She stood off to the side, watching the two men each grab a leaf. "Ready, Komatsu?" The larger man asked in an excitement. "Ready whenever you are!" "Together now! Two as one!" So many comments that could be said but not a single good one came to mind. Man, wish those two would stop taking their sweet time! This suspension was killing her! "One, two..THREE!" Immediately the two peeled/ripped the last two leaves away to reveal a glossy, wet looking curled up leaf. That was it? "Th..this is it!" The men shouted together. The three watched in excitement as the leaf slowly unfurled and gently bounced a bit which caused it to send out a large splash of dew. "!?" Andrea blinked when water splashed onto her face. Just that tiny movement caused that huge spray?! "Whoa! The tiniest movement sends up a big spray! It's gushing juice!" Andrea kept quiet, knowing should she say something it'll more likely to make a comment on how wrong that sounded or make a rude comment. Has funny as that would be Andrea was already under the impression that some of her comments were already shocking them. [side not for a moment. Since there's loud talking I decided to use bold for that to try to lessen the confusion. Hope that works]
"Ozone grass is really...the king of vegetables!" One of them exclaimed in an excitement. Was it just her or did it seem like every time something new was tried they (the guys) always sounded like they were in love with it? "Wow...look at that plump leaf. (Now that riko brought it up the leaf did look extremely plump) It would probably burst if we poked it." "Depending on who poked it...maybe but most unlikely." Andrea said but wasn't surprised that her words fell on deaf ears. She was starting to get used to it. Komatsu moved closer to inspect the food, his face alight with wonder and excitement as he too commented on it. "Ooh, up close, you can see the twinkling and pulsating of the veins. When I press my ear close, it's like I can hear the leaf's heart beating. (Ok. They were starting to scare her now. Plants didn't have hearts, let alone heartbeats.) I've never seen a vegetable so full of life." "This leaf is the culmination of the pure sunlight and ash soil of vegetable sky." Toriko said bringing his nose closer to the leaf and sniffed a bit.
Immediately after a river of drool went down his chin. "Riko. You keep drooling like that you are going to have a puddle of drool that you probably drown in. At least at the rate you're going." Andrea pointed out, trying not to laugh as the chef cried out a drool alert. Once again her words were ignored but at least so were Komatsu's...not that it was any consolation. The hunter grinned widely, wiping some of the drool off, and said with excitement, "For the leaves being so stinky, the thing they were protecting smells delicious. (She didn't smell anything but with a nose like his he could smell on a whole new scale.) I can't wait to sink my teeth into." The moment he said that an unease filled the woman. If it was this difficult just to get to the center, how much harder would it be to eat it? Toriko continued to stare at the plant, unaware of the tension from the woman. It was more than him just wanting to eat it. He had to eat it. 'This...food...just might..' The thought fleeced through before he turned to the others.
"Komatsu! Andrea! Let's dig in!" He announced happily and slightly blinked at Andrea's expression. "This isn't ours to eat, bud." Andrea explained even as the chef nodded in agreement. "This is for the president.." "We know how to get ozone grass now. By pulling down on two leaves at the same time starting with the smallest one. I couldn't think straight because of the potent smell (so was he basically saying his good nose had a down sign?), but you figured out the pattern, Komatsu. It takes a nose as fine as mine to tell the differences, and that's barely enough. If we had to assign a capture level, it would be at least 60. (Even plants can be that high?) it's a lot of work, but we can always pick another one for the old man. So I say.." The hunter clenched his fist in excitement, "Down the hatch, Komatsu!"
Andrea raised an eyebrow as she watched the chef clasped his hands together and said, "O..okay!" It appeared the larger man won him over with the enthusiasm card. Oh boy. Again it was doubtful that eating it will be a cinch. "It's thanks to you that we got to the ozone grass, Komatsu. So you eat it first!" Interesting. Riko had never ever offered to let one of them eat something first. "Huh? Oh, o. If it weren't for you, we would have never made it above the clouds, Toriko-San. We should start with you." Even before the words barely left Matsu's mouth Riko's response was immediate. "Okay, if you insist!" 'That was fast.' Komatsu thought watching the woman cross her arms in front of her. "Oi, if you had intended to eat it first then why even bother offering it in the first place?" It was hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice even as he (Toriko) turned his attention back to the plant.
