Chapter 8: The Drunken Lich King112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYR3LtaCsF
“Itadakimasu!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBkH7m01eP
The sound of chopsticks clinking and the faint aroma of hot soup filled the air as the three of them gathered around the table. Steam rose from the dishes, curling lazily toward the ceiling lamp, casting a soft golden glow over the room.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSUyxPwfjU
Kobayashi picked up a piece of tender, sauce-glazed beef with her chopsticks and placed it gently into Kouya’s bowl. “Try this one and tell me how it tastes.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUz2UrvqGF
Kouya took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, then gave a small approving nod. “Not bad at all. Almost restaurant-level.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPRQO9i5wG
Tohru’s cooking was impressive—precise, balanced, and full of flavor. For a dragon, mastering a human art like cooking was no small feat, but her keen instincts and fine-tuned control over strength made it easy. In cooking, much like in battle, precision was everything. Know when to stir, when to salt, when to turn the flame up high, when to let it simmer slow—and you’d win every time.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM23qnOjgS
Some chefs talked endlessly about philosophy and emotion in cuisine. Kouya had no patience for that nonsense.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5p19Lydia
In his mind, food only needed one qualification: if it tasted good, that was enough.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoVOzNljUq
“Staaare—”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgMo2xkgHH
He felt a heavy gaze burning into the side of his face.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oco8uFQX7
Tohru puffed her cheeks dramatically and raised her hand. “I want some too!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksAuy8DKtF
“Then use your chopsticks,” Kobayashi replied without even looking up, her tone flat and expressionless.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZoBlWXDyc
“Aw, so mean! You gave Kouya food but not me. His bowl must taste better! Kobayashi-sama is biased!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcNEutQqg6
Kouya sighed internally. ‘Unbelievable. You’re a mighty dragon, a being that once could’ve reduced mountains to ash—and now you’re sulking because you didn’t get fed by hand?’112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYnnVqRbu
Kobayashi sighed as well, visibly giving in. “Fine, fine. Here.” She picked up another piece of beef and placed it in Tohru’s bowl.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1uOFJLmqK
“Thank you, Kobayashi-sama!” Tohru chirped, her eyes sparkling like gemstones. “Tohru loves you the most!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BzgCvUEgh
“Eat,” Kobayashi said curtly.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tFe7VdrEn
The table fell into a calm rhythm again—the clinking of bowls, the sizzling of hot food, the faint hum of an old refrigerator in the background. Kouya quietly observed the two of them. Despite her ridiculous behavior, Tohru had adapted surprisingly well to human life, her loyalty to Kobayashi absolute and unshakable. She wasn’t serving her out of obligation—it was something else, something far more genuine.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D1WS11THM
And Kobayashi clearly knew exactly what her maid really was. Their strange, easygoing relationship hinted at something more—a bond, perhaps forged under circumstances he could only guess at.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82jPHUCSYP
He didn’t ask. It wasn’t his business. For now, he was content to just observe.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRtFPIQw4x
After a while, Kouya picked up one of the beer cans resting beside him.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw4oesBEF5
“Kouya,” Kobayashi said, pausing mid-bite, “you’re not of drinking age yet…”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdxO83q3e4
He gave a small smile, cracking open the can with a hiss. “I’m only trying it. How about you join me, Cousin?”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM0z7e3xCe
For a brief moment, her expression flickered between moral restraint and temptation. The struggle lasted all of three seconds.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSrRjNcgcV
“…Fine. But only one can. That’s the limit.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzqh4zC1YO
…112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX3NzyH0bY
Fifteen minutes later.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Kcnwj5jd
“Ehehehe~ Kouya, you only drank one? That’s boring!” Kobayashi’s cheeks were flushed bright red, and her glasses sat crooked on her face. Her usually tired, expressionless eyes had transformed into glazed, mischievous ones that sparkled with chaotic energy. “You’ve gotta drink more! That’s what being an adult’s all about!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomz22TRfat
Kouya stared at her, completely unimpressed. He was seriously regretting the beer purchase.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ye3J8ZLf6
The taste wasn’t great—weak compared to the divine brews of the Demon Realm—but that wasn’t the problem. The real issue was watching the transformation that alcohol caused in his once-serious cousin.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQikpE6cwgU
The calm, responsible Kobayashi was gone.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBmhv4KcxR
In her place stood… the Drunken Lich King.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9FEQgfoFP
She downed her can in one massive gulp, slammed it down like a war hammer, and let out a deep, satisfied sigh. “You know, Kouya… maids are the most adorable creatures in existence.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXPQFfvPIl
“…What?”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUXJlNcYqx
