Orion clapped his hands, exclaiming excitedly,
"Since food is most important here, if I get some, I won't have to go to the landfill to exchange for supplies, right?"
"Hmm?"
Machi looked Orion up and down, then nodded.
"If you can find food, you won't need to go out. You could even trade the surplus for other supplies."
"After all, nothing is more valuable than food in Meteor City."
She didn't understand why Orion said that. Yesterday, she had thoroughly checked him when she brought him home, finding no hidden food. If there had been any, she would have taken it.
"Great!"
Orion grinned, then flipped his hands.
"Look at this!"
As if by magic, a square cloth with blue, green, and yellow patterns appeared in his hands.
"Hmm?"
Machi's calm gaze flickered.
"Where did you get that?"
Her tone was questioning and slightly wary. Yesterday, she hadn't found such a large cloth on him. This morning, she had checked again, and Orion's pockets were empty. But now…?
"Did it appear out of thin air?"
Machi's wariness stemmed from her survival instincts in Meteor City. There's no room for naivety here.
"Don't worry about where it came from," Orion chuckled. "What do you think of this table cloth? Pretty?"
"It is pretty," Machi admitted, examining it. It was the most beautiful fabric she'd ever seen.
"It could fetch a lot of black rice at the trading post."
"Black rice? Like what you're eating?" Orion gestured to Machi's bowl. He shook his head.
"This table cloth isn't for trading; that would be wasteful. It's called the Gourmet Table Cloth!"
Machi stared at Orion, her expression questioning.
"Watch closely!"
Orion spread the Gourmet Table Cloth on the old table.
"Now, for a miracle!"
Feeling his Nen and Aura surge, Orion smirked.
"Gadget: Gourmet Table Cloth"
Effect: Creates various foods out of thin air. Simply naming the desired food will cause the cloth to produce it—real food, free, and unlimited.
The Gourmet Table Cloth is a well-known and iconic gadget. It can produce any food imaginable. If Orion had this back in his world, he would never have to cook again!
He wondered if it would work in the Hunter x Hunter world. But surely it could produce Earth foods?
"Give me sweet and sour pork ribs, braised duck, mapo tofu, steamed fish, ham and winter melon soup, and a big bowl of white rice!"
Orion snapped his fingers. His Nen and Aura decreased as dishes materialized on the Gourmet Table Cloth, causing Machi's eyes to widen in disbelief.
"This is…"
Machi was speechless.
"See why it's called the Gourmet Table Cloth?"
Seeing Machi's astonishment, Orion grinned.
"Because it creates any food you want!"
Orion sat down, moving the broken wooden bed. He picked up a spoon, bowl, and chopsticks provided by the cloth and served himself a large bowl of rice.
"Mmm…"
Orion inhaled the aroma of the delicious food.
"So fragrant!"
This was a classic four-dish-and-one-soup meal, a tradition dating back to the Earth. While the specific dishes might have changed over time, it remains a standard for official banquets.
Orion picked up a pork rib.
"Delicious!" he exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up. "The best pork ribs I've ever had!"
Sweet and sour, not greasy, rich and delicate, and incredibly flavorful!
Machi looked from her black goo to Orion happily enjoying the mapo tofu. Her own food suddenly seemed unappetizing. It never was appetizing!
"Really that good?" she asked, sitting opposite Orion.
Orion pushed the bowl and chopsticks towards her.
"Try it yourself," he mumbled around a mouthful of rice. "I got you a serving too."
Machi remained silent but took the utensils.
"I'll try it," she said, trying to keep her voice normal.
Machi didn't pick up the main dishes but served herself some ham and winter melon soup.
"Wow!" Her eyes widened after tasting the soup. The salty ham and sweet winter melon complemented each other perfectly. It was the most delicious food she'd ever tasted. She couldn't stop eating.
"I can't be outdone,"
Seeing Machi's speed, Orion ate faster. Soon, the food was gone, every dish and the rice bowl licked clean.
"Burp," Orion belched contentedly. "That was amazing, but I could use some dessert." He looked at Machi, who had transformed from a food-fighting girl back into an ice princess.
"What would you like?"
"Anything," Machi replied calmly, wiping her mouth.
"Then I'll choose," Orion snapped his fingers. "Two apple custard tarts and a glass of spring water with fresh leaves."
More food appeared as his Nen and Aura decreased. No girl could resist fruit and cake!
"What's the spring water for?" Machi asked, enjoying her tart.
"You'll see," Orion said, smiling.
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