I did my best to quickly calm and soothe the Director, who had immediately backed down in tears.
Thankfully, Parvati cast a blessing on her and healed her right away.
"Th-This time, it was an accident, so I'll let it slide. I-I'm a merciful superior, after all. Yes."
"Merciful?"
"I mean... I'm sorry for looking down on you for being a janitor. It won't happen again."
The Director was cowering after taking an unintentional hit from me. It was better than being berated like before, but seeing her shrink back like that brought back old memories, and it didn't leave a good taste in my mouth.
In the previous timeline, the Director had somehow survived as well. Originally, she didn't have the aptitude for Rayshifting, but in that reality, it turned out she did, or something like that.
She had survived the explosion by sheer luck, being a Lord, and was accidentally Rayshifted before returning.
Of course, later on, as Director, she couldn't just stand by and watch his atrocities and confronted him. But, unbefitting of a Lord, she was beaten down by his fists and eventually forced into submission.
She still tried to defend or advocate for Ritsuka from time to time, but later, after he threatened her with dismemberment, she fell completely silent.
The fact that it almost actually happened is terrifying. I, for one, can't understand why anyone would be into that kind of thing.
In this timeline, I hope things turn out well for the Director. Sure, she's hysterical, but she's not a bad person at her core.
Which is why, even though it was an accident, I feel incredibly sorry for breaking her nose.
"Kuriyama-san. I see a supermarket over there."
After calming the Director, we were looking for a grocery store to find some food and take a break. Mash spotted a supermarket in the distance.
It was cracked all over, but the fact that it hadn't collapsed or burned down was a good sign. We headed inside...
"This place is a wreck."
It was a complete mess inside. I wondered if there would be any edible food left. The electricity seemed to be completely out.
"A Japanese supermarket. But I don't see anything edible. Even the canned goods are all smashed."
The Director looked around, picking up a crushed can of peaches as she spoke. I had hoped the canned food would be okay, but none of it looked salvageable. What should we do?
Are we just going to have to rest? I'd at least like some water.
"There's exercise equipment here, too. A pity it's all broken. I would have liked to try some modern exercise machines."
"Most of the other goods are broken as well. But things like bags seem to be in relatively good condition."
Leonidas and Parvati also scouted the store, but there was little of use. Bags would be useful if we found food, but without it, they were just dead weight.
While looking around, Ritsuka went off by herself into the stockroom, marked 'Authorized Personnel Only'. I wonder if there's anything in there.
"Ritsuka, don't go off on your own. It's dangerous."
I quickly followed after her. The Assassin is still out there; something bad could happen if she's alone.
"Hm? Are you worried about me?"
"Yeah, I am."
"I see. That makes me happy~ Am I that precious to you?"
"Precious? I don't know about that. I just don't want to see you get hurt, that's all. I guess I'd hate to see you in pain."
"Fufu, you're so kind. That's what I like about you."
A playful smile. I was completely at her mercy. Well, it wasn't a bad feeling. She was just being innocently playful.
"Look over there. A working refrigerator."
"Huh? You're right."
I looked where Ritsuka was pointing and saw a large, commercial-grade refrigerator that was still running. It was the kind that could also be a freezer if you lowered the temperature. How is it still working? Does it have a generator? Or is it battery-powered?
Whatever the reason, it was a good thing. I ran to the fridge and opened the door, and inside were perfectly preserved ingredients.
"Meat! And it's top-grade Wagyu!"
Most of the food stored inside was meat. Among it was premium Wagyu and other expensive cuts.
It was still cold and looked fresh.
I immediately opened a package and sniffed it.
"Seems okay to me."
It didn't smell spoiled. Soon, everyone else joined us in the stockroom, and I asked Parvati to check it. Wait a second, this is beef. Is that okay?
"It seems fine."
"Uh, it's beef. Are you sure?"
"Yes? Oh, you're referring to that. It's fine. Hinduism is another religion that derived from our myths, based on Indian mythology. Besides, not all cows are considered sacred, it's specifically the Indian Zebu."
"So it's not all cows."
That was news to me. In that case, Wagyu, which has no connection to it, is perfectly fine. Plus, as far as I know, unlike Ishtar, Parvati's personality is primarily based on Sakura's. So it might not have mattered from the start.
