This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 12 - Spy (1) - Part 2

In the end, Terisier, who had been frowning, transformed into the shape of a cat.

Terisier, now in the form of a long-haired silver cat.

Anise, who was seeing Terisier’s ability for the first time, let out a small gasp at the sight of the cute cat.

Since animals have more fur than humans, it’s easier to check with the naked eye.

I used my ability on both Anise and Terisier at the same time. Anise then rubbed her arm, where fine hairs had grown, as if amazed, while Terisier sighed as he looked at his now spiked-up fur.

“If you’re going to test it, do it quickly.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Finally, Anise, who had snapped out of it, used her ability on me.

Just like when I was kidnapped by Zerdan, I felt a burst of strength as a result of Anise’s ability.

Anise’s long, luscious blonde hair floated lightly in the air, and Terisier’s fur rose even higher than before.

He looks like a hedgehog.

“Huh, what?”

“Relax and take it slow, Anise.”

I could see Anise concentrating hard. But despite her efforts, nothing seemed to change. So I got up, took a few steps, and moved a bit away from them.

Terisier’s gaze followed me.

I tried standing behind Anise and even pressed myself against the far end of the wall, quite a distance away, but still, there was no change.

“The range is wide.”

“It’s just wide.”

Terisier and I spoke simultaneously. Hearing that, Anise’s shoulders slumped.

I withdrew my ability. I saw Terisier licking the back of his hand, trying to smooth out his disheveled fur. He really looked like a cat now.

“Let’s test the range more next time, and for now, it seems you’ll need to practice a bit more. Try practicing with Phel or Terisier, who can cause the least damage.”

“Alright…”

“Thanks, Terisier. I’ll ask you again next time.”

“Is the practice already over?”

“Practice whenever you have time. I have something to check out, so I’ll be going out for a bit. Anise, you too.”

Terisier nodded and said he’d go rest. I took Anise, who had a puzzled expression and left. There’s no place where Anise is needed more than where we’re going now.

“Where are we going?”

“Since we have fewer ability users on our side, I think it would be better to increase their numbers if possible. And it would be great if they were quite useful ability users.”

“Ability users?”

I glanced around lightly before my eyes stopped at one particular spot.

Anise, who had been looking around following me, widened her eyes at the sight of the unusual blue smoke.

“It doesn’t seem like smoke from a fire… What is that blue smoke? It looks a bit strange.”

“That’s our destination.”

“Huh?”

“Come to think of it, Anise, you might have met this person before. It’s Lazis, who helped you. Do you remember?”

Anise pondered for a moment at my question before nodding, as if a person was coming to mind.

“I don’t remember the name, so I can’t be sure, but you’re talking about the person who moved me from that place, right?”

“That’s right.”

“And now that I think about it, I didn’t get a chance to thank him since I was so disoriented… I’m glad I can finally express my gratitude. Although he seemed a bit intimidating because he spoke very little, I think it will be fine since I’m with Moa.”

“He seemed quiet?”

“Yes. He seemed a bit blunt. He also didn’t make much eye contact.”

Perhaps it wasn’t shyness but rather the fact that he had someone he had been wanting to see right in front of him.

I wondered what his reaction would be if Anise came with me now.

I grew a bit more curious and quickened my pace.

“Just like you experienced, he is also an ability user. And he’s currently not affiliated with any organization. I hope he can cooperate with us, so I’m going to bring it up.”

“Is it alright for me to go to such an important place?”

“I brought Anise because I need her.”

Anise looked completely puzzled.

Without any further explanation, I led her along. The exterior of the building we arrived at was the same as before. When we entered through the door, the interior had the atmosphere of a café.

However, there were no staff members to greet us. Anise, following behind me, looked around the interior and said,

“It looks like no one’s here?”

“No, it seems he noticed our arrival.”

I slowly guided Anise inside, and as soon as we stepped in, the entrance door closed automatically, and the surroundings began to change.

