The air smells amazing!
Once the stew began to simmer, she added the chopped potatoes and carrots, letting them cook until they softened.
Lastly, she stirred in the sliced bell-pepper-like vegetables for a pop of color and sweetness.
I hope I won't suffer from food poisoning, after all, I used alternatives and there were no tutorials on cleaning the meat and vegetables online.
Athena tasted the stew, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. The flavors were warm and comforting, a perfect blend of savory and tangy.
It doesn't taste similar to how I cooked it back on Earth, but it's also several times better than a nutrient solution.
Pouring the stew into a bowl, she glanced at the simple yet hearty dish she had created. For the first time since waking in this strange new world, Athena felt a sense of normalcy.
"If this body couldn't handle proper food before, it certainly can now," she murmured, taking a bite. The flavors danced on her tongue, and for a moment, all her worries faded away.
Athena glanced at the remaining ingredients and decided to try something different, two dishes she hadn't made in years, pork humba and pork siopao.
Both were comforting recipes that reminded her of her old life.
I used to dream of becoming a chef, but my hands were covered in blood and I could only learn secretly.
As an assassin, my life was not mine, and I have no right to decide what happens next.
She started with the pork humba, a sweet and savory stew that originated in her past life's tropical islands.
First, she cut the pork belly into thick chunks, appreciating the marbled fat that promised a rich flavor.
She marinated the pork in an alternative soy sauce, a sprinkle of sugar, and a dash of alternative vinegar, letting the mixture sit while she prepared the other ingredients.
Thankfully, sugar is available in this era.
She minced garlic, sliced onions, and chopped dried fruits she had found in the market, similar to Earth's dried bananas or plantains, which added sweetness to the dish.
Athena also selected a few star-shaped spices, reminiscent of star anise, to enhance the aroma.
Heating a pot, she sautéed the garlic and onions until they were fragrant, then added the marinated pork, browning it on all sides.
She poured in the marinade along with water to create the base of the stew.
To deepen the flavor, she added dried fruits, star spices, and a touch more sugar. As the dish simmered, the aroma filled her kitchen, making her stomach rumble.
I can't wait to eat!
While the humba cooked, Athena turned her attention to the siopao, soft steamed buns filled with savory pork.
She started by making the dough.
The texture of the flour here was better.
Combining flour, an alternative yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bowl, she kneaded the mixture until it formed a smooth, elastic ball.
So cute!
Setting it aside to rise, she focused on the filling.
She diced more pork and sautéed it with garlic, onions, and a sweet-savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar.
Once the pork was cooked and the sauce reduced to a sticky glaze, she added hard-boiled beast eggs, slicing them into small pieces to mix into the filling.
Let me taste it...
So good!
By the time the dough had risen, the filling had cooled. Athena divided the dough into small portions, rolling them into flat discs.
She scooped a spoonful of the pork mixture into the center of each piece, folding the edges to seal them into neat buns.
Using a makeshift steamer crafted from items she found online, she steamed the siopao in batches until the buns were soft and fluffy.
The sweet scent of the dough mingled with the rich humba simmering nearby, creating an enticing aroma that made Athena smile.
I feel hungry again.
Once everything was ready, Athena tested each dish with the radiation detector.
0%
Satisfied that they were entirely safe, she portioned the humba into several food containers and packed the siopao neatly alongside them.
I need to meet Athena's family.
Her kitchen counter was now filled with meals, carefully prepared and stored. The sight of it gave her a sense of accomplishment.
These will be tokens for them.
Finally, she changed into more presentable clothes, ready to visit her family home for the first time since inheriting this body.
Athena left with the food containers in hand, a sense of nervousness and excitement filled her heart.
"Let's see what kind of people the Demerins really are," she murmured, locking the door behind her.
Thankfully, the weather is not too cold.
Athena decided to take a public hover bus this time, a mode of transportation she hadn't experienced in this new life.
The bus was packed with people, their conversations creating a gentle hum that filled the air.
She found a seat near the window and settled in quietly, her gaze fixed on the ever-changing cityscape outside.
What a beautiful era.
Despite her rising popularity over the past two years, it seemed her fame wasn't enough to make her recognizable to the average person in public.
No one stared, whispered, or even acknowledged her presence. It was oddly comforting, a rare moment of anonymity she hadn't realized she missed.
Do popular artists also have fan bases here? Will they be as exaggerated as those back on Earth? I wonder...
When the bus slowed to a stop at the X327 station, the one closest to her family's estate, Athena quickly disembarked, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Uncertainty and excitement swirled in her chest as she saw the streets she knew so well from sorting Athena's memories.
Stepping aside to avoid the bustling crowd, she activated her optical brain and called her brother.
I hope he answers.
The line connected almost instantly.
"Athena?" Her brother's voice came through, warm and familiar.
"Brother," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Can you send someone to pick me up? I'm at the X327 Bus Station. I… I plan to come home."
As an assassin, I can adapt to changes and act like the real Athena.
Master how she portrays herself.
There was a moment of silence, then an unmistakable note of joy filled his tone.
"Really? You're coming home? Wait, let me pick you up myself! Stay there, I'll be there soon."
The sheer excitement in his voice made Athena's chest tighten with relief.
Luckily, he did not notice anything.
She hadn't been sure how the original owner's family felt about her, but this call eased her fears. Clearly, her brother cared deeply for her.
As she ended the call, Athena allowed herself a small smile.
I never had a family to call in my previous life.
The bustling sounds of the station faded into the background as she realized something important, this family, though unfamiliar to her, might just be a source of warmth.
Fate is truly good to me. I never thought I'd have a family in this life.
She stepped back into the shade of the station and waited, her nervous heart now a little lighter.
I just need to protect my life and my family in this life. I don't know what surprises await ahead of me, but I want to cherish the opportunity to have what I lacked.