Chapter 399: Kasugano Sora's Chinese Teacher, The Veteran of Failed Blind Dates
Lucifer's guess had been spot on; the unmistakable, electrifying aroma of Sichuan cuisine was already beginning to fill the air. Ren was preparing a full spread for Caitlyn and Vi, all rooted in the bold flavors of the region, but the dishes intended for the Piltovan sheriff were a curious departure from tradition.
A "light" dish, in this case, wasn't the simple soup or steamed vegetables one might expect. On the contrary, Ren had inverted the entire concept. For Caitlyn, he was crafting a powerfully seasoned, complex vegetarian dish, while the meat dish was designed to be delicate and clean on the palate—a complete reversal of expectations.
After checking on the simmering pots, Ren stretched, a lazy sigh escaping him. "I really have no idea what kind of lives you people in Piltover lead..."
His quiet musing was lost on Caitlyn and Vi, who were already captivated. One can never truly judge a dish until the first bite, but its initial appeal—its very edibility—is decided by sight and smell. If a plate looks dreadful and smells worse, only the most dedicated food critic with a point to prove would dare to taste it.
But when a dish is a masterpiece of color, aroma, and presentation—when it looks tantalizing, smells divine, and even sizzles with a pleasant sound—it becomes an irresistible invitation.
Ren had, without question, achieved that perfect trifecta. The aroma, in particular, was a signature form of delightful torment for his guests. It was the very reason many regulars made a point to arrive early; the agony of smelling your own order being cooked while watching others eat was a unique kind of torture.
Vi drummed an impatient rhythm on the tabletop with her fingers, her foot tapping a restless beat against the floor. "Hey, Cupcake," she grumbled, "what is that smell? It's driving me crazy. How is it possible it's still not done?"
Caitlyn, hands clasped neatly in her lap, leaned forward slightly. "I don't know, how would I?" she whispered back, her own composure fraying. "Lu..."
Lucifer, casually scrolling through her phone while sipping a drink, didn't even look up. "Don't look at me. I have no idea either. Just be patient and wait to eat. That said," she added, a hint of curiosity in her voice, "I am rather interested to see what kind of 'light' dish Ren has come up with for you."
Caitlyn froze, but before she could respond, the soft patter of footsteps announced a new arrival. Kasugano Sora was jogging down the stairs.
"It's Jinx's friend!" Caitlyn said, recognizing her instantly.
Sora paused, tilting her head. A flicker of recognition crossed her face. "Oh, you're that female officer. The one who was scared to tears by Yuko-nee and Lucifer-nee that day..."
A furious blush crept up Caitlyn's neck. "There's no need to bring up the past!" she snapped, her voice a little too loud.
Sora simply shrugged, not intending to press the issue. She was about to head toward the kitchen when her eyes landed on Vi. The girl stopped, her expression shifting to one of genuine admiration. "Wow... what a cool big sister!"
Vi blinked, then a wide, gratified grin split her face. "Hahaha! You hear that, Caitlyn?" Before the sheriff could retort, Vi leaned forward, her smile warm. "Hey there, kid. What's your name?"
"Kasugano Sora... Are you and that officer colleagues?"
"Yep. Name's Vi. Enforcer from Piltover."
Sora's eyes widened slightly as she processed the name. "Oh! You're the Vi that Jinx talks about! No wonder you're mortal enemies... you're both equally cool."
The grin on Vi's face faltered, replaced by genuine surprise. "Jinx? She talks about me? What'd she say?"
Sora hesitated for a moment, then shook her head quickly. "I don't remember! I need to go get something!"
She made to dash off, but Lucifer's voice stopped her. "Sora, why are you down here? Weren't you doing your homework? Did you finish already?"
Sora shook her head, her shoulders slumping. "It's too hard! And there's so much... I only have my Chinese homework left, but I can handle that one! So I came down to get a drink! For Lantabi-nee and the others, too."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "That's an odd way to put it. Are you saying you're only good at Chinese? You like the class that much?"
At the question, Sora's expression turned pitiful. "No, Lucifer-nee. I was forced to learn it!"
Lucifer looked thoroughly confused. "Forced? I don't follow. You're saying you're good at Chinese not because you enjoy it, but because you were forced to? Did someone make you study against your will?"
"No, it's not like that," Sora explained, shaking her head again. "It's because our Chinese teacher is just... she's too unique. She's a total beauty, and she carries herself with so much grace, but... hmm..."
"But what?"
"I don't know how to describe it," Sora continued, struggling for the right words. "Her personality is kind of a disaster? She's got this... intense, hot-blooded shonen protagonist energy. If you even think about drifting off in her class, she'll instantly call on you to answer the hardest question."
Lucifer let out a thoughtful sigh. "A female teacher like that at Koyo Academy... Her boyfriend must be an incredible man to be able to handle her."
Sora sighed dramatically. "I asked Akemi about her. Akemi told me that the teacher's family is always setting her up on blind dates because she can't find a boyfriend, but every single one is a failure... Eventually, she got so fed up with it that she ran off to teach at Koyo."
"And what does that have to do with anything?" Lucifer asked, intrigued.
"Because, Akemi said she came to an all-girls school specifically to interact more with girls and try to figure out why she's still single. And all the other female teachers at Koyo are so beautiful and elegant."
Lucifer let out a soft chuckle. "It sounds like your Chinese teacher won't be learning her lesson anytime soon... Anyway, you'd better hurry. Aren't you supposed to be playing games with Hinami Aoi tonight?"
"Ah! I forgot!" Sora yelped. "Ren-nii! I need a cola! And drinks for Lantabi-nee and everyone else!"
"Get them yourself~" Ren's voice called back from the kitchen.
Sora quickly grabbed several cans of cold drinks from the fridge, gave Caitlyn and Vi a small nod, and scurried back up the stairs. A moment later, faint voices drifted down. "Nice one, Sora! It's not even ten yet, no need to rush!"
Lucifer shook her head with a faint smile. "Shion's school really is a strange place... A beautiful, elegant teacher who just can't find a boyfriend. Is it a problem with her personality, or her habits...? So peculiar."
As the thought crossed her mind, Lucifer's gaze slid over to the two enforcers, a slow, deeply mischievous smile spreading across her lips.
Vi's eye twitched. "Your Majesty," she said, her tone wary, "what's with that look?"
Caitlyn nodded in agreement, a sense of foreboding washing over her. "I have a feeling you're thinking something incredibly rude."
"Oh? Perhaps I am~"
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