Chapter 621: Genos's Imagination, Yuuki Kyouko's Favorable Impression
Just as Asuna and Yuuki Kyouko were about to step onto the quiet street leading to the restaurant, they spotted two figures approaching from the opposite direction. One was a man with an incredibly peculiar gait, his arms swinging in wide, loose arcs with every exaggerated step he took. But his posture was hardly the most distracting thing about him.
The man was dressed in an absurdly bright yellow jumpsuit, complete with thick red gloves, matching red boots, and a plain white cape fluttering behind him. It was a completely ridiculous outfit, yet the man wore it with a painfully dull, vacant expression. Above that blank face was a perfectly smooth, bald head that somehow managed to catch and reflect the fading twilight.
Walking rigidly beside him was a handsome young man with striking features and a serious demeanor. His arms, however, were entirely mechanical, constructed of articulated dark metal. While cybernetics were not entirely unheard of, Yuuki Kyouko still found herself staring at the bald man in the yellow suit, fighting the sudden urge to question his sanity.
"Master, is this restaurant truly as exceptional as you claim?" the cyborg youth asked, his voice carrying a heavy tone of absolute respect.
"Of course!" the bald man replied casually. "Ren's cooking is so good that even the Director of Totsuki and those high-ranking executives from the WGO can't stop praising it. Best of all, it's super cheap. Top-tier quality for rock-bottom prices!"
The young man paused, processing this information. "Is it really that amazing? Master, how did you even cross paths with such a deep chef?"
"That question... how did I meet him..." The bald man tapped his chin, staring blankly at the sky. "Let me think... Ah! Right. There was this supermarket on the next street over that was going out of business. They were having a massive clearance sale with rock-bottom prices, so obviously I had to go. After I grabbed my groceries, the main street was too crowded, so I took a detour down this alley and just kind of stumbled into the restaurant."
The young man nodded solemnly, as if this mundane explanation contained deep tactical wisdom.
Asuna had stopped walking, holding her mother back for a moment. Watching the two men draw closer, she tilted her head and asked, "You're Saitama, aren't you?"
Saitama blinked, his dull eyes widening a fraction. "How do you know me?"
Asuna offered a polite smile. "Shopkeeper Ren told me about you. He said you were very easy to recognize!"
Saitama let out a simple, vacant laugh and scratched the back of his shiny head. "Oh, I see. Well, this is Genos. He's the guy who kept insisting on becoming my disciple."
Genos executed a crisp, perfect bow toward Asuna and Kyouko, then turned his intense gaze back to his mentor. "Master, we should head inside now. Do you not have a television program you are looking forward to watching at ten-thirty tonight?"
"Oh, oh, oh! Right, the special broadcast! Let's go in."
With that, Saitama hurried toward the wooden door, Genos following closely at his heels.
Watching them go, Yuuki Kyouko frowned slightly, her refined features pinching in confusion. "Master? What exactly does a man dressed like that teach?"
"I really don't know," Asuna admitted, shaking her head. "Shopkeeper Ren only mentioned that Saitama is a highly respectable person, even though he always looks completely nonchalant. Come on, Mom, let's go inside."
At that moment, the atmosphere inside the restaurant was lively. Kirari and the other regulars were relaxing at their tables, waiting for their orders to arrive. The quiet hum of conversation broke when the front door swung open. The moment Yomotsuki Runa laid eyes on the bald man in the yellow cape, she had to slap a hand over her mouth to stifle a burst of laughter.
Lucifer and the others looked up, mildly startled by the new arrivals. Nakiri Mana blinked in surprise. "Saitama! Why are you here so early today? Don't you usually drop by after nine?"
The rest of the regulars nodded in agreement. Saitama offered his usual simple smile. "I didn't have much to do today. Plus, I picked up a disciple."
"A disciple?" multiple voices echoed across the dining room in unison.
Saitama strolled casually into the dining area, with Genos stepping in right behind him. The cyborg's optical sensors immediately scanned the room, recognizing Nakiri Mana, Courage, Erina, and several other high-profile figures. Standing tall, Genos spoke in a deep, formal voice. "I am Genos. I am Master's student."
Lucifer rested her chin on her hand, her crimson eyes sweeping over his metallic limbs. "A machine, huh? You look quite durable."
A chorus of intrigued murmurs swept through the room as the guests evaluated the newcomer.
