Entering the kitchen, Hirvan searched for the ingredients to make his signature dish: omurice. He washed the rice and put it in a rice cooker, then cut some chicken thighs into small bite-sized pieces.
Hirvan stir-fried the chicken and onions, seasoning them with ketchup. He let the excess moisture evaporate, then added the steamed rice, tossing it to combine before setting it aside. He beat the eggs with salt and strained them through a fine-mesh strainer. Melting butter in a frying pan, he added the egg mixture, stirring constantly with a pair of chopsticks. When the eggs were half-cooked, he placed the chicken rice in the centre of the omelette and wrapped both sides around the rice in an oval shape. Inverting the omurice onto a plate, he drizzled a zigzag pattern of ketchup on top for a finishing touch.
Mara and Hannah expected Hirvan to defrost some precooked meals or something, but after waiting for a while, they didn't see him return.
Suddenly, a delightful aroma wafted through the house. The two girls stood up to find the source of it. Along the way, they ran into Sheryl and Bradly.
Mara scanned their hands but didn't see anything.
"Weren't you the ones who ordered take-out? Why are your hands empty?" she asked, confused.
"I thought you guys did and were enjoying it behind our backs!"
Sheryl replied, raising an eyebrow. She could smell the heavenly scent from upstairs, and it was driving her crazy. Given her older brother's unreliable history, she assumed he had forgotten about them. Dragging Bradly downstairs, she intended to catch him in the act and grab some food for themselves.
But the reality was different from her imagination.
"So, where is it coming from?"
Hannah asked, hungry out of her wits.
Bradly pointed to the kitchen. " There!"
Sneaking to the kitchen, they peeked inside. What they saw left them speechless.
When Hirvan raised his head, he saw rows of heads at the kitchen door, staring at him with drooling mouths. He chuckled and asked, "Who wants to try my cooking first?"
The three girls hesitated to risk their tongues for someone who had never cooked before, while Bradly rushed towards Hirvan eagerly.
Bradly took the first bite, his eyes widening in surprise and delight.
"This is amazing!" he exclaimed, prompting the girls to try it as well.
Hirvan began to cook for everyone, placing plates on the table.
"Come on. There's plenty for everyone," he said with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Hirvan's culinary skills impressed everyone, especially considering their initial scepticism.
Their cautious bites turned into enthusiastic eating as they praised Hirvan's cooking.
"Wow, Hirvan! This is really good," Hannah said between bites.
"Yeah, you should cook more often," Mara added, momentarily forgetting her earlier excitement about Mrs. Smith's home in favour of the delicious food.
Sheryl didn't even raise her head and was fully concentrated on eating.
Hirvan beamed with happiness, sat down, and began eating his portion.
However, his joyful moment was short-lived. In his mind, a scene from his past appeared. They resided in the Tiger Gang dormitory, which was small and outdated. While eating his unappealing food, his son's small faces shone with joy. His cooking was not very palatable at that time. Despite this, they were pleased to have their fill.
' I missed them.'
Hirvan's mood dropped unexpectedly.
"When did you learn to cook?" Mara asked with a muffled voice, her cheeks bulging with food.
Mara's question calmed his downcast mood.
'Don't dwell on the past!'
Hirvan warned himself.
"Recently. It was one of my hunting skills that I horned for quite a time," Hirvan lied without batting an eye.
Hearing his response, Sheryl choked and glared at Hirvan. "Are you crazy? Bradly is sitting here! And we are eating! Don't mention disgusting things!"
"What is disgusting? Do you have a problem with his sexuality?" Mara, like a protective mama hen, puffed her feathers and bit back at Sheryl.
"What? No, I meant his way of speaking and what it implies! If he had been able to have one long-lasting boyfriend in the past years, I would have celebrated a week of happiness! But he set a bad example for my little brother with his behaviour!"
Hirvan paused in his eating and stared at Sheryl with deep eyes. For the first time, he understood why his sister had issues with the original owner.
"Sheryl, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to you. It doesn't matter if you can't forgive my past actions and deeds. However, I promise you, from now on, I will be a proper older brother and won't embarrass you or our family," Hirvan vowed in front of them.
Sheryl's response was silence, but her eyes softened, and she did not throw daggers at him.
Mara and Hannah glanced at Hirvan and his sister secretly. They were stuck in the middle of a family drama, and one of them had initiated the argument!
Mara thought she had really put her foot in her mouth. Why did I open my mouth and speak? Maybe I should try a silence fast!
A small, milky voice broke the stalemate between them. "What about me?"
Hirvan broke eye contact with Sheryl, surprised to see Bradly actively participating in the conversation. He stood up and walked toward the boy, crouching down to place his head at Bradly's level.
"You're my cute little brother. Of course, I should be good to you. I'm sorry I was an awful brother to you. Will you give me another chance to redeem myself?"
Bradly stared at Hirvan's serious face, not detecting any malice or joking. With peace of mind, he nodded.
Hirvan stroked Bradly's head, feeling a surge of fatherly love.
Witnessing their interaction, Sheryl resumed eating her food. Out of the corner of his eye, Hirvan noticed her action and knew she had partially forgiven him.
"Who wants seconds? I made a lot of food!" Hirvan clapped his hands together and said cheerfully.
Mara lifted her plate and demanded more. "Me! And draw a heart on it with ketchup!"
Hirvan chuckled, appreciating Mara's help in easing the tense atmosphere. "Coming up!"
He grabbed the plate, ready to go to the kitchen when someone tugged at his clothes.
"Hmm?"
"Me too," Sheryl said in a small voice.
Hirvan itched to tease her but stopped himself, fearing he might break the delicate peace between them. He collected the plates and went to cook more omurice.
' See. Cooking is always a great way to bring people together!'
Hirvan's smile was filled with pride.