(A New Fate and A new route opens to our heroes. Let us see what happens next to everyone involved.)
Bold = English Conversations
Bold + Italics = Japanese Conversations
Fate 26
Dinner, one of the few things a human being needs to eat in order to survive. Normally dinner is something that people do not try to put much thought into but in the case of Sora, Makoto and Bullet, this dinner was going to be something special. This restaurant that Makoto was taking Sora and Bullet to had managed to gain minor fame as an eatery as this eatery was home to what can be considered the greatest of food achievements that did not involve automobile companies.
"Here we are, Antonios." Makoto said as both Sora and Bullet standing in front of what was the most interesting layout a restaurant ever had. The door looked like your traditional italian eatery but the entire building was leaning. "Oh don't worry about the lean, apparently that's a stylistic decision." Makoto explained as Bullet couldn't help but tilt her head to follow the direction of the tower. "… you don't plan on eating on the higher floors right?" Bullet questioned as Makoto couldn't help but chuckle.
"What? Don't feel like taking a little risk with some danger?" Makoto teased as Bullet shook her head. "You just love teasing me huh…" Bullet said, holding back the comment she wanted to make as Sora was nearby and if he heard her say it, she knew that he would have lost his mind. "Oh come on now, I just think that the novelty of eating at a restaurant that is leaning would be appealing." Makoto said as Bullet simply looked at her upon hearing that statement.
"So this is the restaurant that was supposedly approved by the Frenchman?" Bullet questioned as Makoto nodded her head. "So… what's the story about this Frenchman huh? Why is he even called a Frenchman?" Bullet questioned as Makoto placed a finger on her chin, stroking her white hair with the other. "Well… if you don't mind listening about rumors I can tell you." Makoto said as Sora couldn't help but raise his eyebrow upon hearing that.
"I don't care about what the rumors say… but at the same time if that is the only way I will hear about this guy I don't really care where it comes from." Bullet said as Makoto smiled upon hearing that. "Well now listen here lady, for this is a tale as old as time." Makoto said, mimicking an old lady's voice as Bullet stared at her with a face that simply said seriously while Sora was glad that there was a quiet moment like this that allowed them to relax.
"Long Long ago… a few years precisely after the Black Lotus invasion, the world was healing when something horrible happened. A restaurant in the 8th Hierarchical city of Wadatsumi reported that their humble abode was dined and dashed in. However the culprit was never found and the restaurant owner was accused of faking the report. While they never went to prison, the community lost trust in that restaurant and they were forced to close."
Makoto, speaking in the most over dramatic voice she could muster had Bullet's eyes blink several times while Sora could only stare at her, a deer with headlights as he was caught off guard by Makoto's way of explaining things. 'Was...Was Makoto always as animated as she is right now father?' Amy questioned as Sora did not even bother responding to the woman, simply wanting to hear more of the story. "Well go on. Don't leave us in suspense." Sora said as Makoto grinned, happy to continue.
"If that was all, then that restaurant would just be another victim of a dine and dash but then! A high class restaurant in the 9th Hierarchical City of Akitsu-Ko reported that their establishment had been dined and dashed as well! Now people started to believe that the restaurant was not faking the report but in fact this mysterious dine and dasher was a mythical food critic who expressed their dislike for food by simply leaving the area without paying the bill! But instead of being a brute and running out the front door, they escape from these restaurants by escaping from a back room! Leaving no trace of their existence!"
"No shit… is that why new restaurants recently have begun to try making sure their bathrooms are either in the 2nd floor or completely covered up?" Bullet questioned as Makoto nodded her head. "Indeed! But no matter what these restaurants tried to do, they could not escape from being dined and dashed from this mythical figure! Thus, this dine and dasher became known as a respected food critic that will not hesitate to run away from your restaurant should they deem your food unworthy!" Makoto said as this made Bullet turn her attention towards the Italian restaurant they were about to eat in.
