The evening breeze drifted over Mirror Lake, bringing a crisp, biting chill that made the windows of Café Sazanami shiver.
Inside, the silence hung thick, barely holding together over a broken illusion.
Yukino Yukinoshita jumped to her feet, the chair scraping loudly across the floor and breaking the silence like a sharp crack.
"Yukinon?"
Yui Yuigahama blinked, instinctively reaching out to grasp the edge of Yukino's sleeve. "Hey, are you okay? You look a bit pale."
Yukino pulled her arm back and froze, her pale blue eyes fixed on the floorboards as a faint tremor ran through her fingers—not from crying, but from sheer, simmering frustration.
One bite of a sweet was all it took to shatter years of carefully built emotional defenses.
"Sorry, I need some air, Yuigahama-san," Yukino said, her tone cool and cutting, though a faint tremor at the end gave away her slipping composure. "Please don't follow me."
She spun around and headed for the exit before Yui had a chance to respond.
The brass bell over the door rang out a crisp, lonely note as she slipped into the fading light, making her way down the path toward the water.
From his corner booth, Hachiman Hikigaya watched her disappear into the darkness.
He didn't try to stop her, just took a slow, leisurely sip of his MAX Coffee, letting the sugary sweetness linger on his tongue.
Yui glanced back at him, worry etched across her face. "Hikki, don't you think we should..."
"Leave her," Hachiman cut in, his tone even. He placed the yellow can back onto the coaster.
You know how she gets when she loses her composure. Step out there now, and you'll only end up in the line of fire from her sharp tongue.
'She'll figure it out', Hachiman mused, leaning his head back against the vinyl seat with a tired sense of resignation.
'Or maybe she won't. Either way, it's not my concern tonight. My job was simply to get her here.'
Behind the counter, Jun Izanami casually wiped the espresso machine with a clean towel, his gaze following Yukino's fading shadow through the glass, his face giving nothing away.
He slipped his phone from his apron pocket and tapped the screen, bringing up the colorful interface of the Otherworldly Supermarket app.
A cheerful mascot waved from the corner beside a bold banner that read: Tuesday Flash Sale! 25% off all ferments!
Skipping past the basic produce, Jun glanced at his point balance in the corner: 345,800 points.
He was no longer just getting by.
Serving the Shinomiya heiress, the Nakiri God Tongue, and the Momobami president had proven to be quite lucrative.
Scrolling through the "Spirit Realm Ferments" tab, he spotted his prize: System-Grade, Three-Year-Aged Kyushu Yuzu Kosho.
Discounted from 20,000 to 15,000 Points, he clicked 'Buy Now' without hesitation.
[Item Purchased: System-Grade Kyushu Yuzu Kosho (3-Year Aged)]
[15,000 Points deducted. Item delivered to secondary storage.]
Spending fifteen grand on a single condiment would make any sane chef break a sweat, Jun thought, casually tossing his phone onto the shelf.
After all, ordinary chefs don't earn System rewards for reshaping a clan head's worldview. You never cut corners on the foundation.
A soft thud sounded from the back room a moment later.
As Jun stepped into the storage room, he spotted a plain cardboard box on the prep table, its flaps secured with yellow tape.
He ripped it open to uncover a small ceramic jar sealed with thick wax.
As the seal broke, a sharp rush of aged citrus and fermented chili filled the air.
He picked up the jar and walked out the back door into the cool, crisp night air.
In the little herb garden behind the shop, Jun knelt by the raised wooden beds, running his fingers through the damp shiso and mitsuba leaves before crushing a few between them.
The tangy scent of citrus instantly filled his senses.
A gentle rustle came from under the deck as Nouno, the café's large gray Persian cat, waddled into the chilly air.
With her squished, grumpy face locked in a permanent scowl, she strutted over to the patch of dirt Jun had just cleared, circled twice, and flopped right down on his foot.
Jun gave her ear a light flick. "Move along, Nouno."
Nouno gave a raspy hiss, her yellow eyes narrowing with feline disdain, yet she stood her ground.
With a quick chuckle, Jun stood, dusted the dirt from his knees, and tucked the ceramic jar under his arm before heading back inside.
The kitchen sat in peaceful silence.
Ririka Momobami stood by the drying rack, her white mask set on the counter beside her as she slowly and deliberately dried the freshly washed plates.
She wasn't lost in thought—just keeping her hands occupied.
Jun set the jar on the stainless steel counter, fired up the flat-top grill, and grabbed a silver-skinned mackerel from the chiller.
He scored the flesh with a few deft flicks of his Santoku knife.
The fish sizzled on the hot steel, releasing a rich, savory aroma that filled the air.
