"Ooh, this is good!"
"We had survival training in our Butei classes."
"Oh, that class. The annoying one you had to do so many times. It's not like you couldn't remember it after doing it once."
"I think that's just you, Aria-chan."
I agree. I had a perfect memory, so it was different for me, but it'd be impossible otherwise.
Sitting grandly with her legs crossed on a chair, Aria was munching on a steamed peach bun she bought at the airport, which was advertised to be delicious even when cold. Why is this girl eating something like that before a BBQ?
By the way, we're helping with the BBQ preparations. It's only natural to help out since they're letting us stay for free. Of course, only those with the necessary skills are helping.
Even with this many people, there's not much to do in terms of food prep for a BBQ. It's not a job that requires all the people with cooking skills to be mobilized. The kids are playing around while we work.
"I didn't know how much to prepare since so many of you were coming, but I never expected there to be so many girls!"
"No, I'm so sorry. They're not holding back at all..."
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to large groups, so a few extra people are no problem. This place was originally built to accommodate this many people."
I've already become quite friendly with Meguane-san, who's setting a fire in the neighboring grill.
There are five grills in total, and now all of them have been lit. The grates are already in place, and everything is ready.
"Meguane-san, I'll put the BBQ sauce over here."
"Thank you, Asuna-chan."
What Asuna brought wasn't something from a store. It was in a container you'd find at a yakiniku restaurant.
"This is a homemade sauce. It's one of the specialties of this place."
"Wow! Is that so?"
When something's called a specialty, it makes you look forward to it.
"It smells so good."
"We haven't started grilling yet."
"That meat over there is the good stuff."
"Your sense of smell is frightening."
I'm a little taken aback by Hikari's reaction to the smell of raw meat.
"Can you eat raw meat, Hikari?"
"I can. If I change my digestive system to that of a carnivore, I won't get an upset stomach. You want to try it, Shou?"
"If I did that, I'd probably be bedridden for the entire trip."
I have no hobby of eating raw meat. Although, I do have the determination to eat so much that my stomach would get upset.
"I know, right? I think grilled meat is tastier anyway."
"Just wait a little longer. Don't you dare sneak a bite."
"There's so much of it, don't you think it's okay to have a little?"
"The scary thing is that even with this much, it could easily disappear."
I know a few people who can eat a ridiculous amount.
"I wonder who you're talking about?"
While she said it feigning ignorance, she seemed to have given up on the idea of sneaking a bite for now.
But even with all her antics, it seems Hikari is enjoying this trip.
The surroundings are getting a little dark.
The fun time is fast approaching.
----------
"Alright, everyone, got your glasses? Good, let's toast!"
"Cheers!"
We poured the ice-cold drinks down our throats. It felt like I was living for this one drink. Does that sound like an old man? But it's a line I definitely want to say once I'm old enough to drink alcohol.
The hot grills were crowded with food. Of course, the most common thing was meat. From the classic kalbi to tongue and loin, the sound of sizzling oil filled the air.
However, proper adults are present. They won't allow us to eat only meat. Cabbage, corn, and bell peppers were all making their presence felt.
With the adults' watchful eyes, the kids will probably eat a balanced meal. They're all good kids anyway.
"Hmph! That's my territory!"
"Territory is always in danger of invasion. History proves that."
"You... to use that word on me of all people...!"
If they're just kids... they're good kids...
"If you want to fight, I'm ready... on this grate."
"Very well."
One of them is a proper adult, the other is a troublemaker, and the third is the King of the black side of a country. Why are they setting such a bad example for people?!
Magic power leaked from Alter for a moment but immediately pulled back. It seems they communicated something we couldn't understand.
"Are we going to do this without rules?"
"That's not fun. You can only keep one piece of food on your plate at a time. You can't get another until you've finished it."
"Fine. You'll regret underestimating me."
"You too. Don't underestimate me."
It feels like a battle is about to begin right from the start.
"Hikari-san, Alter-san, don't you think you're being a little uncouth?"
