"Alright, class dismissed!"
Sir clapped his hands like he'd just delivered a life-changing TED Talk. "And don't forget—you've got homework."
Cue the collective groan from the class.
"Yes, sir…" we mumbled in unison like a poorly trained choir.
As I packed up my bag, Sam leaned over, his voice dripping with curiosity.
"So? You going to meet her now?"
I sighed. "Yeah. I kinda said I would, didn't I?"
He grinned and slapped my back like I was heading into battle.
"Good luck, soldier. May the odds be ever in your favor."
Stop it Sam.
We split ways at the college gate, and I made my way to Fiona's apartment—a place she shared with two other people: Jenny, the chill one, and Loid… the not-so chill one.
I rang the doorbell.
Ding dong.
"Fiona? You there?"
Instead of Fiona, Jenny opened the door, looking halfway between confused and amused.
"Oh hey, Yuuta."
"Hey. I came to see Fiona. Is she in?"
Jenny leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed. "She's... not really in the mood right now."
I blinked. "Oh. Did I mess up something again?"
She frowned. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. She's just caught up with work stuff."
"Oh. I thought maybe… you know, something about Erza fight?"
Jenny laughed. "No, no. That's not it. You've got your wires completely crossed."
Just then, like a boss fight triggering at the worst possible time, Loid stormed into the scene. And when I say stormed, I mean he charged like he was auditioning for an action movie.
He grabbed me by the collar, eyes blazing with drama.
"You scoundrel! How dare you insult our captain's honor?!"
"Wait—what? What captain? What are you talking about?"
Before I could even blink, BAM! He landed a solid punch on my face.
"You broke our captain's heart, you evil demon!"
"Ow! What?! I didn't even—what heart?!"
Jenny stepped between us, rubbing her temples like she'd seen this too many times.
"Loid, stop it. He didn't do anything. And also, stop calling Fiona 'Captain without her permission.'"
Loid pointed at me like a soap opera villain.
"Mark my words, Yuuta. I'm watching you." Then he turned and dramatically stormed back into the apartment, like a knight retreating after a failed duel.
Jenny turned to me and rolled her eyes.
"Don't mind him. He's been like this since they were kids. It's... a whole thing."
I dusted off my shirt, trying to regain what little dignity I had left.
"Maybe you should head home, Yuuta," she said.
Well, with Fiona not in the mood to talk, I figured it was best to back off for now. I sighed, shoved my hands in my pockets, and started walking aimlessly like a rejected anime protagonist.
"Guess I'll try again later… or never… yeah, never sounds safe."
Just as I passed by the dumpster near Fiona's apartment, something caught my eye. At first, I thought it was just junk—because, well, it was next to a dumpster—but then the light hit it just right.
A rusty sword.
Yup. Just chilling there like Excalibur had a midlife crisis and gave up.
I stopped, stared, then slowly stepped closer.
It looked… weirdly real. Like, not Halloween prop real. Not cosplay real. I mean real real. It was cracked, old, and the blade was broken in half, but the handle—it looked like it was forged with actual gold. Bits of iron clung to it like it still had stories to tell.
Naturally, I picked it up.
"Whoa."
It was heavy. Heavier than it looked. Definitely not fake.
And then—cue evil grin.
"If I sell this… I could make some serious cash."
"Hehehe…"
"HeheheheHAHAHA—!"
That's when I noticed them: a dog and a cat sitting nearby, both staring at me like I'd just lost my last brain cell.
The dog tilted its head.
The cat narrowed its eyes.
Even the pigeons on the wire above me looked concerned.
I cleared my throat, tried to look normal, stuffed the sword hilt into my bag as casually as possible, and speed-walked away like a guy who definitely didn't just laugh maniacally in public.
By the time I got home, I was still thinking about the sword.
I walked in, calling out, "I'm home!" but… no answer.
I guess it wasn't that surprising. Erza and Elena were probably out for a walk.
I mean, Erza had already memorized the entire city map in less than an hour.
If map companies ever found out, they'd probably shut down their businesses. Just kidding.
Anyway, I shrugged it off. It wasn't a big deal. With no one around, I figured it was the perfect time to take a look at that sword I picked up from Fiona's place.
