"Now that the chain of command is established," Haruka says, breaking the silence with a clap of her hands,
"Let's eat! All this emotional data processing has made me hungry."
Kaito chuckles, shaking his head as he moves to help set the table.
"Never a dull moment with you guys, is there?"
"I'll help too," Lenah says, walking towards the table.
"Onee-chan will help as well~" Touko says, following Lenah with a playful sway of her silver tail.
I'm still processing everything that just happened. I'm not sure what to make of it. I just know that I'm exhausted, confused, and… strangely… content.
My stomach growls ferociously, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything since Kotori's udon.
Huh? Hungry?
"Seems your system requires immediate refueling, Horikita,"
"Kotori, is the tactical sustenance ready for deployment?"
"Sukiyaki is ready for consumption," Kotori announces.
She turns from the stove, holding a large, steaming pot with both hands.
I'm not sure what Sukiyaki is, but the smell… It's incredible. Rich, savory, and slightly sweet. It makes my mouth water.
Kotori places the pot in the center of the table, and everyone gathers around, including me.
"Come on, ace, sit," Haruka says, patting the seat between her and Kotori.
I hesitate for a moment, then slide into the offered spot. Kotori is on my left, Haruka on my right.
"Alright, everyone, dig in!" Haruka says, grabbing... Some sticks?
"What are these?" I ask, pointing at the sticks.
"Chopsticks," Haruka replies, wiggling them in the air.
"They're utensils for eating. A bit tricky to master, but highly efficient once you get the hang of them."
"Utensils?" I repeat.
Using her chopsticks, Kotori takes a piece of meat and offers it to me.
"Open your mouth," Kotori tells me, holding it near my lips.
I stare at the meat, then at Kotori, then back at the meat.
"What is this for?" I ask.
"Nutrient delivery," Kotori replies.
"You require sustenance. I am providing it."
"But… Why are you feeding it to me?"
"It is the most efficient method. It eliminates the need for you to expend energy on utensil manipulation and allows you to focus solely on consumption. This maximizes your caloric intake and accelerates your recovery."
"I can feed myself!" I protest.
"It is not a matter of ability, but of optimization."
"As your assigned protector, I am obligated to prioritize your well-being above all else. This includes optimizing your nutritional intake."
Touko gets up from her seat.
"Not fair! Onee-chan wants to feed Kita, too!" Touko says, grabbing a piece of tofu with her chopsticks and holding it out to me.
"Say 'ah', Kita~"
Haruka can't help herself and also grabs a piece of meat.
"Open wide, Horikita! I want to see if you like it!" Haruka says.
I'm surrounded. Trapped. Three pairs of chopsticks, each holding a different piece of food, are aimed directly at my mouth.
Across the table, Kaito manages an awkward smile, while Lenah simply pinches the plaster of her nose.
"Touko, don't be so childish," Lenah says.
"She is not a doll for you to play with."
"Mou, Lenah, you're no fun," Touko pouts, but she doesn't lower her chopsticks.
"I'm just trying to show my little sister some love."
"By force-feeding her?" Kaito mutters, shaking his head as he takes a bite of his own food.
"It's a valid bonding exercise," Haruka counters, not taking her eyes off me.
"Shared sustenance builds camaraderie. It's a fundamental social algorithm."
I stare at the three offerings, paralyzed by hunger and indecision.
My stomach growls again, and I give in, biting the piece of meat from Haruka's chopsticks.
The meat is tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. It's… incredible.
"Ah, she chose mine!" Haruka declares, looking victoriously at the other two.
Then, I take the tofu from Touko's chopsticks. It's soft, silky, and melts in my mouth.
"Hmph. Onee-chan's is better, right, Kita?" Touko says, puffing out her chest proudly.
Finally, I take the piece of meat from Kotori. It's savory, and the taste is something I've never had before.
"So?" Haruka asks.
"Which one is better?" Touko asks.
"Specify which sample you found most optimal."
I'm overwhelmed by the attention.
"I-I don't know!"
"They're all good!"
"Haruka, Touko, Kotori," Lenah says with a glare,
"You are overwhelming her."
The three of them look at each other.
"Sorry, Horikita," Haruka says, lowering her chopsticks.
"We just wanted to make you feel welcome."
"Yeah, Kita, we were just trying to be nice," Touko adds, pouting slightly.
"Apologies for the disruption," Kotori says, her expression as impassive as ever.
"I will refrain from further attempts to optimize your nutritional intake."
I sigh, shaking my head.
"I'm just… Not used to all this attention."
"Well, get used to it, ace," Haruka says, winking at me.
"You're one of us now. And we take care of our own."
"Us?" I repeat.
"What do you mean?"
Lenah crosses her arms,
"Haruka asked me to join her group. And I accepted her offer."
"I see," I say, nodding slowly.
"Huh?"
"What is the reason for that, Master Lenah?"
"It's thanks to them you're alive and safe," Lenah states, her voice leaving no room for argument.
"They possess resources and knowledge that we do not. To refuse their aid would be illogical and, frankly, arrogant. Our primary objective is survival and understanding the nature of this world's corruption. An alliance is the most efficient path forward."
An alliance. It makes sense. It's logical. But still… It feels like everything is moving too fast. Just a few days ago, it was just me, Touko, and Lenah. Now… Now we're part of a 'unit.'
"So… we're all a team now?" I ask, looking around the table.
"That's the idea," Kaito says, scratching his head.
"A bit of a weird one, but a team nonetheless."
"Team..." I repeat the word, letting it settle in my mind.
It's a foreign concept. In the Underworld, there were alliances and allegiances, but always driven by power and necessity.
"So, what do you say, Horikita?" Haruka asks.
"Are you in?"
I look at each of their faces, searching for something… I don't know what. Reassurance? Acceptance? A sign that I belong here?
I don't know.
But all of them have done something for me.
Lenah saved my life. Touko is always there for me. Haruka and Kotori rescued me, and now they're offering me a place to belong.
And Kaito...
He washed my feet and carried me to safety. He's so nice, so gentle...
My hesitation melts away.
"I'm in," I say, nodding my head.
Haruka raises her glass of water.
"It's official."
Her gaze moves to Lenah first.
"Welcome to the System Breakers, Lenah."
Then, my sister.
"Touko."
Finally, her full, brilliant attention lands on me, and she winks.
"And of course, my ace."
"Now that we're all acquainted, our first official mission starts tomorrow: analyzing the anomaly you brought in."