Chapter 256: Lunch Disturbance
In response, Kotori immediately stood up and nodded. "Leave it to me."
As her words fell, she once again fixed her gaze on the screen in front of her. Watching her sink back into her game, Franklin helplessly walked over and opened her wristwatch.
After making a few adjustments, a surveillance feed that Franklin had previously forcibly shut down was turned back on. The figures of the two little ones were projected beside the game screen.
"Captain, even though you're also a kid, don't forget that you're carrying a heavy responsibility."
"So annoying. I know already. I'll pay attention."
Game arcades really ruin people. Franklin smiled helplessly. Back in his previous life, he had been pretty much the same way as a kid.
No longer paying attention to Kotori, Franklin took Tohka and Origami by the hand and headed out of the restaurant toward the snack street.
Standing on either side of Franklin, Origami and Tohka exchanged a glance and both snorted angrily.
Franklin was utterly helpless. These two had been fighting from start to finish. The fact that they weren't throwing punches now was already a miracle.
As for mentioning that the wristwatch was a gift from him and Origami—there was no doubt that would provoke Tohka's dissatisfaction. Franklin wasn't about to invite trouble for himself.
Strolling through the snack street, Tohka's eyes instantly lit up. The dazzling variety of food even caught Franklin off guard. All he could say was that Ratatoskr's preparations were indeed thorough.
"Lin, can I eat whatever I want?"
"No problem. I just don't know if the flavors will suit you. Try them first. If they don't, just tell me which ones you like and I'll make them for you."
After hearing Franklin's words, Tohka nodded seriously, then quickly ran off.
Standing quietly beside Franklin, Origami carefully observed Tohka's every move. Watching her press her face against the display window, eyes shining as she eagerly placed her order with the vendor, the sense of inner conflict in Origami grew stronger.
Feeling the warmth of Franklin's hand, Origami softly exhaled and gradually returned to a calm state.
At that moment, Tohka excitedly accepted a skewer of teppanyaki squid from the vendor. After taking a bite, the joyful expression on her face vanished instantly. She looked at Franklin with a face full of grievance.
"Lin, the boss poisoned me. It tastes awful. Can I smash this shop?"
The moment those words came out, the shop owner—who was still cooking squid—froze with an awkward expression. His pleading gaze immediately shifted to Franklin.
Franklin smiled and waved at him, then turned to Tohka with a helpless expression.
"Didn't I tell you beforehand? If you can't get used to it, just tell me. Your stomach and taste buds have already been spoiled by me."
"Just as expected of an evil spirit…"
Hearing that evaluation, Tohka instantly exploded with anger, but upon seeing Franklin, she quickly calmed down again.
"You come taste it too. Be objective, understand?"
Faced with Tohka's contemptuous gaze, Origami—unwilling to believe it—walked over to the stall and asked the vendor for another already-cooked skewer of teppanyaki squid. The moment it entered her mouth, her expression changed.
A metallic taste, fishiness, bitterness, saltiness, layers of seasoning—all of it surged into her brain at once. The skewer slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
A phantom of armor appeared around Origami as the virtual projection of her armament deployed.
"Fraud. Making food this disgusting and still coming out here to harm people. This shop really should be smashed."
Seeing Origami about to act immediately, Franklin rubbed his forehead helplessly and quickly stepped forward to pull her back.
"No need to get worked up. Didn't I just explain that this is because your sense of taste was reset and refined by me? It's not the shop owner's fault. He really did put effort into it."
"Hmph. Evil Origami. You're even worse than me—actually trying to use force."
Recalling what she had just said, Origami quickly returned to her usual blank expression. "It really is hard to eat… Sorry about that."
Hearing Origami apologize, Franklin looked at her in surprise, then quickly looked away. With a light snap of his fingers, two molecular-cuisine teppanyaki squid skewers appeared in their hands.
"Alright, don't dwell on it. There are plenty of other foods ahead. If we don't hurry, it'll be time for the next activity."
At Franklin's words, Tohka instantly lost interest in continuing her rivalry with Origami. After circling the snack street once and talking with several vendors, she quickly ran back to Franklin.
"Lin, I know what I want to eat now! Takoyaki, yakisoba, dorayaki, oden, taiyaki, grilled chicken skewers, tempura…"
Watching Tohka enthusiastically reel off a long list like she was reading a menu, Franklin brought her to a table. With a light snap of his fingers, one snack after another appeared in front of her.
In an instant, Tohka's eyes sparkled as she began eating at top speed.
Seeing this, Franklin smiled, then turned to Origami Tobiichi, who was standing beside him staring blankly at Tohka devouring all kinds of food.
"How about it? Didn't expect spirits to be such gluttons, did you? And to eat this much. Most importantly, she looks completely harmless."
Hearing Franklin's words, Origami gently nodded, then quickly snapped back to her senses.
"No. Spirits are hazards. As long as they live, there's a chance of triggering a spatial quake. That is absolutely unacceptable."
Franklin smiled without offering further explanation.
"See if there's anything you want to eat. Fill your stomach a bit. Yoshinon and Yoshino probably noticed we left and won't keep playing anymore, so we need to decide quickly."
Origami fell silent for a long while. In the end, she only asked for one serving of takoyaki—and fed it to Franklin right in front of Tohka.
The dispute that erupted instantly nearly slipped beyond Franklin's control. Fortunately, the two little ones and Kotori ran over at that moment, quickly suppressing the atmosphere of jealousy and competition.
Seeing that the time was about right, Franklin didn't take them around looking for more food. Instead, he expanded his domain and rapidly sensed all the different foods throughout the mall.
In the end, he made arrangements one by one based on everyone's personality and tastes. After lunch concluded, Franklin once again provided dessert for everyone.
Yoshinon and Yoshino's sundaes were indispensable. Since all the food was made of spiritual energy, it posed no harm to their bodies—only benefits.
Looking at the satisfied smiles on the faces of the five girls, Franklin felt genuine happiness as well.
"Everyone's full, right? We'll be playing for a long time this afternoon."
Yoshinon smiled as she rubbed her slightly bulging belly.
"With Lin's arrangements being this perfect, how could we not be full?"
Yoshino followed suit. "Thank you… Lin… I ate a lot…"
Turning his gaze to Origami and Kotori, Origami still wore her usual expressionless face, but when her eyes met Franklin's, she gently nodded.
"Don't worry, bro. I still have Chupa Chups to replenish my energy—I won't get hungry. Oh right, the candy stock is running low. Don't forget about it."
"Mm, don't worry. I already prepared them this morning. They're under your pillow."
Finally, Franklin looked at Tohka, who had eaten herself into a state where she was sprawled on the ground, unable to move. Smiling helplessly, he snapped his fingers, turning some of the food directly into spiritual energy that dispersed into the world.
"Let's go, Tohka. Don't eat this much next time, or I won't help you deal with it again."