Chapter 118: Premium Wagyu
a thick slab of red meat slowly roasted.
It was massive far larger than any normal cut of meat should’ve been its surface glistening as heat kissed its skin. Every few seconds, droplets of buttery fat melted from its edges, dripping into the magical flames below with soft sizzles, each drop sending up an intoxicating burst of aroma that spread through the cavern. The smell was rich. Savage. Mouthwatering.
A mix of charred flesh melted fat, and wild game that could make even an exhausted soul forget where they were if only for a moment.
Kei was currently half-lying languidly where she sat, her back resting comfortably against the smooth rock while one leg lazily stretched out and the other remained slightly bent. One of her hands rested over her stomach, gently patting it every now and then with the kind of satisfied rhythm one would only have after a truly good meal. Her eyes were half-lidded, her shoulders loose, and for once there wasn’t even the slightest crease of irritation on her forehead. She looked... Peaceful even, Content and Almost smug.
Kelly, seated opposite her while tending to the roasting meat, couldn’t help but stare for a moment. It felt... wrong. Not bad. Just... wrong. For the past week, the Kei he had the pleasure to come to know was a constantly grumpy, sharp-tongued, sleep-deprived gremlin who seemed one bad comment away from trying to cave his skull in. Whether it was hunger, exhaustion, filth, monster attacks, or simply his existence she always had something to complain about.
But this? This lazy, relaxed, almost cute version of Kei... It didn’t match at all. And seeing that Kelly felt an almost irresistible urge to ruin it. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he adjusted the slab of meat over the fire, carefully turning it so the fat dripped evenly into the dancing flames below. Without looking directly at her, his eyes still focused on the sizzling meat, he casually said,
"Last I heard someone said they were not going to eat and then shamelessly finished first batch of meat I painstakingly cooked and even had the guts to complain about less salt"
The relaxed atmosphere surrounding for her felt like as if got sour all of a sudden hearing Kellys sarcastic comment. Feeling a little embarrassed she Sat upright once again she made a very sincere face towards kelly and replied.
"I only ate that thing because I didn’t want to waste our supplies who knows how long we’ll be stuck here and you should be thankful I ate that thing even if it tasted bad, without me how would you be able to finish it by yourself"
’God that was good...never expected it to taste like a premium wagyu’ However as she said that the only thing going through her head was how great it tasted.
"Heh yeah I will be sure to not give you next portion then" Kelly snickered evilly as he said it looking right through her. Kei felt even more embarrassed now she could possibly tell him to give her when she already criticized it. Again there was a brief null in their conversation after a moment kelly again offhandedly commented.
"by the way it was really great of you to brought spices with you"
"yeah, I always think ahead" Kei while huffing her chest a little said with a hint of proud tone however as she said that her internal thought were way different.
’I don’t which fool was it to store their spices with me but god bless you anyway’
Again there was a little null where both didn’t speak again both in their own thoughts however maybe not liking the silence this time Kei continued in a sincere tone.
"you cooked meat really well, it was good, a little more salt would have been great but good nothing less"
Kelly arched his brows a little listening to her compliment him but this time instead of saying anything sarcastic he with a heavy heart genuinely said.
"Was it?...i wouldn’t know"
Catching the sad note in his voice Kei enquired.
"You are still not able to taste anything"
Kelly kept quiet as if not heard at all after a minute when she gave up on any response he said slowly.
"Yeah, nothing at all first I thought its temporary all my senses are working really well maybe this is taking it sweet time but still nothing, whatever I taste or drink I feel nothing as if my tongue has lost all its flavour there is no enjoyment in eating anymore as if it became a chore in itself"
Kelly laid his heart bare after a week of staying together going through so much kelly’s trust in Kei has only increases normally he doesn’t share his trouble with just anyone but right now he truly felt heartache when he thought about the loss of his taste buds for a past week not being able to taste anything has left him a little frustrated after all he wholeheartedly believes eating good food makes living life a whole more worthwhile and not being able to enjoy make him truly unbearable to imagine a future with.
"Perhaps as you said it will work itself out" Kei didn’t thought that kelly would answer her so truthful for her he always someone who always keeps his secrets to heart if wasn’t for her constantly observing him and them sharing all their meals she wouldn’t have noticed the oddity but now hearing him say all that she felt a little guilt to enjoy the meal.
"I hope so" Kelly said his mind a little distracted.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Not because things were awkward. Not because there was anything left unsaid. But because, for once, silence felt... comfortable.
They simply sat there, letting the warmth of the fire wash over their tired bodies, their stomachs full. The only sound breaking the stillness was the soft crackling of Kei’s mana-fed flames and the occasional sizzle whenever a droplet of fat slipped from the roasted meat above, falling into the fire and making the flames dance just a little higher.
The rich smell of cooked meat still lingered heavily in the damp cavern air, mixing with smoke and stone. Kei quietly stared into the fire, her half-lidded eyes reflecting the flickering orange glow.
Then her gaze slowly shifted. Toward Kelly. Toward the small cuts and bruises still fresh on his arms, his neck, and the faint tear in his shirt from the fight earlier. Even with his strange new body healing faster than any normal person should, fresh wounds still stood out clearly under the firelight. She watched them for a moment.
Then, in an unusually comforting tone, she said.
"You rest first... I’ll keep first watch."
Kelly didn’t even look up.
"Sure."