With food secured, we decided to eat right away.
Fwoosh!
"Is this really okay?"
"Hahaha! If I can be of service in this way, it matters not! If this shield can be of help to you all!"
Leonidas could manipulate fire, making flames erupt from his head or engulf his shield. And so, we were grilling meat on top of Leonidas's shield.
He just laughed heartily and said it was fine. I felt a little guilty, but since all the gas burners and other equipment were broken, this was our best option.
"I can't believe we're grilling the highest quality meat in a Singularity. And on a Heroic Spirit's shield, no less. This is pure luxury."
It was a situation that even the Director, a noble, called a luxury. We picked up the well-cooked meat and began to eat. Thankfully, most of the utensils were intact.
"Here, say 'ahhh'~"
"Eh?"
Ritsuka held up a piece of perfectly grilled Wagyu with her chopsticks and offered it to me. She had a mischievous grin on her face. She was taking this joke too far. For a guy like me who's never even been in a relationship, it's enough to make my heart flutter.
Still, since she was offering, I took a bite. Mmm, delicious. It's cooked perfectly.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah, it's cooked really well."
"It's not especially tasty because I'm the one feeding you?"
"...Maybe you're right."
Deciding I couldn't just let her tease me, I played along with her joke. At my response, Ritsuka, who had been smiling, was taken by surprise, her face turning red.
"I-I see. So that's a good thing."
"Well, what kind of man would hate being fed meat by a cute girl? Right, Leonidas?"
"Haha, my wife and I used to do that often. I doubt there is a man who would dislike it."
That part was true. What man would hate it? If there were any, they'd be a tiny minority.
"A cute girl... Fufu, then have this too!"
Ritsuka also offered me some pork that was grilled alongside the beef. I ate it without much thought. Ritsuka seemed to be enjoying this, smiling happily.
"Get a room, you two."
"What are you talking about?"
The Director looked at us with an annoyed expression. It was obviously just a joke.
"What does 'get a room' mean?"
"Fufu, well, you see~?"
Pure-hearted Mash tilted her head, not understanding the phrase, and Parvati leaned in to whisper it in her ear.
"Heeh. Then, Senpai, do you like Kuriyama-san?"
Mash then bluntly asked Ritsuka if she liked me. In response, Ritsuka smiled, linked her arm with mine, and leaned against me.
"Yep, I love him!"
"Yeah, yeah, I love you too."
I naturally assumed it was a joke and that she wasn't serious. Logically, Ritsuka and I had just met today; there was no way she could be serious. Besides, what about the age gap? There's more than a five-year difference, plus I'm an adult and she's a minor.
On top of that, my face is just average; you couldn't call me handsome. And what about the permanent dark circles under my eyes from being tired from menial jobs every day?
However, at my words, Ritsuka's face flushed bright red, and she silently lowered her head. She's surprisingly weak to this stuff.
Is this what they call a 'tease'? I honestly thought the term was nonsense, but it seems to fit the type of person who loves to dish out jokes but has no resistance when they're thrown back at her.
"Ugh, I can't watch this."
"You should try dating too, Director."
"Shut up!"
Come to think of it, she's about my age. She's a noble, but she doesn't have a fiancé? Even Professor Kayneth had one.
Anyway, after chatting and finishing our meal, we went back outside to continue our journey to restore the Singularity. Along the way, we encountered and fought some Assassins.
They were no match for Leonidas and Parvati, and Asako, who had targeted Ritsuka, died from a single punch from me. At this point, even my own strength is starting to scare me.
After defeating the Assassins, we pressed on.
And then, we met a Lancer.
"Hahaha! An opponent for this humble monk has finally appeared!"
As expected, it was Benkei. Since Rider was Medusa, it was Benkei, just like in the original game.
We were about to engage in battle when, from somewhere, a burst of flame flew out and incinerated Benkei.
Soon, the master of the flames walked towards us.
"Finally, some people who look like they can hold a conversation. You're the ones they call the 'drifters', right?"
Caster Cú Chulainn.
The man who, in the previous timeline, never met the Chaldea crew.
Click.
A small sound came from my side.
Ritsuka had her hand in her right pocket, as if touching something. She was looking at Cú Chulainn with an uncomfortable gaze.
It wasn't hostility, but literally, pure discomfort. Why?