"Yuyuko, Suika, and Marisa all didn't come today," Yuto observed with a light smile.
Yukari Yakumo smiled beautifully and explained. Yuyuko had been called by the Yama to register information about the spirits of the Netherworld.
Hearing this, Yuto was surprised.
The phrase "register information about spirits" sounded exactly like modern society's bureaucratic paperwork.
Was the Netherworld adopting the ways of the human world?
As for Suika and Marisa's whereabouts, Reimu provided the answers.
Suika had been called by an oni king of her race to drink. According to Reimu, this oni king was also an extremely heavy drinker; when the two got together, they were a perfect match.
Marisa, on the other hand, was currently being chased by someone named Alice for stealing one of her magical tools.
Yuto found this explanation entirely reasonable, as Marisa did possess a thief-like air about her.
Meanwhile, a certain crow tengu reporter could no longer wait to interview him.
Having received permission yesterday, Aya Shameimaru had brought professional equipment today: a camera, a voice recorder, and a notebook.
"Boss, Boss, can I interview you today?" she asked excitedly.
"During my free time, all right?" Yuto answered.
The crow tengu wasn't impatient, she simply nodded hard.
Yuto asked Yukari and the regulars what they wanted before turning to the new guests.
"Hello. May I ask what you would like to eat?" he said, looking at the little girl in front of him.
Although her body type and appearance were that of a child, considering Gensokyo's special nature, Yuto didn't dare judge her age based solely on her looks.
The young lady raised the corner of her mouth arrogantly, reminding Yuto of a certain King of Heroes.
"Human, my name is Remilia Scarlet, the noble monarch of the blood moon! Your attitude should be more respectful when talking to me!"
Listening to Remilia's declaration made Yuto feel somewhat emotional.
Her speech reminded him of Tohru when she had first come to the restaurant, maintaining the pride of her status as a dragon with similar arrogance.
He quietly glanced at his adorable employee, noting she was angry over Remilia's words, looking like a little dog protecting its master.
"Then what would Miss Remilia like?" Yuto asked with a smile.
The corner of her mouth lifted as she looked at him with great interest. "Human, I'm very interested in you..."
Before Remilia could finish, Yuuka frowned.
The flower youkai casually glanced at her, and with just that one look, the little young lady instantly deflated.
Stripped of her overwhelming dignity, Remilia became flustered, her body trembling.
Had they not been in front of everyone, she would have squatted down and covered her head.
Seeing this, the maid beside her showed a conflicted, complicated expression, as though she was suppressing something.
"Um, Miss Remilia, are you all right?" Yuto asked kindly.
His concern only frightened her more.
"I-I'm fine," she squeaked.
Having lost her aura, she became somewhat soft and adorable.
Her eyes grew slightly red and watery, and her small hands covered her face, a posture that made her much cuter than before.
Just as Yuto was about to speak, he saw the elegant maid develop a nosebleed.
Furthermore, there was an unclear, infatuated smile on her face that easily let one's imagination run in strange directions.
Yuto hurriedly tore off some tissue and handed it to her.
The elegant maid froze, taking a moment to realize what had happened. Her eyes shifted, and without Yuto feeling anything at all, she returned to normal.
The nosebleed and the foolish grin vanished instantly, replaced by her previous elegant, perfect posture.
Yuto was stunned.
If he hadn't still been holding the tissue meant for her, he would have thought he'd imagined the entire thing!
"Thank you, but I don't need it," the perfect maid said in a crisp, stylish tone.
"Oh... oh," Yuto muttered, putting the tissue down.
He seriously doubted his earlier judgment of her. The image of the elegant maid grinning foolishly was still fresh in his mind.
Crack!
The elegant image she had projected upon arrival shattered in his heart.
"Miss Remilia, what were you about to say just now?" Yuto asked.
"N-no, it's nothing. Please don't mind it, Boss," Remilia replied.
Her attitude had improved greatly, the arrogance completely gone, though her words still carried a slight tremble.
