Hot. Summer was never been Xen favorite season, it too hot to cook, too hot to eat, too hot to do anything and swear to the Master on the havens he hates it. But thanks to the store rules, he just needs to open the store at night when the temperature has cool down. Outro was the store name and hence he knows why they name it Outro anyway. His master - Winston once told him ‘Out’ means outstanding and ‘ro’ mean provides, an outstanding store that can provides any dishes through generations. Even though he isn’t the master identical son, but he treats him like his own son and that make Xen want to stay at the store forever.

Outro has never been crowded with customers as long as he remembers, they hardly got any customer since the food supplies price goes too high. His regulars normally just his master old friends and middle-class workers visit once a week. High society people would never notice his store since many chefs move out and created their own planet. They called it Chef Orb or Orb for shorten. It's a planet with five stars restaurants and high-class chef community. Only cooks with high distinction, which also been approved by the Orb can open restaurant there. For example, God of Cookery – a title for whoever win the Resources tournament.

It’s also the only places that hold a special technique to growth crops and breed live stocks; they sell those with high price that only people with money can buy it. Frozen food or canned are still expensive but compared to fresh food, it the cheapest ingredients to get. Therefore, Chef Orb also invented vitamin drink, which is the cheapest eating solution, it provided energy for a day and faster than cooking, but compared with a hot nice meal, it still not popular as it would be.

Xen yawns and stand up from the bench in front of the door to start open the store. The sun setting down and people start peeling on the street. He knows that today might be another day with no customer, but he still wants to keep the store open, otherwise he will get bored with lies all day. Before reaching the store, he moves to the corner and pet the store pet, Bunny. A black rabbit with red eyes. According to his Master, the animal has been here long before he was born, and nobody knows why it stay there but nobody bothers to chase it away. Xen opened a can of tuna and put it in Bunny plate, watching the small creature ditch in the food with a satisfied purr, he turns back to the door and flip the open sign to start a day.

Outro layout was quite interesting. In the middle are the bar tables built into squares, the counter is on the right corner facing the doo and inside was the kitchen area. Close to the wall are tables for four people and on the back is the lounge. It was a mixed of both Western and Asian architecture which make no sense, but it fit in perfectly. The whole store was built in wood and after hundreds of years these items are musty and stale but thank too new technology, it not difficult to repair the interior.

“Oh, my young Xen, how was your day. Would you mind if I have some cold beer?” Qirlin asked with a small, hand holding his hat, and another hold a silver cane.

“Of course, Mr. Qirlin. Our store is always open for you.” He replied, hand reading the fridge on the back of the counter and pull out stack of beers. XEN put it on the counter desk next to the cash machine, Mr. Qirlin favorite spot. He always exclaimed that this is the only place in the store that give him an overview of the kitchen.

“It’s pretty hots lately, isn’t it? You should turn on the air conditioner young X.” Mr. Qirlin suggested, open his beer.

“I don’t think I will Mr. Qirlin. We hardly earn any bells lately and the food supplied is about to run out.” Xen protested, finger on the nose and scratch it. “Besides, we only open at night, so I don’t think it is necessary for us to turn on the air con.” He laughed.

“Petty like your old man.” Qirlin smug and take a sip of his beer.

Suddenly, the door opened with a loud noise and two men stepped in. A twin with different hair color, the red hair is holding a laze gun while the blue hair guy holding a suitcase. They both look exhausted and dirty, worn costumes with scratch over their body.

“Hand on the air, we are taking over this place!” The red head shouts, pointing the gun at Xen. His face was furious, right hand clutching on the blue hair man waist. The other man looks pale, his body crumble and hardly walking. Noise of people chasing them coming from the background make the red hair man muscle tighten, he rushes inside the kitchen area and hide under the counter.

“Hey, get out there this is a private property!” Xen roars, pushing two men out of the counter “If you want to hide get behind the fridge!” Xen protest helps the red head carried his brother to the back and settle them.

