Hotel Gourmet: Annex Private Terrace
"How long are you gonna not talk to me, Drea?" The hunter asked, eyeing the pressure cooker the chef was using. He all but saw the cold shoulder the woman, who from the look of her body language, was absolutely furious with him. Toriko couldn't remember when or if he ever saw her back so stiff. Oooh boy. Sani was totally right about her going to be sore at him.
Flashback/Rain Town
Toriko drained the bottle of beer and sat it down on the table. "I want to test my strength. I know you understand, Sani. You're after a food from the gourmet world too." The larger man started wiping his chin off. He wondered what kind of advice the feminine man had to offer. After all, that was why he invited him here in the first place. The said feminine man, who had his hair braided this time, calmly took the sip of the wine. "Yes, earth. Acacia's dessert." Sani replied. The answer made a knowing look come on his (Riko) face. "Sani, knowing you you've already tried to go there. Have you been to the gourmet world?" Sani said nothing, expression bland, turning his head to look out the window. Riko already knew he went there; he just wanted confirmation.
From the look of it a memory flashed across the other man's mind before he turned to look at Toriko once more. "Yes, I went there. It wasn't that big of a deal." The way Sani acted it was like it was nothing. But the larger hunter didn't even notice that the other man lied and got excited. "I knew it! Ha ha! How'd you get in, Sani? Where at?" Toriko inquired curiously, wondering what way would be the easiest way to get in. Sani remained silent, remembering who saved him though he got beaten up pretty good. Toriko and him weren't so different.
'If you knew I had to give up... You wouldn't just nod your head and say, "I will too." Because that's the ugly way to go about it.' The feminine thought to himself. "Toriko." Sani spoke up, getting his attention. "There are three routes...to get from the human world to the gourmet world. Land, sea and air. The dangers of going by sea or air are too great, so don't even consider it. That leaves land. There are three land routes that connect the human world to the gourmet world. The Life Basin of Zirbel Island. Bay of evil spirits at Yuto Island. And the Road of Three Hells on the Wac continent. If I had to pick the easiest one...itd be the life basin of Zirbel island." Toriko quickly stood up when he finished, startling him a bit.
It seemed like this was gonna be a piece of cake. Toriko's face was set in determination even as he said to his friend, "Life Basin, huh? Thanks, Sani!" Now to ask what was bugging the feminine man. "Are you going alone?" "Of course. I can't bring Komatsu, Andrea or Terry yet." That did explain why he didn't bring Drea this time. Though.. "What exactly did you tell Drea?" A sheepish guilty look came on Toriko's face. "I was going on a difficult hunt and would be leaving her with Komatsu until I got back." Sani raised an eyebrow. "I bet she was furious the entire ride there." THAT was the understatement of the year! She knew! Riko didn't know how but she knew the truth! The entire train ride to gourmet town she kept alternating between looking out the window and staring at him, each mile brought another wave of anger coming from her.
Man, for sure he thought she was gonna rip into him at any moment. Right up to the point where Toriko had dropped her off at the chef's door. She all but gave him a death glare up until that point. "She was that mad hm?" Sani chuckled for a moment. "Be prepared. She's probably gonna lay into you when you see her." Don't remind him. "This is a personal test of strength! And so.." Toriko started to take off. "Thanks for not tattling on me to the old man!" "H...hey, Toriko!" Sani started reaching out a hand to stop him. "Opps! Almost forgot. Thanks for the awesome meal." Toriko thanked the other man over his shoulder as he took off. "You invited me!" Sani called after him, extremely annoyed that idiot stuck him with the bill. The man sighed a bit. All on his own huh?
End Flashback
The hunter shook his head at the memory and turned to stare at the pressure cooker. "Who hoo! Piping hot strawber-rice! Yummy! Hm?" Toriko stopped when he notice tears were falling into the open cooker...along with snot as the chef bailed in happiness. "All that matters is that you're safe, Toriko-San!" "Matsu, you're crying over the food again." Andrea calmly told him enjoying the small portion she luckily got before hand. "Wah! Komatsu! You're such sobbing into the rice cooker!" The larger man cried out in dismay over the ruining of good food. That only made him cry all the harder. "Th...thank goodness you made it back safe from the gourmet world!"
