"I wish I could meet Heracles one more time."
After a long silence, Illya finally spoke.
The sadness that had clouded her face was already gone.
Not a trace of the turmoil in her heart remained visible.
Instead, she rested her cheeks in her hands and smiled faintly, hope shining in her eyes like a child waiting for a present during a festival.
She really was still a child.
Yet after seeing the expression she had worn moments earlier, Yuto found it difficult to think of her as merely young and innocent.
That sadness had felt far too mature.
What ordinary child could look like that?
"You'll have another chance," Yuto assured her gently. "A pretty good one, actually. If you'd arrived a little earlier tonight, you might have met him."
Illya's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Her surprise quickly turned into frustration.
If she had not been caught up in that battle, she could have seen Heracles again.
"You're very attached to him, aren't you?"
Illya nodded without the slightest embarrassment.
"Mm!"
She offered no explanation, only that one firm answer.
Yuto did not ask her to explain. He simply smiled.
Illya glanced toward Berserker.
She already knew that he and Heracles were the same person. That was exactly why she wanted to meet Heracles again.
Perhaps part of it was simple curiosity, but there was also a deeper need behind it.
She wanted to know more about Berserker—not from books or old legends, but from the man himself.
Unfortunately, the Berserker standing beside her could not speak.
Yet fate had somehow given her the chance to meet another version of him.
In a way, perhaps that was a small gift meant to make up for what she had lost.
"By the way, Illya, there's something I'd like to ask you."
She tilted her head, looking especially adorable.
"Could you tell me what it is first, Boss?"
Her cautious tone made Yuto smile.
"Several friends and I would like to visit your world—"
"Eh?! My world?" Illya cried before he could finish. "Are you serious, Boss? Can people really travel between worlds?!"
"Yes. We only need permission from someone who belongs to the world we want to visit."
The shock in Illya's eyes gradually turned into understanding, though her curiosity only grew stronger.
"Then can I visit other worlds too? How many people can go at once? Can Berserker come with me?"
She fired off one question after another, completely forgetting that she had yet to answer Yuto's original request.
"Yes, you can visit other worlds. A large group can travel together, as long as someone from the destination agrees to let them in."
Yuto answered each question patiently.
Illya became more excited with every reply.
It was obvious that the idea of exploring other worlds appealed to her enormously.
"Illya, you still haven't answered my question."
Only then did she realize what had happened.
She scratched her head and gave him an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, Boss. I got a little too excited."
"It's fine."
Illya quickly composed herself.
An elegant smile returned to her face, and the refined bearing of an Einzbern noblewoman appeared almost instantly.
"If you and your friends visit my world, Boss, I'll make sure you're properly welcomed. The Einzbern family will receive you and your companions with the highest honors."
Although she remained seated, Illya performed a formal bow, lifting the sides of her skirt with both hands as she leaned forward.
Every movement was flawless.
For a moment, she looked every bit the daughter of a great noble family.
"Thank you."
Yuto smiled, relieved by how easily she had agreed. He had not expected the conversation to go so smoothly.
"When are you planning to come?"
"Probably tomorrow night. Would that be all right?"
He doubted Gilgamesh would be willing to wait much longer, so there was little reason to delay.
"Then... is there anything I need to do for the trip?"
Illya looked at him with quiet anticipation. Something as extraordinary as traveling between worlds naturally made her curious about every detail.
"You don't need to do anything. Giving us permission is already more than enough."
Illya nodded thoughtfully.
A moment later, hope returned to her face.
"Does that mean Heracles could come too?"
"I can't promise that."
"If you happen to see him again, could you invite him for me? If you don't, then it can't be helped."
"All right."
Illya smiled, her eyes already shining with anticipation for the next evening.
Yuto had made no promise that Heracles would be there, but she was willing to hope.
...
Not long after Illya left, Tohru returned.
She had safely delivered Erina and Hisako to Tōtsuki, and the moment she stepped through the door, she immediately demanded a reward.
Yuto helplessly rubbed her head.
