[ WARNING: MISSION FAILED. ]
Han couldn't believe it. He had been so close—close enough to see Mirai before a man stepped into his path and everything went wrong.
He lifted his head, recognition snapping into place as he saw the face.
"FLOKI, YOU PIECE OF—!"
The breath was crushed out of him as Floki lifted him clear off the floor. Glassware rattled. Conversations stopped.
[ For quest failure, punishment will be rewarded. ]
'Again… THAT'S NOT A REWARD,' Han thought as his jaw locked shut, his body suspended in the man's rough grip.
He didn't register the stares, the sudden hush, the way silk and tailored suits turned toward him. His clothes were wrinkled, damp at the hem, completely wrong for a place that smelled of wine and money.
Mirai sat with a slight grin near the center back of the room. Close by the musicians. Their eyes met.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Han was yanked back, chair legs screeching as he was dragged off balance. Rage surged up his spine.
Floki looked him over in open disgust—barefoot, disheveled, charging through a luxury restaurant like a stray that had slipped past security.
"You run at her like that?" Floki hissed. "In here? Who even granted you access to enter?"
A sharp chime echoed inside Han's skull.
∗∗For mission failure, punishment will be rewarded.∗∗**For mission failure, punishment will be rewarded.**∗∗For missiont failure, punishment will be rewarded.∗∗
'Again… THAT'S NOT A REWARD', Han thought, as the sharp sound crushed around his skull. "Put him down."
Mirai had stood. Every eye in the room shifted to her.
Floki stiffened, turning toward her. "Mirai, I was just stopping him. Look at him… He doesn't belong here."
"He belongs with me," she said coldly. "And he's my guest. If my guards did not move, why would you?" She asked, as two guards stood behind her.
The word sliced clean through the tension. Floki hesitated for a moment. His grip loosened.
Han dropped back onto the marble, legs unsteady, breath tearing in as the system finalized its judgment.
[ WARNING: System punishment: A5-T1 threat will soon be released. ]
'A5-T1? What's that..?' His heart hammered against his chest, but for now, he was still there. His eyes acknowledged the last part of the warning.
He wasn't teleported, he didn't feel pain except from the redness and slight numbness on his neck where Floki had held him. Good. Han thought, as Maria also entered the restaurant.
Mirai stepped between them, not even looking at Floki as she reached for Han's wrist to raise him. Han lowered his head, pain flaring beneath his skin.
One thought burning through everything else: What's the punishment about, if not direct? Floki scuffed, then turned, "Let's go." He said in annoyance, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
His partner followed after him, passing by Maria still waiting by the entrance. Floki's eyes also caught her, but dismissed her quickly as they left.
The shift supervisor, who had been hiding in the corner, finally stepped forward, worry etched across his face. He clapped his hands, forcing a smile.
"Alright, alright. The matter… was resolved. Please, everyone, return to your… lovely—" He faltered, his smile twitching. "—evening."
Maria hurried toward Han, but a guard blocked her path.
"Miss Mirai only expected one guest," he said, tilting his head. "Who are you?"
Han didn't hesitate. "She's with me. Let her through, please." He slid into the seat at Mirai's table, where she closed her eyes, exhaling in slight annoyance.
'He brought another woman… on a date with me? How bold…' Her grin widened subtly, and her hand moved discreetly, passing the folders on the table to Anne. The guard, hesitant, looked back.
"Let her through," Mirai said, opening her eyes and lifting the menu casually.
Maria hurried to Han. "Are you alright, Han?" she asked, worried in her voice.
He nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure himself. "I'm fine. Take a seat, Mari."
'He even has a nickname for her?' Mirai tried to ignore them, but Han wasted no time. "I apologize, Mirai, I—" He froze. What was he supposed to say?
Maria, sharp-eyed and judgmental, let out a small sigh. "Ah."
She bowed her head slightly. "My idiotic brother forgot to give me notice he wouldn't be home. I spent the whole day baking under the scorching sun, locked away from my own haven."
She dramatized the words, tilting her head toward Mirai. "If I'm a bother… I could leave," she added, trying for puppy eyes.
Her stomach gave her away, rumbling loudly. 'Lucky! Perfect timing, heh', she thought, letting her hunger add weight to the performance.
Mirai shook her head slightly. "Anne." Without hesitation, the fourth chair was pulled out by her assistant, Anne, who quickly took her place.
"No problem," Mirai said smoothly. "We are here to discuss your brother's job re-location, after all."
Maria's eyes wandered to Han, who had previously told her this was a date. He, though, didn't see a problem with it. Since the system did accept it as a date.
She pressed the menu flat against the table. "I'll even pay," she added, her tone sharp but playful, "since it seems everyone sees me as charity."
Han pressed back, "Of course not! I'll pay for your inconvenience tonight Mirai." Mirai almost let out a laugh, "Really now?" She said, almost smugly.
Han frowned in confusion for a moment, then took the menu and opened it.
The pages practically gleamed under the chandelier light.
Steak – Ironhorn Wagyu, seared to perfection, $120
Lobster Thermidor – fresh from the deep-floor coasts, $180
Foie Gras Terrine – with truffle honey and golden brioche, $95
Celestial Scallop Carpaccio – rare northern seas, $110
Gold-Leafed Chocolate Soufflé – $75
Han blinked, his jaw tightening. 'What on earth…?' He didn't know half of the stuff there. The thoughts of punishment cast away for a second,
Mirai leaned back slightly, watching his reaction, a faint smirk on her lips. "Go on. Choose wisely. Tonight isn't cheap."
He swallowed. "Right… I'll… uh…"
The menu itself didn't worry him, neither were the prices. Bugging down on his mind repeatedly was.. The punishment.
Again, It couldn't just go away.
'It will be released.. What will?'
When, what, in which form? He couldn't decide.
"So?" Maria asked, while Maria gasped under her breath, muttering, "Brother.. This is.."
A single dish there cost as much as their weekly ingredients, impossible she thought. Han raised his head, "Huh? oh right." He raised his hand, "Server please."
The young supervisor, who had been lurking nearby, stepped forward. "Yes…" He glanced at his own attire again, hesitated, then swallowed his pride. "Have we… decided, sir?"
Han pointed firmly at the menu. "All of it. Make four portions of each." He stopped for a bit, "And.. Red wine."
He then turned to Maria. "Of course, Mari, for her it's orange juice and.. You're allergic to seafood, right?"
She nodded, torn between excitement and concern. Can my brother actually pay for this?
"Remove the lobster from her portion, instead add.. Extra dessert.?"
She was excited hearing the last word, her lips turning into a smile. 'I love dessert!'
Maria's mind raced back on the earlier thought. 'What if he's bluffing? What if the Porsche was rented—or even stolen? Some systems spawn items, some have dedicated shops… but a system that just gives cash? I haven't heard of that yet…'
Mirai, meanwhile, watched with a flicker of amusement. She cast a sharp glance at the hesitating supervisor. "Do as he said. Did you forget? I own this place."
The supervisor straightened immediately, a mixture of relief and excitement on his face. "B-but of course!" he stammered.
"The food will be ready shortly. Miss Mirai… gentleman… Anne, and…" His eyes landed on Maria in her high school uniform. "Uh… enjoy your night."
He quickly looked away, clearly unsure what to make of her, and ignored her entirely.
Han tried to ease his mind, with thoughts landing on the lobster. He never ate one, what if he embarasses himself? But Mirai eased the silence. "Well then. Mr. Han Shu if I'm correct?"