The setting sun and evening clouds wove together a brilliant tapestry of color, gently draping the city in a dreamy, orange, romantic coat. The warm glow caressed every corner of the city, softening the hard lines of the buildings and imbuing them with a poetic quality in the twilight. It tinted the very atmosphere of the streets, immersing the pedestrians and vehicles in a lazy, relaxed mood.

It was time to open the stall.

Ryohei called out to Yurine and Jashin-chan, and together they moved the prepared onigiri, the large, steaming pot of Tonjiru, and the disposable cutlery onto the food cart.

Jashin-chan automatically went to the front to pull the cart. After receiving a payment three times what Yurine was offered last night, she was much more motivated today and didn't utter a single complaint. Money makes ghosts turn millstones, and it can also make demons pull carts. The power of currency was unexpectedly immense.

As they passed by the park from the previous night, Ryohei noticed a new police sign at the entrance: "Caution: Ghoul Sightings in Area." He just blinked, feeling the unique character of this world. Although he had told some customers he'd be back at the park, he figured they probably wouldn't return now that Ghouls had been spotted here. With that thought, he continued on without stopping.

"Hey, hey? Isn't that the food stall from last night?" Kiyono Yui, the office lady with the "dangerous wife" hairstyle, pointed ahead.

"It is them!" Katori Chion's face lit up with joy when she saw the topless, cart-pulling girl. This was perfect! They had just gotten off work and run right into the food stall they'd been dreaming about! They had just been discussing where to grab a quick bite before coming to find them.

"Konchiwa~!"

The group of office ladies clicked across the pavement on their high heels, their long, stocking-clad legs carrying them excitedly toward the stall.

"You're here so early today!"

"We'll take one specialty beef onigiri!"

"Same for me!"

"Me too!"

"Oh, it's you ladies," Ryohei said, recognizing them. They were a memorable group—all very pretty, each with her own style, and two of them were particularly well-endowed. He greeted them with a friendly smile. "Please wait just a moment."

He had Jashin-chan park the cart on the side of the road, then turned back to the women. "We have something new today. Would you care to try it?"

"Ooh? What is it?"

"What delicious thing have you made for us today, Chef?"

All eyes, sparkling with curiosity and anticipation, were fixed on Ryohei. It was enough to brighten his whole mood.

"Tonjiru," Ryohei announced, not keeping them in suspense. He turned and lifted the heavy lid from the large pot on the cart.

A massive plume of savory steam erupted, and within it, the women's eyes all lit up at once. The soup itself seemed to have a faint, golden glow. The rich aroma of miso, the sweetness of slow-cooked root vegetables, and the savory scent of pork belly all wafted out on the steam—a complex, deeply comforting fragrance that instantly captivated them.

"Slurp!"

"That's glowing, too!"

"It smells so good!"

"What an incredible smell! (¯﹃¯*)"

Katori Chion, her dark brown hair tied up in a bun, was practically drooling. She raised her hand like a student eager to be called on by the teacher. "Chef, I want some!" she declared, before adding nervously, "How much is it?" She was terrified it would be too expensive to afford.

"The Tonjiru is 800 yen a bowl," Ryohei said with a smile, grabbing a disposable soup bowl. "Or you can get the 'Perfection Set'—one Glowing Beef Onigiri and a bowl of Tonjiru—for 2,000 yen."

"I'll take the Perfection Set!" Chion decided instantly, pulling her wallet from her stylish bag.

Her friends all followed suit, changing their orders to the new combo.

"Alright, alright," Ryohei said, turning back to Chion. "Would you like this to go?"

"No, I'll eat it now," she replied, having already paid. She couldn't wait. Every second of delay was a disrespect to the food!

"Okay." Ryohei respected her decision, handing her the bowl and a disposable spoon. "Please enjoy." He then pointed to a bin he had brought along. "You can throw the disposable bowl in here when you're finished."

"Hai!"

"I'll eat here too," Kiyono Yui added. Since her friend was already eating on the sidewalk, there was no need for her to find a place to sit down. Besides, the aroma was making her too impatient to wait.

"Okay… here you are," Ryohei said, efficiently serving her a steaming bowl of Tonjiru.

"Itadakimasu!" Kiyono Yui said cheerfully, looking at the fragrant, golden-glowing soup. She then bowed her head and eagerly took her first sip.

Instantly, a deep, warming wave of flavor washed over her. The rich umami of the miso, the sweetness of the slow-cooked daikon and carrots, the earthy notes of burdock root, and the savory, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly… it was a complex and deeply comforting taste. The soup wasn't just food; it was like a warm hug from the inside out.

"This is so delicious!" Kiyono Yui tilted her head back, a look of pure bliss on her face. It was just too good.

It was as if she were on a holiday getaway with her perfect partner, having spent a wonderful day together before arriving at a romantic inn, the kind that makes your heart pound with anticipation.

But before getting down to business, he says they should warm up first.

The scene melts away. She is no longer on a cold street but in a luxurious, private hot spring, snow falling gently outside the window. Her perfect, handsome partner is there, his features flawless. The air is filled with warm steam. He ladles a bowl of the glowing, fragrant Tonjiru from a steaming pot over a hearth.

"Warm up first, Yui," he says in a low, gentle voice. He carefully blows on a spoonful of the soup and brings it to her lips.

"Mmm..." The taste is a wave of pure, warming bliss that spreads through her entire body, melting away all tension. She feels herself sinking into the comforting, hot water... and into his arms.

Her eyes become hazy with emotion. She looks at her perfect partner and whispers in a voice she barely recognizes as her own:

"Dinner first... or me first?"