Spsh lop Ripple

  The sun is up on the horizon, the sea sparkling brightly like a treasure chest of gems and crystals as its rays refle the waters' surface. The sound of the spshing waves and shifting sands serving as background music to such a beautiful sery.

  A pair of crabs danced on the sandy shore iune of the whistling gales, a lovely pair of walnut-colored orbs serving as their audience. She gazed and observed the dance, curious as one be.

  "Capel, what are you doing?" ［Vega］

  "A-Ah! I... I'm crabs..." ［Capel］

  "Crabs? Are they that iing?" ［Vega］

  The little furball asked as she tilted her, staring at the crabs with such pure and bright eyes. Soon, she id down the pure white sand, waggiail enthusiastically as she joined Capel on her little observation.

  "Then, I'll be joining you then!" ［Vega］

  "H-Huh? Weren't you still expl?" ［Capel］

  "Don't worry! I'm already done! And it's more fun with Capel!" ［Vega］

  A bright smile appeared on Vega's furry face as she said such, making Capel a tad bit embarrassed. She may like teasing her most of the time, but that's just her way of showing affe to those she cares about.

  Deep inside, she treasures Capel very much. They are pretty much twins, after all, always together all the time. Now, there are two pairs of eyes the crabs dand listening to the rhythm pying in the air.

  "Oh? You're already done pying around, Vega?" ［Kentaurus］

  "Yes! Now, I'm watg crabs with Capel!" ［Vega］

  "Crabs...?" ［opus］

  Well, there were two of them... As soon as the other familiars saw them, they quickly huddled up and joihem on their little observation, satisfying their curiosity as they eheir time with one another.

  Of course, the og over them was her than the g Sirius and the protective Arcturus, like older siblings babysitting their younger siblings, only that they were in the form of little furballs. It was a stra heartwarming sight.

  "Hahaha. Looks like they're getting along like usual." ［Grey］

  Chuckled Grey, watg over the familiars. Though he doesn't py with them as much as Yuna does, he still treasures them as their important partners. Seeing them like that sometimes makes him fet they were actually very powerful High Dragons. It truly makes one wonder.

  All the ess aside, Grey was now in the middle of preparing for their outing. With the ingredients they brought yesterday, it was now time to prepare the new dishes he will cook alongside their all time favorites.

  Though there isn't anything wrong with his curreoire, expanding it wouldn't hurt. And now that the number of ingredients has increased, the cook inside of him is itg to try out some hings. He is fired up!

  Especially with such wonderful sery to fill his heart. And on top of that, he was also under one of the many huts and sheds they'll be using ter on. Heck, he even made one which looked like a tiki bar just for fun.

  As for Yuna, she's currently busy surveying the coast to see anything hy for their outing. Marika was also with her, guiding her around and showihe best sights one could wish for in the archipego.

  "Now then... Should I also get started?" ［Grey］

  A smile on his face, Grey raised his sleeves and picked up his trusty knife. A hand reached out to the baskets nearby and a couple onions were brought to the chopping board. Soon, chopping sounds echoed with the waves.

  There isn't only one or two dishes inside Grey's mind, there were a myriad that he wao try out. Of which, some were something he only remembered seeing oelevision s. Dishes he didn't have the ake before.

  Well, that was all in the past now. What matters is the present which he's in right now. With the amount of ingredients he has, he go wild without holding back. There was o be wary of failure. After all, undergoing trial and error is also part of a cook's life.

  " is garlic... Spring onions... Chives... Ginger..." ［Grey］

  He chopped and he chopped. As Grey moved his hands and khe chopped up herbs and spices started piling up oer another, bowls upon bowls showing up as if there was no tomorrow.

  If it wasn't for the fact that he was used to it, with the amount of onions he chopped, he would have cried multiple times already. But now, he was simply humming to himself as his hands moved at lightning speed.

  Fwish Sizzle Sizzle

  Soon, aromatic smells wafted through the air, mixing with the st of the sea. Just a whiff of the spices as they sizzled in hot oil was enough to arouse one's appetite and make their stomach growl. Even the familiars couldn't help but look.

  Though they mostly feed on corruption, they also eat real food from time to time and join Grey and Yuna on their meals. Just a single whiff from the aromas alone and they immediately knew an amazing dish on them.

  "Master, are you making hamburg steak again?" ［Sirius］

  "Hamburg steak! My favorite!" ［Vega］

  "Oh! Did someone say hamburg steak?!" ［Kentaurus］

  Oer ahe familiars headed trey's dire and took a seat from the wooden stalls present in the shed. All wore excited looks on their faces, their eyes sparkling as they wondered what Grey was cooking.

