Chapter 387: Nakiri Mana's Humblebrag and Kasugano Sora's Disgrace
While Lucifer was still in her office, pressing Pandemonica for details about the current state of Hell, the WGO inspectors on the floor below were racing to finish their work before dinner.
"Eh? Is Inui Hinako's 'Misty House' really that impressive?"
"More, how is it that Kikuchi Sonoka, a chef who only graduated two years ago, has already managed to open her own restaurant?!"
At Decora's exclamation, Nakiri Mana paused her review of the documents before her. She tilted her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Kikuchi Sonoka… Ah, I remember now! She's the junior from the 89th Generation that Dojima-senpai mentioned. He said she was the Second Seat of her class, too."
Decora nodded, her point validated. "That would explain it. The restaurant she opened, Shunkatei, is truly excellent. It's such a pity, though…"
"What's wrong?"
Anne, who was carefully poring over the resort's annual accounts, spoke up softly. "If I remember correctly, that girl, Kikuchi Sonoka… um… right! Shunkatei isn't a very large establishment, is it?"
Courage let out a sigh. "I'd say that's perfectly normal. If there's one thing I've realized during my time here, it's that every square inch of land in Tokyo is worth a fortune. That Kikuchi Sonoka girl probably had to empty her entire life savings just to open a shop of that size."
Nakiri Mana considered this for a moment. "That's true," she mused. "She did just graduate, after all, and it doesn't sound like she comes from a particularly powerful family. Land anywhere these days is far from cheap…"
Lanterby, standing nearby, whispered under her breath, "Lady Mana… you're not exactly in a position to be saying that…"
Mana blinked, then looked at Courage, Decora, and Anne, who all seemed to share Lanterby's sentiment. A look of genuine confusion crossed her face. "Why do you say that? Am I not even allowed to express an opinion?"
Decora waved a hand dismissively. "Lady Mana… let's not even begin to discuss the WGO's annual income. Just calculating the organization's total market value would take ages. And as a top-tier fighter in the Kengan Association, a single victory in an Annihilation Tournament would earn you enough to buy dozens of restaurants like Kikuchi Sonoka's."
Courage chimed in with a knowing smile. "Exactly. And on top of that, Lady Mana, you're Director Nakiri's daughter. Totsuki is incredibly wealthy and also a member of the Kengan Association. You've seen the numbers—this resort makes an obscene amount of money, and it's just one small part of the Totsuki Group's tourism division."
Nakiri Mana froze, her mind struggling to process their words. "Eh?! Am I… really that rich?!"
Lanterby couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. "Lady Mana… it almost sounds as if you're trying to boast about your wealth. The moment the old WGO headquarters was designated a branch office, you immediately commissioned a brand-new headquarters here in Tokyo… Honestly…"
Mana thought for a moment, still looking puzzled. "Eh?! But why didn't anyone else try to claim that territory? Surely the other members of the Kengan Association would have made a move, right?"
Courage shook her head. "That's because I showed up here with Ren. With us around, no one dares to cause trouble for the WGO. Besides, the WGO's purpose is unique; you're not trying to seize control of ingredient markets, so there's no territory for anyone to fight over."
Nakiri Mana nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. Then, her expression went blank as a sudden thought struck her. "Speaking of which," she said, a dawning confusion in her voice, "I feel like I don't know anything anymore… What exactly was I doing with my work before all this?"
"You were handling all sorts of things," Decora supplied. "Strategic planning, itinerary allocation, Executive Officer promotions, brand consolidation… In short, you managed a little bit of everything, or rather, you managed the most critical aspects of everything."
Mana nodded again. Being this busy, constantly on the move and traveling the world, was a dizzying change of pace that left her feeling a bit lost. But she had to admit, it was also exhilarating. This was far more interesting than sitting behind a desk all day, staring at endless piles of documents.
"So, in that case…"
Before Lucifer could finish her sentence, the office door swung open. Ren was leaning against the frame, a gentle smile on his face. "Dinner's ready," he announced softly. "Lucifer, are you done with your work?"
"Of course!" she declared, puffing out her chest slightly. "I'm extremely capable."
"Oh? That's quite unexpected."
Her brow twitched. "Are you implying I don't look like a good boss?!"
"You're alright," Ren replied, his smile widening.
"Lucifer is being a tsundere again!" a cheerful voice chirped from the side.
"I am not a tsundere!" Lucifer snapped back instantly.
Pandemonica watched the exchange, her head tilted in quiet confusion. The Lucifer before her—pouting, defensive, and so easily flustered—was a world away from the composed and formidable Queen of Hell. The discrepancy was, frankly, beyond her comprehension. As she was lost in thought, she heard Ren's voice again.
"Miss Pandemonica, your mocha is ready as well."
Pandemonica blinked, her tired expression unchanging. She nodded. "Thank you very much, Lord Ren."
"Eh? What's with that title?"
She stood up, her movements precise despite her weariness. "Because you are the Boss's lover," she stated, as if it were the most logical conclusion in the world.
"This isn't your Hell," Ren said with a light chuckle, glancing at Lucifer. "Just call me by my name, right, Lucifer?"
"Hmph! Since you've already made up your mind, why are you asking me?" Lucifer retorted, her cheeks faintly pink. She turned on her heel. "Pandora! We're going downstairs for dinner!"
Watching her storm out, Ren shook his head with a helpless, fond smile. It seemed the little Queen's tsundere nature was here to stay, but it was just as endearing as ever.
As Pandemonica walked past him, she gave a slight bow, her gaze lingering on him for a moment—a deep, analytical look—before she followed her queen downstairs.
"Master, Master, Master," Cerberus whispered, tugging on his sleeve, "is Lucifer…?"
The triple-headed demon immediately clamped her mouths shut. Ren reached down and stroked Cerberus's head. "Cerberus," he said gently, "next time, you don't have to say it out loud. Or at least wait until Lucifer is far away. Otherwise, you might scare people."
Cerberus looked at Ren with a blank expression, nodded once, and then darted off to find Kasugano Sora. Ren was about to leave himself when his eyes fell upon Lucifer's desk. He froze for a second, then a warm smile spread across his face. Sitting on the corner of the desk was a small, framed group photo. This little Queen…
"Master, Master, Master! Sora is…!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
When Ren arrived at Kasugano Sora's room, he found her sprawled across her desk, completely motionless, as if she'd been knocked out cold. Beside her lay a sheet of homework, a battlefield of smudged pencil marks—written, erased, rewritten, and erased again, with not a single problem properly finished.
Ren smiled softly. "Sora, dinner's ready."
He glanced at the disastrous worksheet. "Hm? This is… Sora, you actually got this one right on your first try. You just miscalculated at the end."
"Eh?! Really?!"
Kasugano Sora shot up, her eyes wide. She snatched the paper and quickly recalculated the problem, her lips moving silently. A moment later, she clenched her small fists, her face a mask of indignation. "I… I misplaced the decimal point… How utterly shameful…"
"Alright, alright," Ren said, patting her head. "Let's go down for dinner."
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