After everyone from Penguin Logistics explained themselves, Shirou finally understood why they had reacted so intensely earlier.
He had Croissant and Exusiai go sit down, then rubbed his still-aching head.
First there was Alina trying to recruit him into Reunion and then there was this whole situation with Penguin Logistics… Shirou felt like he had taken in way too much information today and it was still only morning.
After organizing everyone's explanations, he more or less understood their reasons.
"Although it is nice to feel valued, interrupting someone else's conversation is still rude. Do you understand?"
Naturally, Shirou trusted everyone from Penguin Logistics. Thinking about it carefully, their reasoning was not wrong and Reunion was still an organization with unclear origins.
The reason he had hesitated earlier was because Alina gave him a strangely familiar feeling and what she said did resonate with him.
But it was only hesitation. In the end, he likely would not accept her offer, he still had a place to return to.
Still, that was separate from interrupting a conversation. What needed to be said still had to be said.
"…Yeah… we were impulsive. Sorry."
Texas sat up straight obediently. She had been the most impulsive, she had even drawn her weapon.
With Shirou looking serious, even Exusiai and Croissant did not dare mess around, sitting quietly and waiting for their scolding.
Seeing this side of Shirou, even Sora felt a bit nervous. Their intentions had been good but their actions had gone too far.
"…Sigh. Just do not do this again next time. I will let it go this time."
Seeing how sincerely they reflected, Shirou could not bring himself to say more.
After all, even if they had some selfish motives, their overall intentions were still good.
In a situation like this, Shirou simply could not be harsh with them.
"Waaaah! Shirou, you are such a good person!"
Hearing that, Exusiai could not hold back anymore. She almost dashed forward to hug his leg and cry.
That kind of acceptance reminded her of her parents back in Laterano, only parents would unconditionally forgive their children like this.
Though Exusiai did not actually rush forward—
Croissant did.
"Shirou! MY HERO! I will FOLLOW YOU FOREVER!"
Croissant clung to Shirou's leg as she declared dramatically.
"Do not wipe your snot on my clothes! It's not easy to wash clothes in this weather!"
Faced with Croissant's assault, Shirou desperately pushed her head away, trying to keep his clothes safe from tears and snot.
He absolutely did not want to walk around in tear- and snot-covered clothes or go wash them in a freezing river!
Seeing Croissant make a move, Exusiai followed up by grabbing his other leg.
"Exusiai, do not join in too!"
Dealing with Croissant's ridiculous strength was already hard enough and now there was another one!
Watching Shirou struggle against Exusiai and Croissant, the tension Texas and Sora felt earlier gradually eased.
Once they relaxed, they both recalled what Alina had said before leaving:
"If no one stays by his side, he could easily go down an extreme path. Please keep that in mind."
Looking at Shirou now, Sora found it hard to imagine him ever going to extremes.
Texas, however, seemed thoughtful.
It reminded her of her own past, though she had chosen her current life, staying with Penguin Logistics.
But she knew this kind of life would not last forever. One day, her past would catch up to her.
Maybe… Shirou was the same?
Watching Shirou finally shake off Exusiai and Croissant while dodging their continued attempts, Texas could not help but think that.
Neither she nor Sora intended to tell Shirou about this.
First, because it was only the words of someone they had just met.
And second…
Penguin Logistics was a team. If Shirou really did become what Alina described, they would not just stand by.
While they were fooling around, Miss Dalia returned.
"Oh? Everyone is awake? I managed to get some wild beast meat. They heard there were messengers staying here, so the people from Reunion gave me a bit extra to properly treat you all."
She held up a bundle of meat tied with rope, there was quite a lot.
"…Meat…"
Seeing the fresh meat, Croissant practically started drooling.
It had been over a day since she last had fresh meat!
And over a day since she had Shirou-cooked meat!
Just looking at it, she was already imagining what dishes Shirou would make.
The others were not as obsessed with meat, especially Exusiai for whom nothing beats apple pie.
Still, if it was cooked by Shirou she would not mind.
"Well… with just meat, it will probably end up as soup."
Miss Dalia sighed slightly. The recent snowy weather had affected crop yields. If not for Reunion frequently distributing meat and supplies, the villagers might have had to risk hunting themselves.
Hearing it would just be plain meat soup, everyone from Penguin Logistics turned their gaze toward Shirou, silently hoping he would use his skills to give that meat a better fate.
Sure, when you are out here, having food at all was already something to be grateful for but if possible, they still wanted something tastier.
"…I remember Exusiai prepared some long-lasting ingredients in the back seat?"
Under their expectant stares, Shirou tried to think of a solution.
Then he remembered, Exusiai had stocked some durable ingredients like sweet potatoes, potatoes, and radishes.
"Ah! I remember! I will go get them!"
Hearing that, Exusiai and Croissant immediately volunteered and rushed out.
"…Do not forget the seasonings!"
Watching them dash off, Shirou reminded them.
"You're going to cook this?"
Seeing their reactions, Miss Dalia understood Shirou's intention.
"Yeah. I will decide based on what ingredients we have. May I use the kitchen?"
Shirou continued thinking about how to turn the available ingredients into a proper dish.
"Of course, go ahead. If you need anything else, I will go borrow it."
Seeing how seriously Shirou was taking this, Miss Dalia did not hesitate. From teaching him knitting that morning, she had already sensed he was skilled in this kind of thing.
If she cooked it, it would just be something barely edible.
Better leave it to the expert.