Chapter 11: CHAPTER 10 - New Beginning (3)
Ichiro's smile remained as he diligently arranged his belongings within his room. The familiarity of solitude didn't trouble him; if anything, it provided a refuge from the complexities of his family life. The emptiness of his surroundings became a sanctuary, a place where he could shield himself from the expectations and judgment of his relatives. The isolation, though perhaps not by choice, had become a solace he had grown accustomed to. In some ways, he found gratitude in the distance they afforded him.
As he unpacked and organized, he reflected on the months leading up to his coming of age, the impending freedom that would allow him to venture out on his own terms. Though the circumstances were far from ideal, it was a prospect that filled him with a sense of anticipation and independence.
With the tidying up of his living space, he picked up a simple stick broom and began sweeping the courtyard. The rhythmic swish of the broom became a soothing background to his thoughts, allowing him to focus on the task at hand. Amid the quiet moments, he sensed someone's gaze upon him, but he paid it no mind, accustomed to the curious glances of passersby.
In a distant and opulent living room, a scene of luxury unfolded. Tomoko Takahashi, adorned in precious gems and jade, reclined gracefully in a chair, leisurely sipping her tea. Her beauty was matched only by the aura of prestige that enveloped her. Beside her, a loyal servant stood, sharing the latest development.
"You mean he simply started cleaning the place on his own?"
"Yes, Madam. He appears to be perfectly fine."
Tomoko Takahashi, the wife of Hiroshi, reclined in a luxuriously adorned room. The opulence of the space contrasted with the complexity of her thoughts. "I can't believe the accounts my husband shared earlier were accurate."
"The Master did indeed mention during his visit that the young man appeared to be in good health."
Tomoko's expression remained a mixture of intrigue and bewilderment as she delicately sipped her tea. 'How can someone truly return from the clutches of death?' Her mind mulled over the concept, delving into the possibility, yet failing to find a coherent answer.
"Just live him be, there is nothing we can do if he came back from the dead. One will die eventually anyways." Tomoko thought that one day the boy will die anwyas, since he has no family supporting him at all. How will he find a way to make a living.
At the same time, Ichiro was done collecting all the leaves in one pile. He has sweap all the leaves all together and was covered in sweat.
"Time to rid of you all," Ichiro thought, a determined glint in his eye. With a moment's contemplation, he voiced his plan aloud, "Let's see how quickly I can clear this mess."
Seizing a wall clock in his room, Ichiro bided his time until the clock's hand struck twelve. Precisely at that moment, he sprang into action, his movements a blur as he eradicated the weeds that had plagued his yard. His speed was astounding, and he didn't allow worry of being spotted to dampen his efforts.
Prior to embarking on his weed-clearing frenzy, he had the foresight to have the system scan the vicinity for any potential witnesses.
-You have no reason to worry; there is no one nearby.-
"Thank you, system."
Ichiro continued to work diligently, swiftly sweeping away leaves and pulling up weeds. To his amazement, in less than two minutes, his entire courtyard was transformed, free of weeds.
"Did I go a little overboard?" He turned to the clock and confirmed that only two minutes had transpired. He stared at his hands, stunned by the astonishing improvement in his physical abilities since the system had introduced him to the workout regimen.
After completing the extensive cleanup, it was already past lunchtime. Ichiro's efforts left him feeling quite hungry, so he headed towards the kitchen, the heart of his traditional Japanese household.
The kitchen exuded an old-fashioned charm with its wooden surfaces, simple utensils, and a traditional sunken hearth. Ichiro cast his gaze around, only to realize that there was a conspicuous absence of food. The cupboards were bare, and he frowned in frustration.
"What should I do?" he muttered, his voice laced with exasperation.
-There are plenty of edible options in the forest nearby.-
"Ah," Ichiro's face lit up as he suddenly remembered that his residence bordered a lush forest. A smile tugged at his lips, knowing that his culinary endeavors would also serve as a training opportunity.
Without further ado, he set out towards the forest, his steps carrying an air of anticipation. As he ventured deeper, he spotted rabbits darting amidst the undergrowth. Nearby, an assortment of mushrooms and herbs beckoned him.
