Yuto wasn't surprised to see the wealthy young lady return so soon.
Nakiri Senzaemon had been the exact same way when he first discovered the restaurant.
Once someone got a taste of the food here, they always came back.
The old man just happened to be busy with culinary academy business lately.
"Candied apple," Kaguya-sama requested, her voice cold and measured.
Yuto nodded and turned his attention to Hayasaka, who stood dutifully a half-step behind her mistress.
"A hamburger," the blonde maid ordered.
Her demeanor was a mirror of Kaguya's—guarded, professional, and distant.
After jotting down their simple orders, Yuto was about to head into the kitchen when Yukari stood up, signaling the end of her group's chaotic visit.
They had been occupying the counter for over an hour, and it was time for the yokai to head back to Gensokyo.
"Boss, this should cover myself, Ran, Chen, and Reimu. Keep the change," Yukari smiled, sliding two crisp ten-thousand-yen bills across the wooden counter.
Sitting next to her, Reimu stared at the massive amount of money with bloodshot envious eyes.
"Thank you, Yukari-san," Yuto smiled, accepting the payment.
He then turned to the energetic witch. "Marisa-san, your cream of mushroom soup comes to 4,500 yen."
A standard bowl of soup wouldn't normally cost that much, but the heavy cream and premium cheese he had melted into the broth raised the ingredient cost.
"Got it!" Marisa took off her massive pointed hat and casually plunged her arm deep inside, rummaging around until she produced the exact amount in crumpled bills and coins.
Yuto watched her in silent bewilderment.
He had seen customers pay in all sorts of strange ways, but pulling cash out of a hat was a first.
'Isn't she worried things will fall out when she wears it?' he wondered.
"Here you go, Boss! I'll be back tomorrow, da ze!" Marisa cheered, waving her hand.
With the new expansion finished, Yuto felt much more confident about taking on her promise.
He waved back as Yukari and the others filed out the door.
When Yuuka stood to leave, Yuto bowed his head and offered her one final, earnest word of thanks for her help with the renovations.
The Flower Master didn't say a word, she just gave a faint shake of her head and walked out into the night.
...
With the yokai gone, Kaguya and Hayasaka took their empty seats at the counter.
Kaguya sat next to Utaha and Shouko, while Hayasaka took the stool beside Rimuru, Ainz, and Saitama.
The two newcomers sat in rigid silence.
Their cold, intense presence acted like a sudden chill in the room.
The restaurant, which had just been buzzing with Reimu and Marisa's loud bickering, grew quiet.
Sensing the heavy tension radiating from the rich girl, normal humans like Utaha and Shouko instinctively lowered their voices to hushed whispers.
But the monster trio at the end of the counter didn't care about social hierarchies.
Rimuru, Ainz, and Saitama were still happily chatting away.
Right now, Ainz was recounting epic tales from his past guild wars in YGGDRASIL.
Saitama and the slime nodded along, occasionally bursting into laughter at the bizarre stories.
One human, one skeleton, and one slime—their little bubble remained harmonious and cheerful.
In the kitchen, Yuto began prepping the apples and the beef.
Deep down, he felt a sting of regret.
He had enjoyed the loud, bustling energy the yokai brought to the room.
With a soft sigh, he pushed the thought aside and focused on the food.
...
When Kaguya had first stepped through the door, she was momentarily taken aback by the sudden, massive expansion of the dining room.
But she quickly composed herself.
A successful restaurant expanding its floor plan was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, as her eyes drifted over the vibrant green vines and bright sunflowers woven into the walls, a rare sense of tranquility washed over her aching chest.
From the moment she stepped inside, the crushing weight of her fever and her father's neglect seemed to lighten.
Outwardly, she maintained her flawless, icy posture.
Inwardly, she felt a profound admiration for this little space.
It was just a humble, unremarkable late-night eatery.
Yet, it felt warmer and safer than anywhere else she knew.
Her thoughts drifted back to the Shinomiya estate.
It was grand, opulent, and vast.
But it was empty.
It was nothing more than a lavish cage where she slept.
Her mind was a mess of sorrow and exhaustion, but her pale face remained a mask of serene perfection.
Whoosh—
The front door slid open again.
Yuto glanced up from the stove to see Reiko step inside.
The girl wore her usual, gentle smile.
"Welcome back, Reiko-san. What can I get for you today?" Yuto asked, stirring a pan of melting sugar.
Reiko tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm... how about some grilled octopus sausages?" she requested, taking a seat right between Kaguya and Utaha.
"Coming right up."
By the time Yuto answered Reiko, he had finished coating the apple in hot syrup.
He carried the glossy red dessert out to the counter, placing it in front of Kaguya alongside a small dish of ice water.
"Candied apple. Dip it in the cold water for a moment to harden the sugar shell," he instructed gently, before slipping back into the kitchen.
Next up was Hayasaka's hamburger.
It was a quick, straightforward dish.
He took two thick slices of fresh bread and warmed them briefly to soften the crumb.
Then, he tossed a seasoned beef patty onto the hot cast-iron skillet. The moment the meat hit the metal, a sharp, aggressive sizzle filled the air. It was a sound designed to stir deep cravings late at night.
Coupled with the rich, savory aroma of searing fat drifting through the room, it was pure torture for anyone with an empty stomach.
Once the beef developed a proper crust, Yuto quickly shredded some crisp lettuce and cut a thick slice of cheese.
He cracked an egg onto the skillet, frying it sunny-side up, and sliced a ripe tomato.
He began the assembly.
First the bottom bun, then the hot beef patty, followed by a bed of lettuce. He squeezed a zigzag of creamy dressing over the greens, laid the fried egg on top, and draped the cheese over the warm yolk so it would melt.
The tomato slices went on last, staggered for balance, before he capped it with the top bun.
It was a rustic, messy burger that required zero advanced culinary technique.
To be honest, Yuto personally preferred wraps over thick sandwiches, but he never argued with a customer's craving.
He grabbed a square of parchment paper and wrapped the lower half of the burger so the maid could eat it by hand without making a mess.
"Here is your hamburger," he said, handing the warm meal to Hayasaka-san.
"Thank you," she nodded stoically.
Turning back to his cutting board, Yuto grabbed a handful of small red sausages and began carving the little octopus legs into the ends.
As his knife tapped against the wood, a wave of nostalgia hit him.
The last time he made octopus sausages was for.... Ainz.
It was the very first day when Suzuki Satoru had come over into his restaurant.
Yuto glanced over his shoulder.
Ainz was currently waving a bony hand in the air, animatedly finishing a story while Rimuru and Saitama leaned in to listen.
Yuto smiled to himself, returning his focus to the sausages.
'Fate was a strange, wondrous thing.'