I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 101: Rice

The prefabricated house was comfortable and move-in ready, though several cardboard boxes lay stacked in the living room, indicating the two sisters had recently moved in and hadn't yet unpacked.

The walls were bare, but a few framed photos were already displayed—pictures of the sisters together.

Sakura stood in the kitchen, a paring knife effortlessly slicing through potatoes, each slice precisely two millimeters thick, without a single mistake. She didn't even look at the cutting board, slicing while covertly observing the living room.

A cartoon played on the TV. Hidden behind a stuffed rabbit, Ryan's muffled voice narrated something about 'Mr. Rabbit's Big Questions' and 'Mr. Rabbit's World Travels,' causing Rin to alternate between fits of giggles and rapt attention.

He wasn't wrong; he was surprisingly good with children.

Due to their absent parents and her infrequent visits, Rin had few friends and disliked interacting with strangers, seemingly wary of everyone. When bringing Ryan over, she'd worried Rin would upset him.

The result was unexpectedly positive.

She increasingly found Ryan incomprehensible, his initial image too deeply ingrained.

Overwhelming strength, decisive actions, taking a dozen lives without blinking—a born killer.

Even after the shift in perception due to Vill-V, the image of a killing machine remained.

'And now this killing machine is in my living room, playing with Rin?'

The scene felt surreal. The pale yellow walls and beige sofa created a warm atmosphere; anyone witnessing this would see a typical family.

"Sister, when will dinner be ready?"

Rin's clear voice snapped Sakura back to reality. She quickly replied, "Ten minutes. I'll be finished with the curry soon. Clear the table first, then wash your hands."

Rin watched everything, turning her head and mischievously covering her mouth. "Ryan Oniisan, I've never seen Sister like this. Are you two... okay?"

"I've told you, we're colleagues. Don't overthink it." Ryan blinked; after interacting with her, he found Rin charming.

Lively, with an early maturity.

"But Sister has never brought a colleague home, let alone a boy." Rin pursed her lips, pondering. Seeing Ryan's playful approach, she shrank back. "Okay, I won't say anything. Don't tickle me!"

"Hmph, that's more like it." Ryan put his hands on his hips, acting victorious, before slowly standing up. "You watch TV; I'll help your sister with dinner."

"Ryan Oniisan, are you secretly protecting the world?"

Suddenly, this question came from behind. Ryan turned, seeing the girl intently watching the TV, showing a particularly exciting cartoon.

It was a Fire Moth-sponsored cartoon; the heroes battled monsters (Fire Moth fighters versus Honkai Beasts), interspersed with educational segments on evacuation and escape.

For a time, Fire Moth had been trustworthy.

Returning to the present, Ryan knew Rin had guessed something. Who would frequently go on business trips while maintaining a strong sense of vigilance? Looking at the girl's pale face, he thought of Hua.

Both girls wanted to be close to their loved ones and contribute their strength. Sakura, however, prioritized protecting Rin and hoped she'd live a normal life. Her past actions weren't glorious.

He knelt, whispering in the girl's ear, "Of course, we're heroes. Even more awesome than those in cartoons. I promise."

Sister is a hero?

For some reason, Rin believed him, excitement flickering in her eyes. She nodded repeatedly at Ryan's silent gesture, promising to keep the secret.

Children are easily deceived. Sakura hadn't been a hero before, but after working with him, she was undoubtedly saving humanity.

He went to the kitchen, where Sakura had already prepared the ingredients, adding them to a pot. The homemade curry emitted a rich aroma of honey and milk.

In the desert town, Ryan had tasted Sakura's cooking; she was skilled, unlike a killer.

The girl, wearing an apron, tied her pink hair into a ponytail. Beneath her competence, a gentle Yamato Nadeshiko demeanor emerged.

He was surprised by Sakura's transformation; she showed no trace of her killer past, proving Elysia's point:

Humans understand each other only through continuous interaction.

Ryan avoided Sakura's gaze, stirring the pot. "Rin was picky about food, so I started making elaborate dishes for her. Turns out, I have a knack for it."

"You're quite professional. Let me help." Ryan tied on an apron, meeting Sakura's surprised expression. "Don't be so shocked. Strength is only one aspect; it doesn't define me entirely." freewebnøvel.com

"Your strength left a strong impression." Sakura's voice softened slightly; a gentle smile appeared. "Of course, I still think cooking isn't really something for you."

"Watch closely. Don't blink."

