Self-Service Water
One peaceful morning in Candle Square.
Soft!!
You really thought that flimsy temptation would work? Soft to the core!
I'm the proud Commander of the Western Liberators and a warrior of Raven Wall.
I'm not so weak that I'd be swayed by words like those.
Got it?! I don't want it at all!
Not the canapés! Not the tarts!
Not even the chocolate fondue!!
All I said was, "How about eating at the cafeteria today?"
How do you even know about those desserts?
Hmph, NOA's reputation for indulgence precedes it.
Even if you don't want to know, you end up learning about it anyway.
I'm really curious what that prejudice is based on.
It's not prejudice, it's fact.
NOA's Candle Square is pretty large and luxurious.
I heard places like that usually have a chocolate fountain.
Dipping tartlets into an endless stream of chocolate...
...
A-a machine of utter moral depravity!
...Who told me that?
...Lydia did.
I think I found the source.
But you said you didn't bring lunch.
Ceres herself had said so, of all people.
Lydia... was busy this morning and said she couldn't pack one...
...It's fine. I have Western field rations.
A practical, efficient meal for a proper warrior.
Well, how about trying the cafeteria, then?
It might not be what you're imagining.
...Were you even listening, Captain?
I told you. Indulgence like that is spirit-softening poison to a warrior of Raven Wall!
Like what canapés actually taste like, or if egg tarts really have eggs in them...
...It's not like I'm not curious!
...
...Still, not eating properly is a problem...
And I know that...
S-still...! I can't let myself be corrupted by NOA's indulgence...!
Here. Rye bread, cheese, and milk.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
...
Ah, thank you.
I sat across from Ceres, who suddenly looked very deflated.
...
You look kinda let down.
L-let down?! I was only...
I merely found it unexpected that neither canapés nor egg tarts were served.
This is hardly different from a farmer's breakfast.
That sounds exactly like being let down...
Not at all!
Being "let down" means something didn't live up to expectations, right?
But I had no expectations whatsoever!
I had steeled myself.
...I was ready for it.
I had seriously steeled myself for this!
...Yeah, I get it now.
Ceres knows a suspiciously large amount about desserts and sweets.
I doubt someone who really only ever ate rations would get her hopes up... no, steel herself that much.
You've had dessert before, haven't you?
What?
You know what they say. Only someone who's tasted it knows how good it is...
Th-that kind of thinking is just prejudice.
Should a Journey Captain really be this easily swayed by stereotypes?!
So you really haven't tried them?
...
...I-I've had it once. Just once.
Long ago... when I visited NOA with the former commander of the Western Liberators.
She took me to a cafe.
And bought me a parfait.
...
...I only tasted it that one time because she happened to buy one for me. That's all.
...
...You were right. Candle Square's cafeteria isn't bad.
Simple, but nutritionally balanced.
Still, this is the last time I'll eat here.
Why?
...How many times do I have to say it?
Even the most modest dish, if you let your guard down for a second...
...It'll make you weak.
Ever since... the former commander took me to that cafe...
I would lose focus and drift off into those memories.
I should've used that time to grow stronger.
I should've focused on swordsmanship, not the taste of some snack.
If I had stayed focused and trained harder back then...
If I had gotten strong enough to protect her...
...
...My apologies. That has nothing to do with you, Captain.
I even interrupted your meal.
I'll head out now. See you at training.
Ceres got up to return her tray, her expression stiff.
...What caught my eye was that her tray was completely empty.
...It was good though, right?
Today's lunch, that is.
...Yes.
But... this will be the last time.
Still, it was good, wasn't it?
Today's lunch, that is.
Yes—
...Don't make me say it again, Captain!
With a huff, Ceres stormed out of the cafeteria.