It’s Delicious. Really

[One Shochu and a boiled egg please.]

In the end, Neito went on the usual Oden shop he always goes to.

It was a cheap shop, up by a guard railing, but there were no other places he could of. Anyway, Maki was a asking him to

[Bring me to the place where you usually eat!]

And he had no choice but to submit to her request because she was too polite in suggesting her request.

On the other hand, This Oden shop was pretty good. While being an Oden shop, the place also serves ordinary food served in diners, such as Menchikatsu or Potato salad.

Although the owner has a scar on his face and looks like a yakuza, he really was a kind and generous person.

[Here you go, young man. You brought yourself a really cute lady with you today… Is this your…]

[Give me a break Owner… She’s just my coworker. If you indicate it that way, wouldn’t that be rude?]

Neito replied jokingly to the shop owner while pouring Shochu into their cups. He took a glance at Maki.

Oh s.h.i.+t, what if she takes this seriously

[No! no no! I’m totally fine with it. Really!]

Maki shook her hands in denial.

 She really is a nice person.

[Hahaha. What will you be having Miss?]

[Aa, Umm—I’ll have broiled radish first…]

[Coming right up…]

After a while, a hot piping Oden was served to her. They were the only costumers in the shop. Maybe the shop isn’t successful because of the Owner’s face…

They made a toast and started eating.

[Wow. It really does look delicious. Thanks for the meal! A – ha Fu—fu—]

/*this is supposed to be Maki blowing her Oden…*/

After swallowing, she showed a face of delight while blowing for another. Neito couldn’t help but look at her.

[??…  What are you looking at…? Aa! Is there something in my face?!]

[No… well… Is it good?]

[It’s really good!]

[I agree. It’s kind of dirty but this is really a good store.]

[Well, I’m sorry that it’s that dirty. Here, it’s on the house]

/*The Owner replied in a sarcastic tone*/

[Thank you very much]

Two of them sat in the old shop eating Oden. It wasn’t a while when they finally got comfortable enough to talk to each other.

[Did you know that you’re the 3rd person to have a meal with me in my entire life?]

[Hmm? I-Is that so?]

[Yeah. The first two were a Senpai from Metallica and a High School friend a while back.]

[Is that so…]

[Neito-kun, what do you usually do on your day off?]

[Hmm. Well, I train by myself. Other than that, I just withdraw from society for a while. What about you?]

[Wow! training by yourself is quite impressive. Me? Well, I’m very free on that day so I usually read a book or take a walk.]

[You’re like an intellectual type… Oh yeah, you said you have a college degree right? Was it from Masa- Ma.s.sachusetts? You’re younger than me, but you have a college degree… that’s really impressive. What kind of degree did you earn?]

[Umm… Biology… and Umm… Engineering]

[Whoa- that’s impressive]

[I-It’s no big deal, really. You’re more impressive than me, accomplis.h.i.+ng so much in your first year in the company. Oh, by the way, once again congratulations on your victory]

It wasn’t as grand as a usual celebration party would go, but Neito had fun. Somehow, He felt Maki was also having fun.

She looked a little drunk; her cheeks were pink from the alcohol. Even so, she looked beautiful as usual.

[Hmm—Did you do something good?]

The store owner sometimes joins his costumer’s conversations, but he knows his place. He asks them discreetly and knows when to ask.

[That’s right! Neito-kun was amazing!]

[Is that so? I hope you continue to be successful in your career.]

The shop owner then brought another serving of Shochu and poured it in for him. It was different kind this time. It was a more expensive kind of Shochu this time.

[Owner… what is–]

[It’s to the future of your career! It’s on the house]

Neito didn’t think of it badly, but having expectations on him was too much, even for him.

[Hahaha… but I’m just a regular office worker so…]

He reached out for tea, but Maki looked at him.

[What are you saying?! That has nothing to do with it. I know you have potential within you]

He purposely asked the owner to serve not too alcoholic drinks to Maki in order for her not to be drunk, but tension began to rise in the shop.

[You’re quite famous within a part of the company. “We’re an Evil Organization! What’s wrong with us doing Evil Deeds?” you sounded really cool back then.]

She sounded of to imitate him; she looked really cute doing so. She didn’t even sound like him.

Neito laughed without noticing. It was too embarra.s.sing for him, so he decided to change the topic.

[By the way, why did you join Metallica?]

It bothered him ever since they took the entrance exam together.

