Fai had always loved food—both, eating it and making it.

The different textures and tastes…the drinks that could be made alongside them…the alcohol that accompanied some…the scents and spices…

And because Fai loved and knew food, he also could tell if something was truly delicious from the very first bite, the very first taste, the second his tongue touched it.

He'd tasted many things before he ever started the journey, but now that he had, he'd tasted so many more things. From regular foods, like spaghetti and soup, to exotic ones, like frog legs and chicken intestines speared on a stick. He'd even eaten a baby duck while it was still half developed inside of the egg—before having to throw up afterward. Oh, and of course he couldn't forget "sushi". Why, he still shuddered at the very memory of the slimy, horrid, repulsive…

Ugh.

Then again, he'd never know if he didn't try it.

Speaking of trying…

Throughout the journey, there was one thing that Fai had wanted to try and taste from the very start…but now, even this many worlds into the trip, he still hadn't had a chance to taste it. He wanted to so badly, because, in Fai's mind, there were three steps to deeming something delicious.

1) The dish must be prepared in a way that pleased the eye and set off a healthy appetite: Fai's eyes had canvassed this up and down and all around, and he was starving just by one glance.

2) The dish must have an aroma that captivated the senses: Fai could breathe in that scent day after day and still want nothing more than to brush his nose over the surface.

3) The dish must have a taste unlike any other dish prepared: Fai would have a taste. It was only a matter of time.

"Mage," Kurogane growled, turning around. "The kids have gone to some diner for lunch. You hungry, yet?"

Fai smiled. "Starving, actually."

"Well, why're you just standing there, idiot? If you're that hungry, go and—" His words faltered when he realized that Fai's face was inches from his own.

"I never said I was hungry for food, Kuro-tan," the whisper came, before Fai closed the ninja's mouth with his own.

Delicious.