~ Aika learns that breakfast is a political event
Aika discovered very quickly that eating in Beastworld was not a casual activity.
It was a test.
She sat on a flat stone near the den's entrance, Mochi cradled against her side in a sling made from Kazuki's mantle—because apparently, when you kidnap royalty, you became a mobile crib.
Mochi gurgled happily, tiny blue embers puffing with each breath.
Aika eyed them nervously. "If you ignite me, I swear I will haunt you."
[INFANT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THREATS.]
"Worth a try."
Kazuki returned with food.
By returned, she meant he appeared silently from the trees like a judgmental spirit, carrying the carcass of something large, horned, and still slightly steaming.
Aika's smile froze.
"…Is that breakfast."
"Yes."
"That is an entire animal."
"It was annoying me."
She stared. "I meant for me."
Kazuki looked down at her. Looked at the carcass. Looked back.
"You eat meat."
"I eat prepared meat," she said weakly. "Preferably not something that was alive ten minutes ago."
He frowned. "Weak."
"I am human."
"Still weak."
[TRUST -0.5%]
"HEY."
Kazuki ignored her and tore the carcass open with brutal efficiency, steam rising as he separated cuts of meat with claws that could end civilizations.
Aika looked away. "Okay. Cool. Great. Breakfast and a live demonstration of my mortality."
He tossed a smaller, cleaner piece toward her.
It landed at her feet with a wet thud.
Aika stared.
"…Is it cooked?"
"No."
She looked at him. Looked at the meat. Looked at Mochi, who was watching with bright interest.
"I'm going to die from food poisoning," she whispered.
[WARNING: FAILURE TO CONSUME MEALS WILL RESULT IN WEAKENING.]
"I HATE THIS GAME."
Kazuki crouched in front of her, eyes sharp. "Eat."
The command in his voice did something unnerving to her spine.
She picked up the meat gingerly.
It was warm. Too warm.
She closed her eyes and took a tiny bite.
"…"
It was.
Actually.
Not terrible.
She blinked. Took another bite.
"…Okay, I hate that this slaps."
Kazuki watched her intently. "Your body accepts it."
"Don't phrase it like that."
Mochi chirped approvingly.
Kazuki's gaze flicked to the child. His expression softened—just a fraction.
"You are doing well," he said quietly.
Aika froze.
"…That felt illegal."
He straightened immediately, scowling. "Do not misinterpret."
Too late.
[TRUST +2%]
Aika grinned. "You just praised me."
"I did not."
"You totally did."
"I observed a fact."
She beamed.
The den's entrance darkened.
A presence approached.
Not hostile.
Heavy. Ancient.
Kazuki stiffened instantly, rising to his full height.
Aika felt it too—pressure on her chest, like the world had leaned closer.
Three figures emerged from the forest.
Beastmen.
Tall. Armored. Horned. Their eyes glowed with intelligence and suspicion.
The one in front stepped forward, gaze snapping immediately to Mochi.
"…The heir," he said.
Aika clutched the baby instinctively.
Kazuki moved between them in a blur, aura flaring violently.
"State your purpose," he growled.
The beastman inclined his head slightly. "By order of the Beast Council."
Aika whispered, "Oh no."
The beastman's gaze slid to her.
"The human," he continued calmly, "is now a variable of concern."
Mochi whimpered.
Blue flames flickered.
Kazuki's claws extended.
"I found her. No one touches her," he said.
The air went still.
Aika's heart pounded.
The system chimed softly.
[NEW ARC INITIATED:] [BEASTWORLD POLITICS HAS NOTICED YOU.]
"…I just wanted breakfast," Aika muttered.
Kazuki didn't look back at her.
"Stay behind me," he said.
She did.
Without hesitation.
And for the first time since arriving in Beastworld, Aika realized—
This wasn't just survival anymore.
This was attending a war.