On a baking tray piled high with ingredients, fresh pork belly sizzled and dripped oil as it grilled. Red-hot bamboo charcoal met the dripping fat, occasionally igniting into bright flames.
Saitama squatted before the grill, fanning vigorously. The meat, seared by flames, cooked quickly. An enticing aroma filled the air.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, Adam's apple bobbing, index finger twitching. "Jordan, the meat's almost cooked. Is your sauce ready yet?"
"Here it comes." Jordan Evans carried a tray of barbecue sauce, condiments, and seasoning dishes from the kitchen. He pulled over a folding chair and sat down. "Don't rush. For charcoal grilling, the sauce is everything, you know?"
Saitama hurriedly flipped the grilled meat and mushrooms on the baking tray. "I don't know. All I know is I'm starving."
"Okay, let's eat then."
Jordan Evans picked up a barbecue brush, painting prepared sauce onto pork belly grilled until crispy and golden brown. He gestured for Saitama to start eating.
The two each opened bottles of ice-cold beer and clinked glasses. They bit into piping hot grilled meat wrapped in fresh lettuce. Chewy texture and rich sauce burst in their mouths, instantly validating their earlier preparation.
"It's so hot... but Jordan, your sauce is really delicious."
"Of course. I'm a professional when it comes to food."
Food in the refrigerator decreased at a visible rate. Even the baking tray had to be replaced no less than ten times.
Because his body's energy needs far exceeded ordinary humans, Jordan Evans already possessed a large appetite. Saitama's appetite also increased daily after meeting him.
At this moment, two gluttons were hitting their stride. The battle on the balcony grew increasingly fierce.
Thanks to training results, Saitama had gone from being completely dominated by Jordan at the beginning to now being able to snatch food and barely maintain a 50/50 split. The protagonist's halo was undeniably powerful.
Of course, Jordan didn't go all out. The Limiter Fragments that occasionally fell out with Saitama's hair were enough motivation to let the man eat his fill several times over.
After downing a case of beer, Saitama patted his round belly and let out a satisfied burp. "I can't eat anymore, or I won't fit into my tracksuit tomorrow morning!"
"A real man can't say he can't. This is nothing—"
Jordan Evans swept grilled pineapple beef cubes onto his plate when suddenly his cell phone on the coffee table rang.
Jordan stood, handing the barbecue tongs to Saitama. "Excuse me. Taking this call."
Saitama took them, springing from the recliner with a somersault. His usually dead eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "Go ahead! Leave this plate of grilled meat to me!"
"How kind of you."
"Hello, this is Jordan Evans."
Back inside, Jordan answered the phone. A familiar female voice came through the receiver.
"Oh, it's Miss Lanny. Good evening."
Phone wedged between ear and shoulder, Jordan turned on the kitchen tap to wash his hands. "Your two subordinates? Oh, I saw them, but the situation was rather urgent... It's alright, no need for apologies. I also learned about the officially confirmed hero name from the news."
He washed dirt off his hands and dried them with a towel. "Forget about the press conference and rankings stuff. I'm not interested in the so-called hero hierarchy. You can arrange that... Event funds and hero stipend? I remember there was bank card information in the forms I filled out last time, right? Okay, just transfer it to that account. Thank you."
Using telekinesis, Jordan carried the phone back to the coffee table. From the balcony came Saitama's muffled voice. "Jordan, you done yet? If you don't get back here soon, I'm really going to eat it all!"
"Coming!" Hearing this, fighting spirit reignited in Jordan's eyes. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and rushed over. "You old bastard! You really aren't planning to leave any for me!"
"Too late. You'll have to wait for the next round."
War was imminent.
On the coffee table, the phone Jordan had just set down beeped. A text message popped up.
"Payment received: 10,000,000 yen."
Neither man, having rejoined battle, noticed this change. The unnoticed phone screen flickered, then went black.
Ultimately, this impromptu barbecue battle continued until late night, until Jordan received another phone call.
"The specialist from headquarters already arrived at the station? Okay, Anzu, please receive them. I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Jordan removed his shirt, which reeked of barbecue, and walked shirtless toward the bathroom.
"Saitama, I have to go out for a while. I'm leaving cleanup to you."
Saitama, sprawled in a lounge chair on the balcony, didn't even lift his head. He simply stretched out his hand and gave an OK sign, waving Jordan away. "Okay. Even if you weren't going out, you'd still ask me to."
"What kind of attitude is that? You have a problem with it?"
"No. Thank you for your hospitality."
"That's more like it." Jordan stood in the shower. Cold water poured over his head, running down his muscular body. "If it's too late, don't go back. The guest room you stayed in before is still empty. Clean it up yourself."
Saitama's weak voice drifted from the balcony. "Yes, I understand."
Ten minutes later.
"You must be Mr. Jordan Evans. The Superintendent General asked me to give you his regards!"
The person in charge of the receiving team sent by A-City headquarters was a capable policewoman with a high ponytail. Her tall stature and perfect figure made even Anzu look short by comparison.
When Jordan arrived, the young policewoman forced to work overtime gave him a strained smile and rolled her eyes. Like a career woman being exploited by an unscrupulous boss, her eyes were full of resentment.
Unfortunately, the young policewoman's acting skills failed to penetrate Jordan's thick skin. He directly ignored her expression and shook hands with the mature, professional headquarters specialist. "Specialist Catherine, you're too kind. We didn't know you'd arrived so quickly. We haven't been hospitable enough."
Catherine calmly sized up the tall, handsome young policeman before her and smiled slightly. "The Superintendent is very concerned about this matter, so he ordered us to come overnight. It's we who have disturbed your rest."
"Not at all. It's all for work. It's what I should do."
After polite exchanges, Anzu listening from behind could only purse her lips.
It's only us humble working people who actually do the work!
"Without further ado, I'll get straight to the point." Catherine smoothed her bangs, getting down to business. "Where are those energy weapons you mentioned in your report to the Superintendent? I hope to complete the handover as soon as possible so I can return and report back."
"Energy weapons?!"
Shocked, Anzu blurted out the words. She hurriedly covered her mouth under the gazes of both authority figures, face turning bright red.
Successfully earned a look from someone who'd never seen the big picture.