Let Me Cook! (Isekai restaurant)

I tried giving more interaction to the customer with MC and hope you guys enjoy it. 

Also, I made a Game of Thrones fic but it heavily utilize Ai since I don't want to invest too much on it but I also wanted to write the concept Idea in my mind. 

Should I post it here or not? It's sloppy mess cause it Ai.

Anyway, enjoy! 

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- Zyon -

Everyone was having fun, the beach alive with laughter and splashes as the kids played in the waves and the others lounged under the shade of umbrellas. 

Meanwhile, I busied myself near the portable stove we had brought along. I skewered pieces of marinated meat and vegetables, carefully arranging them to ensure an even cook. The smell of sizzling skewers and the light crackle of frying oil filled the air, making my stomach rumble despite myself. 

As I flipped a skewer, Hancock approached, her movements graceful but hesitant. 

"Zyon-sama," she began softly, her voice almost drowned out by the crashing waves. 

"May I assist you?" 

I noticed her two sisters lingering nearby, but their sly smiles and subtle gestures suggested they were intentionally giving their elder sister some space. Realizing the opportunity, I nodded with a smile. 

"Of course, Hancock. I could use the help." 

She moved closer, carefully tying back her long hair with a ribbon she had brought. Her swimsuit, which had drawn a few glances earlier, seemed almost forgotten as she focused on the task at hand. 

"What should I do first?" she asked, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of eagerness. 

I handed her a bowl of vegetables—bright bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes—and showed her how to skewer them in alternating patterns with pieces of marinated chicken and beef. 

"Like this," I explained, threading a tomato onto a skewer and following it with a chunk of beef. 

Hancock watched closely, her focus unwavering. 

"Understood," she said, picking up a skewer and mimicking my movements. Her hands, usually so poised and delicate, moved with surprising precision. 

"You're a quick learner," I commented, flipping a skewer on the grill as I spoke. 

Her lips curved into a small smile. 

"Thank you, Zyon-sama. I rarely cook, but I find this… enjoyable." 

We worked in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythmic clinking of skewers and the sound of food sizzling on the grill filling the air. Occasionally, I'd glance at her, noticing the faint blush on her cheeks whenever our hands brushed while reaching for ingredients. 

As the first batch of skewers finished, I handed Hancock a pair of tongs and gestured to the portable fryer beside me. 

"Do you want to try frying?" 

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. 

"Please guide me, Zyon-sama." 

I showed her how to gently lower battered fish fillets into the hot oil, ensuring she kept her fingers a safe distance from the bubbling surface. She was cautious at first, but as the golden-brown pieces emerged, her confidence grew. 

"These look perfect," I said, placing the fried pieces onto a tray lined with paper towels. 

Hancock's expression brightened, a rare spark of pride in her eyes. 

"It's thanks to your guidance," she replied softly. 

As we continued cooking together, the tantalizing aroma wafted across the beach, drawing curious looks from the others. Yasaka was the first to approach, her golden eyes gleaming as she sniffed the air appreciatively. 

"Zyon-kun, you're spoiling us," she teased, her tails swaying behind her. 

"I hope you made enough for everyone." 

I grinned, flipping the last of the skewers onto a plate. 

"Don't worry, Yasaka-san. There's plenty to go around." 

Hancock glanced at Yasaka, her earlier shyness momentarily returning, but she remained focused on her task, her hands steady as she handed me a fresh batch of skewers to grill. 

The food was nearly ready, and as I turned to distribute the first plates, I couldn't help but notice the way Hancock's gaze lingered on me, her usual composure softened by a quiet contentment. 

Once the cooking was finished, I called out to everyone. 

"Food's ready! Come and eat before it gets cold!" 

The aroma of the freshly grilled skewers and fried fish had everyone eagerly gathering around. Plates were quickly filled, and the air was filled with sounds of delight as everyone savored the meal. Hancock, Kie, and Yasaka complimented the food, with Kie even blushing slightly as she expressed how much her children loved it. 

