Chapter 243: Kasugano Sora, Tony Stark's Return
Lucifer at this moment could be said to be exceptionally excited.
She sat gracefully at the polished wooden counter of the otherworldly restaurant. Her slender legs were crossed, and her signature crimson eyes sparkled with a rare, child-like wonder. No matter what angle she viewed it from, this entire situation was simply too stimulating for the Queen of Hell.
She absentmindedly stirred a cup of freshly brewed tea, the aromatic steam curling upward. However, her mind was entirely focused on the endless possibilities of the multiverse. She was already thinking about what Pokémon she should try to get her hands on besides the legendary Mew.
"I wonder if there are any Pokémon in that world that can actually produce cooking ingredients..." Lucifer mused aloud, leaning her cheek against her palm. Her sleek tail swished rhythmically behind her, a clear indicator of her soaring mood.
Lucifer thought for a moment, tapping her manicured fingernail against the porcelain teacup. "I'll just go and see when the time comes."
"Ash should be coming over once he manages to catch that Abra. Although that child looks a bit too passionate and seems like a chaotic little kid, he's still a good boy, no matter what."
"Even from a brief interaction, I can feel his personality. He's the type to go all out for his friends, someone completely trustworthy."
Ren nodded in agreement, standing on the other side of the counter while absentmindedly polishing a perfectly clean ceramic plate. To be completely honest, he had genuinely planned to find a Pokémon that could produce ingredients.
As a chef who was borderline obsessed with elevating his craft, the prospect was too tantalizing to ignore. Because no matter what, this could be considered sourcing ingredients directly from Another World, right?
Even if the fundamental taste might not be drastically different from high-end Earth ingredients, the true advantage lay in its absolute naturalness and mystical composition.
For example, if a Pokémon like Alcremie could produce fresh cream, this cream would be born purely from positive energy and natural sweetness.
[Akarin's Note: Alcremie is a Fairy-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII. Its body is made entirely of whipped cream, which becomes richer and sweeter when it is happy. In the Pokémon universe, pastry chefs often partner with Alcremie to create world-class desserts.]
Ren's mind immediately began conjuring up culinary blueprints. If I could get my hands on Alcremie cream... the texture would be impossibly ethereal.
It wouldn't have that heavy, cloying aftertaste of mass-produced dairy. It would dissolve on the tongue like sweet morning dew, carrying rich, fragrant vanilla notes that artificial processing could never dream of replicating.
It was infinitely more interesting than the heavy cream he currently ordered from premium suppliers. There would undoubtedly be a magical difference in the final taste profile of his pastries.
(Somewhere in the Pokémon world, a wild Alcremie sneezed: Just say you want to catch me! Just feed me sweet berries!)
Lucifer thought about being surrounded by many cute, fluffy little creatures in the near future and suddenly felt a profound sense of greatness wash over her. It was a lifestyle befitting a queen. But thinking of this, Lucifer suddenly thought of a technicality within the restaurant's rules and asked doubtfully, "Ren, then tell me... if Pokémon aren't officially considered 'customers' by your restaurant's standards, are Digimon considered customers?"
This unexpected question made Ren pause. He slowly lowered the dish towel, his brows furrowing in genuine contemplation.
He thought for a moment, staring blankly at the warm ambient lighting of the ceiling. "I'm not too sure about that question either," he finally said. "Probably not... Why do you ask that?"
Lucifer tilted her head, her silver-white hair cascading elegantly over her shoulder. "Think about it logically. The Myotismon we saw before was incredibly similar to humans."
"He possessed high intelligence, wore sophisticated clothing, and could even converse eloquently."
"So, it stands to reason that many Digimon should be able to evolve into humans or at least humanoid forms. If that's the case, shouldn't they be recognized as legitimate customers?"
[Akarin's Note: Myotismon (Vamdemon in Japanese) is an Ultimate-level Undead Digimon from the Digimon Adventure series. Modeled after a classic aristocratic vampire, he is highly intelligent, articulate, and possesses a completely humanoid appearance.]
Ren stroked his chin, realizing her logic made a lot of sense. He immediately closed his eyes and mentally connected to the restaurant's overarching system, tentatively asking for a clarification on the rules.
