Chapter 178: Dinner
Vigne's apartment was nearby, only a short walk through the quiet streets lined with vending machines and dimly lit streetlights. The cool evening air carried the faint scent of rain-soaked leaves and asphalt as the three walked together, chatting idly.
Two minutes later, they arrived at the apartment building—a modest, cream-colored complex with narrow balconies and potted plants along the entrance. The atmosphere was calm and homely, with the faint hum of televisions coming from behind thin walls.
Stopping outside the door near the stairs, Vigne took out her key and unlocked the door with a soft click. She slipped inside gracefully, her movements practiced, and handed a pair of small slippers from the shoe cabinet to Satania. Then she turned toward Kouya, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I only have women's slippers here, and your feet are too big to fit... If you don't mind, just take off your shoes and come in. I cleaned the place this morning—it's really clean."
"Sure." Kouya didn't mind at all. He slipped off his shoes, stepping inside curiously, his gaze drifting around the tidy little space.
The apartment wasn't big—thirty or forty square meters at most, balcony included—but it had an undeniable warmth to it. Every corner reflected Vigne's gentle personality: the floor gleamed faintly, the curtains fluttered lightly in the breeze from the open balcony door, and the faint scent of detergent mixed with something floral lingered in the air.
The bed was perfectly made, not a wrinkle on the quilt. A few plush toys from the Shigure Festival sat neatly by her pillow, their soft faces glowing under the warm light. On the wall, blue star and crescent moon stickers shimmered faintly, giving the room a dreamy, cozy charm. The bookshelf near the desk was filled with neatly arranged notebooks and a small potted cactus that looked freshly watered.
If the room's cleanliness were graded out of a hundred, it would easily score over ninety.
As for Gabriel's place... sorry, the judges refused to even rate it and advised immediate evacuation.
"Please, have a seat first." Vigne set down her bags and moved naturally toward the kitchenette, where she brewed two steaming cups of black tea.
Satania raised her hand like a child. "I want to eat pineapple bread!"
"But there's none in the fridge." Vigne's voice carried a note of regret. "If you really want some, we can go buy it at the convenience store nearby..."
Satania slumped her shoulders dramatically. "Forget it, I'll eat it tomorrow then." She could tell Vigne was exhausted—her usual gentle smile was there, but her eyes showed faint traces of weariness.
"Alright, I'll bring you some tomorrow morning." Vigne smiled, but instead of sitting down, she immediately began organizing her groceries. She sorted everything into categories, put away fresh vegetables, and gathered the laundry hanging on the balcony. The way she worked was quiet yet efficient, as if her movements themselves were part of her nature.
By the time she was done, a light sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead. She took a sip of water, exhaled softly, and said, "It's already past six. Why don't you two stay for dinner before heading back? I bought a lot of discounted ingredients today... What would you like to eat tonight?"
Satania brightened instantly. "Pineapple bread stir-fry?"
Vigne froze. "That doesn't even exist!"
Kouya chuckled. "How about pork cutlet rice."
"That's a good idea. I'll make that, and maybe try a few new dishes I've been practicing." Vigne nodded thoughtfully, already walking toward the counter.
"Vigne! Let me help you!" Satania declared proudly, puffing out her chest.
Vigne blinked. "...Aren't you terrible at cooking?"
"Who said that!? I'm super good now!" Satania crossed her arms indignantly.
"Really? Last week in home ec class, you couldn't even cut an onion properly."
"That—that was my first time! I just didn't have experience!" Satania said defensively. "But I'm really good at making noodles now! You guys wanna try some?"
Kouya almost choked on his tea. "Pfft—!"
Shut up! After the disasters with the 'fish and pond' and the 'spitting mushroom,' you're really starting another round of perverted-sounding nonsense!?
Vigne sighed, half amused, half exasperated. "Satania, stop saying weird things..."
"But I'm serious! I even learned from Raphiel! Hers are amazing, but mine are great too now!"
Vigne's cheeks flushed. "Just... help me wash the potatoes, okay?" She handed Satania an apron, glancing shyly at Kouya. For some reason, she looked slightly flustered.
Hey, why are you glaring at me again!? I didn't even say anything!
"My noodles are really good! You'll like them—soba or udon!" Satania pressed on.
"No. Go away," Kouya muttered flatly.
After a minute of sulking, Satania accepted the apron, and Vigne finally breathed out in relief. The kitchen was small, barely enough space for two, so with Satania bending over the sink to wash vegetables, Vigne hesitated before saying, "Kouya, could you grab two eggs from the fridge?"
"Got it."
He fetched two eggs.
Then, "Also two tomatoes... and the seaweed too."
He sighed inwardly. You could just say everything at once!
By the time Satania finished washing the vegetables, Vigne had already prepared the seasonings. She politely sent Satania to the living room to watch TV and began cooking herself. Her knife moved swiftly—precise, steady, rhythmic. The scent of garlic and scallions soon filled the air, followed by the sizzling sound of ingredients hitting the hot pan. The small apartment was instantly wrapped in warmth and delicious aroma.
When the rice cooker chimed, Vigne set out the dishes on the small table. The spread looked impressive for such a modest kitchen.
"These are Chinese-style dishes I learned online recently. Try them and tell me what you think," she said, untying her apron.
The table was filled with colors and scents: stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers, hot-and-sour potato strips, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, pork cutlet rice, vegetable tempura, and of course, miso soup.
Satania took a big bite first. "Mmm! I used to hate green peppers, but this is amazing!" she mumbled with her mouth full.
"Swallow first, then talk!" Vigne scolded lightly.
Kouya tasted the hot-and-sour potato strips. The balance of vinegar and chili was perfect. He wasn't usually picky, but compared to simple rice balls or sashimi, he preferred something flavorful and warm like this.
"It's really good," he said with a nod.
Vigne smiled warmly. "I'm glad." Watching others enjoy her food filled her chest with quiet satisfaction—a joy only someone who loved cooking could understand.
After dinner, the three sat lazily in the cozy living room. Vigne gathered the dishes, humming softly as she rinsed them in the sink. Satania collapsed onto the sofa, patting her full stomach. "So full... I wanna sleep..."
Vigne shook her head. "It's bad to sleep right after eating. Go for a short walk or something."
Kouya watched their exchange with a faint smile. It was strange—moments like this almost felt like family.
Satania groaned. "Not getting up, not getting up."
Vigne narrowed her eyes. "Did you finish your homework?"
Satania froze, then shouted dramatically: "No way, no way, no way! Weekends are for resting! Even God said so, but teachers still torture us with homework! They're all S-class demons!"
You're a demon yourself, and now you're quoting God!? That logic barely holds together!
Vigne sighed. "You're unbelievable."
Satania crossed her arms smugly. "Vigne, you finished yours, right? Since you treated me to dinner, I'll graciously accept your homework as thanks."
"No way!" Vigne said flatly. "Do it yourself. Otherwise, you'll never learn anything."
Satania groaned loudly. "How cruel!"
"Make sure it's done before class tomorrow," Vigne said in her teacher-like tone. "Otherwise, you'll end up standing outside again."
The mental image of Satania holding a bucket outside the classroom nearly made Kouya laugh aloud.
Then Vigne turned her gaze toward him suddenly. "You too—have you finished your homework yet?"