Chapter 10: You Have to Follow the Rules of the Human World!
"Hahahaha—!"
A joyous, uninhibited laugh echoed across the snowy mountains.
As if she had become a pro snowboarder, Jashin-chan expertly maneuvered the board strapped to her tail, performing all sorts of stylish tricks. At one moment, she'd leap high into the air, completing a stunning spin and flip; the next, she'd dive down a steep slope, carving beautiful arcs in the snow. The powder she kicked up was like a dreamy, ethereal veil.
RUMBLE…!
Just as she was getting into the swing of it, a deep, muffled sound came from behind her.
Jashin-chan glanced back to see the snowpack on the summit break free like a stampede of wild horses, thundering down the mountain with overwhelming force. Massive waves of snow rolled forward, mercilessly swallowing everything in their path. The air filled with a blinding mist of snow, blotting out the sun as if it were the end of the world. The immense impact uprooted trees, shattered rocks, and sent a deafening roar echoing through the valley.
But Jashin-chan wasn't scared. She simply stopped playing around and began to race toward the foot of the mountain with all her might.
She was in front, the avalanche was at her back, and the chase gave her a unique, thrilling rush.
"Alright! The finish line is just ahead!"
She could already see a villa with smoke curling from its chimney not far from the base of the mountain. Jashin-chan somehow managed to pick up even more speed, flying toward the villa like a lightning bolt.
After taking off her gear and feeling the welcoming warmth of the villa's interior, she breathed a sigh of relief. Now that she had stopped, she suddenly felt hungry. She slithered over to the dining room and called out to the chef in the open-plan kitchen.
"Hey, got anything to eat?"
"There's congee, want some? I just made a pot of Five-Color Deluxe Beef Congee."
Even as he spoke, the handsome chef was already handing her a bowl of the glowing, fragrant congee.
Jashin-chan wasn't really in the mood for congee, but after seeing how beautiful it looked and inhaling its rich, tempting aroma, she found herself accepting the bowl. She blew on it, took a tentative sip, and was immediately surprised by how delicious it was.
"This is amazing!"
She began to wolf it down.
As the hot congee settled in her stomach, she felt as if new energy was being injected into her body. Her hunger vanished, and even the slight fatigue from skiing was completely swept away.
Jashin-chan was back to full health!
"..."
"Another bowl!"
Back in the real world.
Jashin-chan, now inexplicably radiant and fully recovered, stood up and held her empty bowl out to Ryohei, who had just ladled a bowl for himself and was about to head into the living room.
Ryohei paused, looking her up and down. He was starting to suspect his congee might be some kind of sacred healing elixir. How else could she have made a full recovery after just one bowl?
"You're spoiled. Get it yourself," Ryohei said, before carrying his own bowl out of the kitchen.
"Tch! Fine, I'll get it myself!" Jashin-chan pouted, but she slithered over and ladled herself another bowl of congee.
In the living room, Ryohei couldn't help but smile as he watched Yurine savoring her congee one small spoonful at a time. "How is it, Yurine? To your liking?" he asked gently.
"Does that even need to be said?" Yurine gave him a thumbs-up. "I wish I could have this more often."
"Just say the word, and I'll make it for you whenever I'm free," Ryohei said, sitting down next to her.
"For a lifetime?" Jashin-chan suddenly poked her head out of the kitchen. She thought she could smell the sour stench of love in the air. Those two shameless lovebirds!
"..." Ryohei's hand, holding his spoon, paused mid-air. That wasn't what he meant! Although, he thought, a lifetime wouldn't be so bad…
Yurine's expression turned complicated. She knew that wasn't what Ryohei had meant. It was all that stupid snake's fault for saying something so weird and making things awkward. She shot Jashin-chan a glare.
"Eep!" Jashin-chan flinched and ducked back into the kitchen, deciding it was safer to eat in there.
Ryohei stirred his congee and then said with a smile, "A lifetime would be fine, as long as I'm free."
"Ah, um," Yurine nodded, her heart fluttering. Was that… a confession?
Ryohei didn't pay much mind to her reaction and finally took a bite of his own congee, which had cooled down slightly. The moment it entered his mouth, an exquisite, savory flavor spread like ripples in water. The warm, smooth congee slid over his tongue like a nimble spirit, instantly awakening every cell in his body. The flavors and textures of the various ingredients burst in his mouth like dazzling fireworks, each taste teasing his palate, immersing him completely in the wonderful feast.
"So delicious!" An unparalleled sense of satisfaction washed over him, and his mood became serene.
Yurine, still sipping her delicious congee, suddenly thought that a lifetime of this might be alright after all. They say the way to a person's heart is through their stomach. Although it had only been two meals, she felt like her stomach—and maybe a little bit of her heart—had already been firmly captured by Ryohei. Thinking this, the complicated feelings in the young girl's heart settled, and she decided to just let things happen as they may…
Golden sunlight generously bathed the city of Tokyo. It was a weekday, and the streets were a scene of bustling activity. Pedestrians hurried along with looks of urgency, their feet seeming to fly as if they were racing against time. The traffic was endless, a chorus of honking horns like the city's own rushed breathing.
Having just experienced the morning rush hour on a Tokyo train, Ryohei found himself missing the Mazda he had just bought before coming here. He wondered who ended up with his house, car, and savings back in his old world.
Tsk! He shook his head, pushing the thought away.
Beside him, Yurine suddenly turned to Jashin-chan. "Jashin-chan, you can wait here."
They were on a street in Bunkyō Ward.
"Huh? Why?" Jashin-chan stopped, tilting her head in confusion.
"Because if you come with us, you'll lower my reputation," Yurine replied in a ghostly tone.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Jashin-chan's face darkened with anger. "What do you mean, you'll lower your reputation? If anything, being seen with you two lowers my reputation as a demon!" That damn Yurine, who does she think she's looking down on!
"If my relatives see me walking with someone who doesn't wear clothes, they'll question my character. They might even tell my parents," Yurine said, pointing at Jashin-chan's bare torso.
"Wouldn't they first question why her lower body is a snake tail?" Ryohei couldn't help but chime in.
"I've asked about that before," Yurine said. "Apparently, people's first assumption is that she's cosplaying as a snake-girl."
"Cosplay?" Ryohei's mouth twitched. Those people needed their eyes checked. Her movements were clearly not human! He felt his brain go a little numb.
"Argh! So what if I don't wear clothes!" Jashin-chan balled her fists in frustration. "I've lived for ages without wearing clothes! Lots of demons in the Demon World don't wear them! It's perfectly normal!"
"This isn't the Demon World. It's the Human World," Yurine said, her voice calm and even. "And since you're in the Human World, you have to follow the rules of the Human World."
Ryohei agreed with that point and backed her up. "Jashin-chan, just wait here for a bit."
"Tsk! You two…" Jashin-chan grumbled. "Two humans ganging up on one poor demon, is that it?"
"Who's ganging up on you?" Ryohei said, exasperated, while Yurine just rolled her eyes.
In the end, the two of them successfully "persuaded" Jashin-chan to stay behind.