Chapter 34- God Of Cooking
'Fuuh, what is wrong with me… I never thought I will have such a nightmare.' After splashing his face with water, Asher stared into the mirror. His wet face was clearly reflected in him.
His face now was completely different from the one he had on earth. However, he wasn't that good-looking. His face was very soft and weak, normal traits of a 15-year-old kid. His black hair was slightly longer than normal, dropping down to his neck and covering a good chunk of his forehead.
'I need a haircut…' Twisting a strand of hair in his hand, Asher sighed and turned around to walk away. However, he noticed something weird.
"What is this weird smell?" He murmured before walking outside only to be met with a cloud of black smoke that made him cough.
"Huh?! What is going on?! Is the house on fire?!"
Running toward the origin of the fire, he found himself inside the kitchen with Rain standing in the middle, coughing frantically.
"What happened?!" He asked hurriedly.
"Uh, cough! I'm cooking dinner." She said as she pointed at the stove.
There, Asher could see a pot that was the origin of this black smoke. Immediately, his tense expression relaxed as he held his face.
"What kind of dinner is this?"
"It's beef stew." Rain replied.
'How do you even burn stew?! Is that possible?' Approaching the cooking pot, he took a look inside before he frowned. The content was basically nothing but a black, weird substance that he couldn't even determine it's initial ingredients.
"Uh, what did you use to make this?"
"Beef, water, sugar-"
"Sugar?"
"Yeah…"
"Why did you even use sugar?"
"... Sweetness is good."
"... Sigh." Shaking his head, Asher didn't even have the energy to say anything to her innocent response.
'I almost forgot that Rain was a very very bad cook. She also has an insatiable sweet tooth.'
"Uh, can you allow me to cook dinner?"
"Hm? I don't mind. But, do you know how to even cook?"
'I'm definitely better than you…' Asher restrained himself from saying so and instead nodded his head.
"I think I can make something not half bad."
"Hmm, ok. Go ahead. I will continue working in my room if you need anything."
"Mm, thank you."
After that, Rain left Asher alone in the kitchen. The latter smiled and rolled his sleeves.
"Ok, let's put my 12 years of living alone to good use." He murmured before he immediately started working.
***
Sometime later, Rain walked into her father's room.
"Dad, time for dinner."
"Uh… R-Really?"
"Yeah. Should I help you walk to the dinner table?"
"N-No need. Ehem, I will be there in a moment."
When his daughter left, Rizou sighed and took a deep breath.
'I must not make a face. No matter what she serves me. I must keep a smile. It's just food. Just close your nostrils and eat.' He slapped his cheeks a few times and then walked outside.
Since Rizou can't really exert much strength, Rain was the one responsible for dinner most of the time. However, the girl was not good at cooking at all. This turned a simple dinner into a daily challenge for Rizou who didn't want to hurt his daughter's feelings. So, he had to always keep a smile and make sure to tell her that it was delicious no matter what.
When he reached the dinner table, the man was instead shocked by the sight.
"What is… this?" He murmured.
Many dishes riddled the table. They were all different and yet the smell was so amazing that Rizou could barely believe his eyes.
Looking to the side, he also saw Rain standing with a stupified expression drawn all over her face.
"Did you… Uh, make this?"
"No. It was Asher."
"The boy? He made this?"
As the two shared a complicated look, the boy in-talk walked inside the room holding two plates.
"Oh, you're already here. Come on, sit down. I didn't find much in the fridge so I had to come up with something simple." He said.
'Something simple…' Hearing the last part, Rizou, and Rain didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 'If this was simple then what is complicated?
"The food is gonna get cold, guys."
"Uh, right. Let's, ahem, let's sit down."
The trio then took a seat around the table. After that, Asher served them a portion of each dish.
The two then took a taste of the food.
"..."
Seconds passed in silence as Asher waited for their reaction anxiously. Since he had never cooked for anyone before, he was a little anxious about the outcome. However, the next second, that worry dissapeared. The duo took a mouthful of food and then another mouthful and a mouthful after that.
In a matter of minutes, they finished their dishes in complete silence.
"Asher, boy… Can I ask you a question?" Rizou spoke with a very serious expression.
"Uh, yes?"
"Are you looking for a wife?"
"No? Why?" Asher replied instinctively.
"Marry my daughter."
"Huh?!" Blinking in surprise, Asher instinctively looked at Rain who was also quite shocked by her father's words.
"This food is too delicious! No, it's not simply delicious. It's a god sent! You're definitely worth marrying my daughter purely for your skills in the kitchen!"
'Huh? What kind of cliche outcome is this?! I've never thought I would end up being proposed to by the father!' Asher didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Dad…" Suddenly, a cold voice penetrated the room, making the two men look at Rain. Her face had turned a shade darker as she glared at her father.
"Wait, dear daughter… It was just a joke! A joke!"
"Don't joke with that stuff, you old fart!"
"AAAAAHHH!!"
*BONK*
Rain punched Rizou on the head powerfully.
"That hurts! Are you trying to kill your own father?!"
"That seems like an enticing idea." Rain replied while cracking her fingers. Her expression was as menacing as ever.
"No! I'm sorry, ok? I'm really sorry."
"Sigh… I'm sorry for his behavior." Turning around, Rain apologized.
"Don't worry. I didn't take it to heart."
"Mm, the food was really delicious though. I never thought you were this good at cooking."
"He must be the god of cooking, descending to grace us with great food. Yeah, that must be it. After all these years of suffering, we can finally eat." Rizou said excitedly.
"So you don't like my food, huh?"
"No, no! I didn't mean that!" The old man realized his mistake and tried to quickly salvage the situation. But, it was over.
"Well, I did learn how to cook myself but I never cooked for someone before. Seeing you two enjoy my food made me really glad." Smiling warmly, Asher gave his honest feelings.
'I kind of understand why chefs are passionate about their craft. Seeing the delighted expression of people is truly something worth the effort.'
Rain stared at the boy for a few seconds speechlessly. For some reason, she found his smile eye-catching. In a world filled with scum and cruelty, a pure smile was something she rarely saw in people. Yet, deep inside, even though she wasn't aware of it, it did captivate her for a second.
"... I see." Rain murmured as she quickly turned around to hide her face.