Time flowed like water, and soon evening arrived. Kael went to Shunkatei at the agreed time. After giving his name at the entrance, the staff led him to a private room.
The room was empty except for a female yokai with short yellow hair, long horns, and a one-eyed mask. She was one of Natori Shuuichi's shikigami. What was her name again?
Seeing Kael, the yokai bowed. "Welcome. I am my master's shikigami, Hiiragi."
Yes, that was her name—Hiiragi.
"No need to be so formal." Kael smiled, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "When will your master arrive?"
Hiiragi replied: "He is already on his way. He will be here soon."
"Oh." Kael looked at her and said: "May I ask you a question?"
Hiiragi answered calmly: "Please ask."
"I'm quite interested in yokai, especially beautiful female yokai," Kael said.
"So, do you know any beautiful female yokai? Could you introduce one to me as a shikigami? Don't worry, I'm not a bad person. I won't discriminate against yokai. I treat them equally. Beyond that, I can help them. No matter how weak, under my guidance they can grow into great yokai. And my lifespan is long, so there won't be the awkward situation of a yokai serving nine generations while the master is gone."
Hiiragi was stunned, unsure how to respond. His words were shocking—and tempting. If she weren't Shuuichi's shikigami, she might have been moved. A master who wouldn't abuse yokai, wouldn't discriminate, and would grow alongside them—too tempting.
But after her surprise, Hiiragi sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, guest. I don't know any beautiful female yokai."
"What beautiful yokai? Did I miss something?"
At that moment, the door opened. Shuuichi and Mai entered. Shuuichi immediately heard his shikigami mention beautiful yokai and asked curiously. Hiiragi quickly repeated the conversation.
Shuuichi was astonished. Mai, however, wasn't surprised. She looked at Kael and said: "As expected of you. Always coming up with something new. Are humans no longer enough for you?"
Kael replied calmly: "Not exactly. I simply like beauty. Whether human, yokai, or even female ghosts—if they're beautiful, I won't refuse."
Mai fell silent, shocked by his tastes. Shuuichi laughed. "Renjou-kun, you're truly an interesting person."
Kael said evenly: "Rather than interesting, call it accepting all comers."
Shuuichi sat down, curious. "Renjou-kun, if the yokai was evil but beautiful, would you still accept her?"
"That depends on the crime," Kael said. "If it's too heinous, even I couldn't accept it."
Mai looked at him in surprise. "I didn't expect your values to be so proper."
Kael shook his head. "You're wrong. For cultivation, I've already started eating humans. My values are long gone. I just have a shred of human decency left."
Shuuichi said slowly: "A person with some decency won't be too bad. Renjou-kun, if you truly want beautiful yokai as shikigami, I'll keep an eye out."
"Thank you," Kael nodded.
Shuuichi replied: "It's I who should thank you. Without you, I'd already be dead."
Mai looked apologetically at her senior. If not for her, he wouldn't have faced mortal danger, nearly losing his shikigami.
"Senpai, I'm sorry. If not for me, you wouldn't have…"
Shuuichi waved her off. "As a descendant of the Natori family, I wouldn't ignore such matters. I was simply overconfident, rushing in without knowing the enemy's strength."
He laughed at himself. "If I'd been more cautious, Hiiragi and the others wouldn't have been hurt."
The yokai behind Shuuichi looked deeply moved. Their bond was genuine.
Kael laughed. "Enough. Don't show off your affection in front of me. I'm hungry. Tonight, I want to taste Shunkatei's best dishes."
Natori smiled. "You're right. Let's not dwell on unhappy things. Renjou-kun, order whatever you like. Tonight, it's my treat."
"In that case, I won't hold back."
"Please, don't."
Seeing the host so generous, Kael said: "Then bring every dish on the menu."
Mai was stunned, thinking she misheard. "Are you joking? So many dishes—can you finish them?"
"Don't underestimate my stomach." Kael patted his belly. "It can hold more than you think."
Mai wanted to protest, but Shuuichi interrupted. "That's fine. We can taste more dishes too."
He called the waiter and ordered every item on the menu.
The waiter was dumbfounded. He had never seen such an order. It was outrageous. After confirming several times that it wasn't a mistake, he left with a look of amazement.
Soon, Shunkatei's head chef came running. "Did you order this? Are you sure you want everything on the menu?"
"Of course," Kael said calmly. "Just serve it. I want to see how your cooking compares to Inui Hinako's."
Shunkatei's head chef was Kikuchi Sonoka, the 89th generation Tōtsuki Elite Ten's second seat. Hinata Hoshiko was the 80th generation's second seat. Both were second seats. Kael wanted to know whose cooking was superior, and what differences lay between them.
Hearing Hinako's name, Sonoka suddenly realized something and pointed at Kael. "Ah, I know you—you're that glutton!"