The afternoon sun hung low above the city.
The streets were still crowded with Academy cadets celebrating the end of the Tournament.
Every restaurant they passed...
Was overflowing.
June stared through the window of yet another packed dining hall.
"...No."
"They're out of tables."
Lucian folded his arms.
"That's the fifth one."
"It's the sixth."
"You counted?"
"I've been hungry since breakfast."
"You've been hungry since birth."
"...That's also true."
Nyra laughed as June dramatically leaned against the restaurant window.
"I can see food."
"I just can't reach it."
Mira smiled.
"I think you're becoming delirious."
"I passed delirious three restaurants ago."
David chuckled.
"...You're going to survive."
"I don't want to survive."
"I want lunch."
Castiel quietly looked farther down the street.
"There."
Everyone followed his gaze.
Tucked between a bookstore and an old tailor's shop sat a much smaller restaurant.
No large signs.
No crowd waiting outside.
Just a hand-carved wooden plaque.
The Hearthstone Inn
Warm light spilled through its windows.
Flower boxes lined the entrance.
It looked...
Comfortable.
June straightened immediately.
"...Castiel."
"You're a genius."
"I simply observed it."
"I don't care."
"You've earned your meal."
Lucian smiled.
"I'll remember this day."
Castiel raised an eyebrow.
"...Why?"
"June complimented someone else."
Nyra covered a laugh.
"It really is historic."
A small bell chimed as they stepped inside.
The restaurant immediately grew quiet.
Not silent.
Just...
Curious.
Several Academy cadets looked up from their meals.
One whispered.
"...That's Gamma Squad."
Another smiled.
"The Champion's here."
David instinctively rubbed the back of his neck again.
June noticed.
"...You're doing that thing."
"What thing?"
"The neck rubbing."
"I don't have a thing."
"You absolutely have a thing."
"I do not."
"You've rubbed your neck six times today."
"...You've been counting?"
"I count everything."
Lucian sighed.
"...He actually does."
Before David could defend himself further...
A cheerful voice interrupted.
"Well..."
"I'll be."
An older woman emerged from behind the front counter, drying her hands on a white apron.
Silver streaks ran through her dark hair.
Smile lines framed warm brown eyes.
She looked at the six cadets...
Then smiled even wider.
"So..."
"The heroes of Kharos Vale finally found my little restaurant."
David blinked.
"...Heroes?"
The woman laughed.
"Oh, don't look so surprised."
"The whole city has been talking about you."
She looked directly at David.
"And congratulations, Champion."
David smiled awkwardly.
"...Thank you."
June immediately stepped forward.
"We're also accepting congratulations for the rest of Gamma Squad."
Lucian quietly pulled him back by the collar.
"...Ignore him."
"I object."
The woman laughed again.
"I don't think I will."
She looked around the crowded dining room.
Then toward the back.
"Hmm..."
"Looks like today's your lucky day."
She pointed toward a large circular table near the windows.
"It just opened."
Everyone turned.
Six chairs surrounded it.
Exactly six.
June gasped dramatically.
"It was meant to be."
Lucian looked at the table.
"...Or someone simply left."
"I'm choosing destiny."
"I know you are."
The woman smiled.
"It's yours if you want it."
David looked at everyone else.
Nyra smiled.
"I like it."
"So do I."
Mira nodded.
"It's perfect."
Castiel simply said,
"...Agreed."
Lucian looked toward the owner.
"We'd appreciate it."
She gestured toward the table.
"Then sit."
"For today..."
"The Hearthstone belongs to Gamma Squad."
June didn't wait for a second invitation.
He hurried toward the table.
"I call this seat!"
Lucian frowned.
"...They're all the same."
"This one has personality."
"It has a chair."
"Exactly."
David laughed as everyone took their seats.
For the first time all day...
No one was standing.
No one was training.
No one was competing.
Just...
Six friends around one table.
The waitress arrived carrying six menus.
David accepted his politely.
Then...
Simply stared at it.
Row after row of dishes.
Most of which he'd never heard of.
Nyra noticed almost immediately.
She leaned slightly closer.
"...Everything okay?"
David smiled sheepishly.
"...Honestly?"
"I don't know what any of this is."
She blinked.
"You've never eaten somewhere like this?"
He shook his head.
"...No."
"We didn't really eat out growing up."
"Mom always said eating together at home tasted better anyway."
A small smile crossed his face.
"Dad agreed."
"So... that's what we usually did."
Before Nyra could respond...
June reached across the table.
