"I think I'll sit this one out. Who knows what kind of chaos I'd cause if I went." Miku Izayoi sighed, a little disappointed. It was true—her face was famous worldwide, and she couldn't just stroll around unnoticed.
"In that case, I won't go either," Yamai said regretfully. She felt it wouldn't be fair to leave Miku behind alone.
"I'm going," Origami Tobiichi declared flatly. Emotionless as ever.
"Kurumi-chan, can Yoshino come too?" Yoshino asked shyly, clutching Yoshinon in her arms like a nervous little rabbit.
"Why... why is this happening to me?" Shu Ouma's expression looked like pure despair as he watched Kurumi Tokisaki surrounded by admirers. Everyone seemed to adore her! He couldn't even get a word in. How had his private two-person date turned into a group outing?
"Oh! A competitive eating contest! I'm signing up!" Tohka Yatogami exclaimed and darted off instantly.
Tsugumi's eyes widened in disbelief, nearly fainting in frustration. "Tohka! You're the biggest third wheel here—how could you just run off like that?!"
"Kotori, where are you going now?!" Tsugumi groaned, realizing her supposed allies were behaving like hyperactive kids. "Fine! Even if I'm the only one left, I'll keep an eye on the Angel!"
"Wait! Where did the Angel go?!" Tsugumi suddenly froze—Kurumi, who had been walking ahead, had vanished without a trace.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?!" Tsugumi yelled.
"Because it was interesting," Origami replied expressionlessly.
Tsugumi felt her sanity crumble. "Ugh... gluttons and deadpan girls—why me..."
"Hmph! Shu Ouma, you may have dodged my open attacks, but let's see you survive my ambushes!" Tsugumi grumbled, taking out her communicator and connecting to Funeral Parlor's private channel.
Tsugumi: "I failed. I put a tracker on the Angel. Activating the locator now."
Shibungi: "We've found her. Target is heading toward the designated district."
"What's going on...? Is it just my imagination, or why does everyone look at me like they're about to kill me?" As soon as Shu stepped into the central district, a chill ran down his spine. Every person's gaze felt sharp enough to cut skin.
"Shu-kun? What's wrong?" Kurumi tilted her head curiously, her crimson eyes glimmering with innocence.
"It's nothing. Let's go. The street ahead has some really famous local snacks—I bet you've never tried them before," Shu said, shaking off his nerves.
Kurumi's eyes lit up with curiosity. "You're right. My maids at home are all top-class chefs from around the world, but they only ever make refined gourmet dishes suited for high society. The only homemade food I've ever eaten was Inori's cooking. I've never tried street snacks before."
"Uh oh..." Shu's smile stiffened. He suddenly remembered the exquisite feasts he'd eaten at Kurumi's mansion. Why on earth am I trying to feed someone used to world-class cuisine with street food? he thought, horrified. This is going to end badly...
"Hey there, young man! Taking your girlfriend out for a stroll? How about trying our special sweet dumplings?" The elderly man at the food stall called out cheerfully.
"Girlfriend?" Kurumi blinked but smiled faintly. "Perhaps I should take Inori out for a stroll sometime too... she's been so well-behaved lately, drinking her milk every day. Maybe she deserves a reward."
"Ah, no, sir—we're not like that," Shu said quickly, smiling politely as he bought a few skewers. Kurumi loved sweets, after all—surely she'd enjoy these.
"Kurumi, these are sweet dumplings. Want to try one?" Shu offered with a smile.
"Sweet dumplings? Sounds delightful." Kurumi's wine-red eyes sparkled with anticipation as she reached out to take them.
But suddenly, her hand froze midair. She frowned slightly and sniffed the air, then stepped back. "No... forget it. I smell something unpleasant. That's definitely not sweet."
"How could that be? Sweet dumplings are always sweet! Look, I'll try one myself." Shu popped one into his mouth before she could stop him.
The old man and the old woman behind the counter exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with barely concealed satisfaction—as if saying, Serves you right!
"See? It's sweet!" Shu said as he chewed.
The sweetness spread across his tongue—only to be instantly overwhelmed by an explosion of unbearable spice.
Shu Ouma's face turned bright red, his lips swelling instantly. The spice burned down his throat like fire, leaving it dry and raw as if he hadn't drunk water in ten days.
He gagged and spat out the half-chewed dumpling. The spicy fumes spread through the air, making the old man and old woman behind the stall sneeze uncontrollably as tears streamed down their faces.
