Chapter 58 [Bonus ] 58 – Let’s Register

Kai prepared the restaurant, moved the chairs down from the table, and wiped the table's surface with clean clothes.

Unexpectedly, Marcus had already prepared the kitchen as if the old man had known he would return today. However, the warehouse was empty. The groceries had run out, so he was glad he had made the correct decision by asking Amber to do the groceries.

When he finished wiping the last table, the door that led to the hallway toward the restaurant's inner side was opened, and Ibaraki stepped out in her new uniform.

"H-How is it, Master? Does it look good on me?" She asked shyly.

Kai turned toward the voice and froze for a while. Ibaraki's uniform choice was… a bit risque. She wore a sleeveless black qipao that exposed her cleavage. He noticed she still wore her bodysuit, but that didn't help hide her cleavage.

She also wore detached sleeves with the same design as the qipao, showing the tattoo on her upper right arm. On her waist was a golden flower accessory. The short of her dress was short, and it looked sexy. Her hair was done in a braided bun.

Her technique hid her horns, but her bang still parted at two places where her horns originally were.

All in all, every man would turn to her. Kai smiled at her and put the clothes he used to wipe the table over his shoulder.

"You look beautiful in that, Ibaraki."

"Thank you." The Oni smiled.

At that moment, the front door was opened, and Amber entered. As soon as the Phoenix girl looked over at Ibaraki, she smiled and exclaimed.

"You look so beautiful, Ibaraki!" She jumped with her groceries in hand and approached Ibaraki, circling around her like a curious kid.

"Thanks, Amber. This is the first time I have worn something like this, so I wasn't sure. It was a bit too tight for my preference, but I will manage."

"Hnn! You look so good in that." The Phoenix girl nodded repeatedly. "Will you also work with me as the waitress?"

Ibaraki looked at Kai curiously. Kai smiled and nodded his head.

"Yes, she will. I hope you can teach her, Amber."

"Sure, I will!" Amber turned to Ibaraki while beaming with a smile. "Let's work hard, okay?"

"Yes!"

The door of the restaurant was opened once again. This time, it was Mai and Anna. They greeted Kai and the others as they entered.

He introduced the veteran waitresses to Ibaraki and asked them to teach her the basics. After gaining their confirmation, he went inside the kitchen to begin the rest of the preparation. Today would be busy as the restaurant finally opened after being closed for a week.

***

Just as he had expected, the restaurant was brimming with customers.

"Make one more fried rice, brat! I will take care of the rest! Fucking move your hands!"

"I know! I am doing it right now!"

Even with his newly enhanced physical abilities and his immunity against fire, working in the kitchen still wasn't easy. While working with his grandfather in the kitchen, he still needed to run here and there.

"Master, one more egg fried rice!" Ibaraki's voice rang from the small window.

"Got it!" Kai returned with a shout as he cracked an egg into a wok.

Unexpectedly, the Oni could do all her work skillfully with just a few instructions. Amber even praised Ibaraki when she took the customer's order and peeked through the small window.

The customers didn't stop coming until 3 PM. The ingredients they bought were completely depleted by the regulars that craved the taste this restaurant served.

Finally, after a few hours of hard work, Kai could rest. He flopped down on a metal chair outside the kitchen and unbuttoned the first 3 buttons of his chef garb, letting fresh air flow.

"Fuuu, that was really intense." He leaned against the chair's backrest and closed his eyes.

Fighting against the Boogeyman wasn't as intense as cooking for a few hours straight. His sweat filled his forehead, and his body was drenched. The fire wasn't hot, thanks to his contract with Amber, but the atmosphere was what made him sweat a lot.

When he enjoyed the fresh air, suddenly, a cold feeling touched his cheek, and he opened his eyes only to see a can of soda in his vision. It then backed away, and the figure of Amber grinning stood before him.

"Good work." She said as she handed a can of cold soda to Kai.

"Thanks. I need this."

He popped open the can with a psst sound and drank it. A gulping sound was heard. Kai felt refreshed as fizzy water went down his throat. A carbonated drink was really the best when one felt tired.

"Puha! This hit the spot! Who cares about alcohol anymore if I have this!"

"Hahaha, are you really traumatized by alcohol because of Shuten Douji?" Amber asked as she popped her can open. She drank orange juice instead of cola. "Gulp. I still think her Spirit's sake was better than cola."

"What are you saying? I didn't even realize that I was wasted after drinking that alcohol! That stuff was really strong."

"Figures." She smiled playfully. "There is indeed a bit of an aphrodisiac effect to give a kick. Many Mythical Creatures can't be satisfied with normal alcohol."

Kai was dumbfounded as soon as he heard what Amber had said.

"… Seriously?"

"Yup!" She nodded energetically. "That's why I don't drink it unless I am alone with you."

"I won't drink that again unless I really want to, you know?" Kai looked at Amber suspiciously. His gaze told her, 'I know what you're planning,' and she began to avert her eyes.

"I-I definitely didn't plan anything suspicious." She stuttered a bit, which was really rare for Amber.

"Really?" Kai smirked. A rare chance to tease the Phoenix girl had arrived. "Then tell me why your face is red."

"Eh? Really?" She turned to Kai in a flash, blinking her eyes in disbelief.

"No." He answered shortly and chuckled. "You're unexpectedly weak when you're getting attacked, aren't you?" He teased her. "Still, you can just drop the act, Amber."

"Hnnn!" Amber pouted, and she suddenly smiled playfully. "Did you like that, though? I tried to act like a certain anime girl I saw back in Japan."

"Honestly?" He asked, to which she answered with a nod. Shrugging his shoulders, he told her, "That didn't suit you at all."

"I know it!" She hissed in a low voice. And then she exclaimed. "I am charming the way I am!"

"Yeah, yeah." Kai stood up as he answered Amber and stretched his arms. "Amber, can you tell Ibaraki that I will be gone for a while if she asks you where I am?"

"Huh? Sure. But where are you going?" She tilted her head curiously.

Kai didn't answer her immediately. Instead, he sent a message to his acquaintance first before he said, "I will go to the Slayer Organization to register myself." Then he smiled as he saw his message was answered almost immediately.

He put his phone back into his pocket and buttoned his shirt.

"So, can you look after the restaurant while I am gone? I trust you, Amber."

"Of course! Leave it to me!"

"Thanks."