A moment later, a translucent blue screen popped up in his vision.
[System Notice: To clarify the Host's inquiry—standard Pokémon are not considered formal customers. Similarly, standard Digimon are not considered formal customers. However, once a creature evolves or transforms into a distinct 'humanoid' or 'human-equivalent' state possessing sapient communication abilities, they are granted full patron rights.]
The result made Ren somewhat exasperated, letting out a long, heavy sigh.
"So the shop really does use that specific method to determine who is a customer," Ren muttered, rubbing his temples. "But I suppose that's good. No matter what, we've finally learned a definitive way to determine the threshold for new customers."
Ren nodded, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he sighed again. "It really is just exchanging their fundamental identity for cuteness and human privilege, huh?"
"But Pokémon's innate powers are all quite magical. I wonder if Mr. Tony's ridiculous idea of doing intense scientific research with an Alakazam can actually be realized..."
At the mention of the billionaire playboy, Lucifer's eyes narrowed dangerously, a dark, demonic aura briefly flickering around her form. "I'm not entirely sure if his little science experiment will work, but I do know this: if Tony Stark dares to come here again, I'll teach him a thoroughly good lesson! I really can't let him off so easily after his constant, annoying chattering!"
Ren chuckled nervously, wiping down the mahogany counter. "You're bound to the restaurant during operating hours. Can't you move?"
"Hmph," Lucifer scoffed, crossing her arms proudly and causing her impressive chest to heave slightly. "I can just have the Pokémon do it, or I can order Cerberus to bite him."
"Or better yet, I can simply drag him to Another World for a painful, hands-on lesson. Huh? Actually, thinking about it now... that sounds quite interesting."
A terrifying, sadistic smirk curled onto Lucifer's flawless lips.
Ren silently mourned for Tony Stark in his heart. It seemed that next time, if Tony Stark didn't possess the absurdly precise, ego-stroking conversational skills of someone like Eishi Tsukasa to talk his way out of trouble, he might really get taught a painful, demonic lesson.
Meanwhile, in an entirely different universe, located within the sleek, hyper-modern confines of the Stark Tower penthouse in New York...
The expansive workshop was bathed in the cool, blue glow of a dozen holographic displays. The faint smell of soldering iron, ozone, and stale, days-old coffee hung heavily in the air.
Tony Stark sat in his custom ergonomic chair, casually tossing a small wrench onto a cluttered workbench. He rubbed his bloodshot eyes, groaning as his stomach let out a hollow, demanding rumble.
The sliding glass doors to the lab hissed open. The sharp, rhythmic clack-clack-clack of designer heels echoed against the polished floor. Pepper Potts stepped into the room, holding a sleek tablet and looking impeccably sharp in a tailored charcoal pencil skirt and crisp white blouse.
"Pepper, do you have any work plans tonight?" Tony asked, swiveling his chair around to face her, a charismatic, albeit exhausted, smirk playing on his face.
Pepper paused, her fingers hovering over her tablet. She eyed him suspiciously, knowing that tone all too well.
"No, Tony. I managed to clear the evening schedule. What are you up to?"
Tony stood up, stretching his stiff back until a satisfying pop echoed in the quiet room. "I just suddenly remembered how unbelievably delicious Ren's food is."
"That multidimensional restaurant... the flavors are literally out of this world. Would you like to have dinner together tonight? A proper date?"
Pepper's lips twitched upward into a small, amused smile, though she maintained her professional facade. "Are you paying?"
Tony flashed his million-dollar grin, walking over and resting a hand on her shoulder. "Of course I am! But... you bring the money."
Pepper dropped her hands to her sides, staring at him blankly. She let out an exasperated breath.
"Tony! How is that any different from me paying?!"
"Hey, hey, Pepper! Be reasonable!" Tony threw his hands up in mock defense, his eyes dancing with amusement.
"You should know by now, I don't even carry a wallet. I don't have cash on me, and even if I did, I certainly don't have bills of such small denominations for a simple dinner."
"So, naturally, as my highly capable CEO and lovely partner, you'll need to handle the trivial money problem."