The treatment was little different from petting an animal, yet it worked perfectly.
Even after he withdrew his hand, Tohru still looked as though she wanted more.
That only strengthened a suspicion he had entertained before.
Perhaps he really was raising a pet.
"By the way, Tohru, do you know any way to ease mental fatigue? Something that could help a person stay alert after being awake all night?"
Concern immediately appeared on her face.
"Are you tired, Boss? I can give you a massage!"
She looked both worried and strangely eager.
Yuto lightly tapped her on the head.
"What makes you think I'm tired? And where did you even learn about massages?"
Tohru scratched her head sheepishly.
"I saw them on television. The people there said massages help you relax."
"But you don't know how to give one."
A faint blush appeared on her face.
"If you were tired, Boss, I could use magic instead."
She had clearly changed the subject to save herself from further embarrassment.
"It isn't for me. It's for Nakiri and Arato. They're ordinary humans, so they can't keep staying awake all night at the restaurant."
Only then did Tohru understand.
The tension immediately left her body, and a faint smile returned to her face.
"If it's for those two, there's a potion in my world that might help. Humans created it to strengthen the mind and improve concentration."
"Once their mental stamina improves, they won't tire as easily. Humans usually use it when they need to study or work for long periods."
"If you need some, Boss, I can bring it here."
Her relationship with Erina and Hisako had improved considerably, but her concern for them still could not compare with what she felt for Yuto.
As for using magic personally to ease someone's exhaustion, that privilege remained reserved for him alone.
"Would it be difficult to get?"
Yuto looked at her hopefully.
He was interested in the potion, but he did not want to inconvenience her.
"Not at all! We have plenty at home. I used to play with those potions when I was younger. Human kingdoms consider them valuable, but they're completely useless to dragons."
Yuto's eyes lit up.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Leave it to me! I'll go get some right now."
Tohru immediately hurried out again, this time heading back to her own world.
She rarely spoke about missing home, but the excitement in her movements made it clear that she was pleased to have an excuse to visit.
After she left, Yuto began tidying the counter.
Partway through, he looked up and noticed the three people still playing games at a distant table.
He froze.
They had been silent for so long that he had completely forgotten they were still there.
Yuto shook his head helplessly.
They might not be doing anything remotely useful for the restaurant, but at least they were quiet.
He decided to leave them alone.
After finishing a few minor chores, Yuto sat behind the counter and reflected on everything that had happened recently.
More and more customers were visiting the restaurant, and each passing day felt livelier than the last.
He had made countless new friends and traveled through several different worlds.
He had witnessed strange and impossible things, each of them becoming a memory he would never forget.
To Yuto, those experiences were beyond price.
No treasure could compare with them.
He had thought the same thing many times before, but he still could not stop himself from thinking it again.
Being reborn and finding this restaurant had truly been wonderful.
Slide—
The restaurant door suddenly opened with unusual urgency.
Yuto raised his head.
A devil girl stood in the entrance, her long crimson hair flowing behind her like blood and fire.
Rias.
She was as breathtakingly beautiful as ever, with a natural allure that would have captivated almost any man.
Her expression, however, did not match her beauty.
Her delicate features were tense, and she looked as though something terrifying were chasing her.
Yuto was about to ask what had happened when Rias hurried straight to the counter.
She stared into his eyes with a mixture of desperation and hope. Her ruby-red gaze was so striking that he momentarily lost himself in it.
In her frightened state, those eyes looked like jewels beneath clear autumn water, stirring an instinctive desire to protect her.
"Boss, please let me hide here!"
Her voice was fragile and pleading.
Yuto frowned in confusion.
Before he could ask why, the door opened again.
This time, an exceptionally beautiful silver-haired maid stepped inside.
She was tall, with a cold, refined face and an air of icy elegance. Even beside Rias, her beauty was in no way overshadowed.
A brief flash of surprise appeared in her eyes when she saw the restaurant.
Then her expression hardened as her gaze settled on Rias.
"Rias, come home with me."
Her voice was cold and firm.