20 Chapter 20 – Kitchen Nightmares & Construction

[Main POV]

The next day, I was back at Tokyo University, getting ready chess for the 7th time in 7 days. As I made my way onto the stage, Artemis was waiting for me holding a small container.

"Hi Apollo! Did you have breakfast today?"

I narrowed my eyes. Every day, I stopped by a ramen shop 20 minutes before our match to eat breakfast. However, today the ramen shop was closed. To add insult to injury, I was hit by a white van and sent flying. I wasn't injured of course but was still dragged to a hospital by the adults around me. Due to this, I was not only 20 minutes late, but was unable to eat anything for breakfast.

But as usual, I simply ignored her and extended my hand to do the customary handshaking for the cameras. Instead of shaking my hand, she thrust forward a bento box wrapped in silky red cloth.

"Here!" she said while looking the other way, "you look hungry. And I don't want you to have any excuses for losing our game!"

I was now 99% sure she was responsible for the ramen shop closing. And I was 98% sure she was responsible for my getting hit by the van. But I did miss breakfast, so I took the box and said a quick "Thank you," before taking my seat.

As usual, the game was over in 10 minutes, ending in another draw. We once again shook hands but as I pulled my hand back, I found that Artemis wasn't letting go. I pulled harder and found the same result.

Not wanting to go all out in front of the cameras, I quickly asked Artemis, "Hey, can you let go of my hand, I want to try the food you gave me."

She quickly blushed and let go of my hand. As I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find sushi. While I had eaten sushi quite a bit, who doesn't love more sushi? I picked up a piece and popped it into my mouth.

Oh, the regret.

I wasn't even angry. I was sad. Who thought this would be a good idea? Partially cooking the fish? Putting a layer of wasabi, which I mistook for avocado? Vodka mixed with soy sauce?

I placed the bento box on the table and looked at Artemis. Her eyes had so much hope in them.

"Well," she said quietly, "how does it taste?"

I wrapped her in a hug. Her body felt soft and warm, as I felt her arms slowly snake around me.

"Please," I whispered, "please don't commit crimes against humanity."

I felt her entire body stiffen like a board.

"I appreciate the sentiment," I continued, "but please, never step foot inside a kitchen for the rest of your life."

I let her go and took a couple steps back. Artemis didn't move. Her eyes were wide and staring into the endless void.

"Are you ok – ", I stopped speaking as Artemis grabbed the bento box and high-tailed it out of there.

That would be the last time I saw her that year. Literally. The next day, I found out she took a plane back to the Moscow.

This made me World Chess Champion by resignation. Hooray.

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Time skip to December 1985

[Main POV]

I was standing in an open field in western Texas. Well, field was generous. It was mostly just a stretch of desert with some plant life here and there.

I had bought this stretch of land for cheap. The previous owner was a fierce anti-communist and was willing to give me a hefty discount. Along with buying land from the surrounding areas, I was able to acquire about 130,000 acres of land.

Transmuting the necessary materials, I used my telekinesis to start building a large structure. This would be my base. The basement was nice, but it was too small and had limited privacy. I also needed a place for all the voice actors to record in. They were scheduled to come in throughout 1986, and I couldn't have them stay in the basement of an orphanage.

So, I built a building. The building. My Sunscraper.

1,280m tall. 243 floors. This building was the tallest in the world.

I left the first few floors empty for commercial stores. I marked out floors for future guests, recording studios, animation studios, server rooms and development labs.

I reserved the top few floors for offices.

I also built a second building. It was large and hollow and built near the edge of my land. The walls were reinforced with 10 feet of cement and layered with various metals. The floor was similarly reinforced. Perfect for keeping top secret projects. Basically, my mancave. I called this Site 002.

As I was finishing painting my Sun Tower, I heard a car pull up behind me. I decided I'd put up an electric fence around the perimeter.

Olivia and Emily popped out of the car and made their way towards me.

"Sup." I started.

"Don't sup me mister." Olivia responded. "You've been gone for a month! I've had to make excuses to Ms. Davis for you! And you didn't answer any of our calls!"

"Wait a month?" I pulled out my phone and turned it on. I was on airplane mode. Huh, guess I never switched it back after my trip from Tokyo. Checking the date, I found that she was right, it was January 1st, 1986.

"My lord, everyone is quite concerned about your absence." Emily said. "Everyone – "

"Even you?" I interrupted sharply. "Were the two of you worried about me?"

Emily panicked, "We don't doubt your abilities my lord, but you're five – six now –"

"You offered to sleep with me when I was four." I flatly stated.

Olivia whirled around and gave Emily a smack on the back of her head and went on a typical rant. Blah, blah, something about being a pedo.

"I don't try anymore my lord," Emily said, rubbing the spot she was hit. "After all, a god like yourself deserves someone of your level."

It took me a second to realize what she was saying. "What!? I don't like Artemis at all! She's annoying as hell! I feel on edge any time I'm around her! Not to mention she doesn't know how to cook. She's –"

"Who're you trying to convince Apollo?" Olivia said with a smirk. "We saw you hug her on television."

"That's taken out of context!" I said hotly. Why were my cheeks heating up? "Anyway, what about you Olivia?"

"Trying to change the topic?" Olivia quipped.

"Just answer the question," I pressed.

Olivia looked towards the structures that I created. Site 002 was a large behemoth that I painted and camouflaged with dirt, making it invisible from this distance. However, I knew she knew I did something, since she didn't remember seeing a giant cliff.

She then turned towards my Sunscraper, painted white and gold, it reflected sunlight, making it hard to look at from certain angles. The sun was currently setting, which when reflected, cast a red tint across the land.

It wasn't anywhere near the legendary cities of El Dorado or Atlantis. But the sheer size alone could mesmerize anyone for hours. The contrast between its magnificence in an otherwise barren wasteland also added to the awe factor.

"Never doubted you for a moment." Olivia whispered.

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AN:

Hey, y'all see the new Napoleon trailer? Looks epic. Hope they don't disappoint.