The Commercial District was crowded.
On a Saturday afternoon with perfect sunlight and mild temperatures, it was the ideal time for shopping.
The streets were lined with shops on both sides, their windows displaying a vast array of goods.
The moment Kugisaki Nobara entered the Commercial District, she was like a fish in water, her entire being becoming animated.
She dragged Kama from one shop to another—trying on clothes, jewelry, and makeup—busy and full of joy.
Kama remained like a human accessory throughout the entire ordeal, being hauled around by Kugisaki.
Occasionally, when Kugisaki asked her "How's this one?", she would barely lift her eyelids and spit out a few words.
"Fine."
"Average."
"Whatever."
Kugisaki didn't mind at all, remaining high-spirited and buying things with reckless abandon.
The ones suffering were Itadori Yuji and Fushiguro Megumi.
The two were draped in shopping bags, looking for all the world like a pair of mobile Christmas trees.
Itadori was doing okay—the title of "Stamina Monster" wasn't for nothing. Despite the heavy load, he could still bounce around.
Fushiguro, however, was miserable. His face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, radiating a low-pressure aura that screamed "do not approach."
"Kugisaki..." Itadori muttered under his breath, "didn't we come here to eat Yakiniku..."
Kugisaki was currently holding a pair of earrings up to Kama's ear for comparison. She didn't even turn her head at his remark.
"What's the rush! We've barely started! Shopping for girls is meant to be done slowly!"
"But we've already been at it for three hours..."
"What's wrong with three hours?! Is three hours a long time?! This is just the beginning!"
Itadori shut his mouth.
He silently hiked up the shopping bags that were about to slide down and resigned himself to continuing his role as a mobile storage rack.
Kama glanced at him, then at Fushiguro, and the corner of her lip curled up almost imperceptibly.
But the curve vanished instantly, so fast it seemed like an illusion.
By the time Kugisaki Nobara had finally shopped her fill, the sun was already slanting in the west.
The four of them finally arrived at that 4.8-rated Yakiniku Restaurant.
The storefront wasn't particularly large, but the decor was exquisite.
With wooden tables and chairs, warm yellow lighting, and various Japanese-style decorative paintings on the walls, the air was thick with the aroma of Roasted Meat mixed with a faint scent of charcoal.
Kugisaki had booked a Private Room in advance. A waiter led them down a relatively quiet corridor, stopping in front of the innermost room.
"We're here. Please, come in."
The waiter slid open the door and bowed slightly to them.
The Private Room was very tidy.
A rectangular grill table sat in the center with a grill pan embedded in the surface, surrounded by four cushions.
A Ukiyo-e style painting hung on the wall, depicting cherry blossoms at night.
The four of them removed their shoes and entered, taking their seats on the cushions.
Kugisaki held the menu.
"This! This! I want this too! Oh, and this! And this for the drink! I heard it's su—per delicious!"
Itadori leaned over to look at the menu.
"Kugisaki... can we really eat this much..."
"If we can't finish it, we can get it to go!" Kugisaki waved her hand grandly. "I'm happy today! Eat your hearts out! My treat!"
Itadori immediately shut up and pressed his hands together. "Thank you, Lady Kugisaki!"
Fushiguro said nothing, simply picking up the pitcher to pour a glass of water for everyone.
Kama sat by the window, her elbow propped on the table and her chin resting in her palm as she gazed outside.
It was a very ordinary scene.
Ordinary to the point of boredom.
Yet for some reason, she watched it for a long time.
It wasn't until the waiter entered with a tray piled high with meat and vegetables that she retracted her gaze.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are the items you ordered. Please enjoy."
The waiter arranged the items on the table one by one, helped them light the charcoal beneath the grill pan, then bowed and exited, sliding the door shut.
Kugisaki rolled up her sleeves, looking ready for a major battle.
"Alright! Let's start grilling!"
She picked up the tongs, grabbed a slice of Pork Belly, and placed it on the grill.
The moment the meat touched the high heat, it let out a sizzle. The fat was rendered out, creating tiny bubbling pockets of oil.
Kugisaki was fully concentrated—flipping the meat, sprinkling salt—her movements were fluid.
