Some time later, the trio had gathered in Boros' room.
They spent the evening talking about everything that had happened throughout the day.
Then-
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Boros called.
The door opened, and Susan stepped inside before giving a polite bow.
"Dinner is ready."
"Alright then."
Boros stood, and the others followed him out.
Susan led them downstairs, through the reception hall, and into a large dining room.
A long dining table stretched across the room, though only three seats had been prepared near one end.
Clearly...
...they were meant for the trio.
The three sat down just as several kitchen staff emerged carrying silver trays.
One by one, plates were placed in front of them.
Akeno tilted her head.
"...Steak?"
Boros stared at his plate for a few seconds before looking at Susan.
"Go tell the chef something."
Susan immediately straightened.
"Y-Yes, sir?"
"Tell him he forgot to cook the steak."
He poked the center of it with his fork.
Susan panicked.
"N-No, sir! It's actually-"
Kinuko suddenly pointed at Boros' plate.
"Is... is that blood?"
A reddish liquid slowly seeped onto the plate.
Susan waved her hands frantically.
"N-No! That's just the meat juices!"
Akeno couldn't hold it in anymore.
She burst out laughing.
"I bet you local folks have never eaten steak before."
"We literally grew up togeth-"
Kinuko stopped.
Akeno slowly turned toward her with the most expressionless face imaginable.
"...Shut up, Kinuko."
"..."
"...Okay."
Boros leaned closer to Akeno and lowered his voice.
"You've had steak before?"
"Yeah."
Before Akeno could answer further, Kinuko cut in.
"But it was actually cooked."
She emphasized the last word while looking directly at Susan.
"Akeno used to sneak out all the time."
"I'm guessing she had steak somewhere during one of those trips."
"I see."
Boros nodded.
Then he frowned.
"...Speaking of."
"Akeno's been awfully quiet."
The three of them turned toward her.
She was staring at the steak with her head lowered, fork frozen in her hand.
"Akeno...?" Kinuko called.
Suddenly-
"DELICIOUS!"
She slammed both hands onto the table.
Tears streamed down her face.
Boros blinked.
"...Don't you think that's a bit of an overrea-"
"DELICIOUS!"
She hit the table again.
"You two have to try it!"
Boros and Kinuko exchanged glances.
"...Alright."
They each cut off a piece and took a bite.
A moment passed.
Then Boros' eyes widened slightly.
"...Wow."
He chewed thoughtfully.
"...Not bad."
Kinuko nodded in agreement.
"It's actually really good."
Boros reached for another bite.
Thunk.
His fork struck the empty plate.
"...Huh?"
Across from him, Akeno leaned back in her chair and rubbed her stomach.
"Ahh..."
A satisfied smile spread across her face.
Boros slowly looked from his empty plate...
...to Akeno.
"You little bastard..."
A vein bulged on his forehead.
"You ate my steak!"
Akeno pointed at him.
"You didn't want it!"
"When did I say that?!"
The two immediately leaned forward until their foreheads collided.
"It's your fault for taking too long!"
"I was appreciating the flavor!"
As the two continued arguing, Kinuko calmly finished the last bite of her own steak.
It really was delicious.
Still...
There was something more important on her mind.
She gently set down her fork and looked at Susan.
"Susan?"
"Yes, Miss Kinuko?"
"You've worked here for quite a while, haven't you?"
Susan nodded.
"For many years."
Kinuko folded her hands together.
"Then you probably know something about Tunisik."
The argument behind her suddenly stopped.
Boros and Akeno both turned to listen.
"We've been assigned a mission there tomorrow."
"Is there anything we should know before we leave?"
"Nothing too specific," Susan replied.
"Tunisik is the neighboring town to Calonia."
She thought for a moment before continuing.
"But lately, crime has been increasing."
She frowned.
"Which is strange."
"The Sylva Guardians Guild usually prioritizes protecting the forest, keeping the peace, and dealing with criminals over taking on ordinary Guild missions."
She folded her hands in front of her.
"However..."
"I've heard rumors they've been occupied by some kind of outside force."
She shook her head.
"I don't know how true that is, though. It could just be gossip."
The trio exchanged glances.
'The S-Rank Killers...'
The same thought crossed all three of their minds.
"Whatever it is," Susan continued, "they've been extremely busy lately."
"The patrols around Tunisik aren't nearly as frequent as they used to be."
"I see," Kinuko said with a nod.
"That's probably why Griffin's sending us there," Akeno added.
"Yeah."
Boros leaned back in his chair.
"Damn old man sends us on a mission with barely any information."
Susan gave an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"You've already helped plenty," Kinuko said as she stood.
"Thank you."
"The food was amazing too," Akeno added with a grin.
Susan bowed politely.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Boros looked toward the staff.
"That's all for today."
"You guys can head home."
Relieved smiles spread across their faces.
"Thank you, sir!"
They bowed together before leaving the dining room.
...
The next morning...
The mansion was already bustling with activity as the trio prepared for their first official mission.
Akeno lay sprawled across Boros' bed, staring miserably at the ceiling.
"I still don't get why we have to leave this early..."
"Because Griffin said so," Kinuko replied while folding clothes into a travel bag.
"And besides," Boros added, "it's not even that early."
He glanced at the clock.
"It's only eight."
"Ugh..."
Akeno buried her face in a pillow.
"So..."
Boros looked toward Kinuko.
"How many clothes do you think we should pack?"
Kinuko paused.
"I'm not really sure."
"But we shouldn't overpack."
"Yeah."
"It's not like we're moving there."
Just then-
Knock. Knock.
"I'll get it."
Boros walked toward the door.
Considering today was the day of their first mission, he assumed Scarlet had come to remind them yet again.
He opened the door.
...Only to freeze.
Standing outside was a young woman with long gray hair.
Someone he had never seen before.
Before Boros could say a single word-
She stepped forward.
Wrapped one arm around the back of his neck.
Pulled him down toward her-
And pressed her lips against his.