With focused intent, he commenced his hunt. Swiftly, he nabbed a rabbit with remarkable precision, and his keen eyes identified the safest mushrooms and herbs to harvest. The forest had become his larder, and he moved with a natural grace as he gathered the ingredients for his meal.
His training in the art of movement and speed served him well, enabling him to traverse the forest with the grace of a seasoned ninja. He bounded from tree to tree, the experience feeling almost exhilarating. His movements were fluid and swift, the forest floor a mere blur beneath him.
In this verdant realm, Ichiro not only acquired ingredients for his meal but also honed his physical prowess. With every leap and nimble dodge, he felt an exhilarating rush, a growing sense of his newfound capabilities.
After an eventful forage in the forest, Ichiro returned to his kitchen with a basket full of ingredients. His excitement was palpable, eager to transform his finds into a delicious meal. With his high-level cooking skills, he was confident that whatever he prepared would be a gastronomic delight.
As Ichiro began to prepare his ingredients, he was taken aback by his own finesse. His movements were remarkably graceful, each slice and chop executed with the precision of a professional chef. His years of culinary experience shone through, and he marveled at the newfound proficiency he displayed.
Chuckling to himself, Ichiro mused, "I guess with my cooking skill, I'm practically a professional chef."
The system's voice chimed in, -Precisely, and it also means you can memorize recipes with ease.-
Curious, Ichiro inquired, "Will the food I cook have any special effects like in the games?"
-Sadly, no. Your healing skills are insufficient for that.-
Disappointed but not deterred, Ichiro pressed on, "Is there still a chance, though?"
-There's a slim chance, but developing significant healing skills would be quite the challenge for someone like you.-
He frowned, "Is it because I'm weak?"
-No.-
Annoyed by the cryptic response, Ichiro retorted, "Then what is it?"
-Your mental acuity is not quite up to par to grasp the intricacies...-
Frustration surged within Ichiro. He may not be a prodigy, but he knew he wasn't entirely unintelligent. He snapped, "Just shut up!"
His internal monologue reflected a twinge of insecurity. He recognized his physical limitations, yet he also knew he wasn't devoid of intelligence. In the realm of those with special abilities, he might lag behind, but in the ordinary world, he was far from being unintelligent.
Ichiro chose to ignore the ongoing banter with the system and immersed himself in his culinary endeavor. His focused efforts led to the creation of a tantalizing aroma that wafted through the air, making his mouth water in anticipation.
With a joyous grin, he exclaimed, "Ah, I can't wait to try this!"
The system's voice interjected, -Due to the addition of a specific herb, the dish now possesses subtle healing properties.-
Puzzled, Ichiro questioned, "What do you mean?"
-The world contains certain herbs that, when used as ingredients, confer healing attributes to the prepared dish. The herb you included happens to be a primary ingredient in potion-making.-
His eyes widened in realization, "So, even if I lack healing abilities, I can still create food with healing effects?"
-Indeed, you can. However, please understand that the potency of such healing properties won't match that of individuals with acquired healing abilities.-
Ichiro absorbed this information, his thoughts whirling with new possibilities. He had stumbled upon a method to imbue his cooking with beneficial qualities, bridging the gap between his limited abilities and the potential to contribute positively to his own health and well-being.
In the present moment, Ichiro decided not to delve deeper into that topic. His immediate desire was to savor the delectable meal he had prepared with newfound insights. As he sat down to eat, a sense of contentment washed over him.
With gratitude in his heart, he whispered, "Itadakimasu."
With a generous spoonful of the savory dish, Ichiro's face lit up with delight as the flavors danced on his palate. Overwhelmed by the exquisite taste, he couldn't help but shed tears of joy, feeling as though he had ascended to culinary heaven.
Tears glistening in his eyes, he murmured with heartfelt appreciation, "Thank you, system." In that moment, Ichiro's gratitude towards the system for bestowing him with such remarkable culinary abilities was palpable.
-I'm glad to have been of assistance.-
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone