Splash Wash Plop Ripple
The sun is up on the horizon, the sea sparkling brightly like a treasure chest of gems and crystals as its rays reflect on the waters' surface. The sound of the splashing waves and shifting sands serving as background music to such a beautiful scenery.
A pair of crabs danced on the sandy shore in the tune of the whistling gales, a lovely pair of walnut-colored orbs serving as their audience. She gazed and observed the dance, curious as one can be.
"Capella, what are you doing?" ［Vega］
"A-Ah! I... I'm observing crabs..." ［Capella］
"Crabs? Are they that interesting?" ［Vega］
The little furball asked as she tilted her, staring at the crabs with such pure and bright eyes. Soon, she laid down the pure white sand, wagging her tail enthusiastically as she joined Capella on her little observation.
"Then, I'll be joining you then!" ［Vega］
"H-Huh? Weren't you still exploring?" ［Capella］
"Don't worry! I'm already done! And it's more fun with Capella!" ［Vega］
A bright smile appeared on Vega's furry face as she said such, making Capella a tad bit embarrassed. She may like teasing her most of the time, but that's just her way of showing affection to those she cares about.
Deep inside, she treasures Capella very much. They are pretty much twins, after all, always together all the time. Now, there are two pairs of eyes observing the crabs dance and listening to the rhythm playing in the air.
"Oh? You're already done playing around, Vega?" ［Kentaurus］
"Yes! Now, I'm watching crabs with Capella!" ［Vega］
"Crabs...?" ［Canopus］
Well, there were two of them... As soon as the other familiars saw them, they quickly huddled up and joined them on their little observation, satisfying their curiosity as they enjoyed their time with one another.
Of course, the one watching over them was none other than the caring Sirius and the protective Arcturus, like older siblings babysitting their younger siblings, only that they were in the form of little furballs. It was a strange yet heartwarming sight.
"Hahaha. Looks like they're getting along like usual." ［Grey］
Chuckled Grey, watching over the familiars. Though he doesn't play with them as much as Yuna does, he still treasures them as their important partners. Seeing them like that sometimes makes him forget they were actually very powerful High Dragons. It truly makes one wonder.
All the cuteness aside, Grey was now in the middle of preparing for their outing. With the ingredients they brought yesterday, it was now time to prepare the new dishes he will cook alongside their all time favorites.
Though there isn't anything wrong with his current repertoire, expanding it wouldn't hurt. And now that the number of ingredients has increased, the cook inside of him is itching to try out some new things. He is fired up!
Especially with such wonderful scenery to fill his heart. And on top of that, he was also under one of the many huts and sheds they'll be using later on. Heck, he even made one which looked like a tiki bar just for fun.
As for Yuna, she's currently busy surveying the coast to see anything noteworthy for their outing. Marika was also with her, guiding her around and showing her the best sights one could wish for in the archipelago.
"Now then... Should I also get started?" ［Grey］
A smile on his face, Grey raised his sleeves and picked up his trusty knife. A hand reached out to the baskets nearby and a couple onions were brought to the chopping board. Soon, chopping sounds echoed with the waves.
There isn't only one or two dishes inside Grey's mind, there were a myriad that he wanted to try out. Of which, some were something he only remembered seeing on the television screen. Dishes he didn't have the chance to make before.
Well, that was all in the past now. What matters is the present which he's in right now. With the amount of ingredients he has, he can go wild without holding back. There was no need to be wary of failure. After all, undergoing trial and error is also part of a cook's life.
"Next is garlic... Spring onions... Chives... Ginger..." ［Grey］
He chopped and he chopped. As Grey moved his hands and knife, the chopped up herbs and spices started piling up one after another, bowls upon bowls showing up as if there was no tomorrow.
If it wasn't for the fact that he was used to it, with the amount of onions he chopped, he would have cried multiple times already. But now, he was simply humming to himself as his hands moved at lightning speed.
Fwish Sizzle Sizzle
Soon, aromatic smells wafted through the air, mixing with the scent of the sea. Just a whiff of the spices as they sizzled in hot oil was enough to arouse one's appetite and make their stomach growl. Even the familiars couldn't help but look.
Though they mostly feed on corruption, they also eat real food from time to time and join Grey and Yuna on their meals. Just a single whiff from the aromas alone and they immediately knew an amazing dish was upon them.
"Master, are you making hamburg steak again?" ［Sirius］
"Hamburg steak! My favorite!" ［Vega］
"Oh! Did someone say hamburg steak?!" ［Kentaurus］
One after another, the familiars headed towards Grey's direction and took a seat from the wooden stalls present in the shed. All wore excited looks on their faces, their eyes sparkling as they wondered what Grey was cooking.