Pepper pinched the bridge of her nose, fighting the urge to smack him with her tablet. She sighed, shaking her head in defeat.
"Alright, alright. I'll humor you. When are we leaving?"
"I have to admit, I'm really looking forward to the food at this restaurant in Another World that you've been incessantly raving about."
"Oh, and I definitely want to see the legendary Lucifer and this supposed Hellhound you mentioned!"
Tony glanced at the sleek, digitized clock projected on the glass window. "It's only three in the afternoon right now! We'll go at eight tonight."
Pepper furrowed her brows, giving him an incredulous look. "Then why on earth are you telling me so early?"
"To remind you not to eat dinner!" Tony said playfully, tapping her nose.
"Trust me, Pep. You're going to want to save every square inch of stomach space for this."
Just as Pepper and Tony Stark were happily bickering and discussing what to eat for dinner during their afternoon break, back in Ren's universe, the evening had already begun to drape a blanket of stars over the city.
The street lamps outside the restaurant flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow against the pavement. The post-dinner rush had finally subsided, leaving the interior of the shop pleasantly quiet, save for the gentle hum of the refrigerators and the soft, ambient jazz playing off Ren's phone.
It was right at that time, just as Lucifer and Ren were finishing their idle talk about the specific rules of different customers from various worlds, that the shop door suddenly made a sound.
Cling-a-ling~
The small brass bell above the door chimed weakly. The heavy wooden door opened just a tiny crack, letting in a sharp gust of chilly night air that swept across the floorboards.
Both Ren and Lucifer instantly noticed the shift in temperature and the soft noise. They turned their heads toward the entrance in unison, only to see the door swiftly and silently pull shut again, as if whoever had opened it had suddenly lost their nerve.
This peculiar scene made Ren frown slightly. It made him think of a specific someone's existence—someone incredibly shy—but it wasn't very realistic for them to be wandering around at this late hour.
However, Ren wasn't the type to ignore a potential guest standing out in the cold. He wiped his hands on a pristine white towel, tossed it onto the counter, and walked purposefully toward the entrance.
He gripped the brass handle and pulled the door wide open.
At first glance, the street outside appeared empty. The cool night wind rustled the leaves of a nearby ornamental tree. Ren habitually turned his head to look down the alleyway beside the shop, and his eyes immediately caught a small silhouette.
Standing pressed against the brick wall, trying to blend into the shadows, was a young girl. She was deep in thought, staring down at her worn shoes, her delicate shoulders hunched inward as if trying to make herself as small as possible.
Ren's expression softened instantly. He let out a gentle sigh and said somewhat helplessly, his voice warm and inviting, "Since you're already here, why don't you come in? It's cold outside."
The girl flinched in surprise, her head snapping up. Her large, timid eyes met his. "Hmm… Ren-nii… I… I was just passing by…"
Grumble~
Before she could finish her painfully obvious lie, a loud, undeniable, and deeply hollow rumble echoed from her stomach, completely shattering the quiet atmosphere of the alleyway.
The girl's already pale face, which looked a bit alarmingly malnourished under the streetlights, instantly turned a violent, burning shade of crimson. The blush spread rapidly down to her delicate neck, and she squeezed her eyes shut, mortified, burying her face into the soft plushie she was holding to hide her shame.
Ren couldn't help but smile at the painfully adorable reaction. He stepped out, closing the distance between them, and gently reached out to rub the girl's head. Her silver hair was incredibly soft to the touch.
"Alright, alright," Ren chuckled softly, his tone laced with absolute fondness. "Come in quickly. I'll make you something warm to eat."
"Oh…." the girl squeaked, a tiny, embarrassed sound escaping her lips as she obediently let him guide her toward the warm, inviting light of the restaurant.
As they stepped through the door, the rich, lingering aroma of savory broth and sweet pastries immediately enveloped them.
[Akarin's Note: Kasugano Sora is the main female protagonist of the visual novel and anime 'Yosuga no Sora'. She is a frail, quiet, and highly reclusive girl with a deep, codependent attachment to her twin brother, Haruka. She is rarely seen without her signature black rabbit plushie.]
