The Asgard completed a major upgrade and maintenance, and all handover documents and subsequent planning were processed by Kael with astonishing efficiency ahead of schedule.
When the last electronic document was successfully sent, Kael leaned back in the command chair and let out a long, deep sigh of relief.
It was as if a string that had been tightly stretched in his mind snapped with a soft 'pop'.
Then, the staff on the bridge witnessed a scene that left them dumbfounded.
Their usually calm and composed Captain, who even had a workaholic streak, without any warning... began to rhythmically tap the control panel with his fingertips, humming a light but completely off-key melody, and even... his body was swaying slightly?
The adjutant cautiously approached: "Cap- Captain? Are you alright?"
Could it be that the stress was too much, and he finally broke down? Am I getting a promotion!?
Kael suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing what he had done, his earlobes instantly flushed red, and he immediately resumed his dignified posture, clearing his throat twice: "Nothing. Work is temporarily over, and I'm just in a good mood."
But the lightheartedness that came with the sudden relaxation, almost overflowing, was not so easy to suppress.
He stood up, his steps a few shades lighter than usual, and gave the adjutant a radiant smile: "I'll leave this to you, I'm off work."
The adjutant was dazzled by that rare, cloudless smile and nodded blankly: "...Yes, Captain!"
Walking out of the bridge, Kael felt as if his whole body was floating.
The sun was so nice, the indicator lights in the corridor were so cute, and even the smell of disinfectant in the air became fresh! He even wanted to spin around on the spot!
So, when Theresa, as usual, timed her arrival to the bridge to "catch" him, what she saw was a Kael with an irrepressible smile on his lips, bright eyes, and his whole person seemingly glowing.
"Kael! You..." Theresa was stunned for a moment; today's Kael seemed... particularly different?
"Theresa!" Kael's eyes lit up even more when he saw her, he walked towards her, naturally extended his hand... and ruffled her head, his tone unprecedentedly light and energetic, "You've come at just the right time! I'm done with work! What do you want to eat today? My treat! No, I'll cook for you!"
Theresa's heart skipped a beat with his sudden initiative and radiant smile, and she foolishly asked: "A- Kael? Are... are you alright?"
She instinctively wanted to reach out and touch his forehead, wondering if he had a fever and was delirious?
Kael smiled and grabbed her outstretched hand (!), pulling her towards the living area: "I'm fine! I'm great! I just suddenly feel like the weather is so good! Let's go, we'll go to the supermarket to buy groceries! I'll make you something different today!"
Theresa was dizzily led by Kael, feeling the warmth from his palm and that unusual vitality, her cheeks slowly becoming hot.
This Kael... she seemed to like him even more!
In the large supermarket in the headquarters' living area, Kael pushed the shopping cart, his steps light, still humming that off-key song.
Theresa followed him like a happy little tail, watching his profile as he meticulously compared the freshness of vegetables, her heart as sweet as if she had swallowed honey.
"Bitter gourd! Kael! Today's bitter gourd looks great!" Theresa picked up a vibrant green bitter gourd.
"Buy it!" Kael waved his hand, then picked up a box of bright red chili peppers, "But today's star is this!"
Theresa's eyes also lit up when she saw the box of chili peppers: "Chili peppers! Kael, are you going to make spicy dishes?"
She really liked that exhilarating "pain"!
"That's right! Sliced Fish in Hot Chili Oil! Maoxuewang! Super-doubled Mapo Tofu!" Kael enthusiastically threw various chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and broad bean paste into the cart, "Today, I'll let you experience what 'pain and pleasure' means!"
"Yay!" Theresa cheered, then became a little worried, "But... Kael, aren't you not very good with spicy food?" She remembered Kael's tolerance for spice was quite average.
Kael put his hands on his hips, with a "I'm super brave" expression: "What's there to be afraid of! Life is all about challenges! And..."
He suddenly leaned closer to Theresa, lowered his voice, with a hint of mischievous amusement, "Aren't you also here to 'cry your eyes out' with me?"
