The chaos caused by Lilith vanished as quickly as it came, leaving behind a strange scent of sulfur and wilted flowers in the air. Aruna cleaned the shop deftly, while Zael, with a sour expression, complained about "a scent that ruins the mood of a prince of darkness."
Takeru, still seated at the counter, smiled genially. "I never knew ramen could be a weapon," he said.
"There are many things you don't know about ramen, Takeru," Aruna replied casually, placing a warm bowl of pork ramen in front of the man. "Besides, every problem can be solved in the kitchen. This is your order, I made a fresh one."
Takeru took his chopsticks. "Thank you, Aruna. Your ramen is always the best." He began to eat, and Aruna noticed how calm and polite the man was. A stark contrast to Zael, who was busy grumbling and sweeping in the corner.
Aruna's attention to Takeru did not escape Zael's notice. The demon stopped sweeping, watching Takeru with a suspicious gaze. He spoke in an overly formal manner, as if he were a nobleman observing his lowly subjects. "That human. Why does he always come here? And why are you smiling at him like that?"
Aruna gave Zael a flat look. "He's a regular customer, Zael. And he's nice, unlike you who just complains all the time."
Zael scoffed. "I don't complain. I simply voice my dissatisfaction with a job that is beneath my station." He approached Aruna and whispered, "But seriously. Does he know about... the things that happen here?"
"Of course not. He just likes ramen. Why, are you jealous?" Aruna asked with a smirk.
Zael overreacted to the simple question. "Jealous? Me? Jealous of a weak human who can't even shoot fire from his hands? That is the most ludicrous idea I have ever heard! I am merely an observer of your pathetic human dramas." Zael then went back to sweeping with overly dramatic movements.
Takeru finished his ramen. "Aruna, may I also order a coffee?"
"Coffee?" Aruna frowned. "This is a ramen shop, Takeru. I only have tea, and even that is my own brew."
"I know," Takeru said, still smiling. "But I once saw you making coffee in the back. Instant coffee, right? Could I order one? I'd really like to taste your coffee."
The strange request made Aruna blush slightly. "What's in it for me? Instant coffee isn't on the menu." But on the other hand, his genuine and empathetic nature emerged. "Alright. Just a moment."
Zael, seeing this, looked at Aruna with a questioning gaze. "You're going to make coffee for him? Isn't that a menial task you shouldn't have to do? Let me make it instead. I'll make it a coffee that will sicken the soul of anyone who drinks it," Zael said in an arrogant tone.
"Don't bother. Just keep sweeping," Aruna replied firmly.
When Aruna returned with a cup of instant coffee in her hand, she saw Zael looking at her with an unreadable expression. There was a hint of jealousy, but also wonder. Takeru took the coffee. "Thank you, Aruna. Next time, I'd like to have coffee with you again."
Aruna nodded, then turned and immediately began cleaning the counter. She tried to act normal, but her cheeks felt warm. She didn't realize that beneath her realistic demeanor, her heart was starting to feel something different every time Takeru came by.
"You know, Aruna," Zael suddenly said in a low voice. "He can't shoot fire, but he can make you smile. That's... a much more dangerous power than anything I've ever seen."
Aruna paused for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing. I'm just observing. You are very strange, Aruna. You can defeat a demon with soup, but you can smile just because of a cup of coffee," Zael replied, then continued to sweep with slow movements. "It is most perplexing."
Outside, Takeru walked away, a smile still on his face. He took out his phone and dialed a number. "Operation is going smoothly, Lady Lilith. Aruna is a very interesting girl. I think she'll enjoy the adventure we've prepared for her." He hung up the phone, then looked up at the sky. His smile had now changed, no longer friendly, but cold and full of secrets.
Aruna, busy with her own thoughts, didn't realize that the true enemy might be in the most unexpected place. This was about a romance beginning to blossom, but also about a danger lurking behind the most friendly of smiles.