Chapter 236: Curious Humans, For Peace of Mind
The sleek, obsidian-black luxury sedan hummed with a quiet, intimidating power as it glided to a smooth halt. Its glossy exterior reflected the dim, flickering streetlights of the modest residential neighborhood, looking entirely out of place against the backdrop of narrow roads and clustered apartments.
"The alley is too narrow for me to drop you two off safely inside," Momobami Kirari's smooth, aristocratic voice drifted from the slightly lowered window.
The imposing Student Council President rested her cheek against her knuckles, her piercing blue eyes gleaming with amusement in the shadows of the backseat. "Once you get home, make sure to tell Akemi. That girl knows exactly who to contact to reach me~"
Standing on the chilly sidewalk, Sakura Hibiki and Gina Boyd nodded in unison. They bowed slightly, offering their heartfelt thanks for the ride.
Igarashi Sayaka, sitting rigid and perfectly attentive in the driver's seat, gave them a polite nod before smoothly accelerating. The girls stood in silence for a moment, watching the glowing red taillights of the luxurious vehicle gradually disappear around the corner, swallowed by the quiet Tokyo night.
Hibiki let out a long, exaggerated sigh, her breath puffing out in a small cloud of white mist. "Ah~ I really don't know if I'm amazing, or if the people around me are just that amazing..."
Gina tilted her head, her silver hair catching the amber glow of the streetlamp. She blinked her striking blue eyes in genuine confusion. "Eh? Hibiki, why would you say something like that all of a sudden?"
Hibiki waved her hand in front of her face, leaning back against a brick wall as she tried to process her own absurd reality. "Think about it, Gina! Before I knew that our gym memberships could be fully reimbursed, I had to work part-time just to earn enough pocket money to afford the Silverman Gym fees."
She began counting on her fingers, her voice rising in disbelief. "But recently, I realized that almost everyone I hang out with is a ridiculously wealthy young lady!"
"You know Akemi is a literal born-and-bred heiress. Sister Lucifer casually acts like an elite CEO of some massive conglomerate."
Gina nodded thoughtfully, following along as they began their slow walk down the narrow, shadowed alleyway toward their apartment building.
"Then there's Sister Courage," Hibiki continued, her eyes wide. "She is also a fabulously rich, beautiful, and powerful woman from the WGO!"
"And now Kirari-nee? She is easily on the exact same terrifying level as the President!"
Gina hummed quietly, her boots clicking against the asphalt. "So? What does that mean?"
"So, I seriously suspect something is wrong with me," Hibiki declared, clutching her cheeks in mock horror. "Do I have some kind of hidden, natural affinity for attracting overwhelmingly powerful young ladies?!"
Gina's mouth twitched, struggling to hold back a laugh at her friend's dramatic conclusion. She patted Hibiki's shoulder reassuringly.
"That's way too ridiculous, Hibiki~ Let's just go back inside first. Don't forget what Kirari-nee said."
"Yeah, yeah, you can just make a phone call to Akemi~" Hibiki parroted playfully, mimicking Kirari's elegant tone.
"Eh? Why me?" Gina asked, quickening her pace toward their front door.
"Because I want to lay on the couch and watch a movie~" Hibiki sang out, already digging her keys out of her pocket.
Gina let out a startled gasp, playfully shoving her friend's shoulder. Just as Ren had observed in the past, when close friends lived together and both possessed such bright, easygoing personalities, it truly made for a wonderfully lively and interesting way of life.
Meanwhile, miles away from the quiet residential alleyway, the atmosphere inside Ren's restaurant was entirely different.
Perhaps it was because Kirari's overwhelming, predatory aura had finally left the premises. Or perhaps this quaint little eatery truly was a magical sanctuary, just as Joichiro Yukihira had once passionately claimed.
Whatever the reason, the ambiance was incredibly soothing. Combined with Courage's effortlessly elegant and friendly conversational skills, Eishi Tsukasa felt the suffocating knot of anxiety in his chest completely untangle. The perpetually nervous First Seat of the Elite Ten had actually managed to relax his rigid shoulders.
"So, what you're saying is that the integration of those specific spices..." Eishi began, leaning forward across the polished wooden counter, fully engrossed in a culinary discussion.
Sizzle—!
The sudden, violent sound of premium meat hitting a scorching hot cast-iron pan instantly shattered Eishi's sentence. However, the white-haired chef didn't feel a single ounce of dissatisfaction at being interrupted.
In fact, his pale purple eyes widened in pure ecstasy. To a man wholly devoted to the culinary arts, that aggressive, crackling hiss was undeniably the most beautiful, wonderful symphony one could ever hear within the walls of a restaurant.
Eishi's hyper-sensitive nose flared involuntarily, instantly capturing the invisible molecules dancing through the warm air.
"The sharp, pungent aroma of freshly crushed black pepper... it seems to be a black pepper steak," Eishi muttered under his breath, his analytical mind racing at lightspeed.
"No... wait. Why is the underlying beef aroma so astonishingly rich? It's rendering perfectly."