"No more crying, Komatsu!" The hunter continued to cry in dismay. "Huh? ACHOO!" Without the chef turned and sneezed all over the rice. Andrea will be grossed out later...right now she was too furious to even feel a sliver of pity for that giant jerk who,not only dropped her off at Komatsu's place like luggage but flat out LIED to her face right until that point! Jerk! "What a waste of perfectly good strawber-rice!" "I can't help it. I'm just so happy." "I can see that!" "Lay off him, moron. It was YOUR fault for making him worried." Urk...that was kinda harsh (even though he deserved it) and he could of sworn he saw the icicles coming from Andrea.
At least Toriko had one person who was happy to see him... "Got the steak ready!" The chef called out bringing a delicious smelling steak over to him. "Yay! Eh?!" The happiness was short lived when the woman flat out reached over and TOOK the steak, already cutting into it and eating it. That was new. She, for as long as she had been with them, had never EVER taken food from anyone. Oooh boy... "I..I got another one right here." Komatsu said, slightly surprised by the action. He knew the woman was mad but wow.. "Dere's one sing...I 'ant figure ouf. Komassu." The large man said in between bites (Komatsu had brought him another one).
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Andrea scolded him, taking a sip of water. "Yum! Ginger pig is delicious!" "The corn on the bone is up, Toriko-San!" The chef informed taking a corn with a bone right in the middle off the pan. He (Matsu) offered to cook her one but she humbly turned it down, slightly unnerved that a vegetable had a bone inside. "Ooh!" Toriko crooned out watching the corn with great anticipation. He lifted it uo and took a deep breath. "Mmm! Smells great.." He said before he dug in. He couldn't believe how sweet it was. "Mm. It's so sweet and juicy. Want to try a bite, Drea?" The hunter offered only to blink at the stare she gave him. "...Or not."
"What was it you can't figure out, Toriko-San?" Komatsu inquired continuing to cook. How not to piss off a woman but she said nothing, watching the hunter swallow his bite and pointed slightly at him. "Komatsu, Andrea. How did you know I was going to the gourmet world?" She shook her head when he glanced over at her. Hmph! There was no proof and she wasn't gonna stress the small man out if she was wrong, which she wasn't. "Oh. Somebody told me."
Flashback
She couldn't get over how fancy the restaurant Sani had invited them to. Under different circumstances it would have of been enjoyable but a feeling told her this invite involved a certain jerk who dumped her here. Andrea was doing her best not to snap at Komatsu, wasn't his fault his partner was a jerkface. "So you've partnered up with Toriko, eh? Matsu!" Sani started, startling the smaller man. Damn him. How'd he (Sani) get his hair so straight and smooth? If Dana was here she'd be crying in envy.. "That's, well... Good for you. Congrats on the partnership. But you know.. You ought to know what your partner's up to at all times. Right now, Toriko is headed for the gourmet world!"
The news sent him into a panic but it only caused her to sigh in anger and annoyance. "I knew it." She growled even when Matsu exclaimed in a panic, "R..really, Sani-San?!" "Yep. And you know.. At the level he's at now, Toriko might be in real danger. He might die. Not that it's any of my business." Yea right. If that was the case Sani wouldn't even be here. "Look...don't play games and get to it." "! W..what do we do?!" Komatsu asked, unaware of the calm state Andrea was in. Sani was slightly impressed at the instincts Drea seemed to have. So she was aware of everything then. "I have my principles. It wouldn't be beautiful for me to interfere. (Which meant he helped Toriko. Right now Andrea was too ticked with the other man to add this guy to the list.) Matsu, you have to do it. If you want to rescue Toriko." At that Sani pulled out a piece of paper. "Thus number might come in handy. You might want to call it. ASAP!"
At that Andrea whipped out her phone, which she got from a shopping spree using the card Toriko told her not to use but used it to tick him off, and handed it to Komatsu. "Do it. Do it now. Much as I want to your his partner so you have to call. After you make your request I've got one too." "O..ok! Eh?! A request?!" Komatsu said taking the phone. Sani watched on in amusement. He had a feeling he knew what her request was. Man, that Toriko really messed up big.
