Chapter 172: Two Strange People, A Family of Three Feeling
In the end, Ren still didn't choose to scare Lucifer with a terrifying horror flick. Instead, he opted for a comedy.
He knew Lucifer's tastes all too well. Despite being the Queen of Hell, a title that would suggest a penchant for gore and darkness, her taste in movies was quite peculiar. She had a soft spot for comedies, romance films that tugged at the heartstrings, abstract art-house films, and, surprisingly, martial arts films.
That's right, martial arts films.
Ever since Lucifer learned that Ren could fight—and had participated in the brutal Kengan Matches—she had gone down a rabbit hole of online research. She had scoured the internet for videos related to boxing, kung fu, and mixed martial arts. As a result, she became completely captivated by the exaggerated, high-octane world of martial arts cinema.
Ren watched her from the corner of his eye. She was glued to the screen, her crimson eyes reflecting the flickering light of the action sequences.
[Akarin's Note: Chuunibyou (Middle School 2nd Year Syndrome) refers to teenagers who have delusions of grandeur, believing they have hidden powers or secret knowledge. Lucifer is immune... mostly.]
Fortunately, Lucifer wasn't suffering from chuunibyou or adolescent delusions of grandeur. If she were, the situation might have spiraled out of control. Like someone who watches Ip Man and immediately tries to challenge a dojo, a chuunibyou Lucifer might have tried to recreate the moves on the restaurant's furniture—or worse, its patrons.
[Akarin's Note: Ip Man is a famous Hong Kong biographical martial arts film based on the life of Yip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of Bruce Lee.]
Given her actual demonic strength, if she decided to "spar" based on movie choreography, the restaurant would likely be reduced to splinters in seconds. It would be a disaster of biblical proportions.
Ren looked at Lucifer, who was intently focused on the movie. She was leaning forward, a piece of popcorn suspended halfway to her mouth, completely engrossed in the protagonist's clumsy attempt at a roundhouse kick.
He found it somewhat amusing. He wondered what the demons and condemned souls back in Hell would think if they saw their Queen like this—slouched in a chair, human snacks in hand, giggling at slapstick humor.
"Pfft~ So silly...."
Lucifer finally couldn't help but burst out laughing. The sound was uncharacteristically girlish, a sharp contrast to her usual haughty demeanor.
Ren looked at Lucifer, shaking his head with a soft smile. He wiped a glass with a dry cloth, the rhythmic motion grounding the scene. "It seems you still really enjoy comedies, Lucifer~"
Lucifer turned to him, holding the bowl of snacks Ren had gotten for her. She tossed a kernel into her mouth and chewed with satisfaction.
"Of course!" she declared, her tone suggesting that this was a universal truth. "Why would I watch such weird, depressing stuff like horror or tragedy when there are movies that can make me laugh? Life is long enough; entertainment should be entertaining."
Ren nodded, deciding not to argue with her logic. "Fair enough."
Just then, a soft clatter drew their attention.
Yagami Hikari finally finished her last bite. She placed her spoon gently into the empty bowl. It had been a simple, clear beef consommé with daikon radish—something warm and savory to settle her stomach after the fluffy pancakes.
She was completely unwilling to move. She slumped back in her chair, her small hands resting on her stomach, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling beams.
"Phew... I'm so full..."
Hearing that satisfied exhale, Ren turned his head. The sight of the empty bowl brought a sense of chef's accomplishment.
"Hmm," Ren hummed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "You seem to have a good appetite. It's good to see."
Yagami Hikari nodded vigorously. A content flush colored her cheeks. "Yes! This is the first time I've eaten so much! Big Brother's cooking is so delicious! I felt like I couldn't stop even if I wanted to."
Ren walked over to clear the table, his movements efficient and graceful. "Thanks for the compliment, but it's just a simple beef soup. Nothing fancy."
He stacked the bowls and looked down at her. The night was deepening, but the little girl was clearly too wired—or perhaps too comfortable—to sleep just yet.
"Little Hikari," Ren said gently. "Do you want to watch a movie with us? After all, you're staying here until morning, aren't you? It might be boring to just sit around."
Hearing Ren's words, Yagami Hikari's eyes lit up immediately. The fatigue from her escape seemed to evaporate.
"Really?" she asked, then nodded like a pecking chick. "Yes! I want to!"
Yagami Hikari wasn't a shy child to begin with. Despite the trauma of the night, her natural resilience was shining through. What's more, this Big Brother and Big Sister had saved her from Myotismon, fed her the best meal of her life, and provided a safe haven. She felt quite close to them already, a sense of trust forming rapidly in her young heart.
"Wait a moment then," Ren said.
He stood up and walked toward the stairs. His footsteps were soft on the wooden treads. He went up to the living quarters and returned shortly with a silver laptop tucked under his arm.
Since the restaurant was currently closed to other customers, he didn't bother setting up a projector. He placed the laptop on the table between them.
The three of them squeezed together on the booth bench. Ren sat on one side, Lucifer on the other, with little Hikari sandwiched safely in the middle. The screen illuminated their faces in the dim room, creating a small, intimate bubble of light.