"As expected of Shopkeeper Ren... just the scent of a single steak is enough for someone to study for years..."
Behind the counter, Ren stood with perfect posture, completely in his element. He was indeed searing a thick, beautifully marbled cut of beef for the black pepper steak.
This dish was meant to be Eishi Tsukasa's final course for the evening. For certain non-Chinese Western cuisines, provided one didn't factor in the meticulous time required for plating, the actual cooking process was remarkably fast and intensely explosive.
Facts proved that meat was, ultimately, just meat. Yet, in the hands of a master, it became an entirely different entity.
The pan radiated a mesmerizing heat, bringing forth a heavy, intoxicating meat aroma buff that viciously attacked the senses and ruthlessly whetted the appetite. Eishi Tsukasa was currently trapped within this exact state of sensory overload.
His salivary glands worked overtime as his appetite was violently stirred. A chef's imagination was a terrifying, vivid tool.
As the reigning First Seat of Totsuki, merely smelling the complex, layered scent profile was more than enough for Eishi to vividly construct the sheer grandeur of the dish in his mind's eye.
It might not be the most extravagant or avant-garde recipe in the world, but it undeniably possessed a captivating, primal magic. Eishi knew implicitly that Ren would never serve it well-done. The interior would be exceptionally tender, likely a flawless medium-rare, locking the ruby-red juices within the muscle fibers.
Eishi could already see it in his mind. The surface of the meat, subjected to the brutal high-heat searing, would have undergone a textbook Maillard reaction, turning a deep, glorious dark brown.
Coarse, jagged specks of black peppercorns would be embedded into the caramelized crust. A thick, glossy layer of rich black pepper sauce would surely be drizzled over the top. Eishi imagined it slowly dripping down the sides under the warm restaurant lights, gleaming with a savory, mouth-watering shimmer.
He could practically feel the tactile feedback. When a polished silver knife and fork finally cut into that thick slab, the unique, spicy heat of the black pepper would waft out in a concentrated cloud of steam.
The dark, savory sauce would slowly slide down the smooth, freshly exposed cross-section of the tender steak. It would travel along the slightly reddish, warm center, eventually pooling onto the pristine white porcelain plate below.
In Eishi's mind, it formed a picturesque masterpiece, perfectly balanced with vibrant cherry tomatoes, earthy sprigs of rosemary used for garnish, and the silent, plump white sausages resting obediently on the side.
Sometimes, human psychology was just that strange and deeply complex. Even when a person's physical body felt like it couldn't hold on any longer, their mind could whisper, 'You can do it, you can keep going,' and then, miraculously, the body would obey.
Appetite functioned on the exact same miraculous principle.
It was a universal phenomenon. At a certain, random moment in life, a person might suddenly think of a specific taste. That taste then conjures a memory, a scene, slowly filling in the background colors and emotions.
Gradually, the vivid image of a specific dish becomes clearer and clearer in the mind. At that exact moment, the brain convinces the body that this food is the most incredibly delicious thing in existence. The craving becomes a physical itch, an unbearable, restless feeling of sheer anxiety if it isn't consumed immediately.
However, the tragedy of human expectation was that often, when one finally managed to eat that craved dish, they found it wasn't nearly as divine as their imagination had built it up to be. Yet, despite the slight disappointment in taste, the mere act of eating it was enough to completely fill that hollow anxiety and unease within the heart.
Often in life, doing something wasn't strictly about achieving a flawless, expected goal. It was simply a desperate bid to satisfy one's own spirit, to find a fleeting sense of peace of mind.
So, when a strange, burning idea or a sudden craving hits, one must simply go and do it! Realize it! Manifest it into reality!
Even if the final result isn't perfectly smooth, the journey itself is more than enough to soothe a restless, wandering heart.
Finally, pulling Eishi out of his profound philosophical trance, the soft squeak of wheels approached.
Under Eishi Tsukasa's incredibly expectant, shining gaze, Ren pushed a polished wooden dining cart out from behind the counter. Looking at the tall, handsome man gracefully maneuvering the cart, Eishi genuinely felt that Ren embodied the imposing, flawless aura of a 'White Knight' far better than he ever could.
"Shopkeeper Ren," Eishi murmured softly, his tone laced with absolute reverence. "I truly think the title of White Knight suits you much better than it suits me~"
Ren paused, letting out a warm, melodic chuckle. "I really don't know why you always like to project the color white onto me, Tsukasa. Although I do quite like white, it's not my absolute favorite color~"
Sitting nearby, Sister Lucifer and Sister Courage perked up instantly. Both women had been casually sipping their drinks, but Ren's casual confession made their ears twitch. Just as the two beauties were about to pry for more information, Eishi beat them to the punch.
"Eh?" Eishi asked, his head tilting in genuine culinary confusion, always eager to understand the core preferences of a chef he respected. "Then Shopkeeper Ren, what color do you actually like?"
Ren paused his serving duties for a moment, raising a hand to tap his chin thoughtfully. "Well... I'd say white, black, blue... ah, and definitely red. I think these colors are all quite beautiful."
Thump-thump.
