Chapter 13: Snacks
As time passed, the courtyard gained one more spectator.
Training proceeded steadily. Suoh looked like he'd just been fished from water. Sweat ran continuously down the tips of his hair and along his jawline, dripping into the dust at his feet where it spread into dark spots that merged into circles.
"He's been swinging continuously for two full hours... Is he a monster?"
"Are people with spiritual power aptitude... all this incredible?"
"Good thing that person from years ago didn't suddenly turn violent and attack me. In the future, if anyone wants to run a tab... I'll definitely let them!"
Terada-san sat not far away with her hand propped beneath her chin, watching Suoh's training figure. The longer she watched, the more her thoughts began leaping in unexpected directions.
Her sleep was very light. Not long after Suoh began training, she'd already woken.
After waking, she hadn't disturbed his training. She'd washed up quietly and circled around to the kitchen, where she discovered the breakfast he'd kept warming in the pot. After eating her fill, she'd returned to the courtyard and sat on a stone bench, continuing to watch him drenched in sweat.
When the ten thousandth swing finished, Suoh lowered his blade and stood still. He closed his eyes, feeling only an unprecedented clarity of spirit. He savored the elevation of both body and mind for a long moment.
"Is it finally over!?"
Seeing Suoh stop his movements and close his eyes to cultivate his energy, Terada-san had thought he might continue like a mechanical pendulum, never stopping. She patted her chest in relief. At least he hadn't completely exceeded the boundaries of what could be called human.
"Terada-san, good morning."
Opening his eyes, he noticed Terada-san nearby. A bright smile bloomed across his face as he raised his hand in greeting.
Immediately realizing his completely sweat-soaked and disheveled state, his movement faltered slightly. The leg he'd stepped out pulled back imperceptibly.
Standing in place, he smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"Good morning, Tsukasa."
"Are you really... alright?"
Terada-san didn't mind his current appearance. She walked up close, her voice carrying concern.
Though Suoh's eyes were bright and clear at this moment, his spirit vigorous, his body standing perfectly straight—
That skin showing white with undertones of crimson, the heat radiating endlessly from his entire body—it looked genuinely frightening.
"I'm fine. My condition is excellent right now."
Seeing her worry, Suoh's voice carried none of the exhaustion that should follow high-intensity training. He nodded in response and forcefully clenched his fist, feeling the energy bursting from his body.
"I'm just... a bit hungry."
As he spoke, a clear gurgling sound emerged from his stomach.
He scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. No helping it—the small amount of energy he'd supplemented with that first early meal had depleted far too quickly.
"Heh... If you still know hunger, then you're truly fine."
"The breakfast you prepared in the kitchen—I didn't touch most of it. Go eat quickly."
Seeing this, the corners of Terada-san's mouth pulled into an obvious arc. She covered her mouth as she laughed.
Eating was merely her habit and hobby. She'd only casually picked a few snacks with appealing appearances and hadn't eaten much.
Especially the meatier items—she barely glanced at them. Almost everything remained in the pot untouched.
"Mm."
Without prolonging small talk or pleasantries, Suoh turned according to her words and returned to the kitchen.
The moment he pushed open the sliding door, the warm, rich aroma of food rushed toward him.
Several rows of bamboo steamer baskets sat over low heat on the stove. White steam rose in wisps, diffusing into a soft white mist in the light.
He generally woke very early, so for breakfast he'd specifically made these Cantonese-style tea snacks that could maintain their warmth for extended periods.
The fire in the stove hadn't died. The water in the pot hadn't run dry. Clearly, the thoughtful Terada-san had helped refill both.
The moment he approached, his stomach growled even more enthusiastically.
He retrieved a clean towel from against the wall, went to the washing basin for simple personal cleaning, then grabbed a serving tray and steadily removed all the steamer rows at once.
Back in the main hall, he found a spacious spot and arranged the snacks in a row.
His chopsticks rose and fell rapidly. With each swallow of food, Suoh felt energy gradually filling his body.
Just as he'd thrown himself wholeheartedly into battle, Terada-san walked over carrying a pot of warm tea. She placed a teacup beside his hand and poured amber-colored tea liquid into it.
"Eat more slowly. You'll choke."
She watched his manner of devouring food like wind sweeping away clouds, her tone carrying gentle scolding affection.
"Mm, thank you."
Hearing this, Suoh slowed his movements slightly. He swallowed the food in his mouth, picked up the teacup, blew gently on it, and took a shallow sip.
Terada-san sat down across from him, also pouring herself a cup. No matter how she looked at the scene before her, she found it interesting.
Regardless of which world, human nature remained the same.
Watching another person enjoy food with complete focus always seemed capable of awakening some kind of pure satisfaction deep within the observer's heart. Perhaps this was the reason why some eating broadcasts could always attract people's attention.
"Whew..."
Swallowing the last mouthful, Suoh exhaled in satisfaction. The substantial fullness in his stomach made his entire body comfortable.
"Today's snacks are exceptionally distinctive in both taste and appearance. I've never heard of or seen anything like them."
Seeing him finish eating, Terada-san gently stroked the rim of her cup. Her gaze fell on the emptied steamer baskets on the table as she asked with some curiosity.
During his trial work, she'd already discovered Suoh's cooking skills were excellent. She hadn't expected he possessed even more remarkable abilities.
Shrimp dumplings with skin thin as gossamer, the filling showing pink through the wrapper. Siu mai like golden clouds blooming open. Sweet zongzi wrapped in emerald bamboo leaves that revealed crystal-clear contents when unwrapped.
Each variety had opened her eyes, exceeding her understanding.
However, there had also been something unexpected. Originally, she'd been curious about what was steaming in the basket with the heaviest meat aroma.
When she'd opened the lid and seen the sauce-brown chicken feet, she'd instinctively closed the basket back down. Her curiosity had been instantly snuffed out.
"I'm glad you like them. These are all famous foods from my hometown."
"Right now, I don't have anything I can use to repay Terada-san. I thought making something delicious might make you happy."
Receiving praise, Suoh felt somewhat pleased with himself as he smiled in response.
Originally, he'd been a food enthusiast. During leisure time, he'd enjoyed browsing food tutorials.
As his spiritual power training progressed, the memories in his mind became increasingly clear. Every frame in memory had transformed into resources belonging to him.
The process of making these snacks was itself a form of cultivation.
The force in his wrists when kneading dough. The movements of his fingertips when shaping. Everything refined his control over his body.
Yesterday, inspiration had struck. He'd attempted to transform all the theory in his mind completely into practice.
With a slight showing-off mentality, he'd recreated the tea snacks from memory as much as possible. Unfortunately, Rukongai's ingredients and seasonings were somewhat limited. Some snacks simply couldn't be made.
Of course, part of it was also not clearly knowing Terada-san's preferences, so he'd made more varieties.
However, from the condition of the opened steamer baskets just now, he'd already figured out which flavors suited her taste.
"Mm."
"You're not planning to train like this every day from now on, are you?"
The heartfelt intention behind his food offerings this morning—she'd already received it.
Her gaze fell on his collar, still not completely dry after being soaked through with sweat. Her words paused briefly, as if searching for appropriate phrasing.
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"Did I disturb your rest?"
The somewhat sudden question made Suoh freeze slightly. He set down his teacup, his expression turning serious.
He didn't understand her daily routine very well. His training started extremely early, and the noise level was considerable. Perhaps he'd affected her sleep.
***
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