Chapter 13: Erina's Discontent
The afternoon sun slanted through the windows of the Restaurant, casting long, lazy shadows across the wooden floorboards. It was the quiet lull between the morning rush (if one customer could be called a rush) and the evening opening.
Ren was quietly reading a book on his phone downstairs. It had to be said that this web novel was one of the most boring, cliché-ridden light novels he had ever read. The protagonist was dense, the villains were two-dimensional, and the magic system made no sense.
But beneath the clunky prose, he could feel the author's desperate unwillingness to give up on it. He could sense the soul poured into every typo-ridden chapter. That was why Ren read a little every day, treating it with the same respect he gave his ingredients.
Now, he was finally nearing the end of the latest update.
"Ai… If only the plot were a bit more normal, the results wouldn't be so bad…" Ren muttered, scrolling past a wall of exposition text.
"What are you reading? You look like you're in pain."
Hearing that voice, Ren was stunned for a second. He looked up, momentarily forgetting that he wasn't the only one in the Restaurant right now.
Standing by the stairs, looking regal even in casual clothes, was the Queen of Hell, Lucifer. She had declared she wanted to "study" him, which apparently involved watching him read bad fiction.
Ren pointed to the novel on his phone screen. "It's this novel. Although not much has been written—maybe fifty chapters—you can already see the struggle. The author's writing needs improvement, the character personalities aren't distinct enough, and the pacing is all over the place. In short, there are many problems~"
Lucifer walked over, curious. She took the phone from his hand, her fingers brushing his. She read two pages, her eyebrows furrowing deeper with each line.
"This is... dreadful," she stated bluntly. "The grammar is atrocious."
She returned the phone to Ren and said with a smile, "But you still finished it, didn't you? You've bookmarked the latest chapter."
Ren smiled faintly, putting the phone in his pocket. "Of course. Because I can feel the author's unwillingness from the writing. It's a raw desire to create. It would be great if the author could continue writing. Potential is there, hidden under the mess."
"Hmm? They've stopped writing already?"
Ren shook his head and softly said, "They probably couldn't handle the lack of views and stopped writing… It's quite a pity. It hasn't been updated for half a month. A hiatus that often becomes permanent."
Lucifer smiled, a thoughtful look in her crimson eyes. "It seems I should go and read this author's work… if it managed to capture your attention, there must be something special about it."
"Hmm? You want to read it? You don't need my phone." Ren pointed towards the ceiling. "There's a new smartphone in every guest room, in the nightstand drawer by the bed. Just take it and use it. It's connected to the shop's WiFi."
Lucifer was stunned. She blinked. "Eh?"
"No need to buy one. There's a new phone in every room. Because from the very beginning, the rooms were arranged for those who temporarily stay long-term, or those who have nowhere else to go—refugees from other worlds, usually. The facilities are very complete. Toothbrushes, towels, electronics."
"Oh~"
Lucifer was suddenly very curious about this Restaurant. She really couldn't imagine what kind of establishment would provide brand-new electronics for guests just because they might need them. It was a bit too outrageous. Was he running a charity or a business?
Lucifer walked back to her room, her footsteps light. She found a sleek new phone at the location Ren mentioned. While searching for that obscure light novel title, she pondered what other secrets Ren's Restaurant held.
He is a mystery wrapped in an apron, she thought.
Having something to do is much better than having nothing to do. At this time, Ren and Lucifer were each doing their own things in comfortable silence, and time flew by.
"Hmm… just a little more… I'll go down after I finish reading…"
Lucifer looked at the sky outside the window, which was gradually tinged with the orange and purple hues of twilight. She rubbed her stiff neck, and then continued to look down at the light novel on the screen.
Just as Ren mentioned, the writing, plot, and character descriptions were a mess. But one could feel the author's earnestness. That kind of earnestness that went from self-doubt to an unwilling, never-give-up attitude resonated with her. After all, she had fallen from Heaven and built a Kingdom from ash. She knew about starting from nothing.