End Flashback
"It was Jiruo's number." Komatsu answered, which annoyed Toriko a bit. "Grr. Stupid Sani. He lied when he said the gourmet world wasn't that big of a deal. He knew I'd never last." Toriko grumbled a bit. "Hmph! I flat out told you a couple times BEFORE you left but no. You didn't listen to me. Serves you right." Toriko didn't respond to that, fully aware that he couldn't deny any of that and that made him even more annoyed. "I think Sani (and Andrea even though she'll never admit it) was really worried for you." Toriko finished the corn before he continued to talk. "Since he told me how to get there...I bet he didnt think it would look good if he called for help."
The man got it in one. "So he came to us (mostly me) instead. Well, it's all over now! I'm just glad you came back safe and sound, Toriko-San!" Komatsu said putting down a bowl with a mountain of the strawberry rice piled in. "Woo-hoo! Strawber-rice!" Toriko cheered again and reached to pick up a rice that resembled a tiny strawberry. "Each tiny grain is actually a strawberry! It's a teeny bit acidic, so it comes off tasting like the best vinegear rice. Plus the more you eat, the sweeter it gets! It's a total dessert rice!" Toriko stated staring at it. A wide happy smile was on Komatsu's face as he stated happily, "Today, in honor of your return I'm going to treat you to my finest dishes!" "Score!" Was all he (Riko) said before he inhaled the rice.
Andrea just shook her head at him, trying not to smile. Seriously.. Looking back to the chef she noticed he peeled a banana like thjng that kinda looked like some sort of meat then watched as he sliced and put thit pieces on the pan. Whatever that was it sure got the hunter going. Hearts were in his eyes when he saw that. "Ooh! Roast banana! My favorite!" She lost interested in the food when Komatsu put some caviar on the bananas. After that Komatsu made a whole slew of foods for them to eat. She had a few favorites she liked now besides what they have tried now.
"Hey, Toriko-San!" Komatsu stopped and turned to look at Toriko, who was pouring himself a drink from a bottle. "W..what did the food...in the gourmet world taste like?!" That stopped her in her tracks. He didn't...he wouldn't... The hunter said nothing, picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp then it back down with a tak. Jeesh...did he even taste that? Whatever he drank brought a slight blush to his cheeks. "Phew." He exhaled, reaching up to wipe his chin. "I didn't eat a single thing." "Are you seriously?! For real?!" "Huh?! Really?!" The two went at the same time, both in disbelief in that he, a glutton, didn't eat one thing while there.
"How come?/w..why not?" The two continued in unison. "I find it hard to believe that you didn't eat a thing." Andrea pointed out as the chef said, "A..agreed. You eat more than anybody I know, Toriko-san. Why didn't you eat anything? Seems like a waste." "Yes. Why didn't you eat anything?" Andrea echoed the chef. Seriously. This guy was a walking bottomless pit. "... I wanted to eat there with you guys." That surprised the two big time. "Huh?" Looked like they (Andrea and Komatsu) were gonna to continue to echo each other. "I'm sorry, Komatsu. For leaving you behind. And for worrying you." Andrea blinked a bit when the hunter turned to her and looked her straight in the eyes, lightly putting his hand on top of hers. "I'm sorry I lied to you as well. And for leaving you all alone. I hope I didn't worry you too much." Andrea had to look away, trying hard not to blush. "I..it's fine. I already made you pay for it." She tried to wave off the apology. He knew it. Toriko knew she was the one who told the older hunter to let him get kicked around before coming to save him (even though the old man told him as much he still didn't believe it).
Flashback
"Who knew I'd be saved by a legendary gourmet hunter. I don't know how to thank you...Knocking Master Jiruo." Toriko told the older man, whose form was now of a tall somewhat older man but with black hair and built body that had metal piercings in some places, after he (Jiruo) saved him after he got tossed arounddamn no like a rag doll from the moment he jumped off the cliff. First that dinosaur like animal nailed him with air bullets, falling who knees how many meters and couldn't move only to face a three headed huge tiger and barely managed to move out of the way only to discover his weight was a hundred times heavier. Then after briefly attempting to fight the hunter got tossed into the side of just as large gorilla.
