"It's incredible!....How is it possible?" murmured a voice.

"Who knows? All that matter is that she isn't in danger anymore..."

You grunted, eyes moving under your closed lids. You felt like someone put a heavy weight on top of you, impossible to move your limbs freely. When you finally opened your (e/c) orbs, you met a familiar ceiling. The same one you woke up to when you arrived in Bilal. The last thing you remembered was the cave, the Sanctuary Tortoise, and the horrified face of Coco when he gazed at you and realized the poisonous wound he inflicted on you under the hypnosis of Gilamesh.

You tried to lift yourself in a sitting position, your breathing coming out short when you attempted to do so. Aisha the Fifth and Dr. Inas noticed right away the change in your state, and ran to your side.

"Chef (y/n)! You finally woke up!" the empress told with a smile of relief.

"E-Empress Aisha...Dr. Inas-san..." you whispered, voice hoarse from the lack of use. "How long...?"

"Five days" answered the doctor. "You were immediately treated when Naboubou, Tilab Talib and that Van'assir came back with you unconscious in his arms. The poison in your body was removed successfully from what my empress told me...and seeing you here alive is enough proof that it worked"

"Y-You saved me?" you inquired to the old woman, who nodded her head. "T-Thank you..."

"Inas. Why don't you announce the good news to her partner and the others?"

"On my way, Empress Aisha!" saluted the scientist, and she was gone like the wind.

"...I'm aware of the situation, and what happened in the cave" told the old woman after a short pause. "Asfiya's death will be mourned, as the birth of the child will be celebrated. Unfortunately, I fear for the survival of the baby...Without the special milk provided only by the Sanctuary Tortoise, it will become weaker until it dies from starvation"

"What was the special ingredients Asfiya ate?" you wondered. "If you could tell me, maybe I could prepare the dish that would save her child!"

"Nobody knows, except for the Music Chefs" Aisha mused sadly. "That's why I was reluctant to send you there...Because even if you confirmed Asfiya's situation, there was simply no way to save her without the help of L'Arabesque. The humming bird knew what Asfiya ate and-..."

Your mind went elsewhere, tuning out from what the old empress was saying. L'Arabesque, Asfiya, Empress Malika the First. They were all connected together. The Humming Tablets, treasures of the city and left under unknown circumstances. Eight of them. When you listen, you can hear fragments of a melody. So what if you listened to them together?

"...That's it!!" you shouted in realization, causing the old woman to nearly have a heart attack. "Empress Aisha, can I use your kitchens? I will also need the Humming Tablets. All of them!"

She blinked in surprise when you got out of the medical bed, ripping the sheets and blankets off of your body. You were already walking to the exit, your face showing a determined expression.

"C-Chef (y/n), what is the meaning of this?!" the old woman stammered in shock, and you shot at her a knowing smile.

"Prepare for a celebration tonight, because you have a delicious buffet coming in your way!" you winked.

With the help of the sand amazonian, the Humming Tablets were brought inside the kitchen in a short notice at your request to save the baby tortoise and the legacy of Asfiya, the Sanctuary Tortoise. You were left alone after that, stating that you needed a lot of concentration for the part: putting together the whole song. Sitting on a chair across the stone tablets, you closed your eyes and listened. Your brain was doing its best to back the pieces together, but it was a difficult puzzle. A puzzle that as multiple parts, and sometimes the pieces seems to fit together, but the harmony doesn't.

An enigmatic melody that left you with a huge headache. You're not aware of how much time passed ever since you entered the kitchen, but the sun was about to set at the horizon from the single window that adorned the room.

"Eight tablets...Eight tablets..." you kept murmuring to yourself. "Maybe it's not a whole song, but a chamber music"

In classical music, a chamber music normally features a small group of instrumentalists, often three or four, and sometimes up to around eight, with one instrument to a part. Maybe the Humming Tablets were simply different parts of a main idea.

You heard something humming behind you, and you whipped your head to gaze at the window. You thought you were seeing things, because now you could swear there was a blue-colored bird perched there. It was gazing at you, tilting its head side to side.

"Is that...?" you breathed in awe. "...L'Arabesque?"

