"It's pretty rare for you to oversleep, Shirou."
After finishing breakfast, the group sat around chatting. Mainly because they had nothing to do today and no one really felt like moving.
Also, after being bundled up too much the past few days, everyone was now dressed quite lightly which made Shirou a bit uncomfortable.
"I was thinking about something."
Shirou brewed a cup of milk coffee to wake himself up. Of course, he made one for everyone especially since Exusiai was currently struggling with her report.
Sora and Texas got theirs, and he could not just leave Croissant out, so everyone got a cup.
"What kind of thing?"
Croissant took a sip. She did not usually drink coffee, but since Shirou made it, she figured she might discover a new taste.
"Could it be what Miss Nian said yesterday?"
Sora recalled the cryptic words Nian had said before they left the hot pot restaurant, about finding something Shirou truly wanted to do.
"…Yeah."
Shirou did not deny it. After all, it was exactly those words that had been bothering him.
Because she had seen right through him.
Though it was not just Nian. Part of it also came from what Alina had told him about the Infected, making him truly realize their situation in this world.
All these thoughts had been piling up, and Nian's words were simply the trigger that made him face them seriously.
Before that, he had held back from acting because he did not fully understand this world.
"You actually lost sleep over something a random stranger said?"
Exusiai looked surprised. If it were her, she would have forgotten about it immediately.
"Go write your report."
Texas glanced at her expressionlessly, and Exusiai instantly felt a sense of danger, obediently returning to her work.
"It is more like I already had these concerns. Miss Nian just brought them up."
Seeing Exusiai get shut down, Shirou chuckled.
Being around Penguin Logistics made people feel at ease, at least that is how he felt.
Though he also knew it was because their work was complicated, so they needed moments like this.
At the very least, smiling here was better than being gloomy all the time.
"Hmm… something you want to do… Are you unsure what you want, or are there other concerns?"
Sora thought for a moment and asked.
"Both, I guess."
Shirou replied. He had vague ideas, but could not quite grasp them.
And he also had to take care of everyone at Penguin Logistics and time might be an issue.
"That is tricky… Maybe just try things out first? Croissant and I both have our own side jobs. We only do deliveries when we are free or on long-distance jobs."
Sora shared her and Croissant's experience, hoping it would give Shirou some perspective.
"Shirou, want to come run a stall with me?"
Croissant leaned in, clearly only half-listening.
"No."
Shirou gently pushed her head away. She obediently flopped back onto the sofa and continued lazing around.
Still, Shirou found Sora's suggestion reasonable.
Instead of overthinking, it might be better to take the first step and deal with problems as they came.
Though one thing made him curious—
What exactly was Sora's job?
He already knew Croissant's, he had even seen her running a stall before. The items were pretty good… though sometimes a bit strange.
So he asked:
"By the way… Sora, what do you do?"
As soon as he asked, everyone in the room froze.
"Shirou… you do not watch TV?"
Exusiai's hand trembled as if she had just witnessed something horrifying.
"I do. I mostly watch the news."
Shirou answered, feeling everyone's gaze.
Watching TV was a recent habit, he would usually play the news while reading.
After getting used to reading amid Penguin Logistics' noise, silence actually made it harder for him to focus.
"Lungmen curse—Shirou, where did this old man come from? You are young! Watch something age-appropriate!"
Croissant cursed and grabbed the remote, flipping through channels.
They usually controlled the TV while Shirou would read or do his own thing. Who would have thought that when they were not around he would only watch the news?
At the very least, there was still his phone—
Oh wait. Shirou was the kind of person who could forget his phone entirely.
This completely went against Penguin Logistics' entertainment-first philosophy!
Even Texas watched dramas sometimes!
"Shirou, you… never mind. Sora, you explain."
Texas decided to leave it to the person involved.
"My job is… being an idol."
Sora straightened up and patted her chest.
"…An idol?"
Shirou froze, processing the word.
An idol… as in that kind of idol?
"Hi hi~ Hello everyone! It is Sora here~!"
A voice came from the TV.
Shirou turned and saw Sora on screen, dressed in a beautiful, dazzling outfit.
He stared at the TV with a complete "confused subway old man looking at his phone" expression.
Judging from the cheers, Sora seemed to be a very popular idol.
So… why was an idol working at Penguin Logistics?
"I thought you already knew. You always prepare low-calorie meals for Sora."
Exusiai suddenly dashed over and patted Shirou's shoulder, clearly enjoying the moment.
Even if it was not her own secret identity, she still found it fun.
"I just adjusted meals based on everyone's preferences."
Shirou quickly composed himself.
She was an idol. Not a big deal.
He was literally someone who had crossed worlds.
"No wonder I have been finishing my meals lately… you adjusted them?"
Sora realized that recently, the dishes were all things she liked, and the portions were just right.
"I noticed too."
Texas nodded, her meals were always her favorites.
"Really?"
Croissant looked confused. She had not noticed, she ate everything anyway.
"Same here."
Exusiai also did not feel any "Emiya-mama love."
"As long as you two have food, you are happy, right?"
Shirou could not help but complain. He had carefully adjusted everyone's meals, and this was the feedback he got?
"Hmph. Croissant bread and meat pies are not enough for you two, huh? Fine Croissant gets a vegetarian set today, and Exusiai gets an extra spicy one."
Shirou decided to scare them a little.
"???"
The two froze and then immediately lunged at him.
"Nooo! I can not live without meat!"
Croissant could not imagine a life of only vegetables.
"I do not eat spicy food!"
Exusiai was even more direct. After yesterday's spicy trauma, there was no way she could handle it again.
"Stay back! Or I will really do it!"
Shirou raised both hands to block them, completely unprepared for such an intense reaction.
Texas and Sora watched the scene with smiles.
As long as Exusiai and Croissant were around, laughter would never leave Penguin Logistics.