After that his eyes started to bleed like crazy and limbs were going numb. He barely got away only because the animals noticed each other and turned their attentions to the other, the force of the fight nearly got him impaled on some cacti that was in an unnatural heat. When he cut a needle it explode and the needles launched themselves at him which that force threw him into a tree that a moment later nailed him with water with waterfall force. He barely managed to crawl out of that mess before he passed ou tony to pop up near a river with a bird like animal that almost attacked him until the older hunter appeared to save him. He was in gourmet world alright..after that unkind baptism.
No way was Toriko gonna tell Andrea what happened. He could already hear her laying into him...she as already ticked about his lie.. Chuckling brought him out of his revere. "Hold your thanks. I seem to recall...you treating me to a drink on a train once. I owed you. A man like me doesn't forget a gift of the ol' life blood." The older hunter told him. 'You like booze away too much.' Toriko thought looking at the other man a bit. "Anyway, Toriko. This is your first time in the gourmet world, isn't it?"
"How..did you know?" Toriko asked slowly, trying to figure out if he was that obvious. Good thing Andrea wasn't here. He could already hear her blabbing all about it and making comments. "By your lack of caution. Might as well be naked as a baby if that's how you're going to go stumbling around the gourmet world." Ouch. If he didn't know any better he'd say Jiruo talked to a certain person, those words are something she would say. "Th..that's not fair..." The younger man tried to deny feebly when all of a sudden he sensed danger and did a couple flips to get away.
Jiruo stood up, lowering his hand, and watched him move but he was too slow. "You let your guard down. You'd be dead by now." The drunkard stated. "Wh..hat did you.." Toriko started to ask. "In the gourmet world, you've always got to be on high alert. First, don't let your guard down for s fraction of a second. Next, always pay attention to your surroundings. Those two are the basics. The moment you let your guard down I knew you were a beginner." Jeesh...he didn't have to rub it in.. "I...I am on high alert. But my body feels like lead!" Toriko exclaimed though if Andrea...ok. He has to stop bringing her up. Her name was brought up in the last five minutes alone!
"Well, sure it does. We're 20,000 meters below the sea level of the human world in a place called the underground forest. Since we're closer to the earth's core down here, gravity has a stronger effect on us. Why, we probably weigh several times more than normal." That did answer his earlier question about how far he fell.. "Don't worry. You'll learn to bear that extra gravity in no time, Toriko." Jiruo said, checking the food that was cooking over some stone like objects on a leaf that was serving a table. If Toriko wanted to ask his questions it better be now.
"My eyes started bleeding and my limbs went numb. What was that?" "Hm. You must of been near an air tree." Jiruo replied, which brought more questions. "Air tree?" What that heck was that? "A tree that leaks air from its fruit. But its air is made of many gases.. And sometimes it produces an excess of one or another. Judging by your symptoms, it was probably producing more oxygen than usual. Too much oxygen will break your body down." That...was frightening.. The weight of the danger wasn't lost on Toriko. "I'm lucky it was only oxygen. If it'd been carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, I'd be dead."
"You can actually eat the fruit of the air tree. Though it requires extra special preparation. Heh heh. There's some other bizarre foods in the underground forest, like the heat planet. It generates its own gravity, so you can move around easily inside of it. But it's awful hot in there. Then there's that fall tree you got stuck under. When it senses creatures passing underneath, it unleashed a lethal downpour that pulverized its target into nutrients for its roots." The younger man gulped a bit, not from fear but from the overwhelming excitement he felt for the hard challenges that await him in gourmet world.
Jiruo picked up a shell and removed the meat from inside and popped it into his mouth. Time to tell him the bad news. "Sorry Toriko. You're not ready to take on the gourmet world yet." The news stunned and shocked the younger man, if that look on his face was anything to go by. "I was like you when I was young. I wanted to do everything on my own. I thought I could do it by myself. In a way, I had the strength. But the gourmet world isn't that simple. Toriko, what you lack right now isn't "strength".. It's a friend. It's a partner. It's Komatsu and Andrea, though she's just a friend. What you're lacking is a open heart to trust and rely on your partner." The news threw him for a loop, memories of the two going through his head and ephis eyes began to water.