It didn't answer back, but instead began to chirp a song. One that sounded extremely similar to the Humming Tablets, but less distorted. The humming bird was directing you in how to reconstruct the chamber music with the good parts, and slowly it became much more clear in your mind.

A song of a long voyage. The journey of Malika the First, guided by the legendary beasts Asfiya and L'Arabesque. A friendship that she cherished just like she did for her people, and to which she shared many meals she made and hunted herself under the supervision of the humming bird.

https://youtu.be/9xU9fFJGL6c

[ Hors d'oeuvre : Flaming Seals ]

[ Drink: Coconut'Dile ]

[ Fish Dish : Desert Goby ]

[ Main Dish : Opal Cauliflower ]

[ Dessert : Tortoasis Flower Melon ]

[ Meat Dish : Sandy Silly]

[ Salad : Sand-Sand Salad ]

[ Soup : White-White Soup ]

The Humming Tablets and the song were about Malika's Full Course, the one she shared with the Sanctuary Tortoise, and the only ingredients she ever ate. The main dish caught your attention, feeling strong vibes from this ingredient. Wasting no time, you began the preparation of the full course, all the while following L'Arabesque's song.

That night, the throne room was filled with people as everyone was standing on edge. Fear for the future. Fear of the unknown. The baby tortoise was lying in a luxurious basin made by the empress, and the poor beast was incredibly pale. He needed food, and quick. That's when you burst inside the palace with a silver tray, your hair messy and face a bit dirty from all the hard work you put inside the kitchens.

Naboris and Coco were standing on the sideline, the first time seeing you after you were brought inside the medical bay. The Heavenly King released a breath of relief to see you were alright and already full of energy. Yet, he was still ashamed of his actions even he wasn't the one who was in control. You walked up to the baby tortoise, removing the lid from the tray to reveal the main dish of Malika's Full Course: the Opal Cauliflower.

The vegetable was a bit roasted and cooked, adding to the white inflorescence meristem milk of the Cocodile. It was enveloped in an edible flower bud that resembled the shape of an opal gemstone. Already, this caught the interest of the baby tortoise who lifted his head at the sight of the cauliflower. You offered the dish, everyone holding their breath as you waited for the beast's next move.

Loud cheers erupted in the throne room when the baby tortoise took a huge bite of the Opal Cauliflower, quickly seeing an amelioration with his health. Empress Aisha let herself fall back against her seat, her mind relieved about the secured future of her people. Dr. Inas couldn't stand on her two feet anymore, and even jumped in Naboris's arms to kiss her.

"I love you so much, Naboubou-chan!~" she cooed, earning a pissed look from the embarrassed warrior who was blushing a lot.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!"

"What, you didn't like it?" the short scientist blinked in confusion.

"I-I-I didn't say that..." Naboris stammered while Coco gazed at them, amused.

The room became silent when the empress stood up, and advanced in your direction. She stopped in front of you, a small smile decorating her lips:

"You helped save my people, and for that, you have my deepest gratitude..." the old woman bowed her head to the shock of her subordinates.

"All of it was thanks to L'Arabesque" you smiled back, making the woman blink and leaving her stunned. "I was able to find Asfiya's special ingredients by finding about Malika the First's Full Course with its help and the Humming Tablets"

"L'Arabesque...So it proves that you are indeed a Music Chef. What a coincidence...or is it fate?"

The rest of the night was mostly about the sand amazonian showing how they celebrate in their country. Traditional dances, exotic costumes and foods. People smiling and laughing while sharing a meal together, a sight that will always warm up your heart. They decided to call the baby tortoise 'Amal', which means 'To have hope', and became the new Sanctuary Tortoise.

You watched in amusement as Dr. Inas beckoned kisses to Naboris, who was beyond flustered at her demands. Though, she didn't seem to mind as she surrendered herself to them. You were currently searching for Coco, worried about what he could be thinking after what happened. You finally caught sight of him leaning against a pillar, arms folded in front of his chest. He was wearing a deep frown, staring absently at his feet.

"Coco-san!" you called, making the man flinch in surprise.

"O-Oh, (y/n)-chan..." he smiled, even though he looked a bit sad. "How are you feeling?"

