Chapter 11: Human Village, Moonlit Heart, the Resonance of Ren and Keine!
On the side of the woodland between the 'Human Village' and 'Kourindou', Gensokyo's reporter who prioritized truth, Shameimaru Aya, performed a perfect dogeza.
Her posture was so standard that Luke couldn't help but suspect this fellow had undergone training somewhere...
Looking at the begging Shameimaru Aya, even though he knew the tengu girl before him wasn't smart enough to 'learn from mistakes', he still forgave her.
"Get up, Aya. My only requirement is for you to delete the photos taken just now."
"No problem, no problem. Whatever Boss Luke says, goes."
"Let me see them first before that."
"Oh, oh."
Shameimaru Aya stood up, taking out her camera while opening the photo gallery.
There were many photos stored inside.
The moment some idiot fairy froze a frog;
The moment some rabbit secretly ate carrots in the bamboo forest;
She even captured images of the Moriya Shrine maiden dancing.
"You really go everywhere..."
"Of course, I don't want to miss any news in Gensokyo; right, right, Boss Luke, look at this, it was taken just now."
The photo was switched again.
The perspective was from outside the restaurant window. Shameimaru Aya had recorded the scene of Luke gently caressing Nanase Ren's cheek through her lens.
"Nicely taken."
"Hehe, this is the experience I've accumulated over many years!"
"Then don't delete it for now. Help me develop it later, it might come in handy."
"Is that so... Okay."
"If you spread it prematurely, you know the consequences, right?"
Luke showed a smile, looking gently at the tengu girl.
Despite such an amiable attitude, it made Aya swallow hard, deeply feeling the pressure coming from the restaurant owner.
Regarding this, Aya's only answer was—nodding repeatedly, guaranteeing she definitely wouldn't publicize it without permission.
After resolving the issue, Luke glanced at the sky.
The sun was setting in the west, the afterglow spilling onto the somewhat quiet sea of trees, dyeing the emerald green branches and bushes red.
Actually, before Nanase Ren arrived, Luke had already planned to close the shop and rest an hour later.
Counting now, it should be about time...
"Aya."
"Your humble servant is here."
"Your response... forget it. I have something to ask of you. After completing it, I'll waive the cost of your next meal."
"Your will is my command!"
Aya immediately agreed.
Luke then took out a note from his pocket.
"Give this note to the person written on it."
"May I ask what this is..."
"My commission for those people."
"Understood."
Aya didn't ask further.
After taking the note, she followed Luke's instructions and went to find the commissioned parties.
And Aya's direction of travel was towards the somewhat famous Misty Lake in 'Gensokyo'.
Watching Aya leave, Luke returned to the restaurant.
Nanase Ren, who had been somewhat absent-minded before, came back to her senses.
She gently patted her cheeks, took a deep breath, then looked at Luke who had reappeared in her vision.
"Luke-san, may I ask what happened outside...?"
"Don't worry about it, just a small problem, it's already resolved."
"Is that so... I looked at the menu just now and found there are no prices on it. How should I pay?"
"Just pay what you think is a reasonable price."
This answer made Nanase Ren not quite understand.
If a customer only gave one yen, wouldn't it be equivalent to giving away such a delicious dish for free...
However, after seeing Luke's calm expression and recalling the hot soup from earlier, Nanase Ren figured it out.
How could one possibly forget after tasting such a dish?
In order to come again next time, the diner would surely be willing to pay a decent reward.
Nanase Ren was the same.
After drinking a bowl of hot soup, the accumulated fatigue seemed to be swept away, and her whole being felt much more spirited.
So she took out a 10,000 yen bill.
"I don't know if this is useful here..."
"This is quite a bit of money."
"I think Luke-san deserves it, but... does this world also circulate Japanese yen?"
"No need to worry, any currency can circulate. Even if it doesn't circulate, just go to 'Kourindou' to exchange things."
Luke often used the payment received from customers to exchange for things at 'Kourindou'.
The shop owner there, Morichika Rinnosuke, didn't dislike it; rather, he was quite happy about it.
It was evident that Morichika Rinnosuke really liked collecting items brought out by customers from other worlds.
"That's good..."
Not worrying about this aspect, Nanase Ren put away her wallet and stood up.
"Sorry for disturbing you today, Luke-san."
"No, I welcome Nanase-san very much. I hope you come again next time."
"Okay!"
Nanase Ren raised her voice.
Perhaps noticing this, she hurriedly lowered her head, composing her emotions.
"I'll take my leave first, Luke-san."
"Mm, I'm also preparing to close early today. As long as Nanase-san thinks about going back, opening the restaurant door will reveal the path you came from."
"Quite magical."
"This 'serendipitous encounter' is the fate between us. Having a touch of fantasy isn't impossible."
"That's true too."
Nanase Ren smiled.
Then she stood up and walked towards the main door.
When the doorbell jingled, Nanase Ren's figure disappeared from the restaurant entrance.
"Phew."
Exhaling, Luke, intending to close early, checked the time again.
"It's about time to find Keine..."
Luke took off his apron and began to tidy up the utensils in the kitchen.
And after this, was heading to the 'Human Village' to meet up with Kamishirasawa Keine, enjoying the time to come...
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