Chapter 460: The Timid Shikigami Who Can Only Drink Water: Yakumo Ran
Shiina Mashiro and Soryuin Akemi exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes fixed on Soryuin Shion, who had returned to her seat with her head bowed, looking for all the world like a student who had been thoroughly scolded.
What in the world happened in there? Was the restroom enchanted or something?
Just as they were about to ask, Shion muttered under her breath, a fragment of a conversation only she could hear. "Actually, Kirari, that was my acknowledgment of your strength." She sighed, a soft sound of defeat. "Alright, I was wrong."
The comment only deepened Mashiro and Akemi's confusion.
Ren, ever the gracious host, was already preparing for the group. He knew Hiratsuka Shizuka had a hearty appetite, so he had made sure to prepare several large-portioned dishes to accommodate everyone. As he plated the final item, a delicate dessert, a small smile touched his lips.
'Baumkuchen... Now that was an unexpected request. She has good taste.'
He found himself quite fond of the quiet, peculiar girl, Shiina Mashiro. Having met all sorts of beings, both human and otherwise, Ren had a keen sense of character. He could feel the pure, untainted innocence radiating from her, like a blank canvas waiting for its first brushstroke.
He let out a quiet, almost helpless sigh. "A cheerful and considerate Akemi, plus a simple and unblemished Mashiro. I can't help but wonder what their life together will be like."
Even as he said it, a look of weary amusement crossed his face. He had a feeling their dynamic would lead to a strange outcome: one of them would be forced to grow up far too quickly, becoming a doting mother, while the other remained a perpetual, brilliant child. What an odd pair.
"Eh? Speaking of which," Ren mused to himself, checking the clock. "Miss Kazami should be arriving around nine or ten, right? They shouldn't run into each other, hopefully."
Far away, in a quiet, traditional room, Yakumo Ran sat by a small table, hugging her knees. The sky outside had long since darkened, but her immortal master showed no sign of waking.
Ran desperately wanted to remind Yakumo Yukari about the delicious food they were supposed to be having tonight, but she didn't dare. She was a timid shikigami, after all. So she simply sat there, alone, sipping from a cup of water to quell the rumbling in her stomach.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind—that perhaps she had been tricked by her master. But she quickly shook her head, a small, determined smile forming on her lips. 'Lady Yukari would never do anything to deceive her own shikigami...'
The smile faltered, replaced by a soft whimper. "Wuwuwu... That's just how Lady Yukari is... Ah..." She looked down at her cup. "The water's gone..."
Yakumo Yukari was indeed still sound asleep. Her reasoning was simple: she remembered that a few ordinary humans would be dining at the restaurant tonight, and it would be poor form to arrive too early and disrupt them. Therefore, she decided it was the perfect opportunity to naturally make up for the five minutes and thirty seconds of sleep she had missed the previous day. That small deficit, however, had somehow snowballed into a two-or-three-hour nap.
She remained blissfully unaware that her loyal little shikigami was curled up outside, hungry and anxiously awaiting the feast she had promised. In her own mind, she remained a perfectly competent and considerate master.
Elsewhere, Yuuka Kazami sat in her usual spot, serenely observing the flowers under the moonlight. She shared Yukari's sentiment about not arriving too early, but she didn't have the luxury of being several hours late. For her, a delay of half an hour, perhaps an hour at most, was the proper measure of etiquette.
"Why do I have a feeling that Yakumo Yukari hasn't kept her promise...?" she murmured to the night air. "She wouldn't have told anyone else, would she...?"
As she spoke, her fingers gently grazed the handle of the small parasol resting beside her. If her suspicions were true, she decided, she would simply have to test the various power levels of her 'Flower Field Tyrant' magic cannons on Yukari. The intensity would, of course, be calibrated to the severity of the betrayal.
