[[[ Katie's Family Restaurant / Evening ]]]
All members of Squad 293 from the Special Division had gathered at the restaurant, sharing a meal around a single large table on this calm and beautiful evening, in a familial rather than chaotic atmosphere.
Grandfather Hawer had strictly forbidden alcohol as a basic condition for allowing these gatherings, and he didn't allow work talk either.
That was a good thing on his part.
Zeus kept glancing toward the far entrance of the restaurant from time to time, and Sam and Sorai never missed a chance to tease him each time he did.
(Sam, speaking to Sorai): Look, that's the second time he turns his head.
Sorai looked at Zeus and spoke seriously this time, without laughing:
_ My friend, forget it. She's not coming... We know her better than you do.
(Zeus): I don't know... My gut tells me she will come... But it seems you're right.
(Sam): See? Don't always trust your gut... You asked me to remind you when it fails you—and now you can see it for yourself, it's...!!... I can't believe my eyes!
(Zeus, surprised): What? ... Is she behind me?
Zeus noticed Sorai's expression matched Sam's, so he quickly turned around, but when he saw no one at the entrance, his confusion deepened—until loud laughter broke his thoughts.
(Alia): You two idiots, stop messing with him...
The trio's laughter cut off abruptly, and silence fell with confused stares.
(Zeus): I'm not foolish enough to be tricked twice... John, pass me that sauce in front of your brother George.
John grabbed the small dish, but as he was about to hand it to Zeus, his expression froze too.
(Zeus): You too!!... I thought you were the only honest man here!!... Didn't you tell me that honesty is the key to bonding with animals?
...
"Wait, cats don't lie" Zeus realized someone was behind him when he saw John's cat staring intently behind him too.
He turned around—and saw her.
Beatrix was approaching with steady, calm, and perhaps slightly shy steps... What stood out this time was how unusually elegant she looked.
Instead of her usual combat metal suit, she wore a long black dress, which looked incredibly beautiful with her silver hair and deep black pupils.
Her attire was modest and flowing, fitting for a girl from a noble family, and an aura of grace and beauty made her shine like a gem in the eyes of those around her.
(Zeus): You actually came!?
(Beatrix, embarrassed and softly annoyed): Would you prefer I turn back?
_ Don't drive me insane—I've had enough nonsense from these idiots already... Come sit down and don't talk about leaving again.
Zeus kicked Sam, who was sitting next to him, sending him tumbling to the floor in laughter upon seeing his friend Zeus so flustered. Zeus then hurriedly prepared the chair and spot next to him for Beatrix to sit.
(Beatrix): You didn't have to do that!... There are plenty of empty seats.
_ Don't you have any part of you that wants to punch this idiot?
Beatrix responded with a small closed-lip smile that seemed to say "Really?"
_ I saved your portion of food... I was about to pack it up if you were just a minute later.
"I didn't expect to take this long getting ready... What am I even doing here?" Beatrix thought silently, and as she watched Zeus rush into the kitchen, she wondered if the answer might be in front of her, though she wasn't sure of herself at all.
---
Tall Hanabi, with her ponytail, spoke excitedly to Beatrix:
_ Where did you get that dress?... The earrings are beautiful too... Aren't they made of black Kwar? I heard that color is rare for these gemstones.
Beatrix replied shyly:
_ These clothes belonged to my mother. I honestly don't know much about them.
"Look at her dodging so smoothly... What's with that deceptive expression!?" Alia thought to herself, annoyed.
"You poor girl... They filled your whole life with battles and training, and never gave you time to live like a normal girl," Hanabi thought sincerely, before deciding to break the wall Beatrix always placed around herself... She decided to use the only bridge she saw that could pass that wall.
_ Does Zeus remember anything?
(Beatrix): No...
(Hanabi): No... Nothing at all... It's sad to lose happy memories, but we should never forget—we can always make new ones... and they can be even better than the old ones...
Beatrix took the offered hand and replied calmly:
_ You might be right.
(Zeus): Sorry for the delay.
Both girls quickly pulled their hands away at Zeus's sudden appearance. Hanabi went straight to pet John's cat sleeping on his broad shoulder, and Beatrix awkwardly thanked Zeus as he placed the food in front of her.
_ Enjoy your meal, beautiful lady. I hope our restaurant's service meets your expectations.
(Beatrix, flustered): You don't work here, do you?
Zeus answered calmly in a serious poker face, whispering:
_ You fool. It's just part of the show.
(Beatrix, shocked): !!... What?!
Zeus hurried off back to the kitchen, and Sam commented:
_ See? He's the one who needs a beating, not me.
(Beatrix): I see... You're right.
Then she sighed, deciding to just live with the foolishness of this man who clearly didn't know how to respect others.
(Sam, whispering to Sorai): That's some noticeable progress.
(Sorai, whispering to Sam): It might not be what it looks like... Maybe they're just being their genuine selves, without any hidden intentions.
Sam gave him a look like "Are you dumb?"
And Sorai shrugged, as if to say "Believe what you want… that's just my opinion."
(George): We need to head out early today... Sorry, everyone... John, let's go.
The twins said their goodbyes and left, and Alia also apologized before departing.
That left Zeus, Sam, Sorai, Hanabi, Katie, and Beatrix.
Inside the restaurant, the grandparents were still present.
(Beatrix): Sorry, it seems I really came quite late.
(Sam): No, no... You're not that late. It's just that those guys left early... Normally, we stay up for several more hours.
(Zeus): I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
(Sam): That's for sure.
(Zeus): Are you implying something?
_ No... What would I be implying?... You're overthinking—seems like you're getting sleepy.
_ That's not it. Do you want a fight to prove how active I still am?
_ Spare me.
(Katie): I want to make some quick desserts. Who's going to help me?
(Hanabi): Coming!
Beatrix looked at the "three idiots" sitting beside her, and without thinking, decided to follow the girls.
(Sorai, grabbing Zeus's shirt): Where do you think you're going?
_ They said there's dessert.
_ You heard that right—but there's no dessert ready yet. They're going to make it.
_ Oh really... I didn't hear that part... Well, I'll go get a glass of water... Sorai, my friend, it's rude to keep holding me like this... Come on, let go—I'm not going anywhere.
Sorai let go, and immediately Zeus jumped to run—but Sam was ready, and jumped right at the moment Zeus moved, grabbing both his legs tightly.
The two fell to the floor, and Zeus finally gave up resisting after a while.