亚洲综合中美

“A worker reported him wandering the town-square, my lady,” said the driver sweating at her angered expression.

“Thanks, keep me informed,” she sat in a small but fast car. It toggled to a lion-like roar, the entourage could but shudder at the sound and very much palpable vibrations.

‘I’m going to win this cook-off,’ with a smile, the ingredients ran low, the plates stacked, and the customers increased. Nothing could hold them from the smell as it sufficed to warm the body.

“Done,” he served every guest, ‘-glad I was minimalistic in the usage,’ breathing a sigh of relief, the opposing chef began ranting to the announcer.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” with a reclusive frown, “-the winner of today’s cook-off is none other than the challenger.” Applause echoed to gather more crowd; publicity for Ota’s eatery made the owner happy.

The stalls were cleared by workers to allow for the prize-giving ceremony. An older man came with a walking stick and long beard, “-you’re welcome to work at Ota’s eatery, young man.”

.....

“Thank you, sir,” he graciously accepted the money. “About working for the eatery,” just as the lips formed to say ‘-I accept,’ a refined work of engineering halted the crowd with sound alone. A very handsomely dressed lady came to grab the winner’s hand.

“I’m sorry, the competition is over,” said she peering over her sunglasses.

“What do you mean?” voiced Igna trying to fight back.

“Lady Yuki, why are you here?” asked the owner with a look of despair.

“I came to take my apprentice; the boy is too free-spirited for my liking.” The confident man of the stove was pulled by a monster of a persona. Her iron-clad ire was unlike anything witnessed before, the change in her speech, face, and eyes rendered the mind empty.

“Wait,” he broke free upon reaching the pavement.

“What now?” her ice-cold glare froze over those not involved as well.

“My bicycle,” the tired figure quietly walked with slumped shoulders to carry the gift. The crowd all but felt pity, talent was a double-edged sword.

“Come on sister, this farse has lasted long enough,” the peculiar siblings disappeared over yonder.

Parked at a well-established building, the duo walked inside the reclusive café. The décor inside as well as out was of rich and privilege. The bartender immediate after the doorway was young and charming. Ladies in very expensive attired sat mauling over their drinks and passing lude comments onto the man. The latter smiled and kindly refused their approaches. Still, giving up wasn’t an option. It comes a time when alcohol overtakes the limitation of the rationale. By that point, the bartender would change or they’d stop serving. Opposite the bar rested the main seating area with tall wooden partitions separating each table. The privacy given was of utmost grace and elegance.

“Lady Lordon, it’s a pleasure to have such a renown person visit our establishment,” came the manager rubbing his palms, “-how can I help?” a very ‘generic’ face smiled out of duty.

“I’d like 04.”

Friendly to shady, “-I understand,” he gestured to a waiter standing beside the kitchen. “Please, he shall lead the way forth.” Cutting across the main area, they arrived at a well-hidden staircase with warm lighting and artificial plants.

“04 is readied to be used, please carry on.”

“...” no response came from the lady. The expression was reserved and distant – her gaze held a hint of melancholy.

‘What’s with her sudden change?’

“Can you explain why you ran off earlier?” they sat in a private dining area with a view over the empty alley, “-Igna, I need an answer right away.”

“I heard from Madia that I was free to find a part-time job. Loron doesn’t open until the night service and lady Yuki is more than preoccupied with her duties. I thought finding knowledge on my own and gathering experience was part of the training. Did I assume wrong?”

“YES, YOU DID,” her voice raised, “-experience from what, a local eatery?” I’m trying to forge a diamond and yet you persistently try to find another way to muddy my efforts. Experience isn’t good enough; once one grows familiar with low-level cooking then there’s no going back. Mediocrity, I’ll have none of it!”

“I have no rights to argue, do I,” his tone turned to gentle and apologetic, “-I suppose lady Yuki did take me away from my mentor in hopes of making me a better chef. Having ideas and want of learning isn’t enough. What thee seeks is a puppet to use as thee see fit. From the first day, you left me on the airfield. I complied and made my way to Onela. There again, you came to start the cook-off. I’m confused, what is it you want? A puppet or someone willing to learn, tell me right away.”

*SLAP,* “-don’t you dare,” said she with boiling hot cheeks, “-a lowly orphan has no right in speaking to me that way.”

“Lowly orphan,” softly touching his cheeks, “-my lady,” the head lifted with sympathy, “-I’m sorry I’m nothing but a burden. A lowly boy can’t fathom the pressures of working for the well-established Medusa of Cooking. I was a fool to think you would understand. I’ll take my leave, ma’am, I don’t have the right to breathe the same air as you. As for the bicycle, it’s yours, I don’t have the right to anything, I’m naught but lowly and pitiable,” the door closed without a sound made. Igna walked out with hands in pocket and a scratching feeling of disappointment within. ‘I’m an idiot,’ thought he breathing to the empty street, ‘-what’s the point of coming to the capital?’ the sunny sky changed to an abrupt greyness. Mild showers had the few pedestrians run inwards for cover. He pulled over the hood and walked without knowing where to head.

*Knock, knock,* “-Lady Lordon, is there perhaps something I might do?” inquired the manager. Naught returned but a vague whimpering. “Lady Lordon?” the whimpering turned to sob, he peeked through the slightly ajar door. ‘She’s crying?’ her head rested horizontally on the table with mild punches to the table, tears flowed without stop. ‘This is bad,’ he dashed for the phone.

