Agung paused his stirring, a mischievous, "Panda" glint returning to his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at Nico. He saw her protectively patting the pocket of her apron where she'd tucked away the Swiss chocolate he'd manifested earlier.
"Oh, don't test me, Nico-chan," Agung said, his voice dropping into a playfully dramatic tone. "You saw me manifest a projectile pillow and a bottomless credit card while I was half-asleep. Imagine what I can do now that I've had some tea."
He raised his right hand, his palm open and fingers poised.
"I don't even need a magic circle," he teased, a small spark of golden energy dancing between his thumb and forefinger. "One sharp *clap* from me, and—*poof*—every single gram of that high-quality Swiss cocoa will vanish from your pockets and return to the void from whence it came. I'll leave you with nothing but the lingering scent of hazelnuts and regret."
Nico immediately jumped back, covering her pockets with both hands like a squirrel guarding its winter stash. "You wouldn't! That's—that's psychological torture! It's a violation of the Idol-Panda Treaty!"
"The Treaty of Room 4 has many clauses, Nico," Agung chuckled, finally turning back to the steaming pot of miso. "And the 'Don't Insult the Cook' clause is right at the top. So, keep the bowls moving, or the chocolate gets it."
Chika and You burst into fresh rounds of laughter, watching the world's most powerful "glitch" threaten a legendary idol with the sudden disappearance of her snacks.
"He's got you there, Nico-chan!" Chika chirped, happily grabbing a stack of trays. "A god who controls the chocolate supply is a god you have to obey!"
"Fine, fine!" Nico huffed, though she was moving twice as fast now, her eyes darting toward Agung's hands every time they moved too close together. "Just keep your hands on the ladle and away from each other! We're setting the table, see? Total cooperation!"
Agung let out a satisfied hum, the rhythm of the kitchen finally feeling like home. For a man who used to sweep streets for 14,000 Yen a month, having the power to "clap away" chocolate was a ridiculous luxury—but seeing the smiles (and the frantic snack-guarding) on his wives' faces made it the best use of magic he'd found yet.