Ren read a little each day, savoring it. But Lucifer, being a demon of excess and curiosity, binged it. She would read for a while, critique it harshly in her head, switch to a mobile game, and then switch back to continue reading because she had to know how the terrible plot resolved.
Meanwhile, at Totsuki Tea Ceremony and Culinary Academy.
The atmosphere in the Director's office anteroom was tense.
Hisako Arato, Erina's loyal secretary, held a file bag and checked her watch nervously. She softly said, "Erina-sama, there's a tasting schedule at a four-star French Restaurant in Ginza tonight at 7:30 PM. We need to leave now if we want to avoid traffic…"
Hisako hadn't finished speaking when Erina waved her hand to interrupt her. The motion was sharp, decisive.
Erina Nakiri stood up, crossing her arms. Her expression was a mix of determination and sarcasm.
"Hisako, cancel it. All tastings today are cancelled. Tonight's recipe practice is pending. Today we're going to the Restaurant my grandfather mentioned…"
"Eh? The Restaurant the Director mentioned?" Hisako blinked, confused.
Erina nodded and chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in it. "Yes. I'd like to see what kind of Restaurant, what kind of chef and cuisine can make Grandpa say that I will learn things that will overturn my imagination… It sounds like a challenge to the God Tongue."
Hisako, listening from the side, was also startled. Erina was the owner of the God Tongue, the most refined palate in the world. Could such a place truly exist? One must know that Erina was as proud as a peacock and as critical as a judge at a murder trial.
Just then, the heavy oak doors opened.
"Erina! Have you been waiting long!"
Senzaemon Nakiri strode out, wearing a casual but high-quality kimono. He looked unusually energetic.
"No! I just arrived. Grandpa, you seem very tired? Or perhaps... excited?" Erina observed.
Senzaemon Nakiri walked towards his private limousine and said with a smile, "Hmm! Of course! I'm excited! It's rare for that kid to be in a good mood to take special requests. If we don't go early this time and it gets crowded with his regulars, we won't get to taste the best things! Hahaha!"
Erina's eyes widened in disbelief. Hisako also covered her mouth to hide a gasp.
The dignified Demon King of Cuisine, the man who ruled the culinary world of Japan with an iron fist, actually had to consider the other party's mood just to order a dish?! He was acting like a fanboy trying to get an autograph!
This news would shock the culinary world if it got out.
This made Erina even more indignant.
She had never heard of a chef named Ren being so amazing. No Michelin stars, no magazine features, no fame at all. This made her very unhappy. It felt like a fraud.
Such a chef, if he truly has skill, should stand in a very expensive Restaurant, she thought angrily. He should be using his perfect skills in front of the rich and powerful to create priceless delicacies with the highest quality ingredients. That's how it should be. That is the natural order.
Instead of being holed up in a small, obscure Restaurant, playing hard to get? This was an insult to his own skills! An insult to chefs who worked hard for recognition! An insult to customers who deserved the best!
I will expose him, Erina decided.
Gradually, the black limousine glided through the city streets and arrived at the entrance to the old shopping district.
Senzaemon Nakiri got out, and Erina and Hisako followed.
Erina looked at the bustling alley—the main market street—and nodded, her anger subsiding considerably. She had heard of this street; it could be said to be the most prosperous place for street food and fresh ingredients.
If it's here, among the vibrant food culture, maybe it's a hidden gem, she reasoned. A high-end kappo hidden in the market?
Thinking this, Erina headed towards the bright lights of the main street, ready to critique.
But before she had walked two steps, she heard Senzaemon Nakiri call out.
"Erina! Where are you going?"
"Grandpa, to that Restaurant. It should be the busiest Restaurant on this street, right?"
Senzaemon Nakiri sighed, shaking his head. "No… It is not there. Just follow me. Prepare yourself."
Erina was startled. She turned back, confused.
She followed Senzaemon closely, but when she saw her grandfather walk straight past the bright lights and turn into a dark, narrow, deserted alleyway, Erina was dumbfounded.
This place?!