"And thus, he was first known as an infamous dine and dasher but when the NOL asked for a name, one person simply said, "Only a French man would have done something like this." And the moment that was said, the name the French man was coined and made official. Since their identity was never found, their wanted poster was simply just a blank." Makoto explained as Sora nodded his head the entire time hearing this as this was one of the few times he was glad that the Azure erased his identity.
"So what's the deal with this place anyways? If this French Man was so famous for ruining the restaurants that they visit, why hasn't this place gone down under from the very same thing?" Bullet questioned as Makoto nodded at that. "Now here is where our tale begins to get very interesting. For you see, what you have heard is only the long history of the French Man. We need to talk about what has happened recently." Makoto said as Bullet sighed and gestured for Makoto to continue.
"Well it happened around a year ago. A humble restaurant was visited by the French Man but unlike these other restaurants, the French man didn't immediately run out of the restaurant. Legend has it that the french man had his little french heart grow several sizes, his childhood flashing before his very eyes as he enjoyed what he was presented so much that when he left the restaurant from his usual method. He not only paid for the bill but also gave extra to the chef and his staff. This mere feat alone was enough for the restaurant to develop a great renown as being a restaurant that the French Man accepted."
Bullet couldn't believe what she was hearing. She swore she was now hearing the makings of a movie in her ears. "...Now you are just fucking with me." Bullet said, still feeling dumbfounded by what she had just heard. "But it's very true. That restaurant and a few others have the unique distinction of being marked as restaurants that the French Man approves eating in and have become major culinary institutions. But of course, the restaurant losers fell even deeper and some even got closed in the process." Makoto said as Bullet wanted to swear at the absurdity of the story she was hearing.
"And right now we are here, at the very first restaurant that the French Man made their very appearance." Makoto said as she dramatically raised her hand towards the sign of Antonios. "A seat for 3 please." Sora said calmly as he had decided to wait in line to ensure they got a seat while Makoto was making her dramatic speech. "Oh come on Sora you missed out on the best part!" Makoto complained as Sora simply shook his head and gave her a kiss at that moment, the best way to silence her after her great story before lightly patting her head.
"We have a table available for 3 right now. Please follow me." A waitress said as Sora smiled and nodded his head, walking into the restaurant as Makoto followed behind, grabbing Sora's hand as she bashfully followed him into the restaurant. Bullet simply stared at what had transpired before simply sighing and shaking her head, walking with them into the restaurant as they could hear the hustle and bustle that was happening inside.
Antonios, the first restaurant that was visited and successfully fed the French Man with food that not only made him happy but paid the bill on his way out was enjoying a business that nobody had ever heard before. A few of the pictures on the wall had the wanted poster of the French Man, his identity still a mystery to everyone involved as it had been changed from it's wanted dead or alive status to just a wanted alive, signifying how important the French Man had become to those in the restaurant industry.
"Here's your seat." The waitress said, offering a seat that was rather humble and away from the bustle of the crowd. As they took their seats and had their menus presented upon them, they couldn't help but notice that the menu had something special printed on it. "The French Man special…" Bullet said, unable to believe the ridiculousness of the situation in front of her. "Ahh yes, that's the special tasting menu we created after we were visited by the french man. It's a collection of items that he liked during his time here. They are also our most popular items as well." The waitress explained as Makoto couldn't help but grin.
"In that case, we will get this tasting menu. What about you guys? Anything you want here?" Makoto questioned as Bullet looked hard at the menu before shaking her head, unable to figure out what was to eat and decided to try the tasting menu. "What about you sir? Anything here in particular catching your eye?" The waitress politely asked as Sora continued to look at his menu, drawn towards the pastas as the tasting menu had a risotto, margherita pizza and mussels with red sauce on a side of red wine. While that was plenty for everyone to eat, Sora himself felt like tasting something else.
"Can I have a carbonara and a calzone." Sora said, smiling as he handed his menu back towards the waitress who looked at him, tilting her head. "Ummm...pardon me sir if this is rude, but have I seen you before?" The waitress questioned as Sora tilted his head at the question. "I am pretty sure this is my first time." Sora said, the waitress blushing as she realized she made an honest mistake. "Ahhh.. Sorry for my rudeness. I will go now." The waitress said as she rushed back to the kitchen to hand the order in.
