After finishing nearly two hours of physical examinations, and with lunchtime arriving right on schedule, Amiya naturally chose the Rhodes Island cafeteria as their first stop.
At the same time, she had already arranged things with Rosmontis so they could meet up in the cafeteria later and then take Shirou for a full comprehensive examination.
It just so happened that neither of them had much work today. They had originally planned to return tomorrow, but instead came back a day early, so there was nothing particularly urgent waiting for them aboard Rhodes Island.
Which made it the perfect opportunity to show the people from Penguin Logistics and Shirou around Rhodes Island.
"Hmm… that is strange?"
While leading Shirou through Rhodes Island's corridors, Amiya looked at the newest message on her terminal with a puzzled expression.
"What is wrong?"
Shirou, who had originally been thinking about why Doctor Kal'tsit had specifically asked about magic, shifted his attention to Amiya after hearing her voice.
As she walked ahead, the rabbit ears on top of Amiya's head swayed back and forth. Combined with the confused look on her face, Shirou suddenly found the sight rather amusing.
"The unloading staff said there was somehow an extra strange bottle mixed in with the supplies transported onto Rhodes Island. Apparently it smells a little like alcohol."
After hearing Shirou's question, Amiya stopped walking and showed him the photo displayed on her terminal.
After all, he had just returned aboard the Bad Guy earlier as well, so perhaps he might know something.
"..."
Looking at the familiar object in the image, Shirou fell silent for a moment.
That black big cat…
She remembered to hide the alcohol, but forgot to take it with her!?
Had she run out of time, or had she simply forgotten?
Shirou was not sure.
Right now, three possible paths lay before him.
One: ignore it completely and claim he knew nothing.
Two: directly betray her and let Amiya decide how to deal with Blaze.
Three: help Blaze take responsibility for it.
After hesitating briefly, Shirou made his decision.
"Um… that was something I asked Rope to bring over. It is for cooking purposes. Sorry for not reporting it beforehand."
Blinking innocently, Shirou spoke with complete sincerity.
After all, Blaze had helped him quite a bit before, so helping her with this small matter was only fair.
"I see. It is fine, do not worry about it too much. Just remember to mention it beforehand next time. But Shirou, you can cook?"
After Shirou claimed the bottle was his, Amiya believed him immediately without the slightest suspicion.
That actually made Shirou feel slightly guilty.
If there was a next time, he absolutely would sell Blaze out directly.
"I know a little… At Penguin Logistics, I am basically responsible for everyone's daily living arrangements. That should have been written in my records, right?"
Carrying a sense of guilt in his heart, Shirou tried to explain things to Amiya as honestly as possible.
"Now that you mention it, that really was written there… But why is it you, a man, taking care of four girls?"
Since Shirou's combat ability was clearly top-tier, Amiya had momentarily forgotten that his official position on record was essentially Penguin Logistics' housekeeper.
At the same time, she realized something strange.
Why would Penguin Logistics recruit a male caretaker for four women?
Normally, organizations would try to recruit people of the same gender whenever possible. After all, there were many situations where differences between men and women could become inconvenient.
"Oh, that? There was a bit of an accident behind that whole story…"
Facing Amiya's question, Shirou gave a brief explanation.
If his own recruitment process had not been so bizarre, Shirou probably would have found it suspicious too.
From being picked up by Penguin Logistics, to discovering his talent for cleaning, to his casually prepared meals receiving overwhelming praise, Amiya gradually learned how Shirou had step by step taken control over the very lifeline of the Penguin Logistics dormitory.
At this point, it could be said without exaggeration that if Shirou left the dormitory for one week, there was more than a ninety percent chance the entire place would turn into ruins.
"Eh… that really is fascinating. If I ever get the chance, I would like to try your cooking too, Shirou!"
Listening to Shirou explain how he met the members of Penguin Logistics, Amiya found the whole story rather incredible.
In some ways, the members of Penguin Logistics were simply very easygoing people, which was why Shirou had been able to take care of the four of them despite being male.
Of course, that reckless Emperor also played a role in it.
Still, the main reason was probably because Shirou himself sincerely worked hard at what he needed to do, eventually earning everyone's trust.
"If there is an opportunity, then of course."
Shirou did not agree immediately.
After all, he still did not know whether there was even a kitchen he could use here.
While the two chatted casually, they soon arrived at Rhodes Island's cafeteria.
