I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

Asuna paused for a moment, then smiled gently. "Okay, but feel free to ask me anything you don't understand."

“No problem~” Stoleya winked playfully, “How about we have a competition? Let’s see who can make the best dish!”

Mochizuki Kaede leaned against the tree trunk, watching the sudden liveliness with some surprise. Although the situation had taken an unexpected turn, when it came to a cooking contest, Asuna would undoubtedly be the winner.

"As for the competition..." Yui said enthusiastically, "Let's have Dad be the judge! Let's see whose dish Dad likes the most!"

"Huh? It's up to me to decide?" Mochizuki Kaede straightened up and pointed to herself with some surprise.

Asuna deftly retrieved the complete set of kitchen utensils from her inventory and nodded gently upon hearing this: "Okay, Xiaofeng should judge fairly."

She twirled the gleaming silver kitchen knife in her hand with a beautiful flourish: "Perfect timing to try out my newly acquired secret sauce."

With a "ding," the exquisite barbecue grill was set up on the open ground.

Silica skewered large pieces of fish and grilled them on the grill: "I'm going to make grilled fish!"

Stoleya, on the other hand, started making fish soup.

Under Asuna's guidance, Yui is carefully kneading rice balls.

Watching this heartwarming scene, Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but smile at the harmonious interaction between the three girls. Asuna was sometimes instructing Silica on controlling the heat, and sometimes helping Strea adjust the spice ratio, showing no trace of her earlier jealousy.

Soon, an enticing aroma filled the forest.

Yui was the first to finish her creation. She carefully carried a small plate to Mochizuki Kaede and said, "Dad, please try my fish rice ball!"

Mochizuki Kaede took the plate and looked at the few small and cute rice balls on it: "Impressive, Yui!"

He picked one up and examined it closely: "But this size is really cute."

Yui clasped her hands together in front of her, explaining shyly, "Because my hands are very small... but I made a lot of them."

"Is it because Yui's hands are small?" Mochizuki Kaede smiled gently. "But it's very convenient to eat this way. I'll try Yui's cooking now."

The moment the rice ball enters your mouth, the sweetness of the rice and the freshness of the fish blend perfectly. Although it's miniature in appearance, the seasoning is just right.

Mochizuki Kaede chewed carefully and nodded: "It's delicious, Yui!"

Yui's face immediately changed from tense to joyful: "That's great! Asuna's mother also helped me a lot."

Mochizuki Kaede looked at Asuna, who was busy at work, her eyes full of tenderness: "Mom is a great cook, Yui will definitely become very good at cooking too."

"Hehe~" Yui swayed happily, "If you make it again next time, you must eat it, Dad!"

“Of course,” Mochizuki Kaede said, watching Yui happily run back to Asuna’s side.

Just then, Silica's excited voice came: "My grilled fish is ready too!"

She jogged over carrying a skewer of golden, crispy grilled fish, the skin still sizzling with oil: "Um... I don't cook very often, so I just made regular grilled fish."

After saying that, Silica lowered her head somewhat embarrassed.

Mochizuki Kaede took the grilled fish, and the steaming aroma wafted over her: "It looks delicious."

He said sincerely, "I'm going to start eating."

Silica nervously twisted her fingers, her eyes fixed on Mochizuki Kaede: "Ugh... I'm so nervous..."

With the first bite of grilled fish, the crispy skin and tender fish meat burst with wonderful flavor between your teeth.

Mochizuki Kaede's eyes lit up: "It's baked perfectly, Silica. The heat is just right, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside."

"R-Really?" Silica's cheeks flushed instantly, and even the tips of her ears turned bright red.

“Of course.” Mochizuki Kaede took another bite, savoring the subtle spice flavor in the fish. “Honestly, this might be the best grilled fish I’ve ever had.”

"H-How could this be..." Silica lowered her head shyly, but couldn't help but smile. "Brother Feng is exaggerating..."

Seeing the girl's adorable reaction, Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but tease her: "I'm not exaggerating. It seems Silica will definitely be a wonderful wife in the future."

"Wife!?"

This blunt address left Silica frozen in shock, her face turning bright red, as if steam were rising from her head. Although her current cohabitation with Mochizuki Kaede was practically indistinguishable from that of a married couple, such a direct address still left the innocent girl's mind blank.

Pina flew around in front of her, chirping softly, but Silica was completely absorbed in the shock of being called "wife." She turned mechanically and walked back to the grill, her whole being radiating pink bubbles.

. .

Chapter 169: The Victor

Stoleya walked over carrying a bowl of fish soup with strange bubbles rising to the surface, her crimson eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Try my special dish~" She smiled and handed the soup bowl to Mochizuki Kaede.

When Mochizuki Kaede saw the contents of the bowl, her pupils contracted sharply.

The soup was an unnatural purplish-black, with suspicious flocculent matter floating on its surface, and it smelled like both rotting seaweed and pungent herbs. It was practically a witch's poison; just looking at it made one's stomach churn.