Back at the restaurant, just as Hiratsuka Shizuka was getting lost in her thoughts, the scent of food snapped her back to reality. She watched as Ren emerged, pushing a dining cart. Even with a known big eater present, he hadn't overwhelmed them with quantity—just five beautifully arranged dishes.
Shizuka watched Ren place each dish on the table, her eyes darting towards him for a moment before she quickly lowered her head, a silent blush creeping up her neck.
Soryuin Shion, ever observant, chuckled playfully. "You really know what girls like, don't you, Ren?"
Ren smiled warmly. "Mashiro seems to have a fondness for sweets, so I made this. Sora loves it, too."
Hearing that Kasugano Sora also liked it, Shiina Mashiro's interest was finally piqued. She perked up, her gaze scanning the table. "Which one is it?"
Kasugano Sora, already nibbling on a small appetizer, stretched her neck to see. A bright smile lit up her face. "Ah! It's the Blueberry Yam! Mashiro-nee! That one is super delicious!"
Mashiro looked at the spread with a slightly confused expression.
Ren chuckled. "Mashiro, which dish would you like to try first?"
Her eyes scanned the table before she pointed a slender finger towards a dish that looked like scoops of vibrant purple ice cream, served in elegant, wide-mouthed spoons. "This one."
"That's why I said you'd like it," Ren said, pleased. "This is Blueberry Yam. Consider it a complimentary extra. It's not really a main course, anyway."
Shiina Mashiro nodded slowly. She didn't know what yam was, but the name itself conjured images of something plain and earthy, certainly not something so visually stunning.
The reality was the complete opposite. Among all the dishes on the table, the Blueberry Yam was by far the most exquisite and beautiful. The fact that it was one of Kasugano Sora's favorites only added to its allure.
Soryuin Akemi leaned in for a closer look, her eyes wide with admiration. "Brother Ren, this is my first time seeing mashed Blueberry Yam! It looks just like ice cream! It's so pretty!"
"Cuisine itself has no fixed form," Ren explained gently. "Some dishes become too exquisite and lose their soul, but others look far more appetizing when they're presented with a bit more refinement."
Akemi nodded enthusiastically, completely agreeing.
"Go on, Mashiro, try it," Ren encouraged. "I think you'll like it."
Mashiro picked up her spoon and carefully studied the confection. It was smooth and glossy, like a perfect scoop of sorbet. She brought it closer, detecting no strong scent, only a faint, sweet aroma. She opened her mouth, took a small bite, and her entire body went still.
Sengoku Chihiro watched her with anticipation. "How is it, Mashiro? Is it good?"
Mashiro snapped back to reality, her eyes wide with a quiet wonder. A single word escaped her lips.
"Delicious..."
Ren's Blueberry Yam was far more than just yam and blueberries mashed together. The creamy paste was a complex blend of ingredients, carefully balanced to create a texture that was both light and rich, a flavor both sweet and subtly tangy.
"Well then, please enjoy your meal, everyone," Ren said with a smile. "If you need a beer refill, just let me know."
Instead of joining Lucifer and the others, Ren quietly took a seat at a small table to the side and opened a book.
Aoandon tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Why isn't Ren eating with us?"
Lucifer answered without looking up from his own plate. "Whenever Ren eats while the shop is open, customers will immediately arrive. It doesn't matter if he just picks up his chopsticks or touches a dish. It's a guarantee."
Nakiri Mana and the others stared at him, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and amusement.
Kasugano Sora sighed softly. "Brother Ren is convinced it's a real curse. It's so consistent he's stopped fighting it. In reality, he just has the worst luck..."
Courage waved her hand dismissively. "Lady Mana, you'd better believe it. I've personally verified it multiple times. The accuracy is terrifying."
Shiina Mashiro, still savoring another spoonful of the heavenly Blueberry Yam, tilted her head and looked over at Ren, who was peacefully absorbed in his book.
"Curse?" she asked, her voice soft and inquisitive.
"Mashiro, don't just eat dessert," Chihiro chided gently. "Eat your main course!"
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