As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 29: Mealtime comes with turmoil.

Chapter 28: Mealtime with a Showdown

Serika POV

Today’s a day off for Ronnyan.

I was told we’ve got enough ingredients, so no need to gather more, which left me feeling a bit disappointed.

Then, at breakfast, Arius-sama said:

“If everyone’s free, wanna go out for a bit?”

“I’ll accompany you, desu.”

“Of course I’m in!”

“N-n-naturally, desu!”

I know it’s simple of me, but just the thought of going out with Arius-sama blew away my disappointment.

I chide myself—I’m supposed to be his tool, used by him.

“Is there anything to prepare, desu?”

“Nah, empty hands are fine.”

He’s a god, Arius-sama is a god.

And I’m his servant, his apostle, meant to be used.

I know I should clean the shop while we’re out.

Or even plan to take down that Ririeru woman.

Arius-sama said not to think about it, but I can’t forgive her.

To claim a god? Outrageous. Even bowing in reverence isn’t enough for someone like her… what kind of nerve does she have?

“Empty hands… where are we going? Oh, no, I mean, wherever Arius-san wants is where I wanna go.”

“No need for that.”

Thank you for saying so, Arius-sama.

But Mia-san’s attitude is the right one, truly.

He’s kind, my god is kind.

Even if someone’s a bit too familiar, he’s gentle with those who love him deeply.

I know that, so I stay quiet, indulging in his kindness.

Really, he shouldn’t need to pay to use me.

But that’d sadden him, so I accept it.

Even saying that, it’s the same with using my body.

“Let’s go grab lunch together. You know, Ririeru’s place… Rongrong, was it? I’m curious, so let’s check it out. Oh, and it’s my treat, so that’s what I meant by empty hands.”

“Eh…”

So that means…

“A raid, desu ka.”

Heh. “My arms are itching.”

“…You guys are staying home.”

The two hurriedly apologize.

Meanwhile, I can only gape.

That’s not it? Isn’t it about crushing that annoying place?

Sigh. “We’re going to learn. Given their location, they’re a competitor, and some of our customers overlap. I wanna see what dishes sell, what services they offer.”

“Arius-san…”

“Goshujin-sama… n, nn. But is that necessary, desu? Didn’t you foresee this and decide to let it slide, desu?”

I’d never question Arius-sama, but I thought the same.

“I’m not that smart. Just market research, you know? I wanna use it to plan Ronnyan’s future.”

I don’t fully get it.

But if Arius-sama says so, I’ll obey.

“Understood, desu.”

As Towa-san bows, I bow too.

※

And so, we arrive at Rongrong.

My first thought: it’s big and beautiful.

It’s got a vibe like Ronnyan—maybe Ronnyan scaled up would look like this.

“T-this way, please. I’ll guide you, desu.”

“Thanks.”

A tense server leads us to our seats.

“Thank you for visiting today. Here’s the menu and a warm towel.”

She bows deeply, kneels, and hands us a hot towel.

…It’s kind of strange.

She does the same for me, Towa-san, and Mia-san.

Yeah, this is being served. First time I’ve been treated like this at a diner.

“Got any recommendations?”

“We’ve received fresh fish. It’s prepared for raw consumption, or fish dishes—how about those?”

“Grilled, boiled, sashimi. All of them.”

“Towa, too fast. And you’re drooling.”

“Hah!”

Haha, Werecats really love fish, huh?

“Then I’ll go with fish too. Can you fry it?”

“Of course.”

“Fried fish!? G-Goshujin-sama… t-that, desu.”

“I’ll give you a bite.”

“I love you!!”

Bit too fish-obsessed, maybe?

Oh, what should I get?

I scan the menu, but there’s so much, I can’t decide.

“Mia, I want something spicy to go with drinks.”

“Then I recommend the Paloum herb grill.”

“Oh, nice, nice. That with a matching drink.”

Paloum’s a bird beast, right? I like Paloum cartilage.

“I’ll have Paloum too. Uh, any Paloum cartilage dishes that go with bread?”

“With bread… Yes, I’ll inform the chef. Should we check with you before cooking?”

“Eh!? N-no, it’s fine. You can make it right away, desu.”

“Understood, desu. Please wait a moment.”

Wow, they can even make off-menu dishes.

“Towa, that girl was…”

“…Luuri from Rabbit, desu ka. She’s with Ririeru-sama, desu.”

I overhear their whispers as they watch the server leave.

Don’t let Arius-sama hear! Oh, he’s scanning the place and didn’t notice.

Following his lead, I look around and can’t help but be impressed.

The place probably seats fifty max, with partitions for privacy.

That’s considerate for “ugly” or beautiful customers.

On closer look, better-looking servers handle certain tables, but anyone comes to our side.

It’s amazing—everyone gets equal service.

Like Luuri earlier, they maintain the same attitude regardless of looks.

That’s really something.

We’re used to bad treatment and don’t complain, but beauties could get mad about equal service, yet I hear no angry voices.

“…Nice place.”