  Even Arcturus who is usually the most posed of the six couldn't help but stare in anticipation at the mention of hamburg steaks. After all, be it the king of beasts or the rulers of demons, all fall uhe allure and grandiosity of delicious foods.

  "Hahaha. Unfortunately, this isn't hamburg steak." ［Grey］

  "Hm? What is it then?" ［Kentaurus］

  "Well, you'll have to find out ter." ［Grey］

  Grey hummed and the familiars tilted their heads in fusion. The sizzling sounds tio echo as Grey stirred the spices and adjusted the fmes. The aroma only got stronger and more alluring with the passing of time.

  Soon, the familiars headed back to the bead the sea, and tinued pying amongst themselves. They spshed around, skipped about, and hopped cheerfully. They were adorable no matter where Grey looked at them.

  Sizzle Frizzle Fwosh

  The garlid onions turned golden brown and the sizzling echoed louder as the marinated pork were thrown into the mix, stirring and flipping them gently until they turned a nice golden brown color.

  Louder and louder the sizzle became, until such was turned into a simmer. Water and the marinade was added into the pot, letting the fmes do it work and make the stew boil. An aromatic st was adrift in the air.

  Pepper, bay leaves, pineapple, and a little bit of salt joihe mix and the pot was covered with a metal lid. All that was left was to let it simmer in medium heat and wait until the pork bees tender. A process which didn't take long with the use of a tool called magic.

  "And now, for my secret on!" ［Grey］

  The lid ened once again and a creamy white liquid oured into the pot. Bubbles formed and popped, and with a little bit of stirring, the stew whice had a rich, brown color had now turhe color of milk chocote.

  Of course, the liquid was her than ut milk which Grey had prepared beforehand. A sweet and creamy liquid which is one of the staple ingredients of Filipino cuisine and fearies.

  Grey had rarely cooked ut milk dishes in Merusia, and it was because of one simple reason. It is because even though there were uts avaible ba the mainnd's market, it is very little in quantity, not even worthy to speak of.

  But the same couldn't be said in Ti where uts are everywhere. There was o act reserved as he could just get ohout much effort. It was time to make ut dishes and fearies to his heart's tent!

  Sparkle Sparkle Sparkle

  No, it wasn't the glimmering sea. What arkling was Grey's eyes as he looked dow, steam greeting his face as he opehe lid. It has been so long since he saw such a glorious sight. It was heaven.

  "Finally... After so long...! It's pork adobo in ut milk!" ［Grey］

  A loud decration echoed towards the blue sea and blue sky, chasing the faraway horizon. He was happy... No, being happy was but a mere uatement. He was eted aatic. He was so touched, tears were f on the er of his eyes.

  "Wait! It's still too early to celebrate!" ［Grey］

  But of course, just what kind of Filipino dish would be plete without rice?... None! No Filipino dish is plete without rice! Rice is the testament to Filipino culture. Without it, one couldn't be called a Filipinoー No, you couldn't even be called Asian! Rice is a must!

  Not wasting any more time, Grey swiftly got himself a pte and scooped out a couple cups of rice. He then poured a bit of the stew and a couple pork pieces on the side. A heavenly dish was in front of him.

  "Then... Thank you for the meal..." ［Grey］

  Nervous as one be, Grey grabbed his spoon and scooped out a spoonful of rice, feeding it to himself. As soon as he did, his hand froze, heart rag wildly. It was just the stew, but it already tasted heavenly.

  After the stew-topped rice, Grey then took the pork with his bare hands and after a sie, the tenderness and juiess of the meat weled him. Couple it with the creamy taste of the ut milk. It was just like how he remembered it.

  "Dammit... So good..." ［Grey］

  It was delicious, alright. So delicious in fact that Grey could barely keep his calm. Not only that, it was a dish which holds a lot of memories for him, holding it very dearly in his heart. One of his mother's recipe.

  Other than his daily life with Yuna, it was the happiest he has been in his twoー no, three lives. It was such a simple dish yet he didn't think he would bring about such great happiness. The heavens were grag him.

  "Master, are you alright?" ［Arcturus］

  "Oh, Arcturus... No, I'm fine. Just a little too happy, I guess..." ［Grey］

  He was so happy that he didn't even notice Arcturus and the other familiars approach him. Thankfully, he wasn't g. Otherwise, he would have died inside from so much embarrassment. It was quite fortunate.