"Komatsu...Andrea..." Toriko's voice wavered slightly when he said their names. "The ones who sent me on this rescue mission was none other than Komatsu and Andrea." "Huh?!" Toriko gasped out in disbelief. ""If anything's happened to Toriko-Sani..!" He was crying up a storm. Though...the young lady's request.." At that he chuckled. "You sure ticked her off. "Before you listen to Matsu's request let that stupid jerkface get his ass kicked! Wants to lie to me and play games ha! He can feel my wrath! Jerk! Just...not too bad k..?" Looks to me she couldn't decide if she wanted to throttle you or save you. While you gave everyone the slip.. Those two were worried sick about you, hoping you're ok." Tears threatened to fall so Riko quickly turned around, crying out, "Andrea..! Komatsu..!" Jiruo watched him for a moment then spoke up, "Go back to the human world. And someday...bring those two two with you to challenge this place!"
End flashback
But...he couldn't be too mad. It was totally deserved for not listening to the woman. Also, it was worth it to see the adorable blush on her face. Before anything else was added the chef spoke up, also trying to down play the apology, "It's nothing.. You don't have anything to apologize for."
To him at least. Argh. Damn him. His apology won her over...talk about uncool. "The gourmet world was more complicated than I thought. There was no way I could have handled capturing anything on my own. Komatsu. I need your strength." That was another reason she was upset. Their skills compliment the other. Jeesh...must she spell everything out? "Komatsu. I need your strength. Andrea. I need your awesome instincts." Was it just her or did it seem like that was supposed to be something else?
"T..Toriko-San.." Komatsu started even as the hunter continued, grinning wide, "I'm going to eat my gourmet world meals with you two, Andrea and Komatsu. Let's join forces to eat there together!" Andrea smiled a bit. "Like I'd let you go there without me again." She teased lightly even as the news brought a huge smile to the chef. "Yes! Toriko-San!" Komatsu said happily. "Okay!" The chef quickly wiped away his tears and rolled up his sleeves. "There's a lot more to make today, Toriko-San!" "Nice! I'm counting on you, Komatsu!" A millisecond later a loud krack was hard.
"What was that?" The woman began to ask when all three saw the knife the small man was holding, break in half and fall to the floor. In his excitement Komatsu broke the knife on what appeared to be a large (huge) acron. Though Toriko wasn't bothered by it but poor Komatsu. A look of pure horror graced the chef's face as he watched it hit the floor. He then let out the loudest yell up to date before he dropped to his knees and cradled the broken piece. "M..my knife! My knife!" "Komatsu! That's a don acorn! It's got the toughest shell of any acorn. You need a special hammer to crack it open!" Toriko exclaimed pointing at it.
Andrea walked over and knelt by the chef, lightly rubbing his back soothing. "I made a stupid mistake. I usually take such good care of this knife.." Komatsu said sadly with tears running down his face. "It was an accident.. It'll be ok.." Andrea honestly didn't know how to comfort him. She didn't think she'd ever meet anyone like him who cared deeply for things like a knife. Toriko looked at him like he was bring over dramatic, which made her kinda want to smack him. "Well, you've probably been using it for years. They all break eventually. Just buy yourself a new one." The hunter thought the heated glare Andrea was giving him was adorable but he didn't think she'd appreciate that very much.
"Th..this knife was nothing pricey, but... I bought it with my own money during my training days. This knife has memories. I prepared so many ingredients with this knife. I grew with it. I'm only as good as I am now thanks to this knife." The chef cried harder as he held the knife tighter (gently) and continued to sob. "Thanks for all the *sob* memories. Thanks for giving your all. Thank you so much for always being with me." Andrea rubbed his back soothingly, amazed someone could feel that deeply. Toriko watched a bit, looking at the smaller man sympatheticly. 'Komatsu feels things so deeply. That's probably why he can hear the voices of the foods.'
