Chapter 96: Lucoa's New Skin: Wakame Seaweed Edition!
"Lucoa-san, should I just serve you one of everything from the menu?" Ryohei asked.
He placed a small dish of sunomono salad and a small platter of his signature sashimi combo on the bar in front of her. Since she had so directly asked for her "reward," Ryohei, not being a petty man, decided to indulge her. Even though it was going to be a busy night, he would make time to satisfy the former god's stomach.
"Mhm, and I'd like a little something to drink as well~," the former god replied. Being so tall, she didn't even need to stand up. She simply leaned forward, stretching out a pale, slender arm to bring the dishes closer. The world-class curves of her chest pressed gently against the countertop, creating an infinitely beautiful picture.
I suddenly wish I were that countertop… Ryohei thought, immediately feeling ashamed of himself. He quickly averted his gaze.
"What would you like to drink?" he asked, trying to distract himself. He remembered reading that Lucoa had once been tricked into drinking a cursed liquor, which had caused her to get drunk, have an affair with her sister, and subsequently be stripped of her divine status. "A little bit should be fine, though," he reasoned.
"I'd like one of your special cocktails, Heian-kun," Lucoa said, a crafty glint in her eye as she picked up a pair of chopsticks.
"The cocktails I make aren't on the menu," Ryohei replied, his expression saying, Pick something else.
The other customers at the bar, however, overheard her. A cocktail made by Chef Ryohei… I wonder if it glows? Does he have that skill too? I really want to try it!
"Eh? I can't order it?" Lucoa pouted. "Heian-kun, what about my 'vigorous' reward? You won't even give me a single drink? If you treat me like this, I might become disobedient. My loyalty level will drop!" She waggled a slender finger at him.
What on earth are you talking about?! Ryohei could feel the gossipy, suggestive stares of the other customers, and his brain went numb. "I don't remember saying anything like that! And please, stop saying things that are so easily misunderstood!" he retorted, and quickly went to the liquor cabinet, returning with a bottle of Choya umeshu. It was a light, refreshing plum wine, very popular with women. He poured some over ice in a nice glass and placed it on the bar. "This is all I have time for right now."
"Alright," Lucoa sighed, feigning disappointment as she accepted the drink.
The other men at the bar looked on with envy. He's handsome, he can make glowing food, he's rolling in money, and he's got incredible luck with the ladies… Chef Ryohei is a true winner in life!
"Mina-san, what do you all recommend?" Airi, the streamer, was back to work. Having shown her viewers the menu, she turned the camera back on herself.
'Tell the streamer to order one of everything!'
'I'm eating omurice right now, I want to see how the Cooking Immortal's omurice is different from mine!'
'Yours doesn't glow!'
'Ouch, so true…'
'Order the sashimi! A dish like that is the ultimate test of a chef's knife skills! I can't believe he offers it!'
'I want to see how he makes the glowing food! Point the camera at the Chef!'
The topic of the chat quickly shifted. Airi, seeing the flood of requests, glanced over at Ryohei. "Um… Chef Ryohei, is it okay if I film you?"
"It's fine," he replied, nodding. "This is a restaurant. Just don't disturb the other customers."
"Okay! Arigatou!" Airi said, overjoyed. She adjusted her phone on its tripod to get a perfect shot of Ryohei in the open kitchen.
At the end of the bar, Lucoa picked up her chopsticks again. "Itadakimasu," she said cheerfully, and picked up a bit of the glistening, green sunomono salad.
So delicious! The moment it entered her mouth, she was pleasantly surprised. The texture of the seaweed was crisp yet tender, and the thinly sliced cucumber was incredibly refreshing. The vinegar dressing was a perfect balance of sour and savory, with a hint of sweetness that brought the whole dish to life. The rich garlic, a hint of chili, and the nutty aroma of sesame seeds all combined to create a complex and deeply satisfying flavor.
"This is really super delicious!" she exclaimed. "It's not only tasty on its own, but it's a perfect appetizer!" She held her cheek in her hand, a blissful smile on her face.
In an instant, she felt herself being enveloped by the ocean, transported to a dreamlike world on the shallow seafloor. Sunlight pierced the clear water, casting shimmering patterns of light all around. Lucoa stood barefoot on the soft white sand, her long, highlighted blonde hair swaying with the current like elegant seaweed.
Then, she looked down and saw that her clothes had transformed. A cleverly arranged drape of vibrant green wakame seaweed now covered her ample chest, paired with a matching seaweed micro-skirt. The look was playful, with a touch of natural wildness, as if she had become one with the ocean itself.
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