Tsubaka finished the tea rice, sipped the lemon tea, and chatted with Hayashi.
Perhaps because they were both chefs and neither had graduated from Totsuki, Tsubaka naturally had a good impression of Hayashi's identity and cooking skills.
The two talked about quite a few things.
Tsubaka looked around Hayashi's small diner and really liked it.
Although her dream used to be to become a gymnast, her current realistic dream was probably to own a small shop like this.
She also mentioned Rikka.
She said that in two weeks, she would bring Rikka to Tokyo to get familiar with the surroundings.
Rikka's high school was nearby, and they might even have to move here.
She also talked about the Italian restaurants.
Finally, they spoke about Hayashi and his culinary skills.
Tsubaka lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said, "I'll come back for culinary exchanges in the future."
"Not really for exchanges, just come by when you want to fill your stomach," Hayashi said.
Tsubaka nodded in agreement.
They talked for a bit longer.
After the rain lightened, Tsubaka said she had to leave as it was getting late.
Hayashi handed her the umbrella so she wouldn't get wet.
Before leaving, Tsubaka said she would recommend the Midnight Diner to her friends.
A place with such high quality shouldn't be hidden away.
Hayashi smiled wryly and nodded.
Tsubaka then left.
Back inside, Toru had already washed the dishes.
She looked at the direction Tsubaka left and thought for a moment. "She's a very reliable sister."
"Yeah, I guess," Hayashi nodded. "Italy offered her a higher salary, better treatment, and a better attitude, but for her sister's safety, she stayed in Tokyo."
"Gold will always shine, right?" Toru asked.
"Yes," Hayashi nodded.
This was not really a matter of gold.
Hayashi valued life more than gold.
Takahashi Tsubaka's future was definitely going to be brighter.
After the customer left.
The diner became quiet again.
The sound of the light rain outside created a unique atmosphere.
At this moment, Hayashi's phone received a message. He opened it and saw it was from Kasa no Oka Ushi.
Kasa no Oka Ushi: "Chef-kun, today I had a big burst of inspiration and with the rain, I won't be coming to the diner. Don't worry about leaving the door open for me, see you tomorrow, goodnight."
Hayashi replied: "Are you running behind on your manuscript?"
Kasa no Oka Ushi: "... That's too much, Hayashi-kun. You should reply with something to warm my heart."
Hayashi thought for a moment and replied: "The diner is empty, loneliness unbearable, the struggling soul, where does desire flow?"
Kasa no Oka Ushi: "Too shy! Hentai~!"
Inside the diner.
Seeing the silence from the other side, Hayashi hummed and put his phone away.
Play with him? Anyone can flirt!
At this moment.
The light rain outside stopped completely.
Hayashi sat by the window, looking at the time.
"It's almost midnight."
"How about closing early tonight?"
Toru, hearing this, seemed a little reluctant: "Isn't that a bit much, Hayashi-san? How about you take a break for a while?"
"I'm not resting, I haven't done anything," Hayashi laughed. "I'm just lazy and want to skip out."
Toru: ...
Toru paused for a moment.
Then, suddenly brightened up.
"Then Hayashi-san, would you like to try knee pillow therapy? I just learned it online."
"!" Hayashi's eyes lit up.
That sounds good.
He'd been wanting to try a massage for a long time!
But just then.
Pochita, who had been resting by the door, seemed to smell something and suddenly stood up.
It sniffed carefully, then turned to Hayashi and barked.
"Woof~!"
Hayashi understood what it meant.
Pochita was telling him there was a strong smell of blood outside, likely from a wounded ghoul.
"How many ghouls?"
"Woof~!" (One.)
One?
Who could it be?
At this moment, Toru also caught the scent.
She perked up her nose. "This smells a bit familiar, Hayashi-san, it's like one of our previous customers."
"Hmm?" Now Hayashi was even more curious.
The two walked toward the door and opened it.
"Thud~!"
At the end of the alley, by the wall.
A woman with purple hair and a dress flipped over and collapsed onto the ground.
Blood immediately mixed with the rainwater and spread.
Hayashi looked and said, "Kamado Rize?"
Toru: "Rize-chan?"
After being called by name.
Kamado Rize, with the little consciousness she had left, lifted her head and found Hayashi.
She looked at him, her eyes full of longing and remembrance.
"Hayashi... kun..."
It was as if...
Something that was always left unused at home, and now, just before dying, had to be left for someone else to use.
Even in this state, Kamado Rize did not say the word "help."
Perhaps her life had never had such an option for a plea.
Her clothes were soaked through.
Beneath the dress, even the color of her underwear was visible.
The soaking wet hem outlined the graceful curves of her body.
Of course—
that's assuming there wasn't so much blood.
"She looks like she's about to die, Hayashi-san," Tohru squatted down to take a look, then turned to Hayashi. "It's Miss Rize. What do we do?"
Pochita stepped forward, sniffed her a bit, confirmed there was nothing wrong, and went back to Hayashi's side.
Well, what else could they do?
For Kamishiro Rize to be injured this badly, Hayashi had a pretty good guess already.
If she were taken back, it wouldn't be long before a "Kakuja Dragon" showed up in Tokyo.
"Bring her back first. I'll make her something to eat," Hayashi stepped forward and touched Rize's head to check if her brain was still intact.
Once he confirmed her brain was fine, he asked Tohru to carry her back.
Tohru simply picked up Kamishiro Rize and brought her back to the shop.
Hayashi headed into the kitchen and prepared a steak for her, injecting a bit of energy into it during the process.
After Tohru laid Kamishiro Rize down properly, Hayashi came over with a piece of steak pierced on a fork.
Tohru didn't get it. "Hayashi-san… shouldn't we be treating her?"
"Do you know how to treat a ghoul?"
"No."
"Let me teach you. Deep-throat meat."
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