Chapter 9

"Snow is falling?" Kuroki Ryuji was taken aback for a second. Actually, it wasn't strange for it to snow in Tokyo, especially since winter was approaching and the temperature was relatively low, so the snow could only be considered a natural occurrence.

However, Kuroki Ryuji then realized that something was a bit off. This was what Inari said, and Inari wasn't someone who spoke casually. There must be some issue.

Since it's snowing...

Kuroki Ryuji suddenly remembered a guest who only came on snowy days. This guest didn't visit very often, so when he first heard about the snow, he hadn't reacted. Now that Inari had mentioned it, this guest must have already...

"Boss, it's been a long time~ Have you missed me?" Just as Kuroki Ryuji thought this, he saw a white-haired girl float in through the izakaya's door. With her arrival, the entire izakaya's firelight dimmed slightly.

"Miss Yuki-Onna, you're joking with me again. I naturally welcome every guest. What would you like to eat this time?" Kuroki Ryuji pinched the bridge of his nose. These yokai guests were all troublemakers, each with their own set of issues, like problem children.

And among them, Yuki-Onna was particularly troublesome.

"I want to eat you, Boss~" Looking at Yuki-Onna who was batting her eyelashes at him, Kuroki Ryuji rolled his eyes inwardly. Yes, Yuki-Onna was a flirt.

"Then the usual?" Kuroki Ryuji thought for a moment. He remembered that Yuki-Onna wasn't a picky eater, but she usually preferred sushi.

"Boss is so boring... Well, then give me some sushi." Yuki-Onna pouted, looking unhappy, and then glanced at the other guests in the izakaya.

"Oh, Lord Inari is here too?" Yuki-Onna covered her mouth in surprise. She was wearing a white outfit, and with her snow-white skin, she was almost blinding to look at.

"Yuki-Onna, control your aura. You're about to extinguish the fire here." Inari put down his chopsticks helplessly. He had been hoping to warm up here, but he didn't expect to run into Yuki-Onna.

"Okay~ I understand~" Yuki-Onna pouted, and the flames in the izakaya returned to normal.

Seeing Yuki-Onna, who looked pitiful and weak, huddled in the corner of the izakaya, Kuroki Ryuji shook his head. This girl was always like this, but he guessed she would start her usual antics soon, so he decided to quickly serve her the food she needed.

Sushi is a national dish in Japan, and almost everyone has tried it. There are many varieties, possibly hundreds or even thousands, depending on the toppings. However, Kuroki Ryuji planned to make Yuki-Onna a traditional sashimi sushi and a roe sushi.

Kuroki Ryuji's knife skills were excellent, thanks to the rigorous training from his grandfather. Thinking back to those days, Kuroki Ryuji felt an urge to shake his head and sigh.

"Lord Inari, I heard that Lord Shuten bullied you yesterday~" Just as Kuroki Ryuji finished the sushi and was about to serve it, he saw Yuki-Onna winking at Inari.

Kuroki Ryuji's lips twitched. He wasn't sure whether to say Yuki-Onna was bold or to light a candle for her, hoping she wouldn't be so reckless in her next life.

"Oh? How did you hear that?" Inari still had his gentle smile, which easily made people feel good.

However, Kuroki Ryuji shook his head. Inari was a regular customer, and Kuroki Ryuji was quite familiar with his habits and temperament. So now, Kuroki Ryuji felt that Yuki-Onna was like an emoji he had seen before, always pushing the boundaries of recklessness.

"Hehe, I heard that Lord Shuten went in and out of Lord Inari three times yesterday, and now Lord Inari's legs are a bit weak~" Hearing Yuki-Onna's words, Kuroki Ryuji couldn't help but cover his eyes. This girl was starting her usual antics again, and this time it was a yaoi joke, which was quite scary.

"Is that so? What else did you hear?" Inari's smile became even gentler, but Kuroki Ryuji noticed that Inari's hand had tightened.

"Hehe~ I heard that Lord Shuten went back to his place and fell asleep from exhaustion. I must say, Lord Inari, you have great stamina~" She was still pushing it!

"Chahaha..." Inari stood up, and his face showed some orange-red patterns. This made Yuki-Onna realize belatedly that she had gone too far.

"Boss..." Seeing Yuki-Onna's legs trembling and her pleading look, Kuroki Ryuji silently chose to look at his phone, as this was a personal matter between the guests, and he didn't think it was appropriate to intervene.

"Phew~ I feel much better now. Boss, I'll come again next time." Inari smiled gently and walked out.

"Boss, you're so heartless." Yuki-Onna looked at Kuroki Ryuji with a pout. She was fine, not injured, as Inari was still gentle and skilled at dealing with yokai.

"I think this is your own problem, Miss Yuki-Onna. Here is your sushi, please enjoy." Kuroki Ryuji smiled and placed the sushi on Yuki-Onna's table.

"Hmph, seeing such a beautiful lady like me being hit, you can still smile." Yuki-Onna looked resentful.

"Miss Yuki-Onna, please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, just let me know." Kuroki Ryuji didn't respond, as he knew if he did, Yuki-Onna would keep talking for a while.

"Hehe, do you have that thing~" Yuki-Onna's eyes twinkled, and she looked at Kuroki Ryuji with a mischievous smile, rubbing her hands.

"???" Kuroki Ryuji was puzzled.

"That thing!" Yuki-Onna stomped her foot impatiently, and Kuroki Ryuji saw a small patch of frost appear on the floor, the same size as her bare feet.

"What exactly?" To avoid having to mop the floor again, Kuroki Ryuji quickly confirmed.

"Ah, the manga of Lord Shuten and Lord Inari." Yuki-Onna looked at him with a disappointed expression.

Kuroki Ryuji's lips twitched. Yuki-Onna was really beyond help.