Yurame turned to look at him in surprise. Why the hell was he having affection? She needed to get him out.
[New Ability Discovered: Fox Regeneration Trait.]
'The book never mentioned this.'
[Host just unlocked a new storyline. Remember, the more items you take, the more the storyline changes.]
"...Right."
Akuma pursed his lips, and started to walk out of the room when suddenly the blue screen flashed in front of her.
[Ding! New Quest: Increase Affinity with target Akuma.]
"What?!!"
Akuma turned back worriedly at Yurame who just exclaimed suddenly. Yurame grimaced and gently pushed him out. When the door locked behind him, he hummed.
"...how weird is my master today?"
[Task: Prepare a homemade meal for Akuma.]
[Conditions:]
The meal must be cooked personally by you.
You cannot ask for help.
The target must eat at least three bites.
"That is crazy!" Yurame yelled at the screen. "I don't cook."
[Host possesses two hands and a functioning brain]
"That has never prevented people from dying in kitchens."
[Skill: Cooking > Level 0]
[Helpful Tip: Start with fire.]
"Well, fuck you."
[Penalty for failure: Affinity -3; Embarrassment Rebuff]
"Right." Yurame scoffed, then aggressively opened the door "Because I still have to worry about being embarrassed."
Akuma was already halfway across the field when he heard his master shout his name, "Akuma!"
He turned immediately, thinking there was danger but he saw her running to him. Why in the world was she running to him? She never came to him. He always went to her.
"Akuma." She said, upon reaching him. "Give me ten minutes. Come back to the residence."
"Why"
"I wish I knew why." Yurame scoffed, breathing hard. "Anyways, come have dinner."
"My Lady…"
"God, I hate to do this." she muttered, and gave him an apologetic look. "That was an order, Akuma."
The slave sigil on his back compelled him to do it, and although he may not hate Yurame, she just had to do it.
"I'm sorry," She apologised and followed him inside. "You just have to take three spoons."
"...Three spoons of what?"
She was already walking into the kitchen. "Food!"
~~
Five minutes later.
CLANG
CRASH
FOOOOOSH
Smoke began to crawl out from under the door. She squinted at the pan.
"...why is it black?"
[Food is not supposed to resemble a volcanic rock.]
"I KNOW THAT!"
Yurame tried again. She dumped vegetables into the pan. The pan screamed, the vegetables also screamed. The oil popped so violently and she shrieked, throwing the spoon across the room.
She brought out another pan, determined. More smoke.
At some point, she started fanning a small fire with a towel while coughing violently. "Why is cooking so aggressive?"
[Host has burned the oil.]
"I CAN SEE THAT!"
Something exploded softly, a cupboard door fell off, and the kettle sang loudly.
"What is happening?" Yurame wailed.
[Host, please refrain from committing arson.]
"I AM COOKING!"
[The kitchen highly disagrees.]
"Oh dear Lord." The pot bubbled violently when she looked inside.
"...I think it's alive."
~~
Meanwhile, Akuma stood outside the kitchen watching smoke leak from the doorway.
"...My Lady?"
"A-Akuma?!" There was a crashing sound and he grimaced. "DO NOT COME IN!"
Another crashing sound, then her shrieking sound. It sounded like a battlefield. Akuma folded his arms.
"...is she trying to kill herself?"
~~
Thirty minutes later, the kitchen looked like a dragon's lair. She could hardly see in front of her because of the smoke. There were two burnt pans. And the metal sink was melting.
Yurame stared at the bowl she managed to salvage.
"...It doesn't look that bad."
It pulsed. [It resembles dungeon food.]
"Shut up."
She emerged looking proud with a bowl. Her red hair slightly singed, her sleeve burned and her tail lightly smoking. Akuma pursed his lips, feeling sorry for his master.
[Reminder: Target must eat three bites.]
He is going to die. She grinned. "Dinner!"
Akuma stared at the bowl like it was going to eat him. "Is that supposed to be…"
"It has great personality." She sat opposite him. "And backstory. Go on."
Akuma didn't move. Just stares suspiciously. "Now, you're trying to poison me."
She felt offended and her cheeks burned. "Hmph, you think if I wanted to kill you, I'd use poison? Give me some credit!"
He chortled, "I was kidding."
Yurame, "..."
Akuma slowly took the spoon beside him, scooped a small amount and ate it. Long silence as he chewed on it. Yurame already started to mentally pack her bags to leave forever.
"...It's terrible." Another bite.
"Ouch."
"But you tried." Third bite. She almost collapsed from relief.
"Really?"
He nodded, avoiding her eyes. "Yes. Thank you-"
He pushed the plate away. He has tasted demon's food before so this barely registered as dangerous, but it was still bad.
[Ding! Quest Complete. Affinity with Akuma +8]
Why only eight?! Behind her, a loud CRACK came from the kitchen and a servant ran towards them. "MY LADY!!"
"What?" Yurame turned acknowledging her presence. The servant girl bowed.
"The kitchen-"
"Ah." She waved her hands and Akuma's eyes widened. "Fear not, Just minor damage."
Smoke poured out of the hallway. "It's on fire, My Lady."
Yurame turned back to Akuma with a shrug and shake of her head. "See? Minor!"
He quickly stood up, and followed the panicked servant while Yurame groaned.
"That was terrible."
[Kitchen Integrity and Skill: 12%]
She froze, then her eyes blazed.
"...What do you mean twenty-eight percent?!"