"I saw online that Ghouls can't eat human food…" Ryohei began, feeling the need to confide in Yurine. He couldn't keep it bottled up. "But the ability I got, besides improving my cooking, also has the effect of 'conquering the body and soul of any creature'… If I'm not mistaken, that Ghoul just now wanted to kidnap me and make me his personal chef."

"I see. That would explain it," Yurine said, tilting her head. She now understood the Ghoul's strange behavior and why Ryohei was being targeted. She then realized that Ryohei was now in a great deal of trouble. From now on, he would likely be targeted by Ghouls from time to time, just like tonight. Unless he quit being a chef, but even if he stopped now, it might already be too late. Yurine's expression grew heavy.

"So," Ryohei continued, "do you know any reliable friends?" Ghouls were mostly bloodthirsty and cruel. Not all of them were like the ones at Anteiku. Ryohei was feeling a distinct lack of security. Yurine couldn't be with him every second of the day; she had school and her own life. And Jashin-chan was completely unreliable.

So, Ryohei's thoughts turned to Medusa, Minos, and Yusa. It was time to form a demon bodyguard squad.

"Reliable friends?" Yurine understood what he meant. The first person who came to mind was Medusa, who often visited their apartment. Medusa's eyes could turn people to stone, but it required them to look directly at her. Plus, her personality was… umm, not exactly what one would call reliable.

Then she thought of Yusa. Compared to Medusa, Yusa's personality was more suitable, and she was stronger. But Yurine didn't know Yusa very well; they had only met once. She was much better friends with Yusa's younger sister, Koji. Besides, Yusa probably had her own things to do.

"...I suppose I have half a reliable friend," Yurine finally answered after some thought.

"Half?" Ryohei blinked. Why only half? He looked at her, surprised, and then realized she must be talking about Medusa. Emm… yeah, Medusa's personality…

As for Minos, she probably hadn't come to the human world yet. Otherwise, he would have run into her around the apartment complex by now. It would be great if Minos could protect him. Ryohei had a high opinion of both her strength and her personality. He had to think of a way to get her to come to the human world ahead of schedule.

"That person is also Jashin-chan's friend," Yurine said. "I'll ask Jashin-chan later if she has any other suitable friends." If Medusa could recommend some reliable demon friends, that would be great. If not, Yurine would have to consider trying to summon another demon. It wasn't ideal, and there were many uncertain factors, but she couldn't just stand by and do nothing, knowing that Ryohei was in danger. She didn't want him to be kidnapped by Ghouls.

"Thank you so much," Ryohei said, giving her a grateful look.

Just then, they arrived back at the apartment building. Ryohei felt particularly exhausted tonight. Maybe it was from pulling the cart back and forth, or maybe it was the mental stress from the ghoul attack and the knowledge that others would be after him.

Still, when Yurine offered to help him clean up the cart, he waved his hand. "Yurine, you should go take a shower first." She was covered in blood spatters, and her clothes were dirty. He figured she must be feeling pretty uncomfortable.

"Okay. I'll send Jashin-chan down to help you," Yurine said, not refusing. She then headed upstairs.

A few moments later, Jashin-chan came tumbling down the stairs, her face a mask of terror.

"You scared me to death!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest as she reached the courtyard. "I open my eyes, and the first thing I see is Yurine, her face covered in blood, just staring at me with a blank expression! I almost thought I was having a nightmare!"

"She is your nightmare," Ryohei said with a laugh.

Jashin-chan immediately shot him a defiant look. "You open your eyes and see Yurine like that, and you wouldn't be scared? By the way, what happened to you guys tonight?" she asked, belatedly realizing something was wrong.

"We ran into a Ghoul," Ryohei said, wringing out a cleaning cloth. "Have you had dinner yet?"

"No." As soon as he mentioned it, Jashin-chan felt her stomach rumble. She clutched it as it let out a loud "grumble."

"I saved a portion for you, just in case," Ryohei said. He knew she wouldn't have eaten. He opened one of the insulated containers on the cart. "Here, eat up."

"Ooh~! You're not so bad after all, traitor! My opinion of you has improved slightly!" Jashin-chan's eyes lit up, and she happily slithered forward.

After she had taken the Katsu Sando he'd saved for her, Ryohei began cleaning out the containers so they would be easier to wash tomorrow.

"So delicious!" Jashin-chan, who had probably been starving, wolfed down the sandwich in a few bites, a blissful, satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Ryohei, who was wiping down the cart, saw her expression and smiled as well. He squatted down to rinse his cloth in a bucket of water. "Jashin-chan," he asked, "do you have any reliable friends?"

"What?" Jashin-chan looked at him, confused, though her thoughts immediately went to her good friend and personal ATM, Medusa.

"I'm in a bit of trouble…" Ryohei explained his and Yurine's theory about the Ghouls. Jashin-chan's brow furrowed.

My subject is being targeted by Ghouls? That was not good. If they were always hanging out together, wouldn't she get caught in the crossfire? A jolt of fear went through her. That was, of course, her first thought.

But then, another feeling surfaced: annoyance. Ryohei was a traitor who always sided with Yurine, but he made amazing food, paid her generously for her work, and had even saved her dinner. How could she just stand by and let him get snatched by some Ghoul?!

Bastards! Cutting off a demon's source of income is like killing a demon's parents!

CRACK! Jashin-chan snapped her disposable chopsticks in half, her face contorting into a ferocious snarl.

Ryohei heard the sound and looked over, startled. Whoa, why is she so worked up? Does she really care about me that much? he wondered, a little suspicious.

Then, Jashin-chan, having vented her initial burst of rage, tossed the broken chopsticks aside with a frustrated sigh. "I have some strong friends, but they're all in the Demon World. They're not going to come to the human world just to protect a human, especially not long-term."

"That makes sense…" Ryohei wasn't disappointed; her logic was sound. He finished wiping the cart and looked at her, dropping a hint. "Jashin-chan, do you have any friends who are, say, very strong, simple-minded, helpful, and love to eat good food?"

"What kind of stupid question is that? I'm a demon! How could I have a friend like that? I have one who's kind of crude, though…" Jashin-chan saw right through his plan. "And you're pretty despicable, you know that? Trying to lure a demon with food!" she said, looking at him with disdain.

"It's not despicable, it's a rational use of my abilities," Ryohei retorted. "This weekend, invite your friend over. I want to treat her to a meal." He was pretty sure her "crude" friend was Minos.

"Introduction fee is 100,000 yen," Jashin-chan said, holding out her hand, much to Ryohei's surprise.

You scumbag snake! He didn't indulge her. Smack! He slapped her hand away. "I suggest you find your conscience. I even saved you dinner tonight, you know."

"...I'm a f*cking demon! What do I need a conscience for?!"

Despite her words, Jashin-chan retracted her hand.