"This is amazing!" Big Pan exclaimed between bites, his cheeks bulging with food.
"I'm so glad you like it," the young girl replied with a bright smile, her eyes shining with relief.
"It's really impressive. Could you make us a few more dishes?" Eli Winters asked, savoring the fried rice she had served. He wasn't usually this easily impressed, but her cooking was on a different level.
"Of course," the girl said cheerfully, her eyes sparkling as she hurried back into the kitchen.
Before long, one dish after another appeared on the table: glossy braised pork belly with a deep, savory aroma; shredded pork with garlic sauce, perfectly balanced between sweet, sour, and spicy; and crunchy stir-fried vegetables that added refreshing texture to the spread.
Big Pan picked up a cube of braised pork and shoved it into his mouth. His eyes widened instantly. The fatty layer melted on his tongue, the lean portion gave just the right chew, and the flavor was rich and intoxicating. "This is divine!" he cried, nearly moved to tears.
Eli tried the garlic pork next and nodded in approval. "The balance of flavors is incredible. Sweet, sour, spicy they blend perfectly."
The girl laughed nervously, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I also made a special dessert: rainbow pudding." When she brought it out, the colors shimmered like stained glass under the light. One spoonful melted on the tongue, blending creamy milk with the brightness of fresh fruit. For a moment, everyone was silent, immersed in sheer delight. Laughter soon followed, filling the little restaurant with warmth.
Outside, however, danger still lurked.
"Boss, how come they're not collapsing yet?" one of Suzuki Takuya's lackeys muttered.
"Damn it, these people aren't simple," Takuya said grimly. "They must've noticed us tampering with the food. Let's withdraw for now. We'll report back to the family head and come up with another plan."
Meanwhile, Eli leaned back with a satisfied sigh and turned to their hostess. "Your cooking is extraordinary. Where did you learn all this?"
"Yeah, and we still don't even know your name," Felina added curiously.
The girl gave a polite bow, her cheeks turning pink. "I'm Chiyo Mochizuki. My grandfather was the eighth royal chef of the Flower Kingdom. I learned everything from him."
"Chiyo, your food is so delicious. Why would those men want to cause you trouble?" Felina asked.
At the mention, Chiyo's smile faltered. Her expression grew heavy with sadness before she began to tell her story.
The Mochizuki family had been a dynasty of chefs for centuries. Four hundred years ago, they fled from war and settled in the Flower Kingdom, where the clan's patriarch opened a restaurant called the Divine Moon Inn. His food quickly became renowned throughout the land.
The king soon summoned him to the palace and appointed him as the first royal chef. Since then, each generation's master chef of the Mochizuki line had entered the palace to serve as royal chef, passing the torch from parent to child.
Chiyo's father was the current royal chef, the ninth of their line. She had an older brother, Chisou, whom her father groomed as heir. Chiyo's mother had died in childbirth, and her father, consumed with the family business and his responsibilities in court, had little time for her.
It was her grandfather, Gojou Mochizuki, who raised her. He adored his granddaughter, and when he discovered her natural gift for cooking, he passed down all his skills to her.
Chisou lacked true culinary talent, and he grew bitterly jealous of Chiyo. But as long as their grandfather lived, he dared not act against her.
Half a year ago, their grandfather passed away. On his deathbed, he had wished for Chiyo to inherit the title of head chef. But her father refused, handing the title instead to Chisou. He had never seen his daughter as worthy his heir could only ever be his son.
Once Chisou gained authority, he grew ruthless. Fearing Chiyo might one day threaten his position, he arranged to marry her off to a powerful nobleman an aristocrat in his fifties with influence throughout the kingdom.
Chiyo had protested, declaring she would never fight for the head chef title and that she planned to go to sea to pursue her own dreams. But Chisou didn't believe her. To him, she would always be a threat.
So Chiyo fled her family and opened this small restaurant on her own, hoping to save enough money for her journey. With her grandfather's techniques, her cooking quickly gained fame. But when Chisou heard, he sent thugs to ruin her business, chasing away customers with lies and sabotage.
As she finished her tale, Felina pounded the table in anger. "That's awful! Your brother's a complete jerk! Let me teach him a lesson!"
Eli couldn't help but chuckle at Felina's puffed-up indignation. Then he grew thoughtful. A girl who loved cooking, dreamed of sailing, and could craft meals like this wasn't that exactly what their crew had been lacking?
"Chiyo," Eli said, his tone gentle but firm. "How would you like to join us? Come sail the seas with us as our chef."
Her eyes widened in shock.
Felina and the others leaned forward, their eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, please! Your food is too good to leave behind!" Big Pan said eagerly.
"We need you more than anyone," Felina insisted, gripping Chiyo's hands.
Chiyo froze, her heart racing. She had always wanted to see the world, but she had only ever imagined leaving on her own. These strangers, however, were offering her a place among them a family she had never had. She almost said yes right away, but before she could answer, the restaurant door burst open.
Chisou stormed in, flanked by a group of armed men. His face twisted with anger. "Chiyo! Enough running. You're coming back with me to marry the nobleman today!"
Eli stood up instantly, shielding her with his body. "She doesn't want to go. You can't force her."
"This is Mochizuki family business. Who do you think you are?" Chisou sneered.
"I'm her crewmate," Eli shot back coldly. "And I won't let you touch her."
"You dare defy me? Kill these outsiders, smash the restaurant, and drag her back!" Chisou roared.
Big Pan cracked his knuckles, furious. "Mess with our chef, and I'll mess with you!" With that, he charged into the crowd, flattening men left and right like children's toys. Finally, he planted a heavy boot squarely on Chisou's rear, launching him out the door with a shriek.
"Pathetic. Not one of you was worth the effort," Big Pan muttered, trying to sound cool.
Everyone burst out laughing at his act.
Chiyo, however, was pale with worry. "Thank you, but you don't understand. My brother knows nobles all over the Flower Kingdom. He'll send them after you."
Eli shook his head. "If we left you behind, what then? You'd be alone. And we don't abandon our friends."
Felina hugged Chiyo tightly. "Exactly. Leaving you would be lame. You're our partner now."
"Besides," Fiona added coolly, resting her sword on her shoulder, "there's no one in this kingdom who can stop us."
One by one, Simon and the others voiced their agreement.
Chiyo's eyes stung. She had never felt so protected, so wanted.
Eli grinned. "So, Chiyo Mochizuki, will you be our chef?"
She nodded, tears glistening as her voice rang with conviction. "I will."
Cheers erupted. Felina spun her around in a hug. "Yes! Now we'll get to eat your cooking every day!"
"Finally, no more of Eli's grilled meat every single night," Big Pan sighed in relief.
Eli's brow twitched, and he smacked Big Pan on the head. "My cooking isn't that bad."
Big Pan quickly backpedaled under his glare. "O-of course not! But eating just meat gets… a little boring, you know?"
Their bickering made the whole crew laugh until their sides hurt.
Chiyo placed a hand over her chest, whispering silently to the memory of her grandfather. Grandfather, I've found companions who accept me. Companions who'll sail with me to the ends of the sea.
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