"What was that about?" Bullet questioned as Makoto, being a former member of the NOL Intelligence department, began to grow suspicious from that discussion. "Why did the lady act the way she did huh Sora…" Makoto questioned as Sora simply shrugged at that moment. Makoto decided against saying anything at that moment as she was simply excited to try the food that was coming ahead. "...So… I think now is a good time for us to discuss."
"Hold it Bullet! The serious talk can wait until we have dinner!" Makoto said, promptly putting a stop to any kind of discussion as Bullet was about to protest before stopping herself, realizing why Makoto was being the way she was. "If that is the case… very well I will just keep to myself what I am thinking for the time being." Bullet said as Makoto smiled, nodding her head before immediately hugging Sora's arm, making sure he could feel her breasts push on them. "This really does feel like a romantic dinner doesn't it?" Makoto said, a smile on her face as Sora simply smiled and nodded his head.
"When all of this is over, let's go and get ourselves a proper dinner of two." Sora said, making Makoto smile as while Sora was always focused on the task ahead, he was able to think about the little things like this. "You better. And now that I know how much you have, I expect a really good dinner too!" Makoto teased, Sora scratching the back of his head. "Are you saying you will bother to learn table manners to eat at a fancy restaurant?" Sora questioned as Makoto couldn't help but blush and while her eyes were closed, immediately gave Sora a jab to his ribs.
"Are you trying to imply something honey?" Makoto said, giving Sora for some reason a feeling that told him that death was approaching him as he quickly shook his head at that statement, reassuring Makoto that there was nothing being implied at that moment as Bullet couldn't help but watch the sight in front of her with a growing curiosity. Having spent her entire life with a mercenary group, she was not used to signs of affection like this as Sora couldn't help but notice a growing curiosity on her face as Sora decided to make some conversation with her at that moment.
Sora: Not used to Romance Bullet?
Bullet: To be honest, not really
Sora: Romance was banned on your mercenary group?
Bullet: It wasn't that really… My group felt more like a family more than anything.
Sora: A family huh… They were a good family weren't they.
Bullet: The best family a mercenary like me could ever ask. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.
As Sora and Bullet conversed a bit, Makoto couldn't help but become curious about what she was hearing. "Say Bullet. Can you tell me more about your mercenary group. I want to know more about them." Makoto said as Bullet was surprised to hear Makoto ask such a question. "Well… what do you want to know about them? How good they were in fighting? What they were like in their downtime?" Bullet questioned, asking the two most obvious questions that would be asked by people about her mercenary group as Makoto shook her head.
"You were led by someone correct? Can you go into deeper detail what they was like?" Makoto innocently questioned as Sora froze a bit upon hearing that. He turned his head towards Bullet, waiting for her response as Bullet took a deep breath upon hearing that statement. "Did… Did I hit a nerve?" Makoto questioned as she was worried that she had asked an insensitive question towards the female mercenary. Seeing the female mercenary take a deep breath made Makoto reflexively prepare herself for the worst.
"He was a great man… he led my group with the utmost of respect and seriousness. Always telling us to be cautious and take things slow. He also would get angry with us whenever we would overstep our boundaries." Bullet explained as Makoto nodded her head upon hearing that statement. "You know… I kinda got that feeling when I briefly met Iron Tager a while back. It feels like a long time ago at this point." Makoto said, surprising Bullet.
"You met the Red Devil?" Bullet questioned as Makoto nodded her head. "It was just for a little while but I got to talk to the guy. He's a good guy overall, serious and down to business like your mercenary boss was I feel." Makoto said, speaking innocently as she was trying to relate herself with Bullet but Sora could feel a tension in the air begin to develop as he wondered where this was going to go.
"So this captain of yours… You are 100% confident that he is still alive and out there right now?" Makoto questioned as Bullet held back the urge to snap at the squirrel beastkin and understood that she was just trying to make sure that Bullet was serious. "Yes...he's definitely alive… and I think he's the Red Devil." The moment that Bullet said those words, both Sora and Makoto immediately understood what they had just heard was something rather serious.
