Though Slimes were undeniably cute, for Yuyuko, food always came first!
Nearby, Yakumo Yukari watched the entire scene unfold with a quiet smile.
Yuto had a rough idea of what was going on.
'It seemed Yuyuko listened closely to Yakumo Yukari, and Yakumo Yukari doted on Yuyuko.'
'Their relationship felt less like friendship and more like a doting elder indulging a younger relative.'
"Yakumo-san, could you perhaps persuade Yuyuko to calm down a bit?" Yuto asked her, his tone helpless.
Yakumo Yukari's eyes narrowed into crescent moons, her gaze brimming with amusement.
"Of course, Boss," she replied softly, her voice carrying an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
Yuto felt a slight weight lift from his heart.
A smile tugged at his lips as he turned to Rimuru beside him.
"Oh! Right! Boss, I want to order!" Rimuru said, convinced he understood the meaning behind Yuto's smile.
But in reality...
"Alright, Rimuru, what would you like to eat?" Yuto asked, his smile unwavering.
"Hmm... Today, I'll have soy sauce stir-fried noodles. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. Oh, and make sure to put exactly 105 fried eggs on top!" Rimuru spoke thoughtfully.
Yuto nodded with a smile. "As you can see, we're quite busy today, so your meal might take a little longer."
"No problem!" Rimuru replied. "Oh, right, Boss, the things I asked you to buy... can I get them now?"
Remembering the items it and Ainz had asked Yuto to purchase, Rimuru grew noticeably more excited.
This reminder brought back Yuto's awkward experience in Akihabara earlier that day.
"Just a moment," he said.
"Alright then," Rimuru agreed with a nod.
Even though he hadn't received the light novels and manga yet, Rimuru was already buzzing with anticipation!
Yuto turned to the Fox Girl, Chen, and the ever-quiet Yuuka. "Please wait a little longer."
After reassuring the guests, Yuto prepared to return to the kitchen.
As he left, he glanced at Yuyuko.
He was slightly concerned whether the sugar-coated rice would suit her palate.
He froze, staring in disbelief.
Didn't he just brought over the sugar-coated rice?
How could it have vanished in less than two minutes?
The bowl was spotless, even reflecting the restaurant's lights!
"Delicious!" Yuyuko exclaimed, noticing Yuto's gaze. Her pure, satisfied smile lit up her face as she praised him.
"You finished already?" Yuto asked instinctively.
Yuyuko nodded adorably, her eyes were wide.
Yuto took a deep breath, inwardly scolding himself.
'I should know better than to apply ordinary logic to my customers!'
"Alright, I'll make more right away," he said, returning to the kitchen.
...
In the front hall, having finished her rice, Yuyuko turned her gaze back to Rimuru.
Earlier, she had been absorbed by the food.
Now that the food was gone, she naturally focused on Rimuru once more.
She didn't say anything, simply staring intently at him.
Her eyes shone with an unsettling light...
This made Rimuru deeply uncomfortable.
He desperately needed Ainz or Saitama right now! They were the only ones who spoke his language!
"Yuyuko, you shouldn't keep staring at Rimuru like that," Yakumo Yukari said with a light, exasperated laugh.
At her words, Yuyuko reluctantly shifted her gaze. She truly obeyed Yakumo Yukari without question.
The boisterous Gensokyo group finally quieted down somewhat. Kazami Yuuka, who hadn't spoken a word until now, let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
She was beginning to understand more clearly than ever.
She should never have brought Yakumo Yukari to the restaurant in the first place!
How had she let that shameless old hag's pleas sway her? She should have punched her in the face twice back then!
"Huh, why are there so many people here today?"
"Kamisaka, udon noodles!"
During a rare quiet moment, Saitama arrived. He chuckled at the crowd before settling down next to Rimuru.
Rimuru's eyes lit up at the sight of Saitama, as if seeing a savior!
Tears welled up, but as a Slime, he promptly devoured them.
'So salty!'
"What's wrong, Rimuru? Why do you look so wronged?" Saitama asked, puzzled.
His bald head gleamed under the lights like a spotlight—bright and dazzling.
"Ah~, Saitama, you're finally here!" Rimuru stopped crying, relief and gratitude flooding his voice.
Clatter!
Just as Saitama settled in, the third member of the trio appeared: Ainz!
Yuto often amused himself by mentally teasing Ainz, Saitama, and Rimuru during his downtime.
The trio always seemed to have plenty to talk about, and their camaraderie was the strongest among the guests.
This led Yuto to classify them as the "Three Musketeers," much like the old Poverty Alliance.
As soon as Ainz entered, he remarked on the crowd before turning to Rimuru and Saitama.
"Hahaha, I'm here!"
"Yo, Ainz!"
"You finally made it!"
After exchanging greetings, Ainz walked over to join Rimuru and Saitama.
"Why don't we go sit over there?" Ainz gestured toward a nearby table.
He suggested moving because the bar was crowded with women, making it awkward to discuss certain topics among men.
Rimuru agreed to Ainz's suggestion, while Saitama nodded calmly.
The trio moved to a nearby table and began chatting and laughing.
Perhaps they were discussing typical men's topics.
Meanwhile, Yuto was busy preparing dishes in the kitchen. Two orders of fried tofu were ready, followed by two orders of cat rice and two orders of flower cakes.
He carried the dishes out and placed them individually in front of Kazami Yuuka and the others.
"Please enjoy your meal," he said, glancing at the trio in the distance.
The three men were laughing and talking animatedly.
Yuto shook his head slightly, resigned, and turned to return to the kitchen to prepare a salad for Kasumigaoka.
Just then, the person he had been waiting for finally arrived.