As expected of a cafeteria meant to feed everyone aboard an enormous landship, it was unbelievably spacious. There was a huge variety of food available as well, and all you had to do was pick the food you liked and swipe a meal card.
Of course, since Shirou's group had only just arrived at Rhodes Island and did not possess meal cards yet, Rhodes Island's leader, Amiya, naturally paid for everything herself.
"Hehe, Shirou, we already picked a spot! There are so many things here!"
Nearby, the members of Penguin Logistics, along with Blaze and Rosmontis, had already collected their meals and occupied a large table. Exusiai waved enthusiastically at Shirou as he entered the cafeteria.
Under Blaze and Rosmontis' guidance, the past two hours had been extremely enjoyable for them.
An enormous shooting range! Simulated combat arenas! Even all sorts of additional services!
As long as you had enough money, anything could be arranged!
The group had already begun regretting not bringing more Lungmen dollars with them to Rhodes Island. There were so many good things they had not been able to buy!
Now they could only place their hopes on whether Shirou happened to be carrying extra money. After all, he was usually responsible for purchasing supplies, so he definitely carried quite a lot of cash with him.
"Amiya and I will be there in a moment. You all can start eating first."
Waving toward everyone, Shirou gestured for them to sit down quietly and eat.
This was not the dormitory or Lungmen. Some people here were doctors or patients, and they needed a quiet environment while dining.
Under Amiya's guidance, Shirou quickly got a look at the available dishes.
There was quite a wide variety, and many dishes he had never even seen before.
With a mindset focused on learning, Shirou selected several dishes that interested him and prepared to give them a try.
"Hmm… speaking of which, did that guy come to the cafeteria to eat?"
While picking food, Shirou suddenly thought about that nameless man. In a situation where he needed to conserve magical energy, he should logically need to eat as well, right?
So what exactly did he eat? Shirou became a little curious.
"Mister Nameless? Most of the time, Mister Nameless eats Miss Hibiscus's special healthy meals. They are the dishes over in that corner."
Hearing Shirou's question, Amiya first thought for a moment about who "that guy" referred to before realizing he probably meant Nameless. She then pointed toward a corner of the cafeteria.
As for Shirou's way of addressing him, Amiya did not think too much about it. The two of them knew each other, so perhaps this was simply the nickname they used between themselves.
Though from the sound of it, Shirou and Mister Nameless did not seem to get along particularly well.
"Healthy meals? Let me take a look…"
Following the direction Amiya pointed, Shirou walked straight over.
"Ah, wait…"
Unable to stop Shirou in time, Amiya could only watch helplessly as he headed toward Hibiscus's healthy meal section.
It felt like witnessing a brave warrior marching toward hell itself.
"…?"
The moment he arrived in front of the healthy meals, Shirou immediately felt countless eyes upon him.
Turning around, he saw numerous people staring at him with expressions full of admiration.
Were the people of Rhodes Island all this strange?
Quietly complaining to himself, Shirou turned his attention toward the healthy meals before him.
How should he put it…
They certainly lived up to the name "healthy meals," but more importantly, they were extremely unappetizing.
At that moment, Shirou had already begun wondering whether he should take one and try it, but the excessively healthy appearance made it difficult for him to commit.
"Oh! You want a healthy meal? Do not be shy, do not be shy. Take more!"
As though afraid Shirou might change his mind, a purple-haired Sarkaz girl wearing an apron enthusiastically piled healthy meals onto his tray.
In an instant, the weight of Shirou's tray increased dramatically.
"…I do not need that much. One serving is enough. I cannot finish all of this."
Seeing that she looked ready to dump every healthy meal here onto his tray, Shirou hurriedly spoke up.
At this point, there was already no turning back.
Still, he could at least minimize the damage.
If it tasted good, then fine.
But if it was not very delicious… then one serving could probably be split between himself, Exusiai, and Croissant.
At this moment, Shirou had already made his plans.
If the healthy meal did not taste very good, he would absolutely drag Exusiai and Croissant into eating it with him.
"Eh… alright then."
Hearing Shirou's words, the purple-haired Sarkaz girl quietly removed the extra healthy meals, leaving only one serving on his tray.
Although the disappointed expression on her face looked pitiful, Shirou could not help it.
If there had been mayonnaise…
Well, even if he would not eat all of it, Shirou would at least have been willing to take the entire serving.
Unfortunately, there was none here.
"Um… please do your best!"
Looking at the healthy meal on Shirou's tray, Amiya offered him words of encouragement while swiping the meal card for him.
After all, this was Hibiscus's healthy meal!
It was known as the most dangerous thing in Rhodes Island's cafeteria, without question.
That being said, the main issue was simply that Miss Hibiscus completely devoted herself to health and nutrition during the cooking process.
It was not exactly delicious, but it was at least edible.
Still, under normal circumstances, nobody would specifically choose it when other options existed.
Shirou had mainly suffered because he interrupted before Amiya could finish her explanation.
"So that guy really eats this stuff…"
Using his utensils to poke through it slightly, Shirou found that it was mostly vegetables, and even the sauce appeared to be vegetable-based.
Maximum nutrition.
But the flavor remained highly questionable.
"How should I put it… Mister Nameless believes in practicality above all else? He always says there is no need to pursue taste. As long as it replenishes the necessary nutrients and stamina, that is enough."
Seeing the resentment written all over Shirou's face, Amiya said with a soft laugh.
"…I see."
Hearing Amiya's explanation, Shirou truly did not know what to say anymore.
He would just treat this as a lesson learned.
From now on, he felt it would be better not to ask too many questions about these things.
Otherwise, Shirou suspected he might accidentally get himself trapped somewhere and die from it one day.
Carrying the healthy meal tray, Shirou followed Amiya back toward their table under the watchful gazes of countless people in the cafeteria.
"Ahahaha… Shirou, you are pretty brave! You actually took one of Hibiscus's nutritious meals? Or are you like Mister Nameless and actually into this kind of thing?"
The moment Shirou sat down, Blaze, who had watched the entire scene from beginning to end, immediately started teasing him.
"..."
Listening to her mockery, Shirou merely revealed a faint smile.
Originally, he had planned to find a way to leave that bottle of alcohol for her.
Now, however, there was no need for that anymore.
He would use all of it to stew a giant pot of feathered beast soup instead!
Coincidentally, the members of Penguin Logistics had recently been considering whether to use alcohol from that particular store in their cooking.
Many thanks to Big Cat Blaze for the generous contribution!
"Hiss… whenever he makes that smile, nothing good ever happens. I am keeping my distance."
Seeing Shirou reveal that slightly scheming smile, Exusiai quietly scooted closer toward Texas, attempting to find some sense of security from her teammate.
The last time Shirou wore that smile, the troublemaking Croissant had ended up eating vegetarian food for three entire days.
Now it seemed…
All they could do was pray for Miss Blaze's safety.
Even though she had just guided them around Rhodes Island earlier, once Shirou's scheming radar locked onto someone, there was nothing they could do to help.
"Hmm… honestly, it is not that bad?"
Following the principle of saving the tastiest food for last, Shirou took a bite of the nutritious meal and put it into his mouth.
It was not nearly as awful as he had imagined.
Rather, it was simply the kind of food that made people lose all desire to continue eating after the first bite.
Especially after Shirou tasted the other dishes nearby, his motivation to continue eating the nutritious meal dropped even further.
Still, since he had already taken it, Shirou did his best to finish everything on the tray.
Two bites of normal food, followed by one bite of the nutritious meal.
Only by barely managing this rotation was he able to completely clean the tray.
"Ooh…"
Watching Shirou actually finish the nutritious meal, both Amiya and Rosmontis started clapping.
This was extremely rare!
Someone actually finishing Hibiscus's nutritious meal on their very first encounter with it!
Technically, people were allowed to throw it away. The leftovers would eventually be sent to Rhodes Island's livestock area, where they would be dealt with, so there was no concern about wasting ingredients.
However, Amiya only remembered that fact after Shirou swallowed the very last bite.
After all, she herself always carefully controlled her meals and only ate as much as necessary.
Then, after finishing the nutritious meal under everyone's watchful gazes, Shirou suddenly felt an extremely intense stare directed at him.
Turning his head, he saw Hibiscus once again holding another serving of nutritious food while looking at him with hopeful eyes.
In response, Shirou immediately turned his head back around.
Leaving aside the fact that he was already completely full…
There was no way he wanted to experience such a painful dining experience a second time.
From that day onward, the terror of Hibiscus's nutritious meals became deeply engraved into Shirou's heart.