A knife.. "Ah! That reminds me!" Toriko suddenly blurted out. "Komatsu!" "What's up Riko?" Andrea asked, the two turning to look at him. The hunter has the acorn in his hand and in one swift motion sliced it clean in half. Amazing! The chef stared up at him in shock even as the hunter continued to talk. "The IGO president gave me a list of foods to capture for him. One of them caught my eye. Melk stardust." That's an interesting name but what was it? "Huh? M..Melk?! As in the Melk?!" From the way Komatsu sounded it was like he knew what that was.
"Yes. Melk, the famous cutler. They say he lives at the summit of Melk mountain. His workshop is only accessible by a long flight of stairs. I've never heard of Melk stardust before. But if anyone knows about it, Melk would. Same name and all. How about it, Komatsu? While we look for Melk stardust, you can get Melk to make you a new knife!" "If this guy's famous will he have time to do it?" Andrea started to ask but got ignored. "Huh?! Y..you really mean?!" The smaller man cut in, voice full of excitement and literally jumped up and down cheering. "I'm in, Toriko-San! Yahoo! I get to meet Melk!" 'You'd never know he was just sobbing.' The two thought as they watched him. Now where was he taking them?
At the summit
"Can you please stop with the noise, Matsu? It's hurting my ears.." Andrea once again told him. The stairs should be coming into view soon.. "Squee! Squee! What am I going to do?!" Komatsu squeaked out happily and practically bouncing around. "Shut up, Komatsu. You're way too excited. You're such a fanboy." Toriko grumbled at him, his annoyance level about to hit the roof. Can you be a bit nicer about asking?" "Wha? I was." "But! But! But! I get to meet the best cutler in the whole wide world! (They are explained who he was. She famailr enough to know that it was a good thing to see this man) He's a huge celebrity among chefs! I can't wait to see his skills in action!"
Toriko got a sly smart Alec looking smirk on his face. "Yeah, it'll be my first time meeting Melk too. (Yea. Andrea can see that being true, Riko wasn't a guy who purposely met other famous people for kicks. Though it was still a thing for her to wrap her head around that Toriko was famous!) He's larger in life in more ways than one.. So they say." "That's kinda ominous sounding, Riko.." If she didn't know any better she'd say he enjoyed doing stunts like that. "They say he tests his knives on massive monsters. And that he mines his own whet stones, no matter how dangerous the mine is. (This guy has a job as a cutler right? Why would it be so strange for her to get his own items?) His entire body's covered in scars." "Again with the ominous thing. Do you get a kick off of it?"
Poor Komatsu. Now he went from excitement to nervous scared. "Well, those are the rumors." "Wait. You've never met the man yet your using rumors to describe him? Who the heck believes in rumors?" Andrea growled at him at the same time the chef cried out, "You only know the rumors?!" "Melk knives may be sold worldwide, but the man himself never appears in public. So yeah, he's pretty much all rumor and reputation. Since barely anyone's ever seen the guy." Toriko explained, slightly amused at the two. "Still...no need to get everyone riled over some rumors that might not be true." Toriko looked back at her for a second. For a second the woman sounded slightly like Zebra.
"s..so he's a man of mystery. Or something like that." Komatsu almost sounded like he was trying to convince himself. Really that guy! "He takes all his jobs by either letter or email. (There's wifi all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere?) People say he must be antisocial, or he wouldn't be a hermit." Again, with the rumor thing. Didn't he know anything himself about the man? "Or he's devoted to his work! Like a true artist." Maybe but that didn't sound right to her. "Whatever he is we have to meet this Melk. Then find the Melk stardust!" "Right!" Matsu chirped excitedly. "You make it sound so easy..." Andrea said doubtfully. "You sound so negative. Have faith!" Toriko pointed out, slightly frowning. "I do. First we have a rough time then we get what we are looking for."
"S..she does have a point.." "Don't encourage her, Komatsu." Toriko narrowed his eyes when a faint snicker was heard from the back. "First things first! We start here." The hunter announced, stopping in front of the longest and largest stair case the woman had ever seen. "Come ooon!" Komatsu shouted (more like yelled at the top of his lungs) in dismay (or was it despair?) at it. "This would be impressive if we didn't have to climb." Andrea said, trying to sound positive for a certain person. Guess he couldn't handle the truth. Heh. "Is it an endless staircase?! How many steps are there, Toriko-San?!" "Komatsu, one day your face is gonna freeze in one of those expressions you make." She hoped he never changed. He was so much fun to watch!