"And I am guessing that conversation you had with Kokonoe and Tager back then is all you need?" Sora questioned as Bullet looked at her hands and fidgeted. "I won't lie… when I remembered you in that arena… my memories of the time I spent with you came along with me. It felt like… I was simply overwriting the previous Bullet's memories to currently be here right now." Bullet explained as Makoto could understand that this was becoming slightly serious and was not sure how they should proceed. She didn't know if they should be eating this good food if the mood keeps dropping.
It was at that moment, after giving Makoto a small glance Sora reacted. Makoto saw Sora reach out and place a hand on Bullet's shoulder as she was surprised by this gesture. "I am not saying this because I am thinking this is killing the mood… but I don't want you to ruin the food that you are about to taste with what you are going to say next. So keep those words in for now and let's discuss things after dinner." Sora politely said, giving Bullet a kind of reassurance that she had only felt when she was around her captain as Makoto could see Bullet's tension slowly release at that moment.
"You...You're right. Sorry for being a mood killer." Bullet said, surprised by how Sora was able to defuse the situation in front of him. "Nah you're no mood killer. You are just putting your heart out there and you shouldn't feel any kind of shame for doing so." Sora explained as Bullet couldn't help but smirk a little upon hearing that statement. "Are you sure you should be talking like that in front of your girlfriend? Aren't you afraid she will get jealous?" Bullet said, not meaning to tease but Makoto mistook that as a cue for her to start teasing Sora.
"Yeah Honey. Are you really flirting on another girl while I am here?" Makoto teased as she couldn't help but give him a few playful elbows in the process, making Sora wince a little with each thrust. "Come on now I am not doing any flirting of the sort here. I am just saying something honest from the heart." Sora replied as Makoto gave him an even wider grin upon hearing him make that statement.
"Honest huh… sounds like someone over here has a hidden talent for making the women like him." Makoto continued as Sora couldn't help but feel a sweat drop down his forehead at Makoto's teasing, unsure if this was her being in a joking mood with him or her wanting to genuinely kill him at that moment. All Sora could do at that moment was nervously chuckle and nod his head, making sure not to do anything that he felt would anger Makoto in any way.
"Ummm excuse me. Your set menu." The waitress said as the food was placed in front of them. The smells one could describe hitting them as the hot food piped in the air would simply be homely. The various italian cuisines greeting everyone's noses helped wet their appetites as a loud growl could be heard coming Makoto's way. "Well will you look at that. We have the sounds of a beast growling our way." Sora teased back, jabbing his own elbow to Makoto's ribs.
"….You are so lucky we are in the middle of a public place Mister…" Makoto said, feeling the teasing that Sora was giving her as she blushed hard, only able to take the teasing Sora was dishing back to her at that moment. "Ummm… Thanks." Bullet said to the waitress as she smiled and left, happy to leave the customers to enjoy Antonio's cooking as Makoto quickly cleared her throat and grabbed the poured glass of red wine.
"In any case. A toast to a healthy relationship!" Makoto said, trying to drown her embarassing failure out with the sound of free food going into her belly. As soon as cheers were made, everyone began to eat the meal that was in front of them. The food was simply amazing with everything working together. The pizza and calzone were well made hot baked dishes while the risotto was both creamy and savory with the choice of cheese and Guancialle.
The Carbonara that Sora had ordered was a hit with the girls as Bullet was struggling to not lose her mind from all the different tastes that she was feeling right now. "Beats eating just the normal rations and beef jerkey all them time right?" Sora said as Bullet simply nodded her head upon hearing that statement as she continued to eat the meal in front of her without another word. Her hands then reached towards the mussels.
At first she reflexively winced and pulled away, realizing that the shells of these mussels were still quite hot much to her surprise. At that moment she knew that they were at least cooked as she lifted one of the mussels up to try for herself. As soon as she sucked one of them into her mouth she could immediately taste the heat hit her right on the back of her mouth. This was followed by sweat forming on the corner of her forehead as Makoto and Sora noticed Bullet sweat even more.
