"Alright, class dismissed!"
Sir clapped his hands like he'd just delivered a life-changing TED Talk. "And don't forget—you've got howork."
Cue the collective groan from the class.
"Yes, sir..." we mumbled in unison like a poorly trained choir.
As I packed up my bag, Sam leaned over, his voice dripping with curiosity.
"So? You going to et her now?"
I sighed. "Yeah. I kinda said I would, didn't I?"
He grinned and slapped my back like I was heading into battle.
"Good luck, soldier. May the odds be ever in your favor."
Stop it Sam.
We split ways at the college gate, and I made my way to Fiona's apartnt—a place she shared with two other people: Jenny, the chill one, and Loid... the not-so chill one.
I rang the doorbell.
Ding dong.
"Fiona? You there?"
Instead of Fiona, Jenny opened the door, looking halfway between confused and amused.
"Oh hey, Yuuta."
"Hey. I ca to see Fiona. Is she in?"
Jenny leaned on the doorfra, arms crossed. "She's... not really in the mood right now."
I blinked. "Oh. Did I ss up sothing again?"
She frowned. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. She's just caught up with work stuff."
"Oh. I thought maybe... you know, sothing about Erza fight?"
Jenny laughed. "No, no. That's not it. You've got your wires completely crossed."
Just then, like a boss fight triggering at the worst possible ti, Loid stord into the scene. And when I say stord, I an he charged like he was auditioning for an action movie.
He grabbed by the collar, eyes blazing with drama.
"You scoundrel! How dare you insult our captain's honor?!"
"Wait—what? What captain? What are you talking about?"
Before I could even blink, BAM! He landed a solid punch on my face.
"You broke our captain's heart, you evil demon!"
"Ow! What?! I didn't even—what heart?!"
Jenny stepped between us, rubbing her temples like she'd seen this too many tis.
"Loid, stop it. He didn't do anything. And also, stop calling Fiona 'Captain without her permission.'"
Loid pointed at like a soap opera villain.
"Mark my words, Yuuta. I'm watching you." Then he turned and dramatically stord back into the apartnt, like a knight retreating after a failed duel.
Jenny turned to and rolled her eyes.
"Don't mind him. He's been like this since they were kids. It's... a whole thing."
I dusted off my shirt, trying to regain what little dignity I had left.
"Maybe you should head ho, Yuuta," she said.
Well, with Fiona not in the mood to talk, I figured it was best to back off for now. I sighed, shoved my hands in my pockets, and started walking aimlessly like a rejected ani protagonist.
"Guess I'll try again later... or never... yeah, never sounds safe."
Just as I passed by the dumpster near Fiona's apartnt, sothing caught my eye. At first, I thought it was just junk—because, well, it was next to a dumpster—but then the light hit it just right.
A rusty sword.
Yup. Just chilling there like Excalibur had a midlife crisis and gave up.
I stopped, stared, then slowly stepped closer.
It looked... weirdly real. Like, not Halloween prop real. Not cosplay real. I an real real. It was cracked, old, and the blade was broken in half, but the handle—it looked like it was forged with actual gold. Bits of iron clung to it like it still had stories to tell.
Naturally, I picked it up.
"Whoa."
It was heavy. Heavier than it looked. Definitely not fake.
And then—cue evil grin.
"If I sell this... I could make so serious cash."
"Hehehe..."
"HeheheheHAHAHA—!"
That's when I noticed them: a dog and a cat sitting nearby, both staring at like I'd just lost my last brain cell.
The dog tilted its head.
The cat narrowed its eyes.
Even the pigeons on the wire above looked concerned.
I cleared my throat, tried to look normal, stuffed the sword hilt into my bag as casually as possible, and speed-walked away like a guy who definitely didn't just laugh maniacally in public.
By the ti I got ho, I was still thinking about the sword.
I walked in, calling out, "I'm ho!" but... no answer.
I guess it wasn't that surprising. Erza and Elena were probably out for a walk.
I an, Erza had already morized the entire city map in less than an hour.
If map companies ever found out, they'd probably shut down their businesses. Just kidding.
Anyway, I shrugged it off. It wasn't a big deal. With no one around, I figured it was the perfect ti to take a look at that sword I picked up from Fiona's place.
