Just when Konan went out to called everyone.
Hako arrived just in time, only to flinch as the scent assaulted his senses.
"What is that smell?" he groaned, covering his nose as he approached the table.
But when he saw the dish being served, his expression unexpectedly lit up.
"Whoa! Fabasa, you're serving your special Waqi dish? I didn't expect such a treat!"
His eyes sparkled, and he practically pounced onto the table, taking a dramatic, appreciative whiff.
Fabasa, setting down another bowl, lifted his gaze and replied calmly.
"I'm being generous since it's our first day as classmates. Help yourselves but you're limited to two bowls max."
Zen nodded. Technically, it wasn't really their first day anymore. More like their survival debut but the sentiment was the same.
Then, Zen looked down at the bowl in his hands with doubts. Is this actually edible?
Soon, the rest of the group filtered in. Even Pawen stopped short at the sight of the dish, brows twitching faintly.
He picked up a bowl wordlessly and stared into it.
Zen leaned forward, watching like a scientist awaiting test results. He still couldn't bring himself to take the first bite.
Pawen took a spoonful. There was a brief pause. Then, his eyes sparkled as if stars exploded behind his pupils.
"I want seconds," he said without hesitation, already scooping the last of it into his mouth.
Zen stared at him, then glanced down at his own portion.
No way… is it actually delicious?
He hesitated, parted his lips, and cautiously took a sip.
Eh? It wasn't… that bad?
Actually, it was warm. Flavorful. Even comforting.
By the time he finished the bowl, a strange soothing heat coursed through his limbs.
It wasn't just filling, it was energizing, like it had untangled something tightly wound inside him.
He exhaled comfortably, eyes wide.
"That... was kind of amazing."
Fabasa flashed him a mysterious smile as if to say, Told you so.
Hako nodded in agreement.
"It's amazing. I feel like I could work all day. Fabasa's family recipes are practically magical. I heard the richest man once paid a billion just to have a single feast."
"That's insane."
"It's like a royalty food then?"
Pawen stretched out with a satisfied sigh, his muscles visibly relaxing.
"My whole body feels warm… like something's fixing me from the inside."
Zen listened as they spoke, trying to pinpoint the sensation for himself.
He had always had a weak stomach. Normally, eating something too warm made him feel like his insides were melting.
But now, there was no discomfort. Instead, a peculiar heat was softly pulsing through him, like something deep inside was being restored.
As the others gathered the dishes to wash up or went out to resume their duties, Zen sat quietly, his hand resting on the empty bowl.
At this moment, he felt so unreal like floating in a dream.
He realized just how far he had come.
He hadn't spoken to his mother in over a week.
And Emmy... did she miss her big brother?
Mom would be relieved to know he made friends.
"Zen, you're done, right? Give it here, we'll wash it for you."
Asoun's voice snapped him from his thoughts, grabbing the bowl from Zen's hands before he could protest.
"Yeah, you went to the market and cooked again. Let us handle this," someone added with a smile.
Before Zen could argue, they'd already disappeared with the cleaned-out pot.
Zen stared at his empty hands, feeling something warm blooming in his chest.
Right. He had classmates now. People to talk to. Something he used to only watch from afar.
Every day, when he and Dan picked up trash in the park, he used to see high schoolers walk past in clean uniforms, laughing with their friends.
He used to imagine switching places with them.
Hako walked over and peered at him suspiciously.
"Yo, what are you grinning about all by yourself?"
Zen stood up, falling into step beside him.
"Just thinking about home. I haven't talked to my mother since coming here."
"Your mom?" Hako tilted his head. "You can just called her right?"
Zen nodded, smiling.
"She never wanted a cellphone, but we agreed to talk every Friday morning. Five a.m. sharp, before she leaves for work."
Before Hako could reply, a sudden shout echoed across the yard.
"Everyone! We've got a way to get money!"
A few boys had gathered around Konan, who was staring at his phone.
Zen and Hako exchanged a glance and jogged over.
"What is it? Did something happen?" Hako asked.
Konan looked up, eyes gleaming.
"I was scrolling Channel 1, and the system just dropped a mission."
Zen stilled.
Channel 1? Isn't that the main channel for all Sinilites?
"What kind of mission?" Hako leaned in.
Konan lowered his gaze, reading from the screen.
"An unknown gang appeared at South Tremil Park. They're requesting backup."
He hesitated.
"The reward… is one million Rei."
"One million? Are you sure this isn't a scam?" someone gasped.
Hako stepped in, squinting at the screen.
"Requesting backup? Which class is it coming from?"
"Second grade," Konan replied, tapping through.
"Bronze class."
Hako nodded slowly.
"It's legit. The system's verified it, it wouldn't issue a mission otherwise."
He looked around. "So? Are we going?"
Zen could barely believe his ears.
One million... Rei?
Today was another day of poverty limiting his imagination.
Konan bit his lip, worried.
"They said it's an unknown gang. And it's from the second grade. It might be dangerous."
Kozen, off to the side, paused in his work pulling nails from broken wood.
The warmth from Fabasa's meal was still spreading through him.
The Waqi family... not bad, he thought, while keeping a disinterested scowl on his face.
He looked up, clearly listening closely. Then he scoffed aloud.
"Dangerous? Even better. Sinilites don't back down from a fight. I'm in."
Zen glanced at him sideways.
He's definitely gotten into the role fast.
But if they could earn money and protect people… maybe it really wasn't a loss.
Konan finally exhaled and tapped the screen.
"Then I'll accept it…"
Everyone watched as he pressed it.
[Accept Mission: Backup Request — South Tremil Park. Y/N]
[Yes]