The boys were in the middle of their usual playful bickering while Asher, sleeves rolled up and apron tied tightly around his waist, stood over a large pot placed atop the iron grill he'd brought out from his item box. The same grill they'd used during the mixer, now stored safely in his inventory, had made a return for this grand occasion.

A savory aroma filled the air as chunks of the meat of a deer, freshly hunted by Asher himself, simmered in a bubbling stew. Tomatoes melted into the broth, releasing a tangy sweetness that danced with the earthy aroma of carrots and garlic. A freshly picked cabbage had been chopped into thin shreds and thrown in last, adding a final flourish to the rich medley.

The scent was so potent it felt like it physically pulled at the boys' stomachs.

"Alright... bring the plates up!" Asher finally called, voice calm and confident.

As if that had been the activation phrase for their primal instincts, the boys leapt up from their lounging positions. They scrambled toward the neatly packed plates stacked near the mansion, alongside crates of new furniture that had yet to be moved inside.

Brian, ever the glutton, shoved Derrick and Kira aside like a linebacker in a rugby match.

"Chill out, bros! The food's enough for everyone!" Asher said, not even turning away from the pot as he stirred the stew gently with a wooden ladle.

"It's Mr. Fattie here!" Derrick grunted, poking Brian in the back.

"Can you not?!" Brian snapped, trying to keep his balance. "It's not my fault you're not as hungry as I am!"

Derrick rolled his eyes, arms crossed. "Dude, you're always hungry. I swear, you've got a black hole in your stomach."

Brian grumbled under his breath and shoved his plate—well, more like a bowl large enough to bathe a puppy in—toward Asher.

With a soft chuckle, Asher took the bowl and began scooping generous helpings of steaming rice into it. Then came the stew, thick and meaty, ladled in until it nearly overflowed.

Brian watched the process with stars in his eyes, hands clutched like a kid on Christmas morning. "Just one more spoon… yeah… one more... perfect. I'll come back for seconds if I don't explode first."

He waddled away with his mountain of food, plopping down with a satisfied grunt, already digging in with a ferocity that made the others shake their heads.

Asher continued dishing up, feeding each of the boys with precision and care. Just as he handed Kira his plate, a whirrrr tore through the air, and a Dimensional Door shimmered open just a few feet away from the grill.

From it stepped out a woman—no, a milf bombshell. Short-shorts clung to her hips like they were afraid to fall, and a cloth just barely managed to cover her ample chest. One of her breasts had slipped partially out, its peak exposed just enough to cause the younger boys' eyes to bug out.

"Woah… it really is another realm," the woman said, looking around with wide eyes.

Asher's jaw slackened before his gaze finally climbed up from the woman's chest to her face.

And that's when he realized it was Adrian's mom.

"Uh… ma'am," Derrick stammered, trying to avert his gaze from her chest but failing miserably. "Your, uh... boob— I mean, chest! It's… it's out!"

Alice glanced down nonchalantly and casually stuffed the wandering breast back into the cloth, as though she were swatting a fly. "Oops. This outfit is more for comfort than coverage."

Kira was still frozen. "Why's her cleavage shining like—"

Before he could finish, two more people stepped through the portal — both well-dressed middle-aged men.

"What's shining, boy?" the first man asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Tch. Kids these days say the weirdest crap," the second father muttered as he stepped forward.

"Good afternoon!" Asher greeted politely, trying to push past the awkwardness. "Please, come sit. You're welcome here."

Alice studied him as she walked closer. He'd changed — from a skinny little boy playing comics with her sons to a young man, tall, muscular, his hands rough from battle and cooking, his eyes sharp with quiet leadership. And that apron, exposing his forearms as he stirred the pot like some domestic warrior? Damn, she thought. He's... handsome.

She blinked the thought away. This is my son's friend, for god's sake! Pull yourself together, woman!

"ASHER!!!"

A loud voice boomed through the courtyard, tearing attention away from Alice's slick cleavage.

A blur of excitement burst through the portal and latched onto Asher's leg like a cat on catnip.

"Dude, you hate me these days!!" shouted Allan, Adrian's little brother, burying his face against Asher.

"Hey, lil' bro!" Asher laughed, ruffling Allan's messy hair.

"I'm not little anymore! I got a girlfriend now, unlike my lame-ass brother who's still a virgin simp!"

That line made the entire courtyard freeze.

"Language!" barked all three parents simultaneously.

Adrian appeared lastly from the door, carrying his younger sister and groaning. "Allan…"

Allan slapped his hands over his mouth, instantly realizing his mistake.

Then his attention shifted to the scenery — the grand walled compound, the untouched kingdom, the majestic mansion behind them. "Holy Shit—!"

"LANGUAGE!!" Adrian snapped again.

Allan shut up and sat down with the speed of a dog who knew it had pissed off its owner.

Adrian exhaled sharply, finally stepping forward. "Okay, everyone, I've brought my family. We can start the business talks."

Asher raised a hand dismissively. "Let's not rush. We've got the whole day. First — let's eat."

Four Eyes jumped into action, fetching more plates and distributing them. Asher resumed dishing food, moving efficiently, feeding the new guests with grace. Adrian personally handed plates to his family — his mother first, then the two fathers, then his siblings.

Soon, the entire group was seated and eating together.

Alice took one bite and let out an appreciative hum. "Mmm... Did you make this?"

"Yes, ma'am," Asher replied, a bit bashful but proud.

"Damn. You cook better than Adrian. Son, take notes!"

Adrian groaned, lowering his spoon. "Mom, we've talked about this."

But Alice just smiled, unfazed, continuing to eat with satisfaction.

Adrian quietly picked at his food, his appetite soured. The constant comparison to his friends wore him down. So did the endless teasing from his little brother, and the growing feeling that he was the odd one out. Everyone else had been in relationships. Everyone else had slept with their girlfriends. Even Brian, who boasted that his chubby girlfriend Mira even rewarded him with intercourse the day he literally ranked up.

To anyone else, those things were jokes. But for Adrian?

They stung.

I have to do better, he thought.

His mind wandered again. To Cammy. Lorraine's annoying friend. That snarky little brat. Why was he thinking about her so much lately?

He shook his head. Focus on the now. Help Asher. Then figure out your messed-up life later.

TBC