Chapter 88: Leisurely Shop Owner, Winning Over Rize, Soaring Popularity, Boundless Power

Although when Utaha was writing her book, she mentioned that Hayashi's shop might explode in popularity along with her success.

Because everyone loves to check out trending spots.

But Utaha didn't write the exact address in her book.

She only mentioned District 20, a mysterious little shop deep in an alley, and described the surrounding environment, like coffee shops and such.

This kind of thing, with careful comparison, could eventually be dug out through details sooner or later.

But no one expected it to be discovered this quickly.

It's only been a few days!?

The key point was it wasn't even discovered through the surrounding environment!

These readers actually had someone find promotional posts about the midnight diner from food recommendation posts.

After discovering it looked particularly similar.

They shared it with the fan community.

The final analysis revealed an 80% chance it was this shop!

So they all planned to come over.

"Oh my..." Hayashi scratched his head: "How busy will this period be?"

After seeing this, Takatsuki Sen knew Hayashi probably didn't like being that busy.

But the business was so good, so she smiled a bit schadenfreude.

"Wishing you prosperity."

Hayashi's expression was caught between crying and laughing.

Seeing his own business doing well was definitely happy, but what if he had to be busy all the time from now on? Wouldn't that mean being busy for life?

He didn't want that kind of thing.

[Ding~, Random Mission Triggered: Leisurely Shop Owner]

[Mission Description: To become a leisurely shop owner, you must first ensure your cuisine is welcomed by everyone. Please conquer all customers who come to the shop within 3 days, achieving a rave review rate of 90%!]

[Mission Reward: Customer Group Adjuster Function!]

A mission was triggered?

How rare.

Hayashi first looked at the mission reward function.

[Customer Flow Adjuster: For ordinary customers, you can set the midnight diner's visibility to different customer groups. You can choose all customers, general customers, student customers, office worker customers, high-quality customers, etc. The higher quality customers you select, the fewer the customer flow; the more groups you select, the more customer flow.]

Oh~!

This is good!

Simply put, as the shop owner, he could actually pick ordinary customers!

He could reject those troublemaking, uncultured garbage customers.

And only need polite, high-quality customers!

High-quality customers were definitely fewer, so customer flow would also be less. If he needed all customers, customer flow would naturally increase, meaning he could adjust it at will.

Although it only applied to ordinary customers, this was enough!

[Mission Requirement: 3-day customer satisfaction rate: 90% or above.]

"90% or above, that shouldn't be too difficult, just need to be busy for three days."

But being busy for only three days was better than being busy for who knows how long.

Then let's work hard!

12:07 AM.

Takatsuki Sen looked at the time, put down her finished coffee cup, indicating she was leaving.

"Take care, Eto."

Hayashi walked Takatsuki Sen to the door.

"Thank you for the hospitality." Takatsuki Sen waved at Hayashi, turned and walked into the dark night.

Walking on the street, she felt very happy.

Today's biggest gain wasn't her successful plan, nor drinking coffee.

But at Hayashi's place, she felt no differential treatment at all.

Hayashi still chatted with her as usual, made food for her, and didn't slack off in making the food either.

Because if a chef slacked off when making food, it would be hinting that you're not welcome.

Not only that.

As their relationship grew.

Her conversations with the shop owner became more and more frequent, more and more unrestrained.

When discussing Aogiri Tree's plans.

Hayashi, as a human, didn't favor humans.

Instead, he criticized all things from a god's perspective.

This point made Takatsuki Sen very fond of him.

She practically revered him!

"How wonderful." Takatsuki Sen's happy smile stayed on her face, even skipping as she went home.

For Hayashi.

He actually belonged to the type who stood in the middle and criticized both sides.

He had no strong sense of belonging to any side, so naturally had no reason to favor anyone.

It was like asking: A museum is engulfed in flames, inside are the Mona Lisa and a cute little cat, who would you choose to save?

Animal lovers would save the little cat.

Antique lovers would save the famous painting.

But Hayashi would appreciate the burning painting, because it was more unique than the original Mona Lisa.

Then casually blame the watching tourists, asking them why they didn't save the little cat.

In the shop.

After Hayashi saw off Takatsuki Sen.

Kamishiro Rize lay on the bar counter, chin resting on her arms, head tilted as she looked at Hayashi.

"Hayashi-kun, my room hasn't been cleaned up yet, right? I want to stay another night."

"Not yet." Hayashi shook his head: "I was waiting for your definite news. How could I clean it up?"

"That's good..."

Tohru and Kanna were both watching TV.

Hayashi casually picked up the coffee cups that Kamishiro Rize and Takatsuki Sen had finished.

He began washing the cups and machine at the bar.

These small things didn't need Tohru to come over specifically to clean, or he'd be too lazy.

He just disliked trouble, but wasn't really lazy.

Kamishiro Rize bit her lower lip, her eyes sparkling as she watched Hayashi, watching him wash cups, watching his fingers press the cloth, moving in circles inside the cup.

