A tempting fragrant aroma filled the air of the minimarket, mixed with the clear sound of sizzling cooking heard in the morning silence. However, Azlan remained motionless. His eyes were closed, all his senses focused on the flow of natural energy around him, immersed in his meditation.
About twenty minutes later, all the commotion in the minimarket subsided, leaving only an appetizing delicious aroma.
Only then did Azlan open his eyes. What greeted him was an unexpected sight: Akane crouching right in front of him, chin resting on her palm, her eyes staring at him full of curiosity.
The distance between them was so close that he could count her eyelashes.
Before he could speak, Akane spoke first.
"Ah, you finally opened your eyes, Azlan-kun. I was confused about how to wake you up."
"What is it?"
"Breakfast is ready. Let's eat together."
"Okay."
Getting the answer she wanted, Akane nodded satisfied. She then pulled Azlan's hand to help him stand and enthusiastically guided him to the staff room, seating him on one side of the table before sitting across from him.
On the table, displayed were simple yet appetizing-looking dishes. Crispy fried corned beef, canned vegetables sautéed with garlic, and canned fruit as a dessert.
Akane had transformed makeshift ingredients into a presentation far more attractive compared to Azlan's usually bland food.
"If the taste doesn't suit your palate, just say so. From now on, I'll adjust the taste to Azlan-kun's preferences."
Sitting across from him, Akane smiled apologetically, her hands fidgeting in her lap.
"No. You've already done more than enough, Akane. I don't ask for more as long as it's edible."
Used to hunger, how could Azlan demand food? However, Akane reacted strongly to his words, her eyes widening and her hands clenching.
"No way! Anyway, starting today I'll make sure Azlan-kun eats well!"
"Do as you wish."
Not wanting to argue with a woman, Azlan shrugged.
Seeing him surrender, Akane smiled brightly while playing with the ends of her hair, small joy radiating from her face.
"Mm. I'll do what I want. Now, try tasting my cooking. This is the first time I've cooked for a man, I hope you like it."
"..."
Under the enthusiastic gaze from across the table, Azlan took rice and side dishes into his empty bowl.
"Nyam... Nyam..."
As soon as the spoon full of food entered his mouth, Azlan chewed slowly then swallowed. The taste... warm and delicious. Like something he had known a very long time ago.
"How does it taste?" Akane asked impatiently.
"Delicious."
Only that one word came from his lips. But then, Azlan realized there were warm drops flowing on his cheeks. Quickly, he wiped his tears, surprised by his own reaction.
"I'm glad you like it. There's no better praise for a cook than knowing their cooking is liked by the person eating it."
Patting her chest, Akane sighed in relief, her smile widening. She could guess the reason behind Azlan unconsciously crying with emotion.
(Azlan-kun must not have enjoyed home-cooked food like this for a long time, right?)
She didn't know what it was like to live in a war zone, but she was sure it was a bad experience no one would want.
For ordinary people, home-cooked food they eat almost every day was nothing special. If a vote was held, they would definitely tend to choose outside food like restaurants and fast food. However, warm home-cooked food was what people in war zones craved most.
A life taken for granted by others was often the life dreamed of by some people.
"Eat slowly, Azlan-kun. No one will take it from you."
Seeing him eat hastily as if being chased by time, Akane took side dishes from the plate, and put them in Azlan's bowl, her movements full of attention.
"In that case, I'll eat too."
"Ittadakimasu."
Akane clasped her hands gracefully, reciting the typical Japanese pre-meal ritual, then began eating her food with chopsticks. Her movements were gentle and full of manners, as if they were in a luxurious restaurant, not in a shabby minimarket in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
(Kurokawa Akane... Not only beautiful and charming, her personality is also good and noble. Whoever marries her in the future must be a very lucky man.)
His sharp observation also caught Akane's attention to small details. For example, she had prepared a fork and spoon for Azlan, with consideration that he might not be able to use chopsticks. Small gestures like this showed deep care.
Realizing Azlan's continuous gaze, Akane tilted her head, a small smile carved on her lips.
"Hm? Is there something on my face? Ah, could there be rice grains on my cheek?"
"Let's move."
"Huh?"
Akane didn't understand why Azlan suddenly proposed that idea, her eyes blinking in confusion.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After breakfast, dirty dishes were set aside to be washed later. Azlan carried Akane in his embrace and flew with Divine Dividing.
He activated his blue light wings, shooting into the air from the snow-covered minimarket rooftop.
*WHOOSH!*
"No matter how many times I experience it, this flying sensation is always very exhilarating." Akane murmured, her arms wrapped safely around Azlan's neck.
The wind hit her face while the snow-covered city view spread out below them.
"Now I truly understand the desire of people in the past who wanted to fly like birds."
"By the way, why am I not cold even though snow is falling and we're flying at this height? This must be your doing, right, Azlan-kun?"
The clever Akane guessed her current anomaly, she could feel a faint warmth enveloping her.
"Yes." Azlan acknowledged without beating around the bush. "I'm protecting you with my Touki to withstand the cold air."
"I see~ you're so kind, Azlan-kun~"
Akane smiled, resting her head on Azlan's shoulder, feeling safe in the embrace of the man who saved her.
The two arrived at a magnificent but now silent mall, its concrete structure cracked by time and neglect, thin snow clinging to broken windows.
*BANG!*
Azlan entered through a glass window he shattered with a kick, then gently lowered Akane on the deserted third floor.
"What are we going to do here?"
Without the slightest panic even though zombies began coming toward them from the darkness of the corridor, Akane asked to confirm, although faintly she had already guessed their purpose here.
"Gathering supplies. Items in the minimarket can't be compared to what's in the mall. So far, my needs have been met there, but sooner or later everything will run out."
Azlan answered briefly, his eyes sweeping the approaching zombie horde, their movements slow but bloodthirsty. Then, he turned toward Akane.
"Akane, you don't mind using your 4D Pocket to store supplies, right?"
"Of course no problem! Use as much as Azlan-kun wants. I'm happy to help."
Akane without hesitation agreed to Azlan's plan, her hand gripping the plain white pouch tightly, ready to help.
"You wait here. Give me time to clean up the zombies."
"Be careful, Azlan-kun."
"Mm."
Not used to having someone care about his safety, Azlan only nodded lightly before turning to face the threat.
He picked up a long iron rod lying on the floor—perhaps remnants of a damaged barrier fence. With brief concentration, he coated the iron with his Touki, making it glow faintly with energy.
Then, he charged.
His movements were like a deadly whirlwind. The iron rod spun and swung, striking zombie skulls with crushing force.
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
Every slash was an efficient and deadly movement. Heads shattered, bodies collapsed, and black liquid spurted everywhere. He moved from one end of the lobby to the other, like an unstoppable destroying machine.
In a short time, dozens of zombies wandering on the third floor had been successfully cleaned up. Azlan stood in the middle of the chaos, his breathing hardly disturbed, his iron rod still gleaming with Touki remnants.
He waved his hand toward Akane, signaling that the area was safe.
"It's done. Now, let's start shopping."