"Storia... what is this?" Mochizuki Kaede's voice was a little tense.

"Uh... I don't know either!" The girl tilted her head, revealing an innocent smile. "Come on, try it!"

This answer made Mochizuki Kaede even more uneasy.

He stared at the bowl of suspicious liquid, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

—Can this really be considered food?

Seeing that he didn't move, Stoleya suddenly leaned closer and scooped up a spoonful of soup emitting a purple mist: "Although it doesn't look very appetizing, the taste is absolutely perfect! Come on~ Mochizuki Kaede~ open your mouth~ ah—"

"Wait, Stoleya, wait a minute... um!" Before Mochizuki Kaede could refuse, she was forced to take a bite.

A strange taste exploded in his mouth, like a mixture of wormwood, sea salt, and some kind of moldy mushroom. Mochizuki Kaede suppressed the urge to vomit, thinking that spitting it out might hurt the girl's feelings, and finally forced it down.

"...Not bad." He forced a smile, his voice sounding weak.

"Really? That's great!" Strea exclaimed happily, her light purple short hair swaying gently with her movements. "I told you it would be delicious!"

Mochizuki Kaede took a deep breath, trying to maintain a serious expression: "Although the appearance... is very striking, the taste also has a lot of... room for improvement."

He carefully chose his words: "But for a first attempt, it's already quite good. Stoleya, you did... very well."

"Then you have to finish it all~" The girl's blushing eyes sparkled.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through Mochizuki Kaede's back. He quickly pointed in Asuna's direction, "Ahem, I'm going to taste Asuna's cooking later, so maybe..."

"Ah! Then I'll go and improve it a bit!" Stoleya suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and skipped back to the kitchen counter with the soup bowl in her hand. "Adding some special seasonings will make it even tastier~ You have to finish it all later!"

"Wait—" Mochizuki Kaede's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and she could only watch helplessly as the girl excitedly poured more suspicious ingredients into the pot of "biological weapon".

Just then, Asuna came over carrying her food.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Xiaofeng~" Her gentle voice was like a spring breeze.

Mochizuki Kaede breathed a sigh of relief. After tasting Stoleya's "dark cuisine," Asuna's cooking skills were simply a salvation.

Mochizuki Kaede has always had unwavering faith in Asuna's culinary skills. During their time living together, she has enjoyed Asuna's meticulously prepared meals every day. From simple home-style dishes to complex fare, Asuna has mastered them all perfectly, making her a true virtuous wife and loving mother.

"Asuna, what did you make this time?" Mochizuki Kaede asked curiously, his gaze falling on the exquisite plate in her hand.

"Clang, clang, oh~" Asuna smiled as she lifted the lid, and an enticing aroma immediately filled the air.

“Clang clang shovel…” Mochizuki Kaede nodded, and information about this dish quickly surfaced in her mind. It was a kind of fisherman’s dish originating from Hokkaido, named for the “clang clang” sound made when the shovel collided with the ingredients. It was a traditional delicacy full of the flavor of everyday life.

Asuna continued, "I didn't just use fish; I also added carrots, broccoli, and cabbage..."

Her slender fingers pointed to each ingredient on the plate: "Onions enhance the aroma, potatoes increase satiety, eggplant absorbs flavor, and enoki mushrooms and crab mushrooms add umami."

Looking at the dish in front of him, Mochizuki Kaede saw golden fish pieces paired with various brightly colored vegetables: red carrots, green broccoli, white cabbage... They complemented each other perfectly, the sauce evenly coating each piece of food, and an enticing aroma wafting from the steam.

"It's a feast for the eyes just to look at it," Mochizuki Kaede exclaimed sincerely. "Then I'll start eating."

The first bite bursts with the freshness of the fish and the sweetness of the vegetables, the savory sauce is just right, and the cooking time of all the ingredients is impeccable.

Mochizuki Kaede couldn't help but pick up another bite with her chopsticks: "Mmm, it's absolutely delicious! The fish is so fresh and the vegetables retain their perfect texture. Is this the power of maxed-out cooking skills...?"

Asuna's cheeks flushed slightly. Although she was very confident in her cooking skills, hearing such a straightforward compliment from her sweetheart still made her feel sweet inside.

"You're overpraising me, Xiaofeng." She waved her hand shyly, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips. "But as long as you enjoy your meal, that's all that matters."

Just then, Stoleya's energetic voice came from afar: "The improved version of the super stewed fish soup is ready!"

She came running excitedly towards them again, holding the bowl of thick soup with strange purple bubbles rising to it: "Wang Yuefeng, this time it will definitely taste even better!"

Looking at the dish that resembled a "biological weapon," and then at Asuna's gentle smiling face, Mochizuki Kaede suddenly felt that being able to taste Asuna's cooking while still alive was truly a great blessing in life.