It was in rough shape—just the handle left—but something about it made me curious. I grabbed it, giving it a swing, half-expecting it to suddenly glow or maybe start radiating some sort of ancient power.
Instead, it just felt... cool. Like a hero's sword. I couldn't help but smile. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
After swinging that sword around like some overconfident RPG protagonist—and nearly slicing off my own ear in the process—I gently placed it in the cupboard. Yeah. Nice and tucked away.
Out of sight, out of Elena's grabby dragon hands. I'll give it to her properly later, maybe with a cool speech like, *"This blade chooses only the worthy."* You know, dad stuff.
But first—
I clapped my hands together.
"Alright! Time to cook something amazing for my family!"
Erza and Elena would be home soon, and I wanted to surprise them. I mean, it's not every day I feel this domestic. What should I make? Curry? Too spicy for Elena. Pancakes? Erza will judge me. Hmm…
Then it hit me.
"Ramen. Yes."
It's been a while since I last made it from scratch. The instant ones don't count. I mean *real* ramen. Noodles with soul. Broth with purpose. Toppings with backstories.
I swung open the fridge with the energy of a shounen protagonist unlocking his final form.
"Let's see… eggs? Check. Green onions? You bet. Pork belly?" I kissed my fingertips. "Perfect."
I tied on an apron like I was preparing for battle. Because I was. This wasn't just cooking.
This was a noodle war.
Boil water—done. Add the pork to a sizzling pan—szzzzhhh! The oil popped like fireworks. I could already imagine Erza's reaction: "Is this some kind of ritual?" And Elena shouting, "Is it edible?!"
I diced the garlic with the precision of a samurai. The soy sauce, miso paste, and chicken broth all came together like a forbidden alchemy circle. The broth simmered, golden and rich, sending up the kind of aroma that could make a grown dragon weep.
Then came the egg. The sacred egg. Soft-boiled to the perfect texture, yolk slightly runny, the kind of thing that belongs in a museum.
Noodles in. Stir. Flip. Splash. Flip again for drama. No reason—just for flair.
Finally, the bowl. I plated the ramen with care, placing each ingredient like it was a jewel.
I stood back and admired my creation.
"I have done it," I whispered, awestruck. "Ramen... fit for a queen and a half-dragon toddler who still thinks spoons are throwable weapons."
Now all that was left… was the taste test.
And for that, I waited.
Because when they walk in and smell this?
Oh, I'm getting praised so hard today.
Outside the apartment…
"Mama," Elena chirped, hopping up the last few steps, "Papa should've come with us. He's gonna miss my Bee-Ka-Boom surprise!"
Erza smiled, brushing Elena's bangs aside. "That mortal's probably snoring on the couch like he's been hit with a sleep spell. Let's just hope the apartment's still in one piece."
"Can I blow open the door and yell surprise?"
"Only if you want to sleep on the roof again."
Elena pouted.
But then—Erza stopped walking.
Her eyes narrowed. Her smile faded.
"Mama! That smell—It's coming from our house!" Elena's voice rang with wonder and urgency.
Seconds later, boom boom boom—footsteps like a stampede. Erza stormed in like a dragon chasing a thief, Elena cradled in her arms like a sacred relic.
She froze the moment she stepped inside, nostrils flaring, pupils dilating.
"What… is this divine aroma…?" she whispered, as if some ancient beast had just awakened her instincts.
I didn't even turn around.
"Oh hey, welcome back, Lizard Queen."
Her eyes scanned the kitchen like she was preparing for battle. "What is that? And why is the scent… so strong?"
I spun around with a spatula in one hand, confidence radiating from me like heat from a grill.
"This, dear Queen, is one of humanity's greatest achievements. Ramen. The noodles of legends."
She scoffed, arms crossed. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"Don't believe me?" I smirked. "Why not try it yourself?"
Elena tugged on her sleeve, already sliding into a chair. "Papa, can I eat?"
"Of course, Princess. Just be careful. If you slurp too loudly, you might summon another demon."
I handed Elena the ramen bowl, and her face lit up instantly, her eyes sparkling like she'd just discovered treasure.
"Thank you, Papa!" she chirped, slurping a noodle with such dramatic flair, you'd think she was auditioning for a role in some anime about noodle warriors.
