Chapter 5: Kafka Pays Generously, Suika Wanted by the Red-White Shrine Maiden!
Ibuki Suika, cute in appearance, petite in figure, also had a pair of long horns on her head that were extremely disproportionate to her body.
However, unlike her seemingly harmless appearance, Suika, as an Oni, possessed terrifyingly dreadful power; she once boasted that if she wanted to, she could destroy the Youkai Mountain single-handedly.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this reason that Hakurei Reimu didn't allow her to drink too much.
Yet, the people of Gensokyo knew well that no matter when or where they saw Suika, they would find her constantly drinking fine wine from her gourd.
Calling it a kind of 'small-scale incident' wouldn't be wrong...
Luke faced this drinking buddy, recalling the days they camped together on Youkai Mountain.
But now he had two guests to entertain, naturally having no time to fool around with Suika.
"This isn't a rescue station, Suika. Don't bring trouble over, otherwise I'll get angry too."
"It's trouble for me, but in Boss's eyes, it's not a problem at all!"
"Then the trouble you speak of is...?"
"Reimu."
"I knew it."
Luke gave a wry smile.
Because Suika often appeared near Luke's restaurant in a drunken state, and seeing that it wasn't far from the 'Human Village', Hakurei Reimu had told Suika to drink less, lest she frighten the humans.
The result...
Suika completely ignored her, still doing as she pleased.
Just three days ago, when Luke finished business and was closing up, he saw a drunken Suika on the tree trunk by the back door.
Returning to the present, Suika, who had run into the restaurant, looked around, then dashed towards the corridor connecting to the second floor like a wisp of smoke.
"If Reimu comes, just say I've already left!"
Before he could respond, Suika disappeared onto the second floor.
Facing the decisive Oni girl, Kafka, who roamed the cosmos, appeared exceptionally calm.
She had long seen peculiar races, twisted wills, extraordinary deities; this kind of sudden event could be said to be within expectations.
Luke sighed lightly, then turned to Kafka.
"I hope this didn't disturb your meal, Kafka-san."
"It's fine, I don't dislike this kind of liveliness."
Kafka smiled faintly, once again cutting into the fragrant cream croquette.
Getting her answer, Luke also headed towards the kitchen, starting to clean the utensils he had just used.
On the other side, Kobayashi Rindo, staying in the sofa area, also noticed everything that had just happened and started chatting with Shameimaru Aya, who called herself 'Gensokyo's know-it-all'.
Just like that, the restaurant's calm period lasted for one minute before...
Bang!
The door was once again pushed open violently.
"I need to consider changing the door..."
Luke muttered to himself, looking towards the entrance.
Standing there was a black-haired girl dressed in a shrine maiden outfit predominantly in red and white tones; she was Gensokyo's renowned 'Red-White Shrine Maiden', Hakurei Reimu.
Meeting Reimu's eyes, Luke said with a smile,
"Good morning, Reimu. It's rare for you to come so early today. Didn't you usually sleep until you woke up naturally?"
"I didn't usually sleep until I woke up naturally either, just multiple consecutive naps...! Ahem, let's not talk about that. Luke-san, good morning. Have you seen that idiot drunkard Suika?"
"What happened...?"
"Let me tell you!"
Hakurei Reimu walked towards the counter, annoyed, and sat down on a stool.
"Originally, I caught Suika and made her obediently reflect in the shrine's warehouse. But guess what? That idiot drank half the sake in the warehouse! A whole half!"
"Is there a lot of sake in your warehouse?"
"About five boxes, I think. Part of it was brought over by that fellow Marisa from somewhere, saying it was 'for future banquets'. Anyway, that idiot drunkard has to take responsibility!"
Clearly, the Shrine Maiden was furious.
Regarding this, Luke first handed over a cup of honey water.
"Drink something first."
"Okay."
"Calm down and then talk."
"I'm actually quite calm, Luke-san. By the way, why did you open so early today?"
"There were some circumstances."
Hearing the answer, Hakurei Reimu looked to her left and right sides.
On the left was Kafka, on the right was Kobayashi Rindo.
"Guests from another world?"
"That's right."
"Although I don't manage these things anymore, Luke-san should be careful about safety."
"Of course. If the other party doesn't listen to persuasion, I do know a bit of self-defense."
"Luke-san's fighting style is indeed quite exaggerated."
Hakurei Reimu gave her evaluation, then placed the empty water cup back.
"That idiot drunkard is on the second floor, right?"
"I can't really answer that."
One second after Luke finished saying this...
The parrot's voice came from upstairs.
[So stinky! Smell of alcohol! So stinky!]
"You parrot! If you weren't Boss Luke's pet, I would have eaten you long ago!"
Hearing this commotion, Reimu rushed towards the second floor in three strides.
Another minute passed, accompanied by a chaotic clatter of footsteps, Suika, held by Reimu, reappeared with a helpless look on her face, returning to the first floor of the restaurant.
Not only that, Suika's mouth was also sealed with tape.
Although the Oni are strong, the current Suika likely didn't wish to continue the conflict with Reimu, choosing to obediently submit.
"I'm taking her away, Luke-san."
Reimu, holding Suika, waved the Oni in her hand; one could see the Shrine Maiden's arm strength was extraordinary.
"Yeah, take her away. Come eat together next time."
"Provided this one follows the rules."
Reimu said, then left the restaurant with Suika.
However, before leaving, she added one more sentence.
"Right, Luke-san, didn't Keine-sensei say before that she was holding an event in the 'Human Village'? Did she invite you to participate too?"
"Yes, the humans in the 'Human Village' are celebrating a festival, asked me to help manage the kitchen."
"If there are problems then, you can find me. See you later!"
After Reimu said goodbye, she disappeared from the restaurant entrance.
The lively commotion thus ended.
Luke finished cleaning the kitchenware, then went to inquire about Kobayashi Rindo's physical condition.
Kobayashi Rindo, having eaten and drunk her fill, revealed her canine teeth and gave a bright smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Luke-san. I've completely recovered."
At the same time, Kafka walked to the counter to pay.
"You go attend to things first, Luke-san."
Kobayashi Rindo indicated she wanted to chat more with Shameimaru Aya.
Nodding, Luke walked to the counter.
"How much?"
"Every world has different currencies. Kafka-san can just pay what you consider appropriate for 'a meal'."
"Quite casual."
"Because this restaurant operates purely out of interest."
Luke simply liked this kind of life, that's all.
Hearing the explanation, Kafka took out her wallet.
However, what she took out from it was not a card containing credits, but... a pile of diamonds.
Kafka placed the largest one on the counter.
"Let's pay with this."
"Such a valuable item..."
"It's just something I picked up casually while stopping on some planet, but its value still exists. Luke-san should just accept it."
Kafka raised the corner of her mouth, adding,
"If it's too much, just consider it payment for the next meal."
"That's no problem, I welcome repeat customers."
"Indeed, I think Silver Wolf and Firefly would like the food here."
After speaking softly, Kafka waved goodbye, turned, and walked towards the main door.
Kafka, the 'Stellaron Hunter' from Honkai: Star Rail, was recorded by Luke on the 'regulars list'.
Next time they meet, perhaps there will be a few more regulars...
...
[Note: I'm testing this fanfiction project. If you don't like it, I'll switch to another idea. I've readied up to 20 chapters so far, and I plan to upload them gradually—first to my Patreon and then to Webnovel and other platforms. Please don't forget to show your support!]
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