Chapter 365: Sōryūin Shion's Winning Bet
Ren had barely finished his sentence when the door chimed, announcing new arrivals. Sōryūin Shion entered, impeccably dressed in a sharp business suit, followed by her sister, Sōryūin Akemi, who looked far more casual in a simple jacket and was in the middle of a wide, undisguised yawn.
Both sisters stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening as they took in the restaurant's stunning transformation.
"Eh?" Shion tilted her head, a look of genuine confusion on her face. "You've redecorated again? It just keeps getting more and more beautiful in here."
Akemi echoed the sentiment, her sleepiness momentarily forgotten. "It's only been a few days, Ren-nii. How did you pull off such a massive change so quickly?"
Ren chuckled. "Ah, that would be a business secret. Let's just say some people are remarkably efficient, wouldn't you agree, Shion?"
Shion started, then shot him an irritated look. "I've noticed you have a habit of dragging me into your explanations when I'm around. For the record, I don't know a thing about this!"
"But that's what makes it more interesting, isn't it?" Lucifer chimed in playfully from her seat. "What brings you two here? Akemi, you look like you're about to fall asleep standing up."
Shion glided over and naturally took the seat next to Lucifer, while Akemi plopped down beside her without a second thought. As Shion ran a hand over the exquisitely crafted table and chairs, her eye twitched.
If her memory served her correctly, this kind of woodwork was more expensive than its weight in gold...
She let out a quiet sigh. 'Why is it that my man is obscenely wealthy, yet he insists on running this little restaurant?'she thought, a familiar wave of exasperation washing over her.'And how many women has he charmed within these very walls!'
The thought made her press her fingers to her forehead with a helpless expression, a sight that left both Lucifer and Akemi looking puzzled.
Ren reached over and tapped her lightly on the head, his voice laced with amusement. "You're having that same thought again, aren't you?"
"If you know, then maybe you should exercise some self-control!" Shion retorted, her voice tight with frustration. "Honestly, I don't know what to do with you!"
"What is Shion talking about?" Lucifer asked, her curiosity piqued. "What's so helpless?"
Akemi covered her mouth to hide a giggle. "Well, my sister and Ren-nii met a long, long time ago. Because she has to manage the entire Koyo Academy Group, she's always incredibly busy and doesn't get to visit often. But she still sees the... surge... in the number of members in the group chat, Lucifer-nee... So..."
Lucifer's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah." A slow nod followed. If that was the case, her frustration was certainly understandable. As the head of a major enterprise within the Kengan Association, Sōryūin Shion was undoubtedly a titan of industry, working tirelessly... only to see the fruits of her partner's charm blossom elsewhere.
Shion fixed Ren with an assertive stare, her silence speaking volumes.
After a long moment, Ren broke the tension with a warm chuckle. "Shion, that serious expression of yours reminds me of a certain truth-telling moment from a long time ago."
"You're so annoying!" she snapped, her composure cracking. "Forget it! Don't you dare bring that up!"
Hearing this, Akemi couldn't contain her laughter, while Lucifer leaned forward, intrigued by this new side of the sister she had only recently gotten to know. Though Sōryūin Shion projected an aura of a cool, unapproachable executive, Lucifer was beginning to see the playful young woman beneath the surface—a gentle, shy, and deeply responsible older sister.
"Shion," Lucifer began, her expression full of curiosity, "it sounds like there's an interesting story there."
Shion glanced at Lucifer, hesitating for a moment before letting out a sigh. "It's nothing, really. It was just the first time I met Ren. Honestly, how did you all even end up playing Truth or Dare back then?!"
"But didn't you go home that night and spend an hour rolling around on your bed, hugging a pillow and squealing about how you finally had a boyfriend?" Akemi chirped, her smile widening into a mischievous grin.
A deep blush instantly flooded Shion's face. "I was young and foolish back then! I would never do something like that now!"
"But you did—"
"Akemi!"
Ren gently patted Akemi's head, his smile never wavering. "Shion, your tsundere side really hasn't changed a bit. But that's precisely why I've always been curious. Why did you choose 'truth' back then?"
Shion cleared her throat lightly. "First of all, I am not a tsundere! And second... second... if I hadn't chosen truth... I think I might have missed my chance with you."
Ren opened his mouth to speak, but Shion, having already started, seemed determined to see it through. With her face still burning, she looked at him, her gaze firm. "I just had this feeling. A gut feeling that if I chose 'dare,' I'd be asked to do something crass or embarrassing. And... I also had a feeling that I wasn't going to lose the game, so I wouldn't get another turn to choose..."
Her voice grew softer, more earnest. "I felt... if I didn't choose 'truth' right then and there, you would have dismissed the whole thing as a joke... and I would never have gotten another chance."
Ren reached out and gently squeezed her cheek, his expression softening. "And the facts prove you were right. I absolutely thought it was just a game back then. And you were right about the other part, too—you didn't lose a single round after that."
A small, triumphant smile touched Shion's lips. "See? I feel like I used up all my luck on that one bet. That's why I always lose when I gamble against Kirari now."
"That has nothing to do with it," Ren deadpanned. "You lose to her because you, Shion, are simply an idiot when it comes to gambling."
Shion's mouth twitched. "I am not an idiot! I'm the President of the Koyo Academy Group!"
"Speaking of which, that thesis you wrote that year..."
"We are not talking about that!"
"Sister..." Akemi sighed, looking utterly defeated. "I really wanted to hold my tongue, but you were just so embarrassing back then..."
"Akemi! Don't you dare! I'm hungry! I'm ordering!"
Ren smiled. "Alright, go ahead whenever you're ready."
Shion considered for a moment. "I'll have a filet mignon and... you can decide the rest. I don't know what else to eat. For my drink, a Mojito will be fine."
Akemi thought for a moment as well. "Um... I'll just have a steak salad and some shrimp porridge. And just water to drink, please."
"See? Akemi knows how to stick to her principles," Ren noted with an approving nod. "Shion, you could learn a thing or two from your sister."
"Next time!" Shion waved a dismissive hand. "I'm practically starving to death right now. I skipped lunch and dinner just waiting for this meal—" She paused, catching herself. "Uh... well, I didn't skip everything. I had some snacks. Kirukiru bought them for me before she left."
A bead of sweat trickled down her palm. If this were any other restaurant owner, they'd probably say something encouraging like, 'Then your wait will be well worth it!' But Ren wasn't just a chef. And Shion lived in a healthy state of fear of his disapproval, especially when one of her bad habits was exposed. Saying she'd skipped two meals for work was one thing, but admitting she'd done it in anticipation of his food made it sound deliberate.
She saw his brow furrow just slightly as he gave her a long, searching look. After her hasty correction, Ren just nodded before turning to the kitchen. Shion let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
In truth, she was happy. Deeply happy. After all, someone who didn't truly care wouldn't bother nagging you about smoking being bad for your health. They wouldn't be more concerned about you skipping meals than any other trivial matter. Among all the women in his life, Ren was undoubtedly the strictest with her.
But it was always, always about correcting her bad habits, and she would always, always listen. Over the years, she'd kicked so many of them thanks to him. In all other matters, he never interfered. If she had a problem, he would help. He would appear exactly when she needed him most, without her even having to ask. He only ever got stern when it came to her health... well, that, and the never-ending battle to get her to quit smoking...
Thinking of this, Sōryūin Shion sighed, a soft, nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "Honestly... I never stood a chance, right from the very beginning."
"The very beginning?" Lucifer asked, her head tilted.
A wistful light flickered in Shion's eyes. "Mm. The very beginning... starting with that confession, the first time we ever met."
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