Raiden Makoto savored the taste of the midday meal. *Hmm... not bad. Perhaps I can learn a few tricks. Should I stay and watch?*
Once the thought arose, it became difficult to dismiss.
"Then I'll have to apologize, Shopkeeper! You know Inazuma is quite far from here. It's not easy to travel back and forth. I'm truly sorry."
Yae Miko looked at Raiden Makoto with a strange expression. *Is she serious? If you wanted to return to Inazuma, you could probably reach your Tenshukaku within an hour.*
"It's alright, it's alright. Then I'll trouble Wendy and Bella to make two more dishes. Please and thank you."
Bella, who was watching Sirin play a game nearby, also responded. Wendy, that little girl, was also playing with a game console. Judging by Wendy's personality, she should be able to control herself, right? I'm just a bit worried about that Sirin fellow.
"Mhm, then I'll make a few more dishes tonight. Aren't there fish nearby? How about I make you braised fish tonight?"
Wendy spoke while her eyes remained glued to the screen, as if she were completely immersed in it. Seeing this, Lu Ze almost slapped himself. *Did I just jinx it or what!*
"Forget it. The fish in Starfall Lake are prohibited from being caught. You should put aside your little schemes. And! Put down the game console right now. Why are you learning from Sirin? How old are you, still addicted to games?"
Lu Ze's fingers curled slightly, and he flicked Wendy's forehead. She yelped slightly in pain, covering her head.
"You're talking, so just talk. Why flick my head? Don't you know it hurts? *Hmmph... I just played for a little while, is it that serious?*"
Sirin looked up and immediately sensed danger. Very consciously, she put down her game console and stared blankly at the two, as if feigning ignorance...
*No, you're really trying hard to avoid getting hit, aren't you?*
Ten minutes later, Wendy and Bella were busy in the kitchen. The aroma of food soon wafted out. Raiden Makoto stood silently by the doorway, observing, not daring to enter. Was it fear of being disliked, or something else?
"Mhm? You want to learn to cook, don't you? If you want to watch, come in. Standing at the door blocks other people."
Wendy smiled sweetly, exuding a gentle and virtuous aura, like a good wife.
However, Raiden Makoto's gaze was a little evasive. She still dared not take a step forward, feeling the power within her body, especially after equipping the Stigmata, her lightning aura intensified.
"Don't bother trying to persuade her. I'm afraid she'll blow up your kitchen if she goes in. My old friend has a little problem: she absolutely cannot step into a kitchen, or you might be in trouble."
Yae Miko appeared from nowhere, hugging Raiden Makoto from behind, and said a little mischievously, revealing all her old friend's secrets without reservation.
Bella looked at Raiden Makoto with some curiosity. *Really? Is it that magical? She'll explode if she steps inside? Are you a time bomb?*
However, despite her curiosity, it was best not to try. After all, there's a saying: curiosity killed the cat. But Wendy didn't believe in such superstitions. Her goodwill didn't want to dampen the young lady's desire to learn cooking.
A smile bloomed on her face again, and she directly pulled the other person in. Terror appeared on Raiden Makoto's face, as if she expected to explode the next second. But in reality, nothing happened.
*"It seems I didn't explode? Could it be that my problem is cured?"*
With this thought, Raiden Makoto tentatively approached the iron pot. Seeing the flames sputtering beneath the pot, she slowly moved her hand closer. As expected... the next second it exploded...
Lu Ze, who was optimizing things outside, was startled. *What's going on, the kitchen exploded? I just fixed it not long ago! Aren't you just giving me extra work for no reason?*
As the black smoke dissipated, there was no fire as expected. It was just a blackened face. Even Yae Miko, standing at the door, was caught in it. Her previously fair face turned into that of a charcoal miner.
"Hoo... I told you, curiosity killed the cat. It's true..."
Bella's face was now almost entirely black, with only her eyes visible. Sirin, not knowing what was happening, looked towards the kitchen and saw Bella's soot-covered face. *Good heavens... that's hilarious!*
"Hahaha, Bella! What happened to your face? I'm dying of laughter... Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Let go of your hand, I'll never dare to laugh at you again."
Sirin fled in a panic, with a dragon chasing after her. Bella's hands were outstretched, and even her hands were blackened, as if she were about to smear it on her queen's face.
"Don't run, Queen! Let me add some color to your fair cheeks!"
It turns out, never easily mock those around you, because you might be the one fleeing for your life the next second.
The four of them finally managed to wash their faces clean. Seeing their fair skin restored, they all breathed a sigh of relief, reaching a consensus in their hearts: Raiden Makoto must never step into the kitchen again... It remains to be seen whether future Yae Sakura will suffer the same fate.
After dinner, since the second floor was not yet renovated, lodging was not available for the time being. The two had no choice but to find accommodation in Mondstadt.
Meanwhile, a yellow-haired figure from the Abyss appeared in Whispering Woods. It silently looked at the Honkai Impact 3rd experience store before it, sensing the shopkeeper's powerful energy, and all the events on the snowy mountain. *This... is your power?*
"Are we allies or enemies? We shall see in the future. Your attitude will become a crucial turning point for your future."
Then, an Abyssal portal opened behind him. An Abyss Herald walked out and said silently, "My Lord, we must leave. The seal on the Vortex Archon Osial has been weakened. Now is the opportune moment. Whether we can overthrow Celestia depends on the success of this endeavor."
"I understand. You may withdraw. And regarding my dearest kin, if you dare harm them in any way, I will take your heads. Dispatch two Abyss Mages to monitor and protect them in real-time."
The Abyss Herald nodded and obediently stood aside.
"Lu Ze... Heh, I hope you don't interfere with my plans, otherwise..."
With that, the yellow-haired figure stepped into the Abyssal portal and vanished into the forest.
Lu Ze lay on the bed, gazing at the starry sky, lost in memories. *How long has it been since I've been this relaxed? Ten days? Twenty days? Teacher Himeko, I will definitely pursue you. I must bring you home. And... please don't get me drunk next time... * (Sighs)*