Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 254 How can one have it all? - S01E07

You have now crossed the central area of ​​the Pride Ring—in fact, you have arrived on the exact opposite side of the inn.

This happened about a few minutes ago.

As far as your eye can see, in this strange, Hello Dolly-style ogre town, many devils dressed in aristocratic attire are wandering the streets in remarkable harmony.

Judging from their clothing and behavior, the demons here clearly appear more "romantic," more refined, and more adept at enjoying life than the other demons in the Arrogant Ring.

This reminds me of the golden age of Broadway in the United States during the 1960s, when beautiful actors, dressed in gorgeous and heavy costumes, sang and danced on exquisite stages.

Layers of skirt fluttered up and down under the dazzling lights, like butterflies full of vitality and vigor in spring...

Your eyes narrowed slightly.

……

"...But these two are completely different!"

During the brief pause in your observation, Shirley seemed to have finally processed the topic you had just raised in her mind...

Or perhaps she just thought of a way to refute your answer?

You, not annoyed by the blonde's long pause for thought, patiently observe Shirley, who seems to disagree with your earlier statement.

...However, perhaps she still hasn't thought of what to say. Her fierce rebuttal is only because at this moment she doesn't want you to be on Vicky's side.

Not even a little bit.

……Ai.

Looking at Xia Li's puffed-up face, you crossed your arms, looking somewhat helpless.

Imagine, after you strip away that emotional part of your soul... comforting someone's emotions is no longer your forte.

...You won't say that making Shirley and Vicky reconcile is for the good of both girls, because you admit that it's you who wants them to reconcile.

For various reasons.

"Okay, objectively speaking, these two things do seem different... but the essence of both is concealment, isn't it?"

Facing the seemingly furious Hell Princess, the Dragon Girl gently tilted her head and said this.

Half of the blonde woman's body was hidden in the shadow of the old wooden building on the street; the red light of hell tinged her beautiful face with a faint pink.

Like strawberry frosting on a cupcake.

The demons in the inn often prefer you to sprinkle more.

"..."

"The biggest thing we have in common may be that we are fundamentally different, but the biggest reason we hide things from others is because we have our own difficulties."

As you said this, you stepped forward and gently smoothed out the anxious wrinkles on the Hell Princess's suit.

You didn't know if Shirley would listen to what you said, but to take care of her feelings, you still used your usual gentle and soft tone, the kind you use to coax children, to explain to her.

"And if we're talking about the severity, the deal you made with me could be considered a 'devil's deal.' Didn't we keep something this serious from her for over a year? Or perhaps..."

"But this is different!"

Faced with your "completely new idea," the blonde woman's pupils visibly contracted, and she immediately refuted your statement without thinking, as if you had just said something utterly terrible.

But Shirley's reaction was indeed more intense and stubborn than you might imagine.

Seeing this, you, who were not surprised, calmly put away the smile on your face and your tone became slightly more serious: "But darling, in my opinion, this is essentially a cover-up. The simplest reason is that you all have your own difficulties... or we all have our own difficulties."

"Or do you think these two things are different in nature?"

"..."

As she said the last sentence, you saw a glimmer of hope and surprise appear on Shirley's slightly anxious and even impatient face, as if to say, "You finally understand my point."

But seeing Shirley's expression, you simply chuckled helplessly twice, then patiently lowered your eyes and tucked the stray hairs from the side of the witch's face behind her ear, your tone as calm and gentle as ever:

“My sweetheart, do you think the situation is different because Vicky is an exorcist angel who slaughtered your people, yet she chose to hide it from you? Do you think lovers should be honest with each other... like she should tell you about this?”

"But my little princess..."

“You are definitely not Vicky. Just as you thought, she is an exorcist angel—her thoughts are certainly completely different from yours.”

"However, it's not the kind of 'different' you're thinking of."

“If I were Vicky, I would only think that you, as the princess of Hell, have always been so responsible, even wanting to save these hopeless creatures in Hell…”

"Then how could such a cautious and loving 'exorcist angel' bear the consequences of telling you the truth?"

Do you think she's really willing to take that risk?

"Are you betting on the possibility that you'll forgive her and accept her without any reservations?"

You smiled faintly, gazing at Xia Li beside you.

"If you were Vicky, would you dare to bet?" the dragon girl asked gently, her expression already beginning to waver.

Looking at the other person's complicated expression, you already know what kind of answer your beautiful, kind, and romantic little princess will give you.

But as you said, Shirley has the right and the right to be angry, because that is a privilege between lovers.

I don't know if you think that way.

"You didn't tell Vicky because you thought she wouldn't be able to accept that we made a soul deal? Because you know, the damage is already done when you keep it a secret."

"Or...darling, do you feel that your relationship will really be fractured because of this—or do you believe that suffering should have varying degrees of severity?"

"Of course not!!"

"..."

Without any hesitation, Shirley almost instinctively refuted your last sentence.

You raised an eyebrow and smiled with satisfaction at the demon's instinctive rebuttal and the slightly annoyed look on her face. You were pleased with the perfect response and answer.

...But Shirley still didn't seem to have figured out how to continue the current topic.

After angrily refuting your statement, she visibly paused for a moment.

But soon, she bit her lip and lowered her fluffy golden head, "I just...I..."

Realizing that her tone had been too harsh, the Hell Princess, who rarely showed such strong emotions to those close to her, muttered to herself like a depressed child.

She gripped her arm tightly, her fingers squeezing her usually spotless, beautiful suit until it was crumpled and wrinkled.

"..."

“…Oh…sweetheart.”

Seeing Xia Li like this, you couldn't help but chuckle as you gently put your arm around Xia Li's shoulder and then hugged her fluffy little head tightly.

“My Shirley, you are a good girl.”

"Always".

You gently comforted her like this.

"I know you'll understand, my sweetheart."

"As I said before, you have the right and the right to be angry... I apologize for my presumption, but I sincerely wish you and Vicky all the best in your relationship."

"You should know that many things have their own course."

"Life is probably never a perfect solution. If we want to move forward, we have to make our own choices and take responsibility for them."

"but……"

"When you hurt the people you love and the people who love you."

"We still need to consider this more carefully."

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This chapter is split into two, so there will be another update tomorrow.

Please cherish the hard-won warmth we have now.