She leaned across the table, voice lowering into a conspiratorial tone. “Hey, I heard your school used to be an all-girls’ school, right? Bet there are lots of cute girls. Don’t be shy, if you like one, go for it! Just don’t waste your youth… doing it alone.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKCCoJhH0k
Kouya froze mid-sip and almost choked. “Cough—Cough! What the hell are you talking about?!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf6ypjGyFu
Kobayashi snickered, waving her hand lazily. “Oh, come on, don’t act innocent. Every guy does it. Your cousin knows these things~”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJHeldRK4U
‘Knows your ass!’ Kouya thought. ‘How can you say that with such a straight face?! Have you no shame left?!’112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEheylWiYnE
She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a teasing whisper. “Boys your age are basically in heat all year, right? You see a pretty leg, and bam, your instincts kick in, huh?”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vavi8T4Sb
Kouya glared. ‘Stop lumping me in with perverts, woman!’112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZSqh5Qrdf
“Aw, don’t be shy.” She grinned lazily, resting her chin on her palm. “You short on cash? Want me to give you some? There are… places you could go, you know.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvDOhYG4ll
He stared at her blankly, jaw tightening. ‘Did she seriously just suggest her underage cousin visit a brothel?! What the hell is wrong with this woman?!’112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCavaeyRAhZ
The respectable Kobayashi from earlier had vanished, replaced by a depraved monarch of drunken nonsense. If this went on any longer, she might actually say something like, “If you’re that desperate, I’ll help you myself.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9qLcHXl84
Nope. He wasn’t sticking around for that.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZDjCJDJTc
Kouya stood, plastering on his most polite smile. “Thank you for the meal, Cousin. I think I’ll be going now.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv5fDXHlXk
“Ehh, don’t gooo~ Stay and drink! You can crash here tonight!” she whined, grabbing weakly at his sleeve. “Your cousin’s lonely, you know~”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxnUcrFRb1
Her apartment was tiny—barely larger than his own. One bedroom, one futon. Staying the night was out of the question.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvtmmltmdJ
He checked the time. 8:15 PM. He’d been here for over an hour.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINxpqLP0Rh
He exhaled softly. “Really, thank you for dinner. I’ll head back.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINx5rkvfD5
“Just one more drink!” she slurred, wobbling dangerously close to him. “Hey, Kouya~ don’t you think maid outfits are cute? Want to wear one? I’ve got spares~ hehehe…”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2NVETux2J
‘Oh great. Now she’s a crossdressing recruiter,’ he thought, horrified.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP2EBUoXDG
He smiled tightly, more grimace than anything. “No thanks.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS2g9nkcWS
Tohru appeared beside him just in time, bowing with a mix of apology and awkward cheer. “Sorry, Kouya-kun! Kobayashi-sama always gets like this when she drinks too much. Please don’t mind her!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt88XEHZXyr
“I figured,” he replied, rubbing his forehead. “Take care of her. Maybe get her into a bath—she’ll sleep better without the alcohol smell.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXeypf37tN
At that, Tohru’s eyes gleamed. Her tail began to sway in anticipation. “Yes, Kouya-sama! Leave it to me!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZIGPAGs1J
Kouya barely had time to step outside before Tohru’s excited voice echoed from the apartment.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6UE0IaQ8x
“Hehehe~ Finally, I get to bathe with Kobayashi-sama!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp5kbAuyyx
“And then we can sleep together too!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTp5DObwIZ
“Ahhh~ today’s the best day ever!”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh280j5fhB0
Kouya stopped mid-step, stared at the ground, and sighed.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVQ37tJ2HW
‘…Did I seriously just hear that?’112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErJbRzbhki
He looked up at the night sky, its vast expanse scattered with faint stars, and shook his head. “This world really is insane.”112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmXmledISx
…112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVN0n7AMud
The streets were quiet now. The soft hum of the city mixed with the distant chirping of crickets. Faint light spilled from apartment windows, glimmering on the pavement like scattered gems.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKM6uOLzzx
Compared to the daytime chaos, the city at night felt almost alive in a different way—gentler, calmer, breathing in slow rhythm. Kouya liked it. It reminded him of the quiet after a storm.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB4po1tVYc
He walked leisurely through the park, hands in his pockets, watching a drunk man snore loudly on a bench, couples whispering under dim lamps, and tired workers trudging home with heavy steps. The simplicity of it all brought an odd peace to his mind.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACXb8JUJps
But then—something shifted.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd1C8fLFXr
A subtle ripple in the air brushed against his senses. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ732ULlcXWH
Someone was watching him.1234 copyright protection108ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZVPkkRNpe 尼

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