With hearts in his eyes (Andrea was still finding it difficult to actually see hearts in people's eyes LITERALLY) and copied the chef's clasped hands. "Don't mind if I do. Humble thanks and all that." Shaking her head a bit at him then blinked in confusion (though not really surprised) when immediately upon biting down into it the plant rotted. "Hwuh?!" The men gaped out in surprised before the hunter quickly spat out the rotted food. "Huuuh?!" He groaned out, confused on what the heck just happened. "Knew it was too easy." The woman commented at the same time the chef shouted in surprised, "What happened?!" The two watched as Toriko quickly (and not to mention fast) cough out whatever he chewed. "It...rotted the moment you bit in!" Komatsu exclaimed in dismay looking down at it, a mixture of emotions on his face,
"That sucks!" It was almost funny watching the reaction of these two. It really didn't occur to them that reaching the heart was going to be easy? "It'll have to have two bite into it at the same time. Huh. This'll be an interesting event." Andrea grinned and tried not to laugh at their expressions. "You're enjoying this aren't you?" Toriko grunted out a bit, trying not to enjoy the woman's look of mischief too much. "It has to be you two. I'm still a bit tender from earlier." Not quite true. She just wanted to see them try to eat it together at once. "I..if I didn't know better I'd say you were making it up." Komatsu said, looking at her. Andrea did look a bit pale. Considering her reaction from before it wouldn't be good to have her try to eat this. "One more time, Komatsu!" Andrea laughed at the determination in the hunter's voice and watched in amusement as the men did it all over again on a new ozone.
When the heart was reached Komatsu and Toriko were huffing and puffing, sweat was dripping down from their faces. "Sheesh. It has to be eaten by two people at once. This vegetable sure likes pairs." Toriko's eyebrow twitched a bit as the woman added her two cents. "You shouldn't be surprised at that. It took two to take it on. Speaking of pairs, maybe it's trying to tell you something." Andrea had an innocent look when Riko shot her a glare. Komtau looked between the two confused before he spoke up, "Well, ozone grass does require special preparation." "Since Drea is out of the running it looks like it's just you and me, Matsu." The hunter said, feeling like a certain someone had set this up for her, their, amusement. Andrea tried not to snicker as the two knelt down on either side of the plant.
"Let's both bite down at the same time." Toriko told the chef, both of their mouths ready to bite down. "Rodger!" "On my count you two! One! Two!" Andrea started and watched the boys both bit at the exact same time. Well, at least they got it right this time. A laugh erupted from her at their expressions of pure happiness and excitement and laughed even harder (though this time it was from them, their happiness contagious) as the two hugged each other. "We did it, Komatsu!" Toriko cried out even as the smaller man went, "Toriko-San!" "We did it! We ate it" "!? Ack?! G..get off of me..! Weirdos..!" The woman exclaimed in surprise/dismay as her companions dragged her into their hug feist. "You helped too so you're joining in." Toriko grinned as a blush appeared. Too damn cute. "I...I did not! Get off!" "B..but you gave us some advice that helped.." Argh...fine. Damn Matsu. Turning that look to her, though to be honest that happy, crying face with snot running down was kinda disturbing.
"Ah's so, so happy! Iss...so..delicious! Super delicious!" Ok time for her to get free. She quickly escaped from their grasped but the two were so distracted with the chewing and tasting it that they never noticed her getting free or that they let go of each other. What crunch! 'If I don't chew hard enough, it springs back!' The hunter thought as he continued to chew. 'The fibers are so dense, they're making my jaw do gymnastics to ear it. Chewing is fun! It's so pure and refreshing! I could get addicted to this, even though it's a plant! It's beyond delicious!' Too bad the woman couldn't try some but maybe next time. Just as the hunter swallowed a jolt went through his body. A split second later his cells leveled up, causing his shirt to literally to burst off of him. NOW he knew what that feeling was. His gourmet cells were craving ozone grass! 'My cells advanced!' The blue haired man thought excitedly, looking up at the sky. The old man.. The hunter recalled the president's words just before they left.