"Give this a try," Jun said, sliding over a small, freshly seared piece across the stainless steel, topped with a drizzle of shiso-infused rice vinegar and a hint of fresh yuzu kosho.
"Let me know if the heat feels too intense."
Ririka paused, letting her hands settle on the drying towel.
She glanced down at the plate, then back up at Jun, her light blue eyes widening in quiet surprise before she lifted a fork for a cautious bite.
Her eyes grew even wider.
The sharp, citrusy kick of the yuzu kosho hit the back of her throat first, quickly followed by the clean, rich flavor of the fish and the earthy, grounding note of the shiso.
It sliced through the mackerel's fat with ease.
"It's... sharp," Ririka murmured, her gaze fixed on the dish as she swallowed. "But the heat doesn't scorch—it wakes you up, clears your head, and makes you want another bite."
"I see... Noted." Jun gave a nod, pulling a small notebook from his pocket to jot down a tweak: reduce kosho by 10% and add a pinch of sugar to smooth out the finish.
His Absolute Learn skill was already running in the background, breaking the dish down into raw data in his mind.
[Absolute Learn Active]
[Flavor Balance: 92/100]
[Acidity: Optimal | Capsaicin Spread: Slightly Aggressive | Umami: High]
[Adjustment Log Saved: Recipe Updated to Grade-S Perfected.]
He didn't need to cook a dish fifty times to perfect it—he could read her expression, break down the flavor profile in his mind, and instantly tweak the recipe.
It was like having a secret shortcut to culinary mastery, and he wielded it as effortlessly as taking a breath.
A loud thump broke the silence as Nouno sprang onto the prep table, smacking a damp sponge with her paw.
"Drop it, you little menace," Jun said, giving her snout a playful flick.
The cat hissed, turned her back on him, and strutted over to Ririka, bumping her head into Ririka's hand to demand pets with a deep, rumbling purr.
Jun chuckled, leaning casually against the edge of the counter. "You're better with animals than with people, aren't you?"
A faint blush colored Ririka's cheeks as she scratched the cat behind the ears, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "She's... easier to talk to."
"Fair enough," Jun said, wiping the edge of the grill. "She mostly just yells at me, anyway."
CRASH.
The front door didn't just swing open—it banged hard against the rubber stopper, shaking the whole glass frame.
Mary Saotome burst into the room, her blonde twin-tails swaying with fierce energy as her golden eyes scanned the space like a predator zeroing in on its prey.
Her red Hyakkaou uniform blazer hung slightly askew, her stance stiff with annoyance.
She strode up to the main counter, her loafers tapping briskly against the wooden floor.
Mary kept her eyes locked on Jun, following his every move. She stepped in slowly, pressing her weight against the counter until her knuckles blanched against the smooth wood.
"Don't play dumb," she warned, her voice sinking into a low, dangerous tone.
Jun took a moment before replying.
He casually placed the polished glass on the drying rack, completely relaxed, his shoulders loose and at ease.
The silence only seemed to make her even more annoyed.
Mary folded her arms, her jaw clenching as she shot a glance toward the back room where Ririka lingered.
"I know Ririka," Mary said, her voice edged with suspicion and cool analysis. "She doesn't just wander into random shops, and she never removes her mask for strangers."
She glanced back at Jun, fixing him with a sharp, icy stare.
"Let's cut to the chase. You're either blackmailing her, or you're up to something shady for the Momobami family."
Jun placed his clothes on the rack with a gentle clink.
His easy smile faded, and he straightened up, his frame seeming much larger behind the counter as the warm atmosphere instantly disappeared.
"I don't blackmail my guests," Jun said, his voice calm and even. "She's here because she wants to be, and that's all there is to it."
Mary let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Sure. Or maybe you're just another con artist preying on a girl who doesn't know any better."
The air in the café turned icy, and even the faint hum of the refrigerators seemed to fade away entirely.
Jun didn't move a muscle or lift a hand, just locked eyes with her.
His eyes turned dark and unreadable, radiating a heavy, suffocating tension that seemed to drain the very air from the room.
"You can think whatever you want," Jun said softly, every word heavy with absolute authority. "But if you came in here to start a fight over how I run my business, say it outright."
"Otherwise, take a seat and lower your tone."
Mary froze, her analytical mind coming to a complete halt.
Mary realized he wasn't backing down, her heart pounding in a fast, uneven rhythm against her ribs.
He wasn't even sweating. For a moment, it looked like he could snap my neck without a second thought.
As suddenly as it came, the heavy pressure vanished into nothingness.
Jun blinked, his easygoing smile returning as he grabbed the cloth and went back to wiping down the counter.
