Chapter 287: Lighting a Lamp in the Long Dark Night
Just as Kasugano Sora finished speaking, the gentle chime of a bell announced the shop door swinging open. Every head in the room turned towards the entrance, where a young man with a warm, placid smile stood silhouetted against the evening light.
Seeing the newcomer, Lucifer's eyes widened slightly in recognition. She tilted her head, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Shusuke?"
Shusuke Fuji, dressed in the iconic blue and white sportswear of Seigaku Academy with a tennis racket bag slung over his shoulder, stepped inside. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene, before his smile deepened. "Sister Lucifer, Sister Cerberus, good evening."
Lucifer offered a small nod in return. She had met Shusuke Fuji a few times now and had formed a rather positive impression of him. It wasn't just that he was Yumiko's younger brother; his polite demeanor and the mature aura he carried were genuinely excellent.
"Eh?" Shusuke's gaze scanned the room. "Sister Lucifer, where is Big Brother Ren?"
Resting her chin on her palm, Lucifer answered with a casual wave of her other hand. "He went to deliver some takeout, I think. No idea who it's for. If you're here for something to eat, you'll have to wait a bit."
Shusuke shook his head, his smile unwavering. "Takeout… No, I didn't come to eat today. My sister told me that Big Brother Ren wanted me to pick up some chocolate. She said there was quite a lot to handle today…"
He naturally addressed Lucifer and Cerberus as his own sisters, partly due to their close, sisterly bond with Yumiko, but also because he found them to be remarkably gentle people.
Lucifer's expression cleared with understanding. She recalled the scent of melting cocoa that had filled the shop earlier. "Oh, that chocolate Ren was making. It should be ready by now, right? I have no idea how to handle it, though, so we'll have to wait for him to get back. Where's Yumiko?"
Shusuke set his tennis bag down and took a seat. "My sister should be getting off work soon," he said after a moment's thought. "She's been incredibly busy lately. She mentioned that all her work is being concentrated into this period so she can reward herself with a proper vacation later."
A grin touched Lucifer's lips. "Eh? So Yumiko has a side like that to her… But you mentioned takeout. Do you happen to know who Ren went to deliver it to?"
Shusuke nodded. "Mm, it should be for a girl named Sagiri… She has a background somewhat similar to Miss Kasugano Sora over there, but she's only in middle school."
Surprised, Kasugano Sora pointed a delicate finger at herself. "You know me?"
"I've heard my sister talk about you, and I've seen photos," Shusuke explained calmly. "In a certain sense, I suppose I should be calling you 'big sister'…"
"Eh?!" A collective gasp rippled through the room.
Lucifer chuckled at their reaction. "Although he doesn't look it, Shusuke is only a middle schooler. Sora is already in her first year of high school, isn't she? Calling you big sister is technically correct."
Kasugano Sora quickly waved her hands in front of her. "Just… just call me Sora… I don't think I can handle that…"
Shusuke simply nodded in agreement. It was a common misconception. Whether it was him, Tezuka, or Atobe, they were all still in middle school, yet they carried themselves like high schoolers. There was nothing to be done about it; their height, their bearing, and most, their maturity far exceeded that of their peers.
Lucifer tilted her head again, her thoughts returning to the previous topic. "The Sagiri you mentioned earlier is also…"
"That's right, for the same reason," Shusuke confirmed with a slightly more somber expression. "However, Sagiri's situation seems even more severe, and she's an extremely picky eater. I don't know the specifics, as Big Brother Ren was the one who told me about her. You can't really press for details on matters like that, can you?"
Everyone nodded in silent agreement. Such personal struggles were not something one could pry into. Kasugano Sora, however, found her interest piqued. A little girl who shared a similar experience with her, and a picky eater at that. She wondered if the girl was also a snack lover like herself. Perhaps they would get along quite well…
(A future Kasugano Sora: I regret everything!)
Just as the conversation was about to continue, the door opened once more, and Ren walked in. His eyes landed on their guest, and a warm smile spread across his face. "You're here. How was training today?"
"Not bad, it went smoothly," Shusuke replied. "It's just that Tezuka has been exceptionally diligent lately. It puts a lot of pressure on me…"
"Mm, that's Tezuka's style," Ren said, moving towards the kitchen. "Wait a moment, I'll get the chocolate for you. Yumiko can deliver it from there. Kirari was asking earlier when it would be ready."