"Papa, it's so yummy!" she said, her voice filled with childlike joy as she gave me a thumbs up. I almost swore she was about to start singing an aria about noodles.
Erza, standing in the background with that usual regal look, couldn't help but glance at the scene.
"Well, mortal, I see you've made something... interesting," she remarked, her tone laced with that sharp skepticism she always carried.
"Give me some too."
I smirked, leaning back in my chair, enjoying the royal drama unfolding before me.
"Teasingly, nope," I said, spinning my chopsticks like a villain in a cooking anime. "But... I can offer you a small trial portion."
Erza's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "And the rest?"
I gave her a sly smile. "Ah, well, the full bowl comes with a small price. A fair trade, really. I'll tell you the cost... after your first bite."
She crossed her arms, clearly offended and intrigued all at once. "You dare barter with me, mortal?"
"Oh, come on," I said with a grin. "You rule dragons. Let me rule the kitchen."
Erza's eyes narrowed. I could practically feel the heat radiating off her. "Rage building… Fine. I don't want your psycho food anyway."
Just as Elena took another loud slurp of her ramen, practically echoing through the room, Erza's patience cracked.
Elena wiped her chin, her innocent voice cutting through the tension. "So yummy!" she giggled.
Erza, clearly torn between maintaining her dignity and her uncontrollable hunger, clenched her fists. She stood still for a moment, but then—her stomach growled. The dragon queen's stomach. Loud. Like it was a warning bell.
"Okay," Erza grumbled, finally admitting defeat. "Fine. You win. Just give me the small one ramen."
I couldn't resist. My evil smile stretched from ear to ear as I handed her the bowl. "Here you go, Your Majesty."
She took it, inspecting the noodles with an almost warrior-like gaze, as if the bowl itself was an enemy she had to defeat.
The pork belly glistened, the egg was soft-boiled to perfection, and the noodles sat like golden strands of destiny.
But Erza, in all her glory, hesitated. She was no stranger to the world of gourmet meals, but this? This was new.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "You know, just one bite won't kill you."
Erza finally took that first bite. Slowly. Reluctantly.
And then—
Boom.
Her eyes widened. Her body stiffened. For a full, glorious second, she looked like she'd just had her soul pulled into another realm.
"What... is this?" she whispered, her voice faltering for the briefest moment.
I watched her, enjoying every second. "Told you. One of humanity's finest achievements. Ramen."
She took another bite, this time a little faster. Her eyes flickered. I could practically hear her internal struggle. Was this the taste of mortal food really this powerful? The queen of dragons seemed to lose her composure with every slurp.
"I—This is..." Erza trailed off, clearly speechless. For once, the queen of dragons was at a loss for words. She looked at me like I'd just discovered a secret power.
"Is this... real?" she finally muttered, her voice softer now, almost in awe.
She eyed the full bowl like a dragon eyeing treasure. "I want the whole portion."
I leaned in, letting a mischievous grin tug at my lips.
"My Queen… you do realize I can't just give this away for free, right?"
Her eyes narrowed, voice dripping with suspicion. "What do you want then? Just to eat this?"
This was it. The moment of truth. She'd never had ramen before—meaning, at this very moment, I held all the power in the universe.
I crossed my arms and struck my most dramatic anime-protagonist pose.
"I want one wish. Granted. No questions asked."
She blinked. "What nonsense is that? I don't even know what you'd ask from me."
Her tone was chilly, classic Erza. But I didn't flinch.
"Okay then," I shrugged. "Guess I'll give this bowl to miss Kano instead. I hear she loves noodles."
That got her.
She flinched. "Wait."
I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
She glanced away, cheeks dusted with the faintest red. "Fine… just this once."
Victory. Sweet, steaming, noodle-flavored victory.
I pumped my fist like I'd just cleared a final boss.
"Oh yeah, baby! That's it!"
Erza's POV
What is this mortal scheming now… a wish?
Wait. Don't tell me—he's going to ask for something naughty again, like last night...
No. Absolutely not. Erza, hold yourself together. You are the Queen of Dragons. The supreme ruler of the skies. The—
…But what if he does?
By the stars… why did I agree to this!?
To be continued…
[End of chapter]