Two entirely separate hearts skipped a beat in perfect, synchronized harmony.
Lucifer blinked her crimson red eyes, her fingers subtly tightening around her glass. She glanced down at her own sharp black, white, and red suit, and then mentally pictured her pure white hair and ruby eyes. White, black, red...
Courage, sitting a few seats away, felt a sudden, inexplicable warmth rush to her usually composed cheeks. She subtly smoothed out the fabric of her elegant attire, her mind instantly connecting Ren's listed colors to her own aesthetic and features.
Beautiful!
That single, ego-boosting thought echoed identically within both Lucifer and Courage's minds. The two women silently, almost imperceptibly, shifted in their seats, committing Ren's preferences to the deepest, most secure vaults of their memories.
Completely oblivious to the sudden spike in romantic tension he had just caused, Ren effortlessly lifted the heavy ceramic plates from the cart.
He placed the stunningly arranged dishes on the counter directly in front of Eishi. "Well then, the hot dishes are all officially served. As for your dessert, I've already put it in the refrigerated section to chill properly, so it will have the perfect mouthfeel when you're ready to eat it~"
Eishi stared at the magnificent spread, suddenly feeling incredibly flustered and somewhat overwhelmed by the impeccable service. "Shopkeeper Ren, I… this… how can you speak to me with such a respectful attitude? You're really overestimating my worth…"
Ren leaned against the wooden cart, flashing a gentle, reassuring smile. "Student Tsukasa, you must always remember this core rule. In a restaurant, no matter how familiar the acquaintance is or how close the bond, the necessary foundation of hospitality and etiquette must still be maintained."
Ren playfully tapped the rim of the cart. "Although, to be fair, your future high-end restaurant will likely have an army of dedicated service staff to say these polite things for you~"
Eishi's eyes widened slightly before a small, genuinely appreciative smile graced his lips. He gave a firm, respectful nod, absorbing the lesson.
"Then, please enjoy your meal to your heart's content~" Ren concluded warmly.
After speaking, Ren turned his back to the counter, walking over to return to Sister Lucifer's side. He slid into the seat beside the CEO of Hell, leaning in close enough that she could feel the residual heat from the kitchen radiating off his skin, immediately resuming his playful teasing where they had left off.
Since Kirari had vacated the premises with Sakura Hibiki and the others, Sister Courage naturally took the opportunity to slide over, occupying the newly emptied space to join their conversation.
On the far side of the room, Cerberus had completely checked out of reality. The demonic triplets had merged into a pile of limbs and dog ears, flopping down heavily onto the floor mats. Their bellies were distended and full, instantly becoming blissfully detached from everything in the mortal realm as they descended into a deep food coma.
Left alone in his own world, Eishi Tsukasa looked down at the enticingly fragrant dishes resting before him.
They perfectly embodied the absolute pinnacle of Western plating artistry. The composition possessed excellent color theory, an overwhelming aroma, and an undeniable promise of explosive taste.
Eishi briefly glanced out of the corner of his eye toward Ren, who was currently whispering something that caused a faint, uncharacteristic blush to dust Lucifer's pale cheeks.
Eishi withdrew his gaze, staring back at his plate. "As expected of Teacher Ren..." he whispered quietly to himself.
Although Ren had explicitly told Eishi on multiple occasions that he was not his master, nor his teacher, but merely a humble restaurant shopkeeper, Eishi flatly refused to accept that. In the absolute deepest depths of his heart, Eishi regarded Ren as his ultimate teacher—both in the philosophy of personal conduct and the boundless world of cooking.
It was the very first time in his life that the notoriously arrogant, yet self-deprecating First Seat had ever truly, wholeheartedly admired someone's skill above his own. Sometimes, once the heavy, respectful word "Teacher" is uttered in the heart, that person becomes an unforgettable, guiding presence for the rest of one's life.
Eishi gently shook his head, clearing his stray thoughts, and slowly picked up his polished silver knife and fork.
Logically, he should have tasted the Tom Yum Soup first. After all, that was the specific, complex recipe he had traveled here tonight to study and learn. Yet, against all reason, his hands bypassed the soup entirely, drawn magnetically toward the richly fragrant, glistening black pepper steak.
He desperately needed to know. He had to know if the physical reality of Ren's cooking could possibly match the god-like imagination his mind had constructed just moments ago.
The very millisecond the serrated edge of the knife descended, time seemed to slow down.
The resistance was virtually non-existent. That impossible, buttery tenderness instantly transmitted straight through the stainless steel table knife, vibrating up Eishi's arm. As the crust broke open, a violent eruption of hot, trapped steam blasted into the air, carrying the purest essence of beef and pepper straight into Eishi's face.
His breath hitched in his throat. Eishi knew instantly that his imagination was woefully inadequate. This aroma had already violently shattered and surpassed his wildest expectations.
If doing something without achieving the wonderful outcome initially envisioned was strictly for the sake of finding "peace of mind," then what Eishi was experiencing right now was an entirely different beast.
When reality completely obliterated expectations, it was no longer mere peace of mind. It was pure, unadulterated exhilaration.
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