Closed David's menu.
"There."
David looked up.
"...What are you doing?"
"I've got you."
Lucian looked at June.
"...That sentence concerns me."
June placed one hand over his heart.
"I'm offended."
"You should be."
"I have excellent taste."
Lucian didn't miss a beat.
"You also once ate emergency ration paste because you thought it was pudding."
"...We agreed never to mention that again."
Mira smiled into her menu.
"I don't think we did."
Even Castiel looked up.
"...It was labeled."
"It was poorly labeled."
"It literally said 'Emergency Combat Nutrient Paste.'"
"...In very small letters."
Nyra laughed so hard she had to set her menu down.
David looked around the table.
At Lucian.
At June.
At Mira.
At Castiel.
At Nyra.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed this much.
Maybe...
He never had.
The waitress returned balancing two large trays.
June sat up immediately.
"...I knew I liked this place."
Lucian glanced toward him.
"You say that about every place that serves food."
"Because they're all doing important work."
The waitress laughed as she began setting dishes around the table.
Steaks.
Roasted vegetables.
Fresh bread still warm from the oven.
Soup.
Pasta.
Rice.
Grilled river fish.
The rich aroma filled the table.
David couldn't help smiling.
"...This looks incredible."
"It is," the waitress said proudly.
"Our recipes have been in the family for three generations."
June looked from one plate to the next.
"...I think I'm in love."
Lucian reached for a bread roll.
"I thought you were in love with Monster Cores."
"I can love more than one thing."
"You've said that about dessert too."
"I have a very large heart."
"No."
"You have a very large stomach."
Laughter spread around the table.
The waitress smiled before turning toward David.
"And for our Champion..."
She placed a large plate in front of him.
"The owner's recommendation."
David looked surprised.
"...I didn't order this."
She winked.
"Mr. Kade did."
David slowly turned toward June.
"...Should I be worried?"
June looked offended.
"I ordered greatness."
Lucian picked up his fork.
"You ordered everything that had the word 'special' beside it."
"I stand by my decision."
David cut into the steak.
Took a bite.
His eyes widened slightly.
June leaned forward.
"Well?"
David nodded.
"...You were right."
June leaned back proudly.
"I usually am."
"No."
Lucian answered.
"You just remember the few times you are."
For several minutes...
No one talked much.
The table became surprisingly quiet.
The only sounds were laughter...
Plates...
And the occasional satisfied sigh from June.
Finally...
Nyra looked around the table.
"...You know..."
"...This might be the first time we've all eaten together without someone bleeding."
Mira laughed.
"...She's right."
June looked thoughtful.
"Does the cafeteria count?"
Lucian shook his head.
"Someone usually starts throwing bread."
June slowly lowered his eyes.
"...That happened one time."
"Seven."
"...Seven memorable times."
Everyone laughed.
June looked around the table.
"So..."
"We've fought together."
"We've trained together."
"We've nearly died together."
He pointed his fork around the circle.
"But..."
"I don't actually know what any of you were like growing up."
He pointed toward Lucian.
"You first."
Lucian sighed.
"...Why?"
"Because you're sitting closest."
"...That's your system?"
"It's a very sophisticated system."
Lucian shook his head.
"My childhood wasn't particularly interesting."
June smiled.
"I don't believe you."
Lucian took a drink before answering.
"My father believed discipline started early."
"How early?"
Lucian thought for a moment.
"...I don't remember learning how to hold a sword."
"I simply always knew."
June blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Lucian nodded.
"My earliest memories are training."
"My father always said..."
"'A blade becomes part of the hand long before it becomes part of the warrior.'"
David nodded thoughtfully.
"...That's a good lesson."
"It was."
June looked horrified.
"...Did you ever just..."
"...Play?"
Lucian actually smiled.
"...Once."
"What happened?"
"I broke my arm."
June stared.
"...How?"
"I tried jumping off the roof."
Silence.
Then—
Nyra burst into laughter.
"You?"
Lucian shrugged.
"I was eight."
Mira covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I... never would've guessed."
June pointed triumphantly.
"I KNEW YOU HAD A STORY!"
Lucian sighed.
"...I regret sharing it."
June immediately turned toward Mira.
"Your turn."
She looked up from her drink.
"...Mine?"
"You can't escape."
She smiled softly.
"I wasn't very exciting."
"I don't believe you either."
Mira thought for a moment.
"...I spent most of my childhood in libraries."
June blinked.
"...Voluntarily?"
She nodded.
"I liked reading."
