ch43

If Neo Haven is a metropolis rebuilt on flat land, centered around the atomic power plant and orbital elevator, masterpieces of old America, and the heart of civilization.

Harvest Planet, from its construction, is a hub for material production with a bizarre multi-layered structure, likely reflecting Paradise Corp’s tastes.

Having experienced both cities directly and indirectly, I’d say the zoning here was cleaner, with less Mega Corp infighting.

But even though all the renowned engineers and designers must have flocked here.

Whether by mistake or intentionally, there were sections on the middle levels that received no natural light all day, obscured by the upper levels regardless of the sun’s position.

The concentrated radiance of neon elements stabs at my retinas, almost painfully.

They rush towards my eyes, as if their self-assertion takes precedence over any consideration for potential customers.

“Helena, didn’t you say we were going to the restaurant district?”

“? That’s why I brought you here.”

……Whatever she claims, visually, this doesn’t look like an alley you’d visit for a meal.

It’s not that I don’t trust Helena, but I can’t shake my suspicion and my eyes dart around.

Every time I look at the countless store signs, I check the advertisements and registered store descriptions that appear like explanatory notes.

[ Mi piace carne. Awaken your carnivorous instincts at our synthetic meat specialty restaurant! ]

[ Man Hwa Ru (萬化樓). Did you know that the taste of food ultimately depends on its aroma? Would you like to enjoy ten thousand joys with ten thousand scents? ]

[ Pleasure from Above. For those of you tired of convenience food, come to our restaurant, which only offers menus that recreate the delicacies (Great Dish) of a venerable past. ]

“…It’s real?”

This isn’t a red-light district? No way.

I’m dumbfounded by the introduction, which is completely different from what I hastily judged based on the store names, even though I don’t know why it’s real.

Looking again, the people standing on the street, puffing on cigarettes and wandering around with languid expressions, aren’t experiencing post-coital bliss, but simply enjoying a post-meal smoke and feeling full.

I suspected alone and was fooled alone.

“Even if the restaurants are a bit small, many have expensive cooking equipment, so feel free to look around, and if it’s hard to decide, we can just go to our usual place. …Oh, since Ann’s here, steak might be a bit difficult.”

“Sorry, Asha. It’s just that the sight of blood dripping is a bit much in many ways….”

Ann trails off, and Helena grins, as if she’s already been granted permission to use a nickname.

I wave my hand at the former to mean it’s okay, and to the latter… I just shrug.

……What? How can I, your one and only best friend, who also has to be stuck with you at work, endure being called Anastasia every time? I’d rather just give in first.

“Then… you guys can pick the place. I don’t have much of an appetite because I’ve been snacking.”

After deciding to personally look for a restaurant that sells food I miss later, I leave the decision entirely to the locals.

I cross the 22nd-century version of a food alley with them, sharing light conversation and laughter.

It felt like I could hear people’s eyes rolling at the sight of the silver daffodil and brown hibiscus, two natural beauties that are hard to achieve with cheap plastic surgery.

Plus, I could feel that the gazes directed at me had noticeably decreased thanks to them, so I could deeply appreciate the importance of a line-of-sight barrier.

But… if Ann has trouble with blood or steak, does she have hemophobia or necrophobia (a disease that causes extreme fear of corpses or parts thereof)? …I naturally admired how she’s managed to do police work for so many years.

“Asha? This way!”

“…It’s our usual place after all.”

I followed them as they were sucked into a building that seemed to house a familiar regular spot.

Walking a little along the passage with the primary-colored lights behind us… suddenly, a landscape made of a familiar but rarely seen material appeared.

“Oh…? Wow…!”

Slightly reddish, with subtle grain, dark brown walls, wood. And even lanterns hanging proudly?

On closer inspection, it wasn’t real wood, but just interior and props painted so realistically that it was easy to mistake, but my expectations were already at their peak.

[ Izakaya Rimen. Take a break from your tiring day! Why don’t you experience the exotic culture that is the root of Enama Corporation? ]

The appearance of a completely unexpected Japanese restaurant made my heart flutter for no reason, even though my purpose for coming wasn’t gluttony.

I’d just eaten stir-fried noodles recently, so my desire for salty-sweet flavors had been ignited.

Zhiing….

• Welcome—! –

As we approached, the automatic door, which had an image of a Japanese curtain being printed as if we had to push our way through, opened.

Even though it was a sound source played by a machine installed at the entrance, the voice, which was recorded with considerable enthusiasm, greeted the group.

Where are the staff? Unfortunately, it seemed that everything had been cut back, as the two regulars went straight to a corner and took a seat at an empty table without hesitation.

Or, they were about to.

“What’s wrong?”

“…….”

Ann, who sat down first in the innermost seat, and Helena, who gestured for me to quickly come in and sit next to Ann.

……Wait a minute? If three people are sitting at a table for four, shouldn’t one person sit across from the others, even if the numbers don’t match? It was logically difficult to explain why I had a feeling that if I sat there, I would be sitting between two women.

I, who wanted to remain an observer, had to set an example.

“…Asha is usually very admirable, but sometimes she seems too heartless.”

