"Brother Jun, you're awake!"
Gustave looked up from his lunch preparations as he spotted Himeya Jun making his way slowly toward the kitchen, supported by Daigo's steady arm.
"Brother Jun?" The unfamiliar title caught Jun off-guard, confusion flickering across his weathered features.
"It's a term of respect," Gustave explained with a warm smile, setting down his cooking utensils. "My way of acknowledging a warrior who's carried impossible burdens alone. You've earned that honor, whether you realize it or not."
"I... thank you." Jun's voice carried genuine surprise at such recognition from a stranger.
"You must be starving after several days unconscious," Gustave continued, already moving toward his ingredients. "Let me prepare something gentle for your system—vegetable and meat porridge should be perfect for easing back into regular meals."
"Mr. Gustave, I can't thank you enough for saving my life, for—"
"Jun." Gustave's interruption was gentle but firm. "We're friends here on the Bamboo Staff. Excessive politeness just creates awkward distance between people who should be comfortable with each other."
Understanding the implicit message, Jun allowed Daigo to help him outside to a sunny spot on the deck. The warmth felt foreign against his skin—when had he last had time to simply sit in peaceful sunlight?
The vegetable and meat porridge recipe was elegantly simple, designed for recovery and comfort rather than complexity. Gustave washed premium rice and set it cooking while he diced pork belly into tiny, uniform cubes—the smaller the pieces, the faster they would cook and the easier they'd be to digest. Fresh vegetables received similar treatment, chopped fine for gentle flavor and easy consumption.
As the rice approached perfect tenderness, he added the diced meat and let it simmer for several minutes. His Contrôle thermique parfait ensured the temperature remained ideal throughout the process, preventing any scorching while maintaining the proper consistency. The vegetables went in last, requiring only a minute or two to retain their nutrients and bright color.
For seasoning, Gustave kept things minimal—just a touch of salt to enhance the natural flavors without overwhelming Jun's recovering system.
"Vegetable and meat porridge, ready to serve!" Gustave announced, carrying the steaming bowl to the deck table alongside a small dish of spicy-sour cabbage he'd prepared that morning.
The pickled cabbage represented another simple pleasure—shredded fresh cabbage salted and drained to remove excess moisture, then dressed with toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, chili powder, and Sichuan peppercorns. Hot oil poured over the seasonings created the signature sizzle that awakened all the flavors, finished with light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fresh lemon juice for that perfect tang.
Jun lifted the spoon carefully, blowing on the hot porridge before taking his first tentative bite. His eyes widened immediately.
"Mr. Gustave, this is incredible!" The simple dish somehow carried layers of flavor that spoke of genuine skill and care. "Even something so basic tastes extraordinary in your hands."
"As long as you enjoy it," Gustave replied with obvious pleasure. "Try combining it with the pickled cabbage—the contrast really brings out the best in both dishes."
Following the suggestion proved to be Jun's undoing. The combination was so perfectly balanced—creamy porridge with crisp, tangy vegetables—that he found himself eating with an appetite he'd forgotten he possessed. Both bowls ended up spotless, polished clean with the thoroughness of genuine appreciation.
"I'm sorry," Jun said awkwardly, staring at the empty dishes. "I've been hungry for days, and your cooking is just so..."
"Finishing everything is the highest compliment a chef can receive," Gustave assured him. "Those clean bowls tell me exactly how much you enjoyed the meal."
"Every dish Gustave prepares gets the same treatment," Daigo added with a chuckle. "None of us has ever left food on our plates here."
"I can understand why," Jun nodded, feeling more relaxed than he had in months.
The days that followed marked the longest period of genuine rest Jun had experienced since gaining Nexus's power. His injuries healed rapidly in the peaceful environment, but when he mentioned leaving, Gustave intervened with characteristic directness.
"Brother Jun, you finally have a chance to truly recover. Why not take advantage of it? You understand the time differential between worlds—there's no rush."
"I shouldn't..." Jun began hesitantly.
"Listen," Daigo said, his voice carrying the weight of shared experience. "Even I have teammates supporting me, Camearra caring for me, and people who remember being saved expressing their gratitude. Despite all that support, I still need rest after difficult battles."
He met Jun's eyes directly. "But you fight completely alone, pushing yourself until you collapse, sometimes without even the luxury of stopping. When will you give yourself permission to heal—not just physically, but emotionally?"
The words hit harder than any alien beast attack. Jun had become so accustomed to perpetual struggle that the concept of voluntary rest felt almost foreign.
"Our friends in another world have an important competition coming up," Gustave mentioned casually. "Tezuka invited everyone from the Bamboo Staff to watch the Kanto Tournament finals. How about staying until after that? Consider it a chance to see how other people face their challenges."
After long moments of internal debate, Jun finally nodded. "Alright. I'll stay."
When the day of the Kanto Tournament finals arrived, Jun found himself stepping through the Gate of All Worlds into yet another new dimension. The Prince of Tennis world greeted him with brilliant sunshine that felt fundamentally different from his home reality.
The difference was profound and immediate. In his own world, sunlight provided physical warmth but carried an emotional weight of oppression and despair—as if even nature itself was trapped in an endless cycle of suffering. Here, that same solar energy carried hope, optimism, and the infectious energy of youth pursuing their dreams.
"The worlds have different... tones," Jun murmured to himself, marveling at the psychological shift.
If someone had asked him to explain, he might have described it as the fundamental emotional atmosphere that permeated entire realities. His Nexus world operated in shades of darkness, pain, and realistic grimness where progress came through suffering. This tennis world radiated bright themes of friendship, healthy competition, and personal growth through dedication.
The contrast was so striking that Jun found himself wondering what it might feel like to visit Shin-chan's dimension. If this sports world brought optimism, that innocent childhood realm might actually eliminate worry entirely, immersing visitors in pure joy and carefree wonder.