It seemed a bit too cramped no matter how you looked at it, but the closeness felt cozy rather than uncomfortable.
"Little Hikari," Ren asked, his fingers hovering over the trackpad. "What movie do you want to watch? Any preferences?"
Yagami Hikari scratched her head, looking at the library of film thumbnails. "I don't know... I don't usually watch many movies. Big Brother, Big Sister, you two decide."
Hearing Yagami Hikari's words, Ren thought for a moment.
He scrolled past the violent action films Lucifer loved and the complex sci-fi thrillers he enjoyed. He needed something universally appealing. Something that bridged the gap between a cynical Demon Queen and an elementary school girl.
Finally, he clicked on a folder.
He chose a movie similar to a classic fairy tale film—it wasn't a childish cartoon, but a high-quality animated feature. It had comedic elements to satisfy Lucifer, romantic subplots, artistic flair in its animation style, and, crucially, it featured magic.
"This one should work," Ren murmured. "It's a classic."
It was perfect. As he predicted, both Lucifer and Yagami Hikari were drawn in immediately.
The opening scene swept across a magical landscape, the orchestral score swelling from the laptop's speakers.
Just as Ren had thought, both Yagami Hikari and Lucifer watched intently.
When the characters did something clumsy or witty, they would burst into laughter in unison, their shoulders shaking against Ren's arms. When the plot turned sad, a heavy silence would fall over the booth, the only sound being the hum of the refrigerator in the background. And when the magic appeared on screen—dazzling particles of light and impossible feats—they would both lean in, eyes wide with amazement.
Ren sat quietly to the side throughout the runtime. He sipped a cup of hot black tea, the steam rising in curling ribbons before his face.
He observed them more than the movie.
The most remarkable thing about fairy tales, Ren mused internally, taking a slow sip of the bitter tea, is their universality. Even with romantic elements, they are suitable for children and everyone else.
Why? Because everyone was once a child.
Perhaps with the passage of time, as people grew jaded, they might claim to prefer horror films, gritty crime dramas, or complex romances. But when you're truly bored, or when you stumble upon a beautifully animated fairy tale while channel surfing, you'll always take a second look.
It stirs something dormant. A memory of wonder. It's this kind of film that made childhood fun, and for a brief ninety minutes, it allowed adults to reclaim that innocence. Even the Queen of Hell wasn't immune to the charm of a well-told fable.
The credits began to roll, accompanied by a cheerful pop song.
"So, fairy tale movies can be this good?" Lucifer murmured, breaking the silence.
She sounded genuinely surprised. She was clearly a fan of another genre of film usually—violence, dominance, power struggles. But this soft, emotional journey had disarmed her.
After the movie ended, both Lucifer and Yagami Hikari looked like they hadn't had enough. They stared at the black screen as if willing it to continue.
Ren looked at Yagami Hikari, noting the sparkle in her eyes. "Little Hikari, do you want to watch more of this type? We have time."
Yagami Hikari nodded repeatedly; it was clear this little girl loved it. "Yes! Please!"
Ren, on the other hand, didn't really care what movie they watched. To be honest, left to his own devices, he quite liked horror and sci-fi films—Alien or The Thing were more his speed. But the atmosphere tonight called for something softer.
He scrolled through the list. "Is this one okay? It's about a moving castle."
"Hmm! Eh?" Hikari pointed at the screen. "It's from the same animation company!"
"You have a sharp eye," Ren complimented. "Hmm, for fairy tale movies, it's usually just a few companies that make the really good ones. The art style is quite distinct."
He paused the setup for a moment. "Little Hikari, do you want some snacks? Watching two movies back-to-back requires fuel."
"Anything is fine!" Hikari chirped, happy just to be included.
Ren stood up to head to the kitchen.
Lucifer watched Ren and Yagami Hikari the entire time without saying a word. Her crimson eyes softened in a way that would have terrified her subordinates.
Yagami Hikari sat between her and Ren earlier, and their conversation—the easy back-and-forth, the shared laughter, the way Ren took care of them both—made Lucifer feel something strange.
It truly felt like a family of three.
The thought hit her with the force of a physical blow. She, the ruler of the underworld, playing house? It was absurd. It was ridiculous. And yet... it wasn't unpleasant.
Lucifer looked at the scene before her—the warm lights, the safe restaurant, the child smiling—and felt somewhat lost in thought. She looked at Hikari's back.
"She really is..." Lucifer whispered, the words barely audible, "...heartwarming. Like a little treasure."
"Lucifer~" Ren's voice cut through her reverie from the kitchen.
"Hmm? What is it?" She snapped her head up, composing herself instantly.
"Nothing, just going to get some snacks," Ren called out, the sound of a refrigerator door opening echoing. "What do you want to drink?"
Lucifer frowned slightly. "Why don't you ask what I want to eat?"
"You're not picky, are you?" Ren teased. "You usually eat whatever I put in front of you."
Hearing Ren's words, Lucifer snapped out of her sentimental thoughts about a family of three and heartwarming children. Her brow twitched.
