Chapter 26. Makima’s Curiosity: What Kind of Devil Are You, and How Do You Control?

Compared to regular chefs—

Hayashi's cooking technique wasn't anything outlandishly unique. He didn't use secret recipes—just normal methods.

Yet somehow, the food was ridiculously good.

Compared to chefs from Totsuki Culinary Academy—

Hayashi's movements were far more elegant and precise. Every step was executed perfectly—no wasted motion, no mistakes.

In other words: absolute mastery.

He also had complete command over ingredient preparation.

No matter the ingredient, he handled it perfectly every time.

And lastly, there was that small, subtle power.

Thick-cut steak. Pork cutlet rice. Curry rice...

From a technical standpoint:

The steak was seared down to the second—crispy on the outside, tender inside.

The pork cutlet was deep-fried with precise timing—golden, crunchy, and juicy.

The curry? Nothing more needed to be said.

Under Hayashi's hands, the dishes came out one after another.

"Wow~" Tohru exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

She quickly poured the lemon teas, then started delivering the dishes one by one.

Hayashi followed behind to bring out the coffee.

Soon, all the orders were served.

Tohru delivered them to each table, and soon the dining room was filled with the sounds of eating. Conversation faded—it was all chewing and savoring.

Kirishima Touka's friend took a bite and gasped, "This is amazing!"

Then started shoveling it down.

At the bar, Tohru stood beside Hayashi, watching everyone eat happily.

"Hayashi-san, you're amazing!" she said in admiration.

"Not at all," Hayashi sipped his lemon tea. "But seeing the customers enjoy the food and eat every last bite—that really is the chef's greatest honor."

"Mhm!" Tohru agreed enthusiastically.

After a while—

Hayashi patted Tohru's shoulder.

"I'm going to sit outside for a bit. Call me if anything comes up, Tohru."

"Leave it to me!"

Hayashi went out and sat down, watching the sun gradually set as twilight fell.

He had just sat down when the restaurant door opened—Makima was the first to finish eating and came out.

Without hesitation, she walked straight over to Hayashi.

He noticed her, then also saw a small head peeking out from the doorway—it was Tohru.

He waved at her, signaling that everything was fine.

Tohru ducked back inside.

Makima caught all of this with her sharp eyes. She sat beside Hayashi and got straight to the point.

"Gourmet Devil—this Tohru you mentioned, is she the dragon you captured last night?"

"I didn't expect you to have that kind of power. Is it that any creature who eats your food becomes bound to you? Or is it a specific kind of food?"

Gourmet Devil?

Who? Me?

Hayashi's mouth twitched, and he quickly interrupted.

"Hold up. Don't call me that. Use my name. Please."

He looked at her seriously, waiting for her to agree.

Makima smiled gently. "Alright, Hayashi. Then could you tell me more about Tohru? Or even yourself, if you don't mind. I'm quite curious."

Seeing her smile—

Hayashi instantly understood. That earlier nickname? Just a hook.

It was all a calculated move to initiate conversation, trade information, and then steer the discussion where she wanted.

Of course, she was also using the fact that she was a customer—otherwise, it wouldn't be so easy to speak this freely.

Hayashi gave a wry smile.

Classic Makima—such a sly woman.

Still, Hayashi didn't have much to hide. Tohru's existence—and his—would be exposed sooner or later.

Might as well save time and get it over with.

He took another sip of lemon tea.

"As you guessed, Tohru is the dragon. But don't ask where she's from—it doesn't concern you guys."

Makima's expression turned serious, and she nodded.

"Alright. Then why did she come here?"

"She was bored and lonely, so she came over. Met me. Decided to be my maid and part-time waitress."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"She doesn't want to rule the world, wipe out humanity, exterminate ghouls or devils?"

"??? You think Tohru's just out here looking for something to do?"

Makima pondered. "Are there more dragons in this world?"

"There are." Hayashi nodded.

That wasn't a secret—it'd be revealed sooner or later.

"Will they be like Tohru?"

"Not necessarily. I can only vouch for the ones around me."

"Hmm."

Makima looked genuinely pleased to learn about dragons.

But for her, it wasn't of much practical use.

After all, she hadn't even asked about Tohru's combat abilities or any specific details.

Makima's primary concern had always been devils.

So after finishing the topic of Tohru—

She leaned her cheek against her palm and gazed at Hayashi with a soft look.

"Hayashi-kun, actually… I'm even more curious about you."

"There's a scent on you I can't identify. It smells like a devil… but also like a human… and even a beast. Yet at the same time, it's like nothing at all."

"You could tame a dragon—does that mean you can also tame other creatures?"

Her words made Hayashi freeze.

Then he remembered—Makima's way of identifying things was by scent!

Like how she didn't care who the Chainsaw Devil's host was—only the Chainsaw Devil itself.

So when she looked at Hayashi now, she was using scent to perceive him.

And her curiosity had clearly shifted completely—

Now it was no longer about Tohru…

She was curious about him—about Hayashi.

And the abilities she believed made him more than human.

Makima is the Control Devil. Her ability is that no matter what method is used, as long as she can gain control over someone, she gains strength in proportion to that control.

The weakest level is a typical superior-subordinate relationship, like the one she has with Aki Hayakawa and Power.

The strongest? When someone offers everything to her...

So right now, what Makima is truly curious about is how Hayashi "controls" someone like Tohru.

She knows just how powerful Tohru is.

But Makima isn't afraid of Tohru—because of her own unique powers.

She's far more interested in how Hayashi managed to "control" such a being.

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