"Uuuh..." Kurumi Tokisaki immediately covered her delicate nose and stumbled backward several steps, tears welling in her crimson eyes. Her trembling frame made it clear—she was terrified. The smell of the spicy dumpling had made her cry. So scary... these so-called sweet snacks are terrifying...
"Water!" Shu croaked in a raspy, ghostly voice that sounded more dead than alive.
"Oh—right, here's some water!" the old man said, suddenly realizing. In a panic, he handed over a bottle. Shu grabbed it without hesitation, twisted the cap, and gulped it down.
"Ah! Wait! That's my special concentrated chili extract! It's ten times spicier than the dumplings—it could kill someone!" the old man shouted, flailing his arms in excitement. Serves you right, scumbag Shu! Go to hell!
"Ahhh!" Shu opened his mouth, and red vapor—like fire—poured out. His lips swelled into giant sausages, his skin scorched and flushed bright red.
Then his throat swelled, his neck bulging grotesquely. With sausage lips, a swollen throat, and a charred face, Shu looked more like a monkey than a man.
"Shu-kun! Your stomach—it's swelling too! You need to see Hare right now! Her Void can heal you!" Kurumi cried in alarm as she noticed his abdomen expanding rapidly.
"Forget it—I'll take you myself." Kurumi pulled out a handkerchief, ready to cover her nose.
"Young lady! Want to try my secret recipe dumplings? I guarantee you'll never forget them!" The old man smiled warmly, holding out another skewer. Kurumi froze in horror, trembling violently as she backed away.
"Uuuh!" Her back hit something. Kurumi spun around in fear—only to face the smiling old woman from the stall.
"Thirsty, dear? I've got some water right here," the old woman said, her grin turning eerily sinister as she began to unscrew the cap of another bottle.
"So scary! Street sweets are so scary! Uuuh..." Kurumi whimpered.
"Bah! I hate homewreckers the most," the old woman muttered before drinking the water herself—this time, it was real mineral water.
"The Angel's been scared off..." From around the corner, Tsugumi sighed, utterly defeated. Great... we've managed to hurt the enemy and ourselves in the process.
...
On the seventh morning after the apocalypse, Kurumi sat on her bed, hair disheveled and face pale. She looked utterly drained as a maid brushed her hair.
"Kurumi-chan," Inori entered quietly, her gentle pink eyes filled with concern.
"Inori... I had a nightmare. About dumpling hell. It was so scary." Kurumi suddenly pulled Inori onto the bed, clinging to her tightly for comfort.
"Kurumi-chan..." Inori softly patted her back. She wasn't good with words, but her emotions ran deep and sincere.
Time seemed to stop. The maids quietly left the room. Inori's face flushed red as her gentle pats turned into a tender embrace.
"Uuh, Kurumi-chan..." Inori whimpered, trying to hide under the blanket. But Kurumi lifted her chin playfully, teasing the embarrassed girl. Inori shut her eyes tightly, unable to meet Kurumi's amused, delighted gaze.
"Don't close your eyes. Look at me—I want to see that adorable embarrassed face of yours." Kurumi raised her chin proudly, her imperious nature returning.
"Uuuh..." Inori trembled, shaking her head. But Kurumi's slender finger under her chin held her still, forcing her to face her in helpless, blushing shame.
"If you don't open your eyes, I'll get mad," Kurumi warned playfully. Inori gasped and immediately opened her pink eyes, meeting Kurumi's. Kurumi smiled in delight.
After only three seconds of eye contact, tears gathered in Inori's eyes. She whimpered softly, her shoulders trembling as she struggled not to cry.
"Cry for me. Come on, cry. You always say I bully you—if you cry, I'll stop," Kurumi said with a proud, teasing grin, gazing down at her.
"Uuuh..." Inori whimpered again but shook her head stubbornly. Though her expression was pitiful and her shame almost unbearable, she refused to cry.
"Fine then. If you won't cry, I'll keep holding your chin like this until sunset. Let's see how long you can endure it," Kurumi said, tilting her head with a wicked smile. Her crimson eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Kurumi-chan... Kurumi-chan..." Inori began calling softly, her voice trembling between pleading and despair. It was pitifully adorable.
"Kurumi-chan... uuuh... Kurumi-chan..." Her little nose twitched with each sob, her voice like a hungry kitten mewling for food—utterly heartbreaking and irresistibly cute.