"That explains... so much."
"What does?"
"Everything."
Lucian nodded once.
"It really does."
Mira laughed.
"I suppose it does."
June pointed dramatically toward Castiel.
"...Now you."
Castiel calmly folded his hands.
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything embarrassing."
"I don't have an embarrassing story."
June looked around the table.
"...See?"
"That's suspicious."
Castiel actually considered it.
"...When I was ten..."
"I accidentally corrected one of my instructors."
June grinned.
"Finally."
"What happened?"
"He thanked me."
June stared.
"...That's not embarrassing."
"It was for him."
David laughed.
"I can actually picture that."
Castiel smiled faintly.
"My parents believed knowledge should always come before pride."
Nyra nodded.
"That's a good way to live."
"...I think so."
June looked toward Nyra.
"Alright."
"Your turn."
She leaned back in her chair.
"Hmm..."
"When I was little..."
"I brought home an injured bird."
David smiled.
"What happened?"
"My dad said we could help it until it got better."
"And?"
She laughed.
"It never left."
June burst out laughing.
"It adopted you."
"I think it did."
"What happened after that?"
"It spent six months flying around the house."
David chuckled.
"...Your father let it?"
"He pretended he didn't like it."
She smiled warmly.
"But I caught him feeding it when he thought I wasn't looking."
Everyone laughed.
David smiled.
"...He sounds like a good man."
"He is."
A little quieter...
"And a very patient one."
June slowly turned toward David.
"...Your turn, Boss."
David looked around the table.
"...Mine?"
Lucian nodded.
"You've listened to all of ours."
"Seems fair."
David smiled.
"I don't know if mine is very interesting."
June pointed his fork.
"You don't get to decide."
David thought for a long moment.
"My parents didn't have much."
"But..."
He smiled to himself.
"I never realized it growing up."
"My mom loved cooking."
"She always said the best meals weren't about what was on the table..."
"...They were about who was sitting around it."
Silence settled over the group.
David looked around the table.
Then smiled.
"I think she'd like this."
Nyra smiled back.
"I think she would too."
David continued.
"My dad taught me how to build things."
"Furniture."
"Garden beds."
"Even part of our house."
"He always said..."
"'If you can build something with your own hands...'"
"'...you'll never be afraid to start over.'"
Lucian nodded slowly.
"...Wise man."
"He is."
David smiled.
"They both are."
For a moment...
No one spoke.
It wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
Like they'd all just learned something important about one another.
Then—
Nyra quietly reached across the table.
She picked a roasted potato from David's plate.
And ate it.
David looked at her.
"...You know..."
"...You ordered the same meal."
"I know."
She smiled innocently.
"...It tastes better from yours."
David stared at her for a second.
Then simply shrugged.
"...Okay."
Across the table...
June slowly lowered his fork.
He looked at Lucian.
Then Mira.
Then Castiel.
Finally...
Back to David.
"...Did..."
"...Did everybody just see that?"
Lucian continued eating.
"...Yes."
Mira smiled into her drink.
"I did."
Castiel nodded once.
"...Yes."
June pointed dramatically at Nyra.
"You stole his food!"
Nyra looked completely unbothered.
"I borrowed a potato."
"You ate the evidence!"
She smiled.
"I did."
June looked at David.
"...You're just going to let that happen?"
David cut another potato in half.
Placed it on Nyra's plate.
"...She can have another one if she wants."
June dropped his fork onto the table.
"...OH, COME ON!"
The entire table burst into laughter.
Even several nearby diners looked over, smiling.
For just a little while...
The world outside the restaurant ceased to exist.
Only six friends...
Sharing a meal.
The laughter gradually settled.
For a while...
No one spoke.
The six of them simply enjoyed the meal.
Every now and then someone reached for another piece of bread.
June had already accepted his third basket without shame.
The waitress smiled every time she walked past.
"...You're keeping the kitchen busy."
June looked genuinely apologetic.
"...I'm trying."
Lucian raised an eyebrow.
"...No."
"...You're really not."
More laughter.
The waitress disappeared into the kitchen once again.
June leaned back in his chair and sighed happily.
"I've decided..."
"This is the greatest restaurant in the city."
David smiled.
"You've only been here once."
"I know greatness when I taste it."
Nyra laughed.
"I think you've said that three times."
"I've felt it at least five."
Mira looked around the table.
"...It's nice."
Everyone looked toward her.
She smiled softly.
"...Just sitting here."
"No monsters."
"No instructors."
