11:00 AM, inside the kitchen—

"Ugh—! It's so hot!"

As the stock for the Hiyajiru (Cold Soup) was put on to boil, the temperature inside the kitchen skyrocketed, becoming increasingly stifling. Just standing still was enough to make one sweat like rain.

It felt like being in a sauna!

"Sorry, my house's kitchen doesn't have air conditioning... Let me fan you."

Yurine held a folding fan, feeling apologetic as she fanned Ryohei Tanaka. The conditions in her kitchen were indeed unfair to him.

However, Ryohei Tanaka didn't feel mistreated at all. On the contrary, seeing Yurine fan him made him feel incredibly happy, as if he had just eaten honey. He waved his hand cheerfully.

"It's fine, don't worry about me. Fan yourself."

It wasn't that Ryohei Tanaka couldn't handle hardship; a little heat was bearable. He was more concerned about Yurine.

On the other hand, the breeze from the fan didn't do much. It was still hot. It provided a moment of freshness, but there wasn't much difference overall.

"At a time like this, I really miss Yusa and Koji!"

He really wanted to weld one of them to his belt; that would be comfortable!

"Hm? Ryohei-kun, are you saying you miss other women right in front of my face?"

Yurine raised a beautiful willow-leaf eyebrow and playfully smacked Ryohei Tanaka. She twirled the folding fan and fanned herself a few times.

"...Huh?"

Ryohei Tanaka looked at her, dumbfounded. No, is it them I miss? I miss the air conditioning they carry with them!

Ryohei Tanaka was speechless for a moment, then feigned a look of disbelief. He looked at Yurine and sucked in a breath of cold air (metaphorically).

"No way? Yurine, are you even jealous of Koji?"

"...Do you think it's possible I'm jealous of Yusa?"

Yurine rolled her eyes at Ryohei Tanaka, almost laughing out of anger. She snapped the folding fan shut with a pa sound and tapped Ryohei Tanaka with it.

Ryohei Tanaka took a step back, rubbed the spot where he was tapped, and pretended to sigh.

"So Yurine is usually jealous of Yusa? Okay, I'll keep my distance from her in the future. From now on, as soon as she gets close, I'll tell her—"

Ryohei Tanaka straightened his expression, looking righteous and stern: "I'm sorry! Please stay away from me, I'm afraid Yurine will misunderstand!"

"..." Yurine was stunned by Ryohei Tanaka's performance. Once she reacted, she was speechless and retorted, "You're making it look like I love being jealous, like I'm jealous of everything!"

Before Ryohei Tanaka could answer, she opened the fan and started fanning him again. "I'd actually prefer if you said that when Lucoa gets close to you!"

"Uh... well..."

Ryohei Tanaka opened his mouth but stalled.

He laughed awkwardly, racking his brain to change the subject and attempt to muddle his way through.

"Speaking of which..."

Ryohei Tanaka remembered that in the original work, Yusa had given Pekola a special block of ice that could release cold air for three days.

An idea struck him. He took his phone out of his pocket, opened his contacts, and found Yusa's number.

"..." Yurine, who was serving this hopeless guy, looked at him in surprise as he suddenly took out his phone to call Yusa.

Although she was curious, she didn't ask immediately.

Under her gaze, the call connected with a "beep."

"Moshi moshi—"

A soft female voice came from the phone, and Yusa's gentle image appeared in his mind.

Holding the phone, Ryohei Tanaka exchanged pleasantries with a smile. "Yusa, have you and Koji returned to the Demon World?"

Today was Friday, but because of the Obon Festival, he had given them time off until the 16th, which was next Monday.

"No, Koji and I are shopping in Akihabara right now. Is something wrong, Ryohei-kun?" Yusa asked directly.

She was surprised that Ryohei Tanaka called her, guessing there was something he needed. Of course, she was also happy just to chat.

"Yeah, actually," Ryohei Tanaka said straightforwardly since she asked. "Can you create those ice blocks that continuously release cold air? I have a need for them here."

"Sure. How many do you need, Ryohei-kun?"

Yusa agreed immediately. This was no trouble for her at all; it was as easy as lifting a finger.

Ryohei Tanaka looked at Yurine. Originally, he just wanted one block to put in the kitchen to get through the lunch rush.

But thinking back to how Yurine had been dripping with sweat and practically steaming from the top of her head after dancing on the platform, he changed his mind just as he was about to speak.

"Let's start with five portions. If possible, make the ice blocks smaller, preferably easy to carry."

He didn't need to worry about others, but he had to take care of Yurine's family.

"..." Yurine was stunned for a moment, and her gaze toward Ryohei Tanaka softened considerably.

Far away in Akihabara, Yusa responded without hesitation. "Okay, I'll make them for you right now. How do I get them to you?"

"I'll ask Lucoa to pick them up."

Time for you to shine, universal tool dragon!

"..."

So, after ending the call with Yusa, Ryohei Tanaka made another call to Lucoa.

A short while later, a spatial gate opened beside them.

Wearing a blue uniform with the front boldly open to reveal an astonishing cleavage, Lucoa stepped out with her long, fleshy legs. She asked with a smile:

"Is Mr. Tanaka here? There is a delivery for you."

"...Yes, yes, I'm here."

Ryohei Tanaka paused for a second, then naturally slipped into the role.

His gaze swept over someone's deep valley before landing on the red string 'pendants' Lucoa was holding, which were emitting cold air.

"Yusa said these can last for a day. You can ask her for more when they run out."

"A day?"

Ryohei Tanaka was surprised as he reached out to take the pendants.

He looked down to study them, guessing that the usage time might be related to the size. In the original work, the special ice Yusa gave Pekola was the size of a fist and lasted three days.

These were a circle smaller than a standard jade pendant. They were ice-blue and shaped like snowflakes.

Ryohei Tanaka touched a pendant. A cooling sensation washed over him; it wasn't freezing, and it didn't leave his hand wet.

He couldn't help but praise it in his heart: Good stuff! Simply a summer heat-beating artifact!

Out loud, he said, "That works. It's enough for now."

Saying this, he looked at Lucoa, signaling that she could leave.

But naturally, Lucoa wasn't going to just go back like that.

Today, Ryohei Tanaka hadn't let her tag along, sending her off to play by herself. Now he asks her to deliver something, and wants her to leave immediately after?

What, did he really think she was just an errand runner?

Lucoa pulled at her collar, revealing a large expanse of white skin.

"Since you've received the item, please stamp here to sign for it."

"...Where are you asking me to stamp?!"

"What courier company asks for a signature stamped on the chest? You're a suspicious courier!" Ryohei Tanaka retorted repeatedly.

"That's just how our family does it."

Lucoa lifted her left eyelid, placed one hand on her hip, and pulled her collar with the other, wearing an expression that said he was making a fuss over nothing.

"Ahem—!"

Yurine, watching the two with cat-like eyes, couldn't take it anymore. She made a fist, brought it to her mouth, and coughed lightly, signaling that this was her territory and they better watch themselves.

Lucoa looked at Yurine and thought for a moment—

Tomorrow, Ryohei Tanaka was going with her to her world for a round of "Is it Wrong to Try to Find Gourmet Food in Another World?" She sighed dramatically.

"Forget it, forget it..."

I'll get the stamp tomorrow!

Thinking this, Lucoa let go of her collar. Leaving behind a "I'm heading off then," she turned, waved dashingly, opened a spatial channel, and left the Hanazono family kitchen.

~~~

Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!

https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn

~~~

Every 5 new reviews = 1 extra chapters

Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter