The grass after the rain was damp, and the scent of earth rose as the roots swayed. The masked man carrying the grill barked at the playing children, telling them to stay away so they wouldn't get their clean clothes dirty.
The nun and the man followed behind, carrying the ingredients. Along the way, the nun still didn't understand why the man and Kalpas had suddenly decided to take everyone out for... a barbecue?
"Um... Mr. Ultraman... why did you..."
"..."
The man didn't answer. His attention remained on the children playing ahead. He rubbed his chin, staring at the purple stripes—the symbols of calamity—lost in thought.
"Mr. Ultraman?"
"...Nothing. I just wanted to eat barbecue," the man said plainly, lowering his hand.
He did have an ulterior motive, but for the people of the sanitarium, it made no difference.
"Wanted to eat barbecue?" But this was Sundown Alley. Forget barbecue; even smiling was a difficult task here. Even with the money the man had provided for support, this massive outing to luxuriously roast food in the wild was far too flashy.
The nun didn't want to eat barbecue either. Many in Sundown Alley couldn't even get a bite to eat, yet they...
"Eating is eating, whether it's barbecue or not. There's no need to feel that a seemingly luxurious method is wasteful; food not eaten is what's wasteful." The man seemed to read her thoughts. "Fill your own bellies first, then think of others."
The nun looked at the children. She frowned and sighed, turning to head back. "Then I won't—"
"No, you must come too." The man's gloved hand grabbed her wrist.
At that moment, Kalpas, who was setting up the grill, felt a boy pat his backside. He turned with a "Huh?" and glared at the brat, only for the boy to lean in fearlessly and ask, "Brother Kalpas, why does the new brother look so close to Sister Aponia?"
Kalpas saw the nun being held by the wrist, arguing with the man.
He slapped the back of the boy's head. "None of your business."
"Ow..." The boy rubbed his head, pouting. "Brother Kalpas, you've done nothing but yell at Sister Aponia since you got here. You aren't gentle at all. That's why Sister Aponia is always angry."
Of course, that comment only earned him another slap. Kalpas wouldn't tolerate such cheek.
Meanwhile, the argument reached a conclusion.
The nun spoke with a slightly firmer tone: "I do not wish to eat. Today's prayers are not finished. Please let me go back."
"...Prayers can wait."
"But I don't—"
"They would probably like to have a meal with you."
"..."
The nun surrendered under the expectant gazes of the children. Seeing her stop resisting, the man let go of her wrist and nodded to Kalpas.
Kalpas snorted and went back to starting the fire.
...
"Ha~" Nuwa yawned, slumped sickly over the desk. "I'm so sleepy... Fuxi, how much longer until break?"
"One more hour."
"So~ long~"
Nuwa rubbed her eyes and sighed. "If I knew, I wouldn't have stayed up last night to bid on that figure..."
Fuxi glanced at Mobius office and replied calmly, "Just hold on. The Doctor could come out for an inspection at any time."
"Ah... speaking of which, I really miss Lin. When he was here, we didn't have to worry about the Doctor coming out. The two of them would stay in the office or her private lab for half a day." Nuwa aimlessly tapped her pen on the desk, ignoring the untouched report. "Why did he suddenly leave for a mission?"
"Did you forget? Lin was always a mission maniac. He only stopped going out as much once he became a member of the lab." Fuxi spread her hands. "He's different from us; the things he does are much more dangerous."
"...I remember now. He was so scary the first time I met him. I felt like he was going to charge over and strangle me at any second."
Nuwa touched her neck, feeling a lingering fear. She remembered seeing the rumored "Helmet Man" for the first time years ago; that cold, murderous aura didn't even seem like it could come from a human being.
Now, Lin had mellowed a lot—at least she didn't find him nearly as terrifying anymore.
"I actually miss him a bit. How long until he gets back?"
"Who knows? How could we have the clearance to know what mission Lin is on?"
Fuxi stopped writing, a sharp glint in her eyes.
"However... it's definitely a life-or-death, dangerous mission."
...
"Add more cumin." The man directed Kalpas as he roasted meat skewers.
"I know! I don't need you to tell me!" Kalpas irritably sprinkled cumin on the skewers. "Why are you constantly muttering in my ear! Are you some master chef?"
"..."
Under the man's guidance, the barbecue gradually emitted a rich aroma. The children sat on blankets, drooling and waiting expectantly. The nun sat in the middle, looking a bit out of place and unsure of what to do.
"Sister Aponia, that big brother and Brother Kalpas get along so well. I've never seen Brother Kalpas be so even-tempered with anyone."
A little girl pulled the nun's hand and pointed at the man standing by the grill. The nun blinked, then looked at the man and nodded hesitantly.
What kind of person is he?
He was here to investigate, yet he had integrated into the sanitarium so quickly. He was cold and silent, yet he could say things that moved the heart.
He helped the sanitarium, so he should be a good person...
The nun recalled the man's letter and his gun—the cold gaze in the cool moonlight.
"..."
While she was lost in thought, a plate of skewers was placed before her.
"Yay!"
The children cheered, picking up the skewers that were sizzling with fat. Some children ignored the heat and shoved them directly into their mouths, only to yelp as they got burned, while smarter children blew on them, though their drool was already escaping from the corners of their mouths...
In the sanitarium, they had never eaten such a luxurious meat feast. Aponia ascetic nature influenced the entire sanitarium, making their daily meals very simple. While not exactly bad, it inevitably got boring after a while.
This barbecue was like a seasoning for their calm life. Perhaps it wasn't special enough to be remembered for a lifetime, but they would certainly remember the big brother who took them out for it.
"Here."
A skewer was handed to the nun.
She looked up and saw that comical mask.