"No one trying to kill us."
June nodded enthusiastically.
"I highly recommend it."
Castiel quietly added...
"...It has been a pleasant afternoon."
Lucian looked around the table.
"...It has."
David rested comfortably against the back of his chair.
"...I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Nyra looked at him.
"You've been carrying a lot."
David glanced down at the Champion's Blade resting beside him.
"...Yeah."
"I guess I have."
She smiled.
"...Then today was worth it."
"...Yeah."
He looked around the table.
"It was."
Eventually...
The plates began disappearing.
June looked down at his empty plate.
Then at Lucian's.
"...You gonna finish that?"
Lucian slowly slid the plate farther away.
"No."
"I've learned."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask."
"I do."
"...Can I have—"
"No."
"...Fair."
The entire table laughed again.
The waitress returned carrying a small leather folder.
"The bill."
David immediately reached for it.
"So did Lucian.
Their hands touched the folder at the same time.
Lucian smiled.
"I've got it."
David shook his head.
"No."
"I invited everyone."
Lucian folded his arms.
"You're the Champion."
"You shouldn't spend your prize money before you receive it."
David smiled.
"I'll survive."
June watched the two of them for a moment.
Then slowly leaned toward Mira.
"...They're going to argue for the next hour."
"I believe you might be right."
Before either of them could continue—
A hand gently rested on the folder.
The owner.
She smiled warmly.
"I appreciate the offer."
She quietly lifted the folder away.
"But..."
"...There isn't a bill."
David looked confused.
"...Ma'am?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"We couldn't."
Lucian frowned slightly.
"We insist."
"So do I."
Silence settled over the table.
The owner looked at each of them.
One by one.
David.
Lucian.
Nyra.
Mira.
June.
Castiel.
Then she smiled.
"My grandson was evacuated from Kharos Vale."
The table became still.
"He was one of the children your transport escorted back."
David remembered.
The frightened families.
The evacuation ships.
The little hands waving from the windows.
The owner continued.
"When he came home..."
"...He wouldn't stop talking about six Academy cadets."
A faint laugh escaped her.
"He said they weren't much older than his big sister."
"But somehow..."
"...They made him feel safe."
Silence.
"You six risked your lives..."
"...For people you'll probably never meet."
She looked around her little restaurant.
"The least this old woman can do..."
"...Is buy you dinner."
No one spoke.
David slowly stood.
He bowed respectfully.
"...Thank you."
Lucian stood beside him.
Then Nyra.
Mira.
Castiel.
June.
One after another...
All six bowed.
The owner blinked rapidly.
"...Oh..."
"...You're going to make an old woman cry."
June smiled.
"...We hear that's bad for business."
She laughed through watery eyes.
"It probably is."
As Gamma Squad walked toward the front door...
The owner called after them.
They turned.
She looked at all six of them.
"Good luck."
A pause.
"...Finish what you started."
David smiled.
"...We'll do our best."
She nodded.
"I know you will."
The bell chimed softly as they stepped back into the afternoon sunshine.
For a moment...
No one spoke.
June finally broke the silence.
"...Well."
David looked over.
"...Well?"
June grinned.
"I was going to suggest dessert."
Lucian sighed.
"I knew it."
"But..."
He smiled.
"...I think we need to walk first."
Mira laughed.
"I agree."
Nyra looked farther down the street.
"...There's still plenty of time."
June followed her gaze.
Then...
His eyes suddenly widened.
Across the street...
Bright neon lights flickered to life.
Music spilled through open doors.
Children laughed.
A huge glowing sign stretched across the entrance.
STARLIGHT ARCADE
June stopped walking.
"...Guys."
Lucian didn't even look.
"...No."
"I haven't said anything yet."
"I know exactly what you're about to say."
June slowly raised one finger toward the glowing entrance.
"...Arcade?"
Nyra's eyes lit up.
"...Oh..."
"I haven't been to one in years."
Mira smiled.
"I used to go with my cousins."
Castiel quietly studied the sign.
"...I've never been."
Everyone turned.
June blinked.
"...Never?"
Castiel shook his head.
"...No."
June slowly looked around at the rest of Gamma Squad.
Then dramatically pointed toward the arcade.
"Well..."
"...That settles it."
Lucian closed his eyes.
Already defeated.
"...We're going to the arcade."
June threw both fists into the air.
"BEST."
"DAY."
"EVER."
Together...
The six of them crossed the street.
Toward the flashing lights.
Toward laughter.
Toward memories...
None of them would ever forget.