It was true. When they had gone upstairs to move the furniture, Kirari and Ren had already finished their coffee. After drinking it, Kirari had seemed exceptionally pleased and had immediately inquired about the status of the chocolate.
A few minutes later, Shusuke Fuji was holding a large, carefully packed box. He leaned in, inhaling deeply. "Mmm," he murmured, his eyes closing for a moment. "As expected of Big Brother Ren. Such a rich, complex aroma. This should be absolutely delicious…"
"But you're a fan of spicy food," Ren teased. "I'm not sure if you even like sweets, though I do know you can't stand anything sour."
Shusuke just smiled, shouldering his tennis bag once more. He looked at Ren, his expression turning serious. "Big Brother Ren, we will definitely achieve good results."
"Then I'll be waiting for you and Tezuka to bring me the news that you've made it to the nationals," Ren replied, his voice full of confidence.
"But Big Brother Ren… if we encounter Rikkai Dai…"
Ren's smile tightened for a fraction of a second. "Those rascals… Never mind them. Just play a fair and square match. That's all you should be concerned with. And no matter what, they don't need you to overthink things on their behalf."
Shusuke nodded, understanding the unspoken message. He said his goodbyes to everyone and departed.
As the door closed, Ren mused aloud, a strange glint in his eye. "If that kid isn't there due to his illness and they still can't win, Tezuka would be quite disappointed, wouldn't he? And Tezuka being disappointed… that sounds rather interesting…"
When Ren turned his head, he realized everyone was staring at him. Courage broke the silence, asking with a confused look, "Ren, you really do play tennis, huh…"
"That's not the point!" Lucifer cut in, a little exasperated. "Ren, did you really go deliver food to that child named Sagiri?"
"How did you… Ah, Shusuke told you, right?" Ren chuckled. "Yes. If you want to know the details, I'll tell you all during dinner."
"What are we eating tonight?"
"Chanko Nabe," Ren announced. "Akemi, don't worry, this one won't make you fat. And if you're still concerned, you can just stick to the shrimp paste and vegetables."
Soryuin Akemi nodded, relieved, while Sakura Hibiki and the others looked on with eager anticipation. Chanko Nabe was famous, a hearty stew often associated with sumo wrestlers. It was less a traditional hot pot and more of a complete, simmering meal—steaming, fragrant, and incredibly nutritious.
That evening, Ayaka finally got to taste Ren's cooking and was effusive with her praise. It didn't matter what kind of hot pot it was, even a congee-base hot pot; what truly mattered was the atmosphere. A group of friends, chatting and laughing, scooping their favorite ingredients from the bubbling pot. The moment the food touched their tongues, the lively energy around them and the warmth spreading through their stomachs created a perfect sense of contentment.
During the meal, everyone learned more about Sagiri's situation. As Ren spoke, a quiet somberness settled over the table, and they all expressed their sympathy. But sad things had already happened, and dwelling on them was useless. It was better to turn the page and think of happier things.
As night fell, Ayaka and the others finished their dinner. Full and satisfied, they each enjoyed a few iced bayberries, a perfectly refreshing end to a wonderful meal. For Kasugano Sora, it was the first time she had ever experienced such a lively, communal dinner, and she found that it felt quite good.
It wasn't until Ayaka and the others had left that Kasugano Sora, hugging her rabbit doll tightly, stood looking at the now-empty doorway. She turned to Ren, who was clearing the table. "Big Brother Ren, what kind of guests will come tonight?"
"Are you looking forward to it?" Ren asked with a soft chuckle.
"Mhm…"
"I'm looking forward to it, too," he said, his voice gentle. "I wonder what kind of stories tonight's guests will bring…"
The neighboring street was already aglow with city lights, but their own lane had surrendered to the quiet dark. The only companion was a gentle night breeze that whispered through the alleys. Here, a single bright lamp was lit, a solitary beacon in the silent night, a warm invitation in a dim street, waiting for another traveler to stop and share their story.
And at that very moment, leaning against the door of a shop called "Sunflower Field," the "girl" who had been in a shallow sleep stirred, her fingers twitching slightly. The large door behind her had been lit for a long time. Inside, Clow Reed, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them, quietly waiting as a sliver of the moon began its gradual ascent into the sky.
Elsewhere, Hermione, who had been wrestling with a difficult problem for a long time, finally saw a path forward. A young man with a chiseled physique bit down on a dumbbell, pushing through another rep. A different girl sat in stillness, her eyes closed, quietly feeling the rise of the moon's power.
Night was silently arriving… and the story was just about to begin.
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