Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 255 When the Story Takes a Turn - S01E07

……

It is a gap between thinking and embracing.

It's like a few grains of fine sugar melting in your mouth—a blissful and sweet moment.

"……Thank you."

A tiny, soft, almost inaudible sound cautiously emerges from your layers of clothing, like a tiny bird about to be released back into the forest, peeking out from your chest.

To your relief, Shirley always listens to your long-winded serene and humble explanations... Oh, or perhaps the child can actually sense that you are indeed doing it for her own good?

You're spouting long-winded rants that nobody wants to hear, and whether you do or say it, you can't help but come across as condescending or even preachy.

But Shirley is still willing to listen to you.

Does she still feel like you're lecturing her?

If you tell her that it's all for her own good, wouldn't everything you've done seem ridiculous? Like those parents who are criticized and disliked by their children online?

Why did Shirley accept all of this?

Why didn't she push you away, but only spoke up after you made a huge mistake?

Thinking of this, your nose inexplicably felt a little sore, and you bent down and gently stroked her long blonde hair.

Maybe it really isn't a good time, but you're always trying to explain something away.

For example, you might want to explain that you never intended to restrict Shirley.

You really want to do something for her, just like Vicky.

You always thought Vicky was the overprotected demon, but you never expected... that you were actually one of them too.

You want to tell the seemingly optimistic but secretly heartbroken little princess that you don't think she's foolish, naive, or arrogant.

You think her ideals are remarkable, and you admire her for her unwavering determination and decisiveness. You also admire her for wanting to fulfill her duties as the "Princess of Hell" even in such an environment.

You like Shirley as you would a younger sister who is not related to you by blood, works exceptionally hard, but is criticized and looked down upon by others.

You are willing to accompany her as she grows, answer her questions, and move forward with her... Even if her ideals may indeed be ambiguous, you believe that Shirley's starting point must be good.

For you, all human rights deserve to be valued and recognized; whether it's the happiness of good people or the retribution of evil people—

Human beings should be seen.

When you hug Shirley, the emotions you hadn't sorted out earlier are still churning in your heart like a tangled mess; this makes you subconsciously hug the blonde woman in your arms tighter.

But what comforts and moves you is that Shirley didn't push you away.

She lets you hold her like a rescue dog in the snow.

The fluffy puppy continuously transfers its body heat to you, who is always cold.

Ah, this damned hell is a mess... His Highness Lucifer's perfect daughter mends and sews.

Strangely, since your death, you can only warm your skin by the body heat of others or by your own abilities, but most of the demons you know and acknowledge will not push you away.

Even in hell, you can receive kindness that brings tears to your eyes.

...Of course, you know that too.

Whether it's the sense of security you feel right now, or that moment of sadness and grievance you haven't felt in a long time... it's all inappropriate.

But you still cherish every hug you have with Shirley.

And you and she will definitely find an opportunity to go out together and talk alone.

……

"Hmm... What a touching and heartwarming moment."

Just then, the voice of a sinner lord who had been ignored for a long time suddenly rang out in your ears at an inopportune moment, "So, are you two ladies expecting me or the demons around us to applaud your heartwarming performance?"

……

Always a passionate and emotionally charged transatlantic port accent.

It's like an excited broadcaster announcing some big news that everyone should be paying attention to.

Faced with the slightly offensive behavior of a sinner lord, you finally dared to raise your head.

The Eastern Sinner's unhurried gaze drifted toward the slender male demon whose entire body was stained with the colors of hell.

A scarlet, flamboyant radio demon.

Perhaps your conversation with the Princess of Hell was indeed an impolite neglect to a demon who strikes fear into the hearts of all—especially since it was quite a long time indeed…

……

But this is not important.

"……hehe."

Faced with Alastor's sarcastic remarks, which were no different from his usual ones, you remained silent for a few seconds before suddenly letting out a soft laugh.

"..."

“Uh…■■■, you…”

Perhaps it was because she instinctively sensed that your behavior toward Alastor was a bit strange—but Shirley's voice, half-discouraging and half-hesitant, eventually died down after a cautious probe.

In this dilemma, Shirley really had a hard time making a choice; but due to the strong mental shock she had received earlier, the Hell Princess, whose heart was already in her throat, made her choice entirely subconsciously.

'She'll at least promise that ■■■ won't kill Alastor!'

'Oh... but ■■■ won't do that, right?'

'■■■ and Alastor must have developed a deep bond by now!'

"■■■ won't attack Alastor a second time, right?"

'...'

Right?

Because the enigmatic dragon girl could exert immense pressure with her power, Shirley, genuinely worried that she wouldn't be able to protect Alastor immediately, was already breaking out in a cold sweat.

Driven by some strong intuition, she kept trying to comfort herself, but the more she tried to comfort herself, the more her past actions would flash through her mind like a slideshow.

...After all, you have to understand that ■■■'s personality wasn't always this stable.

When I first met the Eastern Sinner—

……

……

Well, she didn't really know how to describe her complicated impression of ■■■.

Yes, she wasn't as insane as the other demons in Hell.

When she first split her soul in two, she always looked very tired.

Shirley always believed that this was actually a consequence of splitting one's soul; she inevitably thought that this behavior was too reckless.

But at that time, apart from caring about the health of the sinner from the East, she knew that she couldn't do anything else.

Shirley always thought that what ■■■ meant by "leaving behind rationality and basic emotional operation" meant looking at everything calmly, but soon she and Vicky discovered that things were not as simple as they had imagined.

After getting to know this friend from the East, her extreme friendliness and meticulous care were genuine, which delighted both her and Vicky (at least she was).

But soon, they encountered even bigger and more uncontrollable trouble—

For example, one might inadvertently glimpse a small, cruel aspect of the situation.