Episode 20

Time stretched from half an hour… to an hour… to several hours.

Yet, neither UltSans nor Eleanor wavered.

Both continued cutting the Iberian hams, the strips of delicate meat piling up neatly on a large, rune-engraved plate.

The air was thick with the rich scent of freshly sliced ham, mixing with the warm, seasoned aroma of the paella still baking in the oven.

Every few moments, UltSans checked on the paella, ensuring it was cooking just right.

And when the time was finally right—

He turned off the oven, allowing the dish to rest.

But he didn't stop—

Not yet.

He simply went back to cutting.

Another hour and a half passed.

And finally—

The job was done.

Two entire Iberian hams, sliced to perfection.

UltSans sighed slightly, cracking his fingers before moving on to the next step.

The potato omelette.

With steady precision, he sliced it into thick, generous portions, each one golden and perfect.

He placed them on plates, one by one, ensuring every serving was even.

Then—he moved to the paella.

He filled six bowl plates, each one carrying a rich, steaming portion of rice, filled with flavors that had taken hours to perfect.

Only once that was done did he finally store away the remaining food, carefully preserving what was left.

But there was still one more step.

UltSans lifted his right hand, the familiar blue outline pulsing around his fingers.

Instantly—

The plates lifted into the air, floating gently, weightless.

They hovered in perfect formation, following him like silent, obedient servants.

And with that—

Both he and Eleanor finally left the kitchen, stepping through the portal.

As they did—

The portal sealed shut behind them.

Back at Eleanor's house, the two walked from the kitchen to the dining room.

Without hesitation, they began placing everything down.

Six bowls of paella.

Six plates, each with a thick, golden slice of potato omelette.

And in the center of the table—

The large, rune-inscribed plate, overflowing with delicately cut Iberian ham.

The table was carefully arranged, balanced, organized—every dish given its rightful place.

By the time they finished, the dining room was filled with the warm, rich aroma of Spanish cuisine, a meal crafted with skill and patience.

UltSans stepped back slightly, satisfied.

But then—

Something caught his attention.

A faint noise.

Distant voices.

Shouts, but not aggressive—

More like excited yells, bursts of energy.

UltSans' head tilted slightly.

Without a word, he started moving toward the sound.

Eleanor followed, her expression amused.

Eleanor: "Eso debe de ser un partido de fútbol. A Richard le encanta el fútbol."

UltSans sighed slightly, shaking his head.

A moment later—

They stepped into the living room.

And sure enough—

Richard, along with Nathan and Melissa, were gathered around the TV, completely focused on the match.

The room was filled with excitement.

Nathan and Richard were the most animated, reacting to every play, every pass, every near-goal.

Melissa?

She was just there for Nathan.

Not really invested, but watching casually, sipping a drink as if this were just another way to pass the time.

UltSans folded his arms, raising a brow.

UltSans: "Bueno… Supongo que están distraídos… Entretenidos están, eso está claro."

Eleanor: "Sí, ellos están entretenidos con el partido, mientras que nosotros cocinando."

Then—

With a sudden mischievous glint in her eye—

She smirked.

Eleanor: "Pero conozco de un entretenimiento aún mejor."

UltSans narrowed his eyes slightly, immediately suspicious.

UltSans (sarcastic): "…A ver… Ilumíname…"

Eleanor's smirk widened.

Eleanor: "Vas a entretenerte con Clara, me das nietos, y yo me entretengo con mis nuevos nietos!"

UltSans almost facepalmed himself.

He sighed deeply, rubbing his temple.

UltSans: "…Para qué pregunto… Es que… Es que para qué…"

Without another word, he turned around and walked straight back to the dining room.

Eleanor chuckled softly, following behind him.

Because at the end of the day—

She had made up her mind.

And nothing was going to change it.

After entering the dining room, UltSans pulled out a chair and sat down, exhaling softly.

Eleanor, still amused from their conversation earlier, followed suit, taking her seat as well.

For a brief moment, the room was quiet.

But then—

The scent of freshly cooked food began to spread, weaving its way through the house.

It was warm, rich, and unmistakably inviting.

And just like that—

It caught someone's attention.

Melissa, seated in the living room, was the first to react.

She inhaled slowly, blinking.

Then—

A smirk formed on her lips.

Melissa: "Mmm~ I think it's time for dinner. I can already smell the food ready."

Richard, still focused on the match, waved a hand lazily.

Richard: "Alright, honey. When the match ends, we go."

Nathan, practically bouncing in excitement, turned toward his mother.

Nathan: "Alright, Mom! Can I go when the match ends?"

Melissa smiled sweetly at her son.

Melissa: "Alright, sweetie~"

Nathan beamed.

Nathan: "Thanks, Mom!"

Satisfied with her answer, Melissa stood up, stretching slightly.

And then—she began to make her way toward the dining room.

The moment she stepped inside—

Melissa stopped in her tracks.

Her eyes widened slightly, taken aback.

The table was set with precision—

Golden potato omelette slices, steaming bowls of paella, and the centerpiece—delicate Iberian ham, sliced to perfection.

It wasn't just a meal.

It was a feast.

Melissa tilted her head slightly, lips curving into a playful smirk.

Melissa: "Oh my~… Did you cook all of this?~"

She took a slow step forward, her tone silky smooth, deliberate.

Melissa: "Everything smells absolutely divine… Almost as if it was made just for me~"

She placed one hand on her hip, glancing at UltSans.

Melissa: "I bet it all tastes as delicious as you look~" (She dragged out the word 'delicious' just slightly, savoring it.)

UltSans stiffened slightly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

Eleanor, still sitting, quietly observed the exchange, barely holding back a chuckle.

Melissa, as expected, was relentless.

With slow, intentional movements, she began making her way to the table—

But instead of just sitting down,

She moved behind UltSans.

Melissa's fingertips ghosted over his shoulder, trailing lightly as she passed behind him.

UltSans' entire body tensed.

Then—

She leaned in.

Her arms slid over his shoulders, hands resting boldly against his torso.

Her touch was slow, teasing, deliberate.

And UltSans had enough.

His voice was low, flat, unamused.

UltSans: "Seriously. Can you stop already? I'm trying to have patience."

Melissa pouted slightly, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Melissa: "And why don't you have some joy instead of patience~?"

UltSans' pupils flickered just slightly.

He took in a deep breath, forcing himself to stay still.

Then—his voice dropped.

Colder. Sharper.

UltSans: "I told you to never touch me again."

Melissa's smirk faltered for just a second.

But UltSans wasn't done.

He slowly turned his head just enough to glance at her, his eyes sharp—piercing.

UltSans: "You're a mother. Yet, all you do is chase after your own pleasure. You only care about yourself. You search for self-benefit, for personal gain. People like you only 'love' something when it gives you something in return."

Melissa's smile weakened slightly, but she kept her confident posture.

UltSans' voice lowered even further.

UltSans: "I don't know you. But I don't need to. Because I already know your type. You could have been something more. A normal mother. Someone who truly cares for their child instead of just using them as a decoration for their perfect little life. But instead—this?"

UltSans finally pulled away from her grasp, standing up.

His tone was final.

UltSans: "Stay away from me."

Then—without another glance in her direction—

He simply walked past her.

Melissa stood there, frozen for a brief moment.

And for the first time—

She had nothing to say.

Eleanor?

She just raised a brow, watching closely.

Because one thing was clear—

UltSans wasn't someone Melissa could manipulate.

And that?

That made things very, very interesting.