Chapter 1 A Silent Vapour Cause Disaster

[Welcome To Ketsuga Burger] A nicely decorated rattan plaque had this greeting etched into to it stylishly. It was hanging from a decoratively built wooden entrance positioned in front of a famous local restaurant in Bay City.

Bay City was commonly known for its delicious aquatic cuisine. Tourists usually came here to get a taste of the vast oceanic life and chill out while exploring the underwater aquarium. Locals, however, were already used to this oceanic life. Most of them found the constant feasting on fish and crustaceans monotonous. Thus these locals relished the day when the Ketsuga Burger restaurant opened up in town. It was located in a densely populated district at a spacious plaza which hosted other consumer-based forms of establishments.

[Thud! Thud! Thud!] Today was a Thursday when most of the plaza’s establishments were bombarded by a throng of people. The inner portion of the Ketsuga Burger restaurant was already jam-packed to the brim. Only the outdoor tables closer to the waterfront were available for seating.

The sun was at its peak in the sky, this motioned the outdoor attendants to go around opening the large umbrellas that were covering the exposed tables. This prevented an excess amount of heat from burning the consumers while they ate.

“What can I get for you two stunning ladies today?” A waiter in training attended a table closer to the plaza’s wall which cast added shade to that section. Seated opposite each other around the table were two young beauties seeming to be in their early twenties. One of them wore dark and revealing clothing while the other was donned in lighter conservative apparels.

“I’ll have a large Ketsuga burger with pickles, extra onion inside and a Rave Smoothie please.” The pretty female in darker garments gave her order first.

[Scribble! Scribble!] After writing down her order, the waiter glanced at the other female in lighter garments. “And you, miss?”

“I’ll have the same as my friend but with no onions please and thank you.”

[Scribble! Scribble!] “Alright, your orders will be ready shortly. Do you care for some of our fine velvet water as you wait?”

“No thanks.”

“We’re fine.”

“Suit yourself then.” [Thud! Thud!] The waiter walked away from the table; took some more orders from other customers nearby before heading to the back counter to relay his scribbles to the head chefs.

Back at the table hosting the gorgeous females, the lass in dark apparels said to her friend: “Selene I thought you love Ketsuga burgers with onions inside.”

“Yes, I do, Iyana.”

“Then why didn’t you order any?” Iyana was curious to find out the reason behind her friend’s action.

Selene pushed her head forwards, covered her mouth then whispered softly. “Iyana have you forgotten how eating onions make me feel?” [Point! Point!] She gestured to her caudal region as she spoke. “We’re in public so…”

“Oh, I forgot!” Iyana apologized for asking a nonsensical question. Sometime later, the waiter returned with their orders.

[Thud!] He rested the synthetic tray at the side of the table then began passing out the meals. “Here are your two large Ketsuga burgers with extra onions and pickles. And for the refreshments….” [Place! Place!] After he finished setting down the orders on the table, he was about to tell the stunning customers to enjoy their meal when he heard one of them started complaining.

Selene inspected her burger before eating and surprisingly there were extra onions spread all over. “What’s this?” she gave a discontent glance to the incompetent waiter. “I specifically requested a large Ketsuga burger without onions. Did you not hear me?”

“Oh!” The waiter was startled, such a rookie mistake was made. “My bad! My bad! But not to worry. That’s an easy fix.” [Clang!] He retrieved Selene’s burger from the table then scampered off to the back kitchen counter. There was an elderly oriental man there who was catering to other orders.

“Boss, Mojo Jojo can I get another burger replacement without onions? I accidentally brought the wrong order to table 19.”

“What? You stupid young fool! Why are you always messing up the customers’ orders? Can’t you read your own damn scribble on the notepad?” Boss Mojo Jojo gave his disappointed tongue to the waiter in training. If he wasn’t properly wearing his face mask, much spittle would have flown all over the burgers aligned on the counter.

“Sorry! Sorry! I know I messed up. But please don’t fire me. I really need this part-time job. Can’t I just take one of these burgers over to the customer?”

