As the night deepened, the street next to the alleyway began to buzz with nocturnal life. Neon signs flickered to life, casting colorful reflections on the damp pavent. Laughter and music spilled out from bars and izakayas, creating a symphony of urban nightlife.
However, inside the Dinsional Restaurant, the atmosphere was different. It was lively, yes, but it was a warm, contained liveliness. The clinking of silverware, the murmur of satisfied diners, and the soft jazz playing in the background created a sanctuary from the chaos outside.
Ren was leaning against the counter, reading his book while keeping an eye on the dining room. His phone buzzed occasionally with ssages he ignored for now.
Outside, Hori Kyoko and her little brother Souta finally arrived at the entrance of the alley.
Kyoko looked at her phone, checking the map Nanami had sent. "It says it's here... 'On the quietest street, next to the busiest street, there's a single shop with a wooden sign'...."
She squinted her eyes, peering into the shadows. "Will there really be a Restaurant in this place...? It looks like a dead end. Wait... that light..."
Souta reacted first. He pointed excitedly. "Onee-chan! Look! It's that handso big brother's shop! The one we saw before!"
"What handso big brother? Oh! You an the one who talked to you when you got lost?" Kyoko realized. "So it is that amazing Restaurant Minami-chan talked about? Small world. Let's go, Souta. I'm starving."
Souta nodded repeatedly, gripping her hand. He had wanted to go into the shop before, but his older sister had pulled him away in a hurry. Now that they were actually going there to eat, Souta was practically vibrating with excitent!
Just as the two were about to enter, footsteps approached from the other direction.
They saw a man walking towards the shop. He was wearing a very... unique outfit. A yellow jumpsuit with a zipper, red gloves, red boots, and a white cape that fluttered slightly in the night breeze.
But the most striking feature was his head. It was perfectly, brilliantly bald. Under the streetlamp, it shone like a polished egg.
The man glanced at Kyoko and Souta with a blank, almost bored expression, then continued walking forward without breaking stride.
The siblings were stunned. They froze, watching him pass.
"Onee-chan..." Souta whispered. "That man... he looks like a doodle."
Kyoko blinked. "Shh, Souta! Don't be rude! But... yeah. His art style feels... simpler than everyone else's."
(Saitama-sensei: Sneeze. "Is soone talking about my lack of detail?")
They watched as the man pushed open the door to the restaurant and walked in as if he owned the place.
Inside, the bell chid.
Everyone turned their heads in unison. What greeted their eyes first was the yellow suit. But what held their attention was the shiny do reflecting the warm interior lights.
Ren and Senzaemon were both stunned. Senzaemon put down his wine glass and sighed with a smile. "Saitama! You've co too~. It has been a while."
A slight, goofy smile appeared on Saitama's blank face as he raised a hand. "Yo. Old man. You're here too... eating fancy stuff again?"
Ren stood up, marking his page. "Welco back, Saitama. Good timing. What would you like to eat?"
Saitama walked over to the counter, patting his pockets as if checking for coins. He thought seriously for a while, his brow furrowing. "Then... I'll have a Tomato Tofu Soup.... And rice."
Ren smiled knowing. "How about Tomato Beef Brisket Tofu Soup? I happen to have so high-quality beef brisket cut and set aside from making other dishes earlier. It needs to be used."
Saitama's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated. "Is it... expensive?"
"Sa price as the tofu soup. It's leftovers, after all. You're doing a favor by eating it."
Saitama nodded vigorously. "Okay~. Thanks, Ren."
Saitama found a seat near the counter. Senzaemon looked at Saitama's head, hesitated, and then decided it was better not to say anything about the glaring lack of hair.
Saitama, however, noticed the stare. He turned his head, his cape swooshing. "Old man, what's wrong? Is there sothing on my face?"
Just as Senzaemon was about to diplomatically deflect, Ren walked over with a glass of ice water.
"Saitama," Ren said casually. "Don't you feel very cool on your head these days?"
Saitama was stunned. He touched his scalp. "Indeed... these past two days my head has felt cooler and cooler. Is the winter coming early? I should pay attention to keeping warm... maybe buy a beanie..."
The entire restaurant fell silent. Everyone—Erina, Alice, Rindou—looked at him. They could confirm that Saitama seed like a nice, simple guy, but why did they always feel like laughing a bit? His cluelessness was legendary.
Ren sighed, placing the water down. "Saitama... in fact, the weather isn't getting colder; it's that all your hair is finally gone. You are completely bald now."
"Oh.... Eh?"
