Chapter 384: Pandemonica Arrives, and Mana's Bizarre Reputation
A frantic denial screamed through Lucifer's mind, a thought she desperately tried to smother before it could take root. No one else seemed to notice the subtle shift in her composure; their attention was fixed on the lone figure seated in the distance, just in front of the restaurant.
Kasugano Sora tilted her head, her voice a soft murmur. "Could she be... one of those legendary Shrine Maidens?"
Ren considered the possibility before shaking his head. "I don't know, but would a Shrine Maiden really come to a place like this?"
"Hmm... you're right," Kasugano Sora conceded with a nod. "After all, people like them are... very particular."
Her curiosity piqued, Lucifer's attention was drawn away from her internal panic. "Eh? What's a 'Shrine Maiden'? Is that like a nun?"
"Not exactly," Sora explained, choosing her words carefully. "They're girls who have run away from home for various family reasons. They try to find someone to take them in, a place to live. In return, they offer to do housework and chores... everything except, well, that kind of thing. The person who gives them food and shelter, they call their 'god'..."
She paused, a thoughtful frown on her face. "Most people are unwilling to take them in, though. Firstly, some of the so-called 'gods' aren't interested in domestic help but in those disgusting, illegal transactions, so the girls refuse them. Secondly, a man living with his wife and children couldn't bring a strange girl home without causing serious misunderstandings. And the third reason is simply that most people find it too much trouble."
Lucifer nodded slowly, processing the information. "That is a strange custom. But hearing you describe it, it sounds like these girls are in a pitiful situation, even if their methods are a bit odd."
"Exactly," Sora agreed. "I thought there would be fewer of them in Tokyo, but it seems... No, wait." She looked again, her eyes narrowing slightly. "This doesn't seem right. Brother Ren is correct. A Shrine Maiden wouldn't be looking for a 'god' on a commercial street like this."
As they spoke, the agitation in Lucifer's heart slowly began to subside. The more she looked, the less the girl resembled one of her employees from Hell. If any of those troublemakers were to come looking for her, they would undoubtedly head straight for the most boisterous, chaotic place they could find. She hadn't even used her demonic magic inside the restaurant, so how could they possibly have tracked her here? Even if they had sensed her presence, they would surely be searching the bustling main streets or that boxing gym.
The logic was sound. A quiet sigh of relief escaped Lucifer's lips, the tension bleeding from her shoulders. She managed a light, teasing tone. "Perhaps she's one of your old customers, Ren?"
Ren shook his head. "Impossible. If she were a regular, she'd know our opening hours. Even if she came early, she wouldn't have been waiting for this long. From the looks of it, she's been here for quite some time."
Lucifer nodded in agreement. Just then, the distinct sound of an approaching car broke the evening quiet. They all turned to look, their eyes widening in surprise. A moment later, Cerberus's voice shot up with glee, her tails wagging furiously.
"Whoa! It's Lanterby and the others! Lanterby! Lanterby! Lanterby!"
Spotting the energetic trio, Lanterby, who was struggling with a mountain of documents, called back with a wave. "Good evening, Cerberus!"
Cerberus bounded over and immediately took half the towering stack of papers from her, allowing Lanterby to heave a grateful sigh. "You're a lifesaver, Cerberus. Are you all just getting back?"
"Mm-hm~" Cerberus hummed happily. "Lanterby, why do you have so many papers?"
At the question, Lanterby's face contorted into a mask of theatrical indignation. "Cerberus! They're all bullying me! They told me the small restaurant project would be less work, that they were giving it to me to take care of me. And what happens?! There might be fewer tasks, but the sheer volume of work is insane! Waaah!"
Nakiri Mana offered a slightly strained smile. "Um... think of it as part of your training, Lanterby. Our workloads aren't exactly light, you know. Besides, a small restaurant doesn't require you to consider accommodations or entertainment facilities like a resort does, right? So you see, we are still looking out for you."
"Lady Mana... are you sure you're not just picking on me because I'm pretty?"
Her comment was met with a stunned silence. Good heavens, how could she say something like that with a straight face? Had she truly never been humbled by the harsh realities of the working world?
"Miss Nakiri, you've arrived."
Hearing Ren's voice, Decora flinched as if struck, her body going rigid. Nakiri Mana, however, quickly composed herself and offered a polite greeting. "Shopkeeper Ren! Good evening!"
Ren nodded with a welcoming smile. "It's been a little while, Miss Nakiri, but I can't help but feel you're a bit more... on edge than usual. I'm not that intimidating, am I?"
"Not at all, Shopkeeper Ren!" she replied hastily. "It's just... In any case, you're overthinking it!"
"I'm only teasing," he said, his smile softening. "I didn't expect you to have this side to you, Miss Nakiri. It's quite different from the image the magazines portray. Is it because your God Tongue has improved?"
Nakiri Mana blinked, startled. "What magazine? What did it say?"
Ren paused, tapping his chin in thought. "Let's see... it was probably in a few of those fashion and gourmet magazines. The general consensus they painted was... someone who enjoys food with an almost greedy passion, exceptionally beautiful, cold-blooded yet impartial in her judgments, an existence of stunning arrogance... and also rather aloof, impatient, and... hmm?" He trailed off, noticing her reaction. "Is something wrong, Miss Nakiri?"
Before he could finish, Nakiri Mana began to tremble slightly, her voice rising with indignant frustration. "Shopkeeper Ren! I'm not like that! They're all writing nonsense! I was just in a bad mood those times, or the cooking was genuinely terrible! Really! Shopkeeper Ren, you absolutely must not believe them!"
Ren was taken aback for a moment before his expression warmed into a gentle smile. "I understand that principle perfectly well. A person's true character isn't defined by what others write, but by what you learn from spending time with them. Besides, I can see for myself, Miss Nakiri. To me, you seem as vibrant and interesting as any young woman in her twenties."
A faint blush colored Nakiri Mana's cheeks, and she lowered her gaze, murmuring a soft, "Mm..."
Lucifer tilted her head. "Decora, if you keep standing there, you'll miss dinner. Let's talk inside the shop. We can also get a look at who that girl is."
"What girl?" Lanterby asked.
Cerberus pointed toward the restaurant entrance. As Lanterby and the others followed her gesture, their expressions mirrored the group's earlier surprise. Anne tilted her head, observing the slumped figure. "That posture... She must be asleep."
"It really looks like it!" Kasugano Sora said, a note of concern in her voice. "She'll catch a cold sleeping out here! Brother Ren, let's go check on her, quickly!"
Ren nodded. As they drew closer, the scene became clearer. A young woman was curled up on the ground, fast asleep. A blanket had been draped over her, a bag sat beside her, and a document was clutched loosely in her hands.
Lucifer tilted her head. A strange flicker of familiarity tugged at her, but it felt... off, distorted, like a half-remembered dream. She stepped forward and gently shook the girl's shoulder. "Wake up," she said softly. "Wake up."
A soft, sleepy murmur escaped the girl's lips. She shifted, causing the blanket to slide from her shoulders. As she slowly lifted her head, they saw a young woman with a delicate face, framed by glasses and shadowed by pronounced dark circles under her eyes. The moment Lucifer's gaze fell upon her, she froze.
The young woman blinked slowly, her weary gaze focusing on Lucifer. Her voice was a soft, tired rasp.
"Boss... I've been waiting for you all day."
"Boss?!" The exclamation echoed from six different voices, a chorus of pure shock.
Lucifer's composure shattered. "P-Pandemonica?!" she shrieked, a note of genuine horror in her voice. "How in the world did you find me here?!"
Pandemonica's expression didn't change. "To submit my reports," she stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
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