Chapter 25. “Wait, a dragon’s in Hayashi’s shop? Everyone gathers.”

Hayashi immediately recognized the incoming figures.

Before they'd even reached the deeper part of the alley—

Power came running ahead, waving and shouting for meat!

Leading the group were Makima's squad, Kamishiro Rize, and Kirishima Touka with her friend.

Kasumigaoka Utaha usually arrived early too, but she didn't show up today. Probably due to last night's riot—the school might've ordered students to stay safe at home.

"Welcome, everyone."

Hayashi stood up, opened the door, and led them in.

"I'll start prepping!" Tohru jumped up and headed into the kitchen.

Kamishiro Rize didn't look at anyone—she walked straight in with a book in hand.

But at the door—

The moment Aki Hayakawa saw Tohru's back, her dragon horns, and tail, he froze.

"This…" He turned to Makima, unsure. "This isn't cosplay… is it, Lady Makima?"

Makima, having seen Tohru clearly, had already confirmed with about 90% certainty: this humanoid girl in front of them was the same dragon responsible for the ghoul riot last night.

According to last night's interrogation records, the dragon under siege suddenly vanished—in the blink of an eye.

But regardless, some ghouls had described her appearance, and someone had already drawn up a sketch of her.

The most recognizable features? Her branching coral-like horns and green skin.

The girl before them had all those features.

Even in human form, her horns and tail were exactly the same.

Right now—

Aki Hayakawa was a little panicked.

If that really was the dragon from last night…

Then based on the report, this was a dragon that couldn't be taken down even by dozens of ghouls—from C-rank to S-rank levels.

And supposedly, she was injured back then!

She even had a massive divine sword stabbed into her back!

Compared to the carefree Power—

Aki was breaking into a cold sweat.

Makima stared for a while longer, then glanced at Hayashi leading the way up front. She didn't say anything and simply followed him inside.

"Uh…?" Aki didn't understand but had no choice but to follow.

Only Power bounced around happily, just like yesterday.

Outside—

Kirishima Touka and her friend were still chatting.

"Yoriko, this place is really good. Super delicious, seriously!" Touka gave a thumbs-up. "I just found this hidden gem recently. Turns out it's been right near the café where I work."

"Really, Touka-chan? That's rare—I never thought you'd be a foodie, haha~"

Yoriko's full name was Kosaka Yoriko.

She was Touka's classmate, a girl with a slightly round, baby-faced look and orange hair.

She was surprised because Touka couldn't eat human food before, and had always seemed very strict and restrained.

So for her to recommend a restaurant? Very unusual.

Embarrassed by her friend's teasing—

"Meh…" Touka smiled awkwardly. "It's just that this place is too good. I couldn't resist. Once you try it, you'll understand."

"Then I'm looking forward to it."

Kosaka Yoriko saw that everyone else had gone in and quickly pulled Touka along. "Let's go, they've opened already."

Once inside—

Kosaka Yoriko looked around at the mix of medieval materials and modern design and couldn't help but praise it.

"Wow~ this place looks so cool~!"

She immediately took out her phone and started snapping photos.

Then pulled Touka in for some selfies.

"May I take your order?"

Elsewhere, Tohru came out with a menu and notepad, going table to table.

She started with Kamishiro Rize.

When their eyes met, Rize felt like she was being stared down by a primordial beast.

She stared at Tohru deeply. "Thick-cut steak. And coffee. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

As she watched Tohru walk away—

Kamishiro Rize couldn't figure it out.

It had only been one night. Why was there suddenly a maid waitress in the restaurant?

And such a powerful one at that?

The aura Tohru gave off was definitely not below that of an S-rank ghoul.

Maybe even SS-rank as a baseline!

And such a powerful being… was working in Hayashi-kun's diner as a waitress!?

Why??

In that case, would her plan still succeed?

As Kamishiro Rize fell into deep thought, Tohru had already walked over to Makima's table.

Power was the first to order: "This time I want pork cutlet on rice! And lemon tea!"

Aki Hayakawa didn't dare look Tohru in the eye and pretended to look at the scenery.

"Same as her," he said.

Only Makima had been silently observing Tohru the entire time.

When it was her turn, she gave a nod. "Same."

"Mhm!" Tohru noted it down as "+3" after the pork cutlet rice and lemon tea combo.

Finally, she reached Kirishima Touka's table.

Touka looked at Tohru and was momentarily stunned.

Her friend, Kosaka Yoriko, nudged her. "Don't zone out, go ahead and order."

"I'll have curry rice, and…"

By the time Touka snapped out of it, she added, "Yeah, I'll have the same as her—and a drink too."

Tohru took everyone's orders and cheerfully ran back to the kitchen to show Hayashi.

As for the customers?

Tohru recognized a few weren't human, but she didn't care.

Because Hayashi had told her: just do what you want. If customers make unreasonable demands, she could refuse—or even beat them up!

So when faced with those "not human," Tohru secretly released a bit of her aura.

To let them know—

Tohru is not to be messed with!

And this shop isn't either!

If anyone dares to cause trouble here and makes her lose her home...

Prepare to be obliterated!

Inside the kitchen.

Hayashi glanced at the order list and nodded.

"Alright, no problem. Just wait by the door for a bit."

Tohru raised her hand. "Hayashi-san, can I watch and learn from you?"

"Learn? Of course!" Hayashi looked even more pleased.

Once Tohru reached the level of [Internal Employee] through a proper contract, she could even help him cook. Then things would get even easier for him.

So in the restaurant, there were those lost in thought, those enjoying themselves, and the ones struggling most.

In the kitchen, Hayashi was cooking while Tohru watched in awe, learning and praising him constantly.

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