“…Y-yeah, desu.”

Did Arius-sama think the same? I nod at his unconscious murmur.

“Your order is here.”

“Oh, smells good.”

As I ponder, the food arrives, set before us.

It looks great, genuinely appetizing.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

“Thanks. Let’s dig in!”

“Dig in!”

Before me is… what? Bread with greens and meat sandwiched between.

A yellow sauce oozes… hm?

“Huh, a hamburger? First time seeing one here.”

“Hamburger?”

“Yeah, like a sandwich with stuff between bread… Hey, Towa! That’s too much!”

“S-s-sorry, desu! B-but please forgive me, desu! Fushaa!”

Towa-san’s image shatters… or maybe it’s already gone? N-no, I’ll pretend I didn’t see.

“Phaa! Yeah, not bad.”

Seeing Mia-san with snacks and drinks like this… ugh, don’t look at me like that, I’ll forget…

Anyway, I take a bite.

“Ham… ngu, nmu… oh, delicious, desu.”

The meat’s got a crunchy texture—Paloum cartilage, I can tell.

The sauce is tasty, ketchup-based? Goes well with the veggies.

“Man, should I have gotten Serika’s? Been a while since I craved this.”

“Eh, u-um, i-if you w-want, uh, desu.”

Ugh, I still can’t talk smoothly to Arius-sama.

I’m fine with Mia-san and Towa-san now, so I need to get better at this…

Uh, he wants it, right?

Then…

“Eh? Oh, I didn’t mean give it to me.”

“I-it’s f-fine, desu. E-eat, p-please, desu.”

N-no, looking at him directly makes my stomach flutter.

I hide behind my bangs, but I f-feel his gaze.

“…Just a bite, then?”

“Eh? Oh…”

He takes a small bite of the hamburger.

“Ngu… yeah, that junky vibe. I’ll make one next time.”

“…”

I stare at where Arius-sama’s mouth touched.

“Serika, name your price.”

“Hold up. How about a thank-you for the gear I gave you?”

“What are you two on about?”

Where Arius-sama ate, where he ate…

““Aaaah!!””

“No shouting in the restaurant. It’s rude.”

Ngu, ngu… hah, w-what was I doing, desu?

“…My dear.”

“Ririeru-san? Sorry, that was too loud, huh?”

“No, not at all. Thank you for your visit.”

Hmph… right, this is her turf.

I’m ready anytime, Arius-sama. I won’t miss the signal.

“Uh… my dear? What’s your business today?”

“Came to eat, no other reason… Oh, let’s say it’s payback for your unannounced drop-in.”

Yeah, perfect, Arius-sama! Can’t just take it quietly. Double payback!

I’m ready—double payback.

“! T-that’s not it! I-I’m your enemy! And yet—”

“Alright, stop. You’re bothering other customers. You’re the owner, right? What’s with that, Ririeru-san?”

“…I have no excuse. Thank you.”

Signal, not yet?

“Nah, my bad. We’ll eat and leave.”

“…”

Huh? Arius-sama, you really just came to eat?

“…Sigh. Is this better? I wanted to check out the rival’s services. Sneaking around’s not my style, so I barged in half-cocked.”

“That’s much better.”

That’s what he said from the start… it’s really true.

“Ririeru-san.”

“Yes?”

“This is a great place. Flawless service, tasty food, a spot where everyone can eat without baggage. Whatever your reasons for opening, as a fellow owner, I respect you.”

Arius-sama, respect?

…Uh, I can’t let that slide.

Towa-san and Mia-san look the same.

“If I were only running a diner, this’d be the ideal. Or maybe, even now, this is what I should aim for.”

“Your words are too kind. But…!”

“I get it, I’m not surrendering. Ronnyan’s my life, so I’ll fight to keep it afloat. That’s all I came for.”

I might’ve misunderstood a bit.

“I-I…”

“Ugh, my bad. I’m heading out—bill’s settled. You guys take your time and come back.”

Arius-sama grabs the check and stands.

I should go with him, but my body won’t move.

Right, a misunderstanding.

Arius-sama doesn’t see Ririeru as an enemy.

“…!”

“R-Ririeru-sama!”

“Towa. Your master is Arius-san.”

“B-but…! No, you’re right, desu.”

Being opposed doesn’t make her an enemy.

If she’s not, I don’t need to be on edge.

I watch Ririeru run off with mixed feelings.

“…I kinda feel bad for Ririeru, desu.”

“Yeah, Mia gets it now.”

“She just wants Goshujin-sama’s attention, desu ka.”

Like a kid pestering a parent.

Making mischief to get noticed.

I don’t know the details. Maybe I’m wrong.

“But the die’s been cast.”

“Won’t stop till it lands.”

Arius-sama said to let it be because he saw this.

No, he must have. Let her do as she pleases until she finds her answer, until she’s satisfied.

“Goshujin-sama…”

What’ll Arius-sama do now?

I don’t know, but…

He’s the god who saved me, so surely, he’ll save that lost girl too.