Chapter 258: Ren's Little Joke, Lucifer's Reward
When Ren emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of late-night snacks and drinks, Tony and Potts were still locked in a playful but determined battle over the last of the garlic oysters.
So much for gentlemanly conduct. Even a gentleman had to satisfy his appetite.
After setting the food down, Ren slid into the seat next to Lucifer. He watched the bickering pair with a faint smile. "Looks like things are about to get interesting."
Kasugano Sora eagerly reached for the glass of cola on the table. Tiny bubbles fizzed and popped as they raced to the surface. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the ice cubes clinking at the bottom of the glass, her expression one of pure, unadulterated excitement. To think she could one day be drinking soda this late at night in Ren's restaurant—it felt like a dream.
"Hoo... ah..." she sighed in contentment after a long sip. "Iced cola really is the best... I never thought I'd get to drink soda at Brother Ren's place. I'm so happy..."
Ren shot her a fond, exasperated look. This child truly found her happiness in the simplest of things.
Lucifer gave Ren's arm a gentle tug, her curiosity piqued. "Ren, you said things with Potts and Tony were going to get interesting. What did you mean?"
A rare, mischievous glint appeared in Ren's eyes. "The garlic oysters I made for them... I served an odd number."
"An odd number? What does that have to do with anything?"
Seeing Lucifer's confusion, Kasugano Sora, who was hugging her iced cola and sipping happily through a straw, stated the obvious. "Because if it's an odd number, there has to be one left over at the end. And looking at those two..."
Lucifer's eyes widened in understanding, and she gently patted Ren's arm. A grin spread across her face. "You can be so mischievous sometimes. I'm starting to think you're the real demon here."
Ren paused, considering her words for a moment. "Sometimes, humans can be more like demons than demons themselves. Right, Lucifer?"
The lighthearted mood instantly vanished. Lucifer's expression darkened at the sudden reminder of her past. "Thinking about it just makes me angry! Those bastards... they should all go to hell!"
Ren reached over and gently stroked her head, his voice soft and soothing. "Alright, now. You can't kill everyone like that. The best we can do is prevent those kinds of situations from happening to the people around us. The human race... from the very beginning, it's had a sapling grown from evil thoughts. A single one of those thoughts can grow into a towering tree."
Lucifer let out a slow breath, her anger subsiding under his touch. "Eh? Hearing you say that makes me think of those evil trees from stories, but it feels... a bit different. Wait..." She blinked, shaking her head as if to clear it. "Why did I suddenly start talking about such a serious topic with you? What did you put in this crepe?"
Ren simply smiled at her. This little queen always managed to surprise him with these unexpectedly cute moments. He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Macadamia nuts. I remember you seem to like them, right?"
"Hmph! You're quite observant," she said, trying to regain her composure. "As a reward, you can accompany me to the sea when we go catch Pokémon!"
"Eh? Are you sure that's a reward for me?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.
A faint blush crept up Lucifer's cheeks, and she lowered her voice to a near-whisper. "Didn't you... want to see that angel outfit? I'll... I'll change into it... But! Just once! It's not like I enjoy wearing those clothes!"
An image flashed through Ren's mind, and a knowing smile touched his lips.
Lucifer didn't say another word, her face still burning as she focused intently on her chocolate crepe. But halfway through, a sudden realization struck her: the chocolate crepe was her signature dish! A small, secret wave of happiness washed over her, and the crepe, which was already delicious, now tasted even more divine.
Ren was well-accustomed to Lucifer's sudden mood swings and tsundere antics, but Kasugano Sora watched the exchange with wide, fascinated eyes.
"Tony! You... Huh?"
Potts was just about to spear the final, coveted garlic oyster when she saw Tony deftly snatch it from the plate. But before she could finish her protest, she watched him place it gently onto her own plate.
Tony leaned back with a self-satisfied smile. "See, Pepper? This is why I say you don't understand how to live."
Seeing his gesture, a warm, contented smile spread across Potts's face. She replied playfully, "You know, I especially hate it when you're the one telling me I don't know how to live, considering I'm responsible for keeping your life in one piece."
Tony waved a dismissive hand. "No, no, no. My point is, Pepper, you don't know how to enjoy life. Take this dinner, for example. At this stage of the meal, one should always save room for champagne and dessert."
Potts froze. She knew, of course, that Tony was giving her the last oyster on purpose. But for some reason, listening to his grand pronouncement, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had somehow lost... and lost badly.
Tony poured himself a glass of champagne, took a long, appreciative sip, and turned to Ren. "I have to say, Ren, your cooking is truly worth a sky-high price. I was so engrossed I completely forgot the champagne even existed."
Ren smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, Tony. But it's not too late to enjoy it now. Besides, didn't you also order dessert? Speaking of which, have you managed to analyze anything?"
"What?"
"This interdimensional power."
Tony shook his head, a flicker of frustration in his eyes. "Nothing. I can't scan it at all. I don't know if it's because Jarvis's architecture is too low-level or what. He just keeps telling me, 'Everything is normal.' I can't even believe it myself!"
Potts asked, a little surprised, "Jarvis actually said that?"
Tony nodded grimly. "Yes. He even had the gall to joke with me, 'Sir, you just stepped through a door.' I feel like my IQ has been personally insulted!"
Potts smiled gently. "While that's certainly a first, it makes sense. Since this place can accommodate Jarvis's existence without issue, it's likely that the restaurant itself is simply beyond his ability to analyze. Like... different dimensions."
"Hmm? Maybe you're right," Tony mused, stroking his chin. "A lower dimension can never comprehend what happens in a higher one. But in that sense, Ren's place here would have to be considered a higher dimension... No... it might be beyond the very concept of dimensions. No wonder Jarvis is short-circuiting."
Kasugano Sora looked back and forth between them, her expression a mask of confusion. She didn't understand a single thing about dimensions or other worlds. The only term she recognized was 'Jarvis,' which she knew was the name of a very powerful robot.
Tony's expression brightened again. "But say, Ren, you have slightly fewer customers here tonight. Don't people from other worlds eat late-night snacks?"
Ren shook his head. "I wouldn't know. But even if it's late-night snack time for us, it might still be daytime in some of their worlds. After all, time flows differently everywhere."
Tony nodded, impressed. "That makes a lot of sense. Still, it's incredible that you can adjust the time so that it's always night for everyone who comes here."
"Maybe," Ren said with a slight shrug, "it's just because this is a night restaurant."
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