"Hey… do you know how to use that?"
Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly spoke, pointing to the side.
By now, he was fully dressed and preparing ingredients.
"Huh!?"
Senjumaru Shutara flinched, responding in a flustered voice. Masatsuki Aozaki's sudden question caught her off guard.
Without looking back, he continued working, handling the ingredients with practiced ease as he asked—
"Do you know how to use a whisk? That thing with the long handle and wire loops—kind of looks like a lightbulb."
"Well… I've seen Kirio use one before, but I was just watching from the side. I've never actually used it myself…"
Senjumaru Shutara answered, sounding slightly embarrassed.
"Got it."
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded in understanding before adding—
"Since you're making up for that dessert, you should at least learn how to use this first."
With that, he started pulling out various ingredients, placing them neatly on the table.
Chicken breast, onions, eggs, milk, butter, tomatoes, white wine…
His movements were swift and efficient as he washed everything thoroughly.
Then, he filled a pot with water, set it on the stove, and placed the red fruit inside to simmer.
At that moment, Senjumaru Shutara glanced at Masatsuki Aozaki's profile, and something stirred within her.
He's… completely different from usual.
For the first time, she observed him seriously.
The Masatsuki Aozaki she saw now was nothing like the slightly frivolous man she had known.
Right now, he was fully focused on cooking, his expression calm and composed.
But it wasn't a rigid or overly serious kind of focus—it was a natural, effortless stillness, like the surface of a tranquil lake.
Yet beneath that calm, there was an undeniable strength that made him all the more captivating.
As time passed, the red fruit in the pot slowly shed its skin, while rhythmic chopping sounds echoed from the cutting board.
Masatsuki Aozaki's knife work was fast—almost mesmerizing.
His right hand gripped the knife with precision, while his left guided the ingredients effortlessly.
Every movement was smooth, flowing like water, turning a simple cooking task into a performance.
Senjumaru Shutara widened her eyes, watching intently.
She had seen Kirio Hikifune cook many times, but Masatsuki Aozaki's level of focus was no less impressive.
He wasn't just making food—he was completely immersed in the process, enjoying every moment.
And suddenly, she understood.
She finally understood why Kirio Hikifune liked Masatsuki Aozaki so much.
No wonder the two of them got along so well.
She sighed inwardly.
But for someone like Senjumaru Shutara, a member of the Royal Guard, this wasn't particularly surprising.
Masatsuki Aozaki was an incredibly powerful Shinigami.
His strength was immeasurable, but at the same time, he also had a very human side.
Cooking wasn't some odd hobby for him—it was just another way to enjoy life.
After all, every member of the Royal Guard had their own unique interests.
For example, Senjumaru Shutara herself loved weaving.
Different in form, but at its core, it wasn't all that different from cooking.
Masatsuki Aozaki seemed to notice her staring.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly into a barely noticeable smile.
"Just wait a little longer. Once I'm done here, I'll teach you how to use it."
His voice was calm, unhurried—gentle, like a spring breeze.
"…Alright."
Before she even realized it, Senjumaru Shutara nodded obediently and stood quietly to the side, waiting.
Her emotions had settled.
The frustration she had felt earlier had completely vanished.
Now, she simply watched the man in front of her, drawn in by his unwavering focus.
It was just simple cooking.
Yet, from every movement Masatsuki Aozaki made, she could sense a certain gravity—an unshakable presence.
No wonder Kirio Hikifune had said that Masatsuki Aozaki was most attractive when he was completely absorbed in something.
"Hm~"
Completely mesmerized by his profile, Senjumaru Shutara instinctively murmured—
"Masatsuki… you actually look pretty good when you're cooking."
"…What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I don't look good the rest of the time?"
Masatsuki Aozaki shot back smugly, his smirk widening as amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Huh! No—that's not what I meant!"
Senjumaru Shutara instantly turned bright red, pressing both hands against her flushed cheeks—completely unaware that she had just lost her composure again.
Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled, eyes narrowing playfully.
"Oh? Could it be that our thousand-year single Senpai is actually charmed by her junior's face?"
"Ugh—! Like hell I am! You narcissistic little brat!"
Senjumaru Shutara's face burned even hotter as she shouted back.
…
An hour later, Senjumaru Shutara's captivating peach-colored eyes gleamed as she stared intently at the large plate in front of her.
The dish looked like a work of art—golden egg crepe, carefully folded over and slightly domed, forming a perfect half-oval shape.
Paired with the vibrant red ketchup drizzled on top, the colors and aroma were irresistible, making her mouth water just from looking at it.
Seeing her barely contained excitement, Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's just omurice—why are you looking at it like it's some priceless treasure?"
An hour of waiting was definitely excessive for such a simple dish.
But for the sake of perfecting the flavor, Masatsuki Aozaki had made everything from scratch—not just the core ingredients but even the ketchup drizzled on top.
"No! How can you call it 'just' omurice? I put in a lot of effort making this!"
Senjumaru Shutara huffed in protest.
Well… she had, in fact, whisked the eggs herself. So technically, she wasn't wrong.
"Is that so? Then, Lady Senjumaru Shutara, go ahead and taste your masterpiece."
Masatsuki Aozaki smirked slightly, gesturing for her to start eating.
He picked up his spoon first, scooping up a bite and savoring it.
Senjumaru Shutara carefully scooped up half a spoonful, holding her other hand beneath it just in case.
With utmost seriousness, she placed the bite into her mouth—like she was performing some sacred ritual.
"…No wonder it's something I helped make. It's absolutely delicious!"
Her face lit up with delight as she marveled at the taste.
"Oh, come on—you barely did anything!"
Masatsuki Aozaki rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Hmph! The younger generation these days really has no manners."
Senjumaru Shutara shot him a glare but wasn't actually upset. Instead, she continued happily enjoying her meal.
Before long, she and Kirio Hikifune, who had been eagerly waiting, began devouring their food at a rapid pace—
Almost as if they were competing to see who could eat faster.
This senior really isn't even trying to keep up appearances anymore.
Not that it was a bad thing. Seeing her so unguarded like this wasn't unpleasant at all.
Masatsuki Aozaki smirked at the thought.
And of course, the two Royal Guard veterans weren't the type to worry about trivial things like calories.
In no time, their plates were completely wiped clean.
Kirio Hikifune, glancing at her empty plate with satisfaction, took the initiative to gather the dishes and stood up—assuming her role as the host.