Another loud noise coming from the door again, a party of men standing in front, sulking the air “Where are they, where are the guys run away to?!!” Their leader yells demand an answer, eyes scanning the store.

“They run to the back door; you can follow them from the alley next to house!” Xen answered, pretend like he didn’t know or see anything.

The leader punch hard on the door, told his underlings to chase after the twin and ran off to looking for them, Xen slowly turn his back to fridge and said “You guys can come out now. They have gone.” He fold his arm on his chest, hip base on the counter, looking at the twin step out from the behind.

“Thank you very much. We will never forget your kindness.” the red hair begins, helping his brother to stand up and walk to the door.

“Since you already here why don’t you grab some food at our store.” Xen said with mischievous eyes, his mouth curve into a small cheeky smile convince the twin to stay. “The menu is on the table just call me when you’re ready.” He pushes.

“Oh, no. Please we’re not hungry.” The twin refuse at the same time their stomachs grumble makes both men face blushes, put their hands up to reject the offer “Beside we don’t have money but thank you for your offer.”

“Oh please, what type of Space pirates didn’t bring their money. You don’t have it in your wallet doesn’t means you don’t have it in your body.”

“We don’t know what you are talking about.” this time both men face hardens, their eyes narrow, avoid the invitation.

“Oh my, I think you know what I am talking about.” Mr. Qirlin turn away, focuses on the beer on his hand “Come on 1 dish and you’re free to go”

“One more word and we will shot you, old man!” The red hair threatens, pointing the gun directly at Mr. Q.

“If you think you can scare me with a no-battery-laze-gun then I don’t think I will.” He glances, this time he turns himself around and look into their eyes. “Eat anything you want, it not expensive either.”

Xen smiles wickedly, eyes on them like an open invitation. He wants to be the person offer them rather than let Mr. Qirlin be, but since the older man wants to help then let’s he do it. Besides, the store hardly has customer; 2 person means 2 dishes and a few ingredients been used. Xen would happy to cook for them even they didn’t pay him to or help him clean the pantry.

“If you get out of the store, those men will get you immediately. I am surely that they’re still outside looking for you. How about stay here for dinner, our store won’t disappoint you.” Xen spoke up.

“If...if you can make a dish that better the Orb, we will pay for it.” the blue hair guy finally spoke up, straighten his back.

“Deal.”

“But brother, what about the appointment!” The red hair scream and quickly cover his mouth “And we don’t have enough either.”

“Take a sit, boys. Call whatever you want in the menu. I guarantee you that he can satisfied you both with his skill.” Mr. Qirlin firmly said, take the last sip of his beer. “And one more cold beer, please.”

“2 fried rice.” The blue man spoke, didn’t spend a single glance on the menu and put the suitcase on the right corner of the bar table, he sits down followed his brother. They both look calm but in their eyes was impatient.

“Coming up!” Xen answer happily, giving Mr. Qirlin his beer and start cooking.

Fried rice. Mixed cold rice with eggs and butter, then fried them in the pan with high heat. When the mixtures start hardening add green peas and shred pork. Following the recipes from his master, Xen recall the steps and ingredients, his hand moves fast through the spice, gripping each of them an enough amount to add in the pan. Stir the mixture even, turn off the heat and poured it on the plates. “Your fried rice.” He said, put the plates on the counter.

“Don’t get cocky, kid! We have been to the Orb before, if this one is not as good as them, we will get it for free.” The red hair snares, hand gripping the spoon angrily and start eating. His eyes gone wide when he ate the first spoon, then his hand start speed up, the rice lessen after a minute until there was nothing left on this dish. Same for the blue hair guy. “Dang! It’s good!” They shout at the same time with a smiling face.

“Told you so” Xen laughs “Now remember to pay me after you finish.” he hummed happily.

