Sizzle Sizzle Sizzle...
On the grill laden with ingredients, fresh pork belly sizzled as fat dripped down, occasionally bursting into flames when it met the glowing bamboo charcoal.
Saitama squatted in front of the grill, vigorously fanning it. The meat kissed by flames quickly cooked through, releasing a tantalizing aroma that filled the air.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, his Adam's apple bobbing as his appetite awakened. "Johnson, the meat's almost done. Is your sauce ready?"
"Coming, coming." Johnson replied, carrying a tray of barbecue sauce, condiments, and dipping dishes from the kitchen. Using telekinesis, he pulled over a folding chair to sit down, "Don't rush — with charcoal-grilled meat, the sauce is the key."
Saitama frantically flipped the meat and mushrooms on the grill, "I don't care about that. I just know I'm starving."
"Alright, let's eat then."
Johnson picked up a basting brush and applied the prepared barbecue sauce to the pork belly — now crispy and golden brown on the outside — signaling the future baldy to dig in.
They each opened a bottle of ice-cold beer and clinked glasses. Fresh lettuce wrapped around the hot grilled meat, and as they bit down, the springy texture of the meat and rich sauce exploded in their mouths, instantly making all their previous efforts worthwhile.
"So hot, so hot... but Johnson, your sauce tastes amazing."
"Of course, when it comes to food, I'm a professional."
The ingredients in the refrigerator diminished visibly at rapid speed, and they had to change the grill plate at least ten times.
With their bodies' energy requirements far exceeding normal people's, Johnson's appetite was already enormous. Since meeting him, Saitama's food intake had also increased daily. Now both gluttons were hitting their stride, and the battle on the balcony grew increasingly fierce.
Thanks to his training progress, Saitama had evolved from being completely dominated by Johnson to now being able to snatch food from the tiger's mouth, barely maintaining a 50-50 situation — the protagonist's halo was undeniably powerful.
Of course, Johnson wasn't going all out either. The occasional Limiter Fragment cards falling out along with the hair made it worth letting Saitama win sometimes.
After downing a case of beer, Saitama rubbed his round belly and let out a satisfied burp, "I can't take anymore. If I eat any more, I won't be able to fit into my uniform tomorrow morning!"
"How can a real man say he can't go on? We've barely started..."
Ring Ring Ring...
Johnson swept the grilled pineapple beef cubes onto his plate when the phone on the coffee table rang.
He stood up and handed the meat tongs to Saitama, "Excuse me, I need to take this call."
Saitama took them and sprang up from his recliner like a carp leaping, his previously fish-like eyes now blazing with passion, "Go ahead, go ahead, I'll take care of this plate of meat!"
"I'll really be troubling you then."
[Hello, this is Johnson.]
Back inside, Johnson answered the phone, and a familiar female voice came through the receiver.
"Ah, Miss Lanie, good evening." Johnson had the phone floating by his ear as he washed his hands in the kitchen sink, "Your two subordinates? Oh, I met them, but the situation was quite urgent at the time... No worries, there's no need to apologize. I've already learned about the officially determined hero name through the news."
After washing his hands, he grabbed a towel to dry them.
"Let's skip the press conference. I'm not interested in hero rankings; you can arrange it as you see fit... Activity funds and hero allowance? I believe I provided a bank account in the information I submitted last time? Great, just deposit it there, thank you."
The phone floated back to the coffee table by telekinesis, and from the balcony came Saitama's muffled voice, "Johnson, are you done? If you don't come back soon, I'll eat all this grilled meat!"
"Coming!" Hearing this, the fire of battle reignited in Johnson's eyes. He immediately rolled up his sleeves and rushed over, "You jerk, you're really not going to save any for me?"
"Too late, you'll have to wait for the next batch."
War was about to break out. On the coffee table, the phone Johnson had just put down made a "ding" sound, and a text message notification popped up.
[Jibun Bank received: ¥10,000,000.]
{T/N: About $66,370.00.}
Both men, having rejoined the battle, failed to notice this change. The unattended phone screen flickered once and went dark.
This impromptu barbecue battle continued until late at night, ending only when Johnson received another call.
"The specialists sent from headquarters have arrived at the station? Good, have Kyoko receive them for me, I'll be right there." Hanging up, Johnson took off his barbecue-scented shirt and headed to the bathroom bare-chested, "Saitama, I have to go out for a bit. I'll leave the cleanup to you."
Sprawled in a recliner on the balcony, Saitama didn't even lift his head. He just raised his hand in an OK gesture, signaling Johnson to hurry, "Fine, you'd leave it to me even if you weren't going out."
"Hmm, what kind of talk is that? Do you have a problem with it?"
"No, thanks for the meal~"
"That's more like it." Johnson said. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower, letting cold water cascade over his head and flow down his toned muscles, "If it gets too late, don't bother going home. The guest room you stayed in before is still available — just tidy it up yourself."
From the balcony came Saitama's weary voice, "Yes, I understand."
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Ten minutes later.
"You must be Mr. Johnson. The department head asked me to send his regards!"
The representative from A-City headquarters was a capable female officer with a high ponytail. Her tall stature and perfect figure slightly overshadowed Kyoko.
When Johnson arrived, Kyoko — the young policewoman forced to work overtime — shot him a glare while forcing a smile. She looked exactly like an office worker coerced by an inconsiderate boss, her eyes filled with resentment.
Unfortunately, her acting skills couldn't penetrate Johnson's thick skin. Ignoring her completely, he smiled and shook hands with the mature, attractive specialist from headquarters, "Agent Catherine, you're too kind. We didn't expect you to arrive so quickly; our hospitality has been lacking."
Catherine discreetly sized up the tall, handsome young police officer and smiled faintly, "The department head is very concerned about this matter, so he ordered us to come overnight. We should be the ones apologizing for disturbing everyone's rest."
"Not at all, it's all for work. It's our duty."
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Kyoko listened from behind, pouting.
Only us lowly workers are actually working here!
"Let's get straight to the point." Catherine said, brushing aside the bangs falling over her forehead as her expression turned serious, "Mr. Johnson, where are the energy weapons you mentioned in your report to the department head? I'd like to complete the handover quickly so I can report back."
"Energy weapons?!" Kyoko blurted out in shock. She hurriedly covered her mouth when both bigwigs turned to look at her, her face instantly turning crimson.
Her outburst earned her a "you've-never-seen-the-world" eye roll.
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T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
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