“…I don’t know what you mean.”

I slipped out from under her raised arm and successfully took the seat across from them, the one on the outside so Helena couldn’t squeeze in.

Considering her physical abilities, it would be more accurate to say that I was successfully taken, but anyway.

I quietly observed the two of them skillfully operating the touch screens built into the table, one on each side, to order food.

…There’s definitely a point that I made a mistake first and caused a misunderstanding, but I remember Helena’s confession, which was quite passionate and ardent.

If I retrace her words, which didn’t have any prejudice and didn’t reject the impulse that bloomed, it wouldn’t be strange if she was dating Ann, who had expressed feelings beyond friendship, so why are they just friends?

But on the other hand, I don’t know Ann’s true feelings for sure… there’s no guarantee that her affectionate feelings are unrequited… and above all, I’m worried about what kind of hardships and endings this relationship will face that will turn this playful and eloquent superhuman police officer into a wolf.

Perhaps it’s human nature to fear even minor changes, so everyone lives satisfied with maintaining the status quo, giving their own reasons….

“……Ugh.”

Ah…!! Continuing to worry without a clear answer was driving me crazy. I should get them drunk quickly and find out something.

“For food… we can each just add gyoza to our ramen. Ann’s having beer… what about Asha? Or, can you even drink?”

“Of course……!”

I barely managed to close my mouth, which was about to answer yes.

If I say I can’t drink here… no, if I say I can’t drink at all, they might refuse. If I lie and say I’m weak, I can legally stay sober.

It’s a truly devilish idea.

“…Please make it something weak, Helena.”

“Hmm… then Chu-Hi would be good.”

Beep!

Helena’s hand lightly tapped the screen.

The order proceeded without any hitches, and the food was completed even faster and delivered to our table by a wheeled transport robot.

With steaming bowls of ramen in front of us, we raised our glasses first.

Helena, as if she had been holding back the words she wanted to say all this time, gave a heartfelt speech for the toast.

“Okay, Asha! Welcome to this industry! ……Honestly, it’s awkward to reveal where we work, and I can never say that I like everything we do. But I hope you believe that it’s a path to upholding justice, even if it’s only a little!”

“Lena, really….”

“……I’ll keep that in mind.”

Clink…!

I clink my glass and enjoy the taste of carbonation and synthetic flavoring that wraps around the tip of my tongue.

If you fit the morality you hold into a distorted frame, the shape may be a little distorted, but the essence doesn’t change.

After all, Helena Valentine was just following what she believed was right.

“…Hiccup!”

…But what is this pleasant floating sensation and coziness?

……Ah, that’s right. There was ramen and gyoza left. I almost forgot…? And I have to quickly refill my empty glass… and I have to probe Ann’s inner thoughts… and….

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“…Oh my?”

“Ah?!”

If you exclude non-alcoholic beverages, the drink with probably the lowest alcohol content in the store wets the black-haired girl’s lips and goes down her throat.

…In just a few seconds, her skin turned red from her collarbone, and her entire face quickly turned red.

If there was a sound when the blood rushed in, the sound effect of “poof!” would have echoed in the restaurant.

Helena was about to search for the location of the nearest field hospital due to her younger sister’s dramatic change, which looked like she was about to faint at any moment.

However… Anastasia Valentine did not collapse.

Because she still had unfinished business.

Slurp! Slurrrrp—!

“”…….””

Following the cheerful slurping of noodles, there was even a combative devouring of gyoza. A clean series of continuous movements that wouldn’t be inferior to her sister’s swordsmanship continued, and Anastasia, who had completed her share of calorie intake, jumped up from her seat.

Then, quietly, she moved to the seat next to Helena and leaned her head on her shoulder.

“…Asha? Are you okay?”

Seeing that she approached her without hesitation, it was clear that she was drunk… but Helena spoke to her to check if she was conscious.

…The answer that came back from her admirable younger sister exceeded her imagination.

“…Helena. The best. Thank you for always shining.”

“…What?”

After expressing her gratitude for the favors and help she had received so many times in games and in reality, her tired body now called for sleep.

Anastasia, who had emptied her own insides instead of digging anything out, glared at Ann with all her remaining strength… and lowered her head. …Even breaths tickled the ears of the two.

After a moment of silence, Ann, who had experienced similar cases several times, spoke first.

“My goodness… her drinking habits are just like Lena’s.”

“……I was like this?”

“The part where you become honest and clingy…?”

After speaking, Ann picked up her chopsticks and started eating the noodles that had cooled down appropriately.

On the other hand, Helena was busy racking her brains to remember.

At first, he approached her simply because she was attractive and matched his tastes, and he heard that she risked her life for her only remaining family. But no matter how much he thought about it, he had no idea why Anastasia had such unconditional trust in him.

Whether the food cooled or not, she brushed her sleeping sister’s hair, deepening her thoughts.

…Of course, from a third party’s point of view, they looked exactly like real sisters, so there was nothing strange about it.

Therefore, while acting like it was nothing, Anne’s thoughts also deepened.

First, awareness. Then, a suitable opportunity, the flow of emotions, and a rosy future.

“Maybe… Asha might really understand me.”