Éclair sat down and Melk was right behind her. She took a sip of the soup, "Chef Éclair, this soup is really good." "Thanks. I thought you could use a break. You just work way too hard." The brown eyed girl looked at Éclair, "I'm not actually an apprentice." "Huh?" She looked down, "Well, I don't really know what I am. My master found me when I was young. I was abandoned and he took me in. He was a feared man and no one actually believed he took in a baby. But I felt that love. I became so interested in his work over the years and I knew that's what I wanted to do. But he never taught me a thing, I learned by watching. He had disciples coming by the bunches, but they never lasted more than 3 days. They could never keep up with him and he was very strict. For the sake of the second generation, I knew I had to become stronger, and for that I gave up my womanhood. My body is female, and I will never be as strong as a sharpener as master."
Éclair pounded her fist down, "That's crap! You don't give yourself enough credit. Melk, you are the strongest woman I know. Let me tell you something. Before my mother passed away, she had the exact same haircut that I do now, even the same tattoos. When she died, I was a wreck for the first year. Not because of her actual passing, but because I was so scared that I would actually have to do things on my own. My emotions were getting in the way, and I remembered how strong she was. Whenever she was at the house I never saw her cry. Being in the armed forces, she too gave up her womanhood to become stronger. To become stronger myself, I took on her own issues and personalized them. It wasn't until just now that I realized how silly that is. We are both tough women Melk. We don't need to fit the status quo. If I met you 9 years ago, I would still have my pigtails."
The other woman shook her head, "You don't understand. It's like Toriko said, I'm a fake. My name isn't even the second. I just call myself that. My master never even acknowledged me. He's been gone for 6 years, and I can only hope that nothing happened to him. Even Pochiko just sits there and waits for him to return because I'm not good enough." Éclair grabbed the girl's face, "Listen to me! You are the real Sharpener Melk the Second! The knives you make are praised around the globe for a reason!" She exhaled loudly, "Dammit Melk! Wait right there!" She ran downstairs and gathered ingredients from the fridge and cabinets. She raced back upstairs and put the ingredients on the counter. "Okay, just trust me." She grabbed some of the knives off the wall and began to chop the ingredients. Éclair looked back at the girl, "Don't look dumbfounded, trust me." The smell coming from the pan filled the small vicinity. She poured oils and spices to make the food even tastier. "Just for you Melk, I'll make you my specialty. I haven't made it for anyone because it's very cliché." "What is it?" The girl winked, "Éclair's of course!"
The small girl set the last plate on the table, "Okay, dinner is served. I don't know if you noticed, but none of this could be possible without the help of your knives." "Éclair, why?" The blond girl laughed, "Because, I wanted to show you what great work you've done. Now, can we do what women do best and eat our problems away." Melk smiled, "Yes." She picked up the éclair and took a bite, "This is very good Éclair." The girl laughed, "Thanks. I haven't made an éclair for anyone but myself in years. It's not that I don't want people to enjoy it, I just don't make it often. Probably because I add fruit inside and it needs a special knife so it's not made into sloppy bits. Try the Crabpig and Smoked Jellyfish." Melk grabbed her cheeks, "It's delicious, and the jellyfish doesn't sting a bit." The blond girl shook her head, "Nope, and it doesn't matter how low or high you search. Nowhere in the world can you get an original knife like a Melk knife in order to create such a meal." The black haired woman hid her face as she began to cry. Éclair moved her hands down, "A tall blue haired goofball once told me, 'don't hide your tears, they show your passion.' Before then I always hid my tears. It was a part of me not wanting to be weak. Believe me, you go above and beyond representing the Melk name. Dare I say, you are a modern hero Melk the Second." Tears began to roll down the girl's face as well, "Thank you Melk, you've taught me a lot about myself." She pulled the ends of her hair, "Maybe it's time to start growing the pigtails back."
The next day Melk and Éclair were hard at work. Éclair sat in front of the whetstone with a knife in her hand. She rubbed it against the stone and smiled, "How was that?" Melk smiled, "That was great. You learn far quicker than most people." She smiled, "Thanks, you're a good teacher. Even when you have a student so willing to goof off all the time." "Goofing off is just what I need, that journey was tiring." Éclair looked up and saw her partner standing in the doorway. She ran to the man, "Toriko!" She hugged him tightly, "I knew you'd make it back, and you're bearing gifts. My partner never disappoints." He pat the girls back, "Yes, let's sit. I have a lot to share."
The man looked at Melk the Second, "While I was in Heavy Hole I ran into Melk the First. I didn't bring him back, but I do have information you'll want to hear. He held you with such high regard. He believes you're doing a great job and you are upholding the Melk name. He is very proud of you Melk. He was nearly lost for words from your excellence~ or at least it sounded like it because his voice is so damn quiet. That's why you may not have heard his praise over the years, he talks really low." Éclair frowned, "Seriously? A low voice is why she hadn't heard anything all those years. That just sounds like a joke. But at least he knows you're the great cutler that the rest of the world agrees you are." "I had a feeling he was mumbling something. But it's just nice to know he's okay." Toriko smiled, "Down to business. Check this out! It's the Melk Stardust." He opened the bag and there was the Melk Stardust. Éclair hovered her hands over it, "This is so gorgeous. It's golden and beautiful." Melk walked over to them, "I can't
believe you got them. It's phantasmal and great. Thank you Toriko." He nodded, "You're welcome. We had a deal though, remember? You'll make Éclair a knife?" The girl smiled, "Of course, right away." Melk went downstairs and Éclair hugged the man. "Thank you Toriko. Without you I wouldn't have a knife for the next 3 years." He rubbed her back, "What are partner's for?"