Now, pressure is coming from a different direction. There's even a killing intent in that question mark. Her smile makes it even scarier. And then,
"That's right, you two. You should eat with better manners... right?"
With Asuna joining in, I'd be trembling. Wait, it's so warm, but I'm getting goosebumps...? Both of them have completely become our moms.
"Shou-kun? Don't just watch; say something."
"Ah, um, yeah. You two, there's a lot of food, so let's take our time and eat slowly. The meat isn't going anywhere."
"You're naive, Shou. A lot doesn't mean it's infinite. I can't lose here...!"
It doesn't matter if you say it in a cool-sounding way. Your bad manners won't change. Well, I mean, considering morals and such, I'm not in a position to say anything since I'm in a relationship with multiple girls, one of whom is in elementary school.
"By the way, Artoria, aren't you joining?"
"One must savor their meal properly. It's a courtesy to those who prepared it. While this is a bit of junk food, it's nice for a change."
Artoria was surprisingly elegant in her eating. Well, her philosophy on food is different.
"Oh, right, after you eat, there's a hot spring. There's an open-air bath big enough for everyone, so you can relax."
"An open-air bath that big?!"
"But it wasn't that big last time we came...?"
"And the bath wasn't a hot spring in the first place..."
An open-air bath that can fit over 20 people is a considerable size. How could they do that so easily?
"We just dug, and a hot spring came out."
"No way."
I retorted in exasperation, but Lutecia's words didn't stop.
"Hehehe... I heard you were all coming! So I put my all into remodeling it!"
Lutecia puffed out her chest proudly. Vivio-chan and the others praised her. It really is an amazing feat. She probably borrowed the power of her summoned beasts, but to be able to create something of that scale at her age is impressive. It shows her skill.
However, Lutecia's turn wasn't over yet.
"That's not all! That's not the only thing I focused on this time! This is the third year of this off-training event... and I was always dissatisfied with the simple, makeshift tools we had..."
"Oh, so that was the case."
Nanoha-san, who was probably thinking about the training menu, muttered in a small voice.
"Yes! So I---"
She paused for a moment, then,
"---I built an entire training city with a Layer Construction!"
"That's a different scale!"
That's not just a remodel anymore. You need to put a 'ma' (magic) in front of the remodel. It's a demonic remodel.
"It's a city made of magic-woven buildings in an expanded space created with a barrier, so with the right program, it can reproduce any disaster site or building! And with the athletic field using the natural terrain, it also covers simple physical training!"
"Can we still use it after we leave?"
It won't become like an Olympic stadium after the Olympics are over, will it?
"I also powered up the exterior and interior of the lodges as a bonus!"
"That's the main point, isn't it?!"
Why have you forgotten your main job?! That should be the most important thing!
"Hmm, I see... With those facilities, tomorrow's training content could be a little more elaborate..."
On the other hand, Takamachi-san's spirit for teaching has been ignited. Nanoha-san, who has stopped eating and is looking at her device, is now in full work mode.
"By the way, Senpai, are you going to participate in tomorrow's training?"
"Ah, I hadn't thought about that."
When Yukina asked, I tilted my head. Since this training is for those affiliated with Special Section 6, I don't need to participate. To be honest, I came here fully intending to rest. I don't have to train.
"Are you participating, Yukina?"
"Yes, if it's not a bother..."
"Of course, you're more than welcome! The more people we have, the more things we can do!"
"No way! Big brother is going to play with us, right? Right!"
"That's right! We were looking forward to playing with you, big brother!"
"I want to hear all sorts of stories!"
"Kuro-chan is always talking about you at school!"
Kuro immediately grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. Vivio-chan and the others also happily accepted what Kuro was saying about me.
I asked Kuro in a low voice.
"Hey Kuro, what are you telling everyone?"
"Huh? Just the incidents we've solved so far, you know? Like how we prevented the assassination of the Holy Child and how we were involved in Vlad's arrest."
That's strange. She's only talking about things that would get them interested. Well, if that's the case. I'm not unwilling to talk, I guess.
"Shou-san, I want to play together, too."