He knew the whole time. 'Ozone grass powered up my cells and forced me to cooperate with Komatsu.' Though Riko had a sneaky suspicion that Andrea was also trying her hand to get him to cooperate. Jeesh those two. But...Andrea and the old man were right. "I get it. I get it, you two." "Hm? Get wha, Riko?" Andrea started to ask but stopped when she noticed him shirtless and her jaw almost dropped at how hot he suddenly looked. Ack! Get a grip! He has gone shirtless before! Though technically all his shirts got torn up but still.. Andrea watched him plopped down and turn his attention to Komatsu. "Yes? Whoa! What happened to your shirt?!" Komatsu responded though how come he was so surprised bout him losing his shirt? Not that she should talk but she's getting used to it. Just not her responses to the event. Honestly. A grown woman shouldn't be drooling over every time it happened. Anyway, Andrea thought it was about damn time that that idiot hunger got around to asking Komatsu!
"Will you..be my partner?" Toriko asked, extending his hand a bit towards the smaller man. The woman couldn't help but smile at the adorable confused/surprised expression. The chef was silent for a moment before going, "Huh...?" The larger man scratched his chin nervously before he continued, though to be honest it seemed like that Komatsu's reaction wasn't one he was looking for, "Um.. You don't have to... If you don't want to, but.. Be my partner.. And together we'll make the greatest full course meal ever!" Once again playing the enthusiasm card again. To be honest again for sure she thought it would be a yes but... Ah. Right. This guy was too modest. He probably never dreamed that Toriko would ask him. The hunter's words further startled said man. "M...me...and you?" "You know the answer, Matsu. Why drag it out?" Andrea lightly pushed. Was it only apparent to her that they should be partners? "Yeah. Well?" Toriko waited.
Komatsu started to tear up and puff a bit before a second a later tears and snot began running down his face. Oh my. Apparently he thought so too. "I...I... Ever since I met you, Toriko-San... I've always...always...wanted to be the one to prepare your food. I know I'm not good enough...but I've always wanted...to be your partner, Toriko-San!" "Really? It never occurred to me before." Ouch. Even she felt that from where she was standing. Highly (more like extremely doubtful) Toriko even thought about being partners let alone having one. He seemed to be relieved that the chef finally replied. "But now that it has.. Komatsu. You've got skills I don't have. You've got a passion for cooking and..." A slight sharp look came to his eyes. "You have the gift of being adored by food." Huh. So that explained why the food reacted so positive to him.
The admission stunned the chef for a moment, at least long enough for the larger man to hold on his hand. "Will you...be my partner, Komatsu?" Toriko asked again. Was it just her or did his look seem to soften? Almost immediately Komatsu grasped the open hand crying and shouted/said loudly, "Yes! I look forward to working with you, Toriko-San!" Komatsu smiled brightly and rubbed the tears from his eyes and looked up to the sky. "Toriko-San and I are partners... I never thought this day would come. Thud really is paradise." Komatsu looked over toward her and asked curiously, "you knew the whole time, didnt you? Andrea." The woman smiled innocently, ignoring the "You're not innocent" comment from the other man, and nodded. "Guilty." "It does explain some of the comments you've been making." "Also guilty. It was killing me! I knew right from the start you two would make a great team. Been trying to motivate a certain someone to ask." "Hey. Was looking for a good time to ask." "Ah huh." Andrea giggled at the annoyed growl that a certain someone let out.
"Oh. Look, Toriko-San and Andrea! The ozone grass!" The two looked over at the smaller man. "What is it Matsu?" Andrea asked, looking at the plant and noticed it looked like a heart from above. "From above, it looks like a heart!" Komatsu said pointing at it. A slow grin came across her lips. She sniffed a bit in pretend. "I see how it is... I'm the third wheel of the party. I'll probably just get in the way." "So?! Don't get all weird to n me now! Andrea! Don't even go there! You know that's not the case!" Toriko exclaimed and glared slightly, fighting the blush back at her playful teasing look. "But.." "And don't even pretend the fake tears. I can tell when it's fake." "Party pooper." The woman grinned at him, causing him to shake his head even when he turned his aren't ion back to the plant. "Well, ozone grass is tasty but.. I/you can't add it to my/your full course." Toriko looked at the woman who only smiled innocently. Someone sure seemed to be in a playful mood. "I'll put that choice on hold."