"I dunno. This mountain got it's name from the person who carved out these steps, Melk. Let's see.. It's about 4,000 meters to the summit, so that's probably about 20,000 steps." "He must be a big man, those stairs look like they were made for a giant." Andrea wondered aloud eyeing the steps and trying to figure out a way to climb. Those have to be as tall as her waist! Or higher.. How the heck was the short man gonna climb? "No way! That's more steps than I've climbed in my whole life!" That was true for her as well. "Compared to vegetable sky, it'll be nothing. Let's get going, you two." 'Easy for him to say.' Andrea and Komatsu thought as they watched him climb with ease.
After they, Komatsu and Andrea, developed a rhythm (her lifting Matsu up by going to one knee and folding her hands together and him stepping on it and climbing up since barely weighed anything) but Toriko kept getting further ahead. "Hey! Wait up!" Andrea called after him slightly annoyed even as the chef called, "W..wait for us, Toriko-san!" Toriko stopped and turned to look back at them. "Hurry. We don't want the sun to set on us!" "Unlike you it's a dang pain for us to climb!" Andrea grumbled up at him even as the chef continued, "B..but the steps are so big! They're hard to climb." "Ha ha! They're probably the perfect size for Melk. He's supposed to be a big guy, remember?" "Is he a giant?!" The woman shouted up at him.
"The only person I've seen that big is Knocking Master Jiruo-san! I refuse to believe someone who creates such delicate and beautiful knives would be a lumbering oaf!" "Now, now Komatsu. Some of the greatest works have been done by people of all sizes.." She gently chided him but raised an eyebrow that she got ignored by him. "I bet Melk made these stairs big on purpose so people wouldn't disturb him while he's working. *gasp* Couldn't we just take a plane to the top?" Oh boy. He was not taking the giant thing well. "Komatsu." Andrea placed a hand on his shoulder and pointed up. Komatsu looked up to see some sort of flying monsters flying over them. It was a nice thought but not going to work.
After climbing for a while the trio decided to make camp for the night. It was impressive that the stairs were wide enough to make a comfortable campsite. Now she couldn't wait to meet this Melk person. Now they were roasting snail things...whatever...for dinner. "Do you really think Melk will make a knife for me?" Komatsu asked between bites. At least he waited to finish before talking unlike a certain person. "Don't see why not. But he is a famous and busy guy.." Andrea mused. That was a good question.. "Who knows? You won't know until you ask." Toriko added. Obviously he wasn't worried about whether or not the knife was going to get made. Kinda made her wonder if Riko even cared about the chef's knife..
"Artisans are hard to deal with though (she heard the same but never actually met a working artist before). What if I come off as too demanding and he gets mad?" "I wouldn't worry about that, Matsu. I've never seen you demand anything or whatever." She shook her head as the hunter added his bit and said teasingly, "Then you better hope he doesn't use you to test his knives on! Ow!" "Not funny! What would you do if he did?!" The women demanded. "That's not funny! And not comforting!" Oops. Guess she didn't help with that last question. "The real question is whether Melk knows anything about Melk stardust." Toriko thought aloud and was once again surprised by Andrea. "He does. Just hope he's in a good mood to tell us."
The hunter looked at her thoughtfully. "Good question. I mean, you can always just buy a new knife at the store." Well...there's that possibility but she didn't think Matsu would be happy. "Yeah, I guess so.." The chef glumly said. "But you'll get to the point faster this way. Ha ha." "Your puns are terrible Riko.." "That's not funny either! Good night!" Andrea smiled a bit and stretched. "Guess I'll call it night too." The woman started to go to her sleeping bag when a strong warm hand gently grabbed her wrist. "Riko..?" Andrea asked, turning to look at him questioningly. The hunter looked up at her, quiet for a moment, then asked, "Are we good?"