It took Mochizuki Kaede about ten minutes of arduous struggle before he finally managed to finish Storella's "masterpiece." During those ten minutes, he experienced both pain and pleasure, not only struggling to cope with the taste sensations brought by Storella's cooking, but also taking the opportunity to sample Asuna's sizzling skewers, Silica's grilled fish, and Yui's rice balls.

After finally finishing off all the dishes, Yui skipped over to Mochizuki Kaede and took his hand: "So, Daddy, shouldn't we announce the results now? Whose dish was the best?"

Stoleya also came over, asking expectantly, "Mochizuki Kaede, who do you think has the best cooking?"

Silica stood aside, also anxiously awaiting the result.

Mochizuki Kaede looked around at everyone and said solemnly, "First of all, everyone put a lot of effort into making these dishes, and I'm truly grateful to be able to eat food made by your own hands. But if I had to choose the best one..."

His gaze fell on Asuna: "It's Asuna's 'Clang Clang Yaki'. The cooking time, seasoning, and ingredient combination are all impeccable."

“Xiao Feng…” Asuna’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes sparkled with joy. “Thank you.”

Surprisingly, Strea showed no sign of disappointment. Instead, she clapped her hands happily: "Mmm! Asuna's cooking is truly amazing~"

She leaned closer to Asuna, her light purple short hair fluttering in the wind: "Next time we find rare ingredients, we'll have to ask Chef Asuna to cook them for us!"

"Okay!" Asuna nodded readily. "Leave it to me!"

During their time together, Asuna discovered that although Strea acted eccentrically, she truly meant no harm. Her straightforward and easygoing personality made her impossible to dislike.

Chapter 170: Tracking Stoleya

In the days that followed, Strea appeared in their lives like an elusive breeze. She gradually became acquainted with Mochizuki Kaede, Asuna, Silica, and Yui, but Mochizuki Kaede was never able to extract any useful information from her about why she knew about Mochizuki Kaede and Kissmel, or about the possible connection between her and Yui.

That morning, Mochizuki Maple encountered Stoleya, who was traveling alone, on the stone-paved road in Golar Village.

The girl's light purple short hair fluttered in the wind as she walked slowly, humming an unfamiliar tune.

"Where is she going..." Mochizuki Kaede's heart stirred, and he decided to follow her quietly, "Perhaps I can find some clues."

He maintained a perfect distance, using the street stalls and pedestrians as cover. Strea seemed completely unaware, her light steps carrying a certain rhythm. Just as she turned the third street corner, the girl suddenly stopped and slightly turned her head.

Mochizuki Kaede quickly slipped into the alleyway beside her, her back pressed against the cold stone wall.

After confirming that he had not been discovered, he continued his pursuit.

Stoleya seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, and would occasionally jump up and down, her skirt swaying like a blooming violet.

Finally, she stopped in front of a building. Mochizuki Kaede looked up and could vaguely make out the word "hotel" on the sign at the entrance of the building.

Mochizuki Kaede narrowed his eyes. An inn? Just as he was wondering, Stoleya suddenly turned around, her crimson eyes staring straight at the shadows where Mochizuki Kaede was hiding:

"Welcome to my home!"

Mochizuki Kaede froze, only to see her smiling radiantly: "Mochizuki Kaede, don't hide in a place like that, come here! I'll make you some tea~"

"I've been discovered..." Mochizuki Kaede awkwardly stepped out of the shadows.

“I noticed it from the very beginning~” Strea winked mischievously. “Let’s not talk about that now, hurry up!”

Mochizuki Kaede hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Then... I'll have to bother you."

Perhaps we can glean some intelligence from this, he thought to himself.

Following Strea into the inn, the wooden stairs creaked softly underfoot. At the door at the end of the second-floor corridor, the girl pulled out a key and winked at him: "Please come in, my dear stalker~"

Called a "stalker," Mochizuki Kaede coughed lightly and said, "Sorry..."

When he stepped into Stoleya's room, a strong girlish atmosphere enveloped him. The entire space was decorated in a warm and exquisite manner, with cute stickers on the walls and various delicate and adorable objects on the table, including small dolls and colorful ornaments.

"You live here now?" Mochizuki Kaede asked, somewhat surprised.

Stoleya tilted her head: "Hmm? Is there something wrong with this room?"

"No, it's nothing." Mochizuki Kaede shook her head, glancing at the girlish decorations. "How should I put it... it's cuter than I imagined. I thought it would be a more mature style."

"Mature?" Stoleya tapped her chin with her index finger. "So that's the impression I give off~ Anyway, sit on the bed first, I'll go make you some tea."

Mochizuki Kaede nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. The soft mattress sank slightly, carrying a faint, girlish scent. He silently reflected: Although it was for investigation, following the girl and entering her room without permission was indeed inappropriate…

After a while, Stoleya came over with a steaming cup of black tea, a sweet smile on her face, and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

To Wang Yuefeng's surprise, she went straight to the bedside and sat down next to him.