Kobayashi Rindo visited the restaurant again after a day's absence.
She carried exquisitely packaged donuts, a fragrance drifting out from the gaps in the box, smelling quite good.
Luke stopped his work and invited Kobayashi Rindo to sit down.
The red-haired girl looked left and right, then twitched her nose.
"There's a very obvious smell of alcohol. Even with the air conditioner on, it hasn't completely dissipated."
"Well, before you arrived, two gods came to visit. Under their repeated urging to drink, I also joined in..."
"Does Luke-san like drinking? I can bring some over for you next time."
"I don't dislike it. After all, drinking and chatting with others is very interesting. Occasionally, I hear some fun anecdotes I wouldn't normally think of."
"Then what did Luke-san chat about with the gods this time? No... I should ask why gods need to drink too."
Since there were no other customers, Luke came to the front of the counter again, sitting side-by-side with Kobayashi Rindo.
He watched the girl unpack the small box containing donuts, briefly summarizing the drinking party from before.
"Even great gods possess the seven emotions and six desires similar to humans. This is very normal in Gensokyo."
"Similar to humans, huh..."
"That's right. And not just gods, but oni, youkai, even ghosts are like this. They haven't lost all emotions just because they aren't human."
"If I were to die here, would I also become a resident of Gensokyo?"
"I wouldn't let my guests encounter danger."
"So cool."
Kobayashi Rindo revealed a smile.
She then opened the packaging, taking out colorful donuts from inside.
"These were all bought from the most popular pastry shop near the school."
"Did you wait in line for a long time?"
"Only about half an hour, but I think it was worth it."
Hearing this, Luke skillfully found plates from inside the counter to hold the donuts.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing..."
"Would Luke-san also queue up for delicious food?"
"Absolutely not."
Asked this by Kobayashi Rindo, Luke immediately chose to deny it.
He liked delicious food, that was true.
But if he had to waste time queuing for them, he would categorically refuse.
"Is that so? If it were Luke-san, it probably would have been hard to buy donuts from that shop. So just eat this portion I bought back."
"How much did it cost?"
"You're being too distant."
Kobayashi Rindo finished speaking and brought the donuts before Luke.
The pastries on the plate had a layer of chocolate coating on the surface, also sprinkled with various decorations, such as colorful sugar pearls, crushed nuts, and coconut shreds.
These materials were to add visual appeal and texture to the donuts, making them all look like small works of art.
Luke could judge just from the appearance that the pastry shop's chef was very skilled.
"Please eat, then tell me your thoughts. This is the result of over half an hour, you know."
"No problem."
Luke picked up a donut and took a bite.
Its outer skin was crispy, the inside soft and elastic.
Such a textural contrast prevented it from feeling cloying.
At the same time, there was also a molten filling inside.
However, because the outer layer design increased sweetness, the chef who made the donuts chose custard cream filling.
This filling had moderate sweetness, not overly sweet.
"Tastes good, rich texture just like its appearance. Feels like one would be quite expensive."
"Because I'm a student at Tohtsuki Academy, I got a discount, no need to worry."
"Even outside school, you have privileges?"
"Depends if there's a cooperative relationship. After all, some students choose to intern at cooperative shops."
As expected of an academy specializing in training chefs.
Luke thought this, taking another bite of the donut.
Crispiness and softness coexisted; such contrast made the pastry in hand interesting to eat.
"Want some milk? Luke-san, I'll go pour it for you."
"No need, I can do it myself."
"Just tell me where it is."
Kobayashi Rindo had already stood up, walking towards the kitchen from the right side.
Seeing the girl act so quickly, he opened his mouth to direct,
"On your right after you enter, there's a box there, the milk is inside."
"Doesn't it need to be put in the refrigerator?"
"No need, the box surface has a charm with the same function attached."
"This can be called Gensokyo's technology, right?"
Kobayashi Rindo felt admiration for this.
Just like the various tools developed in modern society, the residents of Gensokyo could also achieve their goals using magic.
Even more convenient than technology...
"My restaurant is a special case. Ordinary people can't use these."
"Sure enough, Luke-san is very popular in Gensokyo."
"I have to thank the customers for their kind patronage."
Luke returned a smile.
His restaurant could operate until now, customer support was most important.
"It's because your own cooking skills are excellent enough that you receive support."
Kobayashi Rindo finished speaking, poured milk into a clean glass, and brought it to Luke.
Their roles seemed to have swapped at this moment.
Kobayashi Rindo, having poured herself a glass too, then returned to her previous position.
Although just pouring milk wasn't complex work, Luke felt she would be a good helper.
However...
