Chapter Two: Why Does Your Food Taste So Good?

On another day, Annie returned to the restaurant. She stood at the counter beside Fritz(who was also there but wasn't eating) and made an order. They watched Raeger while he cooked.

"The other day was pretty crazy, huh?" Annie said.

"Eh. Not really. I'm used to it," Raeger replied.

"What?! Does that kind of thing happen often around here?" Annie asked.

"No, but... it happens enough that I'm not surprised," Raeger said.

Before Annie could reply, Raeger set down her order on the counter in front of her. She decided to focus on eating rather than small talk for now.

Fritz watched in despair as she ate. He watched her plate and mouth intently. Annie slowly stopped eating because she was disturbed by Fritz's staring.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked him.

Fritz was going to apologise but he was too hungry to make any noise beyond whimpering. His stomach answered for him, by growling loudly.

He turned back to Raeger and said, "Come on, Raeger! Think of it as charity! Feed me!"

"Well, okay, let's check the best before date on this... Ah yes, expired several days ago, that's why I was going to throw it out. You want some?" Raeger asked him.

Fritz was going to cave in and say yes, so Annie said, "Have some of my food, for goodness sake."

Fritz beamed at her and said, "You're the best, Annie!"

He grabbed an extra fork and ate almost half of what was on her plate in a few moments. Afterwards, he retreated and murmured, "Uh... sorry."

"...Don't worry. I'm not that hungry. Well, not as hungry as you, anyway," Annie said.

Raeger decided now was a good time to throw some things away so he started gathering empty bottles and such, as hardly anything stuck around long enough to expire.

Annie ate a little more and wondered how Raeger's food managed to be the best she'd ever eaten. She waited for him to get back and when he did, she asked, "Where did you learn how to cook?"

"Well, I don't know if you want the truth, but," Raeger murmured.

"...What? Why would I want you to tell me lies?" Annie questioned.

"I've never told anyone the truth," Raeger said.

Annie and Fritz stared at Raeger in confusion. "Just tell me the truth," Annie said.

"It's kind of a long story, but okay," Raeger said, and began his tale.

"Before I took over the restaurant, I went on a journey," from this sentence alone, they could tell that this story was not a normal story.

"One night on this journey, a stranger wandered to where I'd set up camp. He was a wizard with much to say. He had a cloak of gold and eyes of fire. His voice was gentle but... inspiring. It was the most magical thing I've ever experienced," Raeger said.

Annie and Fritz felt inspired just listening to Raeger recount his story.

"He told me about the world, about the misery others felt, about the suffering, and told me just how wonderful happiness really is. I knew then that I wanted to bring joy to others so I came here to cook for anyone who's feeling down. Unless it's Fritz," Raeger said, adding the bit at the end with laughter.

"Um... so, where did you learn how to cook?" Annie repeated.

"Huh? Oh, I forgot to mention that the wizard taught me magic, didn't I? I'm a wizard in my own right by now, I suppose," Raeger said.

"So, the food is magic?" Fritz questioned, confused.

"Not exactly..." Raeger murmured.

"Why are you so reluctant to answer? What's in the food?" Annie asked.

"It's drugs," Raeger admitted. Fritz's and Annie's jaws dropped, but Raeger's confession didn't end there. He continued, "They're... illegal in many places."

"Raeger, you have to stop! You can't put that stuff in your food!" Fritz shouted. Seeing a chance to eat, he took some more of Annie's food and then continued, "Don't stop. Whatever you do, don't stop adding that stuff to your food, because you will lose all your customers if you do."

Raeger laughed and said, "That's what I was always after; food so addictive you can't stop eating!"

"You are literally drugging the entire town. Stop laughing," Annie growled.

"Are you going to finish that?" Fritz asked, pointing to Annie's meal.

"Not any more, no," Annie replied, pushing the plate to Fritz who ate what remained and then licked the plate clean.