A new hobby

Ikki was sitting in his wheelchair, feeling a bit discouraged. He had been trying to cook dinner for himself and Grandma, but he was finding it difficult to stir the pots and pans with his injured arms. He sighed and leaned back, feeling frustrated.

""Damn it, at least one thing!" Ikki exclaimed. 'I just want to be able to do things for Grandma, but those limbs just won't cooperate.'

'Hmm... Perhaps I should adhere to something easier.'

He remembered something that had always brought him comfort and joy: baking. He had read about it in a Western book once and had always been fascinated by the science behind it.

'Yes, based upon my observation This clan is not positioned in japan.'

'They are culturally very close to Kurds, and I believe they would enjoy sourdough bread'.

He smiled to himself, feeling a renewed sense of energy and purpose. "Baking bread," he thought, "this is something I can do. Something that they could grow to like."

He rolled himself over to the kitchen counter and surveyed the ingredients he had on hand. Flour, salt, water, and quick starter from flour and water 'Hmm maybe I could quickstart it using some fermented water from pickles ?' .

He mixed the ingredients together in a bowl, his arm tightened a bit as he tried to grip the spoon. But he persisted, determined to make this work. Once the dough was mixed, he started to knead it by beating it with both hands, pushing down on the dough and folding it over itself.

But he quickly discovered he didn't have the stamina to knead the dough as aggressively as it needed to be, so he recalled the book's advice: allowing the dough sit and raise so the starter could do its job.

He covered the bowl with a cloth and set it in a warm corner of the kitchen, feeling a sense of satisfaction and anticipation.

When the dough had doubled in size, 'Hmm, yes, compared to yeast, this is truly sluggish,' he carefully molded it into a loaf and put it in the oven, and the scent of newly made bread washed over Ikki.

As he pulled the loaf out of the oven, he couldn't help but grin. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. He wrapped the bread in a cloth and headed over to Grandma's room.

"Grandma, would you like some fresh bread?" he asked, feeling a bit shy.

Grandma looked up from her book and smiled at him. "That would be lovely, dear. Did you make it yourself?"

Ikki nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "Yes, I did. It's not the best, but it's a start."

Grandma took a bite of the bread and closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. "Mmm, it's delicious, Ikki. Pretty good for your first try"

Ikki felt a sense of warmth spread through his chest. It was a small thing, making bread, but it had given him a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

........

Kurapika and Pairo observed with curiosity as Ikki mixed the dough for his newest bread recipe, occasionally giving their input.

"I don't know how you do it, Ikki. I can barely make toast without burning it," Kurapika remarked with a chuckle.

Pairo grinned slyly. "Yeah, and I can barely crack an egg without getting shells everywhere. You're a natural."

Ikki smiled at their banter, feeling ticklish at their praise. "It's all about practice and patience," he said, as he kneaded the dough vigorously.

Kurapika raised an eyebrow.

"Speaking of patience, how's that healing coming along? You know you're not supposed to be pushing yourself too hard."

Ikki shrugged, feeling a little frustrated. "I know, but I just can't help it. Baking gives me something to focus on, and it makes me feel like I'm contributing something to the village."

Pairo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and it's not like we're not here to help you out. We got your back, Ikki."

Kurapika sighed. "Well, just promise us you'll take it easy when you need to. We don't want you to hurt yourself even more."

Ikki nodded, feeling grateful for their concern. "Thanks, guys. I promise I'll take breaks when I need to."

As he continued to knead the dough, Ikki felt a sense of purpose and joy that he hadn't felt in a long time. Despite his limitations, he had found something that he was passionate about and was determined to pursue it, with the help of his friends.

The aroma of newly made bread drifted through the small house, and Ikki couldn't help but grin at the thought of the locals savoring his creations; it was a tiny way for him to repay the tribe that had taken him in and treated him so well.

At first, the pain in his injured arms made it hard to concentrate, but as he continued to work the dough, he began to feel more and more at ease. He closed his eyes, feeling the softness of the dough in his hands, and the pleasant scent of the bread as it started to rise.

The worries and stresses of his life melted away as he focused entirely on the task in front of him. The only sounds in the kitchen were the rhythmic thud of the dough on the counter and the occasional rustle of a bag of flour.

For a moment, Ikki was lost in the peacefulness of the moment. Nothing else mattered except the dough, the counter, and his hands. He had found a sense of serenity in baking that he had never experienced before.

As he finished kneading the dough, Ikki smiled to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The bread would take time to bake, but for now, he was content to sit and revel in the calmness that had settled over him.

"Hey, Ikki, I think the bread is ready," Kurapika said, snapping Ikki out of his reverie.

Ikki carefully placed the last loaf in the oven before turning to Kurapika with a grin. "Thanks, Kurapika. You know, I never thought I'd be able to do something like this."

Pairo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's pretty impressing, considering your state."

Ikki shrugged, a little bashful at the praise. "It's just something to pass the time, you know? And besides, I like seeing the villagers' happy faces when they taste my bread."

Kurapika and Pairo exchanged a knowing look before turning back to Ikki with smiles on their faces. "Well, we're happy to be your sous chefs any day," Kurapika said mockingly bowing to him, earning a laugh from boys.

As they sat down to enjoy their freshly baked bread, Ikki couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite his disability, he had found a new purpose in life, and he was grateful for the simple pleasures that baking brought him.

.......

Ikki woke up early, his mind buzzing with ideas for his next batch of bread. He had been experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, trying to find the perfect combination that would not only taste great but also have the most positive effects on the villagers.

With Pairo and Kurapika's help, he began preparing the dough, mixing flour, yeast, water, and a secret ingredient he had discovered in the forest. As he kneaded the dough vigorously, he poured all his intention and energy into it, hoping that it would somehow transfer into the final product.

After letting the dough rise and baking it to perfection, Ikki couldn't wait to share his latest creation with the villagers. As they gathered around him, he felt a sense of anticipation and excitement bubbling up inside him.

"Please try it," he said, holding out a fresh slice of bread. "I made it with for you."

The villagers eagerly took a bite, and as they chewed, their eyes widened in surprise. Suddenly, a feeling of deep relaxation washed over them, as if all their worries and stresses had melted away. They felt calm, centered, and at peace.

Hana and Daiki, two elders from the village, exchanged a look of amazement. "This is incredible," Hana said, her voice dreamh and her eyes looking pretty high. "I haven't felt this relaxed in years."

Daiki nodded in agreement. "It's like all my aches and pains have disappeared," he said, his voice clearly impressed.

Ikki couldn't help but grin as he observed their responses.