Chapter 124: Battle of Dark Cuisine
"T-That's totally cheating!" Satania widened her eyes, slamming her hands on the table as her crimson tail swished behind her. "What sneaky things did you all do while we weren't around?!"
Raphiel's golden eyes sparkled with amusement as she strolled over to Vigne and boldly used her signature chest-squeeze attack. "Hey, Vigne-chan and Rikka-chan, those outfits are really pretty. You two look adorable together."
"Stop it!" Vigne's face turned red as she tried to push her away, her voice trembling. "You're messing up my clothes, Raphiel!"
Gabriel didn't say a word, but her gaze flickered with the tiniest glimmer of interest, her usual lazy expression softening just a bit.
After all, girls always had a weakness for cute, lovely, tasty, or beautiful things... even if one's a fallen angel, even if she's a total slacker, even if she's addicted to cultivation and games, there were still things she couldn't resist or look away from.
Blushing deeper, Vigne pushed Raphiel aside again and spoke softly, her tone almost pleading, "If you want to wear one too, you can rent one. There's a shop just up ahead, it's not far..."
"Come to think of it, I've never worn a kimono before," Raphiel said, her voice lilting as she tapped her chin. "It sounds fun. Gabi, let's go together."
Gabriel turned her head with a click of her tongue. "Tch, such a hassle. No way..."
"Oh, Gabi, you're being tsundere again," Raphiel teased, the corners of her lips curling.
Satania immediately jumped in, striking a dramatic pose. "Exactly, Gabriel! You say no, but your body says yes!"
Gabriel slowly lowered her head, and a shadow fell over her face. From who-knows-where, she produced a hatchet that gleamed in the light. Her voice dropped to a sweet yet dangerous whisper. "I'll kill you two~"
The two devils froze, laughter dying instantly.
...
On the way back to the kimono shop, the group crossed paths with the shrine maiden and the little loli, Chiba Hinata. The festival crowd bustled around them, music and laughter echoing through the air.
Seeing Kouya and the others walking together in kimonos, Hinata puffed up her cheeks in outrage. "Unbelievable! You all went behind our backs to flirt!"
Vigne froze, her entire face turning crimson. "F-Flirt?! W-We didn't—!"
"My sister and I were gone for just a few minutes, and now you're already wearing matching couple outfits!" Hinata accused dramatically, pointing at Kouya.
Vigne's blush deepened even further, almost steaming. "N-No, it's not a couple outfit! You're completely misunderstanding!"
Enough already!
Does wearing a kimono suddenly make it a couple outfit? Then what about the hundreds of people in the plaza? Are they all couples too? What a scandalous mess of relationships that would be!
"Hinata," the shrine maiden raised an elegant brow and said sternly, her tone calm but firm, "Apologize."
"Uu~ I'm sorry!" The little loli quickly covered her mouth and looked up pitifully. "Those weren't my words! Vigne-oneechan, please forgive me!"
Her small nose twitched as tears welled up in her big eyes.
Vigne sighed, softening. "It's okay, I'm not mad," she said with a gentle smile.
Hinata sniffled, then suddenly brightened. "Big sis, I want to wear one too!" she said, puffing her cheeks again and raising her hand eagerly.
The shrine maiden's sharp gaze softened into affection. She nodded lightly. "Alright."
...
After what felt like forever, the girls finally finished changing into their kimonos and stepped out together, each one drawing glances from the festivalgoers nearby.
First came Gabriel. The lazy angel had tied up her long, golden hair in a neat bun, wearing a sakura-colored kimono with a large bow at the back. The soft pink shade contrasted beautifully with her pale skin, making her look smaller, almost doll-like.
Raphiel followed next, wearing the same kimono style but accessorized with a small folding fan. When she opened it and covered her lips with a sly, cat-like smile, her eyes gleamed with mischief. The mix of elegance and playfulness was dazzling.
Then came Chiba Hinata, wearing a miniature red-and-white miko outfit, standing proudly beside her older sister, Chiba Ruri. The sight of the two shrine maidens—one tall and graceful, the other small and cute—was like a perfect painting of harmony.
And Satania... well, she somehow managed to put her kimono on backward. No one even bothered to correct her. Idiots, after all, didn't get human rights.
After changing, they continued strolling through the Shigure Festival. The path was lined with glowing paper lanterns, food stalls steaming with savory scents, and the distant sound of drums.
