Chapter 297: Clow Reed's Return, Another Queen
Yuuka Kazami came to a firm conclusion: if she were to dine here in the future, she would have to avoid speaking to Ren at all costs. Otherwise, her carefully constructed composure might just shatter. She couldn't defeat him in a direct confrontation, yet his restaurant held a strange allure. More, she couldn't forget the taste of his cuisine. And so, with a small sacrifice of her dignity, she could only continue to come.
However, she was certain that as long as she remained resolute, she wouldn't fall under his control. In her mind, Ren was now categorized alongside a certain infuriating, gap-hopping crone from her world. At least Ren was far more pleasant to look at and, by any measure, a significant improvement over that old woman.
Sensing her decision, Ren ceased his attempts at conversation and returned to the book resting in his hands. Lucifer, meanwhile, continued her digital "treasure hunt," scrolling through Ren's online posts. She kept finding references to individuals and events she didn't recognize, yet Momobami Kirari or Yumiko Fuji somehow did. The entire situation was utterly ridiculous.
Time flowed onward, its passage a merciless yet vital proof of existence. This truth was especially poignant for Clow Reed, who stood in a quiet courtyard, listening to the delicate sweep of the hands on his pocket watch.
"Mmm... I'm getting a little sleepy. Big Brother Ren, I'm going to head up to bed now."
As the clock neared midnight, Kasugano Sora finally succumbed to her drowsiness. It couldn't be helped; the day's training had been more demanding than she was used to. Though her body had regained its health, her long period of inactivity meant that fatigue still caught up to her eventually.
After murmuring her goodnights, Kasugano Sora hugged her rabbit plushie tightly and padded up the stairs. Yuuka Kazami was momentarily taken aback when the quiet girl offered her a small, silent nod of acknowledgment before disappearing. The simple gesture left her blinking in surprise.
Yuuka said nothing, her attention returning to the door as she continued her vigil for otherworldly visitors. No matter what, she was determined to see if any other interesting guests would arrive tonight.
Click...
At the precise instant the hour, minute, and second hands of countless worlds aligned at the stroke of midnight, Ren's gaze lifted from his book and settled on the restaurant's entrance. The door remained dark, yet he felt an obvious certainty that it would illuminate in the very next moment.
In the courtyard, Clow Reed closed his fist, a soft whisper escaping his lips. "It is time... The central moment of midnight has arrived."
Beside him, a woman exhaled a final, fragrant wisp of smoke, setting her long kiseru pipe aside. She rose slowly, her movements a study in grace. A cascade of long, dark hair tumbled down her back like a silken waterfall, her tall, flawless figure cutting a stunning silhouette against the night.
The faint, knowing smile she had worn moments before vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "If you tell me now that this was all just a prank," she said, her voice low and smooth, "I won't say a word. But..."
Clow Reed adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He opened his eyes, their depths preternaturally calm as he met her gaze. "And what interest would I have in such a prank?" he asked softly. "Do you truly think I would find it amusing?"
Hearing this, the woman fell silent and simply stood by his side. Clow Reed turned his attention to the unassuming wooden door before them. He reached out, his hand hovering just above the surface. "It is time to go," he murmured.
In the next instant, the once-ordinary door blazed with a gentle, welcoming light. The woman's brow furrowed slightly. She could feel it—this light was not a product of magic, nor was it any form of sorcery from any dimension within their plane. It was something utterly foreign, yet it felt incredibly warm.
Clow Reed pulled the door open. The sight that greeted the woman was not the interior of a room, but a swirling expanse of soft, white light. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Clow's voice, tinged with a nostalgic smile. "It's still the same warm light... I must admit, I'm quite looking forward to this. What about you?"
A flicker of anticipation appeared in the woman's own eyes. A genuine smile touched her lips. "I won't deny it. It is an exceptionally warm light. The master capable of wielding such a power is, by any estimation, a vast improvement over a scheming four-eyes like you."
Clow Reed merely glanced at her, his own timeless smile unwavering. "I was referring to the fact that you, too, are looking forward to it," he said gently. "You, who will soon return to the river of time to enjoy a brand new life in another world."
The woman paused, then let out a soft, wry laugh. "Whether I enjoy it or not, I still have to clean up your mess before I can even think about my new life, don't I?"
"No... you are not alone this time."
"Hm?"
"You will understand soon enough. It is time for us to depart. And... I am very pleased you hold your future friends in such high regard."
With that, Clow Reed made a gentlemanly gesture, inviting her to enter first. The woman, clad in an elegant black gown, cast one last look at him before stepping gracefully across the threshold. Clow followed close behind, and with the soft click of the door shutting...
In their world, a subtle rift appeared in the timelines of the woman and Clow Reed. Everything had changed once more because of this door, shifting toward a more perfect, unforeseen future.
Back in the restaurant, Ren and the others watched as the door swung open, revealing the soft white light that pulsed from within. Yuuka Kazami's earlier arrival had already proven one thing: otherworldly guests who hesitated before entering were never simple beings.
Click... clack...
The sharp, rhythmic sound of high heels on the floor echoed from the entryway.
"It seems we have a female guest," Lucifer murmured, her eyes glinting with interest.
Yuuka, too, leaned forward slightly, curious to see what kind of person would emerge. As the patrons waited, the footsteps grew clearer, closer, until they finally stopped just at the edge of the doorway.
The next moment, a single, slender leg clad in a black high-heeled shoe stepped into view. Seeing the sheer length of that leg, Lucifer and the others were momentarily stunned. Good heavens, they all thought, just how tall is she?
Before anyone could voice their astonishment, the owner of the leg revealed herself. Her appearance was so striking that even Lucifer and Yuuka Kazami were captivated. With a cool, aloof face and an air of innate authority, she looked for all the world like a magnificent queen who had just graced them with her presence.
The woman entered, her gaze sweeping across the restaurant's interior before giving a subtle nod of approval. Her eyes then drifted over the assembled group, and for a fraction of a second, she paused. Not a single one of them was an ordinary person. A faint, intrigued smile touched her lips.
Ren stood and addressed the newcomer, his voice calm and welcoming. "Welcome, may I... ah. So this is the friend you mentioned."
Before he could finish, a second figure emerged from the light—a smiling, bespectacled man. It was Clow Reed.
"It has been a few days, Shopkeeper Ren," Clow said politely. "Your establishment is as cozy as ever."
Ren smiled back. "Thank you for the compliment. Please, you and the young lady may find a place to sit. I trust you are familiar with the layout by now."
Clow Reed nodded and moved toward his usual seat. The woman in black glanced at Ren, her lips curving into a wry smile. "Indeed," she commented, her voice like velvet, "he is certainly more pleasing to the eye than that two-faced fellow..."
Just as Ren was about to respond, he watched the woman take a seat near Clow Reed, though pointedly at a separate table. He found their dynamic rather amusing.
Lucifer finally put her phone away, a thoughtful expression on her face. 'Two humans, both steeped in magic,'she mused internally.'One is already dead, and the other is on the verge of dying. Now this... this is an interesting combination.'
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