“You can’t! Each of these burgers has a special ingredient inside that the customers requested, plus all of them are seasoned with onions. Wait 5 more minute until the next batch of burgers is finished.”

“Alright, then I’ll just pass these out to the other customers in the meantime.” The waiter waited until boss Mojo Jojo retreated further into the kitchen before acting on his own behalf. “Damn old fart. Always labelling me as stupid. I’ll show him that I’m not so dumb.”

[Thud!] The waiter placed the burger he retrieved from the ladies’ table onto the counter. He secretly lifted the separated halves then took out all of the onions inside that he located. “There, this wasn’t so hard.” He hurried back to the table and gave away the reformed burger to Selene. “Here is the Ketsuga burger you ordered, miss. No onions at all.”

“Hm.” Selene checked the burger herself by lifting the top half. Her eyes saw no onions but the smell was still there. “Why does it smells like onions were inside?”

“Ah-em…” The waiter quickly clarified. “That was due to the previous burgers that were delivered in this same tray. Some onion scent must have rubbed off on the base of your burger. That won’t be a problem will it?” he waited patiently for her answer.

“Hmm. As long as there were no onions inside I’m good.” While Selene was closing down her burger she didn’t realize that a tiny slice of onion was stuck underneath the bottom of the top bun.

“Ahh, I’m glad to hear that you are satisfied. Alright then ladies.” The waiter gave a strange gaze to Iyana and Selene while boasting a smile on his sly face. He vacated his presence from their table; returned to the kitchen counter; picked up the remaining orders and began serving them to other customers.

“Huh.” Iyana noticed the waiter from time to time glancing at Selene while he was walking by their table serving other customers their orders. “Selene have you seen how that waiter has been eyeing you? I think he might be interested.”

“What? No, he isn’t.” Selene refused Iyana’s accusations. Moreover, they started eating their burger while drinking occasionally. [Chomp! Chew! Gulp!]

“Yes, he is, girl. I noticed him giving you that look.”

“What look, Iyana?” Selene furrowed her brows as she asked.

“You know, The let’s get kinky look.” Iyana smiled at Selene as she formed an ok sign with her left hand then began poking her right index finger into the hole. Of course, Selene understood what this gesture meant and almost coughed up her drink.

[Cough! Cough!] “You’re delirious, Iyana.”

“Come on, Selene. You should make a move on the hot waiter the next time he passes by. When last have you gotten any?”

Selene answered embarrassingly. “I don’t know. A couple of months now.”

Iyana added: “8 months to be exact!”

“You keeping track?” Selene was startled by how much Iyana knew about her moist area.

“Of course I’m keeping track. You’re my girl after all. So are you going to make a move or not?”

“I don’t think that he’ll like me…” Selene avoided her friend gaze and continued sipping her smoothie. [Sluuurp!]

“Come on, Selene. Look at yourself. You’re gorgeous, easy to talk to, funny, smart not to mention filthy rich! A lot of guys would die just to get the opportunity of brushing legs with you.” Iyana took another sip of her drink. [Gulp! Gulp!]

Selene took a while before saying: “Only if he comes over again then I’ll ask him out.”

“That’s my girl!” Iyana was pleased hearing this. While both of them continued conversing and eating their lunch, they were unaware that they were being watched by a shady character sitting unnoticeably in a nearby corner.

[Chatter! Chatter!] People began gossiping among themselves after recognizing a distinguished group of uniformed characters walking through the plaza. Each of them was donned in resembling apparels that blatantly showcased their authority. Written in all caps on their vest was the famed acronym, FPD.

This small group was headed by a sturdily built male of chocolate tone. His confident stride and imposing demeanour struck fear into the surrounding consumers. [Tap! Tap!] He was repeatedly berating his left palm by softly slapping it with a uniquely designed truncheon. At the tip of this truncheon was a soft round material in the form of a nude bottom, it was commonly known as the Rump Imprisoner.

[Step! Step! Step!]

“Hey, look who is coming over.”

“It’s them! The FPD!”

“What are they doing over here?”

“Did they come to arrest someone or perhaps they’re seeking lunch?”

