The area in front of the food stall was bustling and full of excitement.

Those who had successfully bought their Glowing Cuisine were enjoying it nearby, their faces radiating satisfaction and happiness. Those still stuck in the long line were either standing on their tiptoes to get a better look, fiddling with their phones, or chatting excitedly with their neighbors about the food.

Yurine, as if sensing something, suddenly looked toward a specific spot in the queue.

Ghouls? she thought with surprise. It seemed the news of the Glowing Cuisine was already spreading through the Ghoul community. The four people standing together in line were clearly an acquaintance group. However, since they were queuing up obediently, Yurine saw no reason to do anything. She calmly retracted her gaze.

"..."

That girl…

Noticing Yurine's brief glance, Yoshimura, Koma, Irimi, and Yomo were all a little surprised. But then she looked away. Recalling what Touka had told them, they couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Does she really not mind that we're Ghouls?

"Whoa—! The pork cutlet is so incredibly crispy on the outside, but the meat inside is unbelievably tender and juicy! And the tonkatsu sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy!"

"Oh my god, the Chocolate Lava Cake is to die for! The center is filled with this molten, glowing chocolate... it's so rich and decadent, but not too sweet! It's the best dessert I've ever had!"

"The Katsu Sando is a masterpiece! The soft milk bread, the crunchy cutlet, the savory sauce… every bite is a perfect symphony of flavors and textures!"

"..."

Irimi listened to the rave reviews from the foodie customers all around her, inhaling the rich, tempting aroma that was making her head spin. She was drooling uncontrollably.

With every inch the line moved forward, her own joy and anticipation grew. This was the first time she had ever experienced something like this—waiting in line for food like a human, her mouth watering, full of hope. It was a strange and novel feeling, like a dream becoming reality. It was, in a word, moving.

Irimi glanced at the small blackboard hanging from the food cart.

[Note: Limit of two of each item per person!]

[Glowing Katsu Sando: 1,500 yen/each]

[Molten Chocolate Treasure Chest: 800 yen/each]

When the person in front of her finally left with their order, Irimi eagerly stepped up. She waved a hand across the two glowing items on display, her voice filled with excitement.

"Two of each of these, to go!"

Her commanding, confident demeanor was like that of a female general on a battlefield. Ryohei looked up at her. His food was expensive, so most people only bought one item to try. It wasn't unheard of for customers to buy the maximum, but it was relatively rare.

"Right away," he said with a professional smile, and began efficiently bagging her order.

Irimi took out 4,600 yen from a black leather wallet decorated with the head of a Doberman and handed it to Yurine. She then observed the three people running the stall, her gaze landing on Ryohei. "Chef Ryohei," she couldn't help but ask, "how do you make your food glow? Would you be willing to share your secret?"

"Well, one day, it was like I had an epiphany, and my cooking skills improved on a fundamental level," Ryohei recited his now well-practiced line. "After that, I found that the food I made started to glow." He had repeated this story so many times now that he was starting to believe it himself.

"I see…" Irimi looked at him with a mixture of belief and suspicion, then nodded. She took the large bag of glowing food from Ryohei and stepped aside to wait for the others.

"Two of each, to go."

"Right away."

"..."

The third customer, and then the fourth… Ryohei was a little surprised. Did a group of millionaires decide to visit my stall tonight?

"Irimi, take this one for Touka-chan. Leave the rest at the shop for now," Yoshimura said, handing one of his bags to Irimi.

"Okay," she replied, taking it.

"Manager, aren't you heading back?" Koma asked.

"I'll be back a little later," Yoshimura said with a gentle smile.

Their conversation caught Ryohei's attention, and he glanced over in surprise. Noticing his gaze, Yoshimura gave him a friendly nod. Ryohei nodded back before returning to his work.

With the addition of the Chocolate Lava Cakes, their operating hours were extended by more than an hour. But because they had started earlier, they were completely sold out and ready to close up shop before 7:30.

"What? How are you closing up even earlier tonight? It's only seven o'clock!"

"Sell a little more!"

"Don't go! I've been waiting in line for so long and I didn't get anything!"

"No! Chef Ryohei, if I don't get your food, my boss will dock my bonus!"

"Dame—!"

"..."

The customers who had missed out were frantic. One person took the lead, and soon a crowd had surrounded the cart, blocking their exit. Ryohei was actually happy to see them so reluctant to let him go. As a chef, being held back by your patrons was a huge mark of success and a great feeling of accomplishment. Besides, with such a cute flock of fat sheep, how could his future not be bright?

He held up his hands to quiet the crowd. "My friends who missed out, I'm very sorry. We actually prepared more food than usual today, but because we started earlier, we've already sold out. We'll be opening up during the day soon, so please come back the day after tomorrow."

"Huh? You started early?"

"Chef, what time did you open today?"

"No wonder! It's only seven and you're already leaving…"

"Why the day after tomorrow? Are you taking tomorrow off?" someone in the crowd caught the key detail.

Ryohei just explained casually, "I have guests coming over tomorrow and some personal business to attend to, so I won't have time."

"Alright, everyone, see you the day after tomorrow! Please make way, make way…" Ryohei waved to the crowd, signaling for them to disperse as he gestured for Yurine and Jashin-chan to get moving.

Outside the crowd, Yoshimura, who had been waiting for some time, began to follow them at a leisurely pace.

"I'm so tired today!" Jashin-chan grunted as she pulled the cart, glancing back at Ryohei with a meaningful look.

"Yeah, you both worked really hard," Ryohei said with a chuckle, knowing exactly what she was hinting at. He waved a grand hand. "A bonus of 20,000 yen for each of you tonight!"

They had gone with him to the market early in the morning, then went straight to look at houses. By the time they signed the lease, it was already noon. After a quick lunch, they had to help with the prep work—prepping the pork for the katsu, and portioning the batter for the lava cakes. Yurine had helped with the prep as well. Then they had been dragged out to work the stall until now. Not giving them a bonus would be unreasonable.

Jashin-chan's face lit up with a satisfied expression. She then winked at Yurine, as if to say, See? I got you a bonus. You should thank me!

But her expression froze when she saw Yurine frown and pull her large machete from under the cart. Jashin-chan was so scared she immediately abandoned the cart and scrambled away. "W-What are you doing?!" she shrieked. "Yurine, you can't repay kindness with violence!"

Ryohei looked at the traumatized demon, then at Yurine in confusion.

Yurine, holding the machete, turned and looked at the shadows behind them…