Chapter 400: Thanks for the Treat!
Chapter 400: Thanks for the Treat! Fueguchi Ryoko and Fueguchi Hinami!
A moment later, with a click, the door opened. Kasumigaoka Utaha walked out of the bedroom.
Her expression was natural, her steps light. She was poised and graceful, with no sign that she was affected by the awkward scene from a moment ago. Only when she lightly brushed her hair could one see her flushed ears. Ren’s sensitive ears could also hear her slightly hurried heartbeat. It was clear her inner self was not as calm as her outward appearance.
"Just now..." Ren was about to explain.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Her violent coughing interrupted him. "That was just an accident, I understand."
"No, you misunderstood." Ren’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. "I wanted to say, thank you for the treat just now. It was very beautiful."
"Eh eh eh!!!" These words made Utaha unable to maintain her composure. A delayed scream rang out.
Only, the space instantly shifted. The scene that was originally her home transformed into the Anteiku coffee shop. The customers and staff were startled, not by their sudden appearance, but by her scream.
"Um... Utaha, what’s wrong?" Okudera Miki walked over and asked cautiously.
Ren was a bit surprised she hadn’t left. For an ordinary person to know that the people around her were man-eating monsters, yet still dare to stay, was quite courageous. Noticing his scrutinizing gaze, Miki returned a refreshing smile. She was a feast for the eyes, pure and charming, especially with her slightly mature face.
At this moment, Utaha also reacted and covered her mouth. She had embarrassed herself greatly. The surrounding gazes made her feel extremely mortified.
"Cough, Miki-nee, a coffee, the usual," she said, pulling Ren to a seat to hide her embarrassment.
"I’ll also have a cappuccino."
"Alright."
Until Miki brought the coffee, Utaha sat there, trembling her legs, not saying a word. Seeing her take a sip, Ren casually said, "The coffee’s on me. Consider it a tip for the hospitality."
"!!!" Upon hearing this, she nearly spat it out.
Hospitality? That word now made her unable to look him in the eye. At its mention, she recalled herself being appreciated while unclothed. Swallowing the coffee, she wiped her mouth and calmed herself.
Then, with a faint gaze and gritted teeth, she said, "Ren-kun, are you intentionally trying to make fun of me?"
"Hmm, it’s quite amusing."
"You... are truly honest."
"Thank you for the compliment. I’ve always been very honest."
"..." Very good. Two sentences left her speechless. This wasn’t honesty; this was being thick-skinned. However, his words did lessen her shame considerably.
At this moment, Touka Kirishima walked over. "Ren-kun, we have a bit of a situation here."
Ren stopped her with a hand. "No need to say more. Utaha has already told me everything."
Utaha, across from him, was stunned. She had keenly noticed the change in his nickname for her. It sounded very intimate, yet she didn’t refute it. On the contrary, this was fine too.
"Thank you, Utaha," Touka breathed a sigh of relief. "Ren-kun, please follow me. Fueguchi Ryoko and Hinami are inside."
"Okay." Ren and Touka got up and walked towards the living quarters.
"Um... can I go see?" Miki was still very curious to see him use his abilities.
"Yes, I’ll take over her work," Irimi Kaya said. It seemed they had already discussed it.
"Then come, though there’s not much to see."
Upon seeing the Fueguchi mother and daughter, they greeted him. "I am Fueguchi Ryoko, and this is my daughter, Fueguchi Hinami. We greet Lord Ren."
A chestnut-haired mother and a similarly chestnut-haired but graceful young girl. "Lord Ren," Hinami stood shyly by her mother’s side. The Hinami before him was clearly no longer a child. At this moment, both their eyes had transformed into Kakugan, revealing their Ghoul identities.
[Note: A Kakugan is the term for a Ghoul’s eye when their abilities are active, characterized by a red iris and black sclera.]
The mother and daughter knew that only he could help them. Ryoko pleaded, "Lord Ren, we hope you can save us!"
"Tell me what’s happening," Ren liked people to tell the truth.
Ryoko slowly recounted their experiences. Hinami’s father had died young. Their peaceful life was shattered two days ago when both she and Hinami simultaneously transformed into Ghouls. At first, they were panicked. They tried to eat many foods but found them hard to swallow. Thinking they were about to become monsters that ate humans, they fell into deep despair.
At this time, Ryoko thought of Anteiku. With a try-and-see attitude, she brought Hinami and sought it out. Using hints, she finally confirmed that Touka and the others were indeed Ghouls. They were shocked to see them eat human food. After confirming they hadn’t eaten humans, Touka told them about Ren.
"It’s all true." Confirming she hadn’t lied, Ren clapped his hands. "Since that’s the case, from now on, you two will join Anteiku."
Ryoko, feeling hope, immediately agreed. "We are willing!"
"From now on, you two can eat normal food." He did nothing, just said that one sentence.
"Ren-kun, did you do anything?" Utaha thought back, remembering he hadn’t.
"Huh? Was I supposed to do something? Like, a kiss?" Ren amusingly beckoned to Ryoko.
She hesitated for a moment and walked forward. Ren lightly kissed her on the lips. Ignoring her shyness, he said boastfully, "Like this?"
"Ah?!!" A gasp echoed in the room.
[Inorin Note:
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