  "Right. Do you guys want a taste?" ［Grey］

  "Hm? we? How about the Mistress?" ［Arcturus］

  "Don't worry, I'll cook some more. There's o hold back." ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he opehe pot's lid once again. As soon as he did, the aromatic smell of the stew wafted through the air once again and invited everyone's appetite. Though it was their first time seeing such a dish, they weren't wary at all.

  """Thank you for the food!"""

  Though they couldn't pray like Grey and Yuna did, the familiars still bowed their heads to thank the heavens for the bestowed upon them. And as one would expect, they looked very cute when they did that Grey just had to snap a picture of them.

  Soon enough, the familiars also dug in the dish in front of them, wolfing their way through with rge smiles on their furry and fluffy faces. Smiles which turned even brighter as soon as they tasted Grey's cooking.

  "Amazing! Master, this is so good!" ［Vega］

  "That's right! I could eat this all day!" ［opus］

  "Mhm! D-Delicious!" ［Capel］

  "Hahaha! I'm gd you liked it!" ［Grey］

  Grey chuckled, not only because he was happy but also because he found it cute and funny that the familiars' faces were smeared with stew as they wolfed down their meal. They 't use spoons and forks, after all.

  But perhaps what was even more amazing was the fact that all they needed was a single lid the stew was gone from their snouts. Very magical and cartoonish, reminding Grey of the cartoon shows he oched as a kid.

  "Then... Let's make some more, shall we?" ［Grey］

  Fueled by the tasty pork adobo he just ate, Grey was now more motivated than ever as he grabbed his knives once again. They were the same knives by they glower with a much more beautiful sheen.

  Tap Chop Fizzle Sizzle Fwish Fwoosh

  A musical melody pyed out by the beach as Grey started moving again. Now, it was time to expand the menu with dishes he both knew and he had only seen on television and oer.

  And using his "Multitask" to the greatest effect, he was able to ultiple dishes at once, moving fast as lightni accurate and sharp as one be. It was as if he had a dozen arms, moving freely and rapidly like a jetstream.

  Sooable was filled with all kinds of ut milk dishes. From different varieties of adobo, bicol express, seafoods in ut milk, creamy chi soup, spicy beef steak, and many more. About a couple dozen dishes, to be exact.

  Of course, it's not just main dishes. There were also sweets and drinks along such a beautiful arra. There was cassava cake, ut ube rolls, maja bnca, a ton of rice cakes, ut milkshake, halo-halo, and more. It was a ut heaven!

  "Grey～! We're back～!" ［Yuna］

  And just in time as he fiwo familiar figures headed his way with bright smiles on their faces. They were her than Yuna and Marika who just returned from their exploration trip, satisfied and happy.

  "How was it? Did you find a lot of pces?" ［Grey］

  "Un! We found quite a few! I'm sure everyone will enjoy it!" ［Yuna］

  "That's good. We shouldn't bore them, after all." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Of course!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna replied with a bright smile, but her eyes were already looking elsewhere. They just arrived yet she already picked up the st from the dishes Grey had just cooked, and after her, Marika also looked in the same dire.

  "Now, now, o stare that hard."［Grey］

  "Mmn... I'm just a little curious is all..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Sure, sure... Then, should we have an early lunch? I'm sure you are hungry from all the exploration that you did." ［Grey］

  "U's do that! Early lunch!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna's energy was through the roof as she raised her closed fist towards the sky. And with Grey in the lead, the three theowards the hut to have their early lunch, and also taste-testing at the same time.

  The moment they were in, Yuna the ahead and curiously ied the dishes Grey made, tilting her head as she tiaring. Though some of the dishes were brand new, some looked familiar yet different.

  "Hm? Did you use ut milk Big Brrey?" ［Marika］

  "Yup, and quite a lot of them at that. It seems like you also use them here in Ti, right? ut milk, that is." ［Grey］

  "Yes, we do... But not with these many dishes..." ［Marika］

  Well, it wasn't only Yuna who was mesmerized about the dishes before them. Even Marika who grew up using ut milk from time to time was also ied in how Grey used them. They were both curious.

  "Grey, was ut milk that thing you were makierday?" ［Yuna］

  "That's right. Though it's a little troublesome to make, they're really useful for many things. Not just for cooking, but for other things as well." ［Grey］

  "I see... That's iing..." ［Yuna］

  "Iing indeed, but enough about that. For now, let's just enjoy them!" ［Grey］

  Grey on the lead, everyone grabbed a pte for themselves and scooped up their picks from the array of dishes served before them. There was a lot to choose from and everything looked tasty.

