The Forgotten Nakiri Erina

— — — — — — 

Lynn's Estate - Dining Room

Thud.

Hayasaka Ai slammed the final dish onto the table in front of Avrora. Her expression was cold and unreadable.

A pair of icy blue eyes locked onto Avrora, silently conveying a strong sense of disapproval.

But Avrora didn't even notice the glare. Her attention was completely consumed by the dazzling spread of food in front of her. Eyes wide, lips licking unconsciously, she stared at the table like a predator eyeing its prey.

Then she looked up at Lynn, eyes brimming with anticipation.

Lynn chuckled. "Go ahead and eat. I made it for you anyway."

The moment the words left his mouth, Avrora's eyes lit up like stars. She dove in immediately.

Lynn shook his head in amusement. "Great. Another foodie brought home."

Watching Avrora devour her meal with enthusiasm, even Lynn started to feel a bit hungry himself. He picked up a fork and tried a bite of the dish Hayasaka had made for him.

The moment it hit his tongue, he could tell—this was a level-up.

"Did you make this, Hayasaka?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

Hayasaka blinked and finally tore her gaze away from Avrora. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to look casual. "Yes. How's it taste?"

Lynn gave her a thumbs-up. "Big improvement. Seriously."

Even though she'd been a maid for quite some time now, Hayasaka had always been just okay in the kitchen.

Honestly… she might've even been a step below Shiina Mahiru.

But in just a few days, she made major progress in her cooking skills.

Hearing the praise, Hayasaka's mood visibly lifted, though she fought to keep her lips from curling into a smile.

Trying to play it cool, she replied, "I just did a short training session with the Totsuki Division at Shuchiin Academy. My cooking still isn't anywhere near graduation level."

"You're doing great already," Lynn said, not holding back his praise.

After all, if his maid was working hard to please his taste buds, that definitely deserved recognition.

Totsuki, huh…

The name jogged his memory—specifically, a certain someone he hadn't messaged in a while: Nakiri Erina. The same Erina who'd been regularly talking to him through the [Devil Link] app.

He'd been so caught up with things over in the Bleach world and Strike the Blood plot lately, he hadn't had time to "feed" his digital pet in a while.

Pulling out his phone, Lynn opened up [Devil Link]—and sure enough, the screen was filled with messages from Erina. Walls of text.

Lynn: "..."

Did I starve her into madness?

— — —

Tokyo - A certain restaurant

Nakiri Erina sat listlessly at her table, eyes vacant and spiritless. She absentmindedly stirred the dish placed in front of her by the chef.

But not a single bite passed her lips.

Standing beside her, the chef was drenched in a cold sweat, nervously wringing his hands.

"Did I mess up the seasoning?" He was panicking inside.

If Erina—God's Tongue herself—said one bad word about his cooking, his entire career could go up in flames.

"Miss…?" A soft voice came from behind.

Hisako Arato stood behind Erina, her eyes filled with concern.

Lately, her mistress had been acting off.

Was it because of that Devil-san?

She sighed inwardly.

What did that so-called devil say or do to completely derail the proud and composed Erina?

Still, if this emotional slump went on much longer...

Hisako clenched her fists.

Should she tell the Director?

She hesitated.

And then—Buzz!

Erina's phone vibrated on the table.

Her body jolted like she'd been electrocuted. Her eyes snapped into focus.

With trembling hands, she snatched up the phone, eyes gleaming with hope—mixed with a little fear.

After all, a vibration didn't necessarily mean it was from him.

It could've been anything.

Another app notification. A random promo. Spam.

She'd been through this disappointment dozens of times already.

Still, every time the phone buzzed, she couldn't help but look.

This time, though, she wasn't disappointed.

"It's him! It's Devil-san!!"

Suddenly energized, Erina shot up from her seat. "Hisako, we're leaving!"

Hisako blinked in surprise, then nodded. "Yes, ma'am!"

"?!!!" The chef nearby was completely bewildered.

As he watched the two walk toward the door, panic flared in his chest. "W-Wait! Miss Nakiri! What about my evaluation?!"

"Huh?"

Erina turned back, obviously annoyed at being stopped. Still, she remembered why she'd come here in the first place.

Waving her hand dismissively, she replied, "You passed."

With that, she and Hisako disappeared out the door.

The chef stood there, mouth open, staring at the dish that was now just a stirred-up mess.

"…"

That was passing?

But, she didn't even taste it.

---

In the car

Erina sat in the back seat, legs bouncing slightly, staring intently at the message on [Devil Link].

Even her God Tongue seemed to sense the incoming feast—it was already drooling in anticipation.

The good news? She was going to eat something that satisfied her.

The bad news? This time, the "price" was higher.

She read the message again, eyes narrowing. "Cook for his maids?"

So this meant she'd have to meet him.

In real life.

Erina froze.

Her mind immediately flashed back to the rizz photos and videos she'd sent him. Her cheeks turned red-hot, her head spinning.

Through a screen, she could barely hold onto her dignity.

But face-to-face?

Her breathing grew heavier, fingers clenching the phone tight.

What now?

She had a bad feeling.

Like she was slowly being lured into the devil's trap—one careful step at a time.

But, she licked her lips and clutched her stomach, which was now painfully empty.

Ever since tasting those divine ingredients from their first deal, her God Tongue refused to accept anything less.

And now? Just a short time without a "transaction" from him had her feeling mentally and physically drained.

"Haaah."

Erina let out a deep sigh. Then quietly muttered to herself, "No choice, huh…"

She'd have to go.

If she didn't want to starve to death, that is.

Just a bit of real-life training.

That's fine… right?

R-Right?

But meeting the devil in person… Was that really fine?

Erina's thoughts spiraled. But after a few minutes of inner turmoil, she finally looked up, eyes filled with determination.

"I'm going."

She made up her mind.

Now that her resolve was set, she turned to Hisako, who was still driving. Doing her best to sound calm, she said:

"Change the route. We're heading to…"

.

.

.