It was in rough shape—just the handle left—but sothing about it made curious. I grabbed it, giving it a swing, half-expecting it to suddenly glow or maybe start radiating so sort of ancient power.
Instead, it just felt... cool. Like a hero's sword. I couldn't help but smile. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
After swinging that sword around like so overconfident RPG protagonist—and nearly slicing off my own ear in the process—I gently placed it in the cupboard. Yeah. Nice and tucked away.
Out of sight, out of Elena's grabby dragon hands. I'll give it to her properly later, maybe with a cool speech like, *"This blade chooses only the worthy."* You know, dad stuff.
But first—
I clapped my hands together.
"Alright! Ti to cook sothing amazing for my family!"
Erza and Elena would be ho soon, and I wanted to surprise them. I an, it's not every day I feel this dostic. What should I make? Curry? Too spicy for Elena. Pancakes? Erza will judge . Hmm...
Then it hit .
"Ran. Yes."
It's been a while since I last made it from scratch. The instant ones don't count. I an *real* ran. Noodles with soul. Broth with purpose. Toppings with backstories.
I swung open the fridge with the energy of a shounen protagonist unlocking his final form.
"Let's see... eggs? Check. Green onions? You bet. Pork belly?" I kissed my fingertips. "Perfect."
I tied on an apron like I was preparing for battle. Because I was. This wasn't just cooking.
This was a noodle war.
Boil water—done. Add the pork to a sizzling pan—szzzzhhh! The oil popped like fireworks. I could already imagine Erza's reaction: "Is this so kind of ritual?" And Elena shouting, "Is it edible?!"
I diced the garlic with the precision of a samurai. The soy sauce, miso paste, and chicken broth all ca together like a forbidden alchemy circle. The broth simred, golden and rich, sending up the kind of aroma that could make a grown dragon weep.
Then ca the egg. The sacred egg. Soft-boiled to the perfect texture, yolk slightly runny, the kind of thing that belongs in a museum.
Noodles in. Stir. Flip. Splash. Flip again for drama. No reason—just for flair.
Finally, the bowl. I plated the ran with care, placing each ingredient like it was a jewel.
I stood back and admired my creation.
"I have done it," I whispered, awestruck. "Ran... fit for a queen and a half-dragon toddler who still thinks spoons are throwable weapons."
Now all that was left... was the taste test.
And for that, I waited.
Because when they walk in and sll this?
Oh, I'm getting praised so hard today.
Outside the apartnt...
"Mama," Elena chirped, hopping up the last few steps, "Papa should've co with us. He's gonna miss my Bee-Ka-Boom surprise!"
Erza smiled, brushing Elena's bangs aside. "That mortal's probably snoring on the couch like he's been hit with a sleep spell. Let's just hope the apartnt's still in one piece."
"Can I blow open the door and yell surprise?"
"Only if you want to sleep on the roof again."
Elena pouted.
But then—Erza stopped walking.
Her eyes narrowed. Her smile faded.
"Mama! That sll—It's coming from our house!" Elena's voice rang with wonder and urgency.
Seconds later, boom boom boom—footsteps like a stampede. Erza stord in like a dragon chasing a thief, Elena cradled in her arms like a sacred relic.
She froze the mont she stepped inside, nostrils flaring, pupils dilating.
"What... is this divine aroma...?" she whispered, as if so ancient beast had just awakened her instincts.
I didn't even turn around.
"Oh hey, welco back, Lizard Queen."
Her eyes scanned the kitchen like she was preparing for battle. "What is that? And why is the scent... so strong?"
I spun around with a spatula in one hand, confidence radiating from like heat from a grill.
"This, dear Queen, is one of humanity's greatest achievents. Ran. The noodles of legends."
She scoffed, arms crossed. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"Don't believe ?" I smirked. "Why not try it yourself?"
Elena tugged on her sleeve, already sliding into a chair. "Papa, can I eat?"
"Of course, Princess. Just be careful. If you slurp too loudly, you might summon another demon."
I handed Elena the ran bowl, and her face lit up instantly, her eyes sparkling like she'd just discovered treasure.
"Thank you, Papa!" she chirped, slurping a noodle with such dramatic flair, you'd think she was auditioning for a role in so ani about noodle warriors.