Hearing the commotion, Ren stepped out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He looked at the duo and smiled. "Saitama, I see you've taken on a disciple."
"Yeah, Genos is actually pretty impressive," Saitama said.
Ren nodded approvingly. "I can tell. So, are you treating your new student to a grand feast today?"
"It's not exactly a grand feast, but it's something good," Saitama replied. "I remember you mentioning a dish before... Braised Pork Ribs and Shrimp, right?"
"I did. Is that what you want to order?"
Saitama nodded firmly, his expression turning unusually serious. "Yes. After all, Genos is paying."
Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, that sounds exactly like you. But you're being quite frugal today. Braised Pork Ribs and Shrimp isn't an expensive dish at all. It's priced like a standard everyday meal."
Saitama just scratched his head and offered no further explanation.
Standing beside him, Genos was entirely stunned. When he heard the name of the dish, his internal database immediately calculated the estimated cost, and the result was incredibly low. For a moment, Genos's already towering respect for Saitama shattered its previous limits and soared into the stratosphere.
"Master," Genos said, his voice thick with emotion. "Please, let us order something far more expensive. Something fitting for a man of your stature, like..."
"Huh? Why?" Saitama interrupted. "Shopkeeper Ren said the Braised Pork Ribs and Shrimp is delicious, so that's what we're eating."
Genos bowed his head, deeply moved. "Understood. Then... shall we at least order some premium beverages?"
"Huh? Just get us two regular beers."
Genos stood frozen, his mechanical core humming with awe. Where else in the world could he find a master like this? Possessing such unfathomable, god-like strength, yet completely devoid of arrogance. And the most crucial detail—even when his disciple was footing the bill, he deliberately chose the cheapest items on the menu to save him money. He had definitely chosen the right master!
Ren was just about to turn back to the kitchen to start their order when he heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching the entrance, accompanied by soft voices.
"This street is surprisingly clean," a refined, mature voice noted. "And... there really is a restaurant hidden back here. It doesn't even have a signboard."
"Yes, Mom," Asuna's voice replied. "Have you thought about what you want to eat?"
"Is there truly no menu?"
"No, there isn't. Ah, we're at the door..."
Hearing the exchange, Ren, Lucifer, and several other regulars turned toward the entrance. They all knew exactly who was arriving. Asuna had promised to bring her mother today.
"Shopkeeper Ren! We're here!" Asuna called out as she stepped inside.
Seeing the familiar chestnut-haired girl, the energetic demon girl Cerberus immediately threw her hands in the air and cheered. "Asuna! Asuna! Asuna!"
Asuna smiled warmly. "Hello, Sister Cerberus."
Behind Asuna, Yuuki Kyouko stepped over the threshold. She had originally assumed her daughter was bringing her to a cramped, hole-in-the-wall diner. But the moment she entered, her eyes widened in mild surprise. The interior was vastly larger than she had anticipated. The decor was immaculate, elegant, and perfectly arranged.
More, the air was entirely free of the heavy, greasy smoke that plagued most small eateries. Instead, the dining room carried a faint, fresh scent that blended perfectly with the rich, mouth-watering aromas drifting from the kitchen. It created an atmosphere of absolute tranquility and warmth.
Yuuki Kyouko's internal evaluation of the establishment skyrocketed in an instant. The privacy, the cleanliness, the serene environment—this would be an exceptional venue for hosting high-level corporate business discussions.
After completing her rapid assessment of the room, Kyouko shifted her gaze to the young man standing near the kitchen entrance. This was Shopkeeper Ren, the primary reason she had agreed to come today.
Studying his posture, his calm demeanor, and his striking features, she secretly nodded to herself. He was indeed very young, and undeniably handsome.
Meeting her assessing gaze, Ren offered a polite, welcoming smile. "Asuna, please help your mother find a comfortable seat. I need to finish processing a few ingredients in the back, but I will be right out. Please wait just a moment before ordering."
[Akarin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comment, or Power Stone means the world to me!
Want to read ahead on our official home, or unlock 50 advanced chapters to feed your addiction? Help keep this shameless translator alive here:
(P.S. Just remove the brackets and replace the [.] with a regular dot . to use the links!)
🌐 Read on our site: Elysianreads[.]com or Check the link in my Webnovel Profile bio!
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters & Ad-Free): patreon[.]com/AkarinTL or Search AkarinTL on Patreon
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]