Recognize 2/2

"…The rest is just waiting for the lab results. Once Airburst can confirm the next target, our mission is completed. Well, you did a great job!"

Yu put both hands on Ravyn's cheeks and squeezed them in a playful manner with affection.

"You think I would say that compliment to you?~ It's very dangerous for ordinary people to go out in the operation field designated for The Airburst, who have undergone rigorous training to deal with particular crises. Next time you have to use that report button in the board's corner, will you?~ "

The purple-haired girl stood stiff, not knowing how to deal with this colleague's liveliness.

"Alrighty, it's time for the welcome party of our new, keen member. Let's go eat this evening!~"

The girl with glasses leads her junior to the cafeteria.

######

Inside, the food court of AB is decorated with flowers, and the restaurant kiosks are themed mainly in light green. This gives Ravyn a relaxed atmosphere at first sight. A wide variety of restaurants and desserts are selected from everywhere to satisfy the people in the organization. It can be called a paradise for gastronomes.

…It's a shame that Pierret can't get here to try the good food while it's hot. The AB elevator locations must be kept confidential, and they won't work if there's any outsider detected…

Ravyn felt sorry for her foodie best friend.

"Look at you!~ Your eyes shine even brighter than when you saw the Intel board."

Yu teased Ravyn's excited reaction to the point that it turned her ears red.

######

While Ravyn was queuing up at a fried rice restaurant, she met a boy in the front who was assertively haggling on food prices.

"My beautiful auntie Juree~ This fragrant and appetizing egg fried rice makes me want to be a member of this restaurant for a whole month, every day! … How does 15% off for membership, including this time, sound?"

He praised the shopkeeper and came up with the deal at once.

"Aw, sweet-mouthed youngling~ But I'm sorry, no bargain for the standard of aunty's babies out of her wok. Sticker price only."

Even though the cook turned him down, the boy still didn't give up and took out the notebook and pen.

"Don't settle until you see this. In the long run, it's a win-win for us. As for the calculated profit, you'll get for this month…"

Fed up with this boy's bargain, Juree was about to chase him away. But when the money for food was placed in front of her, the seller immediately wore a sweet smile.

"In full. Thank you, lady."

The purple-haired girl in the back paid the small difference for that boy to get to her turn. The young man, who got a treat, stopped scribbling the numbers and bowed gratefully to Ravyn.

"Ca.. Canteen Angel. Big Bro Kanji, thank you for your kind support."

Suddenly, the intel girl with glasses, who had just finished queuing for the next booth, came to adorably pinch the brown boy's cheek in annoyance.

"What's with that thankful manner?~ Your salary can buy you a car a month, isn't it? Kanji!~ "

"Ouch, big bro Kanji hurts."

######

"My name is Kanji from the finance department. I may be just 17, but I'm the eldest. Honored for the introduction, canteen angel."

A hospitable boy makes a start.

"And this is our newbie, Ravyn. You've seen her this morning."

Yu introduced her while the referred person slightly bowed her head.

" Good job getting into the intelligence department. Please look after our lonely Yu, will you?"

Kanji naturally spoke as if he really was the oldest here, and the girl with glasses didn't mind, as if that was normal.

All three of them chatted merrily around the dining table, although Ravyn was mostly listening until the work-related topics were brought up.

"Our new girl is doing great. She cleared her first J-rank mission in only 6 hours."

Yu complimented Ravyn.

" Excellent, Ravyn! You are the first since Yu worked here to clear the first mission in a day."

Kanji added.

"Aren't I the only one who comes after Yu?"

The purple-haired girl was puzzled by what she heard.

"Of course not. The intel actually tried to recruit quite a few more people, but due to the rigor of missions, which often have lives at stake. Overwhelmed by pressure, most of them quit within the first week. Some stay longer, but it's just Yu, eventually."

The boy replied.

"You know-it-all~ Little Kanji."

"So normally, Yu works with Mr. Charles. All by only two people?"

Ravyn followed up.

######

After dinner at AB, Ravyn walked back to Gentle'sand with Yu's voice still echoing in her head until she murmured.

"2 hours…"

That was the time it took Yu to clear her first mission, plus the time she learned how to use the Intel Board by herself.

"It's a big world out there."