Aaron was seen lounging around the bathhouse with no cares in the world, his eyes trailed all around the room a bit uncaring about what was happening.
The world outside, with its neverending problems, seemed miles away. He closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh. Just what he needed – a nice, long rest to unwind.
Of course, trouble, like a pesky mosquito, had a knack for ruining his moments of peace. The sudden burst of the door slamming open shattered the tranquility. Two figures, a woman in glasses and a man in a partially-buttoned brown jacket, rushed in, their faces etched with panic.
Aaron cracked open an eye, his gaze trailing disinterestedly across the newcomers. He watched as they approached Ikki, their voices a frantic jumble of words. They were with some agency under attack by... deadmen? Interesting timing, he thought, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.
A jealous fan, perhaps? Or maybe Olteca had somehow managed to escape that Fenix jail. Yami had supposedly broken the guy's spirit, but stranger things had happened. Aaron even recalled Yami mentioning Olteca taking a little "trip" with Tyrone... another dead Japanese man on his record. A pattern, perhaps, but not one Aaron felt compelled to unravel. Let the bull wallow in his mess.
"Aaron, want to come with?" Ikki's voice cut through his musings.
Aaron finally lifted his head, a flicker of interest stirring in his yellow eyes. A little exercise wouldn't hurt. Besides, he was curious about what Ikki needed his help with.
"Help with... a comedian duo?" Ikki explained, his voice laced with urgency.
Aaron snorted, a single, incredulous laugh escaping his lips. He arched an eyebrow, fixing Ikki with a pointed stare. "Do I look like a stand-up routine kind of guy to you?"
The room fell silent. The question, it seemed, answered itself. Aaron was well known for his comedic timing.
However he currently had an ice princess to take care of.
The room hung heavy with silence. The question, it seemed, was self-evident. Aaron, with his sharp wit and impeccable timing, was renowned for his comedic talent.
A more pressing concern gnawed at him, however. "As much as I'd love to leave them laughing," he said with a sly grin, "there's an ice princess I need to keep an eye on." His gaze flickered knowingly towards Miyuki, who promptly averted her eyes.
Wasn't this just precious? Petty, even. Who would have thought the dignified Miyuki, princess of her race, could be so easily annoyed?
Salty about her loss, it seemed. Ikki's eyes lingered on Miyuki, and he understood Aaron's earlier comment after their brief interaction. Her power was undeniable, a dangerous cocktail of strength and hidden depths.
"Life sure throws you curveballs," Aaron muttered under his breath, pushing himself out of the chair. It was time for some fresh air.
As Aaron and Miyuki stepped outside, she remained detached from her surroundings. As Aaron and Miyuki emerged from the building, the princess continued her icy act, her gaze fixed on a distant point. Aaron, however, couldn't help but notice her eyes flick towards a brightly colored ice cream stand across the street. A smirk played on his lips.
"Well, well," he drawled, "doesn't the mighty ice princess have a sweet tooth?"
Miyuki's lips remained pursed in a thin line. "Hmph. As if I, of all beings, would stoop to such pedestrian desires."
Aaron chuckled, completely unfazed by her attempt at stoicism. "Sure you wouldn't," he said, already sauntering towards the stand. "Just admiring the, uh, exquisite craftsmanship of the vendor's cart, I presume?"
Miyuki scoffed, but a faint blush crept up her neck, betraying her earlier interest. Aaron returned, holding a vanilla ice cream cone with a triumphant grin.
"Here," he said, extending it towards her. "Just a little something to, you know, thaw that frosty exterior of yours."
Miyuki glared at the cone as if it were a personal affront. "I have no need for such sugary concoctions," she declared, her voice tight.
"Oh, come on, Princess," Aaron teased, waving the cone closer. "Live a little! Unless you're afraid a little ice cream might melt your royal composure?"
Miyuki snatched the cone from his hand with surprising force, nearly knocking it to the ground.
"Fine," she muttered, breaking eye contact and focusing intently on the ice cream as if it held the secrets of the universe. "But don't think this makes us friends."
"Heh,you still plan on killing dont ya"Aaron said bluntly as he look at her to which she didn't either deny it or agreed with it.
Wasn't this fun fucking tactic,what did he do to deserve his own manhunt.
a few memory came to mind to which he just mentally just said
"fair enough"
If he did know it would have come to this he probably would faked his death better,he would 100% still participate in that competition once again because when he did go to participate is because he needed money and food and the winner would have gotten both...
He was barely making it by so that food was godsent to him.
Aaron sigh looking at the princess,if he were to go by the tradition that she loved to talk about she was technically his fiancé....and yet she was trying to kill him.
What with him and attracting woman that want his death...also considering his curse there was no way to make her actually change her mind.
By her people logic might make right but personally for him,he doesn't believe that....he prefer when people are given a choice.
"Don't look at me like that I am not exactly thrill at the idea of piping an ice cube."Aaron said looking at the ice princess she was annoyed it seem.
She was about to reach her limits and may try to hunt him again.
"calm down Snow White,no need to freeze this whole town over a joke,it's a joke not a dick don't take it to hard"...
pov change.