Thenchef seemed surprised by the announcement. Andrea wasn't that surprised. That man (Riko) seemed to be so picky when it comes to his full course. "Huh?! Really?!" Komatsu gaped out before continuing, "But it commemorates our becoming partners. Put it in your full course." "No can do. Sure it advanced my cells, but..ozone grass likes you better than me, Komatsu." "Huh?" "Didn't you see how many times I made it rot? If it had liked me, we'd have eaten it a lot faster." Komatsu thought back to when he first saw the grass and how it was completely open but was closed when he brought the others over. "I'm only here because that stupid old man wanted me to get beat up." "Now Toriko I'm sure that's not the case." Andrea tried to say but only got waved off. "Plus, I can't have something in my full course that has to be eaten by two people at the same time. (For some reason Andrea wanted to say something on that but stopped.) Foods that go in my full course will have to accept all three of us, right you two?"
Now THAT threw her off. "Eh?! B...b..but you were just talking about you guys being partners! Shouldn't it be foods that accept the two of you?!" Andrea started before the said men turned and smiled at her. "You're part of the group. Why the heck should you be left out?" Toriko asked, looking at her softly, causing her heart to flutter and beat fast. W..wow. "Y..yea! We'd never leave you out Andrea!" Toriko laughed a bit at the flustered look Andrea had. Now THAT was absolutely adorable. Might be the first time they've seen her look so off guard. Now the hunter must remember to find things to throw her off her game. "He's right! There must be an even tastier vegetable somewhere in the world. I just know it! I'm going to cook whatever food you want...in the most delicious way imaginable!" "Deal! Well said, Komatsu!" Toriko complimented as the two watched the chef pumped his arms up into the air.
Before Andrea had a chance to comment a chill came over her suddenly, making her exclaim, "Somethings here! Toriko!" The words barely had time to register when a loud thud from behind them startled them. The three turned to see a reddish creature that looked like a gt. Wait. Creature? So this thing inspired those dingbats to make all those robots? But what was the shoulder strap and kilt thing going on? 'A gt robot.. Wait, no.. It's not! It's alive!' Toriko thought, looking at the creature hard. That footprint from before.. That was its footprint! He risked a slight glance at Andrea. Even he didn't know nor sense it coming so how did she..? Movement brought his attention back and saw the thing walking over to them. "T..Toriko-San.." Komatsu started but the hunter cut him off. "Stay still, you two. We can't afford to make a wrong move. I don't know what it is (for some strange reason he couldn't help but think Drea might know. But that's impossible) but.. It doesn't want to hurt us..yet. Don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll protect you. That's what partners do!" "Toriko-San." "It's not interested in us... It's after the ozone.." Andrea started but slowly got quiet as the thing got closer.
Whatever it was walked right in between them and moved like they weren't there. The trio watched it kneel down by the heart and a second later a loud chomping noise was heard. Did that thing just bite into the plant?! The trio continued to watch, even as it chewed for a few seconds before it spat it out. It then stood up, turned then JUMPED to another spot (not sure how far it was) and disappear. The group stood there for a second before looking at each then back to where the creature vanished. "Wh..what just happened?" Komatsu asked then looked up at Toriko in panic. "D..don't tell me...it was a gt.." "It wasn't a robot. It...was alive. It might have inspired to make the gt.." Andrea answered. Wonder if she could ask Mia about that thing. Toriko looked at her for a moment then replied to the chef, "It looked like one, but it didn't smell like titanium alloy. Plus I would have been able to sense the aura (again he suspected that Andrea would of sensed that as well) of a human operator." The hunter looked at the woman. "You're right. I'm sure it was a wild animal but...how did you know it was alive let alone it was coming?"
