Chapter 24: Celebration?
Fein finally woke up early this morning. They have informed him 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 him and his team.
He’s now going through his morning routine... Which consists of washing his average face, brushing his teeth, and checking the mirror to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary about his complexion.
He noticed that his body was becoming more developed and that his muscles looks 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...’ Fein speculates.
After Fein finished whatever he needed to finish. He went directly through the building’s office to cook breakfast...
After they tasted his cooking on a random day when they visited him in his apartment, Michael and Kidd insisted that it was his responsibility from then on.
Fein can’t really blame them... His B-rank cooking talent is enough to put professional chefs from his previous life to shame.
.....
Fein noticed Kidd in his peripheral vision as he 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,” Fein said flatly...
“Ouch... My brittle heart is crumbling.” Kidd responded with an exaggerated face and he gripped his chest tight. freewebnov(e)l.com
Fein gave him a serious look and said. “If you don’t stop right away, you’ll be the one cooking for us today.”
Kidd’s face turned green, as if he ate shit. “Okay, I will stop right here, right now!” he hurriedly said in a panic voice.
Fein nodded without emotion and walked to the kitchen...
“I will notify Michael first. He told me report to him if you are ready to cook.” Kidd said while staring at Fein’s leaving back with bitterness in his tone and left.
...
Fein was now in the kitchen, and he 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... He cut the tops off and seasoned them with salt and pepper. They go well with toast strips.
Because of his ability... Fein could sense it when things are going to fall into place. He knows instinctively when to adjust the heat so that it does not get overcooked. Fein can also smell the ingredients and spices while cooking, and he can tell if something is wrong with the procedure by using his sense of smell.
In addition to his dexterity, reflexes, and movement speed. He can perform complex movements precisely and without errors. In the kitchen, He’s like a tireless precise machine, while also having human creativity.
After that, Fein continued to prepare his own recipe... Stuffed Pork Chops with Smoked Gouda and Bacon. It was simple and elegant enough to make in a short amount of time. He started by preheating an outdoor grill to medium heat. Second, in a small mixing bowl... He mixed the cheese, bacon, parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper together. Third, He 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.
He 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... Fein lightly oiled the grill grate and grilled it for five to eight minutes on each side, or until the pork was done. Fein takes great care not to overcook it... Just like that, Voila! He made a simple but delicious breakfast!
...
-5 hours later-
Following the brief episode of eating with Michael and Kidd, He’s now joining them in a celebration prepared by the Civilians they’ve rescued.
There are many people greeting them 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 them... Some are from children, some from adolescent girls, and the majority are from adults.
Fein couldn’t help but smile at their genuine display; in his previous life, he didn’t even know what this kind of feeling was like because he was mostly inside the house caring for his sick mother. This is the first time he felt anything like this... He felt as if something warm is flowing through his entire being. The stress and tension he had accumulated since arriving here have suddenly vanished. He felt lighter and less stressed.
Michael looked at Fein and smiled slightly, as if sensing his subtle change... Fein just nodded at him with his usual smile, but it was a genuine smile this time, not the one he used to hide his emotions.
Suddenly, an elderly man approached them, 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 guards noticed the commotion, they 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 them and left on his own accord.
‘What a marvellous example of reverse psychology,’ Fein thought in his heart. Although he knew that Michael didn’t deliberately do it.
Michael sighed and looked at them 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 them and went in a different direction to avoid the awkwardness that his blabbering would cause.
With surprise, Fein looked at the departing figure... He wasn’t expecting their team’s usually playful and goofy member to still have this side to him. Fein now sees Kidd in a different light and has a newfound respect for him.
Michael smiled at him, 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 people will not exploit you as a result of it...” Fein advised him with his two lifetimes of experience and went toward the girls to test his rusty flirting skills. Well... In reality, he was just 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 puzzledly 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.
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