BXBX NOVEL Chapter 24 Celebration?
-Fain's POV-
I finally woke up early this morning. I've been informed that there will be a celebration in the city. This appears to be the method they have devised to express their gratitude to their saviors... Obviously, this was me and my team.
I'm now going through my morning routine... Which consists of: washing my average face, brushing my teeth, and checking the mirror to see if there's anything out of the ordinary about my complexion.
I noticed that my body was becoming more developed and that my muscles were well proportioned... They are not swelling but more on the compact and dense muscle type.
'Must be from my rigorous training and Akisame's muscle enhancement method...' I speculated in my head.
After I finish whatever I need to finish. I go directly through the building's office to cook breakfast... After tasting my cooking on a random day when they visited me in my apartment, Michael and Kidd insisted that it was my responsibility from then on.
I can't say I blame them... My level 5 cooking talent is enough to put professional chefs from my previous life to shame.
I noticed Kidd in my peripheral vision as I walked downstairs. He was posing shirtless in front of the mirror, doing some bodybuilding pose to flex his muscles.
"Hey, can you stop that... You look like a shady guy with some ulterior motives in the middle of a random street," I said flatly...
"Ouch... My brittle heart is crumbling." He responded with an exaggerated pained face.
I gave him a serious look and said. "If you don't stop right away, you'll be the one cooking for us today."
His face turned green, as if he'd eaten shit, and he hurriedly says in a panicked voice. "Stop, I wil- I will..."
I then went to the kitchen...
"I will notify Michael first, He told me to immediately report to him If you are ready to cook." He said while staring at my leaving back with helplessness in his voice and left.
...
I was now in the kitchen, and I placed four eggs in a saucepan of boiling water, then cooked them over low heat for four to five minutes before draining them.
Following that... I cut the tops off and seasoned them with salt and pepper. They go well with toast strips.
Because of my ability... I have a strong sense of when things are going to fall into place. I know instinctively when to adjust the heat so that it does not overcook. I can also smell the ingredients and spices while cooking, and I can tell if something is wrong with the procedure by using my sense of smell.
In addition to my dexterity, reflexes, and movement speed. I can perform complex movements precisely and without errors. In the kitchen, I can be described as a machine, but I also have human creativity.
After that, I continue to prepare my own recipe... Stuffed Pork Chops with Smoked Gouda and Bacon It was simple and elegant enough to make in a short amount of time. I started by preheating an outdoor grill to medium heat. Second, in a small mixing bowl... I mixed the cheese, bacon, parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper together. Third, I laid the chop flat on the cutting board and cut a pocket into the pork, going all the way to the bone but leaving the sides intact, with a sharp knife held parallel to the board.
I put the cheese mixture into a pocket and secured it with a wooden toothpick. Brush the meat with oil and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Finally, the most important step... I lightly oiled the grill grate and grilled it for five to eight minutes on each side, or until the pork was done. I take great care not to overcook it...
Exactly like that... Voila! You've made a simple but delicious breakfast!
...
-5 hours later-
Following the brief episode of eating with Michael and Kidd, I am now joining them in a celebration prepared by the Civilians we rescued.
There are many people greeting us with friendly smiles...
"Thank you for saving this city!" "We will be eternally grateful!" "Mister... someday I hope to be like you." "Michael, I want to bear your child!!"
Various yells are raining down on us... Some are from children, some from adolescent girls, and the majority are from adults.
I can't help but smile at their genuine display; in my previous life, I didn't even know what this kind of feeling was like because I was mostly inside the house caring for my sick mother. This is the first time I've felt anything like this... I feel as if something warm is flowing through my entire being. The stress and tension I had accumulated since arriving here have suddenly vanished. I'm feeling lighter and less stressed.
Michael looked at me and smiled slightly, as if sensing my subtle change...I just nodded at him with my usual smile, but it was a genuine smile this time, not the one I use to hide my emotions.
Suddenly, an elderly man approached us, his face filled with hatred, and yelled. "My daughter died because you were all too late; if only you had been a minute earlier!"
When the guard noticed the commotion, he attempted to apprehend the old man, but Michael intervened. "No, he was correct... If we had arrived a little earlier, nothing like that would have happened."
Michael's face was filled with regret...
When he saw this, the old man calmed down and realized he had crossed the line. "No, it was me who was wrong... I wronged you for something you couldn't control, and I apologize for my rude behavior... I was just blinded with grief over my daughter's death."
His tone was remorseful, and his eyes were hollow. After that, he bowed to us and left on his own accord.
Michael sighed and looked at us with sadness. "You don't need to blame yourself; I am the one who is responsible."
Kidd looked at Michael with a rare seriousness. "No, it's not your fault... We already did what we can to the best of our abilities. Looked at the children with smiles on their faces. Looked at the complete family happily laughing with each other. Look at the way they are looking at us. Don't invalidate the good things you did for others. We are the reason that they can continue to be with their loved ones. So, Don't blame yourself for something you can't control but instead focus on the present and continue to move forward with firm conviction... Countless people are waiting for our help in the future.
Kidd quickly left the two of us and went in a different direction to avoid the awkwardness that his blabbering would cause.
With surprise, I looked at the departing figure... I wasn't expecting our team's usually playful and goofy member to still have this side to him. I now see him in a different light and have a newfound respect for him.
Michael smiled at me, relieved, as he reflected on Kidd's words. "He's right... I just need to relax and keep moving forward to do what I can."
"Michael... you are strong, but you are too good-natured. It is not wrong to be kind, but you must ensure that you will not be exploited as a result of it..." I advised him with my two lifetimes of experience and went toward the girls to test my rusty flirting skills. Well... In reality, I was giving him space to think and reflect on his actions. After all, in this cruel world, good people die young.
Michael looked up at the sky, puzzled, and murmured. "I am older than them, but they are more mature in this type of thing than I am..."
He sighed a little... But, unbeknownst to him, a genuine smile had appeared on his face.