Seeing this, Yuto glanced at Yuuka.
She remained completely calm, not even looking their way.
Pressing his lips together, Yuto turned back to Remilia. "Then what would Miss Remilia like to eat?"
Remilia thought seriously. "Do you have any food here made with type B blood?"
Yuto froze slightly. 'Do vampires have blood type preferences too?'
Based on her behavior, bat wings, title, and dietary request, guessing her race wasn't difficult.
Anyone with common sense could deduce she was a vampire.
"Sorry, but we don't have any food made with blood here," Yuto apologized.
This was a proper restaurant, not only did they lack type B blood, they didn't have any blood at all!
"Then serve me a dessert." Remilia was not too disappointed.
Yuto looked toward the maid. "Would you like something to eat?"
Being extremely skilled at cooking herself, Sakuya Izayoi did not pay much attention to the restaurant's cuisine.
However, she was still human and happened to be hungry. Out of affection for her mistress, she requested the same dish.
Looking at her calm expression, Yuto recalled the scene from moments ago and sighed inwardly.
'Such a perfect maid image collapsed just like that...'
"Please wait a moment, everyone." After recording the orders, Yuto walked into the kitchen.
He first made a portion of rice mixed with sugar for a certain impoverished shrine maiden, completely free of charge.
Reimu had tearfully begged him not to charge her, and Yuto had helplessly agreed.
He no longer knew how to comment on Reimu, as there were simply too many things about her worth commenting on.
After having Tohru bring out the dish, he prepared the flower cakes and placed them into the steamer before moving on to the rest.
Certain fixed dishes were quick to prepare.
The fried tofu and cat rice were finished soon after. Yukari had ordered a simple portion of fried meatballs, which Yuto had conveniently stocked up on during his supermarket run.
Though Aya hadn't ordered anything yesterday, she claimed she needed to try his cooking today to ensure the authenticity of her news report, ordering an omurice.
While he cooked, the front of the restaurant buzzed with conversation.
Although the atmosphere was slightly subdued without Marisa, it was relatively peaceful.
After recovering from her scare, Remilia grabbed Aya's wing, her dignified vampire persona returning online.
"Shameimaru! Since you brought me here today, I'll barely forgive your crime this time. But if I catch you again, just wait to die!" Remilia threatened fiercely in a low voice.
The only reason she had come to the restaurant was because of Aya.
The reporter had been secretly photographing the Scarlet Devil Mansion and was caught by Sakuya.
While Remilia lectured her, Aya mentioned the restaurant to beg for mercy.
"Lady Remilia, I was wrong. I really was wrong! Please be magnanimous and forgive me."
As a qualified reporter, Aya understood the wisdom of submitting to circumstances.
After returning from the restaurant yesterday, Yuuka had broken one of her wings for reasons she still didn't understand. Although she used the secret medicine of Youkai Mountain, it hadn't fully healed, preventing her from using her godlike speed.
Otherwise, she never would have been caught photographing the mansion today.
Now that her wing hadn't healed, she had to play it safe, though the thought made her resentful.
'What exactly did I do yesterday?! Why did my wing have to be broken?! It hurts so much!!!'
The crow tengu only dared grumble in her heart.
If forced to speak in front of Yuuka, she guaranteed she would immediately switch to a smiling face; her life was more important.
"Hmph! Who told me to be so broad-minded? This time, I'll barely let it pass."
Hearing Aya's groveling, Remilia's face became radiant with pride.
While Remilia boasted, Aya secretly mocked her.
'A lifelong dead loli. I hope your chest stays forever broad-minded. Bleh, bleh, bleh!'
Remilia's expression tightened, and she suddenly glared at the reporter. "Shameimaru, what did you just say in your heart?"
The crow tengu froze instantly.
"Huh? Nothing at all," Aya lied with a strained smile.
"Is that so?"
"Of course!"
At that moment, a certain reporter was panicking badly!
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