This stinky man is doing it on purpose! He always knew how to ruin a tender moment with his casual teasing.
Although she thought that, and considered throwing a napkin at him, Lucifer still pouted and said, "Orange juice~"
"Make it fresh!" she added for good measure.
"Big Sister," Hikari giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "You seem to have no way of dealing with Big Brother~. You listen to him so easily."
Hearing this, Lucifer's mouth twitched violently. Her pride took a critical hit.
"Hah?!" She looked at the child, flustered. A slight blush crept up her neck. "This... this is just a superficial appearance! You misunderstand completely, child. I just don't want to bother with so much arguing. It's beneath me. Otherwise, if I really wanted to, that guy Ren, I..."
"What about me?"
Ren walked back to the table, carrying a tray. He looked at Lucifer with a knowing smirk.
"Hmph!" Lucifer crossed her arms, turning her head away. "Can I tell you that? If I tell you my secret techniques, how will I make you listen to me later?"
Ren set the tray down. "You don't need secret techniques to make me listen."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "You just need to wear an apron~"
Lucifer froze. Her face turned a shade of red that matched her eyes.
"An... An apron? What apron..."
The memory of a certain "Naked Apron" incident—or perhaps just the implication of domestic submission—flashed through her mind.
"Ap... Ren! I'll bite you!" she hissed, baring her small, sharp fangs.
Yagami Hikari covered her mouth and chuckled, her shoulders shaking. She watched Lucifer, who was saying the fiercest words but doing the most cowardly things—shrinking back into the booth seat while blushing furiously.
Ren laughed, satisfied with his victory. "Alright, alright. I surrender."
He distributed the glasses. "Alright Hikari-chan, this is your juice. Freshly squeezed. And Lucifer, this is your juice. Extra pulp, just how you like it."
"Hmph!" Lucifer took the glass, still pouting. She looked at the bowl on the tray. "But why aren't the snacks popcorn? Isn't popcorn the rule for movies?"
Instead of the buttery, puffed kernels she expected, the bowl was filled with reddish-brown strips of meat.
Ren sat back down and casually explained, "I've always found two types of people very strange when it comes to food norms."
"Oh?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow, distracted from her embarrassment. "Do enlighten us, Professor."
"The first type," Ren said, pointing at the imaginary popcorn, "are those who think eating a large bucket of popcorn while watching a movie is perfectly reasonable. I mean, a small bucket is fine for the novelty. But a large bucket? Isn't it too sweet? By the time you're halfway through, your mouth is coated in sugar, and you feel sick."
He picked up a piece of the meat strip. "Of course, excluding butter popcorn, because it doesn't have syrup. But the caramel ones? It's like eating a bucket of diabetes."
Lucifer paused. She was a notorious sweet tooth—she put sugar in her wine, for Satan's sake. But even she had to admit, if you made her watch a two-hour movie and only eat caramel popcorn, she would likely feel gross by the end. It was too singular, too cloying.
"I suppose..." she muttered. "It does get a bit much."
Yagami Hikari blinked, taking a sip of her orange juice. "Big Brother, what's the other type of person?"
Ren sighed dramatically, looking like he was carrying the weight of the world's culinary sins.
"The other type," he said helplessly, "are those who go out for coffee with their partner. Even though they don't actually like coffee, and are secretly afraid of its bitterness, they insist on ordering it."
He mimicked a pretentious pose. "And not just a latte. They order black coffee—sour, bitter, with no sugar. They swallow it down while suppressing a grimace, all because they feel that one cup of black coffee will make their partner think they're very mature~"
"It's purely for the aesthetic," Ren concluded. "They suffer for vanity."
Lucifer covered her mouth and chuckled, the image of humans forcing down bitter bean water amusing her greatly. "Eh? That does sound quite interesting. Humans are so concerned with appearances."
She looked at him curiously. "Then, Ren, what do you usually drink when you go out? Surely a mysterious shopkeeper drinks something sophisticated?"
"Me?" Ren shrugged. "At a coffee shop, I order coffee with plenty of sugar and milk. Or fruit tea~. Why make life bitter when you can make it sweet?"
"Eh? Is that so?" Lucifer looked surprised. "I thought you'd be the type to drink espresso while staring out a rainy window."
"I'm pragmatic," Ren smiled. "Now, try this."
He gestured to the bowl. "I got a little popcorn for tradition's sake, but there are also other small snacks here. This is glaze-cured pork jerky. It's savory and chewy—much better for a long movie session than pure sugar."
He handed a strip to Hikari and one to Lucifer.
"It should be enough to keep our mouths busy without making us sick."
As the three of them ate the savory jerky, watched the second animated movie, and chatted in the cozy booth downstairs, the atmosphere was perfectly peaceful.
However, upstairs, the tranquility was about to be disturbed.
In the room above the restaurant, a pair of dog ears twitched.
Sister Cerberus, who had been sleeping soundly, shifted in her bed. Her nose wiggled, catching the faint scent of food and the murmur of voices from below. She was about to wake up....
[Akarin Note:
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