Cooking had always been something I admired from afar.
I loved the idea of it-the warmth of a kitchen alive with laughter, the aroma of spices swirling in the air, the sight of family gathered around a table.
But in my old life, I couldn't cook to save myself. I was a surgeon, not a chef. My hands were used to the precision of a scalpel, not a chef's knife.
Now, though, things had changed. I had the talent of Jōichirō Yukihira, one of the best chefs ever. His skill, and abilities, was now mine. It was as natural as breathing.
Suddenly, everything clicked-the techniques, the creativity, the rhythm of cooking. I not only understood how to prepare food; I could see the infinite possibilities hidden within each dish.
With Jōichirō's talent, I knew I could do more than just replicate recipes. I could innovate, create something new.
Today, I'd see how far that talent could take me as I prepared something neither Mom nor Taro had ever seen-pizza.
The kitchen was a symphony of sensations.
The sizzle of oil, the rhythmic sound of my knife slicing through fresh basil, and the comforting scent of dough rising from the yeast I'd prepared earlier that morning.
I worked with quick, precise movements, my small hands stretching and shaping the dough into perfect circles.
First up: Neapolitan pizza for Mom.
The dough was delicate under my fingertips, elastic yet firm as I shaped it. It took little effort to get it right, the years of Jōichirō's experience guiding me.
I sliced into the ripe tomatoes, juice and fresh, the kind of sweetness that hits your nose before it even hits your tongue. The mozzarella followed, each slice thin but perfectly even. It would melt just the way I wanted it to, spreading across the dough like a soft, creamy blanket. A sprinkle of sea salt, a drizzle of olive oil to tie it all together, and finally, I tore the basil leaves by hand. Their fragrance was strong, earthy, and peppery, their oils releasing into the air as I crushed them between my fingers.
The kitchen was alive with the scent of fresh ingredients, and I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me like I was finally at... home. My domain.
Next was Taro's pepperoni pizza-simple, classic, and full of flavor. I spread a generous layer of rich tomato sauce over the thickened dough, then laid down slices of mozzarella, stacking it high enough that it would melt into an oozy, golden mess.
Pepperoni discs, each one spaced perfectly, topped the pizza like small savory suns. They'd crisp up in the oven, releasing their fat into the bubbling cheese.
I slid both pizzas into the oven, feeling the heat wash over me as I closed the door. The smell that filled the kitchen was intoxicating.
The tomatoes began to roast, their sweetness intensifying. The mozzarella started to bubble, blending with the olive oil and fresh basil. The dough, meanwhile, was rising and crisping, taking on a golden hue.
Mom and Taro were sitting at the table, both watching the oven with wide eyes, clearly curious. Neither of them had seen anything before, and I couldn't blame them. This wasn't a world where pizza existed, after all.
"Lunch is served," I announced, my voice even.
The back door was open, letting in a soft breeze rustling the curtains, carrying the scents from the garden outside. The sun bathed the kitchen in golden light, casting long shadows on the floor as the three of us sat down.
I placed the pizzas in front of them, the steam rising from the crisp edges of the crust. Mom blinked, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Satoshi... What is this?"
"Pizza," I said casually, smiling just a bit. "It's a dish I've created. Something new. I think you'll like it."
Taro was practically vibrating. "Pizzzaaa!" he giggled, testing the word on his tongue as he reached for a slice, his tiny hands barely able to hold the edge of the crust.
Mom, always more composed, hesitated for a moment before she, too, reached for a slice of the Neapolitan. Her movements were slow, as if unsure what to expect from this alien food.
They both took a bite, and the world shifted.
The moment I bit into the pizza, the world stopped.
The first sensation was the crunch of the crust beneath my teeth, delicate yet crisp, a satisfying snap that gave way to a pillowy softness inside.
Then, the flavors burst into my mouth in waves.
The tomatoes-oh, Kami, the tomatoes were unlike anything I'd ever tasted before. Sweet and rich, with a depth that spoke of sun-soaked fields and handpicked ripeness.
The cheese was creamy and indulgent, perfectly balancing the bright acidity of the tomatoes. And the basil... the basil was the final touch. Fresh, vibrant, with a subtle peppery bite that tied everything together into one harmonious, breathtaking symphony of flavors.
Suddenly, the kitchen vanished.
I was standing in an open field, the sun high above me, casting its warm light across endless rows of olive trees. The breeze carried the scent of fresh herbs-rosemary, thyme, basil-and I could feel the soft earth beneath my bare feet.
It was like I had been transported to some faraway countryside, where everything was pure and untouched by the chaos of the world.