“Urm... oh shit!” They jump of the chair, hand cover their mouth, looking at each other panicky like unbelieved in them self that they just lost the bet. Both men eyes focus on the door looking for a loophole to escape, but unfortunately, Mr. Qirlin hands on their shoulders, gripping tight with a scary smile makes both men squeeze.

“Fine!” They admit “We’re lost! Here is your payment’” they open the suitcase and hand Xen the money. Xen is overwhelmed, it been a while since Outro have customer and 2 dishes in a day, that even better. Xen happily put the money in the cashier and note on the planner. Since the Chef Orb run their own business, place like this become unknown and it hard to keep up.

“But what the hell, kid! Your food was so good! And you’re not from the Orb! Everyone that can cook like you belong to the Orb! Jesus.” The red hair started “I am Reid by the way, this guy Bill. We’re the space pirate R&B. Beside the price wasn’t expensive as we thought, thank you a lot, kid.”

“It’s late, we better get going before those guys spotted our ship. Let’s go, brother.” Reid said after cleaning up their things and left.

“Kay, am coming.”

Soon after they left, Mr. Qirlin also finish his drink “I should better get going, it quite late actually. And it’s time for you close the store isn’t it?”

“I know, goodbye Mr. Qirlin” Xen waves to the older man and open the door flip the sign to closed. Before lock the store, he grabs Bunny in his hand the feed the small animal. He recalled the evening situation; the R&B brother keep praising how he was good as the Orb make his heart swelled of proud. Of course, he is good, he is the Outro chef after all.

It’s been a week since the incident at the Outro, another boring day as every day, Xen is chilling in front of the store again. This time Bunny is snuggling under his hand and the small creature is purring loudly as his hand tracing under the chin. Seriously, he still doesn’t understand why it was named Bunny, according the Godle, a search engine online say that bunny and rabbit are two different kinds and this one is clearly a black rabbit. Why previous successors named it Bunny anyway, as far as his master had told him before, this rabbit play an important role in the store and as the next heir of Outro, his job is running the store and take care of the animal. And since when a rabbit can eat meat, on the article they said rabbit are herbivores and this thing clearly is not a plant eater at all. Strange creature.

“You probably not from here, right little guy.” Xen asks, pets the rabbit head “But since you can help me clean the left over and my practice dishes then that fine.” He smiles “Look like it's time to open the store, I better get going. What do want to eat today, Bunny?”

The small animal snuggles under Xen belly and pokes 4 legs up to the sky “Beefsteak it is then. Please wait a moment.”

Beefsteak. Heat the pan and add oil until you can see the smoke, place the steak in the middle, roll it after 20 seconds. Add salt and pepper with thyme and garlic and take out.

“Finish, please enjoy.” He places the plate on Bunny bowl outside the door. The little creature happily digs in the dish and purr softly. Turning back to his job, Xen realize that there was someone is stalking the store, the sense eyes looking directly at him and his six sense is telling him that it not dangerous enough for him to ‘handle the job’.

“Young boy, is store open yet?!” A voice coming from the behind, XEN recognizes it was one of his regular, Sir Octo. A businessman from planet W-96, he formed a man with an octopus head and his favorite are raw fish - sashimi.

“Hi sir, we are open now. Lucky for you, today we have a special ingredient is Navy fish egg from the C-9, it’ll taste wonderful with your favorite. I guarantee.” Xen introduced.

“Oh really! Then I will have as usual with Navy fish egg, please!” Octo laughs and his eyes is sparling with star when he heard Navy fish egg.

“Very good, please wait a moment.”

Sashimi. Raw file fish meat cut into equally size with Navy egg on top. Xen not really into eating raw food but Octo love them. Is it because he parts of octopus? Xen wondered. Octo found the Outro quite a few months ago, when the middle age man was starving from a long working hour and his vitamin drink can’t satisfied him. Xen was killed his time by practicing cutting skill with a carp, when Octo passed by the store and the smell of the fish made the octopus man couldn’t held himself together, he paid all his month allowance onto the dishes and came to the store every weekend or Friday night. But today was only Tuesday, Xen wonders what make the man change his routine.