“Who knows. Don’t stare directly at them. We wouldn’t want to offend the workers of the world’s most influential organisation.”

“Right. Let’s keep our heads down until they pass by.” [Bow! Bow! Bow!]

“This place smells like…” [Sniff! Sniff!] The leader of the small FPD officers snorted while smelling the hundreds of differing scent permeating the environment. Sitting on the base of his nose was a specially concocted device that could enhance a person’s sense of smell exponentially, temporarily giving them greater instinct of wild animals. This important device was called Nose Modifier.

“What is it, sir Hizen?” An officer in the back stepped forward and asked suddenly.

[Sniff! Sniff!] “No out of the ordinary smell except for that rancid pork down the alley.” [Zoom!] Officer Hizen’s sense of smell permeated the vast areas of the plaza. He could discern a colourful trail of fumes tousling about the air. One of the fumes was of a dark brownish colour. Officer Hizen used his keen nose power to follow the mephitic scent through a wall 30 metres out. Very quickly, he located a den of pigs hanging in a slaughter-house.

“I think we’re good here. Let’s go.” Officer Hizen turned to leave with his subordinates. While they were walking away, the shady character who was hiding close by smirked.

“The FPD? Why were they here?” Selene glanced behind her at the officers’ departure.

“Selene! Selene! Hey!”

“Hiup!” Iyana’s voice startled Selene to the point where she almost spilt her drink. “Hey, what are you trying to pull, frightening me like that?”

[Clap! Clap!] “Focus girl.” Iyana gestured to the waiter behind her. “Here he comes. Don’t disappoint me now.”

“Excuse me, ladies. Sorry to interrupt your mealtime.” Before Selene could prepare her plan of approach, the waiter was already standing beside them, talking.

“Hum, can we help you with something?”

“Nothing much. I just wanted to inform you two that second refills of refreshments are free today. So anytime you feel the need, I’m your guy.” He winked at Selene which almost made her blush.

“Oh, thanks for informing us but I think that we’re satisfied for now.” [Bump!] Hearing Selene’s reply, Iyana bumped her leg secretly underneath the table. Without saying a word, she communicated with her friend using only her eyes. “What was that for?”

“Ask him out already!” Iyana gestured.

“Okay, if you’re already satisfied then I’ll go.” The waiter was turning to leave when he felt a sudden pull on his sleeve.

“Wait! I ah…” Now that the handsome waiter’s eyes were fixated on her, Selene felt reluctant to speak. “Huh, sorry I… ahm… would you… like to. Would you like to go…” [Grr!] Before she could finish asking the waiter out, Selene felt a bubbling flatus troubling her. ‘Hah? Of all times from this to be happening now!’

“Hm. What is it?” The waiter waited patiently for Selene to speak up. He saw her biting her lower lip while discreetly glancing behind her and wondered what was up with her.

Selene was secretly envisioning her voluptuous buttocks. ‘My tummy feels ill! But why? I didn’t consume any onions. The cause isn’t important right now. I have to try and suck it in.’ [Bubble! Bubble!] ‘Ahh! I can’t hold it in! I don’t think that I can make it to the restroom either. If I try standing up my butt will probably explode. Then maybe I can silently squeeze it out.’

[Puuuu¬¬¬] Selene clamped the squishy cheeks of her rump together, moreover, she slowly passed wind which soaked into the fluffy chair’s cushion she was sitting on. [Phew!] She felt relieved that no one had noticed her dilemma. ‘*Gasp* That was a close one. It doesn’t smell either. The cushion is probably absorbing it. Thank the lord for sponges.’

[Thud! Sniff! Sniff!] “Huh? Sir Hizen why did you stop so suddenly? Do you smell something suspicious?”

[Sniff! Sniff!] “This poignant stench… it’s fresh and it's coming from back there. Quickly! Follow me before the scent disappears.” Officer Hizen turned around and went back into the Ketsuga Burger restaurant’s premises with his officers.

“Which filthy bastard think they could get off scot-free after passing wind under my nostrils?” [Tap! Tap!] “Officers get ready to hunt!”

[Thud! Thud! Thud!]