Even Arcturus who is usually the most composed of the six couldn't help but stare in anticipation at the mention of hamburg steaks. After all, be it the king of beasts or the rulers of demons, all fall under the allure and grandiosity of delicious foods.
"Hahaha. Unfortunately, this isn't hamburg steak." ［Grey］
"Hm? What is it then?" ［Kentaurus］
"Well, you'll have to find out later." ［Grey］
Grey hummed and the familiars tilted their heads in confusion. The sizzling sounds continued to echo as Grey stirred the spices and adjusted the flames. The aroma only got stronger and more alluring with the passing of time.
Soon, the familiars headed back to the beach and the sea, and continued playing amongst themselves. They splashed around, skipped about, and hopped cheerfully. They were adorable no matter where Grey looked at them.
Sizzle Frizzle Fwosh
The garlic and onions turned golden brown and the sizzling echoed louder as the marinated pork were thrown into the mix, stirring and flipping them gently until they turned a nice golden brown color.
Louder and louder the sizzle became, until such was turned into a simmer. Water and the marinade was added into the pot, letting the flames do it work and make the stew boil. An aromatic scent was adrift in the air.
Peppercorn, bay leaves, pineapple, and a little bit of salt joined the mix and the pot was covered with a metal lid. All that was left was to let it simmer in medium heat and wait until the pork becomes tender. A process which didn't take long with the use of a tool called magic.
"And now, for my secret weapon!" ［Grey］
The lid was opened once again and a creamy white liquid was poured into the pot. Bubbles formed and popped, and with a little bit of stirring, the stew which once had a rich, brown color had now turned the color of milk chocolate.
Of course, the liquid was none other than coconut milk which Grey had prepared beforehand. A sweet and creamy liquid which is one of the staple ingredients of Filipino cuisine and confectionaries.
Grey had rarely cooked coconut milk dishes in Merusia, and it was because of one simple reason. It is because even though there were coconuts available back in the mainland's market, it is very little in quantity, not even worthy to speak of.
But the same couldn't be said in Torogi where coconuts are everywhere. There was no need to act reserved as he could just get one without much effort. It was time to make coconut dishes and confectionaries to his heart's content!
Sparkle Sparkle Sparkle
No, it wasn't the glimmering sea. What was sparkling was Grey's eyes as he looked down the pot, steam greeting his face as he opened the lid. It has been so long since he saw such a glorious sight. It was heaven.
"Finally... After so long...! It's pork adobo in coconut milk!" ［Grey］
A loud declaration echoed towards the blue sea and blue sky, chasing the faraway horizon. He was happy... No, being happy was but a mere understatement. He was elated and ecstatic. He was so touched, tears were forming on the corner of his eyes.
"Wait! It's still too early to celebrate!" ［Grey］
But of course, just what kind of Filipino dish would be complete without rice?... None! No Filipino dish is complete without rice! Rice is the testament to Filipino culture. Without it, one couldn't be called a Filipinoー No, you couldn't even be called Asian! Rice is a must!
Not wasting any more time, Grey swiftly got himself a plate and scooped out a couple cups of rice. He then poured a bit of the stew and a couple pork pieces on the side. A heavenly dish was in front of him.
"Then... Thank you for the meal..." ［Grey］
Nervous as one can be, Grey grabbed his spoon and scooped out a spoonful of rice, feeding it to himself. As soon as he did, his hand froze, heart racing wildly. It was just the stew, but it already tasted heavenly.
After the stew-topped rice, Grey then took the pork with his bare hands and after a single bite, the tenderness and juiciness of the meat welcomed him. Couple it with the creamy taste of the coconut milk. It was just like how he remembered it.
"Dammit... So good..." ［Grey］
It was delicious, alright. So delicious in fact that Grey could barely keep his calm. Not only that, it was a dish which holds a lot of memories for him, holding it very dearly in his heart. One of his mother's recipe.
Other than his daily life with Yuna, it was the happiest he has been in his twoー no, three lives. It was such a simple dish yet he didn't think he would bring about such great happiness. The heavens were gracing him.
"Master, are you alright?" ［Arcturus］
"Oh, Arcturus... No, I'm fine. Just a little too happy, I guess..." ［Grey］
He was so happy that he didn't even notice Arcturus and the other familiars approach him. Thankfully, he wasn't crying. Otherwise, he would have died inside from so much embarrassment. It was quite fortunate.
"Right. Do you guys want a taste?" ［Grey］
"Hm? Can we? How about the Mistress?" ［Arcturus］
"Don't worry, I'll cook some more. There's no need to hold back." ［Grey］
Said Grey as he opened the pot's lid once again. As soon as he did, the aromatic smell of the stew wafted through the air once again and invited everyone's appetite. Though it was their first time seeing such a dish, they weren't wary at all.
"""Thank you for the food!"""
Though they couldn't pray like Grey and Yuna did, the familiars still bowed their heads to thank the heavens for the bestowed upon them. And as one would expect, they looked very cute when they did that Grey just had to snap a picture of them.
Soon enough, the familiars also dug in the dish in front of them, wolfing their way through with large smiles on their furry and fluffy faces. Smiles which turned even brighter as soon as they tasted Grey's cooking.
"Amazing! Master, this is so good!" ［Vega］
"That's right! I could eat this all day!" ［Canopus］
"Mhm! D-Delicious!" ［Capella］
"Hahaha! I'm glad you liked it!" ［Grey］
Grey chuckled, not only because he was happy but also because he found it cute and funny that the familiars' faces were smeared with stew as they wolfed down their meal. They can't use spoons and forks, after all.
But perhaps what was even more amazing was the fact that all they needed was a single lick and the stew was gone from their snouts. Very magical and cartoonish, reminding Grey of the cartoon shows he once watched as a kid.
"Then... Let's make some more, shall we?" ［Grey］
Fueled by the tasty pork adobo he just ate, Grey was now more motivated than ever as he grabbed his knives once again. They were the same knives by they glower with a much more beautiful sheen.
Tap Chop Fizzle Sizzle Fwish Fwoosh
A musical melody played out by the beach as Grey started moving again. Now, it was time to expand the menu with dishes he both knew and he had only seen on television and on the internet.
And using his "Multitask" to the greatest effect, he was able to cook multiple dishes at once, moving fast as lightning yet accurate and sharp as one can be. It was as if he had a dozen arms, moving freely and rapidly like a jetstream.
Soon the table was filled with all kinds of coconut milk dishes. From different varieties of adobo, bicol express, seafoods in coconut milk, creamy chicken soup, spicy beef steak, and many more. About a couple dozen dishes, to be exact.
Of course, it's not just main dishes. There were also sweets and drinks along such a beautiful arrangement. There was cassava cake, coconut ube rolls, maja blanca, a ton of rice cakes, coconut milkshake, halo-halo, and more. It was a coconut heaven!
"Grey～! We're back～!" ［Yuna］
And just in time as he finished, two familiar figures headed his way with bright smiles on their faces. They were none other than Yuna and Marika who just returned from their exploration trip, satisfied and happy.
"How was it? Did you find a lot of places?" ［Grey］
"Un! We found quite a few! I'm sure everyone will enjoy it!" ［Yuna］
"That's good. We shouldn't bore them, after all." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! Of course!" ［Yuna］
Yuna replied with a bright smile, but her eyes were already looking elsewhere. They just arrived yet she already picked up the scent from the dishes Grey had just cooked, and after her, Marika also looked in the same direction.
"Now, now, no need to stare that hard."［Grey］
"Mmn... I'm just a little curious is all..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. Sure, sure... Then, should we have an early lunch? I'm sure you are hungry from all the exploration that you did." ［Grey］
"Un! Let's do that! Early lunch!" ［Yuna］
Yuna's energy was through the roof as she raised her closed fist towards the sky. And with Grey in the lead, the three then went towards the hut to have their early lunch, and also taste-testing at the same time.
The moment they were in, Yuna then went ahead and curiously inspected the dishes Grey made, tilting her head as she continued staring. Though some of the dishes were brand new, some looked familiar yet different.
"Hm? Did you use coconut milk Big Brother Grey?" ［Marika］
"Yup, and quite a lot of them at that. It seems like you also use them here in Torogi, right? Coconut milk, that is." ［Grey］
"Yes, we do... But not with these many dishes..." ［Marika］
Well, it wasn't only Yuna who was mesmerized about the dishes before them. Even Marika who grew up using coconut milk from time to time was also interested in how Grey used them. They were both curious.
"Grey, was coconut milk that thing you were making yesterday?" ［Yuna］
"That's right. Though it's a little troublesome to make, they're really useful for many things. Not just for cooking, but for other things as well." ［Grey］
"I see... That's interesting..." ［Yuna］
"Interesting indeed, but enough about that. For now, let's just enjoy them!" ［Grey］
Grey on the lead, everyone grabbed a plate for themselves and scooped up their picks from the array of dishes served before them. There was a lot to choose from and everything looked tasty.
Though, it isn't a problem for Grey and Yuna. They could simply sample all the dishes and enjoy everything to their hearts' content. After all, good food is the key to a good life. One of their life's mottos.
"""Thank you for the meal!!!"""
Without further ado, everyone brought their hands together and expressed their prayers and gratitude, all the while keeping down the excitement as they sneaked a glance at the dishes before them.
Before long, it was time to dig in. Without holding themselves back anymore, the three grabbed their spoons and fork and had a taste of the dishes swerved before them, beaming with happiness as soon as they had a bite.
"A-Amazing! To think it would change this much with just coconut milk!" ［Yuna］
"Big Brother Grey! How did you make this?!" ［Marika］
Both Yuna and Marika were delighted, but even more so, they were surprised. After all, they simply just couldn't believe that s single ingredient is enough to change a dish so much to the point it's practically brand new.
Even Marika, who had used coconut milk before, couldn't explain the difference with Grey's dishes from Torogi's. Their cuisine may not be as diverse, but she still knew a little bit of things. She was curious just how Grey made it work.
"You're too excited, you two... Let's save the questions for later, alright? Food won't taste as good when it's cold, you know?" ［Grey］
"R-Right! Sorry about that..." ［Marika］
"Me too, I got a little too excited... But teach us later, okay?" ［Yuna］
"Sure, sure, I promise." ［Grey］
The meal continued and satisfied smiles bloomed here and there. Though it would have been nice if the familiars could also join, but they already had their fill. They aren't like their masters, after all.
And speaking of masters, as one would expect, Grey and Yuna were effortlessly sweeping through the dishes as if it was nothing, indulging in delight but also making sure to take note of the dishes' taste, texture, and things of that matter.
"Marika, what are you eating?" ［Yuna］
"Uhmm... If I remember correctly, Big Brother called it Bicol Express! It's a little spicy, but it's very delicious!" ［Marika］
"Oh, then I'll be having some too, then." ［Yuna］
Said Yuna with a beautiful smile on her face, soon scooping a number of pork cubes towards her plate, a few chilies in the mix here and a creamy stew to mix with her rice. Just thinking how it tastes was enough to make her smile bloom brighter.
"Yuna, be careful. That one's quite spicy." ［Grey］
"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" ［Yuna］
In fact, she is not fine. As soon as she bit down on the stew, a wonderful explosion of flavors burst forth in her mouth. Flavors that rather than delight, brought only pain and suffering to those who were unlucky enough to have a taste
The smile which once bloomed brightly on her face was no more, only agony as tears started forming in the conner of her eyes. And as for the reason why... Let's just say Marika's "a little spicy" is not what it really seems... By a long shot at that.
"S-S-Spicy! Too Spicy! Grey, water! Water, please!" ［Yuna］
It was as if her mouth was on fire, throbbing in pain as her taste buds were violated by spicinessー no, extreme spiciness. One beyond what she could handle. She may be gluttonous and a High-ranker, but she is still a person too. No one is perfect.
"Here, drink this!" ［Grey］
Thankfully, Grey was there for the rescue. The very moment he heard his girlfriend shout in pain, his hands quickly moved and grabbed a cold coconut milkshake for Yuna to drink. It may not be able to erase the spiciness, but it can ease the pain.
A few moments later, with the help from both Grey and Marika, Yuna's pain was finally subdued. Now, only sweetness remained in her mouth as she finished her coconut milkshake, on the verge of tears.
"Haah... Seriously, you should be more careful." ［Grey］
"Uuu... Sorry..." ［Marika］
Of course, what came after her little blunder was a scolding full of love from Grey. They did receive quite a bit of panic attack after it. Even if it's just a little, a tiny bit of scolding is still a must.
"I even told you to be careful, didn't I?" ［Grey］
"You did, but... Marika said it's just a little spicy, so I thought it would be okay. I didn't think it would be that bad..." ［Yuna］
"Umm... But, Big Sister Yuna, it really wasn't that spicy, you know?" ［Marika］
Shock. All there was shock in their faces. As Grey and Yuna looked at Marika, they couldn't believe their ears heard. Even Grey, who's quite resistant to the heat, wouldn't say such a thing. It was simply too unbelievable.
A clumsy nature, knowledge in various areas, expertise in bargaining, and now, even an extreme resistance to spiciness. No matter how one looked at it, Marika's traits were all over the place. She was simply too absurd, they couldn't help but stare at her.
"Umm... Is something on my face...?" ［Marika］
"Ah, no... Nothing at all..." ［Grey］
CHAPTER 243 END