  Though, it isn't a problem frey and Yuna. They could simply sample all the dishes and enjoy everything to their hearts' tent. After all, good food is the key to a good life. One of their life's mottos.

  """Thank you for the meal!!!"""

  Without further ado, everyone brought their hands together and expressed their prayers and gratitude, all the while keeping down the excitement as they sneaked a g the dishes before them.

  Before long, it was time to dig in. Without holding themselves baymore, the three grabbed their spoons and fork and had a taste of the dishes swerved before them, beaming with happiness as soon as they had a bite.

  "A-Amazing! To think it would ge this much with just ut milk!" ［Yuna］

  "Big Brrey! How did you make this?!" ［Marika］

  Both Yuna and Marika were delighted, but even more so, they were surprised. After all, they simply just couldn't believe that s single ingredient is enough to ge a dish so much to the point it's practically brand new.

  Even Marika, who had used ut milk before, couldn't expin the differeh Grey's dishes from Ti's. Their cuisine may not be as diverse, but she still knew a little bit of things. She was curious just how Grey made it work.

  "You're too excited, you two... Let's save the questions for ter, alright? Food won't taste as good when it's cold, you know?" ［Grey］

  "R-Right! Sorry about that..." ［Marika］

  "Me too, I got a little too excited... But teach us ter, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Sure, sure, I promise." ［Grey］

  The meal tinued and satisfied smiles bloomed here and there. Though it would have been nice if the familiars could also join, but they already had their fill. They aren't like their masters, after all.

  And speaking of masters, as one would expect, Grey and Yuna were effortlessly sweeping through the dishes as if it was nothing, indulging in delight but also making sure to take note of the dishes' taste, texture, and things of that matter.

  "Marika, what are you eating?" ［Yuna］

  "Uhmm... If I remember correctly, Big Brother called it Bicol Express! It's a little spicy, but it's very delicious!" ［Marika］

  "Oh, then I'll be having some too, then." ［Yuna］

  Said Yuna with a beautiful smile on her face, soon scooping a number of pork cubes towards her pte, a few chilies in the mix here and a creamy stew to mix with her rice. Just thinking how it tastes was enough to make her smile blohter.

  "Yuna, be careful. That one's quite spicy." ［Grey］

  "Don't worry, I'll be fine!" ［Yuna］

  In fact, she is not fine. As soon as she bit down oew, a wonderful explosion of fvors burst forth in her mouth. Fvors that rather than delight, brought only pain and suffering to those who were unlucky enough to have a taste

  The smile whice bloomed brightly on her face was no more, only agony as tears started f in the er of her eyes. And as for the reason why... Let's just say Marika's "a little spicy" is not what it really seems... By a long shot at that.

  "S-S-Spicy! Too Spicy! Grey, water! Water, please!" ［Yuna］

  It was as if her mouth was on fire, throbbing in pain as her taste buds were vioted by spiessー reme spiess. One beyond what she could handle. She may be gluttonous and a High-ranker, but she is still a person too. No one is perfect.

  "Here, drink this!" ［Grey］

  Thankfully, Grey was there for the rescue. The very moment he heard his girlfriend shout in pain, his hands quickly moved and grabbed a cold ut milkshake for Yuna to drink. It may not be able to erase the spiess, but it ease the pain.

  A few moments ter, with the help from both Grey and Marika, Yuna's pain was finally subdued. Now, only sweetness remained in her mouth as she finished her ut milkshake, on the verge of tears.

  "Haah... Seriously, you should be more careful." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... Sorry..." ［Marika］

  Of course, what came after her little blunder was a scolding full of love from Grey. They did receive quite a bit of panic attack after it. Even if it's just a little, a tiny bit of scolding is still a must.

  "I even told you to be careful, didn't I?" ［Grey］

  "You did, but... Marika said it's just a little spicy, so I thought it would be okay. I didn't think it would be that bad..." ［Yuna］

  "Umm... But, Big Sister Yuna, it really wasn't that spicy, you know?" ［Marika］

  Shock. All there was sho their faces. As Grey and Yuna looked at Marika, they couldn't believe their ears heard. Even Grey, who's quite resistant to the heat, wouldn't say such a thing. It was simply too unbelievable.

  A clumsy nature, knowledge in various areas, expertise in bargaining, and now, even areme resistao spiess. No matter how one looked at it, Marika's traits were all over the pce. She was simply too absurd, they couldn't help but stare at her.

  "Umm... Is something on my face...?" ［Marika］

  "Ah, no... Nothing at all..." ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 243 END