The afternoon at Grandpa's Noodles was quieter than usual. Vash sat near the corner of the restaurant with his mathematics book open in front of him, occasionally looking toward the kitchen while his grandparents continued working.
He had been studying for several hours, but his attention was beginning to wander.
Then the restaurant door opened.
Three men walked inside.
The atmosphere changed almost immediately.
They didn't look like ordinary customers. Their clothes were simple, but their expressions were cold, and the way they walked made it obvious that they weren't worried about anyone around them.
The man in front looked around the restaurant before taking a seat.
The other two remained standing behind him.
Grandpa immediately recognized them.
His expression became tense.
"Welcome," he said carefully. "What would you like to order?"
The man leaned back in his chair.
"Your best dish."
Grandpa hesitated.
"Our best?"
The man nodded.
"I've heard this restaurant has some good food."
His eyes moved around the restaurant before settling on Grandpa.
"So bring me the best thing you have."
Grandpa forced a smile.
"Of course."
Vash quietly watched them.
Something about the three men bothered him.
He focused his attention on them.
The moment he did, a transparent interface appeared before his eyes.
---
[OBSERVATION ANALYSIS]
Target Detected.
Target 1
Name: Unknown
Age: 32
Physical Condition: Good
Strength: 6.8 / 10
Threat Level: Moderate
Target 2
Name: Unknown
Age: 29
Physical Condition: Good
Strength: 6.2 / 10
Threat Level: Moderate
Target 3
Name: Unknown
Age: 35
Physical Condition: Excellent
Strength: 7.5 / 10
Threat Level: High
Additional Information:
Target 3 appears to hold a senior position within a local criminal organization.
Observation Skill: Basic
Analysis Accuracy: Limited
---
Vash's expression became serious.
Seven point five...
The third man was clearly the strongest.
More importantly, the system had classified him as a high-level threat.
Vash slowly closed his mathematics book.
He didn't know who these men were.
But Grandpa clearly did.
The man in front tapped his fingers against the table.
"Well?"
Grandpa nodded quickly.
"We'll prepare it."
The three men exchanged looks.
The right-hand man leaned slightly forward.
"And make sure it's good."
Grandpa stopped.
The man's voice became colder.
"I don't like disappointing meals."
He paused for a moment.
"And I have very little patience for people who disappoint me."
The meaning behind his words was obvious.
Grandpa's expression tightened.
"I understand."
He turned toward the kitchen.
"Please wait."
Vash watched his grandfather disappear behind the kitchen door.
Grandma was already preparing the food.
Vash could see the tension in her movements.
He quietly walked toward the kitchen.
"Grandma."
She looked at him.
"Stay outside, Vash."
"But—"
"Please."
Vash stopped.
He understood from her expression that something was wrong.
He returned to his seat.
The three men waited.
Nobody spoke.
The restaurant had suddenly become unusually quiet.
Vash looked at the man with the highest threat level again.
The man noticed.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, neither of them looked away.
The man's expression changed slightly.
Then he smiled.
Vash felt a strange chill.
He immediately looked down at his book.
Don't attract attention.
A few minutes later, Grandpa brought out their best dish.
The man looked at the bowl.
He picked up his chopsticks.
The entire restaurant seemed to hold its breath.
He took the first bite.
Then stopped.
His expression was impossible to read.
Vash watched carefully.
The man slowly placed his chopsticks down.
"Not bad."
Grandpa let out a quiet breath.
But the man wasn't finished.
He looked directly at Grandpa.
"However..."
The atmosphere became tense again.
Vash's eyes narrowed.
Whatever these men wanted, it clearly wasn't just a meal.
And judging from the way Grandpa reacted to them—
this was probably not their first visit.