"Do you need some water?" Makoto politely asked, raising a glass for the mercenary to drink but Bullet shook her head at that. "No need. This is just the perfect heat for me thanks." Bullet said as Makoto simply shrugged as Sora couldn't help but smile and nod his head, realizing that the food was simply just good. After that brief talk, the group simply spent their time eating their meal in peace as soon the plates were empty, the shells of mussels being what decorated the plates in front of them.
"Ahhhhh I cannot have another bite." Makoto said, a smile on her face as Bullet nodded her head at that. The girls ate way more than Sora had as he felt rather full but not to the point of being bloated like the girls were. "Hehe. I am going to use the restroom for a bit. You girls just take it easy." Sora said as both Bullet and Makoto nodded their heads, too full and satiated from the meal they had to contest.
"Do...Do you really eat like this everyday with him?" Bullet questioned as Makoto simply shook her head. "I only recently got to meet back up with him… it's a long story if you want to know more about it." Makoto said as Bullet, maybe due to the wine or the good meal felt like being in the mood to listen to what Makoto had to say as she simply nodded her head at what Makoto had just said. "Now where do I even begin…" Makoto said, her thoughts wondering as she knew where to start.
"Well it all started with the end of the year and me going on a mission with the NOL…" Makoto said as she began to recount her tale to Bullet, letting her hear everything that had happened to her. From her mission for the NOL to her eventual travel to another world, rediscovering her memories about Sora and her recent adventures fight off people who were trying to erase her memory about Sora. When Makoto finished telling her tale, she could tell that Bullet was simply in deep thought at what she had just heard.
"...You two...really have had it rough these past few months…" Bullet said, those being the only words she could muster for Makoto at that moment as Makoto simply nodded her head at that. "I am just glad that me and Sora now have some private time to enjoy all of this. The world may end on us but at the same time, I would rather make sure I make as many memories as I can with Sora before anything bad happens to us." Makoto said as Bullet nodded her head at that statement.
"Speaking of Sora… Where is that man. He has been in the toilet for quite some time already." Bullet said as Makoto realized that Bullet was right about what she had said. At first, she just wanted to say that Sora was simply constipated and that they should wait a bit longer but at the same time, what if something terrible happened to him. She could try contacting him but the thought of hearing her boyfriend trying to relieve himself made Makoto immediately shake her head, squashing any dirty thoughts that could have formed as a result.
"I have an idea." Makoto said as she raised her hand, attracting the attention of the waitress in the process. "I have a male friend who went into the restroom and hasn't come out for a while. Can you check if he's doing alright?" Makoto questioned as the waitress immediately couldn't help but feel a sweat drop down her forehead. "O-Of course...Maam." the waitress said as she immediately rushed to let a waiter know to check.
"What's up with her?" Bullet questioned as Makoto wondered along with her before she began to realize that the reason why the Waitress was behaving like the way she does was due to a familiar sense. "Wait a minute… going to the toilet… eating a meal…" Makoto said as her train of thoughts began to grow further. The fact that Sora went into the restroom, after having a meal and hasn't been seen since while also the waiters and waitresses were sweating. There was no way.
"Get the chef! They have been here!" A waiter shouted as everyone in the restaurant heard the waiter speak in a loud voice. "They? Did the French Man strike again!?" A diner said as immediately whispers were heard as Makoto could feel her connection with Sora buzz as she activated the ars magus spell. "Tell me Makoto. How is everyone in the restaurant reacting right now." Sora said as Makoto couldn't help but feel her jaw drop.
"Oh...OH MY! A REPEAT SUCCESS!?" A voice shouted from the restroom as immediately diners immediately began buzzing. "The French Man was here again!? And they approved of the food here!?" "We've got to order whatever the French Man ordered! Waiter what did the French Man order!?" Another diner shouted as soon the restaurant was buzzing with the good news. Bullet was simply surprised by what was going on.
