"Wise? You're here."
Trigger was the first to notice him. Hearing her words, Soldier 11 also turned her head.
"Wise, you came at just the right time. Want to eat ramen together? Trigger just promised me she'd eat hell-spicy ramen with me."
"Hmm... Can I not eat it?" Trigger asked hesitantly.
"Now? Trigger, you're not joking, are you?"
Soldier 11 showed no mercy toward Trigger's hesitation.
"You said you'd eat with me. During today's mission, your Ethereal kill count was lower than mine. Honoring a bet is an essential quality of an excellent soldier."
"Ugh... But hell-spicy is a bit... It'll affect my condition for tomorrow's mission..."
Trigger tried to refuse. She wasn't exaggerating.
Since she had lost her sight and her other senses had become heightened, overly spicy food made her tongue extremely uncomfortable.
"...I see. Your concerns are indeed valid. I was too naïve to think you could become my hell-spicy ramen comrade..."
Soldier 11 showed a disappointed expression, appearing genuinely let down. However, after hearing this, Trigger fell silent.
"Comrade... General Chop, please give us two bowls of hell-spicy ramen."
"You changed your mind just from hearing the word 'comrade'?! Don't be impulsive!"
Wise quickly spoke up to persuade her. After all, Soldier 11's ramen preference wasn't something an ordinary person could handle, let alone someone in Trigger's condition.
"Don't worry, Wise. I'm considering changing the bet... I truly can't assume everyone can withstand the impact of this bowl of ramen," Soldier 11 said.
"No, I'm fine, Wise. A bet is a bet... It's only slight stimulation to my taste buds. Showing a soldier's resilience and spirit will make it no problem... Of course, if I can't last, please take me back to the video store and let me rest there, preferably lying on a bed..."
When Wise heard this, he immediately thought, 'Hey, hey! That last part isn't her real goal, is it?'
Soldier 11 began reconsidering whether the bet was reasonable, but at this moment, Trigger's determination was as firm as that of a passionate recruit in the Defense Force, making her impossible to dissuade.
Soon after, two black bowls of hell-spicy ramen were served. Along with them came the bowl Wise had ordered, but to fit in, he had also added hell-spicy.
Seeing this, both of them showed happy expressions. Then, Trigger took a deep breath, grabbed her chopsticks, and immediately started eating.
Throughout the meal, her movements paused several times, but she persisted. She didn't shed a single drop of sweat or gasp for breath.
Sitting between the two, Wise silently used his ability to heal his taste buds while eating. He was amazed by Trigger's endurance.
Afterward, Trigger's lips were slightly swollen and red, and she spoke with a slightly trembling voice.
"...It was delicious. Thank you for the meal."
"Finishing an entire bowl without changing your expression... Young lady, you've got quite some skill!"
General Chop praised her with a smile, and Wise, standing beside him, also received his approval.
"General Chop... Was some kind of seasoning sauce added to this ramen to enhance the flavor? Is it a concentrate made from some kind of shrimp oil?"
"You can actually taste that? This is my secret recipe..."
Hearing that Trigger could identify the secret recipe after tasting it only once, General Chop's reaction could no longer be described as simple surprise.
"Sorry, I took the liberty of analyzing the source of every flavor I tasted... Although I lost consciousness from the spiciness several times, I probably already know how to make a bowl of hell-spicy ramen."
Then, Trigger looked at Soldier 11 beside her and spoke seriously.
"Every time I cooked for you at the barracks, you complained that it wasn't spicy enough. Now, I think I can make a flavor that satisfies you."
"Trigger... You've gone to such lengths for me. You truly are my most reliable comrade. If I don't do something for you, I'd be an unqualified soldier."
Soldier 11 was deeply touched by Trigger's actions. The latter became overjoyed and immediately lowered her voice, speaking softly.
"In that case, I hope Soldier 11, you can accept me and—"
"Wise... What flavor of ramen do you like? I'll order a bowl for Trigger to try."
"What?"
Just as everyone thought Trigger was about to say something astonishing, Soldier 11's sudden words caught Wise off guard, and Trigger was equally surprised.
"Cough... Soldier 11, that's not necessary..."
"Why are you asking me this?" Wise looked at the seemingly shy Trigger, then turned to ask Soldier 11.
The latter didn't hide anything.
"She mentioned to me earlier that she wanted to know what you liked to eat, so she could find an opportunity to cook it for yo—Hmmph!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Trigger quickly covered Soldier 11's mouth.
It was obvious that Trigger, who hadn't even broken a sweat after eating an entire bowl of hell-spicy ramen, was now completely red. Even a few drops of sweat rolled down her face.
Soldier 11 didn't understand why Trigger suddenly became so agitated. She was merely fulfilling her request.
Moreover, this way, when there was an opportunity to invite Wise to visit them in the future, the food could be more suited to his tastes.
"Wise, please forget everything you just heard!"
Trigger didn't know what Soldier 11 was thinking. She looked at Wise nervously and shyly.
Seeing this, he merely smiled.
"As long as it's made by you, Trigger, I'll like it~"
[Ding! Target Trigger: has increased her favorability toward the host by 1. Her current favorability is now 96. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 45,500]
"...Wise, don't play along with her. At least specify a few dishes... I'll go practice them," Trigger said timidly.
"Alright, as long as it's not too much trouble for you..."
After a brief moment of silence, under General Chop's smiling gaze, Trigger and Soldier 11 bowed slightly, stood up, and left the ramen shop with Wise.
"A very meaningful meal... I saw a rare side of you."
"...If you say another word, you won't get to eat my cooking."
On their way out, Soldier 11 talked about what had just happened with a slight curve on her lips, but Trigger felt somewhat resistant to the teasing.
"Oh, right, if you're going to cook at the video store, remember to call me. I also want to eat with my best partner."
Soldier 11 didn't forget to remind Trigger, who nodded helplessly after hearing her.
"I know... I'll bring you along. After tomorrow's operation, want to try my hell-spicy ramen?"
"Mm, okay. Also... you go back first."
"...Why?"
Facing Soldier 11, who had stopped beside her, Trigger was puzzled. She vaguely had a guess, but the former had no intention of telling her.
"I still have some things to do with Wise..."
"Oh, I... I see..."
After understanding the reason, Trigger immediately looked disappointed, even showing a hint of pitifulness. However, that expression only lasted for an instant.
Soon, she returned to her usual self, stating that she would not give up, even if she had temporarily failed this time.
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Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street
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