Lucifer, who was still lounging elegantly at the counter, turned to look at the girl who walked in trailing slightly behind Ren.
The Queen of Hell paused for a moment, her crimson eyes widening a fraction as she took in the new arrival. "You know this child, Ren?" she asked in genuine confusion. "Heavens, what a beautiful and delicate little child."
"Thank you for the compliment, Onee-san…" the girl whispered, her voice as soft as a falling feather, hiding halfway behind Ren's back. "But… I'm not beautiful…."
Lucifer immediately waved her hand dismissively, her stoic, demonic persona crumbling in the face of such overwhelming cuteness. She hopped off her barstool and practically glided over.
"Nonsense! I don't need to fool you about this; you really are a very delicate, beautiful little girl! What's your name, sweetheart?"
Lucifer genuinely found her absurdly adorable. The girl was dressed in a gothic-lite white sundress with intricate black lacework that hung loosely on her frail frame.
She had long, twin-tailed silver-grey hair that shimmered under the shop's lights, flawlessly fair skin, and incredibly delicate, porcelain-like features. She literally looked like a fragile, masterfully crafted doll brought to life.
The most important detail, however, was that she was holding a slightly worn, black rabbit doll tightly against her chest, clinging to it like a lifeline. No matter how you looked at her, from her timid posture to her soft, trembling voice, she was a concentrated weapon of mass adorableness.
The girl awkwardly clutched the fabric of Ren's sleeve, peeking out nervously at the stunning, silver-haired woman hovering in front of her. She whispered, "My name is Sora… Kasugano Sora…."
"Sora," Ren said gently, patting the hand that gripped his sleeve. "It's alright. You don't have to be scared."
"Lucifer is a very kind person. Although she's a bit of a massive tsundere sometimes, she's also very cute."
Lucifer's maternal smile instantly vanished, replaced by a fierce, embarrassed scowl. She glared at Ren, her cheeks puffing out indignantly. "I am not a tsundere!"
Ren smirked, gesturing toward her with his free hand. "See? Isn't her reaction interesting?"
Lucifer's tail lashed through the air with a loud swish. "You've had enough, Ren! Keep talking and I'll bite you!"
Ren raised an eyebrow, entirely unfazed by the Queen of Hell's threats. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Are you sure about that?"
"Hmm… Hmph!" Lucifer grumbled, turning her nose up to the ceiling with a dramatic huff. She then immediately looked back down at the timid girl, her expression melting back into a puddle of absolute affection.
"Sora is giving you some face right now! Sora, come over here with me."
"Just tell Ren exactly what you want to eat, and he'll make it for you, no matter what it is."
Kasugano Sora let out a soft, melodic laugh, the tension finally leaving her frail shoulders as she looked at the completely undignified, flustered Lucifer.
That tiny, musical giggle instantly acted like a critical hit to Lucifer's heart. It made Lucifer feel that this fragile girl standing in front of her was truly a living doll, far too adorable for this chaotic world.
Lucifer simply had zero resistance to cute things—whether it was fluffy Cerberus, adorable Pokémon, or sweet, timid girls. She immediately stepped forward, gently grabbed Kasugano Sora's free hand, and pulled her toward the most comfortable booth in the restaurant.
"Sora is really just too cute," Lucifer cooed, completely ignoring the chef. "There's nothing good to say to this big pig's trotters over there."
"Just ignore him. Onee-san will keep you company while he cooks."
"Eh?!" Sora squeaked, glancing back frantically over her shoulder. "Ren-nii…."
Ren chuckled, walking behind the cooking station and tying his apron securely around his waist. "Don't worry, I'll give you a small, sweet gift later for dealing with her, Lucifer."
"Sora is completely fine. Lucifer doesn't bite people, right?"
Lucifer, currently busy tucking Sora into the plush seating of the booth, nodded proudly without thinking. "That's right, that's right, I don't bite people… Wait, no!"
"I never bite people anyway! Wait, no! I really will bite you, Ren!"
"Eh… Something seems wrong with what I just said…"
Realizing her own tangled words, Lucifer's face burned a bright, furious red. She slammed her hands on the table, glaring daggers at the grinning chef.
"Hmph! Ren! You tricked me!"
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