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"By the way… can you use that?"
Aozaki Reiji suddenly spoke, pointing to the side.
He had already dressed and was preparing the ingredients.
"Eh!?"
Senjumaru was stunned for a moment, responding with a hint of panic.
Aozaki Reiji's sudden words caught her off guard.
Aozaki Reiji did not look back at Senjumaru, but continued to busy himself with his work.
He asked while organizing the ingredients:
"Can you use an egg beater? That thing with a long handle wrapped in wire, like a light bulb."
"I've… I've seen Hikifune Kirio use it. But I only stood by and watched, I haven't actually used it myself…"
Senjumaru replied with a hint of embarrassment.
"Is that so? I understand."
Aozaki Reiji nodded, indicating he understood the situation.
Then, he added:
"Since you're going to compensate me for that dessert, you should first learn how to use this. As for lunch…"
Saying that, Aozaki Reiji began to take out various ingredients and place them on the table.
Chicken breast, onion, eggs, milk, cream, tomatoes, white wine…
His movements were skilled and swift, quickly cleaning all the ingredients.
Then he filled a pot with water, placed it on the stove, put the red fruit into it, and began to simmer it.
Just then, Senjumaru saw Aozaki Reiji's profile and felt a slight stirring in her heart.
He's completely different from his usual self!
Senjumaru watched Aozaki Reiji very intently.
The Aozaki Reiji she saw was completely different from the somewhat frivolous image she had in her mind.
At this moment, he was fully focused on cooking, his expression extremely concentrated.
This seriousness was not a stern or rigid demeanor.
Instead, it naturally exuded a calm temperament, like a tranquil, waveless lake.
However, within this tranquility, there was a powerful force that captivated people.
After the pot lid was closed, as time passed, the red fruit in the pot gradually shed its skin.
On the other cutting board, rhythmic chopping sounds could be heard.
Aozaki Reiji's movements were extremely fast.
Whether it was his right hand holding the knife or his left hand deftly arranging the ingredients.
Every movement was as smooth and natural as flowing water, like a spectacular performance.
Senjumaru's eyes widened, staring intently at the scene.
She had watched Hikifune Kirio cook many times, but Aozaki Reiji's level of concentration was no less than hers.
He seemed to be completely immersed in cooking, thoroughly enjoying the process.
At this moment, Senjumaru suddenly understood why Hikifune Kirio was so fond of Aozaki Reiji.
No wonder those two got together.
She couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
However, in the eyes of Senjumaru, a member of the Zero Division, all of this was perfectly natural.
Aozaki Reiji is a powerful Shinigami.
His strength is unfathomable, but at the same time, he also has an ordinary side.
Cooking, for him, is not a strange thing, but a way to enjoy life.
After all, the members of their Zero Division also have their own unique hobbies.
For example, Senjumaru herself enjoys weaving; although the form is different, it is essentially not much different from cooking.
Aozaki Reiji seemed to notice Senjumaru's gaze.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
"Wait a little longer; I'll teach you how to use that thing after I finish these."
Aozaki Reiji's voice was gentle, unhurried, like a spring breeze.
"…Yes."
Unconsciously, Senjumaru nodded obediently, then stood aside quietly and waited.
Her emotions gradually calmed down, and her previous anger had vanished without a trace.
At this moment, she simply gazed quietly at the man before her, drawn by his seriousness and focus.
Despite being just simple cooking movements.
From every action of Aozaki Reiji, Senjumaru felt a deep sense of solemnity.
No wonder Hikifune Kirio said that Aozaki Reiji was most charming when he was serious about something.
"Hmm~"
Simply captivated by Aozaki Reiji's profile, Senjumaru subconsciously followed her instinct and said:
"Reiji-kun, you look quite handsome when you're cooking…"
"…What do you mean by that? Are you saying I don't look handsome normally?"
Aozaki Reiji retorted narcissistically, the smile at the corner of his mouth becoming more pronounced, and a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"Ha!? N-no!"
Senjumaru's face instantly flushed to her ears, and she unconsciously covered her cheeks with her hands, completely unaware that she had lost her composure again.
Aozaki Reiji chuckled mischievously, his narrowed eyes full of laughter.
"Oh, has the thousand-year-old single senior been captivated by a junior's face?"
"Ugh… How could such a thing happen! You little brat, stop being so narcissistic!"
Senjumaru's face instantly turned crimson, and she said loudly.
......
An hour later, Senjumaru's charming peach blossom eyes sparkled as she stared intently at the large plate in front of her.
The scene on the plate was like an exquisite painting, with the inverted golden-yellow egg skin slightly raised, forming a beautiful semi-oval shape.
Paired with the perfectly complementary red ketchup, both the color and aroma were maximized, making one salivate just by looking at it.
Seeing Senjumaru's eager expression, Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's just an omurice, why are you looking at it like it's a treasure?"
An hour of waiting was indeed a bit long for a simple omurice.
However, to achieve a satisfactory taste.
Not only the basic ingredients, but even the ketchup drizzled on top was handmade by Aozaki Reiji.
"No! How can you say 'just'? This dish took a lot of effort from me."
Senjumaru snorted.
The egg mixture was indeed stirred by her personally, so saying she put in effort was not wrong.
"Is that so? Then, Senjumaru, quickly taste your own handiwork."
Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly, signaling that Senjumaru could start eating.
Then he took the spoon first, scooped a spoonful, and tasted it carefully.
Senjumaru scooped half a spoonful, while also holding her other hand under the spoon.
She brought it to her mouth with a serious expression, as if performing a sacred act.
"…As expected of something I made, it's truly delicious!"
Senjumaru's face showed a surprised expression as she praised it.
"What do you mean, you didn't put in much effort at all!"
Aozaki Reiji rolled his eyes and said grumpily.
"Ugh, these juniors nowadays are really rude!"
Senjumaru glared at Aozaki Reiji, but she wasn't angry; instead, she continued to enjoy the food.
Soon, Senjumaru and the already impatient Hikifune Kirio.
Began to quickly shovel the food into their mouths, as if competing to see who could eat faster.
This senior truly has no intention of pretending anymore.
But there's nothing wrong with her showing such a genuine side.
Aozaki Reiji thought with a hidden smile.
And the two Zero Division big sisters were completely unconcerned about fat.
In no time, they had eaten everything on their plates.
Hikifune Kirio looked at the empty plate and nodded contentedly.
She proactively took on the responsibility of a hostess, picking up the plate and standing up.
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