After everyone had their fill and some had gone back to playing in the water, I decided to join them. As I walked closer to the shoreline, Rias and Akeno waved me over. 

"Zyon, come here for a second!" Rias called, her usual confidence shining through. 

As I approached, Akeno chimed in with a playful smile. 

"Zyon-kun, could you help us with something?" 

Before I could ask, Rias held up a bottle of sunscreen. 

"Could you put this on my back? It's hard to reach, and I wouldn't want to get sunburned." 

Akeno immediately leaned in with a teasing smirk. 

"Don't forget about me, Zyon-kun. I could use some help too." 

The two exchanged competitive glances, their unspoken rivalry clear as they waited for my response. 

Before I could say anything, Yasaka suddenly appeared behind me, her golden tails swishing playfully. Without a word, she grabbed my arm and started pulling me away. 

"Zyon-kun is already taken," she said smoothly, glancing back at the two with a sly smile. 

"Don't worry, girls. I'll take good care of him." 

Rias and Akeno both blinked in surprise before their expressions soured. 

"Hey, that's not fair!" Rias protested, her voice rising. 

Akeno pouted, crossing her arms. 

"You didn't even ask, Yasaka-san!" 

Yasaka only chuckled, ignoring their complaints as she led me to a shaded spot near the water. 

"Well, Zyon-kun," she teased, sitting down and gesturing for me to do the same. 

"Let's not keep a lady waiting." 

Rias and Akeno stood off to the side, glaring at Yasaka but reluctantly accepting their defeat, at least for now.

Yasaka reclined gracefully on her towel, her golden tails shimmering under the sunlight. As I started applying the lotion to her back, she let out a soft, playful laugh, her tone teasing. 

"Zyon-kun, you're being so careful. Are you nervous?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. 

I did my best to keep composed, though her tone and demeanor made it a challenge. 

"I'm just making sure it's evenly applied," I replied, focusing on the task. 

She chuckled again, clearly enjoying the moment. 

"You're quite the gentleman. Though, I wonder if you'd be this composed if I teased you a little more." 

As a healthy man, this was, without a doubt, a test of patience. But I pushed through and managed to finish without any incidents. Yasaka smirked as she sat up, her tails swishing in satisfaction. 

"Thank you, Zyon-kun. You've got quite the touch," she said with a wink before settling back to relax. 

I turned to Rias and Akeno, who were still bickering over who should go next. 

"Alright, you two," I interjected. 

"How about we settle this with a game of rock, paper, scissors?" 

The two glanced at each other, then nodded in agreement. 

"Fine," Rias said, her eyes narrowing as if strategizing. 

"Let's settle this fair and square," Akeno added, her usual playful tone laced with determination. 

The game commenced, and Akeno emerged victorious with a triumphant smile. 

"Looks like I win, Rias," she said, her tone teasing as she glanced at her friend. 

Rias pouted, crossing her arms. 

"Fine, but don't take too long!" 

Akeno sat down in front of me, her long, flowing hair cascading over her shoulders. 

"Zyon-kun, I'll leave it to you," she said with a sly smile, her tone soft yet teasing. 

I carefully applied the lotion, doing my best to ignore her occasional playful remarks and subtle laughter. Once I finished, she stood and stretched, her expression radiating satisfaction. 

"Thank you, Zyon-kun. That was lovely." 

Finally, it was Rias's turn. She plopped down with a dramatic sigh, still a bit annoyed about losing the game. 

"Let's get this over with," she muttered, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her excitement. 

I worked quickly yet carefully, and by the time I finished, Rias seemed more at ease. 

"Thanks," she said softly, her irritation fading into a small, genuine smile. 

With the sunscreen applied and the tension eased, everyone seemed ready to enjoy the rest of the day at the beach.

Soon, we continued to have fun, splitting into teams to play a spirited game of beach volleyball. 

