Chapter 21: Agreement with Erina, Recommendations for Kagarino Kirie!
Kafka finished her breakfast.
After briefly explaining what 'Stellaron Hunters' were to Shameimaru Aya, she bid farewell to Luke and returned to her own world.
It was evident that Kafka was usually very busy.
She's probably causing trouble on some planet in the Honkai Star Rail universe again.
Luke thought that if he had time, he could ask Kafka to bring some 'cosmic ingredients' to the shop.
"Tastes good..."
At this time, Shiki Eiki, who had ordered the exact same breakfast as Kafka, nodded with satisfaction.
Her expression was much softer than before, not so serious.
Seeing this scene, Shameimaru Aya had only one comment—
"Sure enough, before capturing someone's heart, you have to capture their stomach; although I've seen Yama-sama drink before, the smile just now rarely appears on her face."
"Is that lady so serious?"
"That's right, Nakiri-san. Yama-sama is famously serious and strict. Even great youkai don't want to meet her."
Nakiri Erina saw Shameimaru Aya making exaggerated expressions and more or less understood Shiki Eiki's 'terror'.
"I can hear what you're saying, tengu."
"Whoa! Yama-sama! Please don't misunderstand! I was just joking!"
"I still have work to do next, so I won't lecture you. But don't forget the mistakes you've made, especially the news that caused commotion in Gensokyo before."
"I will definitely reflect!"
"Very good."
Shiki Eiki stood up and walked towards the counter, seemingly intending to pay.
However, before she acted, Shameimaru Aya took the initiative to pay a sum of money.
"No need for Yama-sama to pay, leave this to me."
"There is no need for you to pay. I do not intend to owe you a favor."
"Please don't say that, I just want to atone for my sins."
"Even so, it has nothing to do with money."
At this moment, Luke took the gold coins the tengu had placed on the counter.
"Consider that breakfast my treat, Shiki-sama, as thanks for taking away that troublesome fellow."
"A guilty person will naturally be punished. I wasn't helping."
"If not for my restaurant, he wouldn't have come to Gensokyo either, so please let me express my gratitude."
"Not worth thanking... I will come again. I'll settle the bill then."
Shiki Eiki, very satisfied with the sandwich, turned and left.
When her figure disappeared at the entrance, Shameimaru Aya quickly turned around.
"Hey, hey, Boss Luke, since it was your treat just now, the money I gave you..."
"I've accepted it."
"Eh, eh."
"I'll give you a discount later."
"This... well, that's pretty good too."
Shameimaru Aya put away her notebook and jumped off the seat.
She stretched lazily.
"Alright, I should go collect news too! See you later!"
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah, the 'Human Village' is very lively today, it will attract many youkai over."
Shameimaru Aya's reporter spirit was still burning.
Thus, the only one left on the scene was Nakiri Erina, who had changed her clothes.
Alone now, Erina glanced at the fully equipped 'chef's gear' in the kitchen.
"Has Luke-san really never systematically studied cooking?"
"No, but I'm quite confident in my own talent."
"That's not talent, it's 'genius'."
Mentioning this, Erina pointed to the ingredients the tengu had brought earlier.
"Luke-san, I understand now. The ingredients for the pastries you made before definitely used fruits from Youkai Mountain. Some textures tasted like a mix of honey and mint, very special."
"That's right. If you're interested, next time I can have Aya take you for a tour, but... generally humans aren't allowed there. Only I occasionally make a trip."
Speaking of humans...
Actually, Youkai Mountain had them too.
For example, the Moriya Shrine maiden, Kochiya Sanae.
"If possible, I hope Luke-san can call me when you go to gather ingredients next time."
"No problem."
"I am also a cook. I want to try using those special ingredients too."
After speaking, Erina glanced at her phone.
No signal, but the time was still accurate.
"I should go too, I still have classes today."
"Welcome back next time."
"I will come again."
Erina, amazed by Luke's cooking skills, decided to research and discuss with him together in the future.
After sending off the 'God's Tongue' girl, Luke cleared the plates and cutlery left by Kafka and Shiki Eiki.
Just like that, the restaurant became quiet, with no customers visiting.
No wonder Shameimaru Aya said the 'Human Village' was lively; humans and youkai must have been drawn over there.
Time soon reached noon.
The sun outside the restaurant window became even stronger.
Golden brilliance spread across the land, illuminating the two paths leading to the 'Human Village' and 'Kourindou'.
Ding-a-ling-ling.
Luke heard the familiar sound and, following the procedure, said softly,
"Welcome, cute guest. For today's lunch, I have many recommendations."
Then, looking closely, Luke saw the other party was a silver-haired, blue-eyed girl wearing a black formal dress.
Oh my...
Luke knew her name.
Kagarino Kirie, a 300-year-old tsundere, sharp-tongued vampire.
However, when facing strangers, Kirie would display her 'ordinary' side.
"This place is...?"
"My—Luke's—restaurant. The door the young lady just walked through connects to myriad worlds, thus occasionally encountering guests like the young lady."
"Restaurant, myriad worlds, strange place."
Kirie looked around, then chose to sit on the sofa to the side.
"Since it's a restaurant, are there any recommendations?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll have your recommended set meal."
"Okay."
Taking the vampire girl's order, Luke, who had been idle for a while, decided to go all out and capture Kirie's stomach.
...
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