Andrea looked down for a moment. "I...I don't know. Honestly. I just...knew." Toriko looked at her and was willing to bet his status that she was telling the truth. Though Andrea had never lied bout anything up til this point. "You mean it lives up here?!" "I don't think so, Matsu." The woman told him even as the hunter continued on. "I've never smelled anything like it before, so it probably lives elsewhere. And only came here to forge." "Th..that's right, it ate ozone grass! Even though it spat it out.." The chef added. "Probably because it went bad. It does take two people eating it at the same time." Toriko tried to explain but Andrea shot that down. "No. It ate it. I thought...I heard it bite twice but...the speed.. Hm? What is it?" Andrea asked when she noticed something caught his attention and looked behind her at the plant. Not to her surprise there were two triangle bites into it. "Wh..what the?!" Toriko shouted in disbelief.
"The ozone grass! It didn't rot, you guys!" Komatsu pointed over at it even as the hunter walked over to inspect it. Impossible. 'How could it..' Toriko thought when he realized Andrea was right. It did bit twice! And with such speed the ozone grass couldn't even sense the difference! What speed.. "Toriko-San... How.." "Komatsu." Andrea didn't know if she liked that worried look Riko had.. "That thug...might have been watching us this whole time." Damn. She figured as much but to hear him say that made this situation even more nerve wrecking. It watched and memorized the way Riko and Matsu peeled and are the ozone grass. "Memorized?" Komatsu echoed. "It wanted ozone grass but might not have known how to eat it." Meaning it was smart..ah heck why even go there? It was beyond smart. If it could stay out of the range of their senses and only seen them eat it once to learn.
Komatsu echoed the words she was musing over and Toriko's voice snapped her back. "Once it knew it couldn't peel the leaves on its on it waited until wed expose the editable part." "Meaning it's intelligent and has extraordinary abilities.." The woman finished for him, making him nod a bit. Komatsu was quiet for a few moments then glanced at the plant as he remembered the thing spitting it out. "But.. It spat..one delicious vegetable! What a waste! Ack!" Andrea hugged him tight. "Too right! It should be a crime to waste such good food! (Even though Andrea hadn't eat it.)" The larger man laughed and smiled big. "You guys said it! Guess it's not smart enough to know good food when it tastes it! Anyway, I'm glad nothing bad happened. So, Komatsu and Andrea! Let's bring the old man some ozone grass!" "Sounds good to me!" "R..right!" The two agreed excitedly.
"Um..Toriko-San? Are we gonna have to..go home the way we came?" Oh. Crap. The woman totally forgot about getting back down. "Yup! But don't worry! Jumping down will be a piece of cake!" "Says you. I'm barely tolerating climbing up. You wanna kill me?" Andrea asked dryly even as Komatsu was having a freak out. Toriko just ignored the two and looked at the direction the creature went. What the heck was that Thing? He glanced towards the woman. Just how the heck did she know it was coming. He has a feeling a certain lady has some hidden talents.
At IGO Headquarters
The three were sitting on a couch: one dressed casually and just relaxing, one dressed nicely and wondering what was gonna happen, and the last dressed in a suit and looking like he was gonna have a panic attack. Andrea couldn't help but wonder if that blonde weirdo (the president) was laughing at them.. Certainly looked like it judging from his body language as they watched him pour some tea. "Well, ha ha! I'd forgotten about that little errand I sent you on." Well that answered that. "You must have a complex, you strange old man." Andrea said and tried not to laugh at Toriko's shout of dismay of "You forgot?!" Jeesh this guy must love these guys like real sons to tease them like that. Ichiryu grinned turning slightly to look at them.
"Good work, Toriko. Ozone grass requires special preparation. (so he knew the entire time it required that and didn't tell them? If the woman didn't know better she'd say he was getting off on tormenting them) It's capture level is 68." The president congratulated them. Toriko grinned cheekily, putting a hand on the chef's back and explained, "It's all thanks to this guy. Allow me to introduce my partner, chef Komatsu." Oh boy. Poor Komatsu. He looked like he was gonna crap himself. Seriously too modest for his own good.