Kobayashi Rindo's identity wasn't simple.
As one of the Tohtsuki Elite Ten, she already possessed extraordinary cooking skills.
Would she be willing to help here?
"Luke-san, cheers."
"Cheers with milk?"
"Because I can't drink with Luke-san yet, what a pity... But maybe I can try it here? Anyway, the rules of the outside world don't apply here."
Tap.
Luke tapped Kobayashi Rindo's head.
"That won't do."
"I was just joking~"
Rindo, rubbing her head, clinked glasses with Luke and drank the milk down.
Just as Luke put down the glass, the main door behind was suddenly pushed open.
A panting girl appeared in their vision.
Her bangs were damp with slight sweat, golden strands sticking to her slightly flushed cheeks, possessing a unique charm.
However, compared to appreciating the sweat-drenched girl, Luke was more puzzled by the reason for her state.
"Erina-san, you are..."
"Ran over."
Erina sighed helplessly.
"Because I couldn't possibly have the family car send me. If outsiders knew about this restaurant, it would be troublesome, right? I believe Luke-san wouldn't want to see that either."
"Actually, I haven't encountered that kind of situation."
It's just that Luke imagined...
When A discovered Luke's restaurant and learned about Gensokyo's existence through it.
And Gensokyo's resources were quite abundant, thus A contacted the army of a certain country, launching an invasion war against Gensokyo through the restaurant...
If that situation really occurred, Luke alone could stop it.
But the probability of it happening was very, very low.
After all, the world Luke was in wasn't some anime where modern weapons blew up natives in another world.
"Anyway, I think the existence of this restaurant should be kept secret, even if those not chosen can't see it..."
"Thank you for the concern, but Erina-san hasn't answered my question yet."
"Here..."
Erina, pressed further, raised her right hand.
There was also a box of donuts there.
"Kobayashi-senpai and I simultaneously set our sights on that pastry shop, but her speed was a bit faster..."
"That's the experience of an adult."
"Kobayashi-senpai hasn't graduated yet, right?"
Erina retorted.
Luke stood up, went to get Erina a towel for her to wipe the sweat off her body.
"Want to take a bath? I was actually planning to take a shower too."
"Eh? A bath? Luke-san too...?"
Erina, wiping her beautiful hair with the towel, showed a surprised expression.
"That's too bold!"
Kobayashi Rindo's volume couldn't help but rise somewhat.
Luke realized his statement was a bit ambiguous, so added with a smile,
"Of course not bathing together, just had this plan earlier. Because I drank alcohol before, there's a smell on me."
"Smell of alcohol?"
Erina, towel draped over her shoulders, leaned closer to Luke, twitching her nose.
Then her eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"There really is a smell."
"See?"
Luke gave a wry smile.
"I want to smell too."
"You were sitting right next to me just now..."
"The situation is different."
Kobayashi Rindo finished speaking and also leaned close to Luke's side to sniff.
She seemed to really like the smell of alcohol mixed with slight spices, almost kissing Luke...
"Ahem..."
Interrupting Kobayashi Rindo's action with a cough, Erina, having no intention of bathing, sat down on a nearby stool.
She had only sweated a little, the rest time just now was enough for her to recover.
So after taking a deep breath, she looked at Luke.
"Let's not talk about this. Luke-san, come try the donuts I bought."
"Nakiri-san, if your donuts are from the same shop as mine, the taste shouldn't be too different."
"I bought a newly released one, Kobayashi-senpai probably didn't get it."
"Is that so? Our queuing times weren't that different, right?"
Kobayashi Rindo felt curious, couldn't help looking at the pastries Erina brought.
Opening the package, the donuts inside were fruit versions.
The shop owner used seasonal fruits for decoration.
Erina then picked one up.
"Luke-san, please try it."
"Er... thank you."
Why does everyone seem so enthusiastic today?
Shouldn't be my illusion.
Taking a bite of the fruit-style donut, the taste was indeed different from before.
It had a rich fruit flavor.
Perhaps a little lemon was drizzled during production.
The reason for being so sure was the subtly perceptible slight sourness mixed within.
Actually, Luke also liked using lemon as part of the seasoning.
Thinking this, he saw Erina also share one with Kobayashi Rindo.
After the girls tasted it, they said in unison,
"Fruit and lemon juice..."
Looks like they tasted it too.
"Thank you both for bringing pastries. Then it's my turn... Young ladies, you are more enthusiastic than usual today. May I ask the reason?"
"Because I received Luke-san's care before, so want to repay~ That's my reason. Nakiri-san doing this is rather puzzling though."
Kobayashi Rindo answered, then looked at Erina with a questioning gaze.