For the remaining two hours of the night.

No more customers came to the shop.

Hayashi spent some time with everyone, and feeling bored, took out his fruit wine for everyone to try.

"Come try the new wine."

"Wine?" Tohru and Kanna paused the TV and ran over.

Kamishiro Rize also looked curiously.

Hayashi took out several glass cups and arranged them one by one.

Then he took out the fruit wine stored in a watermelon, took out a spoon, and scooped it into everyone's cups.

This one watermelon contained about 1000 milliliters.

Divided among four people, each person got about 200+ milliliters, just the right amount for one cup.

But Hayashi looked at Kanna.

Even though she was a dragon, Hayashi reduced Kanna's to 100 milliliters and distributed the rest to everyone else.

"Kanna, drink a little less first. Try it and then we'll see."

Kanna pouted unhappily: "Hayashi, looking down on dragons."

"Try it first and then talk."

Tohru asked: "Is wine good?"

"For some people, they don't touch a drop. For others, they're addicted to alcohol. Depends on the individual." Hayashi answered.

Kamishiro Rize was also a bit curious: "I've never drunk before either."

That was quite normal.

Ghouls hadn't eaten anything.

Their taste buds were different.

"Then let's try it."

Hayashi picked up a cup and smelled it: "This is fruit wine. Generally you won't get drunk. Even if you get dizzy, you won't have headaches or nausea. Don't worry."

So everyone took a cup and began tasting.

Tohru took a sip and widened her eyes: "Sweet, but also a bit spicy. So strange, but delicious!"

Kanna tried a sip: "Ooh~, it's biting my tongue~!"

Kamishiro Rize took a small sip and actually nodded satisfactorily: "This is quite good."

Hayashi took a sip himself.

It really wasn't bad.

He had already drunk it once, and Makima had also tried it once.

Hayashi had asked her how it was.

Makima said she really liked it, but could only drink it when free.

It seemed this wine was quite suitable for the masses.

"The taste is indeed good."

Hayashi drank slowly, sip by sip.

Everyone was the same.

But after a while, Kanna's little face turned red and her eyes started spinning in circles.

"?" Hayashi was startled: "Kanna? Maybe you should transform into a dragon and digest it."

"No~" After finishing her drink, Kanna waved her little hands: "It feels so comfortable~, all the magic power in my body is more active, and my body feels warm."

Tohru also had a red face and drained her cup in one gulp, agreeing.

"I feel the same way. My body is warm, and it seems like my dragon scales got stronger."

Hearing this.

Hayashi knew this was the fruit wine's buff taking effect.

Increased percentage resistance.

For dragons, this enhancement was really too significant.

So significant that Kanna was dizzy and almost passed out from the rush.

Even Tohru was confused.

On the other hand, Kamishiro Rize only had flushed cheeks and moist eyes, without such a big reaction.

Hayashi took another sip and finished his fruit wine.

"What is this? Fruit wine specifically designed to drug powerful beings? The stronger you are, the greater the effect?"

Gradually.

Tohru and Kanna were already getting sleepy.

Hayashi looked at the time - almost 2 AM, so he waved his hand and said: "You guys go sleep first. I'll close up soon. I need to buy a lot of ingredients tomorrow."

Tohru was so sleepy her eyelids were fighting, so after saying "Mm."

She took Kanna upstairs to sleep.

Watching Tohru go upstairs.

"One more cup~" Kamishiro Rize pushed her cup forward again.

Hayashi looked: "Last cup?"

"Last cup."

"Alright, I'll join you for one."

Hayashi poured another cup for both himself and Rize.

The two picked up their wine cups and clinked them first.

"Clink~"

Then they began tasting.

You take a sip, I take a sip, and the wine was quickly finished.

Kamishiro Rize propped her chin with one hand, the thoughts in her eyes almost materializing.

Seeing closing time arrive.

Hayashi put away the cups and began washing them.

Kamishiro Rize stood up, walked behind Hayashi, and hugged him.

"It's not closed yet..."

"Let me hug you first." Rize murmured at his neck.

The scent of wine mixed with fragrance reached his nose.

Hayashi knew today was the final ultimatum.

"Just a moment."

He finished washing the cups and wiped his hands.

Rize kept hugging him like this.

Even when he went to close the door, Rize half-leaned on him.

Once the door was closed.

Rize and he walked upstairs together.

Arriving at her bedroom door on the second floor.

They hadn't even gone in yet.

Rize cupped his face and began kissing him.

Hayashi was busy with his mouth and hands too.

One hand holding Rize, the other reaching out to open the door, then going inside.

Once in the room.

Rize used her high heels to push the door closed.

Immediately after.

A battle spreading throughout the entire bedroom was about to break out.

Purple long hair danced with the waves.

The luxurious dress was just thrown onto the chair, with half of it trailing on the floor.

Rize wanted to take off her last high heels.

Hayashi reached out to stop her.