Tina, who had been holding my sleeve and subtly making her case, was the final straw.
"Alright! Let's all play together tomorrow!"
"Yay!!"
Anyone would give in when Tina asks like that! It's not my fault. It's Tina's fault for being too cute!
"If Senpai is going that way, I think I will too..."
"I've also been invited by Vivio-san."
It seems Kirin and Einhart are also wavering.
"Oh, really..."
"Ha!"
I felt cold stares from around me!
"A-Aria-san...?"
"What is it, Shou?"
"Are you angry?"
"Oh, do I look that way?"
That's the only way you look. Why are your scarlet twin tails swaying so much? Can you use that kind of psychic power?
And standing behind her were Yukina, Asuna, Sakura, Riko, and Kurumi.
"You're the worst, Senpai."
"Lolicon."
"I can't forgive you."
"Actually, do you have a preference for lolicon-type big boobs, or do you prefer flat chests like Aria?"
"Riko, are you picking a fight?"
"Oh, my, are you going to abandon the option of sweating it out with us, Shou-san? How sad, my heart is about to break..."
Some of them are enjoying this. I mean, are they all planning to join the training? It's not mandatory...
"Shou? Don't think unnecessary thoughts."
"Yes."
"For now, why don't you sit seiza style?"
"Understood."
I obediently sat down.
As a result of being subjected to cold stares, it was decided that I would play with the kids in the morning and participate in the training in the afternoon.
----------
"I have to say, that's something else over there."
"Yeah, right? Is that what youth is?"
Watching Shou, who was forced to sit seiza style and surrounded by many girls, Teana muttered these words.
"Everyone is so straightforward... Ugh, if this is what it's like, I should have experienced some of that myself... sigh, I want to meet someone."
"If you say that, I'm in the same boat. I've had no time to think about that at all."
"You two, what are you talking about? You're still so young."
Meguane chuckled and placed new meat on the grill. It was for the eating contest happening in an unrelated area. The two of them were eating at an unchanging pace.
Both Nanoha and Teana had dedicated their time to work, so they hadn't experienced the "youth" that many boys and girls experience. Thanks to that, Nanoha became the "Ace of Aces" of the Bureau, and Teana achieved the great feat of passing the difficult exam to become an Administrator. They had sacrificed a lot for it.
"Work is good, but if you neglect that side of things, you'll regret it later, you know? A woman's time to shine is short."
"That's the problem with work! I'm too busy, and there are no good guys around..."
"I've been trying to adjust my work-life balance, but there's also Vivio to consider... Besides, if I were to get into a relationship and get married, I wouldn't be able to live with Fate-chan anymore."
Teana looked dejected, and Nanoha gave a forced smile.
"What are you two talking about, Tia?"
The owner of the voice was Subaru. She's always been a glutton, and today was no exception. A few years ago, she might have competed with Hikari and Alter, but today she wasn't being quite so uncouth. Still, the plates in both of her hands were piled high.
"You're lucky; you're more interested in food than romance."
"Hey! That's not true!"
"Huh, does that mean there's a good guy...?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
"Oh."
Teana had suspected a secret betrayal by a rival, but it seemed that wasn't the case. They weren't best friends for nothing.
And speaking of best friends,
"What about you, Fate-chan? Is there anyone good?"
"I'd be surprised if there was someone busier than Fate-san."
"Hey, Tia, you want a boyfriend that much? I don't get it."
"...Don't you ever want to show your dad a grandchild?"
Subaru continued to eat meat. But Fate, who had been called out, didn't respond. I looked over and saw that her chopsticks were barely dirty. She had only taken the first sip of her drink.
"Fate-chan?"
"Eh, ah! W-what is it, Nanoha?"
"Are you a little tired? Were you zoning out?"
"Ah, if you are, you should probably get some rest early tonight. We have training tomorrow."
Nanoha and Teana worried, but Fate hurriedly shook her head.
"I'm completely fine! So, what were you talking about?"
"...Really? Well, okay. So, you see---"
And so, the night deepened with such conversations.
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