You did that on purpose...
Erina thought.
However, considering the other party was a senior, Erina, not saying it out loud, gave a reason.
"Actually... I wanted to ask Luke-san to bring me along when going out to find ingredients; I'm very interested in the various ingredients existing in Gensokyo, especially the Youkai Mountain mentioned before."
Erina asked curiously,
"Will there be those carrots with legs or mandrakes that scream?"
"I haven't seen those strange ingredients..."
Luke shook his head.
He had been to Youkai Mountain many times.
Indeed encountered many youkai, but they didn't play pranks
Instead, they reminded Luke where the wild vegetables were growing well.
"Just that some ingredients are very special."
"Specifically, what are they like?"
Erina sat in her seat, listening attentively with a serious face.
Kobayashi Rindo, interest piqued, did the same.
At this moment, they were like students attending class, sitting upright in their seats.
Luke finished the donut, wiped the sugar residue from his hands with a napkin, and continued speaking.
"I believe you know some vegetables change taste due to seasonal changes."
"Mm, the most typical is cabbage, right; after frost, the starch in cabbage converts into glucose, sucrose, and other soluble sugars. This not only increases its sweetness but also makes the cabbage more cold-resistant and less prone to freezing damage."
Erina stated quite accurately.
Luke then raised his right hand.
"And on Youkai Mountain, even though Gensokyo has seasonal changes, for that mountain peak, there's no fixed pattern. Because the youkai's abilities differ, they will affect the wild vegetables on the mountain to varying degrees."
For example—
"Some youkai can release life force towards their surroundings. This also leads to wild vegetables near them absorbing extra energy, becoming more tender and juicy."
Or for example—
"Strange tools made by kappas caused pollution, but this pollution isn't entirely bad. Some wild vegetables, after being affected, their taste becomes sour but not without freshness, especially suitable for making appetizers or used as seasoning."
And for another example—
"Some youkai with decent strength might even affect time to a certain extent, causing vegetables and fruits in specific areas to experience rapid growth cycles, resulting in firmer texture and richer flavor."
After hearing these descriptions, Erina was full of anticipation for Youkai Mountain.
Kobayashi Rindo, as a chef, felt the same.
In the human world, there were no ingredients affected by youkai power.
"Next time you go find wild vegetables, please be sure to call me! I'll come over every day during this period!"
Kobayashi Rindo also proposed.
Just as Erina was about to say something, she was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
Standing at the entrance was the strikingly conspicuous Red-White maiden, Hakurei Reimu.
Her expression wasn't angry, just somewhat subtle.
Marisa, following her, scratched her head.
"Sorry, Luke-san. I heard from the tengu about the Moriya Shrine and restaurant collaboration before, told Reimu, and she came over."
Another companion was Ibuki Suika.
She waved her wine gourd.
"I'm released from confinement!"
"These aren't important."
Reimu interrupted Suika's words.
Subsequently, the Red-White maiden walked up to Luke in three strides.
"Luke-san, I have no right to stop you from collaborating with outsiders, but if the partner is Moriya Shrine, please reconsider carefully; they were restless before. If they gather more faith, they might cause trouble again. I certainly don't want to waste time fighting them again."
Hakurei Reimu didn't look favorably upon this collaboration.
Even though Kochiya Sanae would resolve incidents and exterminate youkai, Reimu still felt the other party wasn't reliable.
"We are still talking with Luke-san, could you please wait a moment?"
Erina looked at Reimu, slightly dissatisfied with the current situation.
Suika on the side seized the opportunity, ran to Luke's side, pulling his hand and saying,
"The restaurant smells of alcohol... hasn't completely dissipated. Who did you drink with before? Hold a drinking party with me too!"
"You wait first, Suika."
Luke pressed down on Suika's head to prevent this somewhat tipsy fellow from climbing onto his shoulder.
Seeing this, Marisa also leaned forward.
"Speaking of cooperation, is it true? You're actually able to negotiate terms with gods, that's too amazing, right?"
The magician showed an admiring expression.
"We are still talking."
Reimu pinched Marisa's ear, pulling her aside, while walking up to Luke herself.
Immediately after, Erina and Kobayashi Rindo also decided to interject.
What situation is this...
A Shura Field?
At this moment, Luke noticed a new figure appearing at the doorway.
She walked towards Luke.
Both hands wrapped around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.
——!
The scene instantly fell silent.
"Finally quiet."
Kagarino Kirie, having just arrived at the restaurant, looked at everyone present, sat down contentedly beside Luke, smiling....
...
...
Read More With Pictures (10+ Chapters In Advance):
Replace '@' with 'a' on your web browser.