"Hmm?" Rize made a nasal sound.

"I like you wearing high heels."

"Hmph~"

How could those high heels be taken off?

Don't you understand "red soles to the sky, boundless magical power"!

The next day, noon.

Hayashi was still sleeping in his bedroom.

Pochita rushed up to the second floor and gave Hayashi's door two pats.

"Woof~!"

"Hmm?" Hayashi had just woken up when he heard Pochita's barking: "What's wrong?"

"Woof~!" (Lots of people outside!)

"Lots of people!?"

Hearing this, Hayashi immediately sat up, hurriedly washed and dressed, then opened the door.

"I'll go take a look."

Walking while putting on his T-shirt.

Hayashi's well-built, muscular physique flashed before the eyes of Tohru and Rize who had just opened their doors, then he went downstairs.

Once downstairs, after turning a couple of corners.

He saw many people standing outside the door.

A huge crowd not only chatting but also taking photos.

"Is this the shop? The book wrote about that dining hall that only opens at night - it's this one!"

"Wow, the sunflowers in the yard are so beautiful! Haruka-chan, take photos quickly!"

"That doggy is so cute too, and the kitty. This shop owner must be a very caring person!"

"Of course! In Kasumi-sensei's book, the shop owner is a gentle and respectable person!"

"When does it open? I really want to go in and eat. I heard it's the most delicious cuisine in all of Tokyo - no! In all of Japan!"

The crowd was chaotic.

Hayashi's scalp went numb watching.

He hurriedly went out and opened the door.

Click~

Suddenly, it became quiet outside, everyone looking at Hayashi.

Hayashi took out the sign, placed it properly at the door, then explained.

"Sorry, the small shop only starts operating at 6 PM. There's no food stock in the shop right now, I need to go out and purchase ingredients, so even if I wanted to start business, I couldn't."

After speaking, Hayashi brought out a basket of snacks.

All made previously.

He placed it on the wall and said.

"Please everyone come back at 6 PM this afternoon. Everyone here can take one bag of snacks, all made by my own hands, equally delicious. If everyone thinks they're tasty, then come back. If you think they're not good, then you don't need to come."

"However delicious the snacks are, that's how delicious the shop's cuisine will be. Consider it testing everyone's taste."

After Hayashi finished speaking, everyone went "Wow," chatting and lining up.

Everyone chatted and took photos.

"Hahaha~, what an interesting shop owner, even telling everyone not to come if they don't think it's good."

"Not wanting business? Worthy of being the referenced male lead in Kasumi-sensei's book."

"Speaking of which, he really looks like him, especially handsome."

Amid everyone's discussion and photo-taking.

Hayashi was distributing snacks.

"Yours, his, hers, and yours too. Don't push, one at a time."

Fortunately, it was just a crowd around the shop.

Hayashi distributed for over half an hour and finally finished.

Then he hurriedly wrote the prominent time on the sign at the door.

6 PM means 6 PM!

First come, first served!

Then he immediately retreated inside!

Just as he returned, his phone received a message from Utaha.

Utaha: "Hahaha, did Hayashi-kun open the shop? In the fan community, quite a few people posted videos and photos from the scene. Many people said you're very handsome. Satisfied?"

Hayashi: "[Sweating emoji], the crowd was terrifyingly large."

Utaha: "Then work hard, Hayashi-kun. I won't disturb you anymore."

Ending the chat.

Hayashi saw more people entering the alley and hurriedly closed the door properly.

He also instructed Pochita: "Today you just need to watch the sunflowers."

"Woof~!" (Okay!)

At this time.

Tohru came downstairs.

She looked at the scene outside: "Hayashi-san, should we go shopping?"

"How can we go out like this?" Hayashi immediately shook his head: "What we have at home is enough. We'll prepare in advance and process the ingredients first."

"Mm." Tohru nodded.

Here's the English translation:

Kamishiro Rize, wearing the dress she picked up from the floor, asked from the second floor.

"Hayashi-kun, call me if you need anything."

"Alright." Hayashi gave an OK gesture.

Then he went to the kitchen with Tohru to get busy.

At the same time.

A low-key luxurious executive sedan slowly drove from another district, entering District 20, heading toward a destination in an alley.

The driver was a secretary with short pink hair, called Arato Hisako.

In the back seat sat an elderly man with silver hair and a dignified face who, despite his age, still carried himself like a lion.

And a girl with golden hair reaching her waist, tall figure, and noble appearance.

Watching the vehicle slowly approach its destination.

The girl Nakiri Erina really didn't understand.

"Grandfather, why do we need to eat at some unknown, powerless place where we don't even know who the chef is?"

She couldn't comprehend why, with their power and influence.

They needed to come eat at some dining hall like this?

Even famous chefs would find it extremely difficult to get her to taste their food.

Hearing this, Nakiri Senzaemon opened his eyes and slowly said.

"There are reasons beyond our understanding. You'll know once you eat."

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