Agung's eyes took on a focused, professional shine—the look of a man who had spent years finding the best comfort food in the stalls of Pekalongan. He rolled up his sleeves, his Mikan apron fluttering as he moved toward the largest pot in the kitchen.
"Pianos and roses are fine for the soul," Agung said, a confident smirk playing on his lips, "but for the stomach, we need something that feels like a hug from the inside. I'm making **Bubur Ayam** for the kids. It's the ultimate Indonesian light breakfast."
He didn't just reach for the pantry; he closed his eyes, and the air around the stove began to shimmer. The girls watched in fascination as ingredients appeared—not the standard Japanese short-grain rice, but aromatic jasmine rice, fresh ginger, turmeric, and stalks of lemongrass.
"In my world," Agung explained as he began to simmer the rice in a rich, fragrant chicken broth, "you don't start a long day on an empty stomach. Bubur Ayam is savory, silky rice porridge. It's gentle enough for Hime-chan's throat but filling enough for the boys."
As the porridge thickened into a creamy, velvety texture, Agung's hands moved in a blur of "Creation Magic."
* Ayam Suwir: Perfectly shredded, seasoned chicken breast appeared in a bowl.
* Cakwe: Golden, crispy fried dough slices manifested, ready to provide the perfect crunch.
* Kacang Kedelai: Fried soybeans for that earthy texture.
* Kerupuk:*A mountain of colorful crackers appeared, because no Indonesian breakfast is complete without that *crunch*.
"No spicy *sambal* for the little ones yet," Agung murmured, carefully tasting the broth with a wooden spoon. "Just the savory yellow gravy—the *kuah kuning*—and some sweet soy sauce."
The aroma began to waft through the ryokan, cutting through the fishy scent of the miso and replacing it with the scent of roasted shallots and turmeric. It was a smell that spoke of busy mornings in Central Java, of street vendors and community.
"There," Agung said, turning down the heat just as the clock ticked toward 4:00 AM. "Light, nutritious, and easy to eat. It's the perfect 'Welcome Home' meal for seven sleepy kids."
He looked at Maki, who was still holding Hime's hand, and then at Umi, who was glancing toward the hallway.
"Hime-chan, tell your brother the Magician-Panda has the 'Energy Porridge' ready," Agung chuckled. "If he wants to practice his forms, he's going to need the fuel."
Just as he finished speaking, the soft *shirr* of a sliding door echoed from the back of the house. The sound of small, disciplined footsteps began to approach the kitchen. The first "Aoi" of the day was officially awake.