Yasaka and I ended up on one side, along with Hancock and Kie, while Rias, Akeno, Seekvaira, and Sona formed the opposing team. Kunou and Kie's younger children cheered excitedly from the sidelines, their laughter filling the air as they played in the sand. 

The game quickly became competitive, with Rias and Akeno's teamwork shining as they tried to outplay us. 

"Zyon-kun, don't let them score!" Yasaka said playfully, setting up the ball for me to spike. 

"I'm on it!" I replied, sending the ball over with a strong hit. 

Hancock, despite her reserved nature, surprised everyone with her precision, scoring points with well-placed shots. "We won't lose," she said with quiet determination. 

On the opposing side, Akeno smiled mischievously.

"Ara~ Zyon-kun, you'll have to try harder than that," she teased before spiking the ball back. 

The match was filled with laughter and good-natured banter. At one point, Rias and Akeno's attempt at a synchronized spike ended with them bumping into each other and landing in the sand, causing an eruption of laughter from everyone. 

After the game, which ended in a narrow victory for Rias's team, we all headed into the sea. The cool water was refreshing under the warm sun. 

Kunou and Kie's children were particularly excited, splashing around and laughing as they played in the shallows under Yasaka's watchful eye. Kie, standing at the shore, watched them with a mix of joy and nostalgia. 

"You should join them," I said, walking up to her as the waves lapped at her feet. 

She hesitated, glancing at the water nervously. 

"I'm not a strong swimmer…" 

"That's okay," I reassured her with a warm smile.

"I can teach you. It's easier than you think." 

Kie looked unsure but eventually nodded, her trust evident in her gaze. 

"Alright… but don't let me drown," she said with a nervous chuckle. 

"Never," I said firmly, leading her into the water. 

We waded into the shallows, where the water reached just above her knees. 

"First, let's start with floating," I explained. 

"Just lie back, and I'll support you." 

Kie hesitated for a moment before following my instructions, her body stiff as I held her up. 

"Relax," I said gently. 

"Trust the water to hold you." 

After a few moments, she started to loosen up, her breathing steadying as she floated with my support. 

"This… isn't so bad," she admitted, a small smile forming on her lips. 

"See? You're already doing great," I encouraged. 

Once she was comfortable floating, I showed her how to kick her legs and use her arms for basic strokes. 

"Take it slow," I said, walking beside her as she practiced moving forward. 

The children cheered her on from the shore, their excitement infectious. Kunou called out, 

"Kie-san, you're doing it!" 

Kie laughed, her initial nervousness melting away as she gained confidence. 

"I didn't think I could do this," she said, glancing at me. 

"You're a fast learner," I replied. 

"Soon, you'll be swimming circles around all of us." 

She blushed slightly at the compliment but didn't respond, focusing on her strokes. By the time we took a break, she was swimming short distances on her own. 

"Thank you, Zyon," she said softly as we stood in the shallows. 

"I never thought I'd be able to do something like this." 

"Anytime," I said with a grin. 

"It's nice to see you enjoying yourself." 

Yasaka, floating nearby, chuckled. 

"Zyon-kun really is good at bringing out the best in people." 

Kie smiled shyly at that, and we rejoined the others to continue enjoying the water, the earlier nervousness replaced with newfound confidence and joy.

- Zyon - 

It's been a whole two weeks now, and as usual, I was in my restaurant, handling the steady flow of customers. The familiar hum of conversation and clinking plates filled the air, a comforting background to my daily routine. 

I noticed Doofenshmirtz sitting at his usual table, looking unusually distressed as he sipped on his coffee. Curious, I walked over. 

"Hey, Doof, you seem off today. What's on your mind?" He sighed dramatically, slumping in his seat. 

"Oh, Zyon, it's my daughter, Vanessa. She's turning 16 next week, and I have no idea what to do for her birthday! I mean, I want it to be special, but I don't think she'd appreciate, you know, my usual inators or science-themed stuff." 

I couldn't help but chuckle at his exaggerated frustration. 

"Yeah, I doubt a Birthdayinator would go over well. So, what have you got planned so far?" 