He knew Ikeno’s motives. He was a kind of person who desired knowledge, he wanted power, which Metallica could supply him easily. Maki on the other hand, didn’t look that way.

[…]

Maki fell silent.

s.h.i.+t, I must have hit on something personal.

Neito was about to apologize, but Maki straightened her face, as if she decided something, and replied Neito’s question.

[… I’m half Sapas… My mother was a Sapas…]

The air in the shop suddenly stood still. Silence rang out. He didn’t know if the Shop owner heard her, but he was deep in the shop. /*Shop owner was in the shop out of visual range*/

Sapas. They were commonly known throughout the world as “The fallen Evil Organization”. In reality, the word was to describe a race. Their race evolved differently from normal human beings, and they were considered aborigines.

Other than possessing high intellectual ability, they were no different from normal beings. They existed even before the current civilization was built, and they entered a Cold Sleep for a long period of time. /*Cold Sleep = Hibernation?*/

They awakened to the present world, amazed at the change that happened. Even so, their intellectual capabilities were unmatched throughout the pa.s.sage of time. They soon forged an alliance prompting coexistence between normal human beings and their race.

There were extremist within them, called “The Black Sapas”, who believed that they were the superior race, and they should be in charge of the world.  So They declared a war against the rest of humanity.

A battle between the “Black Sapas” and Guardians raged on for many years but eventually, the Guardians won and the “Black Sapas” were defeated.

Sapas’ who weren’t “Black” hid in the corner of the world avoiding public eye and humiliation. They weren’t granted any rights.

There’s no imagining what kind of treatment they had been through…

[… My mother wasn’t a Black Sapas. She met my father and lived a normal life, until I was 8. Guardians took her, and that was the last we saw of her…]

[… I see…]

Neito understood her. He once experienced a similar situation.

[… It’s not like I wanted revenge but…]

Neito somehow understood her. He was sure the she really wanted to change the world. She wanted to create a world where Mothers aren’t taken from her child with no reason.

He just couldn’t agree with her. Without the Evil Organization, the world would’ve been at peace. He was sure many people wanted it to remain that way. Many people would like to preserve that peace, that’s why Rocks and Guardians exist.

She doesn’t care how many years it would take to change the world, but she chose to join Metallica other than go down another path to change the world. Rocks or Metallica? Which side was on the side of justice? The answer was very obvious.

[… … I’m really a bad person after all… I kept it from you that I’m a Sapas… I’m sorry. You’re the first one I’ve told my secret to…]

Maki was trembling. Her shoulders were shaking a little bit.

That’s no such thing… You aren’t a bad person

He couldn’t say it out loud. It would sound like a white lie.

Neito didn’t want to lie to her. So he did something out of the ordinary. He pat her head.

He didn’t know if she would be grossed out by him actions, but it was the only thing he could think of to comfort her.

[I don’t care if you’re a Sapas. If we were to compare, I think I would turn out to be more evil than you…]

Maki raised her head, looking surprised.

[Let’s change the world… together…]

Neito couldn’t say it out good, but He managed to get his thoughts across.

Even evil can’t accept who you are, but I’m different. I won’t deny who you are. I’ll always fight. With my friends, you, together.

[… … yeah]

Maki raised her face. Her eyes were wet, but they weren’t from crying.

[Here, it’s on the house.]

The shop owner came back in the perfect timing, bringing in two cups of tea with him.

[M-Malt Tea?]

[It’s today’s special]

The cup gave off a delicious smell.

[Maki-san, you should try their tea. It’s really delicious. Although it’s just service tea]

Neito beamed her in a cheerful tone.

[But That doesn’t mean that you need to go… This isn’t Kyoto after all.]

The shop Owner laughed after remarking so.  Despite his evil look, he remarked in a cheerful and playful way. Maki laughed happily.

[Yes… Thank you…]                 /*This part is supposed to be Ittadakimasu

[Thank you for the offer]                    but It’s weird in a English translation, so I changed it */

 The two of them drank in silence.

d.a.m.n, it’s really good.

Looking at his side, Maki was crying while drinking.

[It’s Delicious. Really…]

She’s the cutest thing I ever looked at.

The shop Owner stepped out and lit a smoke.

After eating Maki told him.

[Haa—That was really delicious … Neito-kun…]

[Hmm?]

[I’ll be in your care from now on. Let’s change the world together.]

Her face brightened up. Neito replied

[Of course]

I’ll continue fighting. But you opened my eyes. I’m not alone in this fight.

Bacon causes cancer.