minute."
Lucifer didn't think much of it. She just nodded and picked her phone back up. During the day, when the shop was closed to the general public, Lucifer reverted to her usual self—tsundere, slightly haughty, but comfortable.
At the next table, Cerberus sat.
The triplets had merged back into a single body, though she still radiated enough chaotic energy for three people. She was currently gnawing on a piece of high-grade dried beef jerky Ren had made earlier.
"Cerberus," Ren commented, leaning on the counter. "You know, seeing you split apart earlier... you three really are exactly alike."
Cerberus stopped chewing. Her white ears twitched violently.
"Not alike! Not alike! Not alike!" she chanted, shaking her head so fast her hair became a blur. "Although we like the same things and dislike the same baths, our personalities are different!"
"I remember one of them was quite devious," Lucifer chimed in, not looking up from her screen. "The one on the left. She stole my pudding once."
"No, no, no!" Cerberus denied it instantly, though her eyes darted around the room guiltily.
Ren chuckled. "Actually, I think it's the one who looks very quiet. The middle one. The quiet ones are always the masterminds."
Cerberus froze. She held a piece of beef halfway to her mouth. She hesitated, looked at Ren, looked at the beef, and finally nodded slowly.
"I see," Ren mused. "If that's the case, Cerberus should have quite a few personalities. I suddenly want to see what a mischievous Cerberus looks like."
Cerberus's ears flattened. She wanted to say something, to defend her honor, but the taste of the savory, spicy beef jerky was too distracting. She decided to remain silent and continue eating obediently. However, the way her eyes darted back and forth suggested she was plotting something—or perhaps just wondering if there was more beef.
Step. Step. Step.
Light footsteps echoed on the stairs.
Fuji Yumiko descended. She looked refreshed, her skin glowing, wearing a simple but elegant casual outfit.
"Yumiko! Yumiko! Yumiko!" Cerberus shouted, waving the jerky like a flag. "Good morning!"
"Good morning, Cerberus," Yumiko smiled, walking over to the table. "And good morning, Lucifer."
"Morning," Lucifer replied curtly, typing a final message.
Yumiko sat down next to Lucifer. "Are you chatting with someone? The new addition, Esdeath?"
"It's Rindou," Lucifer sighed, rubbing her temples. "She's annoying."
"Rindou?" Yumiko laughed softly. "It seems Rindou was serious about wanting to learn cooking. It looks like you successfully stimulated her competitive side, didn't you?"
"Whether she's stimulated or not," Lucifer grumbled. "She'll have to make a decision eventually. Though it looks like she's planning to."
Lucifer paused. She turned her head, looking at Yumiko closely.
"Yumiko," Lucifer narrowed her eyes. "Why are you constantly rubbing your chin?"
Yumiko froze. Her hand was indeed massaging her jawline, near the joint.
"Eh?" Yumiko blinked, her face flushing a deep crimson. "Oh... this? It must be... because I chewed too hard last night. Yes. I chewed something... tough. My chin feels a bit sore now."
Ren, who was ladling porridge into bowls nearby, coughed loudly to cover a laugh.
Lucifer nodded sympathetically, completely missing the subtext.
"Hmm. That certainly sounds uncomfortable," Lucifer agreed. "I felt my jaw ache after eating that tough dried beef yesterday. Moving it around a bit should help. Like this."
She demonstrated a jaw stretch.
Yumiko turned even redder. "Y-Yes. I'll... I'll try that."
Desperate to change the subject, Yumiko turned to Ren. "I heard we're making chocolates today?"
"CHOCOLATES?!"
The scream came from Cerberus.
The Hellhound dropped her beef jerky. Her eyes went wide with sheer terror. She looked like she had just seen a vacuum cleaner.
"No chocolates! No chocolates! No chocolates!"
For Cerberus, chocolate was the ultimate enemy. Not only was it poisonous to dogs (and dog-demons), but it caused her immense stomach pain.
"Relax," Lucifer rolled her eyes. "It's not for you to eat. It's just for you to help make them. If you help, we can make more. Think of it as manual labor."
Cerberus let out a long, shuddering breath. "Oh. Labor. Okay. Labor is fine. Eating is death."
She picked up her beef jerky and resumed chewing aggressively, seeking comfort in the savory meat.
Yumiko watched her with a mix of amusement and pity. "Cerberus seems very resistant to eating chocolate. Is it just the taste?"
"Because it makes my stomach hurt..." Cerberus whispered, clutching her tummy. "Very much. Like fire."
"Is it a stomach problem?" Yumiko asked Ren concernedly.
"No," Lucifer shook her head before Ren could answer. "It's probably just that she simply can't eat it. It's a biological incompatibility. Can't be cured."
Yumiko nodded. "Poor Cerberus. Missing out on such a joy."
She reached out and patted Cerberus's head.
"Then just help us today," Yumiko said kindly. "And later, I'll have Ren make something delicious for you. Something special. Something you've definitely never eaten before."
She paused for dramatic effect.
"And I bet even Lucifer has never eaten it."
Cerberus's ears twitched. She sat up straight, drool instantly pooling in her mouth. "Meat?"
Lucifer tilted her head. "Eh? That's suddenly very mysterious. I've eaten everywhere, Yumiko. What could Ren possibly make that I haven't tried?"
Yumiko smiled, glancing at Ren who was bringing the porridge over.
"Of course you haven't," Yumiko said confidently. "Because Ren has only made that dish once."
"EH?!"
Lucifer and Cerberus gasped in perfect unison.
They looked at Ren with wide eyes. A dish Ren made only once? In the history of the restaurant? That wasn't just food; that was a legendary artifact.
Ren smiled enigmatically, placing the steaming bowl of scallop porridge in front of Yumiko.
"Ah," Ren murmured. "That dish."
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