Raphiel elegantly lifted her fan, her voice sweet and composed. "Why don't we take a few photos too, as a keepsake?"
"That's a great idea," Vigne said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Though there were professional photographers available, their prices were outrageous—just a handful of photos could cost nearly ten thousand yen (65$). So naturally, the duty fell to Kouya.
He sighed, camera in hand, as the girls struck every cute and ridiculous pose imaginable.
...
Time slipped by as laughter and camera clicks filled the air. The sky gradually shifted from bright orange to deep purple, and the sound of cicadas gave way to the quiet chirping of night.
The golden sun sank slowly behind distant hills, painting the festival in warm light.
Near an old-fashioned pavilion stood a great tree covered in countless red threads—the Tree of Fate. The wind rustled through its leaves, making the strings sway like hundreds of little wishes whispering in unison.
Beneath it, everyone stood in a line, smiling. Even Gabriel—lazy, expressionless Gabriel—had a faint, rare smile curving her lips.
With a soft click, the moment was captured forever.
...
"It's getting late. Should we head back?" Vigne asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Before she could move, someone tugged her sleeve. A pair of big, sky-blue eyes gazed up at her, sparkling like polished gems.
Kanna: "Stare—"
Vigne froze. Sweat trickled down her temple.
If they went to that buffet again, the owner might actually have a heart attack. Or worse—call the cops and accuse them of child abuse.
"Kanna-chan," Vigne said nervously, forcing a smile, "how about we cook our own dinner tonight? I saw a big kitchen at the villa earlier. It'll be more meaningful that way, don't you think?"
"Stare—"
The little dragon unleashed her Dragon Stare. Vigne's smile twitched.
"We'll go to the buffet tomorrow before we leave, okay?" she finally caved, chuckling awkwardly.
At that, the blue-eyed dragon slowly looked away.
Vigne sighed in relief. "So, what should we have for dinner?"
Satania threw her hand up high. "Meat! I want meat! Lots of it!"
The proposal earned instant support—especially from Kanna, who nodded solemnly.
"Alright then," Vigne said with a smile, rolling up her sleeves. "But... where do we even buy the ingredients?"
"Leave that to me," the shrine maiden said calmly, pulling out her phone. Her fingers moved swiftly as she made a short call. "Done. Someone will deliver everything we need to the villa."
When they returned, a truck was already parked outside. The air smelled faintly of fresh produce and spice. A man in a neat black suit stepped forward and bowed. "Mr. Kouya, Ms. Chiba, may we bring the ingredients inside?"
"Mm," Kouya nodded.
The workers moved efficiently, unloading box after box filled with vegetables, meats, and sauces. Within minutes, the kitchen looked like a bustling restaurant pantry.
The suited man bowed again. "If these aren't enough, you can place another order, and I'll deliver it personally."
Vigne quickly waved her hands. "No need, really! This is more than enough!"
When the workers left, she looked at the piles of ingredients stacked to the ceiling and laughed. "There's so much here!"
Still, her eyes gleamed with confidence and excitement. Cooking together wasn't just about the food—it was the experience.
"I'll help too," the shrine maiden said with a small smile.
Satania grinned, flashing her sharp little fang. "And me! I bought a cookbook from the Demon Realm TV shop—this time, I'll make a dish that glows!"
Gabriel scoffed from the side. "Tch, that's not glowing. That's radioactive."
"How dare you! I challenge you to a duel—with omelets!" Satania declared, pointing at her dramatically.
Takanashi Rikka adjusted her eyepatch with grave seriousness. "Actually, I'm confident in my omelets," she said in her deep, theatrical voice.
Stop talking like the café manager!
Besides, aside from sewing, aren't all your life skills basically zero? Didn't you almost burn down the kitchen last time you tried boiling water?
"A cooking battle?" Raphiel tilted her head, eyes sparkling. "Then I'll join too. This sounds entertaining."
Hey! That's not a cooking battle—it's a dark cuisine showdown!
Other than Vigne and the shrine maiden, whatever the rest of you make is bound to be terrifying!
Men will fall silent after tasting it. Women will cry.
As for Kouya... of course, he'd sit back and enjoy the spectacle.
Still, while the chaos brewed, he planned to slip away to the hot spring and enjoy a peaceful soak first.