Melk came back, "For your knife, I will use a piece of a tooth of the King Dragon, Derous. It's said to be the strongest dragon that ever lived. Master excavated it a long time ago. Because of the strength it was too hard to process so it's been away for many years. But I know with the Melk Stardust~" Éclair's eyes glistened, "Do I even deserve such an honor?" Toriko raised his eyebrows, "You sure about that? Even if she paid tens of billions it wouldn't be able to cover it." The girl shook her head, "Money won't be required. Éclair, you are more than worthy to use this knife. I would like to use two other materials as well if that's okay with you." Éclair lowered her eyebrows, "Two?" "Yes. Your kitchen knife, and your machete. You took such good care of both of them. And the machete is on its last leg. If you hadn't taken care of it, it would have broken to pieces a long time ago. I want to use it because I want it to make it to the 6th generation." The girl smiled, "The importance of my two knives is overwhelming. I would love for you to use them. It would be great to see that knife off to the next generation." Toriko looked at the kitchen knife, "Speaking of knives, old man Melk took an interest in yours. He said I picked the greatest partner I could possibly have." The girl blushed, "Aww, I love it when people compliment my knives. It's so sweet." Toriko turned to Melk, "When do you think you can be done with that knife." "I want to get it perfect, so it'll take some time." Éclair nudged the man, "Why ya in such a rush?" He shrugged, "There's just an ingredient I'm in a rush to get."
"Oh?" "Yes, Mellow Cola at the Gourmet Pyramid. The old man said now is the season where it tastes the best." Melk's eyes amplified, "Gourmet Pyramid? That place is a labyrinth. No one ever comes back alive." Éclair smiled nervously, "That's good to know. My will still stands, so that's good. And now if I die, I can also leave my new knife in my capable sister's hands." A glint of evil shined in her eyes, "Yeah right. I'd rather be buried with it." Toriko pet the girl's shoulder, "I think we'll need the help of Zebra for this one." Éclair smiled, "I like zebra's." The man shook his head and sighed, "You'll find out soon enough."
A few days later, Melk held up the knife, "This is how far I got." Éclair clasped her hands, "It's so enticing. You've progressed a lot." She nodded, "Yeah, but it is very hard to work with. It cannot be effected by heat. It can only be shaven down with the Stardust." Eclair rubbed the girl's back, "You're doing amazing. I couldn't ask for a better sharpener to make a knife for me." "Yummy!" The blond girl looked over and saw Toriko drooling by the plate of Melk Stardust seasoning. She jumped on the man and wrapped her hands around his neck, "You giant glutton! You ate it without us? We made a pact!" She shook him back and forth until she pretentiously fainted, "I can't believe you." The bluenette caught the woman before she fell to the ground. "Stop being so dramatic. I didn't eat any. I was just practicing my reaction because the knife is taking a long time." She raised her head, "Oh now who's being dramatic? Who practices a reaction? I've got my eyes on you." She turned back to Melk and the girl smiled, "I'll have this done soon." "I'll cheer you on all the way."
More time passed and Éclair stayed by the woman's side as her knife was being forged. She was so honored to not only have a knife being made by the Cutler Melk, but all of the effort being put in was very humbling. "Éclair, I'm now going to fuse your knives with this knife." The girl jumped up and down, "Ooh I'm so giddy! I can't wait to see the finished product!" She put her hands on her head, "My eyes are going to melt." She wiped the sweat from her forehead, "I'm sweating and I'm not even the one working." She walked over to Toriko, "Do you want to join me in the Air Bath?" The man nodded, "Okay, let's go." She grabbed her towel and walked to the hot spring. Her face turned red just before she entered, "What?" She pointed, "Look away! I don't want you to see me naked." He shrugged, "Alright, whatever makes you feel comfortable, but I've already seen you naked." "WHAT!?" The man rolled his eyes, "Oh don't get your panties in a twist, Biotope 1 ring a bell." Her face turned even redder, "I can't believe you looked!" The girl jumped in the spring. "Oh whatever, I saw everything you got too buddy." He shrugged, "I wasn't hiding."
Éclair splashed the water in her face, "You know Toriko, if Melk was a man, I'd date her." Toriko clasped his hands and batted his eyes dramatically, "But even if she was a man, she doesn't compare to your precious Match." The girl frowned, "What! Where are you getting this? No! Anyway, I think both she and I need to relearn the word femininity, but we're getting it." He nudged the girl, "So you really were a little dress wearing princess?" She nodded, "Yeah, I was. In all honesty, that's the real me. I took on inferiority problems that weren't even my own." She looked up at the stars once again, "I just want to be great, and more than that, I want to make to make people happy with my food. I don't care if it's 1 person at a time." The man ruffled her hair, "You are great, and you do make people happy." She splashed the water in the air, "I just want everyday to be a little celebration. With us as a combo, it will be." As soon as she closed her eyes to relax, the sound of loud rock smashing could be heard. She looked and saw the water from the Air Bath gushing out onto the ground. The girl shivered, "What the hell was that.? I don't want to die when I'm naked!" They looked over and saw a sliver of the workshop missing. The 2 ran over and Éclair yelled, "Melk, was that the knife?"
They ran to the girl and she shielded her eyes, "You 2 are~ naked." Éclair looked at the knife and covered her mouth, "It's so beautiful! I've never seen such a glorious knife." The black haired girl shook her head, "Please you two ~especially Toriko~ put some clothes on." Éclair hugged the girl, "Thank you Sharpener Melk the Second. I promise that I will make a countless amount of ingredients. I may not pay you back with money, but I will pay you back by honoring your knife." She pulled back from the hug, "I should probably put some clothes on now." Toriko smiled, "Yeah, let's get dressed and eat us some Melk Stardust!"