"Incredibly good!" you replied with a grin. "What do you think of the food? Not too fat in proteins for you, I hope?"

"The food you make is always delicious" the fortune teller assured, before his expression turned more serious. "(y/n)-chan. I have been thinking about it for a while and...Perhaps we should go somewhere more private"

This didn't ease your mind one bit, not with the face he was making. You followed after him, frowning at his back while you wondered what he wanted to talk about. Certainly of the injury and the hypnosis, but he should already know that you didn't hate him for that. In fact, you had forgiven him right away. The music and sounds of celebration became muffled when Coco closed the door behind you, and you watched as he strolled to a balcony of the palace. He leaned his arms against the railing, absent eyes gazing forward.

"Coco-san...Is there something wrong? If it's about the poison-" you started, until you were cut by your partner's sigh.

"(y/n)-chan. You are an amazing partner, and you made my trips much more enjoyable. But what happened in that cave confirmed my worst fears..." he spoke, gazing at you. "I can't even trust myself"

"W-What are you trying to say?"

"For your safety, it would be better if we parted ways..."

"E-E-Eh?!"

You couldn't believe what you were hearing as your eyes began to fill up with tears.

"S-So our combo?..." you stammered. "You're going to throw everything away just because of that incident?! Things can happen! It's not your fault!"

"(y/n)-chan, you have every right to be upset. But understand that I do this for your own good-" he tried to calm you down, but you were having none of it.

"Coco-san, you can't be serious. You're just trying to run away and isolate yourself more!"

"(y/n)!"

He yelled your name as he gripped your arms. It was the first time he didn't use the honorific at the end. It was showing in his eyes that he didn't want this either.

"I thought I could have some too, that light everyone craves when exposed to it" the fortune teller whispered. "Meeting you and the day you accepted to be my partner are memories I will always cherish. Unfortunately, I live an existence without grace. I am a poisonous man who will kill everyone around him if not careful"

"B-But, Coco-san..." you sniffed.

"When I saw the shadow of death in that cave, I felt powerless. You can't imagine how I felt when I realized that I was the one at fault, hypnosis or not. (y/n). I care so much about you that it would kill me to see you dead. I refuse to live through that once more, and never I want to put you in such danger again" Coco stated firmly.

A silence fell between the two of you, the Heavenly King removing his grip on your arms. He took a few steps back while he closed his eyes, quickly turning around to walk away. It's only when he disappeared around the corner that you fell on your knees, crying.

The journey to return home was an awkward one. No words were exchanged between you and Coco all the duration of the trip. And when you were back, the two of you parted ways just like he said. Aisha the Fifth, Naboris and Dr. Inas had bid you farewell before you left, stating that you were always welcome to visit Bilal at any time.

Your heart felt heavy as you walked through the lab of IGO. Yet, you still smiled when Dino ran in your direction, chirping happily as he jumped in your open arms.

"Finally! That wyvern of yours was starting to cause havoc h're!" huffed the voice of Sunny as he walked toward you with Rin in tow.

"Sunny-san. Rin-san" you nodded at them. "I got a Gourmet Case full of Cocodile's milk, if you're interested..."

"Cocodile?!" cried out the elegant man as he suddenly appeared in front of you.

"So, how was it in Bilal? Did you and Coco find the Music Chefs?" asked the woman.

At the mention of the fortune teller, your eyes began to tear up. Your wyvern whined and nuzzled his head against your leg while Sunny and Rin stared at you in confusion.

"H-He...H-He..." you hiccuped as the tears ran down freely on your cheeks. "He's not my partner anymore!"

"Eh?!" they yelled in unison while you began to sob.

"He said it was to protect me-b-but-but-WAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" you cried obnoxiously while Rin gathered you in her arms, patting your hair to comfort you.

"Don't cry...Everything is going to turn out alright..." she assured, but you began to wail even more.

"HE SAID THE SAME THING AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE ME ANYMORE"

"Usagi, you're wetting the floor with your tears. And it's a gross look on your face" the Heavenly King told bluntly, earning a dark look from his sister and causing another sobbing fit in your case.

Dino decided to bite Sunny's ankle for upsetting you further.