"Uh… well, I was thinking maybe I could host the party here in your restaurant," he said, his tone hopeful.

"You know, great food, cozy atmosphere—everyone loves your place!" I shook my head gently. 

"I appreciate the thought, but that doesn't seem like Vanessa's style. She's at that age where she's figuring out her own world, her own interests. Have you tried asking her what she'd like?" 

Doofenshmirtz blinked, as if the thought hadn't occurred to him. 

"You mean… just ask her? But what if she thinks I'm uncool? Or worse, what if she wants something I don't understand?" 

I laughed.

"Well, being a parent means stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes. Show her you're interested in her world, even if it's not what you're used to. That alone will mean a lot to her." 

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. 

"You might be onto something, Zyon. Maybe I've been overthinking this… as usual." 

"Definitely," I said with a grin.

"Just keep it simple and sincere. You'll do great." 

Doofenshmirtz stood up suddenly, a determined glint in his eyes. 

"You're right! I'm going to talk to Vanessa and figure this out. Thanks, Zyon!" 

I waved him off as he hurried out the door, muttering something about finding the perfect gift. It was moments like these that reminded me how much I enjoyed running this place—not just for the food, but for the connections and stories that unfolded every day.

The door chimed, and I turned to see a pair of newcomers walk in. They looked a bit out of place, dressed in robes that gave off a certain aura. They approached me, and I quickly offered a warm greeting.

"Welcome! You're looking for a place to eat?" I asked, noticing the slight confusion in their eyes.

One of them, a man with a weathered face and wise eyes, spoke first. 

"Yes, we noticed this place and thought it might be a good place to stop. We're a bit lost, I'm afraid."

I smiled and gestured to an empty table.

"Right this way. You've come to the right place." As I led them to their seats, the younger man, who had a more intense and brooding presence, looked around curiously.

As I took their order and went to cook, I overheard their conversation. They were speaking with Master Oogway, who had somehow found a moment to relax in the restaurant. I couldn't help but eavesdrop a little as I prepped the meal.

Master Oogway, in his usual serene way, addressed the younger man. 

"Young one, I sense a great storm within you. There is darkness in your heart, a conflict that clouds your path."

The younger man, Anakin, stiffened, his brow furrowed with a mixture of frustration and unease. 

"What are you talking about, old turtle?"

Oogway continued calmly, 

"It is not the way you see the world, but the way the world sees you. The darkness, it grows from within. You must face it, or it will consume you."

Anakin looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. 

"I'm not sure what you mean. I've always been taught to fight for what's right."

Obi-Wan, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. 

"Master Oogway, if you can sense such things, do you possess the Force as we do?"

Oogway paused, contemplating the question. He gave a slow, knowing smile before replying.

"I do not know of this 'Force' you speak of. But I know the way of Chi, the energy that flows within all living things. It is the Tao, the flow of the universe. Through it, one can align with the world, find balance, and harness its power."

Anakin furrowed his brow, confusion creeping onto his face. "Chi? Tao? What does that even mean?"

Oogway's eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom as he spoke softly. 

"Chi is the energy that flows through all things. It is within you, within me, within everything around us. The Force, if you will, may be something similar, but I know Chi, and I know how to use it. It allows me to find harmony and balance, to tap into the flow of the universe, guiding my actions."

Obi-Wan looked intrigued, his tone respectful as he asked, "So, you do not manipulate the Force, but you understand how to use Chi to achieve a similar outcome?"

Oogway nodded. 

"Correct. The Force may be another name for this universal flow, but its true power lies not in controlling it, but in becoming one with it. When you align with the flow of life, you gain strength, peace, and clarity."

Anakin's expression softened slightly as he absorbed Oogway's words, though he still seemed skeptical. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, appeared deep in thought, clearly processing the similarities between Oogway's teachings and the Force.

As I finished their meals and approached their table, I couldn't help but admire Oogway's wisdom. His words were simple but profound, and I wondered just how much they might help Anakin, if only he could find the strength to embrace them.