"H..h..how do you do? M..my name is Komatsu. I'm the head chef at Hotel Gourmet." Komatsu greeted nervously. That seemed to surprise the older man a bit. "Oh-ho. An IGO employee." He (Ichiryu) stated. That made Matsu even more nervous. "Y..yes, sir. Th..thank you...for your generosity." "Don't stain your shorts, Komatsu. Ow!" The blue haired man said before getting hit in the arm by Andrea. "Be nice! He's already a nervous wreck so don't make it worse." The woman scolded him, slightly amused he went ow from a light tap. "I am being nice Jeesh. Getting violent." "Am not." "Wanna try that again?" "I..it's fine Andrea. No big deal." The blonde watched the three in amusement before walking over to the container that held the ozone and asked the chef as he pointed to the container, stopping the play fight, "Are you the one who programmed this gourmet case for ozone grass?"
Komatsu rubbed the back of his head nervously as he replied, "Y..yes, sir. Since they don't sell storage data for ozone grass it took a while ago o program it on site." While her butt. It took him like an hour or two. Or did the chef consider that a while? "I see." Ichiryu responded grinning a bit. So this kid could hear the voices of the foods hm? He turned his attention to the other man. "Toriko." Toriko stopped, about to drink his tea, and went, "Hm?" Andrea smiled a bit at the proud look and smile he gave the hunter. Finally. A smile that actually felt like the real him. "You've found a good partner. Take good care of him. Kid (argh. Was that forevermore her name to him?), make sure you keep these two in line."
She blinked slightly before grinning and replied, "Already planned to." "I will." Toriko said taking a sip of the tea before quickly spitting it out. "Blegh! Gross! What is this stuff?!" Hm? Usually this guy ate and drank anything in front of him so why would he spit something out? Andrea cautiously took a small sip of her tea and blinked at the bitterness of it but...it wasn't that bad. "Delicious." She said causing the hunter to go "You actually like this stuff?!" and blinked when the president laughed hard. "Ha ha ha! It's ozone tea-made from the outer leaves of ozone grass. Once you get used to it it's pretty addictive! Looks like one of you already likes it!" Before Andrea had a chance to reply Toriko cut in indignantly, exclaiming quite loudly, "Ozone tea?! Outer leaves?! You had ozone grass this whole time?! Then why'd you have me go to get it?!"
"He said it was for training before we left./Idiot! It was for your training!" The two said (Andrea and Ichiryu) together but the older man continued on. "Entering the gourmet world unprepared is signing your death warrant." Toriko clenched his fist and grinned cheekily. "I know. But if it's cold and low oxygen I'll be facing, then I'm ready. I'm ready for the gourmet world." "And how many times do I have to tell you that you WILL get creamed as you are now, Riko." Andrea said sternly to him, causing him to groan a bit. "And how many times do I have to say I'm ready?" "If someone like me can tell you aren't then.." The president cut her off going, "Idiot! There's a lot more conditions you'll have to face." The older man brought out a piece of paper and handed it to Riko. "Here! This is your next training assignment!"
"What?!" Riko exclaimed in dismay once more taking the list and whatever was on it almost caused his eyes to bug out. "Awww! There's more?!" Andrea tried not to smirk as she watched him. God this guy was so impatient to go that he couldn't see he was unprepared for this place! If this place was easy yet he was still getting pushed around then how the heck can he handle a place that was like a boss level? "Lots more. Go and capture all the foods on that list. You're not allowed to enter the gourmet world until you've finished. This is your training. You're lucky that one of you has a head on her shoulders to know what to do." But the hunter didn't hear him, too focused on the list. "Argh, you gotta be kidding me."
Ichiryu stared at him for a moment then said, extending a hand out, "You're not the only one undergoing intensive training against the elements. Sani and Coco are too." That snapped Toriko back. "Huh? Sani? And Coco?" "Depending on the food, you ought to bring them along. Consider that training too. Heck...invite Zebra along!" That startled the blue haired man. "Z..Zebra?! But he's.." The president cut him off as he continued. "Toriko. I'll be going to the gourmet world soon. If you boys feel up for it.." He grinned widely. "Tag along with your old man!" That threw Riko off, both stunned and surprised for a moment before returning the grin excitedly, "Okay! I'll be right behind you!" Andrea and Komatsu jumped when attention was turned back to them. "As for you, Komatsu and Andrea." "Yes? , sir?!" "I'll see you there too. Make sure you keep them honest too young lady."