A confident smile played on Ryan's lips as if entering a sacred space. He first scanned the ingredients and seasonings, then lightly brushed his fingers over the sharp, clean knives.

Aura of strength.

Sakura, for some reason, uttered these words, watching as Ryan expertly handled the knife, displaying dazzling knife skills. He expertly cleaned and filleted the fish with swift, precise motions.

Impressive knife skills.

Sakura was starting to believe. He brought out a basin to wash the fish, coated it with cornstarch, prepared the tomato sauce and other seasonings, and poured about half a pot of oil into a pan.

She stepped back slightly, her heart aching as she looked at the pan. "You're frying fish? That's way too much oil."

"Ah, generous oil is a philosophy of life. Watch carefully."

Ryan didn't explain. Seeing the fish fry to a golden brown, he expertly removed it and placed it on a platter, leaving only a small amount of oil in the pan before adding the tomato sauce, vinegar, and sugar, stirring continuously to prevent sticking, and reducing it to a rich sauce.

A sweet and sour aroma filled the room. Sakura watched as Ryan suddenly added a spoonful of bright oil to the sauce, making it gleam. Then he turned off the heat, ladling the rich, crimson sauce over the golden-brown fish, finishing with a flourish using a handsome ladle.

The golden fish, the crimson sauce—a vibrant display. The delicately sliced fish fanned out, resembling a squirrel's tail.

As a professional, Sakura didn't need to taste it to know it was delicious.

"This is... a new technique? I've never seen this before."

"A famous dish from my hometown, fried fish. The Shiga seasonings aren't enough; considering Rin's preferences, I decided on this sweet and sour flavor. The difficulty lies in the knife skills, but for someone like me, it's trivial." Ryan wiped his hands, calmly explaining.

"It's not that simple; even professional chefs struggle with fried fish." Sakura shook her head, observing the golden-brown color, clearly indicating a crispy exterior and tender interior, the technique precise to the millimeter.

"It's a pity we can't add Honkai energy for special effects."

"Why?"

"Because anything easily done will glow." Ryan smirked, carrying the platter. "Let's eat."

Why would it glow?

Sakura was still pondering when she regained her composure, seeing Rin's delighted expression, and couldn't help but smile.

Cooking was one thing; she appreciated Ryan considering his niece's preferences, her mood lightening. She was no longer bothered by Ryan's true identity.

Killer, monster—it didn't matter. With prolonged contact, she found him agreeable. Overthinking was pointless.

Fried fish, curry, and a vegetable salad graced the table—a culinary trifecta. Rin's eyes lit up; she stuffed a piece of fried fish into her mouth, her eyes closing in delight.

"Delicious! Ryan Oniisan, did you make this?"

Why Oniisan?

Sakura noticed Rin's changed address, subtly looking away as Ryan smiled.

"Yes, I thought you'd like the sweet and sour flavor."

"If you could make this for me every day..."

"Haha, no problem. Order whatever you want for the next few days."

"Only a few days?" Rin's expression dimmed slightly, though she was used to her sister's sudden arrivals and departures. For a child, fleeting moments of happiness were precious.

She didn't fuss like a spoiled child, eating a spoonful of curry, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction. "Of course, Sister's curry is still delicious."

Sakura's heart softened; she patted her sister's head.

"Don't talk with your mouth full. Watch out for fish bones."

"Okay." The girl immediately lowered her head, eating voraciously.

Seeing Rin's happy face, Sakura felt genuine joy. She'd done all this for her. Picking up her chopsticks, she ate a piece of fish.

Crispy, tender, the sweet and sour flavors burst in her mouth. The taste was impeccable.

So, he actually can cook.

Sakura glanced at Ryan, who was enjoying his curry, noticing her questioning gaze.

She didn't hide it, smiling back—a genuine smile, sweeping her gaze around the room.

The pendant lamp cast a warm glow; the room wasn't overly decorated; the meal wasn't extravagant. Yet, a strange feeling washed over her.

The warmth of a true home.

Suddenly, she didn't care who Ryan was. At this moment, she felt gratitude, even a fleeting thought:

May this moment last forever.

"Why aren't you eating?" Ryan put down his spoon, noticing Sakura's pensive state. He didn't think his cooking was that bad.

She turned, her smile remaining, but her usual cool demeanor replaced by something different—a profound gentleness.

She put down her chopsticks, propping her chin with her interlocked fingers, her eyes half-closed, watching Rin and Ryan eat heartily.

"I suddenly feel... full."