The rainfall grew torrential, puddles gathered to the edges of the roads. A line of black cars sped to drive over the gathered water, *splash,* it landed against a lonesome figure stood. ‘Warm,’ thought he unbothered by their actions.

‘Isn’t that?’ he caught a glimpse of someone familiar, ‘-yeah, never mind. I’ll head for Aria, there’s no point staying here. I’m glad I took my backpack, 50,100 Exa should be enough to get a weapon and start a new life.’

“Manager,” the army of cars stopped at the café, “-where’s she?” asked Lord Lordon in full ire.

“At room 04,” replied he scared at the presence of armed guards.

“Thanks,” replied he strongly to stomp up the stairs and barge the door.

“Yuki!” the lady remained still, only tears would fall at intervals. Her expression was naught but regrettable, “-what happened to you?” he pulled her into a tight embrace. “Yuki, tell me, what happen, why are you sad?”

“I-Igna,” said she, “-h-he’s g-gone.”

“That damned low-life. Everyone bring me him alive or dead, I don’t care,” he gritted.

“Father!” screamed Syndra, “-you’re going too far!”

“No!” said he, “-anyone who brings tears to my lovely wife shall pay one way or the other.” The army marched forth in search of the culprit. ‘They’ve tracked his location using the phone, won’t be long,’ he sat trying to calm his woeful wife. She took no responsibility for the situation, rather, the lady remained quiet to grieve in self-pity.

‘There’s no way I’m letting you get away with this, father.’

*Incoming call – Unknown,* flashed across the droplet filled phone, ‘-who’s calling?’

“Hello?”

“Hello, Igna is that you?”

“Yeah, who’s this?”

“Syndra. Listen, father has sent an army after you. Run, get as far as you can!”

“A bit late for that,” replied he sensing multiple presences behind.

“Lyoko Igna, come with us right this moment,” they stared with guns at the ready. The shop behind had, ‘-antique weaponry for cheap,’ advertised on the window.

“Were you sent by the Lordon’s?”

“Yes, obey and no harm will come.”

“Heard that?” asked he, “-your family sure is powerful,” the call ended.

‘What’s he trying to do?’ asked she biting her nail.

“Who were you calling?” came Lord Lordon to hold her shoulders tightly, “-it better not be that boy.”

“Leave me alone,” she shrugged away, “-you never see that lady for who she truly is. I’ll never accept her as my mother.”

“Mind your tongue,” *Slap,* “-you better call her mother or else.”

“Grit all you want, father, I’ll do things my way, understand?”

The café was bought for the whole day, guests left without finishing their meals. Two strong guards stood at the door preventing the mistress from leaving. ‘What a pain,’ thought she at the window with intensifying rainfall. ‘-Medusa of cooking, what a joke. She probably felt guilty about playing with another person. Igna doesn’t hold back when speaking seriously, she couldn’t face the reality and chose to play the victim, hoping father will come as a knight. I hate her, a true snake.’

The darker outside flickered with the headlights of multiple cars. They came in full with a boy in tow. “Igna, why are you here?”

“Syndra,” smiled he, “-I had nowhere to go. Guild Leader Haru must be curious about the present situation.”

“Enough talking,” they smack the back of his head with a gun, “-keep moving.”

“No need to get violent,” the nonchalant attitude remained true.

‘Guild Leader Haru?’ the words stuck to her mind, ‘-must be... is he serious?’ she dialed the Guild’s number and reported what happened. The response came in haste.

“Are you sure about this?” asked the leader herself.

“Yes, lady Haru, my mother is up to her conniving ways. I’m afraid Igna is in trouble.”

“Don’t worry,” said she,”-I’ll have a friend take care of his protection,” the phone call ended. ‘Yuki, you’ve done it now,’ thought she with a somber grin. “Hello, Lady Elvira, there’s someone I need you to protect. Can you have someone sent over at this address?”

“Haru, long time no see, and yes, send a photo.”

The tranquil room 04 barged with Igna fully restrained by the guards, “-master Lordon, we’ve brought him.”

“Yuki,” said he, “-I’ve brought the boy. Please, stop crying now, for my sake?”

She sniffled to a stop, “-honey, I love you.”

“I love you too,” he glared, “-what about him, should I punish him?”

“No, don’t,” she walked over with a cocky expression, “-did you think the Medusa of cooking would let you run away?”

“Lady Yuki,” he stared with the same sympathy, “-I feel sorry for you.”

“Shut it,” *slap,* “-stop looking at me as if I’m nothing!”

“Did you forget who I was?” he smiled, “-why would the eyes of a lowly boy have you flustered. Lady Yuki, I came to learn from the legend of cooking. Why is it did you get angry, was it because I joined a rigged cooking competition and won, was it because I sought to cook my way? Tell me, what about the promise of having my back, was it nothing more than a lie. I’m just entertainment for you, aren’t I? Chef Leko taught me plenty o’ things. I was content, yet, he entrusted my growth to you... why? Tell me why?”

“Enough!” an elbow to the stomach, “-don’t speak so casually to our master.”

*Cough,* “I’ll say what I want,” he rose despite the pain, “-lady Yuki, tell me, what’s the reason you picked me. Was there potential or an escape from the tediousness of being at the top? TELL ME.”

“I SAID SHUT UP,” an iron bat slammed across his head smearing blood onto her face as he fell.

“T-tell m-me,” he knelt with the throbbing sensation of pain partially blinding the room, “-what am I to you?”

“GIVE UP!” the next readied for another strike. *SMACK.*

.....