This place, let alone a Restaurant, didn't even look like it had ordinary residents! It was just shadows and silence.
Feeling the darkness around her, Erina, who was a little timid despite her bravado, shrank towards Senzaemon. Hisako clutched her file bag like a shield.
After walking for about five minutes in the oppressive silence, Erina finally saw a glimmer of warm, yellow light.
It was a small shop at the end of the lane. A Restaurant without a signboard.
It was Ren's Restaurant.
Senzaemon Nakiri sniffed the air like a hound. Then he smiled broadly. "Hmm! It's already started! I smell garlic and peppers!"
With that, he quickened his pace slightly, his geta clacking on the pavement.
Erina and Hisako hurried to keep up.
Seeing the light, Erina was no longer afraid. Her critical mode re-engaged.
She carefully looked around the exterior. Plain wood. Clean glass. No menu stand. No name.
Her impression of this Ren, whom she had never met, worsened. Arrogant, she thought. He thinks he doesn't need to advertise?
Senzaemon Nakiri pulled open the door. The bell chimed softly.
Ding-a-ling.
Erina walked in and saw two people sitting inside waiting for their dishes.
One of them was a young man with a completely bald head and a rather plain, foolish face. He wore a yellow jumpsuit with a white cape sitting on the chair next to him.
The bald man saw Senzaemon Nakiri and waved with a smile, his expression goofy. "Oh! Long time no see, old man~ You came for the special menu too?"
"Oh! Saitama! It really has been a long time! I haven't seen you since that hotpot incident!"
Senzaemon Nakiri laughed, walking over and sitting down in his usual seat opposite the bald man.
Erina and Hisako sat opposite Senzaemon Nakiri, feeling out of place in their Totsuki uniforms.
Erina crossed her arms, her eyes scanning everything like a laser. She carefully observed the interior.
She had to admit, she was surprised.
The environment inside the Restaurant was excellent. It wasn't opulent like the French places she frequented, but the craftsmanship of the furniture was top-tier. The wood was polished to a shine. The air filtration was perfect—no stale grease smell, just a natural floral fragrance mixed with appetizing cooking scents.
The Restaurant was also very warm and clean, and she hadn't expected it to be so spacious inside. It felt bigger on the inside than the outside suggested.
Just as Senzaemon Nakiri and Saitama were chatting happily about sales at the supermarket, the kitchen curtain parted.
Ren walked over.
He was wearing a simple white chef's shirt and a black apron. He held a steaming plate of Di San Xian (Stir-fried Eggplant, Potato, and Green Pepper) in one hand and a bowl of white rice in the other.
[Akarin's Note: Di San Xian is a popular Chinese dish made of stir-fried potatoes, eggplants, and green peppers.]
Ren placed the dish on Saitama's table. The glossy brown sauce coated the vegetables perfectly, gleaming under the lights.
He looked at the group and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you two to have so much to talk about. Is this an intergenerational friendship? The Hero and the Director?"
Senzaemon Nakiri smiled and said, "Of course it is! Saitama is one of the few good young people I've met who appreciates simple food! Oh, Ren-kun, let me introduce them properly. This is my granddaughter, Nakiri Erina, and this is her secretary, Hisako Arato."
Ren looked at Erina.
Erina looked at Ren.
She expected him to be flustered by her presence. Most chefs trembled when the God Tongue arrived.
Ren just nodded politely. "Welcome. I'm Ren."
Then he turned back to Senzaemon Nakiri, dismissing her presence entirely. "So, what would you like to order? The usual?"
Erina's eyebrow twitched. He ignored me?!
Senzaemon Nakiri smiled slyly and said, "How could I let you off so easily! Today, I'll order something different. Something special. You were in a good mood half a year ago, right, Saitama?"
Saitama was about to start eating. He paused, holding his chopsticks. He heard Senzaemon Nakiri's words and said with a smile, nodding vigorously.
"That's right! Shopkeeper Ren clearly said it's too hard to be in a good mood even once! Last time he made that special curry, I almost cried! You have to take advantage of it, old man!"
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