"Wait the French Man is a real person!?" Bullet exclaimed in shock while Makoto couldn't help but feel like she had a thousand yard stare. How did she not know. How did she never piece things together. The way Sora knew about Antonios to the way he ordered food items instead of sticking with the set menu. The dots pieced themselves in her mind as she knew she had to say something. "How the fuck did I never realize that you of all people were the French Man." Makoto said, staggered she never made the connection after regaining her memories.
"I will see you and Bullet later. I had a good meal and want to walk it off for a bit. Don't worry about the bill, I already paid for it." Sora explained as the waitress walked up to the ladies. "Ummm ladies. Did you happen to know the man that you were dining with earlier?" The waitress asked as Bullet looked at her confused. "What's the matter? Is he sick or something?" Bullet questioned as the Waitress immediately looked at Bullet surprised before clearing her throat.
"Well… wherever he is right now, I just would like to let you know that someone has already paid the bill for your table and you are free to go." The waitress said as this left Bullet confused as the Waitress went to go and serve another table. "Someone paid for the bill?" Bullet questioned as Makoto did not know how to feel about Bullet's question at that moment as she took a deep breath. "You are going to answer all of my questions when we meet again Mr French Man." Makoto demanded as Sora could only muster a meek sounding yes at that.
"Just meet me at the park. I am there right now." Sora said as at that moment, Makoto immediately ended the call as Sora could feel sweat drip down the back of his neck at that very moment. Sora couldn't help but feel like he was shot with a bullet and he was going to get cooked at that moment. He knew he had a lot of questions coming his way as soon as Makoto got to his location and he better prepare for them rather than wait and see like he usually does.
"Still… feels good to do that again after a long while." Sora said, happy that he gave Antonios the French Man treatment again as it was rare for him to leave a restaurant paying the bill. He has exited out of the restaurant from the bathroom too many times that he got used to leaving with that method over just walking through the front door. Antonios being the first restaurant he has left satisfied from using the same methods makes Antonios have a growing place in his heart.
As Sora walked towards the park bench to sit and wait for the two ladies. He could hear the distinct sound of wood clocking on the ground. That confused him at first as he wondered who could be trying to smash wood on each other in the middle of a park at night but then upon closer listening he realized that was not wood smashing but a kind of wooden slippers walking on the ground. Sora looked around, wondering where the source of that sound could come from.
"So you are the hidden actor that has been causing a storm for everyone involved." A voice, calm but smooth spoke as Sora turned towards the sound of the voice. As he did so, his eyes were met with both a breath taking and baffling sight. He did not know how he always manages to meet people that tend to leave a good first impression but this time was no exception. "May I ask for the name of the person that is speaking to me?" Sora questioned as the individual gave him a coy smile.
His purple hair was tied in such an intricate manner that Sora did not know how to describe it. What he can describe was the pink kimono that came with a pink translucent ribbon flowing along with it. The man wore make up which was the biggest surprise to Sora as judging from the makeup and the way he dressed, he looked like he was a part of a group of people responsible for entertaining the masses, a trope Makoto called them. That was not what made Sora wary of this man but the fact that he knew about Sora's origins.
"… The name's Amane Nishiki, and I would like to get a closer look of you."
GREETINGS LOST SHEEP OF FANFICTION!? HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING ON THIS FINE DAY!? I apologize for how long it has taken me to post this chapter. I did warn you guys when I released the last chapter that the next few months will be busy for me. Unfortunately it looks like things will remain busy for a little while so I am only going to be posting this one chapter for this month. I hope this chapter will be something you all enjoy for waiting even if it's on the shorter side for my writing standards.
SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT TO OUR PROTAGONISTS OF FATE!? HOW WILL THIS NEW MEETING CHANGE THINGS FOR SORA!? WILL THIS NEW PERSON, AMANE NISHIKI BE A PROSPEROUS ONE OR A TERRIBLE OMEN OF THINGS TO COME. AND HOW WILL HIS WORDS CHANGE THE DIRECTION THAT SORA TAKES!? All this and more when the wheels of fate turn once again...