“Here you go, sir.” he puts down the plate and ask “What make you come here today? You always visit us at weekend or Friday but today was only Tuesday.”

“Oh mind, so you noticed, huh.” Octo laughs “My business trip will start tomorrow. So, I want to eat something good before leaving for a month.”

“Oh really! Well congratulation sir!” Xen cheers “But too bad, we are losing a regular for a month...” Xen said sadly.

“Just a month then I will be back, don’t worry!”

“If you say so, how about I treat you a beer, then?! Since you are our biggest supporter, a beer would be nice.”

“Thank you, young man. I would love to!”

They both spend a next few hour chatting and drinking, outside the door a blond hair woman snickering in the corner listen to their conversation.

A young woman with blond curly hair. It was Emily - Xen best friend; they were introduced not long after Xen moved into with the Master. Since there isn’t much kids as the same age with Emily in the resident, the woman grew fond of Xen and annoyed him every time she visits. Emily haven’t visited the store for a long time, her new job position make she has to stay at work late and leave early in the morning. Luckily today, she finally can get off early and visits him. She wants to give him a surprise, so she is hiding near the store and wait for Xen to come out and scare him.

But that octopus man keeps praising the food make Emily lose her patient. She hasn’t gone to the store for a while and her mouth is watering every time they talk about the dish. She misses the food and her time is running out, but at the same time she about to give up, Octo finish his dinner and leave. The door suddenly open and make Emily jumps.

“Hah, I knew it was you.” Xen teased “Welcome to the Outro, what can I get for you today?” Xen greets introduces the young woman into the bar and gives her the menu.

“What is that smell?! The fragrant smell from that pot?!” She pointed.

“Oh, you mean beef stew. Do you want some? I just finish them.” he shrugs.

“Yes, please. Be hurry, get me that dish before I die because of the smell!”

“Coming.”

Beef stew was another recipe that Xen been practicing. Old man Winston always made this at the weekend, besides the spices are almost expired. Look like this lady over here can become the first tester for his stew. Poor her spends all day snickered around his store, so he better treats her this one before she starts crying and states that he has been bullied her.

What a pain in the ***, he thought.

Looking at the back of the store owner, Emily analyzing the young man. It been almost a year and he change so much. Strong body build with skillful hand, she could hardly recognize him. When Xen place her order on the table, Emily cannot hold herself anymore, she immediately grabs the spoon and start eating. Red-orange soup filled with beef and vegetable; the smell is alluring her saliva; the first spoon of beef stew makes she moans loudly. The meat was juicy and melting in her mouth as the rich and fatty soup scrolls down her throat. Carrot was cooked firmly and soft, soaked in the soup make E hand move faster. She keeps eating until she realizes that the plate has empty and disappointment shows on her face.

“One more, please!” She asks.

Another beef stew brings out and this time Emily told herself to eat slower. She wants to taste the dish carefully. The smell of the dish was so divine make she keep ordering another one. It's only been a year and his skill has been improved, the dish taste wonderful and just like R&B, she has been to the Orb a few times. And right now, Emily can guarantee that Xen dish is better than any chef at the Orb.

“Let’s make a deal!” Emily shouted, one of her dark side is gambling habit and whenever she is excited, everything she said will have 'trading' and 'dealing'.

“What?!” Xen looking confused at his friend.

“Let’s make a deal!” she stands up, open her purse and takes out a poster “Please join the Resources tournament and become the God of Cookery."

“No thanks.” XEN denies.

“But why?! The entire galaxy is fighting for this position and you just declined the most powerful thing in this world!”

“Well, why would I?”

“Because it’s the most important tournament and every chef dream.”

“Erm, no.”

After 10 minutes, the argument still goes on without any sigh of prevention. Both of them are soaking in sweat and nobody is planning on surrender.

“Are you done? I need to close the store. 2 plates will be 100 bells please.” Xen using his final card to push Emily away.