Startled, Anise gripped my arm tightly. Seeing her reaction and observing the slowly changing environment, I let out a chuckle.

The transformed scenery was the room where I had previously met Lazis. Lazis, who I had expected to be seated on the sofa, stood beside the table in neat attire.

“Hmm.”

“…From where did you start observing us?”

Moreover, there was a tea set and desserts on the table.

This person, was he watching Anise in real-time?

As I narrowed my eyes at the reasonable suspicion, Lazis maintained a serious expression.

“That’s just a coincidence.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Should I sit here?”

Despite Lazis’ displeased look at my natural seating, he turned his attention to Anise, who cautiously took a seat. Seeing him twitching his lips, it looked like he was trying to suppress his delight.

He really must like Anise quite a bit.

“You’re the one who helped me last time, right? I wanted to thank you, but the situation didn’t allow for it then. I’m grateful for your help back then. My name is Anise.”

“Ah, I’m Lazis. It was nothing special, so don’t worry about it.”

Meeting someone you admire and trying to act indifferent—how amusing.

Lazis sipped the tea he had prepared, crossing his legs. When I reached for it first, he had a slightly displeased look, but he said nothing as he watched Anise smile warmly at me.

“Thank you for agreeing to my request. Thanks to you, our team was safe.”

I recalled the favor I had asked Lazis before.

In case of an emergency, the request I made to him was something that a neutral party like Lazis would normally ignore. After all, he had to get involved in the conflict between Obella and Zerdan.

But when he learned that the person in danger was Anise, he helped without hesitation.

Thanks to him, Mummy Man lost only an arm instead of dying at Zerdan’s hands.

“I don’t like that you took her to such a dangerous place in the first place. I don’t know what you were thinking.”

“That was my decision! I wanted my power to be of help to others. In the end, it didn’t help much and only caused trouble…”

Lazis looked flustered by Anise’s glum expression.

The words meant to embarrass me didn’t faze me at all, instead, it was Anise who looked disheartened, which must have been frustrating for him.

I smiled and offered a piece of cake to Anise with a fork. She looked at me, took the cake, and then gave a sweet smile.

Her already pretty face looked even more charming with that smile, which would surely make Lazis swoon as a fan.

Seeing Anise’s smile right in front of him, Lazis forgot to keep his expression in check and looked genuinely moved.

“Lazis.”

He looked at me with a startled expression when I called him while smiling. Our eyes met.

Lazis’ surprised face and my smiling face.

Yes, I understand the feelings of someone meeting their favorite celebrity or idol. They must be ecstatic, unable to believe if it’s a dream or reality.

“So, here’s the thing. We need your help in the upcoming fight against Zerdan.”

“I don’t get involved in unnecessary matters. Both Obella and Zerdan know that which is why they don’t bother me.”

“I know you’re in a neutral position. That’s why I’m asking you more. It’s clear that you’re not a Zerdan person.”

“On what basis do you think I’ll help? Didn’t I say? When asking me for help, you need to offer a suitable compensation.”

“Oh, it’s fine if you refuse. After all, it’s you who’ll be missing out.”

Lazis looked puzzled by that comment.

It must have seemed like a mystery to him.

I glanced at Anise.

“If you help, it will be beneficial for Anise and me, but it’s not a demand. Still, it’s good to know that we have reliable men in our team, even without Lazis.”

“Yes? Well, that’s true. It would be great if you could come, but we can’t force you… Besides, our leader is strong enough, so it’s alright. Please don’t worry too much about us.”

It seemed that Anise understood my intention to avoid putting pressure on Lazis.

Anise smiled as she looked at the dazed Lazis.

Lazis, who admires Anise, likely knows who the leader she mentioned is.

There are many men in the place where the person she admires lives. Although they are not considered romantic prospects, there’s a conflicting feeling of discomfort with unfamiliar men getting too close.

Furthermore, Lazis had already made up his mind after Anise’s offhand comment about it being nice if he came.

“…I’ll cooperate.”

Anise, hurray.

