novelhk Chapter 119 Mapo Tofu
Chapter 119 Mapo Tofu
(Wow~ I just discovered today that I received my first ever "Master" certification! Oh my god, I have to record this and share the joy with you all. Thank you "Today I'm Bored Too" for the 5 update reminders, and thank you "Wuyueyc" for the Master certification~ I'm adding an extra chapter today! I'll be quite busy with work from Friday to Sunday, but if I have time, I'll add another chapter. Love you all~ Mwah!)
"Hey? There's a flower-themed restaurant over there, Jill, let's go try it out."
After leaving the game store, Yu Bai immediately spotted a flower-themed restaurant diagonally across the street. Excitedly, he grabbed Gilgamesh, who was stuffing seven or eight shopping bags into the Gate of Babylon, and strode toward the restaurant.
"Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding~"
"welcome!"
As the restaurant doors opened and the waiter greeted them, Yu Bai and Gilgamesh immediately spotted a priest sitting by the window, sweating profusely but still stuffing something into his mouth.
"Kirei Kotomine? What are you doing here?" Gilgamesh asked, frowning at the only customer in the shop at the moment.
"Oh, you're Archer and Lancer's Master! This restaurant has really good food, would you like to try some?"
The pungent smell in the air filled his nostrils, making his eyes redden and his mouth water, and he felt like sneezing. Yu Bai stared at the food in front of Kirei Kotomine: bright red chilies paired with bits of beef and soft tofu.
This is... Mapo Tofu?
Yu Bai swears that the owner used a lethal amount of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns when making this dish.
The priest in front of him greeted Gilgamesh while reluctantly putting down his spoon. Despite being sweating profusely from the spiciness, the expression on his face was surprisingly…open, uh…pleasant?
For a fleeting moment, Yu Bai wondered if he had misread something. But then he remembered that Jill had just called the person in front of him by the name: Kirei Kotomine.
Isn't this the person Jill was so happy recommending to me before?
As expected, those who could pique Jill's interest all possessed certain characteristics. At this moment, Yu Bai's impression of Kirei Kotomine deepened once again.
Seeing that Yu Bai and Gilgamesh remained silent, Kirei Kotomine seemed unconcerned and began enthusiastically promoting the plate of Mapo Tofu in his hand to the two of them again.
"Masters of Hero King and Lancer, don't you really want a bite?"
As Kirei Kotomine spoke, he picked up a clean, shiny spoon from the elegant tableware shelf next to him, deftly scooped up a spoonful of Mapo Tofu, and then presented it to the two of them.
The pungent, spicy smell instantly filled the air, causing Gilgamesh to frown. Just as he was about to ask who would eat this, a long, slender, and fair hand reached out from beside him and took the spoon from Kirei Kotomine without hesitation.
“My dear friend, you…” Gilgamesh looked at the person beside him with some surprise, only to see Yu Bai calmly put the spoon into his mouth and chew carefully.
"Mmm~ The taste is indeed very good, very authentic."
Just kidding, it's just spicy! Having been tormented by those idiots from the Tang Clan, Changge says this is the authentic flavor!
Kirei Kotomine watched Yu Bai eat the mapo tofu without batting an eye, his expression one of admiration. He thought to himself: "I never expected Lancer's Master to have such similar tastes to mine. People who can appreciate mapo tofu are truly discerning!"
"Gil, would you like a bite? It tastes really good, just like Father Kirei Kotomine said, it's worth recommending." Yu Bai smiled and scooped up another spoonful of Mapo Tofu, personally offering it to Gilgamesh's lips.
To eat or not to eat, that is the question.
Eat it. Gilgamesh really disliked the pungent smell and unappealing color of the food in front of him.
But if he doesn't eat it, this is food his best friend personally fed him. Wouldn't Enki be sad if he didn't eat it?
"..." After much deliberation, his gaze settled on Yu Bai's expectant green eyes. In the end, he lowered his noble head and ate the Mapo Tofu in the spoon.
Seeing Gilgamesh eat the mapo tofu expressionlessly, Yu Bai and Kirei Kotomine both looked at him expectantly, wanting the King of Heroes to give his opinion.
"...Hmph, nothing special. My dear friend, let's go."
After a long silence, the King of Heroes finally expressed his feelings, his face once again displaying his familiar arrogant expression. Gilgamesh had absolutely no desire to linger in this restaurant any longer, and he grabbed Yu Bai's wrist, pulling them out of the restaurant.
"Gil, are you really alright?" Looking at Gilgamesh who was holding him, Yu Bai asked hesitantly. After all, for someone who couldn't eat spicy food, that bite of Mapo Tofu was indeed a bit too much.
"Of course, it's just a meal."
Gilgamesh wore a nonchalant expression as he spoke, but where Yu Bai couldn't see, his hands were clenched into fists, tightening even more.
"Oh? Is that so? Then it seems you won't need this bottle of ice water that I specially prepared for you, right?"
Yu Bai smiled and shook the ice water he had taken from the Gate of Babylon.
"……Give me."
……
At night, Gilgamesh was summoned back to the Tohsaka residence by Tokiomi Tohsaka. Yu Bai was originally curled up on the sofa reading some documents about magicians, because Gilgamesh had told him that his current Master's wish was to reach the root of magic.
Although Gil felt that his Master was really boring, Yu Bai, who had experienced Heian-kyo and learned Onmyodo from Abe no Seimei, knew that reaching the root of Onmyodo or magic was not an easy task. Gil's Master must have some hidden things that he hadn't revealed.
Just as Yu Bai was about to find the answer, a violent magical fluctuation came from the Miwa River in Fuyuki City.
“Master, this fluctuation should be from Caster.”
Diarmuid appeared in front of Yu Bai the instant he sensed the magical fluctuations.
“It seems Caster has finally shown himself after hiding for so long. Let’s go, come with me to take a look.” Putting down the book in his hand, Yu Bai turned to Diarmuid and said.
"Yes."
When the two followed the magic to the Uncharted River, they found that Saber and Rider's groups were already standing on the beach. They were looking at the enormous creature standing in the sea, which looked like a sea monster and could make anyone lose sanity just by looking at it.
……
Gilgamesh: To eat or not to eat, that is the question. (Swallows the food whole, overwhelmed by his best friend's beauty)
Yu Bai: Is it delicious, Jill? (Looking expectantly, eyes sparkling)
Gilgamesh: So...so. (Holding back, he can't lose face in front of his best friend!)