Aaron lay huddled within his meager shelter, his best effort at warmth a thin blanket barely containing his tremors. Rui rushed to his side, concern etched on her face. A quick check of his temperature confirmed her fears - he was dangerously cold.
She wasted no time, grabbing a blanket soaked in hot water and pressing it against his head. Even after removing it, the thermometer dipped again, revealing an alarmingly low reading. Aaron's breaths were shallow and slow, sending chills down Rui's spine.
Hurriedly, she reached for a nearby medical console, her eyes scanning the vital signs displayed on the screen. A frantic flurry of activity filled her mind as she observed the desperate measures Aaron's body was taking to survive.
In a fascinating display of biological resilience, Aaron's metabolism kicked into overdrive. His body began a rapid breakdown of calories and fat reserves, using the liberated energy to fuel a furnace within. The temperature reading on the console started a steady climb, an alarming ascent fueled by the desperate burning of his reserves.
But the human body is a marvel of adaptation. Alongside the heat generation, Rui witnessed the activation of Aaron's internal defenses. His body launched a counteroffensive against the cold, producing a surge of natural antibiotics to combat any potential opportunistic infections that might arise due to his weakened state.
It was as if Aaron's body had declared war on the frigid invader. In a fight for survival, his physiology was undergoing a rapid shift, adapting to the harsh environment with a surprising and almost intelligent tenacity.
Rui let out a defeated sigh. This whole ordeal had left her Nii-san in a precarious state. Once he woke up, the intense metabolic burn would leave him ravenous. She needed to get him something incredibly nourishing, something to replenish his depleted reserves.
A determined glint entered her eyes. Curry. It was a dish she'd never attempted before, but the thought of her brother needing a comforting and hearty meal fueled her resolve. With a newfound purpose, she marched towards the kitchen.
Pulling out the ingredients, Rui laid them on the counter like soldiers awaiting their deployment. First, she tackled the vegetables. Chopping onions released a sharp tang that brought tears to her eyes, but she persisted, turning them into a fine dice. Next came the vibrant red peppers, their crunch echoing with each slice. She added them to the growing pile, a symphony of colors taking shape.
Heat danced across the bottom of a pot as oil shimmered within. Rui carefully lowered in the diced vegetables, watching them sizzle and soften. The aroma filled the room, a savory promise of warmth and sustenance.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a spice blend, its fragrance a complex mix of earthiness and heat. With a practiced hand, she sprinkled it over the vegetables, letting the flavors bloom before adding a generous amount of coconut milk. The liquid swirled into a creamy embrace, promising a richness that would coat and nourish.
As the curry simmered, Rui searched for something to add protein. Spotting a package of firm tofu, inspiration struck. She cubed it meticulously, then pan-fried it until golden brown on all sides. The tofu absorbed the flavors of the oil, adding a delightful textural contrast to the creamy base.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived. She gently folded the tofu into the simmering pot, letting it mingle with the fragrant gravy. A sprinkle of fresh herbs finished the dish, adding a touch of brightness to the vibrant concoction.
Stepping back, Rui surveyed her handiwork with a critical yet hopeful eye. The kitchen smelled like a warm embrace, a promise of comfort and healing. It wasn't perfect, but it was made with love, and that, she hoped, would be enough to nourish her brother back to health.
Considering Aaron's imminent hunger pangs, Rui embarked on a culinary quest to create a symphony of nourishing dishes for her Nii-san.
First up was the comforting classic, chicken noodle soup. She simmered a pot of water, watching it dance with lively bubbles as she gently shredded plump, boneless chicken breasts. The broth was infused with aromatic vegetables - diced carrots, celery, and onions - their essences melding into a fragrant, golden elixir. As a final touch, she swirled in thin egg noodles, their delicate strands promising a textural contrast to the soft chicken.
Next, she turned her attention to a dish bursting with restorative power: salmon with roasted vegetables. A glistening fillet of salmon lay on a bed of chopped vegetables - broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, and sliced zucchini - all glistening with a light coating of olive oil. Rui seasoned them generously with herbs like rosemary and thyme, then sent the tray to the oven, where the vegetables would roast to tender perfection while the salmon baked to a flaky, protein-rich delight.
Not wanting to neglect his need for carbohydrates, Rui whipped up a batch of fluffy brown rice. The nutty aroma filled the air as the grains steamed in a pot, promising a comforting and easily digestible base for the other dishes.
Finally, for a touch of sweetness and a burst of vitamins, she prepared a simple fruit salad. Colorful cubes of watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe mingled with juicy blueberries and sliced strawberries. A drizzle of honey added a touch of natural sweetness, creating a refreshing and light end to the nourishing feast.
Rui surveyed the spread with a sense of accomplishment. It wasn't fancy gourmet cooking, but each dish was crafted with love and intention, designed to replenish her brother's strength and aid his recovery. The kitchen, once filled with the sterile hum of medical machinery, now vibrated with the warmth of creation and the promise of a delicious homecoming for her Nii-san.
A/N....yep that their dynamic...Also while we here,i want to see what yall guess how this world end,i want to hear yall prediction.