Five seconds later.
The edges of the meat began to turn black.
Ten seconds later.
The entire slice of meat had turned into charcoal.
Kugisaki: "..."
She silently picked up the charred meat and dropped it into the bone plate nearby.
Then she looked up, her expression solemn.
"I believe that Yakiniku is a task that requires a professional."
Itadori was eager to try. "Let me do it! I'm great at grilling meat!"
He took the tongs, grabbed two slices of Beef, and placed them on the grill with total confidence.
Thirty seconds later.
The Beef had turned into two black, unidentifiable objects.
Itadori: "..."
Fushiguro let out a sigh.
"Let me."
He took the tongs and skillfully picked up several slices of meat, spreading them evenly across the grill.
The heat, the timing, the moment to flip—everything was perfect.
The first batch of Yakiniku was fresh off the grill.
Fushiguro placed the grilled meat into everyone's plates.
"Eat up."
Kugisaki and Itadori immediately raised their chopsticks, grabbed the meat, dipped it in sauce, and stuffed it into their mouths.
They simultaneously let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"Delicious!"
"Fushiguro, you're amazing!"
Fushiguro let out a helpless chuckle and continued grilling the next batch.
Kama used her chopsticks to pick up a slice of meat, dipped it lightly in the sauce dish, and put it in her mouth.
She chewed twice and swallowed.
"Fine."
Kugisaki was busy stuffing a second slice of meat into her mouth, so she mumbled indistinctly.
"Just 'fine'? It's clearly su—per delicious!"
Kama didn't reply, picking up the glass beside her and taking a sip of water.
Itadori had already finished the meat on his plate and was staring longingly at the next batch sizzling on the grill.
"Fushiguro! Faster, faster! It's going to burn!"
"What's the rush?"
Fushiguro flipped the meat without batting an eye, his movements incredibly steady.
"If it burns, you can grill the next one yourself."
"Don't do that! I was wrong!"
"..."
For a while, the only sound in the Private Room was the sizzle of the meat. The atmosphere was rare in its harmony.
Once they had their fill of food, Kugisaki somehow produced a bottle of Fruit Wine.
The bottle was clear glass, containing a pale liquid.
"Ta-da! I brought this specially!"
She shook the bottle, smiling like a cat that had caught a fish.
"I heard this is su—per tasty! The alcohol content is low, so we'll just treat it like juice!"
Itadori's eyes lit up. "I want some!"
Fushiguro frowned. "We're not of age yet."
"What's the big deal! Just a bit! A tiny bit!"
Kugisaki had already twisted off the cap and poured a glass for everyone.
"Come on! To celebrate our first group outing! Cheers!"
She raised her glass, her expression excited.
Itadori matched her energy, raising his own glass. "Cheers!"
Fushiguro looked at the liquid in front of him, then at the expectant eyes of Kugisaki and Itadori. Finally, he sighed and picked up his glass.
Kugisaki leaned in close to Kama, her cheeks flushed from the Yakiniku and the excitement. "Won't Kama drink? It's really good!"
Kama glanced at her, then raised her glass and took a small sip.
The flavor was indeed quite good.
It was sweet, with the fresh fragrance of fruit. The taste of alcohol was very faint—almost undetectable—making it feel more like drinking juice.
Kugisaki asked, "How is it, how is it?"
"It's okay."
Kugisaki was satisfied.
"Good! Come on! Keep drinking!"
She poured herself another glass and knocked it back.
The Fruit Wine's alcohol content was indeed low, but she was drinking it fast.
After a few glasses, the flush on her cheeks became more pronounced, and her eyes began to drift.
Itadori was fine; alcohol didn't have much of an effect on him.
Fushiguro only had half a glass before setting it down.
As a result, the atmosphere in the Private Room gradually began to slide in an uncontrollable direction.
"Oh yeah, something reminds me—"
Kugisaki knocked back another glass, then slammed it onto the table with a thud. She leaned forward slightly, propping her elbows on the table, and looked at Kama with misty eyes.
"Kama, you usually claim to be the God of Love..."
She let out a small hiccup, a playful smile in her voice.
"You should have plenty of experience with love, right?"