"So," Jun said with ease, "black coffee?"
Mary lingered for a moment, steadying her shallow breaths, then pulled out a stool and dropped heavily onto it at the counter, avoiding his gaze.
"Black," she murmured.
Jun gave a nod and moved toward the espresso machine.
A minute later, he placed a steaming mug before her, accompanied by a small plate with a bite-sized serving of glazed mackerel.
"Give it a try," Jun said, resting his elbows on the counter. "I want a second opinion on the taste."
Mary eyed the plate suspiciously, but eventually picked up her fork, took a small bite, and chewed with hesitation.
Her eyes flew open.
The bright citrus burst hit her tongue first, balanced perfectly by the deep, savory richness of the fish. It was bold, intricate, and insanely good.
She despised just how good it was.
"It's..." Mary cleared her throat, regaining her air of cool detachment. "Not bad, for a shop in the middle of nowhere."
"High praise," Jun said with a smirk.
Mary took a slow sip of her coffee, her gaze fixed on his face as she tried to figure out what lay behind that easy smile.
"Word's going around Hyakkaou," Mary said, her voice taking on a low, cautionary tone.
Kirari Momobami sat down with you, but she didn't end up getting what she wanted.
Jun shrugged. "She ate, then left. That's all there is to it."
"Nothing's ever simple with Kirari," Mary said sharply, leaning in. "And it sure won't be with Yumeko Jabami, either."
Jun paused, his hand lingering on the cloth. His dark eyes met hers, a flicker of interest sparking just beneath the surface.
"Yumeko heard about what happened," Mary said, her voice laced with genuine worry.
"She's asking questions..."
"For your information, when Yumeko gets curious about someone, she won't stop until she's pulled them into a high-stakes game."
Jun gave a slow nod, his expression easing into a steady, unflappable calm.
"If she's up for a game, we're in," Jun murmured. "Cards, dice, whatever she's got."
He met Mary's glare head-on, his words carrying the easy, unwavering confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
"She plays under my roof, so she follows my rules."
Mary looked at him, feeling her chest grow tight.
He's talking about gambling with Yumeko Jabami—the monster who took down three student council members for fun—like he's just booking a dinner reservation.
She quietly finished her coffee, stood, and picked up her bag from the floor before heading to the back counter, where Ririka was wrapping up the last of the dishes.
"Ririka... You're really staying here?" Mary asked gently, her voice softening as the tension faded.
Ririka glanced upward, her clear blue eyes steady, and gave a faint, quiet nod. "Yeah, for a while."
"I see..." Mary observed her for a moment, noticing the calm in Ririka's posture—the complete lack of the usual nervous, suffocating tension that so often surrounded her.
"Fine Mary said, turning away. "If this place starts to feel like another cage, call me. I'll tear it down myself."
Ririka gave a small, genuine smile that lit up her eyes. "Got it."
Mary strolled toward the exit, her hand resting on the brass handle as she glanced back over her shoulder at Jun.
"If you screw this up," Mary warned, her voice lowering, "I'm not here to play games. I'll just break your legs."
Jun lifted his mug in a relaxed salute. "I'll remember that."
The door closed behind her with a crisp snap of the latch.
The café fell silent again, the only sounds the low hum of the refrigerators and the soft rustle of paper as Jun wiped the counter clean.
He paused, eyeing the closed door for a moment before glancing toward the back room.
"So," Jun said, slinging the cloth over his shoulder. "Who was the blonde with the temper problem?"
Ririka placed the final dried plate on the rack, her blue eyes drifting toward him.
She paused, her fingers gently running along the edge of the mask resting on the counter.
"Her name's Mary," Ririka murmured. "Mary Saotome. She… sometimes, takes care of me."
Jun nodded slowly, pulling a clean glass from the shelf and holding it up to the light. "Saotome, huh? She moves like a gambler—every glance a calculated move."
"She is," Ririka said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Very sharp, but... she means well."
"Clearly," Jun chuckled, setting his glass down. "She said she'd break my legs if I screw this up. Gotta admit, I appreciate the straightforwardness."
Outside, the chilly air brushed against Mary's face as she descended the wooden steps, her thoughts already racing through backup plans.
Her phone buzzed in her blazer pocket, and she pulled it out to find a lone notification glowing on the screen from Yumeko Jabami.
Mary-san~!
I heard the most fascinating rumor about a café owner who didn't bow to the President. I think I need to go play with him soon! I
Mary stared at the screen, clutching it so tightly her knuckles went white.
Damn it, Yumeko, Mary thought, shoving her phone aside as she rushed down path into the darkness.
Stay away from that shop.