Lilith stood outside the shop, a cynical grin on her face. "I havlearned from my mistakes," she said. "This time, I won't let you win."
Aruna looked at her, her face expressionless. "We'll see about that," she replied. She took out her knife and prepared herself. Zael, who was beside her, looked panicked. "Aruna, we're in big trouble! She's the strongest demon! She's even stronger than Shiro!"
"I know," Aruna replied. "But we won't give up. I won't let her take my recipe."
Lilith entered the shop. A pungent sulfurous smell immediately filled the room. Lilith launched an attack, a wave of dark energy towards Aruna. Zael, quickly, used an invisible shield to protect Aruna. He shouted with an arrogant tone, "You will not touch Aruna! She is the chef responsible for my meals!"
Aruna, meanwhile, ran to the kitchen. She grabbed all the ingredients she had: strange spices from the Underworld Grocery Store, the white cabbage from the Garden of Eden, and the broth she made with Shiro's recipe. She began to cook, all while dodging Lilith's attacks.
"You can't defeat me with food, Aruna!" Lilith shouted. "I am immune to your soup! I won't fall for it again!"
Aruna didn't answer. She focused on her cooking. She mixed ingredients, chopped vegetables, and stirred the broth. Zael, who was continuously protecting Aruna, began to grow tired. "Aruna, I don't know how much longer I can hold on!" he shouted.
Aruna turned and saw Zael starting to run out of energy. The demon's face was pale, and his body began to tremble. Aruna felt something in her heart, something more than just friendship. She realized she loved this arrogant and lazy demon.
"Zael!" she shouted. "Hold on! I'll be done soon!"
Zael smiled, a genuine smile. "Of course. I will hold on. For the ramen..."
Lilith saw this and laughed. "Look at you! Fighting for a human! You are weak!"
Zael didn't answer. He just continued to protect Aruna. Meanwhile, Aruna finished her cooking. She made a bowl of ramen that gave off an incredible aroma. The aroma was not just of food, but also of love, warmth, and sincerity.
Aruna took the bowl of ramen and looked at Lilith. "This is the final ramen for you, Lilith," she said. "This is the ramen I made with my heart."
Lilith laughed. "You think I'll eat your soup again?" she said. "You're a fool!"
"No," Aruna said. "I'm not asking you to eat it. I'm asking you to smell it."
Aruna threw the bowl of ramen at Lilith. Lilith, surprised, tried to block it, but was too late. The ramen broth, which contained all the warmth and love, touched Lilith. Lilith, who was usually cold and cruel, felt something strange. She felt warmth, sincerity, and love.
Lilith screamed. It was not a scream of pain, but a scream of confusion. She couldn't understand the feeling. She couldn't understand love. The feeling was too strong for her. Her body began to crack, and she disappeared.
The ramen shop was calm again. The smell of sulfur vanished, replaced by the warm aroma of ramen. Zael, exhausted, fell to the floor. Aruna ran to him. "Zael! Are you okay?" she asked.
Zael looked at Aruna and smiled. "I'm fine. I'm just... tired." He then gave a faint smile. "Your ramen... is very powerful, Aruna."
Aruna laughed. She helped Zael up, then hugged him. Zael, who was initially stiff, returned the hug. "Aruna..." he whispered.
"Yes?"
"Your ramen... is the most delicious ramen I have ever tasted."
Aruna smiled, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Zael."