With her pretty face, good abilities, and even a useful fan—what a stroke of luck.

Anise looked perplexed by Lazis’ sudden agreement, but I just smiled at her.

Lazis said he would finish up the tasks he had been assigned and then cooperate.

When Anise thanked him and smiled while shaking his hand, Lazis’ expression was quite a sight.

I wondered if Lazis would even rush to Zerdan’s side if Anise asked.

It seemed Lazis wanted to spend a bit more time with Anise, but with my business concluded, I stood up, and Anise followed suit.

Lazis’ expression visibly fell.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes, the business is finished. If Anise wants to stay longer, that’s fine.”

“I…”

Anise seemed uncomfortable with Lazis. She didn’t seem to realize that she was his fan, but Lazis’ changing expressions—from blunt to softened—must have been strange for her. Lazis, however, seemed unaware of Anise’s discomfort.

With a shrug of my shoulders to indicate she should do as she pleases, Anise hesitated for a moment before following me.

Lazis, with a glum face, seemed to want to see us off and followed us to the entrance. He wanted to talk to Anise but hesitated, unable to find the words.

“Lazis, I hope we meet again soon.”

I placed a hand on Lazis’ shoulder and gave it a light pat.

He had a lot he seemed to want to say, but since Anise was present, he didn’t speak harshly like before. So, I stood on my tiptoes and whispered in his ear.

“After all, you got a chance to get closer to Anise, whom you like. How about showing me a little gratitude?”

“That’s true, but why do you have to be so annoying?”

“Well, maybe because it’s so true?”

At my smile, Lazis chuckled. He said he would join us in good time. As we left the entrance, the space began to change.

He’s a mysterious man the more you get to know him.

“So, are we heading home now?”

“Hmm, actually, I want to stop by somewhere first.”

“Somewhere you want to go?”

“I had promised to visit Luke again but didn’t manage to.”

“Ah.”

Anise nodded.

Luke’s ability had suddenly manifested, and he had promised to help with using it later. It had been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Anise seemed to recall Luke and then looked at me with a worried expression.

“Are you… thinking of asking Luke to join us too?”

“Well, considering how things have gone with Anise, what do you think I would do?”

“…If it were Moa, she wouldn’t force him to come, but she would make it so he couldn’t refuse. Whether through coercion or persuasion.”

Anise hesitated briefly before speaking honestly.

She has a good eye for people.

Luke’s youth indeed made me hesitate a bit, but his ability was good for long-range and especially specialized for assassination.

Of course, I have no intention of suggesting murder to Luke, and Obella isn’t that type either, so that’s just my opinion.

If Luke could fall into Zerdan’s hands, it would be a different story.

“The choice is up to Luke. He’s still young, so I won’t resort to coercion. It would be great if he could cooperate if possible.”

“Luke’s ability could be a great help. But from what I saw, he seemed still clumsy with using his ability…”

“That’s something that can be improved with practice.”

Anise and now even Diswen. If they could just fine-tune their excellent abilities and use them more effectively, there might be a noticeable change.

I wondered about Zerdan—what situations would make him feel uncomfortable? It’d be good to give him some stimulation beyond just winning battles.

Lost in various thoughts, I headed to the tavern run by Luke’s mother. However, I was informed that Luke wasn’t home.

I considered briefly and then suggested to Anise that she stay at the tavern while I took a look around alone.

‘Could he be practicing his abilities somewhere isolated?’

Given Luke’s reaction when he first gained his power, it was quite possible. The young boy suddenly gaining an unusual ability would likely be quite excited.

If I had such a power, I would have made more of an effort to develop it, rather than just having a trivial ability. If someone could grant me a new ability or turn it into something useful, that would be great.

While daydreaming about unlikely wishes, I walked aimlessly until I heard footsteps coming from the opposite direction.

The steps sounded light and not heavy, as if someone was running, suggesting they were either a woman or a child.

Soon, a young girl came into view.

I was expecting it to be Luke, but it was not.