Animeverse Kitchen: My Culinary Journey Begins with Glowing Food! Chapter 96: Lucoa's New Skin: Wakame Seaweed Edition!

"Lucoa-san, should I just serve you one of everything from the nu?" Ryohei asked.

He placed a small dish of sunomono salad and a small platter of his signature sashimi combo on the bar in front of her. Since she had so directly asked for her "reward," Ryohei, not being a petty man, decided to indulge her. Even though it was going to be a busy night, he would make ti to satisfy the forr god's stomach.

"Mhm, and I'd like a little sothing to drink as well~," the forr god replied. Being so tall, she didn't even need to stand up. She simply leaned forward, stretching out a pale, slender arm to bring the dishes closer. The world-class curves of her chest pressed gently against the countertop, creating an infinitely beautiful picture.

I suddenly wish I were that countertop… Ryohei thought, imdiately feeling ashad of himself. He quickly averted his gaze.

"What would you like to drink?" he asked, trying to distract himself. He rembered reading that Lucoa had once been tricked into drinking a cursed liquor, which had caused her to get drunk, have an affair with her sister, and subsequently be stripped of her divine status. "A little bit should be fine, though," he reasoned.

"I'd like one of your special cocktails, Heian-kun," Lucoa said, a crafty glint in her eye as she picked up a pair of chopsticks.

"The cocktails I make aren't on the nu," Ryohei replied, his expression saying, Pick sothing else.

The other custors at the bar, however, overheard her. A cocktail made by Chef Ryohei… I wonder if it glows? Does he have that skill too? I really want to try it!

"Eh? I can't order it?" Lucoa pouted. "Heian-kun, what about my 'vigorous' reward? You won't even give a single drink? If you treat like this, I might beco disobedient. My loyalty level will drop!" She waggled a slender finger at him.

What on earth are you talking about?! Ryohei could feel the gossipy, suggestive stares of the other custors, and his brain went numb. "I don't rember saying anything like that! And please, stop saying things that are so easily misunderstood!" he retorted, and quickly went to the liquor cabinet, returning with a bottle of Choya ushu. It was a light, refreshing plum wine, very popular with won. He poured so over ice in a nice glass and placed it on the bar. "This is all I have ti for right now."

"Alright," Lucoa sighed, feigning disappointnt as she accepted the drink.

The other n at the bar looked on with envy. He's handso, he can make glowing food, he's rolling in money, and he's got incredible luck with the ladies… Chef Ryohei is a true winner in life!

"Mina-san, what do you all recomnd?" Airi, the strear, was back to work. Having shown her viewers the nu, she turned the cara back on herself.

'Tell the strear to order one of everything!'

'I'm eating omurice right now, I want to see how the Cooking Immortal's omurice is different from mine!'

'Yours doesn't glow!'

'Ouch, so true…'

'Order the sashimi! A dish like that is the ultimate test of a chef's knife skills! I can't believe he offers it!'

'I want to see how he makes the glowing food! Point the cara at the Chef!'

The topic of the chat quickly shifted. Airi, seeing the flood of requests, glanced over at Ryohei. "Um… Chef Ryohei, is it okay if I film you?"

"It's fine," he replied, nodding. "This is a restaurant. Just don't disturb the other custors."

"Okay! Arigatou!" Airi said, overjoyed. She adjusted her phone on its tripod to get a perfect shot of Ryohei in the open kitchen.

At the end of the bar, Lucoa picked up her chopsticks again. "Itadakimasu," she said cheerfully, and picked up a bit of the glistening, green sunomono salad.

So delicious! The mont it entered her mouth, she was pleasantly surprised. The texture of the seaweed was crisp yet tender, and the thinly sliced cucumber was incredibly refreshing. The vinegar dressing was a perfect balance of sour and savory, with a hint of sweetness that brought the whole dish to life. The rich garlic, a hint of chili, and the nutty aroma of sesa seeds all combined to create a complex and deeply satisfying flavor.

"This is really super delicious!" she exclaid. "It's not only tasty on its own, but it's a perfect appetizer!" She held her cheek in her hand, a blissful smile on her face.

In an instant, she felt herself being enveloped by the ocean, transported to a dreamlike world on the shallow seafloor. Sunlight pierced the clear water, casting shimring patterns of light all around. Lucoa stood barefoot on the soft white sand, her long, highlighted blonde hair swaying with the current like elegant seaweed.

Then, she looked down and saw that her clothes had transford. A cleverly arranged drape of vibrant green waka seaweed now covered her ample chest, paired with a matching seaweed micro-skirt. The look was playful, with a touch of natural wildness, as if she had beco one with the ocean itself.

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