Now THAT threw her off but smiled slightly. "Yea. We're good." She smiled more when the hunter let out a slight sigh of relief. "I'm surprised that you let that bother you." "Heh.." Was all she got in response. Men. Without thinking about it she leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before she rushed to her spot and got into bed. Oh boy.. guess she had to make some serious choices.
Morning couldn't come soon enough for her and with that came more running, first from some furry monkey like animals and now from some monkey crocodile things. Agh! Why couldn't anything be normal?! "A furnip? It's a monkey species that lives in mines." "That's great but how about some ideas on how to lose them, Toriko?! And put me down!" Andrea growled at him, trying very hard not to notice the nice view she was getting and very extremely annoyed that he carried her against her will. Tch! One slip and she's over his shoulder. Though the woman had to admit...Komatsu who had trouble climbing the steps was now skipping over them in terror who was also crying out monster in terror.
"They're proof that this mountain has whetstone mines. We're getting close, you guys!" Toriko announced, also trying not to enjoy the view HE was getting. "And no, we're gonna run for it so enjoy the ride, Drea! We got more monsters on our tails!" He grinned when he heard her grumbling darkly about something but continued to run. Were those bones they passed?! And...hm? The monsters...they stopped following...why? "Look! Toriko-San! Andrea! I can see the top!" Komatsu shouted happily. 'I get it. They're scared to approach the summit. Melk...what kind of man are you? Toriko wondered glancing back, also noticing the animals had stopped at a certain point.
"Let's go!" Komatsu said as he watched the larger man put the woman down and all rushed up the stairs. Andrea couldn't help but feel like something else was coming up behind. "We're here! Melk's workshop!" Komatsu exclaimed happily. "How cute! It looks like a giant igloo!" Andrea said when they crossed the last step. It was kinda like a cottage, complete with a woodpile and stuff but..where was the sign? "Huh. There's no sign on the door." The moment Toriko crossed the threshold both he and the woman felt like knives had gone through them. What the heck?! The two wondered and stared at the door. Was that...?! Yea! It was an aura! But it felt sharper than a knife!
"Who needs a sign...when you're famous?!" Komatsu called back as he rushed to the door. "Wait a sec!/Wait, Komatsu!" The two called after him. Was Melk working right now? The hunter wondered even as Andrea tried to figure out who that stiff welcome was for. Suddenly something told her to look back the way they came. "Toriko..somethings coming.." Toriko looked back when he felt it too. "Your instincts are pretty sharp for someone who doesn't hunt." He commented just as a huge scaly lizard ape like thing (why can't anything be simple to describe...). "Huh.. A scale Kong. (Why didn't she think of Kong?) bet you didn't have any trouble scaling the mountain." Toriko told it, getting ready to fight when something else from behind got their attention and a voice saying, "Scale Shave".
A second later all the scales (well, most of them) simply fell off of the animal, who quickly put an arm across its chest and the other was used to cover up its privates even as its scale fell off with a tinkling sound and the group watched it run who whole bleeting. It would of been funny if she actually knew what the heck happened. "Didn't quite get them all. The blade's still only 30% complete." The voice, now that it spoke again sounded slightly feminine to her ears, said again. The trio turned to see a slender young man (but judging from everything the person was female who was dressed like a man) holding a knife in "his" hand.
"Was that...your attack?" Toriko inquired curiously. "Yeah, that's right." The young person answered. "And that stinging aura, that was your doing? You must have sensed the scale Kong coming." A sharp knowing look came on Toriko's face. "You must know your way around a blade to slice off all that ape's scales. Who are you? Melk's apprentice?" Of course this person is the apprentice. Too young to be the one their looking for. "It's been years since anybody's come up here. You want my name? I'm melk! Melk the cutler!" Melk announced, folding "his" arms across his chest. "Say what?!" The boys shouted in surprise though their expressions were hilarious..
Ok! Since I'm taking forever to write that special I promised...damn life keeps getting in the way...so I decided to have a fun little game. Since everyone is dying to know when the confession is coming I decided that the game should be: when, where and how the confession will be! I'm curious as to what you guys think it'll go down. I'm basically asking when (for example human world, gourmet, adventure etc), where (in temple or something) and how (like romantic or something). The one who comes the closest will get the real timing. Good luck and have fun!