"Papa, it's so yummy!" she said, her voice filled with childlike joy as she gave a thumbs up. I almost swore she was about to start singing an aria about noodles.
Erza, standing in the background with that usual regal look, couldn't help but glance at the scene.
"Well, mortal, I see you've made sothing... interesting," she remarked, her tone laced with that sharp skepticism she always carried.
"Give so too."
I smirked, leaning back in my chair, enjoying the royal drama unfolding before .
"Teasingly, nope," I said, spinning my chopsticks like a villain in a cooking ani. "But... I can offer you a small trial portion."
Erza's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And the rest?"
I gave her a sly smile. "Ah, well, the full bowl cos with a small price. A fair trade, really. I'll tell you the cost... after your first bite."
She crossed her arms, clearly offended and intrigued all at once. "You dare barter with , mortal?"
"Oh, co on," I said with a grin. "You rule dragons. Let rule the kitchen."
Erza's eyes narrowed. I could practically feel the heat radiating off her. "Rage building... Fine. I don't want your psycho food anyway."
Just as Elena took another loud slurp of her ran, practically echoing through the room, Erza's patience cracked.
Elena wiped her chin, her innocent voice cutting through the tension. "So yummy!" she giggled.
Erza, clearly torn between maintaining her dignity and her uncontrollable hunger, clenched her fists. She stood still for a mont, but then—her stomach growled. The dragon queen's stomach. Loud. Like it was a warning bell.
"Okay," Erza grumbled, finally admitting defeat. "Fine. You win. Just give the small one ran."
I couldn't resist. My evil smile stretched from ear to ear as I handed her the bowl. "Here you go, Your Majesty."
She took it, inspecting the noodles with an almost warrior-like gaze, as if the bowl itself was an enemy she had to defeat.
The pork belly glistened, the egg was soft-boiled to perfection, and the noodles sat like golden strands of destiny.
But Erza, in all her glory, hesitated. She was no stranger to the world of gourt als, but this? This was new.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "You know, just one bite won't kill you."
Erza finally took that first bite. Slowly. Reluctantly.
And then—
Boom.
Her eyes widened. Her body stiffened. For a full, glorious second, she looked like she'd just had her soul pulled into another realm.
"What... is this?" she whispered, her voice faltering for the briefest mont.
I watched her, enjoying every second. "Told you. One of humanity's finest achievents. Ran."
She took another bite, this ti a little faster. Her eyes flickered. I could practically hear her internal struggle. Was this the taste of mortal food really this powerful? The queen of dragons seed to lose her composure with every slurp.
"I—This is..." Erza trailed off, clearly speechless. For once, the queen of dragons was at a loss for words. She looked at like I'd just discovered a secret power.
"Is this... real?" she finally muttered, her voice softer now, almost in awe.
She eyed the full bowl like a dragon eyeing treasure. "I want the whole portion."
I leaned in, letting a mischievous grin tug at my lips.
"My Queen... you do realize I can't just give this away for free, right?"
Her eyes narrowed, voice dripping with suspicion. "What do you want then? Just to eat this?"
This was it. The mont of truth. She'd never had ran before—aning, at this very mont, I held all the power in the universe.
I crossed my arms and struck my most dramatic ani-protagonist pose.
"I want one wish. Granted. No questions asked."
She blinked. "What nonsense is that? I don't even know what you'd ask from ."
Her tone was chilly, classic Erza. But I didn't flinch.
"Okay then," I shrugged. "Guess I'll give this bowl to miss Kano instead. I hear she loves noodles."
That got her.
She flinched. "Wait."
I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
She glanced away, cheeks dusted with the faintest red. "Fine... just this once."
Victory. Sweet, steaming, noodle-flavored victory.
I pumped my fist like I'd just cleared a final boss.
"Oh yeah, baby! That's it!"
Erza's POV
What is this mortal scheming now... a wish?
Wait. Don't tell —he's going to ask for sothing naughty again, like last night...
No. Absolutely not. Erza, hold yourself together. You are the Queen of Dragons. The supre ruler of the skies. The—
...But what if he does?
By the stars... why did I agree to this!?
To be continued...
[End of Chapter]
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