Realization
Nice work, Ceres!
Good work as well, Captain.
Hmm, so this is what you meant by managing my strength.
I definitely feel less drained than usual.
By easing up, I can fight harder and longer when it really counts...
That's something I'd never considered before.
Whew...
Hmm? What am I doing after this? I hadn't really planned anything.
...
Just so you know.
If you're planning to tempt me again...
It won't be that easy!
Shshtrudel wiff ice cweam...
Swallow before you talk.
...Mmmmm.
*Gulp*
Strudel with ice cream... That's the real point of no return!
But I haven't fallen that far. Not yet.
Nom.
Yeah, sure you haven't.
The strudel Ceres just ate was buried under a heap of whipped cream.
Here, have some orange juice too.
Okay.
...The juice tastes weaker than last time.
Maybe the strudel was sweeter than the juice?
...That must be it!
So the order and combination matter too...
Which means, with the right mix, the impact could be even more devastating.
I'll need to be extremely cautious.
After the parfait incident, Ceres's resistance to desserts had all but collapsed.
She never showed it outwardly, but with the slightest encouragement, she'd pretend to give in and enjoy all sorts of NOA's sweets.
Perhaps because she had relaxed a bit, her training results had actually improved.
So that's what strudel tastes like. I'd only heard about it before.
The fluffy texture paired with rich cream...
It's soft, but it packs a heavy punch. I like that.
Want to try Street Bakers next?
S-Street Bakers...?
...
I hear their bread's amazing.
I-I'm not particularly interested...
...But I heard Lydia's already been there before.
As her superior, I should know what kind of place my subordinate frequents...
What she eats when she is out! That's important information!
If it's for reconnaissance, I can accompany you.
Clearly, she still needs a good excuse to go.
Yup, that's definitely important intel.
...Hmm...
I can't help feeling like... you're leading me around...
But fine, I'll let it go for now.
Right now... I need to focus on this stru...
...del...?
...
...Ceres?
She was staring past my shoulder.
I turned to follow her gaze... and locked eyes with her reflection in the mirror.
Oh.
A pale smear of whipped cream clung to her upper lip.
She held the silver knife and spoon with elegant precision.
A neatly spread napkin on her lap, perfectly placed to catch any crumbs.
The perfect NOA girl stared back in shock.
...
...Ceres?
Wait up, Ceres!
Don't come any closer!
You don't even know where you're going!
...Grr!
That look... What was that supposed to be?!
I looked just like one of those soft NOA people...
No, worse. I was pathetic...!
How foolish... I'd been tainted by indulgence without even realizing it.
What's so good about relaxing...?! What's good about letting up...?!
Wearing that foolish expression...!
But your training results have only gotten better.
That's just a temporary shortcut! Every temptation feels sweet at first!
If I remain dazed, with clouded eyes... there will be no turning back.
...Soft!
I'm furious at myself for becoming so soft...!
I joined the Journey to grow stronger...
Only to disgrace myself like this...!
What does strength mean to you, Ceres?
...What?
...
Strength is... being unshakable.
The ability to stay focused on your goal, no matter what.
...Just like my sister.
...Your sister?
...Kgh.
I misspoke. Forge—
...No.
There's no reason to hide it.
The former commander of the Western Liberators... was my sister.
She was the most perfect warrior and commander I've ever known.
She always put her duty as commander above herself.
She never once showed weakness... or lost her composure.
Unlike me... who's far too soft-hearted.
...I can't afford to be weak or lazy.
Until I lead the Western Liberators to destroy the Void Core,
even if it takes a year or ten... I swear, I will become like her...
...
...I'm going back.
...These escapades of ours end here.
Starting tomorrow... I'll return to how I was before.
Ceres walked away with firm steps.
But after a moment, she turned and came right back, lips tightly pressed.
...
...
The path to my quarters...
Was it left from here... or right?
I silently led Ceres back to her quarters.