Chapter Text
It had been what? 4 weeks had passed since Mukoda had left Dolan, and he knew something or someone was following them. At first, he thought he was being paranoid but sometimes from the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure, but as soon as he saw it, it disappeared.
He sighed as he thought it couldn’t be dangerous after all, if it was Fel, Dora-Chan, and Sui would’ve noticed it and eliminated the threat before it had a chance to escape. “When will food be ready?” Fel says, interrupting Mukoda’s train of thought, snapping him out of it.
“Be patient, I haven’t even taken out the stove,” Mukoda snapped back as he summoned his item box, grabbed the massive stove, and placing it on the ground but just as he was about to grab the ingredients to cook he turned to Fel
“Hey Fel have you noticed someone following us?” he casually asked expecting Fel to say no.
“Oh yes, I have,” Fel says calmly as if it is no big deal. Mukoda almost dropped his frying pan in shock. “WHATTTTTT!?” he shouts, turning towards his familiars
“me too, seemed weak, so I left it be.” Dora Chan chimes in
, “Sui noticed too, master.” Sui says, looking up, bouncing towards Mukoda.
Mukoda stared at them in pure shock before sighing, “And why did you all not bother to tell me? This could be dangerous! Oh my god, what if they find out my online grocery skills! I could be kidnapped! Forced to summon goods!’ Mukoda says overthinking but quickly takes a deep breath.
“Where is the presence now?” Mukoda says, looking around wildly, trying to find themselves, simply pointed his snout towards the huddle of trees. “I can take care of it if you like-““NO NO WAIT WAIT!” a shout from the trees as a... woman? stumbles out.
Mukoda turned to the figure finally noticing the figure that had been stalking him for 4 weeks it was a women, but not a human women her skin was a pale olive green and her hands and legs were covered in scales and she had scales on her cheeks, her yellows eyes were wide and snake like pupils thinned stared at them, her long braid was covered in sticks and leaves and she seemed…nervous but the most striking detail was her horns.
“Who or what are you...? Mukoda asked, backing away slightly. He hadn’t seen this species of humanoid yet; maybe a sort of beastman? No, maybe reptile person, but before he could jump to more conclusions, she spoke.
“look I mean no harm, I’m Aarya, and for what I am…well..” she nervously looked at Mukoda Fimlars a little terrified but before she could continue
“she’s a demon, a weak one but one none the less” Fel explains “now can you please start cooking I’m famished” the frenier grumbles slightly annoyed that Mukoda hadn’t started cooking.
Mukoda stared at Aarya stuned he knew about demons rembering back to when he was first summoned to this world, just staring at her.
“I guess demons here are like demons in those light novels.” He sighed, still a little weary, “So what do you want from me?” he asked, expecting some answer like your soul or food or something
“I want to watch you cook,” She asked nervously, “and maybe…learn from you,” she muttered quietly, fiddling with her braid. Mukoda stared at her, confused. This was an odd request, but before he could say anything, she came closer and grabbed his hands gently.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be the best apprentice, I’ll even help you cook. You are eating 3 extremely powerful familers I might help you cook faster,” she says, staring down at him as her pupils dilate as if she is begging him to teach her.
“wai-“ “Faster you cook means we can get food quicker,” Fel explains, “which means more food.” Dora Chan chimes in, “Sui wants more food.” Sui says, jumping excitedly, Mukoda sighed. He had no choice then.
“..I suppose a little help wouldn’t hurt...” He muttered,
Aarya's eyes sparkled, “THANK THANK THANK YOU!” she shouts excitedly as she shakes his hand eagerly, almost tripping the man.
“Oops..sorry, got a little carried away,” she apologizes, letting him go.
“It’s ok, anyways I was going to start cooking actually before you know...” He says awkwardly as he turns back to the stove. Aarya quickly follows him.
“So what are you going to make uh..Sir?..Master..wait, how should I refer to you?” *She quickly asked, wanting to respectfully
“uh..how old are you?” Mukoda asked awkwardly, after all, it would be weird if a grown woman called him master.
“Oh, I’m 27,” She explains calmly.
“Then just call me Mukoda,” He says, surprised slightly, aging must work differently for demons cause she does look slightly younger.
“Ok then Mukoda, what do you plan on making?” she asked, leaning behind him as she watched him,
“hmm..Maybe some Wyren Gyudon,” He muttered notcing how much taller she is compared to him, making him feel slightly insecure.
“Wyren meat? How luxurious,” She say, surprised as she watches him make the dish. He starts explaining to her how to make it and gives her instructions on how to help. She mainly boiled the rice and chopped the meat, which saved at least an hour.
Once they finished making it, Aarya watched as the familiar gobble down the massive portions they prepared and demanded more, and she helped Mukoda cook another plate. By the time they finished, it was already dark.
“How..how do you do this 3 times a day?” she says, staring at the familers who were busy taking a nap after a meal.
“I don’t know sometimes,” Mukoda says, chuckling slightly.
“Also here” He says handing her bowl of Gyudon
“you shouldn’t have''
she says slightly touched “we need to eat too you know”
He says jokingly as he quickly buys to beers “welcome to the party” He says awkwardly as he hands her a beer
“thank you, I look forward working with you” She says warmly smiling widely.
They sat down on the grass and ate and drank. Aarya raved about the dish as she ate, and Mukoda smiled as he dug in. Maybe having an extra pair of hands wouldn’t be so bad, he thought as he drank and chatted with her.