Though she was a bit late, it didn't matter.
"Kamisaka-kun, I'm so sorry for being late," Asuna said with an embarrassed smile, a faint blush coloring her cheeks—whether from shyness or exertion, he couldn't tell.
The blush only enhanced her beauty, making her even more captivating.
Yuto nodded back with a gentle smile.
Utaha, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow slightly.
She remembered who Asuna was.
The moment Asuna sat down, Utaha's gaze remained fixed on her, though she tried to make it seem casual.
Perhaps because Utaha hid her scrutiny so well, Asuna didn't notice.
The two girls were separated by only one seat.
Asuna sat down and began tidying her hair, which had been disheveled from running. She flicked her hand through her hair, sweeping it back with a graceful motion.
Her long, lustrous locks cascaded behind her with effortless elegance. Under the soft lighting, Asuna's flaxen hair shimmered.
A faint, ethereal fragrance drifted from her strands.
Yuto stood before Asuna.
"What would you like to eat?" he asked, smiling warmly at her.
"I'm trying to lose weight for dinner, so a salad will do," Asuna replied, ordering the same dish as Utaha.
Yuto nodded inwardly, his gaze unconsciously drifting to Utaha.
He couldn't help but compare the two girls in his mind.
Both Asuna and Utaha were the kind of beautiful girls many people admired. Perhaps there was a common thread among beautiful girls.
For instance, both had chosen salads for dinner!
"If you're trying to lose weight, why did you have stew for lunch?" Yuto teased.
Asuna's composed expression flushed slightly.
"I told you, that was for energy..." she murmured, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Yuto chuckled softly but refrained from teasing her further.
Utaha watched from the side, her expression growing increasingly serene.
She raised an eyebrow but remained silent, though her heart was churning with restlessness.
"Boss, Boss! I want to eat more!" Yuyuko's cheerful voice called out from behind Yuto.
Yuto felt a flicker of surprise.
He had only served her three dishes.
But when he turned to look at Yuyuko, he found her plates and bowls were so clean they reflected his own image.
The three dishes had vanished.
He paused for a moment, then regained his composure.
'Perhaps she just had a slightly larger appetite.'
'After all, the girl wasn't human.'
"Alright, Yuyuko, what else would you like to eat?" Yuto asked gently.
"Hmm... After tasting the Boss's cooking, I feel like everything you make is delicious. What to choose... this is such a difficult decision!" Yuyuko's adorable face scrunched up in worry, her pink eyes sparkling with indecision.
Yuto chuckled at the ghost girl's words, a genuine warmth spreading through his heart.
"I've got it!" Yuyuko seemed to have come up with a brilliant idea.
Her pink eyes brightened. "Boss, how about this? Starting with the customers who just came in, please make me a portion of whatever dish they order. Would that work?"
Yuyuko looked at Yuto, convinced she had proposed an excellent solution.
Yuto paused for a moment before chuckling softly and agreeing.
He had noticed the earnest expression on Yuyuko's face when she made the suggestion, coupled with her earlier behavior. He no longer doubted her ability to finish the food.
At the same time, he grew curious: just how much could Yuyuko actually eat?
He headed into the kitchen to prepare the salads.
Originally meant for two, the portions now increased to three thanks to Yuyuko.
But this posed no real problem, as salad was a simple dish—essentially just a cold vegetable mix.
Yuto tore the lettuce and purple cabbage into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they were finely shredded for easy eating.
Once prepared, he divided the vegetables equally among three ordinary-sized plates. He then sliced a few cherry tomatoes and arranged them atop the greens.
The tiny tomatoes resembled glass marbles, each glistening with droplets of water. Yuto cut several pieces of okra.
Personally, he wasn't fond of okra, but it was popular among the girls.
Finally, he sliced a few pieces of yellow cucumber and drizzled a spoonful of salad dressing over the top.
Yuto set out chopsticks and carried the salads to Kasumigaoka and Asuna first. He then brought one to Yuyuko.
"By the way, Asuna, do you have some time later?"
Instead of immediately returning to the kitchen, Yuto turned to Asuna, who was about to eat her salad.
The girl's eyes widened slightly in surprise and curiosity.
"I do have some time, but only about half an hour. After that, I need to head home," Asuna said, tapping her finger lightly against her lip as she pondered.
"I see."
"Is there something you need, Kamisaka-kun?" Asuna asked, looking at him with a hint of curiosity.
"Ah—I just wanted to ask if you could help me with one or two dishes tonight. We have quite a few customers, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed," Yuto said with an embarrassed smile.
Asuna's eyes flickered with a sudden change when she heard his words, like the tranquil beauty of a still pond disturbed by a tossed stone.
The expression that now flowed through her eyes was one of joy, surprise, and disbelief.
"Does Kamisaka-kun mean... wants me to cook?" Her voice trembled with excitement and anticipation, her eyes now brimming with eagerness!
"Yeah, would that be too much trouble for you, Asuna? Just one or two dishes would be fine. But if you're busy, don't worry about it." Yuto looked at Asuna with a wry smile, as if to say he was genuinely overwhelmed.
"No problem at all, Kamisaka-kun! Leave it to me!" Asuna agreed instantly, her face blooming with joy and excitement.
"Then thank you so much, Asuna. You're a lifesaver," Yuto said with a soft chuckle.
Throughout their exchange, Utaha observed them intently from the side, her gaze unwavering.
Utaha's face was as blank as a wall, devoid of any expression.
Her only movement was the relentless chewing of her salad.
Yet with each bite, the girl seemed to exert an unnatural force, as if she were gnawing on bone.
But all she was eating were vegetables!
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