Sōma Yukihira grumbled as he turned and headed back into the kitchen.
Inside, flames roared and the kitchen buzzed with life as the dinner rush picked up.
Out in the dining area, some customers were finishing their meals and leaving, while others lingered over drinks and casual conversation.
At one of the tables, Lin Zhi and Gabriel sat facing each other, both unsure how to start a conversation.
After all—she was an angel.
What was he supposed to say? "So, do angels eat dinner too?"
The silence between them stretched awkwardly—until Jōichirō Yukihira arrived with two steaming plates of seafood risotto.
The rich aroma filled the air, instantly breaking the tension. Compared to the dish they'd just tasted earlier, the memory of that flavor only made this new one seem more enticing.
"Go on, try it," Jōichirō said with an easy smile.
For some reason, instead of returning to the kitchen, he pulled out a chair and sat right down beside them, relaxed and confident.
"Uh… aren't you going to help out?" Gabriel asked hesitantly, glancing around at the still-busy restaurant.
At this moment, she seemed almost shy—a rare sight.
"Hah, that stuff's fine left to Sōma," Jōichirō said with a laugh. "Gotta give the kid some experience. How else will he ever surpass me?"
Then, with that same genial grin, he added, "Name's Jōichirō Yukihira. That kid back there is my son, Sōma."
He studied the two of them curiously. "You two seem new around here. Just move to the neighborhood?"
Ding! You've collected new character information!
Entry added — Jōichirō Yukihira. Character card created.
Lin Zhi picked up his spoon and nodded calmly. "Yeah, I'm from Akita. Moved here for high school."
"And what about you?"
"Uh…" Gabriel's bright violet eyes flickered, and she smiled sweetly. "I came here for high school too."
"Oh? So you're not siblings then?"
"Cough—no, no," Lin Zhi said quickly. "We just met today, actually. Turns out we live next door to each other."
"Ah, that explains it! No wonder I haven't seen you two before."
Jōichirō laughed heartily, loud enough for Sōma to shout from the kitchen, "Hey, old man! Quit slacking off! I'm dying in here!"
"Brat!" Jōichirō barked back, then turned to Lin Zhi and Gabriel with another grin. "Well then—welcome to the neighborhood!"
With that, he went back to the kitchen.
They didn't see the faint look of curiosity that flickered across his face as he turned away.
Those two… something's different about them.
Without Jōichirō's presence, the two finally settled down to enjoy their meal.
Strangely, though the dish was made by the same chef, it didn't carry quite the same… spark as before.
Something was missing.
Lin Zhi couldn't quite place it—but the flavor was still excellent, especially for the modest price.
After dinner, he and Gabriel strolled around the neighborhood to get familiar with the area. They stopped by a convenience store to pick up a few essentials—
toothbrushes, cups, towels, slippers…
Once stocked up, they returned to Aoyama Apartments and said goodnight at their doors.
When Lin Zhi stepped inside his room, it was pitch dark.
He fumbled for the switch, and the sharp click of the light filled the entryway with soft brightness.
The corridor beyond remained dim and coldly quiet.
He stood there for a moment, sighed, and muttered, "Still not used to this."
After changing into his new slippers, he carried his cup, toothbrush, and towel into the bathroom. Once he'd filled the tub with hot water, he sank into it and tapped the glowing exclamation mark in the corner of his vision.
[Name: Jōichirō Yukihira]
[Occupation: Magic Chef]
[Age: 38]
[Race: Human]
[Threat Level: D]
"So he was a magic chef…"
Lin Zhi raised an eyebrow. No wonder that flavor had felt so… otherworldly.
Still, he shrugged it off. He'd already met an angel, after all—
what was a superpowered chef in comparison?
Then again… that still counted as extraordinary!
He winced and chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
After his bath, dressed in clean clothes, he stepped out onto the balcony.
The city stretched before him in a sea of lights, the night sky hazy above.
Unlike the countryside, the stars here were faint and hard to see.
But the apartment had a great view—that was why he'd chosen it in the first place.
The breeze was cool, almost biting despite April being near. He shivered and was about to head back inside when—
Rustle.
"Huh?"
He froze.
A faint sound.
Then—something dropped from above.
A rope?
A rope!
Lin Zhi's expression stiffened. What the hell—burglars already? On the first night?
He leaned out over the railing to look—
—and saw a pair of long, slender legs encased in black stockings, ending just above the knee, where a pale stretch of thigh peeked out before disappearing under—
Safety shorts. Humanity's greatest disappointment.
Wait, focus!
"Hey—!"
His shout startled the descending figure. With a panicked cry, she lost her grip and fell faster.
"Oh—shit!"
Before he could move, something soft and warm slammed against his face, blotting out the world in sudden darkness.
What… what is this…?
So soft… so—
This is the legendary dragon rider faceplant?!
"Eek!"
The girl yelped, jerking away in embarrassment. Lin Zhi blinked just in time to see her flushed, pretty face—one eye hidden behind a white eyepatch—before she shot him a mortified glare.
Then, without a word, she grabbed the rope, slid the rest of the way down, and sprinted off into the night.
Lin Zhi just stood there, stunned.
Wait… shouldn't she be yelling "Pervert!" or something?
Why did she look more panicked than angry?
Before he could piece it together, a sharp gust of wind whipped past—another figure dropped from above.
This one was tall, poised, her beauty edged with steel. Her piercing eyes swept over him coldly before she, too, leapt down after the first girl.
Lin Zhi stood frozen on his balcony.
"…What the hell did I just witness?"
Were those martial artists? Assassins?
What kind of neighborhood was this place?!
A gathering point for supernaturals?!
----------
T/N:
Joining is completely free. Come check it out!
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:
[email protected]//animetraveler