Obi-Wan, sensing a natural pause in the conversation, leaned back in his chair and began to explain. 

"Master Oogway, we are Jedi, who uphold peace and justice in the galaxy. We are practitioners of the Force, a powerful energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, nurture us, and binds the galaxy together."

Oogway nodded slowly, his expression contemplative. 

"The Force, as you describe it, sounds not unlike Chi. A binding energy that connects all living beings. But tell me, how do you use this Force?"

Obi-Wan's voice took on a more serious tone as he continued. 

"The Jedi are trained to be a protector, learning to channel the Force for defense, knowledge, and harmony. However, there is a dark side to the Force, born from fear, anger, hatred, and suffering. It is a path to power, but it corrupts the soul. Jedi are taught to avoid attachment and suppress emotions to remain balanced and free from the influence of the dark side."

Oogway's brows furrowed slightly as he listened, his tone calm yet firm as he replied.

"Suppress emotions? Avoid attachment? That seems… unnatural."

Obi-Wan tilted his head, puzzled. 

"Unnatural? Emotions can cloud judgment, and attachment leads to fear of loss. These are paths to the dark side."

Oogway shook his head gently, his gaze filled with understanding. 

"Emotions are not to be feared, nor should attachment be avoided. They are part of life, the essence of being. The problem lies not in feeling, but in how one reacts to those feelings. Fear, anger, love—these are powerful energies, but they can be guided with wisdom, not suppressed. Suppression leads to imbalance, and imbalance leads to suffering."

Anakin, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. 

"Master Oogway has a point, Obi-Wan. Why are we forbidden from loving or forming bonds? Isn't love a good thing?"

Obi-Wan glanced at Anakin, his expression conflicted. 

"It's not that love itself is wrong, Anakin, but attachment can lead to possessiveness, fear, and ultimately, suffering. The Jedi Code exists to prevent that."

Oogway raised a hand, his voice soft but commanding. 

"But is it not fear that creates such suffering? Fear of loss, fear of pain. By avoiding attachment, do you not create the very fear you wish to escape?"

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to respond but paused, considering Oogway's words. The wisdom in them was undeniable, yet they contradicted the teachings ingrained in him since childhood.

Oogway smiled gently, sensing Obi-Wan's internal struggle. 

"It is not the bond that leads to the dark side, but how one chooses to nurture or misuse it. When you understand that love is selfless, not possessive, it becomes a source of strength, not a weakness."

Anakin leaned forward, his expression one of quiet hope. 

"So… it's possible to love without falling into darkness?"

Oogway nodded. 

"It is not only possible but necessary. Love, compassion, and attachment, when guided by wisdom and understanding, are the greatest forces for good. It is fear and ignorance that turn them into sources of pain."

Obi-Wan, though still conflicted, found himself intrigued by Oogway's perspective.

"You speak as though you have seen this in action."

Oogway's gaze turned distant, his voice laced with bittersweet experience. 

"I have lived many lifetimes and witnessed much. I have seen the destructive power of unchecked emotion and the healing strength of love. Balance lies not in denial, but in harmony." He said as they intently listened. 

"You can never understand the light when you have not seen the dark. You could never know Good if you don't understand evil. You never find Order without learning chaos."

The table fell into thoughtful silence, Oogway's words resonating deeply with both Jedi. For Anakin, it was a glimmer of hope in his inner turmoil. For Obi-Wan, it was a challenge to reevaluate long-held beliefs. 

I approached their table with a tray of freshly prepared dishes, setting the plates down gently.

"Everything all right here?" I asked, sensing the weight of the conversation. Oogway smiled serenely. 

"Quite so. We were merely sharing wisdom, as one does over a good meal."

Obi-Wan glanced at me, then back at Oogway. 

"I think we've learned a great deal more than we expected to today." Anakin nodded, a rare smile breaking through his usual intensity. 

"Yeah… more than I thought possible." As I left them to enjoy their meal.