Saitama froze. His hand stopped on his head. He rubbed it. Smooth skin. No stubble.
"Eh?! REALLY?!"
Momo Akanegakubo, feeling pity, took out a small compact mirror from her bag and handed it over.
Saitama took it with trembling hands. He looked in it.
He saw the reflection of a perfect, shiny egg.
He froze completely. The color drained from his face (what little color there was). The realization hit him like a teor.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
After a long while of soul-searching silence, he sighed, his face full of comically tragic dejection. "It's gone... my youth... it's all gone."
Ren patted his shoulder. "This isn't bad either. It's much better looking than when you only had a few wispy strands before. It's... aerodynamic. And you can try hair transplantation~ if you really miss it."
Saitama looked up, hope rekindling. "Is it expensive?"
"The good quality ones shouldn't be cheap. And there's a chance the transplanted hair could die if your scalp is too... powerful~"
Saitama slumped again. "Then forget it… It doesn't affect my punch anyway… I guess I'm just Baldy now."
Ren didn't say anything further. He knew about Saitama's financial situation—the hero work didn't pay well for C-Class. That was why he always ordered vegetarian dishes. Ren often used excuses like "leftovers" or "recipe testing" to feed him protein without hurting his pride.
Just as Ren went to the kitchen to prepare the brisket, the door opened again.
"Wow, Ren! Business is booming today!" Rindou shouted from her table, waving a chicken leg. "It must be because you ca to be a teacher! Your fa is spreading! I suggest you teach every day!"
Ren called back from the kitchen window. "Hmm. When you graduate and stop causing trouble, I'll consider teaching classes. Welco~."
As Ren and Rindou were bantering, the little boy pushing the door open peeked inside, followed by his sister.
Ren wiped his hands and walked out. He was montarily stunned when he saw the little boy.
"Ah, it's the little fellow who got separated from his Onee-chan before~. And the Onee-chan herself."
Souta looked at Ren with shining eyes. "It's him! The cool chef!"
Kyoko looked around the Restaurant and nodded approvingly. It was warm, clean, and slled divine. Eating in such a place would definitely make one feel at ease after a power outage.
Kyoko looked at Ren and bowed slightly. "Restaurant Manager, we et again~. Sorry for the intrusion."
Ren smiled and said, "Hmm. It looks like you're here for a al this ti, not just passing by. Two people?"
"Yes!"
"Please, sit anywhere you like. What would you like to eat?"
Kyoko and Souta sat down at a table near the window. Kyoko was stunned by the question. Then she rembered that Nanami Minami had said this was a Restaurant with no nu, where you could order anything you wanted.
However, such a situation always made her hesitate. Freedom of choice was paralyzing. Not to ntion how many dishes there were in the world... just being suddenly asked what she wanted to eat made her mind go blank.
Ren saw Kyoko's hesitation. He smiled gently. "Don't rush. Take your ti to think slowly. Just call when you've decided. I'll be right here."
He turned to the counter. "Saitama, do you want plain rice or Egg Mixed Rice (Tamago Kake Gohan) with your soup?"
"Egg mixed rice, please~. With extra soy sauce!" Saitama called out, having recovered from his baldness trauma thanks to the sll of food.
"OK~."
Ren returned to the kitchen.
Kyoko pulled Souta closer. "Souta! What do you want to eat? Quick, think!"
Souta swung his legs, looking at the other diners. "Onee-chan! I want what that lady is eating!" He pointed at Alice's empty plate.
"We don't know what that was! Think of sothing you like!"
Souta thought seriously for a mont before saying, "I want Curry Rice! But... mild!"
Souta hadn't eaten many exotic dishes, so he naturally stuck to his favorites. Kyoko, however, was much more conflicted. She wanted sothing comforting, sothing warm...
Then she suddenly thought of sothing.
"Restaurant Manager!" she shouted towards the kitchen.
Ren poked his head out. "Have you decided?"
"Yes! My younger brother wants a plate of mild Curry Rice. As for … Beef Stew, please~. A double portion! And also Kimchi on the side, thank you!"
Ren nodded, noting the combination. "Hmm. Hearty choices. It seems you're a good Onee-chan, taking care of your brother's appetite first. Would you like sothing to drink? Or should I recomnd sothing for you?"
Kyoko sighed in relief. "Restaurant Manager, please recomnd sothing. Anything except alcoholic beverages—I have to walk him ho—oh, and I don't eat citrus fruits… I hate the sll of tangerines."
Ren smiled. "Understood. No citrus. I have just the thing. Please wait a mont."
[Akarin Note:
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