Ding-dong!!
It was a little after eight in the evening.
The door to Nido Cafe swung open.
Reze was bent over a table, writing.
Not wanting to interrupt her studies, she called out without turning around, "Sorry, the cafe is already closed."
"Reze, it's me."
The man's voice was familiar. Reze immediately put down her pen and looked toward the entrance. "Denji, what brings you here?"
She wouldn't have been surprised if Denji had shown up at eight in the morning.
But it was eight at night, and Denji had come to the cafe alone.
If anything he said next didn't add up, Reze would absolutely send a rocket his way.
"My master went out this afternoon and still hasn't come back. Aki didn't come home tonight either because of that bra-pad thing. It's just me and Power at home, with nobody to cook, so I came here to get something to eat and check that you were safe."
"That's thoughtful of you, Denji. But why didn't Power come with you?"
"She's gotten pretty capable now. She can fry her own steaks, and she even hid them all so I couldn't have any." The moment he mentioned the steaks, Denji clenched his fists.
There was no way Denji would bring a companion who kept all the steak to herself along to see Reze.
"So, what would you like to eat, Denji?"
"If possible, I'd like pork cutlet curry with rice."
"Sure. Give me a moment. I'll make it for you."
"Thanks, Reze."
Denji scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed.
After all, he'd come begging for food after she'd finished work. Anyone else would have turned him away.
"I'm already happy you came to keep me company, Denji. You don't have to be so formal."
Reze spoke