The atmosphere in the ramen shop felt different. Not because of a new adventure, but because of the awkward silence. After Shiro left, Zael and Aruna never spoke about Zael's admission that this recipe was "his life." However, Aruna knew, that was the arrogant, lazy demon's way of saying he cared.
Aruna, who was making broth, was thinking about it. "What should I do? Make sweet ramen?" she muttered to herself. "Or just ask him directly?" Aruna sighed. "Better for me to focus on cooking."
However, Zael wouldn't let her focus. He was sitting on the counter stool, reading a shojo manga he had found under the table. The manga belonged to a customer who had forgotten it. "Aruna," Zael called, his voice softer than usual. "Here, it says that 'when two hearts meet, they will feel vibrations'. Do you feel vibrations?"
Aruna turned, her face expressionless. "What vibrations? It's not an earthquake, Zael," she replied casually.
"Not that kind of vibration," Zael said, pointing to the manga. "This kind of vibration. The... romantic one. I feel strange every time you touch me. Is that what they call a vibration?"
Aruna almost choked. She turned to Zael and saw the demon's serious face. "Zael, that's called static electricity," she replied. "Or maybe you're just startled."
Zael sighed. "You're not romantic, Aruna," he complained. "I'm trying to understand human feelings, and you're talking to me about physics. This is a difficult job."
Aruna smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Zael, I don't know what to do," she said. "I've never felt this way before."
"I know," Zael replied, then moved closer to Aruna. "Me neither. In my world, we don't have words for these feelings. We only have words for destruction and death." He then gave a faint smile. "But now, I have one word. It's 'ramen'."
Aruna laughed. "Ramen?"
"Yes," Zael said. "Ramen is how I feel about you. Warm, delicious, and makes me want to have it again."
Aruna looked at him, and Zael looked back. The silence felt different. Not awkward, but sweet. Zael slowly reached out and clasped Aruna's hand. The demon's hand felt cold, but his touch felt warm. Aruna didn't pull her hand away. She let him hold it.
Suddenly, the shop door was flung open. A skinny man with curly hair and terrified eyes rushed in. "Aruna! Zael! You have to come with me!" he shouted. "There's a big problem!"
Aruna and Zael looked at the man. Zael frowned. "Who are you? And why are you holding a broom?"
The man was clutching a broom tightly. "My name is Tomo. I'm... I'm another demon courier. And I came to warn you. A more powerful demon is coming here."
Tomo turned to Zael, his face panicked. "She's the demon who controls all the recipes. She's the demon who made a pact with the first chef. She's the strongest demon. She is... Lady Lilith!"
Aruna and Zael were shocked. Zael screamed. "Lilith?! She's back?!"
"Yes!" Tomo replied, then pointed to the window. Lilith was standing there, a cynical smile on her face. "I have come to take my recipe back," she said.
Zael turned to Aruna, his face panicked. "We're in big trouble, Aruna! We're in big trouble!"
Aruna smiled. "It's okay, Zael. We'll face her," she said. She took out her knife. "Besides, I just made a new recipe. I think it'll be a good weapon for her."
Zael looked at Aruna, and he smiled. "Of course. We'll face her. We'll cook that demon."
Lilith looked at them, her cynical smile widening. "You won't be able to defeat me with soup, Aruna," she said. "I've learned from my mistakes. This time, I won't let you win."
Aruna looked at Lilith with a flat gaze. "We'll see about that."