Theresa's heart pounded and her face flushed from his sudden closeness and words, and she nodded vigorously: "Mm! I'll accompany you!"
The two had a meaningless but fun "academic discussion" in the seasoning aisle about "which is more potent, green Sichuan peppercorns or red Sichuan peppercorns," and ultimately bought a large pile of various chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
Other staff members passing by were jaw-dropped to see their familiar Captain arguing with Miss Theresa over chili peppers.
Soon, an extremely stimulating spicy aroma filled Kael's dormitory kitchen.
Kael, wearing an apron, coughed and teared up from the choke, while still generously adding Sichuan peppercorns to the pot: "Potent! This is the taste!"
Theresa, on the other hand, excitedly handed him seasonings, her little nose twitching as she inhaled: "It smells so good! I feel like my nose is running!"
When a basin of Sliced Fish in Hot Chili Oil, covered in red oil, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns, was placed on the table, the visual impact was stunning.
"Come on! Theresa! The challenge begins!" Kael handed Theresa a bowl of rice, then picked up a slice of meat for himself, putting it into his mouth with a look of resignation.
The next second, his face turned red at a visible speed, tears immediately streamed down, and he gasped with his mouth open: "Hiss... so spicy! So numb! But... so satisfying!"
Theresa also took a large bite, imitating him, and then... her reaction was completely different from Kael's. She didn't cry, nor did she gasp, but covered her cheeks, her eyes wide, letting out a satisfied sigh: "Wow! This feeling! My mouth is dancing! So exhilarating! Kael, you're amazing!"
One was teary-eyed and gasping from the spiciness, while the other was excitedly gesticulating from the numbness, creating a scene that was both comical and unusually harmonious.
Kael, while chugging ice water, looked at Theresa's enjoying expression and couldn't help but laugh: "It seems from now on, you'll be the 'spice Responsible' of the house!"
The word "house" made Theresa pause, her heart rate accelerating again.
She nodded vigorously: "Mm! Leave it to me!"
...After a "hearty" dinner, both were sweating profusely and their mouths were numb, but they felt incredibly satisfied.
Kael moved two chairs to the small balcony. The summer night breeze blew, bringing a hint of coolness.
Stars dotted the sky, complementing the distant lights of the headquarters.
The two sat side by side, quietly enjoying this moment of peace and contentment. A faint spicy aroma still lingered in the air, mixed with Theresa's subtle scent of bitter gourd, forming a unique and warm fragrance.
"It's been a long time since I've been this relaxed."
Kael leaned back in his chair, looking at the starry sky, his tone lazy and content after shedding all burdens.
Theresa tilted her head to look at him, the moonlight and starlight falling on his smiling lips and bright eyes, so beautiful that she couldn't tear her gaze away.
She whispered: "Kael, in the future... can you be like this often?" Don't always be so tense, smile like this more often.
Kael turned his head to look at her, his eyes gentle: "Mm... I'll try." He paused, then suddenly remembered something and said with a smile, "But next time we make spicy food, you'll have to eat most of it, and I'll be in charge of cheering you on from the side."
Theresa was amused by his words: "Okay! It's a deal!"
"It's a deal."
They smiled at each other. The evening breeze was gentle, and the stars twinkled.
Theresa quietly moved her chair closer and closer to Kael's, until their arms gently touched. She didn't say anything more, just leaned quietly, savoring this hard-won, cloyingly sweet tranquility.
Kael didn't push her away either; he even adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.
Perhaps it was because the wind tonight was too gentle, or perhaps because the stars were too bright, or perhaps just because... the smile of the girl beside him was more brilliant than the starry sky.
He suddenly spoke in a low voice, like talking to himself, and like a gentle promise:
"In the future... I'll make you more delicious food."
Theresa's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up, meeting his eyes filled with starlight and a gentle smile.
She nodded vigorously, her voice filled with unconcealed joy and a catch in her throat:
"Mm! You promised!"
Under the starry sky, their fingers on the chair armrests inadvertently intertwined.
Tonight's wind was sweet.
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