The simplicity of the pizza was deceiving. Each ingredient was so perfectly balanced, so pure, it was as if I could taste nature itself.
The earth, the sun, the rain. All of it captured in a single bite.
I blinked, shaken from my trance, staring down at the slice in my hand. "Satoshi," I whispered. "What... how did you...?"
He didn't answer, just watched me with a calm smile, as if he knew exactly what he had done.
I couldn't stop myself from taking another bite, the flavors once again overwhelming me. wasn't just food-it was art. It was perfection. Each was a new experience, unfolding layers of flavor I hadn't noticed before. The warmth of the crust, the tang of the tomatoes, the creamy richness of the cheese, all working together to create something... divine.
I glanced over at Taro, who was practically lost in his own world, his tiny hands gripping the pepperoni pizza as he chomped downn. His face was smeared with tomato sauce, but he
"Sooo gooood," he mumbled through a mouthful of pizza, his eyes wide with joy.
"Satoshi... this is..." I trailed off, still unable to find the words.
He simply nodded. "I told you, Mom. Something new."
The moment I bit into the pizza, everything exploded!
It was warm and soft, like a big, gooey, cheesy hug that wrapped around my whole mouth. The cheese was so stretchy that I had to pull the slice away with both hands, and it stuck to my fingers, which made me giggle because now my fingers were all cheesy, too!
The pepperoni was a little spicy, but in a fun way-like the kind of spicy that tickles your tongue and makes you feel all tingly inside, like I was eating something made just for me. And the bread! Oh, the bread! It was crunchy on the outside, but when I bit into it, the inside was all soft and fluffy, like a pillow baked by Kami-or maybe by some kind of secret ninja
I wiggled in my chair, legs kicking under the table as I chewed. It was like a pizza party in my mouth! Each bite made me want to dance, and I couldn't stop my toes from tapping along. But then something even better happened. I wasn't just sitting at the table anymore. Nope! Suddenly, I was flying! Flying over a giant pizza world!
The ground beneath me was made of dough, all soft and bouncy, and the mountains were made of melted cheese that stretched and oozed down into rivers of red tomato sauce. Everywhere I went, the air smelled like pepperoni, spicy and salty and so good it made my tummy growl even more.
I landed in a field of pepperoni slices, which floated down from the sky. I started grabbing them, stuffing as many into my mouth as I could, laughing so hard my belly ached.
It was the best thing I'd ever tasted, and I was in paradise. Pizza paradise. "More! More!" I shouted, waving my arms in the air, even though my mouth was still stuffed
I didn't care if the sauce was dripping down my chin or if my fingers were all greasy. This was paradise, and I didn't want it to end. Ever.
I grabbed another slice from the table, not even bothering to finish the one I was already
"S'good! Sooo good!" I mumbled, pizza bits spraying everywhere as I tried to talk through a full mouth. The flavors were so amazing, I felt like I could eat pizza forever. And maybe I
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aiko-obasan. She was totally lost in her own pizza dreamland too, her eyes sparkly and distant like she was floating through a pizza cloud with
Yup, she was definitely in pizza paradise with me.
But then, from across the table, Satoshi's serious voice cut through my dream world like a
kunai slicing through air.
"Slow down before you choke," he said, sounding all grown-up and stuff. "There's enough
"No!" I shouted, my cheeks puffed out with half-chewed pizza, dead serious. A wild idea popped into my head-what if I choked on this pizza and died? Would I get to live in the pizza world forever? That didn't sound too bad to me...
"Taro! What the-Put that down. Right now!" Satoshi's voice was sharper this time as he saw
me stuff the pizza in my mouth. He looked like he was about to dive across the table at me.
But it was too late. I was already halfway out of my chair, clutching two pizza slices to my chest like a precious treasure. "Never! Let me die in peace!" I yelled, sauce dribbling down my chin as I bolted from the table, pizza slices flopping in my hands. Behind me, I heard Satoshi groan-one of those really deep, grown-up groans-and he started chasing after me. But I didn't care. I was free! Free to run wild and escape into my
pizza-filled paradise forever!
Note to self: never, ever feed pizza to a miniature gremlin again.
[A/N] Satoshi's heavenly cooking finally graces the world. I wonder how the rest of the world
will react to his divine food...
This chapter was an OMAKE (bonus chapter) and just a chance for me to have fun. I will always
release a more substantial chapter alongside an OMAKE. For these you can usally just turn your brain off and vibe. I'm just having fun.
And if you're liking the story, please consider leaving a review!!