"Will do." Andrea smiled, noting that Komatsu had a similar expression the larger man had and smiled brightly. "Yes, sir! Thank you very much!" Andrea couldn't help but laugh a bit as the two chattered excitedly, unaware the president was watching on. Those two, Toriko and Komatsu, reminded him of Master Acacia and Froese. He glanced over to the woman. She seemed to be having a positive influence on those two, especially Toriko. Something was going on between them, just like her cousin said. "Back on vegetable sky...we saw this weird creature..." Andrea started, getting his (Ichiryu) attention, also drawing Toriko's. "Ah! That's right! I almost forgot!" Toriko turned and looked over at him. "We saw this weird creature up there." He then what on to explain. What was interesting to her wasn't the fact that a new creature was there but the reaction of the blonde man. So he knows what that thing is hm? Don't suppose he could enlighten them on it? Probably not...
A couple days later
"Sure this is a good idea?" Andrea asked, looking up at huge chunk of iron ore that was roughly the size of a small mountain (she thought so anyway but again she wasn't very good with judging). "Yup! Here we go!" Toriko said, patting the Rock and left his hand and turned to look at her and Terry. "Hey, Terry! Andrea!" He grinned at them. "How about this rock? Good enough to test my strength on, right? "You're so asking the wrong person Riko... I THINK it's gonna work but.. Knowing you your gonna go over the top." Knowing him this thing was gonna get totally obliterated.. "It's hard to find something more solid and durable...than a chunk of iron ore." Slightly amused at her uncertainty. He couldn't blame her. His strength was always changing and getting stronger. Andrea watched him power up his arm, couple of veins popping up on his face.
"Ozone grass advanced my cells. I've been dying to measure just how much. Stay back, you two." "On it." Andrea moved back to what she hoped was a safe distance. The moment she moved he was already reached 14. "15 fold" Toriko started as he punched the rock. "Spiked punch!" The force of the punch pushed the rock high into the air, the punch going through it. "Almost there!" The hunter said excitedly, the thing almost destroyed. That was...quite impressive.. "Yeeaah!" He cheered happily clenching his fists before he pumped a fist into the air. "Ha ha! How about that, Andrea? Terry?" The hunter grinned at them. The young wolf gave a excited woof. "Pretty awesome Toriko." The woman smiled. The grin then turned cheeky. "It was totally awesome! Heh heh! Okay! Time to eat!" Andrea wanted to ask when wasn't he hungry but felt like it would spoil the mood.
At camp
Whatever the larger man caught smelled great though it looked kinda like an eel. "Here. Try some of this in the sauce." Toriko said handing her a piece already dipped in sauce. "Thanks." Andrea smiled as she took it and just as she expected it tasted great. Was it just her or did Riko appear to be lost in his thoughts? From the looks of it (besides him putting on his shirt) gourmet world was weighing heavily on his mind. If that was so it was too soon for the young wolf. Not to much it was too soon for a certain man but no. What would she know? Dang him. She watched him clench his fist, face deeply serious. Dang it all. "Don't even think of it." He startled a bit then looked at her. "Eh? Don't wha?" She gave him a look. He looked right back, debating on wether if he should tell the truth.
Granted if he did chances are good Drea would just tell him flat out no, saying something like "You're not ready" or "No it's too early". What really got him curious was how in the world was she able to know if he could do it or not? Well, no matter. He already knew what he wanted to do. The question was how to get her to believe him. He wanted to know...he really wanted to know just how far he could get into the gourmet world. "I'm just thinking about a rough hunt I'm about to go on. (Kinda the truth) I was thinking of leaving you with Komatsu. You should be fine for a few days... Wha?" The hunter stopped in mid sentence when he saw the dark look on her face. Crap...she wasn't buying it. "It's the truth. It's a dangerous hunt I'm gonna do so I think it'll be safer with Komatsu. I'll only be gone for a short while." The woman was silent for a moment before slowly nodding her head. She was gonna kick his ass wasn't she...?
Sorry! This would of been longer but damn thing erased a good chunk so said screw it. Couple of things...had a second job but as of tomorrow gonna put my two weeks notice. I ain't gonna put up with the bs going on there plus the hours aren't what I first agreed to. I don't have this much stress from my first job...so yea screw it.. So another thing. I'm moving into my boyfriend's house.