“Fine!” Emily slams the money on the table and rushes out. Her face is red with anger, Xen is the first person declines the most wonderful opportunity. She couldn't understand what he was thinking. Xen is the most skilled chef she ever known and he can climb to chair of the Orb president or God of Cookery easily, and that man just refused all these opportunities. Emily was furious, maybe she rushed him make him panic, she can come back tomorrow morning and try again.

“Tournament...” Xen murmured under his breath “But why me?”

A week has past, Emily visited the store every day and every time she arrived, the woman offers a deal with Xen and the result is the same, he isn’t taking the offer.

Today, Outro receive it first letter after a while, Xen have never seen a letter before. Brown envelope with a silver seal and his name written on it, which mean it a meeting invitation or an announcement. Inside it was an announcement about the New Resources Tournament, Chef Orb host them every 10 years, a selection tournament to find the God of Cookery. It’s the highest rank of a chef can achieve and whoever hold that tittle can be honored to work at the Chef Orb for the rest of their life. They also allow to open their own restaurant with high distinguish certificate on the Orb and free to use the special ingredients provided from the Orb. Overall, it is every chef dream.

Xen is thrilled, this must be what Emily been talking about. He doesn’t like the Orb, but the prizes are very appealing. Master usually laugh whenever he heard Xen rambling about the tittle and how to win it. But the tournament last for a month and a half, Xen can’t close the store that long just for a tournament. Besides, he doesn’t want waste his time with the amateurs.

Emily came to the store again today, still doesn’t like the fact that Xen turned her offer down. Entered the store, she noticed the brown envelop on the table, an invitation letter from the Orb. It must be the tournament about to happen, normally it’s open in fall. If Xen received the letter which mean he has been summoned for the tournament, and she can guarantee that the man will win with his skills and knowledge. And when he becomes the next God of Cookery, she can use him to form an alliance with the Orb. Emily smiled under her skin and formed a plan; every chef dream is to become the God of Cookery so he must not be the exceptional.

“Hey, what are you reading?” She asked, pretending didn’t know anything.

“An invitation for the tournament from the Orb.” Xen replied bluntly “They asked me to join the tournament this year.”

“Well duh, that what I’ve been saying the whole week! For someone skilled like you should participate! I bet that you could win it easily!” She praised.

 “No” Xen replied, “Am not going to.” and threw it away.

“What do you mean by ‘No’! You gotta be kidding me!”

“Am not interesting, that all.”

“Not interesting my ***! Everyone wants to be the God of Cookery, so does you, right?”

“Nope, not a chance.”

After a long paused, Emily know no matter what she said the answer will always be ‘no’. She needs to find a reasonable way to push the man. Thankfully, her intelligent report came in time and the information was really impressive.

“I have investigated the store. Every owner generation of this store were the God of Cookery. You’re their next generation so isn’t it a good reason for you to join the tournament?” She said “Look, I know you’re acting like you didn’t care but please consider the offer again. Tomorrow I will come again and please give me an answer this time.”

That night, Xen couldn’t sleep, he been occupied with what Emily said in the morning. Maybe Emily was right, every generation of the store is the God of Cookery then why he not going to be one. Although he never heard his master tells him about any of this, maybe his Master just want to focus on training and running the restaurant and forgot about the Tournament. But why nobody known about the store, if his Master was the winner and running a store like this it's must have packed with people every day. That night, Xen drown himself with questions until he blacked out. In the next morning, he concluded an answer for Emily.

“I will join tournament.”

“Really?! OMG, Yes!” She jumped and happily giggling.

“I will not guarantee that I can win so please don’t open any betting or illegal things.” He warned.

“Yes, anything you said!” Emily agreed and starts rambling “To join the tournament, you need to fill in the form they sent with the invitation letter and send it back to the Orb. When the list is full, they will send you another letter to prepare yourself and meeting destination. Oh, and I am rooting for your win, Xen.”